Monday July 02, 2018
Appeal Court sets date for GECOM Chairmanship case The Court of Appeal is set to commence hearing the legal challenge to the GECOM Chairmanship as early as next month. In response to an application for an early date, the Appeal Court is expected to hear the appeal against the decision of Chief Justice Roxanne George in relation to the appointment of James Patterson as the Chairman of GECOM, on July 25, 2018. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has been pushing for an early hearing of the appeal of the High Court decision over the appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM) Chairman. An application filed on behalf of PPP executive member, Zulfikar Mustapha, had outlined the party’s concern as it relates to the timeframe in which the matter should be heard. In the application, the PPP executive noted that given that the Minister responsible for Local Government Elections has publicly signaled that these will be held by December 2018, and National and Regional Elections by August 2020, it is in the national and public interest, that this appeal be heard and determined as early as is reasonably possible.
However, regardless of how the Appeal Court rules, the applicant expressed that there is every likelihood that the decision of Court would be appealed to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). “In the circumstances, that the State (Respondent) can hardly claim to suffer any prejudice or injustice by an early resolution of the issues raised in this appeal and indeed it would be in the best public and national interest that they support this application.” The applicant had expressed concern that among other things, Chief Justice (Roxanne George-Wiltshire S.C.) misconstrued and misinterpreted the role of the Leader of the Opposition in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall is leading the legal team, which is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn her recent ruling concerning the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The appeal is challenging the appointment of 84-year-old Justice (Rtd) James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM.
Concerns raised over completion for Kitty Market rehabilitation The Kitty Market
More than two years have gone by since the project to restore Kitty Market got underway. And although the restoration is 75 percent complete, the end to the project seems to be nowhere in sight. Among other things, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has been blamed for poor planning and management of rehabilitation project. The restoration of Kitty Market is estimated at $250 million but the City appeared unsure about the funds to start the project, let alone complete it. The project which is being executed by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been faced with numerous delays due to cash flow among other issues. Central Government intervened to rescue the
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rehabilitation of the Kitty Market when it awarded a contract of $25.1 million to BML Construction Services. This essentially took the remaining project works out of the hands of the City Engineer’s Department that started rehabilitation project on February 12, 2016. The Council has since been receiving technical assistance from the Ministry of Communities to complete the project. However in March, the Ministry of Communities received criticism for the project. An engineer from the Ministry was being blamed for the slow pace at which the restoration of Kitty Market is progressing. Back then, Councillor Oscar Clarke, who is head of City Hall’s Finance Committee, had visited the
site and was told by the contractor that the works are being delayed because an engineer from the Ministry has instructed that external works be completed before the internal works are done. “Well if a contractor has a job, I don’t know that the contractor ought to be told not to do work inside when he can do work both outside and inside. And if he does that, he can have the project completed ahead of time at less cost. But this contractor is being held up because he is being told otherwise by the engineer who is overseeing the project,” Clarke had reported to the council in March. “What is happening here? Is there is some deliberate attempt to have this project held up? The contractor said to me ‘my Continued on page 10
Guyana has to buy out Sithe Global before it can start Amaila Falls project - Jordan challenges Jagdeo to explain how ‘Fip’ Motilall won the rights to Amaila and how a US$15M road cost over US$50M By Abena RockcliffeCampbell If the Government of Guyana wants to revisit the Amaila Falls hydro project, it will have to either get permission from the American company, Sithe Global, or buy the “rights to the site” that the company owns. This was revealed recently by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan during an interview. The Minister was responding to former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent comments about the legitimacy of Fip Motilall being given the contract to build the road to the Amaila Falls. Jagdeo said that the evaluation that was done concluded that Motilall was best suited for the job. He called on government to release the evaluation. Yesterday, Jordan said that the audacity of Jagdeo— to try and justify the wrongs he committed against Guyana—is boundless. “Yes, I heard him saying that (the Motilall contract was legitimate). But like this man ain’t shame? This man is not shame? You are telling me three education evaluators sat down and gave a road to be in a jungle to a man who never built a footpath. I mean, are we that ignorant? Come on, we cannot be serious.”
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan
Jordan said that before Jagdeo attempts to “go down that road, he should explain to this nation how a so called US$14M road ended up being over US$50M eventually. In the midst of it Mr. Man (Motilall) got more than half the money then disappeared.” Further, Jordan said that he is in favour of “the entire story being investigated.” The Minister said that what he would really like to know is how Motilall ended up owning the rights to the Amaila Falls. He then sold the rights to the American company, Sithe Global.
“Do you know we could not restart any work on Amaila Falls unless we buy out Sithe or unless they give us permission? They own the rights, Fip sold them the rights. Any works to start back on Amaila Falls still have to go to Sithe Global.” The Amaila Falls Hydro Project formed part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It was the brainchild of Jagdeo and was commissioned in 2009. However, the project was aborted after being plagued by corruption and political controversy.
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A DANGEROUS GAME From the way things are shaping up in the White House, President Donald Trump’s legacy will be one of destruction due to his jaded diplomacy and his cynical view of international relations norms. Trump who rose to celebrity status in the U.S. and around the world due in part to the television show, “The Apprentice”, which portrayed him as a dealmaker has become a Presidential deal-breaker in the eyes of many American allies such as Canada, Britain, France and Germany and many others. No other American President other than Mr. Trump has reversed so many agreements made by his predecessor, Barack Obama in such a short time in office. In his first year in office, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement; obliterated the program for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement; ridiculed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and slapped taxes on steel and aluminum from Europe, Canada and China. President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a major departure from U.S. traditional diplomacy in the region. His moving of the U.S Embassy in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel has shattered decades of US policy toward the Middle East. The decision has been surrounded by all kinds of hyperbole, misconceptions and distortions. It has slammed the door shut on the peace process in the region. His most dangerous act was to cancel the Iran nuclear arms treaty and has threatened to impose stiffer sanctions on Iran if it refuses to renegotiate a new deal. The sanctions against Iran could lead to economic isolation of Iran, diminish the quality of life of Iranians, create room for radicalism to breed in the region and thus make the Middle East more dangerous. The cancelation of the Iran nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action could spell trouble for U.S. policy in the Middle East and its leadership around the world. It could also damage the U.S. ability to achieve the diplomatic solutions that are needed for peace and stability in the region. President Trump’s actions have caused the leaders of Palestine to distrust America and could make the world a more dangerous place. By withdrawing from the Iran deal, Mr. Trump has disrespected the leaders of France, Germany and Britain, who also have signed the agreement. His actions have triggered bitter recriminations in Iran, as angry Iranian politicians burned the US flag in their legislature. Given the present nature of globalization, several international experts have warned that the United States could pay a heavy price for Trump’s erratic actions. In addition, pulling out of the agreements signed by former President Obama has signalled to the world that Americans are not trustworthy. As President, Mr. Trump is within his right to withdraw from any agreements he does not like or if they are flawed. The fact that he has not replaced any of them with substantial or better proposals shows poor leadership and that Mr. Trump seems to be operating under a foreign policy concept that simply panders to the prejudices of his ultra-right wing supporters in America. For example, his claim that the authorities in Iran have not been abiding by the nuclear deal has not been substantiated by United Nations inspectors. American and international intelligence sources have attested that Iran has not violated the agreement. It is clear that Mr. Trump’s ultimate goal is to undermine the legacy of his predecessor, Barack Obama, for whom the Iranian accord was a signature diplomatic achievement. It speaks to his disdain for Mr. Obama, whom he said was not born in the U.S. Guyana and the Caribbean should be concerned because President Trump’s actions could lead to renewed tensions in the Middle East and a rise in the price of oil which could threaten the Guyana’s economy and thus affect us.
Charles Ramson will make a great President of Guyana, but not now Dear Editor, When I first saw the video of my friend and colleague, Charles Ramson Jr. declaring his intention to contest for the PPP Presidential Candidate, I was very disappointed in the choice of words used to justify his candidacy. However, it was his response to the Leader of the Opposition that certainly gave credence to the idiom that too much education is just as dangerous as too little. Undoubtedly, Charles is young, ambitious, well-educated and has great potential. It is these very qualities that Bharrat Jagdeo recognized in him, that made him one of the youngest Members of the National Assembly. Without the support of Bharrat Jagdeo, he could not have made it on his own. So what has changed? Ramson has a bone to pick with Jagdeo, Anil Nandall and Irfaan Ali. He wanted time-off from Parliament for one year to pursue studies in the United Kingdom in Oil and Gas while retaining his MP
status. This request was denied because the PPP could not afford to reduce its voting powers in the National Assembly at a time when the National Budget and vital pieces of legislation were upcoming. He was subsequently replaced by the young, dynamic Vickram Bharrat. In an email sent to me on May 21, 2018, Ramson wrote: “I know the feeling of giving your all in a team and others not pulling their weight and it’s being allowed to happen. Imagine how I felt when as an MP I gave my all to this and when I got a prestigious scholarship to study an area, which we need for the country and will be beneficial to the team and asked for leave and so many “leaders” did not support the application. I had support from Luncheon and a couple others but Anil and BJ and Irfaan did not support. It’s disheartening and discouraging.” Every politically astute person in Guyana knows that former PPP Ministers Anil
Nandlall and Irfaan Ali are the ones most likely to contest the Party’s Presidential candidacy for the 2020 elections, and so this will present Ramson with an opportunity to deny them this nomination in much the same way they denied him. Isn’t this vindictiveness, tit for tat? In his recent response to Jagdeo, he mentioned having knowledge of persons making public announcements before going through a nomination process for the 2015 election, and disclosed, “But I would like to point out that far worse has happened like persons being involved in corruption and no press conference has ever been held about it or disrespectful and childish comparisons being made.” As a lawyer and upstanding citizen who wants to be President, did Ramson not feel it was his patriotic duty to report this “corruption” that he saw to the police or better yet, to SOCU? Now that Charles Ramson is writing for the Kaieteur News, it seems he has discov-
ered the Freddie Kissoon syndrome: Criticize Jagdeo and get your face on the front page. In his declaration speech, Ramson said Guyana needs young, fresh leadership. “We need credible leadership— leadership with integrity, passion and vision; leadership that puts the people first.” While both Anil Nandall and irfaan Ali fit the aforementioned description, they both have tremendous success and a well-documented track record in the sectors they were responsible for as Ministers in the previous government. Where is Ramson? In the past three years, it was Anil Nandlall, aided sometimes by Priya Manickchand and Adrian Anamaya who defended cash-crop farmers and sugar workers and everyone whose constitutional rights were being violated by this APNU+AFC Administration. With his 10 years’ experience as a lawyer and Party member, Ramson has never (Continued on page 05)
Will the theory of the trench men continue to reign supreme? Dear Editor, Now that the dust has finally settled on the third term issue, the PPP has to resort to plan B- choosing a candidate to run for the presidency in 2020. The aspirants seems to be many, but none so swift as Charles Ramson Jnr. Personally! I don’t blame the guy. At least he did not say that goat did not bite him as a reason for wanting to be a president i a l a s p i r a n t . R amson said, “Guyana is ready to move forward. Everywhere you go, everyone is saying the same thing—we need young and fresh leadership. But it’s not just young and fresh leadership; we need credible leadership— leadership with integrity, passion and vision; leadership that puts the people first.” In my opinion, there is truth and relevance in that statement As Ramson laid his cards on the table- was to be, beneficiary of the third term case— (Jagdeo) responded, “This is a departure from that approach that we have always used in the past” and that the party will decide”. I figure that remark did not offer any hint of concurring. Vision is an impor-
tant characteristic of a presidential hopeful! I wonder if Jagdeo can honestly say if Donald Ramotar ’s ascent to the top spot was due to popular vote by the central committee of the party? If that is the truth, then we can quickly eliminate all the aspirants who voted for him on account of lack of vision. The grapevine has it that he was “fingered” (I hope no one misconstrues this term) by Jagdeo and everyone in the room felt compelled to follow like lemmings. The attributes of lemmings is not conducive to presidential material. If the grapevine is correct, there is nothing presidential about the 35 members of the central committee of the PPP. I am certain, the last time I checked, PPP central committee did not pick or vote the right man for the job. I do hope that Ramson Jr. was not a part of any of the two processes mentioned above or I shall have to withdraw my supp o r t f o r h i s c a n d i d a c y. What is good for the goose is good for the gander! The old guard of the PPP has the most idiotic mentality or should I say con phrase, in the political play
book. It is in the embodiment of Clement Rohee’s speech at every election, in regards to newcomers on the political scene. It goes something like this, “Where were all these people when we were in the struggle to restore democracy in this country?” The old guard want their supporters to believe that they, like Cheddi Jagan, struggled in the past for the people’s sake and for that, the people must keep on voting them into office to enjoy the perks of power. Sadly! A silly 10% of their supporters buy into this mantra and is selling it among the others. This mantra killed all the parties with Indian presidential aspirants in the past. If Ramson Jr. does not get the nomination, it would be because he was not in the trenches. The PNC has adopted the trench men philosophy too. I could recall FK, seemingly an apologist for the trench men theory sought to inquire where Granger could claim affinity to the trenches, after Granger’s announcement in Georgia that he has been a PNC since the age of twelve—much to the astonishment of the Guyanese public who thought he was a freshman. Apparently! One does not have to physically go into the trenches, the trench could be in your heart. What I do know, if applicable, the trench men theory has seen two mediocre indi-
viduals ascending to the presidency in the last two elections. The old guard mentality, on both side of the divide, is that the trench men must come first. Integrity, vision or commitment (passion) means nothing to them. I feel Ramson is the most suitable candidate at this time for the PPP. The man is young, brilliant, fairly experienced and most of all does not carry the baggage like the others. The naysayers will be many and they have already started. Listen to this one from a Dr. Mark Devonish! “In my opinion, he will be a dictator, imprisoning and assassinating political opponents or dissenting voices. He would silence the media and force them to voice his agenda. He would just be a next Burnham minus the intellect”. Is Mark Devonish a practitioner in the Occult? All of that from Mark for suggesting that Ramson is arrogant! Granger was perceived as a lamb by many before 2015. Now he is been accused by many for being dictatorial. Youth by itself carries a degree of arrogance. A charismatic individual like Ramson will know that great expectation demands great responsibility. Rudolph Singh
Monday July 02, 2018
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Please don’t ‘water down’ the The Guyana Prize for Literature at the crossroads Guyana Prize by separating local and overseas writers
Dear Editor, I seriously began writing poetry in 1984 while working as a gold miner (Porknocker) on the bank of the estuary of the Potaro River. After much fasting and giving reverence to the Most High, I was able to produce a collection of poems which was published and the collection entitled “Revelation Pan Creation”. This collection sought to highlight the plight faced by populations all around the world, socially, culturally, economically, politically and spiritually. However, most emphasis was placed on addressing the Guyanese situation in the 1980’s and what it meant for the future development of our great nation. In 1987, I entered the Guyana Prize for poetry in the category of “First book of poems”, which was selected to be judged and in the end received creditable mention from the judges. The Librarian of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus in Jamaica at the time requested copies of this book of poems that was placed in their collection of
work by West Indian writers. In 1987, seven hundred copies of the book were sold to the Ministry of Education for use in schools. I also made donations to several Secondary Schools such as Queen’s College, The Bishops High School, President’s College, Golden Grove Secondary, and other schools and churches, and I have unceasingly continued to perform my work in schools and the wider community.I note with consternation comments made by Mr. Harold Bascom in Kaieteur News letter column dated 1st July 2018 in which he denounces the efforts of The Honourable Minister Dr. George Norton to clean up the mess that has accumulated over the past three decades. Mr. Bascom was happy to join with those in control of the Prize to collect his large pieces of pie, which he continues to long for, while we the humble creative minds bent on building this land that belongs to us, remain at home to paint the picture using our pens to guide our nation through the many ages.
Those of us who remain at home are better able to guide our young people by rubbing shoulders and staying in the trenches, those writers from the Diaspora can also contribute based on their experiences in the Diaspora. I wish to inform Mr. Bascom that Guyanese writers have continued to write to this day but do not enjoy the opportunities offered in the Diaspora. Much more needs to be done to encourage young writers, this is what the prize should address, our young noble writers need opportunities to excel, without copyright laws the Guyana Prize for Literature will remain ineffective in pursuance of national Development and those of us who remain at home will continue to earn the disrespect of some of those writing out of the Diaspora. I support Minister George Norton in his efforts to right the wrongs exercised over the GUYANA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE for decades. Yours respectfully, RAS Aaron Blackman Poet
Dear Editor, I will stay away from the debate about whether the Guyana Prize for Literature Committee is functioning effectively, and whether past judges should participate. What I will focus on are the suggestions by some that overseas participants have some sort of advantage over local participants, in terms of learning their craft; that some winners in the Diaspora may have been ‘given’ the award, and that a Guyana Prize category should be created for ‘disadvantaged’ locals, who would then compete separately from those in the Diaspora. . Editor, to suggest that some writers in the Diaspora were awarded the Guyana Prize because of some sort of connection with those responsible for its organization is insulting to those awardees. Whether in the Diaspora or in Guyana, the writer faces the same hurdles (years of writing and re-writing, sometimes years of rejection, family and work-related issues
etc.) while trying to produce his best work. Those who suggest that there is an advantage of writing in the Diaspora forget that writers such as Harold Bascom, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Ruel Johnson and Subraj Singh have also won this prestigious award while writing in their homeland. Are we saying that they had some fairy Godfather who ‘gave’ them this award? What should prevent a writer who remains at home from producing work that is on par with his follow writers who live overseas? The answer is NOTHING! What is there to prevent the local writer from honing his craft by constantly reading and studying the works of others, of reading the books on writing, the hundreds of articles and blogs on the internet posted by successful writers? What is there to prevent the local writer from showing his early drafts to some of his peers for honest, critical comment? The second complaint/
these cases. Is this the kind of leadership that puts people first? Editor, behind that babyface smile is a man whose ego dangerously rivals that of our Prime Minister. In his letter in the Kaieteur News on June 29 captioned “Charles Ramson through the eyes of someone else”, Dr. Mark Devonish sums it up beautifully when he describes Ramson as “too arrogant, obnoxious and petty” to be President. He forgot to mention his bad at-
although he has grown now, he still wants to get his own way. I’m sure with time, Charles Ramson Jr. will make a great President of Guyana, but not now. He has some maturing to do. HARRY GILL PPP Member of Parliament
How much longer teachers with degrees in Public Management have to wait to be Charles Ramson... From page 04 titude. volunteered his expertise to Charles, I’m sure, was upgraded in the teaching system? assist Nandlall with one of spoilt rotten as a child. And
Dear Editor, Teachers with a degree in Public Management should be recognized in the teaching system. Many teachers in the Business department who gained a degree in Public Management have to utilize their degree to help students with the business SBA’s and these teachers are currently not getting paid for their degree. The business SBA has changed to more like a research and this is where teachers with a Public Management degree will have to utilize the knowledge gained from the degree. The Ministry of Education needs to look at the courses offered in this four-
year programme. Most of the courses are Business and Accounts. How can teachers in the business department in Berbice promote themselves? The teachers training college in Berbice does not offer training in Business and the business programme (Degree in Public Management) offered at the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, is not recognized in the teaching system. These teachers are very unhappy because they have to utilize their knowledge gained from the degree programme to help students and they are not being paid for it. Teachers who gained a
degree in Public Management were allowed to do Diploma in Education (Business studies) and when completed got an AM status instead of a TGM status. The Ministry of Education should consider upgrading those teachers in the Business Department with Degree in Public Management because these teachers are efficiently utilizing their knowledge and deserve to be upgraded. Yours sincerely, Nicholette Simpson
suggestion is that, because of this so-called ‘advantage’ those in the Diaspora have, the Guyana Prize committee should set up a separate category for us lesser mortals, we ‘local writers’; perhaps, give the disadvantaged locals a ‘watered down’ version of the Prize. What an insult to local writers and to this prestigious award! Which self-respecting individual who calls him/herself a writer would not want to compete with the best? The category for First Fiction and First Book of Poetry already caters for ‘new’ and ‘young’ writers. In addition, because of the absence of publishing houses, local writers can submit manuscripts in the First Book category. I will end with this plea to the Honourable Minister of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport: Pease don’t ‘water down’ the Guyana Prize for Literature. And Please, let’s not postpone the Guyana Prize for Literature award for another year. Michael Jordan Local writer and journalist
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A fallacy that Guyanese writers overseas have advantages over those writing from home Dear Editor, It is not true that Guyanese writers ‘overseas’ have a leg up on local writers. The shocking fact may well turn out that the reverse is true. But the ‘better-opportunities’ charge levelled after a Guyana Prize wraps up with more overseas-Guyanese wins, pops us time after time. Again: It’s not true. What is true, is that the Guyanese writer in the Diaspora— be it the USA, Canada, or in Europe, stand to experience more hardships to be recognized as writers, and this translates into even greater difficulties getting published by a British or American publisher. The mere act of writing overseas is difficult for many Guyanese overseas who still consider themselves writers. Many in Guyana will not understand how hard it is for some people overseas to work more than one job to make ends meet, and to even find the time to write. As such, many who came here in the hope of continuing
to write have given up on it. Moreover, there are overseas-based writers who have been submitting literary works to the Guyana Prize and have not yet won a Guyana Prize. I know one poet who has been writing in Canada and has been submitting his work to the Guyana Prize for years and has not won yet. But let me not digress. Most American publishers won’t touch what we (as Guyanese) write with a ten-foot pole. Why? Because American publishers are not interested in Guyanese stories. This is not what I ‘hear’. This is what had been told to me back in 1996 after I was afforded the opportunity to speak with a few editors from a few prestigious houses in Manhattan. One editor complimented me for my novel ‘APATA: The Story of a Reluctant Criminal’—published by Heinemann Educational Books back in1986—and asked me what I was doing in America? She told me that as a Guyanese writer, my audience
was in Guyana and not in America, and as such the publisher she represents would not think to accept a book by a Guyanese author. The fact is, there are few books by Guyanese and Caribbean authors published in the USA. Very few. So, the so-called ‘opportunities’ that overseas based Guyanese writers have don’t exist— at least not for the likes of me and many others who just sit at home wherever we are ‘overseas’ and writer for our lives with hardly any recognition. So, let me speak about myself since it seems some at-home Guyanese think that I write with some special dispensation from being ‘overseas.’ I won four Guyana Prizes and one Caribbean Award for Literature. The first time I won the Guyana Prize was in 1994 for my play, TWO WRONGS. Where did I write it? In Guyana—in Hadfield Street, Lodge to be exact. In 1996, I won the Guyana Prize for the second time with the play MAKANTALI. Where was it written? Again: In Hadfield
Street, Lodge. For both plays, the only opportunities I had were twofold: The first, to get the time to write; the second: to have a few Guyanese buddies stopping-by to give me critiques along the way. Then I migrated to the USA and—just like I did in Guyana—sat in a room in Georgia and wrote a play entitled, BLANK DOCUMENT. But then, I didn’t have any of my Guyanese buddies to drop in and give me critiques BLANK DOCUMENT was the play that I won the Guyana Prize with. Then while sitting in my home in Georgia, I came up with the idea about a play populated with dead Caribbean and Guyanese writers. And I did the same thing like I did with ‘TWO WRONGS’, ‘MAKANTALI’, and ‘BLANK DOCUMENTS’: get critiques from Guyanese friends. I won the Guyana Prize for the fourth time with ‘DESPERATE FOR RELEVANCE’ And for it, I also won the Caribbean Award. I didn’t win four Guyana prizes because I had ‘overseas opportunities,’ I won them because I write hard
and research hard and listen to critiques. I would have won them if I still lived in Guyana. When a Guyanese writer writes from overseas, he has no special advantages I can tell you about. In reality, the ONLY advantage I MAY have over a local writer, is that I have good Internet access, a laptop, and am able to research deep into anything I write about. So once the local writer has a computer and reliable Internet connection, he/she can write on a level equal to mine. And before I forget, please know that EVERY play that I submitted and ever won, was submitted AS A BOUND MANUSCRIPT and not a printed book. And speaking of printed books, when you see them coming to Guyana from Guyanese writers overseas, bet yo’ bottom dollar, we self-publish the majority we-self. PEACE! Sincerely, Harold A. Bascom Guyana Prize for Literature four-time winner, and 2014 Winner of the Caribbean Award for Literature.
That National Dialogue on Domestic Violence…
Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) fervently hopes that First Lady Sandra Granger’s upcoming national dialogue on domestic violence will consider proposals made by a number of commentators, analysts and letter writers. It must consider a coordinated community response via a task force; review of the domestic violence laws and a concerted effort to implement and enforce them; police training on the provisions of the domestic violence law, emphatic communication and an overall more effective approach to domestic violence It also must consider timely and greater responses to complaints and requests for protection orders supported by stringent enforcement; domestic violence courts; social workers and/or counsellors at all police stations, a batterer ’s intervention programme; an education campaign that focuses on modeling and highlighting healthy relationships and on tackling the victim blaming and shaming mentality that currently exists There must be provision of more safe houses; more Probation and Welfare Officers to service the courts;
greater interagency and stakeholders’ collaboration; videoing by the public of inappropriate police behavior/ responses to complaints and submission to their superiors. Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was recently quoted in the media as saying that domestic violence is “a very difficult thing to prevent when someone (is) feeling angry for whatever reason…I don’t know what we can do, or how we can legislate against that…What we have to do is…ensure better education; but, there again, the officer (Orwain Sandy) that did what he did was an educated fellow”. Actually, anger is not a root cause for domestic violence. The same person whose anger leads him/her to violence in a relationship would generally not be violent at the workplace, in a government office, or with a leader or opinion shaper, no matter how angry. Domestic violence occurs because the abuser needs to be in control and/or dominate the other partner, and/or the abuser is socialized into thinking intimate partner violence is an acceptable way to solve conflicts.
Anger, drugs, alcohol catalyze the abuse. What, in effect is needed is the implementation of the requisite programmes, policies and strategies, some of which have been mentioned above and some of which may need legislation. Others would include programs – anger management, anti-alcohol and anti-drugs - to address the related mental health issues. Additionally, measures are needed to shape the socialization process so that children, especially boys, are imbued with right mentality from young, so that parents can apply appropriate parenting skills, so dysfunctional relationships can be reengineered to evolve without violence and so that schools can provide discipline without violence. As tennis champion, Serena Williams, stated in a June 21 article in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, “It’s important to get the message out there - to our young men, to our boys, to our daughters.” In addition, it must be noted that academic education does not necessarily prepare someone to not descend into abuse. In fact, abuse cuts across all strata and segments of society and all walks of life. With respect to multistakeholders’ collaboration, a good starting point could be this national dialogue. When The Caribbean Voice held our National Stakeholders’ Conference in August 2015, over
75 stakeholders’ were present from across Guyana. Logistically and resources wise, the First Lady is in a position to do far better and so we hope that her national dialogue will see representation by all stakeholders involved at any level in addressing domestic violence - persons who already have displayed passion and commitment to addressing domestic violence, persons who are already on the ground giving of their times, efforts and resources and thus, having a grasp of the realities around domestic violence would be there for the long run, 24/7 and not only 8 to 5 until the money runs out. Meanwhile, The Caribbean Voice is inviting the First Lady to become lead partner in the Lay Counsellor Training Programme to be launched next year. With the First Lady in charge, this programme can truly be national in scope and result in gatekeepers in all communities, individuals who can proactively tackle all forms of abuse and suicide. In addition, The Caribbean Voice is considering a national campaign to address domestic/intimate partner violence and femicide. Elements of this campaign are expected to include flyers (200,000) and posters (10,000), as well as focus groups across Guyana supported by the lay counsellor program, our ongoing workshops, information dis-
semination and advocacy. Again, with the First Lady as lead partner in this effort tremendous success can be achieved. As well, we urge the First Lady to include a module on mental health in all training programmes planned by her office. This would be more cost effective than separate mental health training. Besides, given that upwards of 200,000 Guyanese suffer from one or more mental health issue, that both suicide and all forms of abuse have mental health components, and that hundreds of thousands of other Guyanese have to deal with loved ones who suffer from mental health issues, mental health training becomes a critical necessity. The bottom line is that
much of what we have had so far is rhetoric, pageantry, photo ops, and similar arid activities that waste scarce resources without making a significant impact on the issue in any fundamental manner. So please Madam First Lady, please do use this national dialogue opportunity to start a process of concrete change. As a woman, wife and mother you can far better empathize with the plight of our women folk and as the First Lady, you have the capacity and scope to transform talk into action, not piece meal, selectively and ad hoc but concertedly, nationally and continually. Sincerely The Caribbean Voice
The Broadcast Authority has it wrong Dear Editor, There is Sir Fenton/Jacob Rambarran’s case, which should be heard in our Appeal Court, since it is an important case. The Broadcast Authority is acting as if it is a legal entity when this case which is still sub judice. The challenge says that the Broadcast Bill 2011 which was passed through parliament in 2011 when the PPP had a majority of the seats in parliament, was actually brought into effect in 2012 when the PPP had lost the control of Parliament to the opposition. This meant that the PPP did not have the power to activate the Act. This case must be heard; we all have to demand it, since the following can happen in this country, 4 men can run in
an election and three of them get 24 % of the votes and the fourth gets 27%. Incredibly GECOM is obligated by our Constitution to declare the person with 27% of the vote as the president, but Sir Fenton is saying in this case that he would not have the right to form a government, since he does not control parliament, so he would have to come to some sort of arrangement with one of the other parties with 24% of the vote plus his 27%=51% before he can form the government. Currently the Broadcast Authority is demanding $2.5 million worth of Broadcast fees when in fact the matter is still sub judice and is not enforcable. Tony Vieira.
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Failures of Coalition Govt., Request for investigation into PPP demand birth of third all blocks under PPP not a new political force - Ramkarran phenomenon - Dr. Mangal
Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran believes that now is the time for Guyanese to be offered a different kind of political party. In his most recent writings, Ramkarran argued that the need for a third political force has become necessary since the major ones have failed the nation in several ways. Speaking to the current dilemmas of the major forces, he pointed out that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has suffered a major electoral blow where its most popular and experienced leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, would not be able to lead as the PPP’s Presidential Candidate at the 2020 elections. It must now look for a fresh face. He said that Guyana is also faced with deteriorating economic conditions and the one seat majority of the APNU+AFC Coalition. Compounding this he said, is the fact that both parties have failed to establish inclusive governance, even though they were staunch advocates for the concept when in opposition. Taking these and other factors into consideration, Ramkarran said that Guyana needs a new party with a programme of unity as a way out of the debilitating, ethno-political controversies and insecurities, which have dominated its politics and have bred only suspicion, antagonism and political unilateralism. The commentator opined that this third party can do so by recognizing the existence of the two major parties, the support they receive and seek as its
Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran fundamental goal to encourage these two parties to work together for the future of Guyana. Ramkarran contended that decades of political effort, including the mandate of the electorate in 2011, have all failed. The popular columnist reasoned that the third party, if it wins a majority or plurality, will accept the task of government in order to prevent a constitutional crisis. Under the constitution, he said that the party obtaining a majority or plurality must hold the presidency. Until the constitution is amended, Ramkarran said that the party will be obliged to fulfill its constitutional mandate but, not being wedded to power, would propose a reexamination of this and other provisions. He said the difference is that, in accordance with its primary purpose, it will invite the other major parties to share in the government in accordance with their
percentage of support. “If a majority or plurality is not achieved, the third party will remain in opposition but will strongly advocate and agitate for the establishment of a unity government of the major parties. If the major parties recalcitrantly resist the call for unity, the third party will support the party that agrees to implement its policies of constitutional reform, leading to inclusive governance and for economic and social reform, including strong measures against poverty, crime and corruption.” For decades, Ramkarran said that experts have concluded that the divisions created by ethnopolitical rivalries are major r e a s o n s f o r G u y a n a ’s underdevelopment. He said that the third party would not seek to replace the two major parties but rather, seek to make them winners, with both serving in government. “The supporters of these parties will remain supporters and should not see it as a betrayal to support the third party, whose objective would be to ensure that there are no losers in elections. The third party must never fall victim to the lure of political office. It must have a higher purpose that resonates with the Guyanese people – unity.” Ramkarran argued that the unity that will be created is now a vital necessity. He stressed that statesmanship has failed Guyana so far. The former House Speaker believes that electoral pressure must be brought to bear.
Former Presidential Advisor on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal has debunked accusations that his call for an investigation into all oil blocks given out under the previous regime is an attempt to renew his contract with the government, which came to an end March last. In a letter to the media, Dr. Mangal said that he will prove in the coming weeks that his call for an investigation predates the end of his tenure as advisor to the President. He insisted that his request is not a “recent phenomenon.” Further to this, the Oil and Gas Consultant opined that his actions taken during the role of petroleum advisor prove that he was not trying to curry favour with anyone, including the President. Dr. Mangal said that his objective was only to satisfy his remit from the Head of State, which was to help ensure the oil and gas industry benefits the people of Guyana, especially the poor, the youth and future generations. To maximize his chances of success, he adopted four simple principles. He promised that he would not use his role as advisor as a means to land another job. If he did, Dr. Mangal reasoned that he would compromise his objective, as he would be trying to curry favour with foreign oil companies or international donor agencies, as opposed to looking out for the interests of the Guyana.
...Insists he is not saying this to regain his job with Govt.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
Former Presidential Advisor, Dr. Jan Mangal
He also committed to not using the role of advisor to the President as a means to make friends and had to accept that he would annoy many in positions of power (both in government and outside). Dr. Mangal said that his time in the role was spent challenging proposals and strategies of some high-level government officials. He added, “But, please remember that things would be worse if behaviours witnessed under previous governments were as prevalent under this government…” Dr. Mangal also made a commitment to not facilitate deals between the private
sector and the government, as his focus needed to be on government and civil society. He also accepted that his earnings would be a fraction of what he previously earned when in the private sector. INVESTIGATEALL OIL BLOCKS A few weeks ago, Dr. Jan Mangal called for an immediate investigation into all oil blocks given out during the era of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C). In a missive to the media, the Oil and Gas Consultant said he suspects that the blocks were awarded in highly inappropriate ways or even corrupt ways under the Continued on page 17
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Monday July 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
WITH 457 REPORTS…
Berbice records highest domestic violence figures for 2017 With over ten women murdered at the hands of their partners, Berbice has recorded the highest number of domestic violence reports for 2017. This is according to statistics revealed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). During 2017, 482 reports were recorded in ‘B’ Division, 306 in ‘A’ Division, ‘C’ Division had 457 reports, and ‘D’ Division 298, while 75 reports were recorded in ‘E’ Division and 60 and 109 reports respectively in ‘F’ and ‘G’ Divisions. These reports were predominantly made by women. The Domestic Violence Prevention Centre (DVPC) says that most women will on average attempt to leave an abusive relationship between five and seven times, before successfully and permanently doing so. It was highlighted by DVPC that many women make complaints to the police, but do not follow through with prosecution of the perpetrator.
In most instances, abused women would attend court and testify that they no longer wish to proceed with the matter; hence the case is dismissed against the defendant. Just recently, police charged a man with unlawful assault after he allegedly stabbed his spouse several times with a knife and cuffed her about the body. It was revealed to the court by the police prosecutor that the man is in the habit of abusing the woman. As such, the prosecutor requested that the man be remanded to
prison. That request was upheld by Magistrate Leron Daly who cited the victim’s safety as ground for remanding the man. However, when the man made another court appearance two weeks later, the victim expressed her desire of not proceeding with the matter. With a look of dismay, the Magistrate perused the case docket and asked the woman if she was sure she wanted to end the criminal proceedings. The woman replied in the affirmative and told the
Magistrate that she was unaware of the story making the news headlines. Turning her attention to counsel for the defendant, the Magistrate inquired of the defendant’s plans regarding the welfare of the woman. The lawyer told the court that his client was willing to move from the house that he shared with his partner. In a similar case, a taxi driver went before another City Magistrate, this time for assaulting the mother of his two children. The man denied the charge and was placed on bail. A few minutes after being escorted to the prisoner’s lock-up, the woman was seen paying the man’s bail after which they walked out of the court compound holding hands. These are just few of the domestic violence cases that are dismissed daily in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, due to the victim’s unwillingness to prosecute. In some instances, the victims, mostly women, would signal their intention of not continuing with the matter before the charge is even read to the defendant.
Last week, a fisherman from Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, who allegedly dealt the mother of his son several stabs was charged with attempted murder and was remanded to prison. According to reports, the woman who is still hospitalized had taken out a protection order against the man. On the day of the stabbing, the man is alleged to have approached the woman and requested to kiss their son.
With the woman not complying, and after an altercation, the man allegedly stabbed the woman repeatedly. It is the seventh month of the year, and so far, a dozen women have lost their lives from domestic violence related incidents. A Berbice woman and her daughter are the latest murder victims. The two were killed after a man, their husband and father respectively, went berserk and hammered them to death.
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Re-connecting with past students The University of Guyana (UG) in its efforts to re-connect with past graduates and past faculty staff, last week Wednesday, launched the Berbice campus chapter of its Alumni Association. The goal of the Alumni Association is to connect graduates and past faculty and staff of UG in a reciprocally beneficial relationship of investing, nurturing, fundraising, mentorship and development. Persons are being urged to give back to UG through scholarships, mentorship, equipment, books, internships, monetary gifts, travel bursaries and through other kind gestures. At a simple ceremony held at the university’s Berbice campus to mark the o c c a s i o n , Te n t h Vi c e Chancellor Professor
Ivelaw Griffith (Class of 1980 and 1981); encouraged those gathered to give back towards the development o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s s o l e national university. This campus was established in 2002 and produced its first batch of alumni two years later. The Vice Chancellor said that an alumni community cannot be built by “simply wishing it would happen.” In this regard, he said this is where the process of institutionalization comes into play, adding that one way to do so is by creating alumni associations and chapters. Professor Griffith pointed out that the purpose of these chapters is not merely to garner funds, but to also play a vital role in helping to bring others into the university
so that they could have similar or better experiences. The strength of any university has to do with its graduates, and how these past students help to strengthen the brand of the university and how they help to pave the way for others. More than half of a century after it was founded, the University of Guyana on June 2, last, launched its Alumni Association under the banner Proud Legacy: Prosperous Destiny at the i n s t i t u t i o n ’s Tu r k e y e n campus. Speaking at that event was Professor George Danns (Class of 1975) who noted that the establishment of an alumni association is long overdue, as he spoke of the importance of alumni in sustaining the educational
charge of the university. Pointing out that the University has educated past and current presidents, cabinet ministers and the acting Chancellor and Chief Justice, Professor Danns recommended that the alumni association be registered as a not for profit voluntary organization consistent with the university statutes and the laws of Guyana. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Professor Paloma Mohammed (Class of 1992 and 2000) has since revealed that the New York and Toronto chapters will be launched later this month, while the London Chapter will be launched later in the year.
-UG launches Berbice campus alumni chapter
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Monday July 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The race to succeed Granger heats up I am not sure if Granger is going to run in 2020. I have been hearing of health issues. That is strange because last month Mr. Granger after checks in Trinidad was pronounced as physically fit and proper. What I am a little bit sure of is if he runs, he may do a Janet Jagan on the PNC and “call it George.” But whereas the congenital Stalinism of the PPP does not allow for the leader to have a deputy, therefore the leader decides who he/she wants to succeed him/her, the PNC has a
different structure. Its deputy leader is the Chairman. Whoever is the Chairman will become President if President Granger decides to “call it George” as President Janet Jagan did in August 1999. If I were asked who will be the president in 2020, I would say it would be someone from the PNC. I believe the APNU+AFC Coalition will be in power (please note how I choose my words) in 2020. My prediction is that Granger will do “a Janet Jagan” on the PNC in maybe
2021 or 2022. I believe this explains the three-way race in August for the chairmanship of the party between two party stalwarts – Volda Lawrence and Basil Williamsand the APNU guy – Joe Harmon. Please see my column of Wednesday, May 23, 2018, captioned, “Harmon will win over Williams for deputy leader of the PNC.” In that piece, I argued that whoever the leaders of both the PPP and PNC want to become the next head, that person will be “selected” and not “elected.
It is this columnist’s inflexible opinion that Bharrat Jagdeo will decide who the PPP presidential candidate is for the 2020 election, and David Granger’s preference will become the PNC’s Chairman. That has been Guyana’s political culture since the 1940s. It has been a relentless vulture since that time slowly devouring the society. The WPA would like to think it was different and was not a practitioner of such a depraved political culture but it was all the time. The AFC is
another prisoner of this vulture. I see nothing on the political landscape to indicate that Guyana’s ancient, undemocratic political culture is changing; therefore, I see Jagdeo making the selection for his party’s presidential candidate and David Granger doing the choosing of his party’s Chairman next month at the PNC’s Congress. Having said that, there is another scenario that for the sake of argument, this article will pursue. What happens if there is no intervention by President Granger? Who is likely to be the Chairman assuming that by August, it is still a three-person race? Ms. Lawrence and Basil Williams will definitely spilt the vote of the hardcore PNC delegates who believe that both of them are longstanding PNC servants and they want such a person to succeed Granger. The present zeitgeist in the world favours the expanding presence of women in all spheres of life. It may not be an exaggeration to say the 21st century belongs to women. I will not endorse Ms. Lawrence for reasons of principle but I would like to see a woman lead both the PNC and PPP. The PPP once had a woman leader. It is time the PNC has one. This does not mean I am backing Ms. Lawrence. I don’t know her at all. I have never interacted with her as I have with Basil Williams. I had a bad experience with her when I was in Mark Benschop’s car and as we
Frederick Kissoon drove up to her. Mark said hello, and she abruptly turned away without acknowledging Benschop. Benschop had a mouthful to say and maybe after reading this he will expand. I will always remember that incident, which occurred directly at the corner Public Road, Kitty and Vlissingen Road right outside the head office of the women’s arm of the PNC. But in fairness to Ms. Lawrence, Mark may have wronged her or she may have changed since then. Basil and I were contemporaries as UG students and over the past forty-two years have enjoyed a cordial relation. But Basil will have a hard time winning the Chairmanship for two reasons. Humans are inclined to give others a chance. Basil had two terms. Secondly, he is not seen as a transformative, visionary leader and his ministerial performance is not winning him support. In relation to Joe Harmon, I think Lawrence and Williams are going to paint him extensively with a brush that says “newcomer to the PNC.” After Granger became PNC leader, Clarrisa Rhiel told me she never heard about him in the PNC.
Concerns raised over... From page 3 work is being held up…I should have started from the beginning on both external and internal works…now I am almost completed with the external works, I can’t start the internal works. I am still being held up. I have to send people home’. That’s a serious matter,” Clarke concluded. The M&CC had been adamant that preserving the architectural design of the 19th century structure, as well as ensuring that the original vendors are not displaced were among the priorities for the municipality. It was stated that the rehabilitated Kitty Market would feature a traditional health centre, offices for payment of rates and taxes, and a space for community councillors. Shortly after the works started, the Council encountered difficulties. The work was reportedly stymied by the inability to procure materials and also because
the Council had owed contractors. M&CC Councillor, Khame Sharma, has continually raised questions about the completion date for the project, which was announced to be completed last year. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen has staved off criticisms over the delays, noting that the reconstruction of the market was being financed mainly by the M&CC, and that works would have continued as funds become available. City Engineer, Colvern Venture, has promised to provide a progress report to councillors. He has not indicated when works will be completed under phase one of the project. The project commenced two years ago, and vendors are growing frustrated over the temporary accommodations they have had to endure. In January, vendors picketed outside the market for better conditions.
Monday July 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Monday July 02, 2018
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Local NGO tackles domestic violence With a resource centre for abused women and children envisioned, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) is continuing its fight against the domestic violence scourge that has plagued Guyana, among other social ills affecting citizens. The United Bridge Builders Mission (UBBM) was founded in 26 years ago by Bonita Montaque, a former policewoman; it aims to provide support to persons affected by HIV/ AIDS, to empower women and youth, and to advocate against domestic violence. U B B M b e g a n operations out of the USA and l a t e r expanded its services to Guyana operating out of 81 John S t r e e t , Campbellville, Georgetown. According to the NGO’s founder, the office is a safe and conducive space from where persons affected by any social ill can seek help and better care for themselves. Montaque made it clear that any form of domestic violence whether perpetrated by a man or woman should not be tolerated. Since its formation, UBBM has organized several rallies against domestic violence and has offered counselling to couples and abused women and children. Revealing that she has lost many close female friends to domestic violence, Montaque emphasized the need for perpetrators to be properly prosecuted so that the efforts of all in the fight are
not rendered useless. The women’s advocate and abuse survivor disclosed, “I understand what it is to be abused. I will speak out because I am not only helping myself but other people.” Having lent a listening ear to countless domestic violence victims, Montaque stated that women are more open to discussions relating to this sensitive topic. Statistics in Guyana shows that women are overwhelmingly being killed by their spouses, and as such, UBBM is pleading with men to seek help from the organization or engage in talks w i t h doctors, religious leaders. Domestic violence is not physical violence alone. In fact, it is any behaviour which is used for the purpose of gaining power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. Throughout its life, UBBM has not received any solid case of women abusing their spouses. Montaque revealed that men would come to complain about their wives/spouses not performing household duties. Nevertheless, members of the NGO have attended the funerals of several women who were murdered by their partners for the year. It is currently working on putting a hotline service in place and is seeking support to assist with its many projects. Persons desirous of help contact UBBM on (592) 6674640.
Members of UBBM were pallbearers at the funeral of Rosemary Rudder who was allegedly murdered by her ex in April.
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Harbour Bridge turns 40
FORTY YEARS OLD! The Demerara Harbour Bridge.
- structure stood “test of time,” says Harmon
Minister of State Joseph Harmon and General Manager DHB Rawlston Adams view some photos on display at the Umana Yana. Forty years after it was constructed, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) remains a “tangible heritage” to all Guyanese, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has said. He said the national infrastructure, known to be the longest floating bridge in the world at the time of its construction in 1978, has also “stood the test of time.” Joining the staff of the DHB to celebrate the facility’s 40th anniversary at the Umana Yana yesterday, Minister Harmon said the bridge remains a national legacy to all of Guyana. What was most striking though, was the facility being able to outlast it projected lifeexpectancy by some three decades. The bridge was constructed in 1978 by engineer Joseph Holder. At the time, it was expected to
last for only ten years. However, today, it remains the only major facility that has been able to bridge the gap of hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who use it daily. “It was expected to last for ten years. It is now 30 years beyond that expectation and going strong,” Minister Harmon told the gathering at the Umana Yana. He said that it is a testimony to the quality and durability of infrastructural
work that was done in 1970’s. He said the bridge has had its fair share of challenges over the last 40 years, but it was able to stand the test of time. According to Minister Harmon, the historic occasion provides an opportunity for the country to pay homage to another visionary national leader, the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. It was under Burnham’s
leadership that the bridge was constructed. The country, just out of colonialism, had embarked on a grand national enterprise of repairing and developing the country’s infrastructure. The occasion also pays tribute to the qualified and versatile engineers at the time of the bridge’s construction. Opened in July 1978, the 1.15-mile floating toll bridge consists of a pedestrian footwall, 61 spans; a raised
section that provides horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 7.9 metres to allow small vessels to pass always. It also has two retractor spans that retract fully to a horizontal clearance of 77. 4 metres to allow large vessels to pass. Its construction had given prominence as the longest floating bridge in the world at the time. Before its construction, persons who wanted to
traverse to and from Georgetown, for business and school, had to rely on the Transport and Harbour Department’s (T&HD) ferry, which sometimes presented some gruelling experiences. Understanding the challenges, Burnham spearheaded the construction of the bridge, ushering in massive economic and social developments across the respective regions.
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Monday July 02, 2018
Guyana Prize debate turns contentious…
Local, overseas-based writers clash on claims that one group favoured over the other
A debate on whether the format of the Guyana Prize gives writers in the Diaspora an edge over those who remain at home has escalated in the contentious issue concerning the country’s literary award. Among those entering the debate is local poet Ras Aaron Blackman, whose collection of poetry ‘Revelation Pan Creation’ was submitted for the Guyana Prize in 1987. In a letter in today’s edition, Aaron said that he noted “with consternation, comments made by (four-time winner) Mr. Harold Bascom in the Kaieteur News letter column…in which he denounces the efforts of the Honourable Minister Dr. George Norton to clean up the mess that has accumulated over the past three decades. “Mr. Bascom was happy to join with those in control of the Prize to collect his large pieces of pie which he continues to long for, while we, the humble creative minds bent on building this land that belongs to us remain at home to paint the picture using our pens to guide our nation through the many ages, those of us who remain at home are better able to guide our young people by rubbing shoulders and staying in the trenches, those writers from the Diaspora can also contribute based on their experiences in the Diaspora,” Blackman contends. “I wish to inform Mr. Bascom that Guyanese writers have continued to write to this day but do not enjoy the opportunities offered in the Diaspora. Much more needs to be done to encourage young writers, this is what the prize should address, our young noble writers need opportunities to excel, without copyright laws, the Guyana Prize for Literature will remain ineffective in pursuance of national development and those of us who remain at home will continue to earn the disrespect of some of those writing out of the Diaspora.” But do writers in the Diaspora really have such an advantage? Not so, says Bascom. ‘DIASPORA WRITERS FACE MORE HARDSHIPS’ In a response sent to Kaieteur News,
Four-time Guyana Prize winner Harold Bascom: “I won because I write hard and research hard and listen to critiques…” Bascom said, “It is not true that Guyanese writers ‘overseas’ have a leg up on local writers. The shocking fact may well turn out that the reverse is true. But the ‘betteropportunities’ charge levelled after a Guyana Prize wraps up with more overseas-Guyanese wins, pops us time after time. Again, it’s not true. What is true, is that the Guyanese writer in the Diaspora—be it the USA, Canada, or in Europe, stand to experience more hardships to be recognized as writers, and this translates into even greater difficulties getting published by a British or American publisher.” According to Bascom, “The mere act of writing overseas is difficult for many Guyanese overseas who still consider themselves writers. Many in Guyana will not understand how hard it is for some people to work more than one job to make ends meet overseas, and to even find the time to write. As such, many who came here in the hope of continuing to write have given up on it. And
Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. George Norton there are overseas based writers who have been submitting literary works to the Guyana Prize and have not yet won a Guyana Prize. I know one poet who has been writing in Canada and has been submitting his work to the Guyana Prize for years and has not won yet. “Most American publishers won’t touch what we (as Guyanese) write with a ten-foot pole. Why? Because American publishers are not interested in Guyanese stories. This is not what I ‘hear’. This is what had been told to me back in 1996 after I was afforded the opportunity to speak with a few editors from a few prestigious houses in Manhattan. One editor complimented me for my novel ‘APATA: The Story of a Reluctant Criminal’— published by Heinemann Educational Books back in 1986—and asked me what I was doing in America? She told me that as a Guyanese writer, my audience was in Guyana and not in America, and as such the publisher she represents would not think to accept a book by a Guyanese author. The fact is, there are few books by Guyanese and Caribbean authors published in the USA; very few! So, the so-called ‘opportunities’ that overseas based Guyanese writers have doesn’t exist— at least not for the likes of me and many others who just sit at home wherever we are ‘overseas’ and write for our lives with hardly any recognition. Bascom, who has won four Guyana Prizes and one Caribbean Award for Literature, explained that he first won the Guyana Prize in 1994 for his play, TWO WRONGS.’ “ Where did I write it? In Guyana—in Hadfield Street, Lodge to be exact. In 1996, I won the Guyana Prize for the second time with the play MAKANTALI. Where was it written? Again, in Hadfield Street, Lodge. For both plays, the only opportunities I had were twofold: The first, to get the time to write; the second: to have a few Guyanese buddies stopping-by to give me critiques along the way. “Then I migrated to the USA and—just like I did in Guyana—sat in a room in Georgia and wrote a play entitled, BLANK DOCUMENT. But then, I didn’t have any of my Guyanese buddies to drop in and give me critiques. BLANK DOCUMENT was the third play that I won the Guyana Prize with. Then, while sitting in my home in Georgia, I came up with the idea about a play populated with dead Caribbean and Guyanese writers. And I did the same thing like I did with ‘TWO WRONGS’, ‘MAKANTALI’, and ‘BLANK DOCUMENTS’: I got critiques from Guyanese
friends. I won the Guyana Prize for the fourth time with ‘DESPERATE FOR RELEVANCE’ And for it, I also won the Caribbean Award. I didn’t win four Guyana prizes because I had ‘overseas opportunities,’ I won them because I write hard and research hard and listen to critiques. I would have won them if I still lived in Guyana.” Bascom contends, “When a Guyanese writer writes from overseas, he has no special advantages, I can tell you about that. In reality, the ONLY advantage I MAY have over a local writer, is that I have good Internet access, a laptop, and am able to research deep into anything I write about. So once the local writer has a computer and reliable internet connection, he/she can write on a level equal to mine. And before I forget, please know that EVERY play that I submitted and ever won, was submitted AS A BOUND MANUSCRIPT and not a printed book. And speaking of printed books, when you see them coming to Guyana from Guyanese writers overseas, bet yo’ bottom dollar, we self-publish the majority we-self.” In a letter in Sunday’s Kaieteur News, Bascom had expressed concern for the apparent scant regard for the arts and local writers. Directing his comments to Minister of Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. George Norton, the multiple Guyana Prize winner had suggested that after every Guyana Prize; the winning play be produced and premiered at the National Cultural Centre; then toured in every part of Guyana, that the winning book is turned into a TV family drama, sold to Caribbean TV channels and that a publishing house be established to market prize-winning books and plays through CARICOM. He also suggested that Norton “make it possible that prize-winning authors be remunerated to run meaningful workshops throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.” Norton had told Kaieteur News that he planned to discuss the issue with Cabinet. He also wants to have dialogue “with a cross-section of persons,” including members of the Diaspora, journalists and writers, to discuss ways in which the prestigious award should be handled. Norton had told Kaieteur News recently that he is checking on reports that the Guyana Prize “is not being run the way it should be.” He had said that, “a lot of money was invested” in the Guyana Prize… and if we spend money behind a prize, we would have to ensure that we get value for our money.” “I would want to take it (the issue) to Cabinet, because I am trying to be up to date with its status, particularly because of negative comments in the press about the Guyana Prize, coming from persons who were actively involved in the Guyana Prize,” the Minister said last week. “It would be remiss of me not to try to verify if they are true or not. I need to have more dialogue with persons who were involved. The information I have gathered was not encouraging. “I said before that it costs a lot of money and we need value for money. “For some reason, I am not getting the information that I am seeking. I would want the input of my colleagues, so I will have to take all necessary measures to get to the bottom of everything.” The awarding of the Guyana Prize was postponed last year and Minister Norton was unable to say whether the awards will be postponed again this year.
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
‘Choose to change’- Sophia Training Centre graduates were advised - 59 complete Citizens Security Strengthening Programme
The graduates and officials
Best graduating student Avinash Seepaul addressing his colleagues and guests. Fifty-nine graduates of the Sophia Training Centre were on Friday last challenged to choose change in order to grow. “You have to choose to change if you don’t change you won’t grow. Change is the one thing that is constant. Things will change and as you start to move, the path will appear as to where you want to go,” Ministry of the Presidency staffer, Shondell France told the graduates. The graduates are all beneficiaries of the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) skills training programme, 20172018. The training was facilitated under component one of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme aimed at reducing recidivism and strengthening community resilience to crime and
violence. The students were tutored in Catering, Information Technology and Office Administration, Masonry Plumbing and Sheet metal and Welding, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Fabrication. Speaking of the challenges she overcame – growing up in poverty with a drug-addicted foster father from whom her mother eventually fled in the middle of the night taking her children with her – France assured the graduates that the cycle of poverty can be broken. “Commit to constantly improving yourself, invest in yourself, make the small changes. Surround yourself with people who are going where you want to go, choose to change.” In addition, France encouraged the graduates to
Second runner-up Ezekiel Roache received his award.
take responsibility for events occurring in their lives and to be willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals. She also charged them to assist others as they break the circle of poverty. The feature address and charge to the newly certified artisans was delivered by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan who noted that programmes similar to CSSP have helped to reduce crime and violence amongst youths in other countries. The Public Security Minister noted that the responsibility of reducing crime and violence, especially at the youth level, should not be shouldered by the police alone. He added that there must be a social component, a programme that ensures young men and women from vulnerable communities come forward and get vocational training,” the Public Security Minister under whose purview the CSSP is situated said. In addition, Minister Ramjattan charged the graduates to continue to improve and develop their skills, which he said will be in high demand as Guyana becomes an oil-producing nation. “You must now realise, that it is at the individual level, that you must endeavour to read more, to continue asking questions of the professionals so that you can learn more. Do not feel that the training is the end, there is so much more to learn. We cannot have monies coming in and an unskilled and unprepared workforce. More people will certainly buy refrigerators, more people will have air-conditioned homes and all of that … so we have to ensure now there is a workforce that will allow for qualified persons to compete for those jobs that will come on stream,” the Minister said. Meanwhile, Mariko Russel on behalf of Sophie
Makonnen, IDB representative, said, “Our hope is that students graduating today will be able to use the newly acquired skills in their future endeavours in life we are aware that merely receiving vocational training does not guarantee obtaining employment. “Having said that, the fact that the students who are graduating today, remained in
the programme until graduation is an achievement in itself and is a start in the right direction.” She further recognised the graduating class as the “memorable first batch” of the CSSP, which the Ministry of Public Security implemented with funding from the IDB. Special awards were given to best graduating student Avinash Seepaul, second runner-up Ezekiel Roache and
more than a dozen other trainees for their outstanding performances in the various areas of training. There were cultural presentations from a graduate of the institution Ruth Belle, tutor Mark Luke Edwards and the graduating class of 2017 2018. The training programme commenced September 2, 2017, with 87 youths from Regions One, Three and Four.
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Kaieteur News
Businessman returns to Guyana to Re-discover your values”: household items, vehicle missing Rev. Massiah tells police officers
A Nissan Armada similar to that which was stolen. Sarwat Tatsie “Kishan” a businessman of Earls Court LBI, East Coast Demerara, came back to Guyana last Friday to find millions in household items gone and a vehicle missing. Kishan, who owns and operates Kishan’s Aluminum Windows & Doors, at Good Hope on the East Coast Demerara, said he left Guyana on the June 12 for Canada. On his return to Guyana at around 01:00 hrs Friday morning, he discovered his vehicle missing and his house was broken into and a number of items missing. The businessman estimates his losses in the millions. The stolen household items and tools include three television sets, one music
set, a number of electric tools, value in excess of $ 2.5 million Guyana dollars, while the vehicle which is a Nissan Armada SUV, registration number PPP 7456, is valued at $18 million Guyana dollars. Kishan is of the belief that the individuals broke into his house then loaded the items into his vehicle and left, since the vehicle is one of only five in Guyana, and there is little that can be done with it. He is hoping that the watchful eyes of citizens will help him in recovering his vehicle. Kishan is asking anyone who sees a black Nissan Armada similar to the one in the photo, to call the nearest police station.
The Guyana Police Force yesterday held a drum head service to begin its 179th anniversary celebration, at the Tactical Services Unit drill square, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. Amidst showers, the service featured songs, scripture reading, prayers and thanksgiving, along with the piling of drums and laying of flags. It is the first event among many others throughout the month of July. Among those attending were Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Patrick West, Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle, Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels, several officers and ranks of the Joint Services, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. GPF chaplain, Rev. Patrick Doolichand opened the service with a prayer and was followed by the piling of the drums and laying of the flags which was done by an allfemale unit. Delivering the feature address Rev. Murtland Raphael Massiah, commended the force for the
- Drum Head Service begins 179th anniversary celebrations of Guyana Police Force
Commissioner of Police (Ag), David Ramnarine (left) and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. good work they have done for the citizens of Guyana in the past 179 years. He encouraged the officers to rediscover and uphold the values they were raised on “You must re-discover your set of values, you must cherish those values and you must protect those values and
make those values clear and don’t shift from it. By embracing those values, you will survive [another]179 years.” The Drum Service concluded with a benediction by Rev. Massiah, singing of the national anthem and the unpiling of drums.
From left: Assistant Police Commissioner (Operations) Clifton Hicken, Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle and Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels.
Budget submissions from sectors... From page 15 opening up new sustainable income and investment opportunities in higher value adding and higher growth sectors. Importantly, the present document is the proposed “Framework” for Guyana´s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) providing guidance on the prioritized areas to be developed in the strategy. It does not give detail for the GSDS, but rather, lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of the GSDS’ development (April to December 2017).The Framework shares the same spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, serving as a tripod platform for economic, social and environmental safeguards. These safeguards, during the development of the GSDS, are to ensure a sustainable and fair transition to inclusive green growth and a better quality of life for all Guyanese. Furthermore, seven ‘central themes’ are
identified with considerable potential to contribute to the transition to a Green State. These are: Green and Inclusive Structural Transformation, i.e., diversifying the economic base, accessing new markets and creating decent jobs for all; the sustainable management of natural resources and expansion of environmental services; Human development and well-being ; Governance and Institutional pillars and International Cooperation, Trade and Investment. Drawing from an analysis of the local context and existing policies and targets, the Framework proposes specific strategic areas within each theme on which the GSDS should focus. In particular, it acknowledges the risks and benefits in each of these areas for national prosperity, identification of achievable targets and concrete actions as well as a clear roadmap to achieving required change. This Framework also suggests as well, the identification of financial mechanisms to support the implementation of the strategy.
Monday July 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
System governing Special Prosecutors tainted by constitutional violations, susceptible to abuse -Nandlall
Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall It was during the debate of the 2018 Budget that Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams revealed that approximately $300M was being budgeted by his Ministry for the hiring of private lawyers, including, Special Prosecutors. But in doing so, he was “blissfully oblivious to the constitutional violations he was committing,” says former Attorney General and Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall in his recent writings. In his weekly column called, “Unruly Horse,” Nandlall highlighted that the issuance of the legally required fiat to prosecute is being carried out by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack upon the instructions of the Attorney General. Nandlall stressed that this is a clear unconstitutionality. He stated that Article 187 (4) of the Constitution expressly prohibits the DPP from being directed by any person or authority in the discharge of the functional responsibilities of that office. Nandlall argued that the, apparent, willing subjugation of this office, to these directions, is a heavy blow to its integrity and impartiality. Further to this, the Opposition Member said that two of these Special Prosecutors are operating out of the former law office of the Attorney General while he was in practice. He also stated that another three have well known connections to the PNC. Nandlall said these other issues only serve to compound the constitutional incest. “Recently, in response, the AG disclosed in the National Assembly that these Prosecutors are retained at the staggering rate of $2M per head, per case, along with a charge-out rate of $20,000 per hour spent on each case (whether in or out of court). For most of the cases filed, so far, five Prosecutors are retained per case.” “This aggregates to $10M
plus $100,000 for every hour spent on the case. Most of these cases require a minimum of over a dozen witnesses to be called. Each of these cases will attract a minimum of approximately 100 billable hours - $100,000 x 100 = $10,000,000 + $10,000,000 = $20,000,000. So, each case will attract a minimum cost of $20M.” On that note, Nandlall pointed out that one would observe that there is no mechanism in place to prevent fabricated billing hours. He said therefore, that this arrangement is susceptible to serious abuse. Nandlall, said, too that based on information provided by the Attorney General, 12 cases have been filed thus far by the Special Prosecutors. He said that the sum of money thus far expended is $240M ($20Mx12). He concluded, “I have used minimum figures in these computations. I predict that none of these cases would yield a conviction.” SPECIAL PROSECUTORS According to information supplied to Kaieteur News, the five special prosecutors retained by the state are Trenton Lake, Michael Somersall, Hughley Griffith, Lawrence Harris and Patrice Henry. Last year January when government announced that it was pursuing fraud charges against officials in the former People’s Progressive Party Administration, Compton Richardson, was announced as the sixth special prosecutor.Nandlall had told reporters at the time that the appointment of the special prosecutors was unconstitutional. He had said that lawyers who will be or have been hired as Special Prosecutors, are operating out of Government Ministers’ “former” firms.Police Legal Advisor, Justice Claudette Singh, SC, had also been critical of the prosecutors’ work ethics. In the initial stages, she had stated that the prosecutors were not attending meetings, “non-co-operative (Continued on page 22)
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Monday July 02, 2018
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Kidnap / murder accused dies at GPHC FOR RENT
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DEAD: Sheldon Chase
MURDERED: Rajendra Singh
Kidnapping and murder accused, Sheldon Chase, an inmate at the Camp Street Prison died on Saturday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he had been undergoing dialysis for quite some time. Kaieteur News understands that Chase’s failing health had led to his constant hospitalization and inability to attend court on several occasions. Chase, believed to be 32, and formerly of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown has been incarcerated since 2014, when he along with four others were charged with the kidnapping of Enmore businessman, Rajendra Singh, who was later murdered in the Le Repentir Cemetery. The five men were first charged with kidnapping the businessman. Subsequently, a murder charge was instituted against them after Singh was found dead with a bullet wound to the head in an isolated part of the cemetery. His killers had used a
jersey to tie his mouth and nose. The killers then proceeded to stuff him in an alcove created by some fallen trees. They had removed his pants, leaving him clad in his socks and his underwear. His hands were bound with what appeared to be his belt. The murder charge against the men stated that they murdered Singh between April 5, 2014 and April 9, 2014, at Le Repentir Cemetery. Following a preliminary inquiry in July 2017, Chase was cleared of the kidnapping charge, his coaccused were committed to stand trial for the indictable offence. Singh, a spare parts auto dealer was kidnapped by two gunmen on April 5, 2014 at his Foulis, East Coast Demerara business place. His car was found abandoned in Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara by his wife. The kidnappers had initially demanded $50M from the family, but reduced it to $25M. The ransom was never paid.
System governing Special... From page 21 and that they were not pulling their weight.” She was of the view that the lack of cooperation was
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hindering the expeditious delivery of prosecution in many of the investigations undertaken by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). She also said that had the Special Prosecutors been more involved in the building of the cases by SOCU, more would have been accomplished. The special prosecutors were hired to ensure effective and efficient prosecution of criminal charges into the Sparendaam Housing Project, known as Pradoville Two, and the operations of the Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc. Nandlall is of the view that this was yet another political witch-hunt that is contaminated with cronyism, nepotism and ‘money for the boys’.
Monday July 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Serena says treatment by USADA ‘shocking’ LONDON (Reuters) Serena Williams described her treatment by the U.S. AntiDoping Agency (USADA) as shocking yesterday as she reacted to news that she had not been home for an out-ofcompetition test. The seven-times Wimbledon champion was out when an anti-doping official arrived at her house at 8.30am on June 14 — 12 hours outside the allotted daily window she had previously agreed on her athlete whereabouts form. There is no suggestion Williams did anything wrong and it was not registered as a ‘missed test’ but the American was clearly perplexed by the situation as she held her pre-Wimbledon news conference yesterday.
It also came to light that the 23-times Grand Slam champion had already been tested five times by USADA this year while other American players have had been tested once or not at all. Explaining the events of June 14, which were detailed in a report in website Deadspin, Williams said: “Every day, every player gives a time for testing. My time was actually 12 hours later. For some reason they showed up in the morning, which they are allowed to do. And if I’m not there, then they just leave. “For whatever reason they didn’t leave. I was like, I’m totally not in the area because my hour is actually a long time from now. I’m completely so far away.
“It really doesn’t make sense. For me it’s a little frustrating. How can I have a missed test when it’s nowhere near the time I should be there? “It’s really disappointing, shocking. I was like, that’s just weird. I’m still trying to figure out why and how that happened.” USADA confirmed this week that Williams had passed all five tests. Williams said she had asked USADA for an explanation as to why she was being tested so regularly. “I did have a conversation before I knew the information about all the other players,” she said. “I had a conversation with the lead guy with USADA. “How is it I’m getting
Monday July 02, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Someone could be prodding you to take action today, Aries. It might be best if you beat them to it and motivate yourself. Stay a step or two ahead of the herd.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You could find that an emotional issue rubs you the wrong way today, Libra. Your tendency is to want to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You might experience a great deal of emotional confusion today, Taurus. There's a debate brewing inside you. You're having a hard time deciding whether to pursue the practical or the fanciful.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your artistic side may want to take to the airwaves in some way today, Scorpio. Perhaps you should consider building your own website or getting a spot on a local radio show.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Keeping things in balance will be a challenge today. You're likely to find that there's conflict brewing that doesn't seem to want resolution.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You could find that what was so light and active yesterday runs into roadblocks today, Sagittarius.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Tension is likely to arise in many different areas of your life, Cancer. It's possible that you're either too dreamy or too practical for the issue at hand. It's important for you to strike a balance.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The pace of things is likely to slow down a bit compared to what was happening yesterday. This is probably for the best. Take this time to do some planning and stabilizing.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Yesterday's trajectory might run into a couple of snags today, Leo. You could find that your dreamy nature conflicts with the planned and steady.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Yo u m i g h t f i n d t h a t there's a quality of dreaminess to your emotions today that keeps you from focusing on the task at hand
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try to keep yourself in line with your emotions today, Virgo. It's possible that a powerful yet subtle force is slowly trying to pull you off track. If so, think about taking a break and doing some physical activity to get your blood pumping.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Little voices are whispering in your ear today, Pisces. They could be asking you to join them in the clouds. You might get the feeling that there's a lot of tension between what your heart has to say and what your mind has to say.
Serena Williams press conference at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain. (Jed Leicester/Pool via Reuters) tested five times in June? It’s only June, I’ve been tested five times. “I despise having people in our sport that aren’t being honest. I’m totally okay with testing and I encourage it. What I want to know is everyone is getting tested, that we are really working to keep this sport clean. “It’s all about equality. If that’s testing everyone five times, let’s do it. It’s just about being equal and not centering one person out. Just due to the numbers, it looks like I’m being pushed out.” The 36-year-old Williams, who missed last year’s Wimbledon because of pregnancy, is seeded 25th for the championships despite her world ranking of 181. “I was pleasantly sur-
Arjoon and... From page 33 Kirsten Gomes beat Sarah Lewis 11/4, 11/3, 11/4 Madison Fernandes beat Tian Edwards 11/2, 11/2, 11/ 2. WINNERS Men’s Winner Alex Arjoon Runner Up Richard Chin Third Place Jason Khalil Fourth Place Nyron Joseph Men’s Classic Plate Winner Shomari Wiltshire Runner Up Regan Pollard Third Place Damien Da Silva Men’s Plate Winner Jonathan Antczak Runner Up Samuel InceCarvahal Third Place Jason Van Dyk Women’s Winner Mary Fung A Fat Runner Up Taylor Fernandes Third Place Ashley Khalil Classic Plate Winner Kirsten Gomes Runner Up Sarah Lewis Third Place Madison Fernandes
prised,” she said of her seeding, having not been seeded at the French Open, her first Grand Slam back after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September. “I came in here expecting that maybe I wouldn’t get a seed. I do know Wimbledon tends to kind of beat to their own drum. That’s kind of one thing that’s been able to set them apart.
Murray withdraws... From page 27 world number one Mats Wilander said this week that only eight-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer was a bigger name at the grasscourt major than Murray. “He adds so much to the tournament, it makes for an unbelievable atmosphere to have him back,” Eurosport analyst Wilander told Reuters this week. While Murray lost his opening comeback match against Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s Club, he beat fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka at Eastbourne last week before losing to new British number one Kyle Edmund in straight sets. Murray, ranked 156th in the ATP standings, now faces the prospect of losing virtually all of his ranking points having reached the quarterfinals last year where he hobbled to defeat against American Sam Querrey. After Wimbledon he will lose 360 of the 380 points he currently holds, leaving him down in the 800s.
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Verstappen wins as Hamilton Humble Mexico plan to attack ‘best team in world’ Brazil draws a blank in Austria
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race alongside second-placed Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and third-place Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger) SPIELBERG, Austria (Reuters) - Max Verstappen won Red Bull’s home Austrian Grand Prix yesterday while Lewis Hamilton suffered his first race retirement since 2016 and lost the Formula One championship lead to Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. On a bleak day for Mercedes, who suffered a double mechanical retirement for the first time since their return as a constructor in 2010, Verstappen and his 20,000-strong army of orangeshirted Dutch fans led the celebrations. The victory was the 20year-old driver’s first of the season, and fourth of his career. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished a close second, with team mate Vettel third against expectations after a grid penalty had demoted him to sixth on the grid. The German, whose team did not invoke team orders for Raikkonen to cede position as might have been expected, clawed back the overall lead by a single point from Mercedes rival Hamilton. Hamilton’s retirement with eight laps to go, and while in fourth place, ended a record run of 33 successive scoring finishes.“It was amazing, very hard to manage the tyres, lot of blistering, but we managed to hang on,” said Verstappen of Red Bull’s first win at the circuit they own. “It was amazing to win at the Red Bull Ring with so
many Dutch fans here.” Vettel now has 146 points to Hamilton’s 145 after nine rounds and with the Briton’s home race at Silverstone next weekend. Ferrari meanwhile took over at the top of the constructors’ standings, 10 points clear of Mercedes. STRATEGY BLUNDER Hamilton had already been on the back foot before he stopped, his car suffering lost fuel pressure, after a glaring strategy error by Mercedes had cost him the lead. The reigning champions had not been beaten in Austria since the race returned to the calendar in 2014 and seemed to be heading for a one-two when Valtteri Bottas retired with an hydraulics failure on lap 14. The Finn had started from pole, his first of the season, but lost out to Hamilton at the start and dropped to fourth before fighting back to second. “The luck I’m having this year feels like a bit of a bad joke at the moment,” said Bottas, who had collided with Vettel at the start of the previous race in France. Verstappen hit the front after Mercedes kept Hamilton out on track during a virtual safety car period that followed Bottas’s retirement, with the other contenders pitting for fresh tyres. When Hamilton did pit, he came back out in fourth place.
Mercedes’s chief strategist James Vowles came on the radio as the bearer of bad news, admitting his error as Hamilton struggled to comprehend what the team had done. “We have thrown away the win,” said Hamilton, with Vowles replying: “This is James, I have thrown away the win today”, before the retirement made it immaterial. Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen’s team mate who was celebrating his 29th birthday, was in a podium position but heavy rear tyre wear took its toll and he retired with a broken exhaust. France’s Romain Grosjean scored his first points of the season with a bang, finishing a lapped fourth for the U.S.owned Haas team, who also had Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen taking the chequered flag in fifth. The points moved Haas up to fifth overall after the team’s 50th race. Esteban Ocon was sixth for Force India, ahead of Mexican team mate Sergio Perez, with McLaren’s Fernando Alonso completing a remarkable afternoon with eighth place after starting in the pit lane. Sauber duo Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson finished ninth and 10th. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg was the first retirement, with his engine spewing a cloud of smoke and flames.
SAMARA, Russia (Reuters) - Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio believes the way to take on Brazil, whom he labelled the “best team in the world”, in the last 16 of the World Cup is for his side to adhere to their attacking philosophy. The two nations meet in Samara today with Mexico looking to replicate the performance that saw them defeat holders Germany in the group stage. However, they will be up against a team with an embarrassment of riches, including Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Thiago Silva and Gabriel Jesus. “Brazil is a great team. I would go as far as to say it is the best team in the world,” Osorio told reporters yesterday. “Each and every one of their players can control the ball and pass the ball very well. They behave like a unit. “This will be a great opportunity for Mexican football to face the best team on the planet and we will have to play to our full potential.” Osorio believes the best way to counter the Brazilian threat is through Mexico’s own offensive tactics. “I think that defending with an odd number of defenders and wing backs is an option but our footballing style has to do more with creating defensive problems in the opposition line,” he said. “So we never give up on attacking. Regardless of the structure we will have tomorrow we will always have a line-up with five attacking
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio during the press conference. (REUTERS/David Gray) players. Or four pure attackers and two false nines like Hector (Herrera). “All our midfield players are capable of attacking and creating opportunities.” Midfielder Herrera is one of a number of Mexican players who were in the team that beat a Brazil side containing Neymar and Silva in the final to win gold at the 2012 Olympics. He said he had fond memories of that tournament but was now dreaming of winning the World Cup. “If we want to be able to dream about winning the World Cup we have to be able to beat any opponent,” said the Porto player. “For me personally I have complete faith in myself and my team mates. We will need to play an amazing game tomorrow and continue to live the dream.” Osorio spoke passion-
ately about the nature of soccer always giving the underdogs a chance in any game, no matter how illustrious the opponents. He will be hoping his eloquent vision comes to fruition against five-times World Cup winners Brazil today. “Soccer as a game always gives you an opportunity to win. Collectively, it is the sport that gives the team with less history a chance because of the low scoring,” said Osorio. “It is not basketball or rugby or baseball because their scores are so high you can always anticipate who is the winner. “In soccer, you just need to score one and then defend and with that goal you can win. Football gives this type of surprise to people who don’t understand it. “The winning attitude of anyone can be decisive and win games.”
Murray withdraws from Wimbledon with heavy heart LONDON (Reuters) Two-time champion Andy Murray withdrew from Wimbledon with a “heavy heart” yesterday after saying his right hip was still not ready for the demands of a Grand Slam. The 31-year-old Scot made a comeback last month at Queen’s Club following almost a year out with the injury that required surgery in Australia in January. During a news conference on Saturday the former world number one sounded hopeful about his chances of being ready to face Frenchman Benoit Paire in the first round tomorrow. But he announced he was pulling out 24 hours later having consulted his team. It is the first time Murray has
missed Wimbledon since 2007 when a wrist injury ruled him out. “It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that I’ll be withdrawing from Wimbledon this year,” Murray, who ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s champion at Wimbledon when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final, said on Twitter. “I’ve made significant progress in practice and in matches over the last 10 days, but after lengthy discussions with my team we’ve decided that playing best-of-five-set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process. “We did everything we could to try and be ready in time.” On a more positive note Murray said he would con-
tinue practicing on Monday and would now target a return in the U.S. hardcourt season in time for the U.S. Open. “I will start practicing on the hard courts from tomorrow and continuing with my rehab and recovery and I’m looking forward to the U.S. hardcourt season,” he said. “Thanks for all the messages of support and I’m excited to finally be back playing after so long out.” Murray’s withdrawal is a big blow for the tournament which he also won in 2016 — the year he reached the top of the ATP rankings for the first time. However, he had admitted on Saturday that he needed to take a smarter approach to protecting his body.Former (Continued on page 26)
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3rd Annual AP Invitational Meet
Guyanese Athletes gain valuable exposure
- James did not disappoint good size crowd
Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald (2nd from right) makes sure that he is ahead in the 100m dash. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers The rain on Saturday failed to prevent a fair size crowd turning up at the Leonora Stadium in West Coast Demerara to witness the third Annual Aliann Pompey Invitational meet and while USA born Guyanese Commonwealth Gold Medallist Troy Doris, recovering from a leg injury sustained at the Commonwealth Games, had a rare off day, Olympic Gold Medallist Kirani James did not disappoint. The event was blessed by bright sunshine after it was threatened by adverse Weather conditions, and climaxed under lights with the 25-year-old Grenadian showing why he won Gold in the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics in London with a comfortable 44.99 time win in the Men’s 400m on Saturday. The win set a new track record but James said he did not execute in the first 200m as he
would have wanted to but was satisfied with the race since track was wet and he did not run as fast as he could. “I actually came to put on a show and run a good time, but the track was wet, so I just had to ensure that I took my time,” James who is recovering for an illness which affects his immune system, informed after the race. “I’m good with my time today (yesterday) because as I said, the track is wet and I’m now getting back on track. This was my second race in over a year and I’m happy with the progress,” James explained. After easing to victory, the affable James, who ran the fastest time in 400m ever by a 14year-old, was willing to take photos with his local fans.He was just off his personal best in 400m but the only Grenadian Olympic Medallist is the biggest name in Athletics to grace
these shores since Jamaican Donald Quarrie ran at Bourda in 1975 after winning the sprint double at the 1971 Commonwealth Games, the 1971 Pan American Games and 1974 Commonwealth Games. Cheered on by the fans in the stands whose slow hand claps reached a crescendo as Doris sprinted in for his Triple Jumps but his 16.09m was short of his personal best and he had settle for fourth place behind American Donald Scott (17.22), Cristian Napoles of Cuba (16.96) and Miguel Van Assen of Suriname (16,67) in the order. Emanuel Archibald ran a scorching 10.29 seconds in the men’s 100m sprint, while Trinidadian Kyle Greaux finished second (10.39 seconds) and Yancarlos Martinez of the Dominican Republic (10.43 seconds) placed third.
Guyanese Aliyah Abrams took the 400m in 52.31 while the Jamaican of Dominique Blake (52.88) and Soniqua Walker (53.0) ended second and third. Among the other Guyanese to win were Quamel Prince (Men’s 800m), Joana Archer (Women’s 800m), Winston Missigher (Men’s 5000m) Leslain Baird (Men’s Javelin). The meet began with the singing of the National Anthem, while Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibly for Sports Dr George Norton officially declared this year’s Event open after GOA Chairman K. Juman Yassin also said a few words.The standard was high with close to 15 Countries being represented including the Host Country, Jamaica, Cuba, T&T, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, USA, US Virgin Islands, Canada, St Vincent, Bahamas, Columbia, Nigeria and Suriname.
Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams won the 400m in a time of 53.31 at Leonora on Saturday. (Sean Devers photo)
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Croatia advance to quarter- KMPA Foundation gives plaques of appreciation to sponsors finals after penalty shootout
Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel saves a penalty by Croatia’s Josip Pivaric during the shootout. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj) NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) - Croatia came back after conceding in the opening minute to earn a World Cup quarter-final berth after edging Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the two sides drew 1-1 in the round of 16 match yesterday. They could have wrapped up the result five minutes from the end of extra time but Luka Modric had his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel. However, the Croatia captain returned to bravely take one of the post-match kicks as goalkeeper Danijel Subasic save three of Denmark’s efforts to set up a quarter-final meeting with Russia on Saturday.It was Modric’s sublime pass that put Ante Rebic through on goal, before being brought down by Mathias Jorgensen, and offered Croatia a chance to win just before the lottery of the shootout. But Schmeichel made a smart save to keep the 1-1 stalemate intact through two hours of at times pedes-
trian football. Two chaotic goals in the opening four minutes made for a rollicking start at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. However, it proved a false dawn as the spectacle faded with both sides choosing caution as their priority given the rare chance to reach the last eight at a World Cup. Jorgensen took all of 57 seconds to breach the Croatia defence at the end of a long throw-in by Jonas Knudsen, stabbing at the ball with his left foot as he took it off team mate Thomas Delaney. Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic got a hand to Jorgensen’s toe-poke but effectively deflected the ball across his own line. There was an element of comedy to the fourth-minute equaliser for Mario Mandzukic as Denmark’s early advantage quickly disappeared. A kick across the Danish defence was firmly hit away by Henrik Dalsgaard but
straight into the face of team mate Andreas Christensen, creating a pinball effect that saw the ball fall for Mandzukic, who then expertly turned it into the net from close range. The anticipated influence of Christian Eriksen for the Danes and Croatia’s Modric held out hopes of more mouth-watering action but their craft was only evident in patches. Eriksen did shave the top of the woodwork just before halftime with a speculative effort while, at the other end, Ivan Rakitic forced a smart save from Schmeichel. After the interval, the chances were even more sparse although Croatia did up the tempo towards the end of regulation time only to run into a resolute Denmark defence. In extra time, Knudsen’s long throws proved the most dangerous attacking weapon but eventually it was penalties that delivered a winner.
Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic celebrates scoring the winning penalty during the shootout past Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel. (Reuters Damir Sagolj)
For the past few weeks, the King-Medas Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Foundation has embarked on exercises to thank the many sponsors that would have supported the organisation over the last few years. In a statement released by Andy Medas-King, the founder and organiser of the KMPA foundation, he noted that sponsors need to know that they’re appreciated in every way because without them running off projects will be difficult. Medas-King also stated that he has worked tirelessly looking for support while trying to convince more sponsors to come on board and support the 2nd Annual Junior Olympic Games which will be contested from September 20th to 23rd at the Lusignan Community Center ground. “I’m hoping to hear from more sponsors like hotels and supermarkets who could promote their businesses by supporting the athletes of this country. In the past few months the King-Medas Pansy Adonis foundation have been giving back to the communities by developing several facilities in schools on the East Coast of Demerara and by putting long jump pits and all
Andy Medas King (left) presents a plaque of appreciation to Shelton Huntley of Shelmac photo studio in Brooklyn New York. weather run ups for such,” Medas-King posited in the release. The correspondence went on to explain that the KMPA organisation can be seen as a nursery for athletes as young as three years old and has also introduced Turbo Javelin for the first time
in Guyana. The KMPA foundation would like to thank all its staff members who are working behind the scenes to make the upcoming Junior Olympic Games possible, while thanking all the athletes, coaches and parents for their continued support.
Youth ambassador Shaquille Adonis (left) presents a plaque of appreciation for their Support towards the King Medas Pansy Adonis Foundation to a Rep of Banks DIH Ltd.
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GCF National Championships 2018 – Senior Road Race
Curtis Dey is new King of the Road as youths put their stamp on marquee event Curtis Dey raises his hand in triumph as he is about cross the finish line. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Curtis Dey being congratulated by Hassan Mohamed after being rewarded. By Franklin Wilson Curtis Dey, a Trojan Cycle Club (TCC) member is the new Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Road Race champion, out-smarting an experienced field to claim the most prestigious event on the cycling calendar, yesterday. The grueling 110 mile contest which commenced at 07:30hrs outside the National Sports Commission (NSC) building on Homestretch Av-
enue and followed a journey that led the 22 cyclists up to the Linden Soesdyke Highway before heading back to the city, ended with Dey, who would be celebrating his 19th birthday on September 10th, next, powering to the finish line in Four Hours 51 Minutes 37.25 Seconds (4’ 51" 37.25). In what may be a first in history of the sport, the 2nd and 3rd place positions were also filled by cyclists from
Corentyne, Berbice; Andrew Hicks (United We Stand Cycle Club) and Romello Crawford (PSL T&T). Paul De Nobrega ended fourth and Jamal John, fifth. Commenting on the race, Dey said the feeling to be national senior champion is great noting that he rode a smart race. ”I rode this race with sense to save my legs whilst watching the bigger guys
during the battle and waited for the right time to make my move. We did unnecessary work but the main thing is that we recovered.” The always bubbly Dey also shared that the weather was not that bad which allowed for encouraging recovery. ”Thank God for no mechanical issues, it was a good race. The start was a brutal start because we did not have
any time to warm up, touching down and getting to the starting line. At the middle point of the race we did unnecessary work as went a further four miles.” On the return journey, there were many attacks as riders were intent on establishing a break but that was not allowed. ”I had to use my head and focus until the sprint and I won the race. The win means
that I have a brighter future and would take it more serious now. I am looking forward to some overseas competition including the senior Caribbean championships.” Championship jerseys to the respective Road Race winners along with gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to the top three finishers for both the Road Race and Individual Time Trials.
Japan’s fresher legs give them a chance against Belgium - Nishino R O S T O V- O N - D O N , Russia (Reuters) - Japan coach Akira Nishino hopes his gamble of resting players in their previous game against Poland will bear fruit today against Belgium when his side will be bidding to make it third time lucky and reach the quarter-finals. “We have been here twice in the past in round of 16 but this is different, we haven’t exhausted ourselves yet so we can create a new opportunity,” Nishino told a news conference yesterday. “The players and coaching staff would like to create something big tomorrow.” Nishino risked his side exiting the competition by making a remarkable six changes from his line-up from the 2-2 draw with Senegal for their final Group H match against Poland which they lost 1-0, sneaking through due only to their superior disciplinary record over Senegal. Nishino also attracted criticism back in Japan for his negative tactics during the defeat to Poland, when he was seen ordering his play-
ers to pass the ball around in their own half in the final minutes even though they were losing.But he stressed the importance of having fresher legs when they come up against the highly fancied Belgians, referencing his nation’s two previous last16 exits in the World Cup to Turkey in 2002 and Paraguay in 2010, when they lost 1-0 and on penalties respectively. “In those games our players were exhausted, they had nothing left, they had left everything in the group stage. This is our third time in the last 16 and we have been very tactical in our approach,” Nishino said. “Now we can be more aggressive, we have the spirit and mentality to win and I think we can match Belgium mentally. The game is a huge challenge, Belgium are a formidable foe, they are among the top three in the world so we have to think hard about how we attack them as we are ranked 61st.” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said Nishino’s negative tactics against Poland showed he had a
Japan’s Keisuke Honda and coach Akira Nishino during training. (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
ruthless edge. “When you are in the Wo r l d C u p i t ’s a b o u t achieving your aim so it’s not something to criticise;
the opposite. I think it shows that Japan are really competitive and try to do whatever it takes to win,” he said.
“This is a group of players who know what they are doing on the pitch, so I expect a very, very difficult game, one where we will
have to concentrate at all times because they are capable of creating problems due to that dynamic approach they have.”
Monday July 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
CBC men’s Championship in Suriname
Gold for Guyana!
Rose voted MVP after leading Guyana to 83-70 win over Antigua
By Calvin Chapman in Suriname compliments of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Bounty Farm and Hopkinson Mining The Anthony Nesty Sporthal was not packed to capacity for the final of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship on Saturday night after the home team, Suriname, had lost their third place playoff to Barbados but the remaining Surinamese fans were backing Antigua & Barbuda majorly because Guyana had defeated their team in the first semifinal match the previous night. The hostility of the crowd, which the unbeaten Guyana side had endured throughout the tournament, continued to be ineffective and Skipper, Stanton Rose, stepped up with a match-leading 23-point performance to guide Guyana to an extraordinary, inaugural CBC men’s title. Since the beginning of the CBC Championships in 1981, Guyana has only medaled thrice with a third place finish in the initial tournament before a previous best of a silver medal at home in 1994 followed by a bronze medal finish at the 2000 edition in Barbados. The indiscipline, Felix Hamilton who had left the Guyana squad during their opening win against Grenada, would have been kicking himself, as the Guyanese led the final for the majority of the
Stanton Rose leaps for a layup during Guyana’s Championship final win against Antigua & Barbuda on Saturday night. four quarters and the prospect of capturing the Gold medal was imminent. They quickly raced to a seven point lead at the end of the first quarter with the score 21-15, but maintained narrow two-leads at
Stanton Rose receives his MVP award for Coordinator of the event, Patrick Haynes.
the end of the first half and third quarter before kicking into top gear to completely take the game away from the Islanders who suffered their second defeat of the event after losing to the disqualified
Haitian team during Group A round robin action. Co-captain Ray Victor netted 13 points, while the consistent Shaine Webster along with Power Forward Anthony Moe; who was included in the
Stanton Rose and Anthony Moe pose with the All-star five plaques following the final on Saturday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal.
all-star five of the tournament with Rose, both scored 12 points during Guyana’s win. Guyana’s defence was rock solid with Victor being the number one menace with a game-leading six steals, while Travis Belgrave and Moe had three each. Nineteen-year-old center, Timothy Thompson demonstrated the controlled aggression which Coach Junior Hercules asked of him as everyone continued to execute their roles selfishly in the final when it mattered most. Ernest Scott III hooped 19 points for the losing finalists as Guyana, who finished last in the previous CBC tournament in 2015, announced their arrival as a powerhouse in Caribbean Basketball. With their top two finish in the tournament, which also serves as the Caribbean Prequalifiers for the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Americup, the relatively young team which com-
prises of four teenagers will move on to the next stage of qualifiers in Puerto Rico this September. Coach Hercules posited after the victory that, “I am so excited and humble, I could cry but I don’t have any tears right now. Thanks to everyone that supported us… and I’m hopeful that our current (government) administration can see (the magnitude of) our achievement and support us.” Co-captain Victor posited that despite arguments which most teams have, Guyana went out on the court unified; pushing each other which he believed had a big impact on the team overcoming tough situations to eventually play unbeaten to win the Championship. In conclusion, Hercules genially expressed gratitude to the host nation, “Special thanks to Suriname for pushing us through all those years, all those defeats has helped make us stronger.”
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Russia stun Spain 4-3 on penalties to reach World Cup quarters MOSCOW (Reuters) Hosts Russia beat Spain 4-3 on penalties thanks to two saves by their goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev yesterday to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals and send thousands of ecstatic Russians to the streets to celebrate. The 32-year-old keeper saved Koke’s and Iago Aspas’ spot kicks after both teams had scored two apiece in Russia’s first ever World Cup penalty shootout, to set up a last eight clash with either Denmark or Croatia, after a lackluster 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. With Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev watching from the stands, Russia’s qualification triggered a wave of enthusiasm for the host nation as thousands celebrated in the capital’s iconic Red Square and beyond. “Players will not do things just because the coach says so. They have to feel it and tonight they did it,” said Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov. “To be a strong team is one thing, but you have to be the best on the pitch. Tonight, we were that team at the right place at the right time,” added the coach, who had received a phone call from President Vladimir Putin a few hours before the game. It may have been a dry 120 minutes but there was high drama in the shootout for the 78,000 spectators at Luzhniki Stadium, with all four Russian penalty-takers keeping their cool and Muscovite Akinfeev doing well to deny Koke’s effort.
Russia players celebrate winning the penalty shootout against Spain at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. (REUTERS/Carl Recine) Akinfeev, who started his professional career by saving a spot kick in his first ever match, then kicked Aspas’ penalty high and wide to trigger wild celebrations. “In the second half, we were trying to defend. We were hoping for penalties and that’s what happened, thank God,” the keeper said. It was a painful World Cup exit for Spain and coach Fernando Hierro, who replaced Julen Lopetegui, fired on the eve of the tournament after accepting Real Madrid’s
Dujon backs West Indies to defeat Bangladesh in upcoming Test series BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Although the West Indies are rated lower than Bangladesh in the ICC’s Test rankings, Jeffrey Dujon expects the home side to win the upcoming Test series. During a recent interview on the Line and Length show Dujon, a former West Indies wicketkeeper said he believed the Windies would emerge victorious in the twomatch Test series, despite the visitors being ranked eighth – one spot ahead of the home side. “I didn’t think that I would ever say it, but Bangladesh are above us in the Test rankings…but it is a series that we should win,” he said.
However, Dujon, who worked as a commentator during the just concluded series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka, said the result of the series would come down to the type of pitches which were prepared, He said it would be in the Windies’ best interest if livelier wickets were prepared. “We need something that our bowlers can work with, we still don’t have that strong a bowling unit, but we need to give the bowlers a bit more help and the batsmen have got to stand up and be counted…” Dujon maintained. The first Test match begins on Wednesday, July 4 at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.
offer to be their manager. GREAT HOPES “There is a lot of pain in the delegation, the players, the coaching staff,” Hierro told reporters. “We had great hopes for this World Cup and it was not to be. “There are 15 players who have given everything, I have absolutely no complaint. This is football. We had more possession, got to their area much more. We understand that in these moments you have to be effective.”
Spain, who have never beaten a host at World Cups or Euros, went ahead after 12 minutes when Sergei Ignashevich bundled into Ramos at the far post, knocking a free kick in with his heel for the 10th own goal of the tournament. The 2010 world champions controlled the game with their slick passing but failed to add to their lead as the Russians defended with dis-
cipline. Russia also were toothless up front until Gerard Pique’s handball gave them a chance to level with a penalty in the 41st minute. Forward Artem Dzyuba buried it for his third goal of the tournament to awaken the subdued crowd. Despite 75 percent possession and more than 1,000 passes, Spain’s famed tikitaka got them nowhere and they had to wait until the 85th minute to test Akinfeev with
a low drive from substitute Andres Iniesta. Having long run out of steam and with several players cramping, Russia were reduced to desperately defending in extra time. Akinfeev came to the rescue once again to deny Rodrigo after his fine sprint before becoming a national hero by saving the two spot kicks to send the hosts into the last eight and his fellow Russians to the streets to celebrate.
NYSCL/ Independence Cup 2018
Regal knockout Floodlights, set up final clash with Better Hope Rega l M a s t e r s t u r n e d the tables on rivals Floodlights Masters to advance to the final of the 12th ann u a l N e w Yo r k S o f t b a l l Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup in New York on Saturday. In the final preliminary round match in the Masters Over-45, the 2017 champions Floodlights stunned Regal Masters in a low-scoring encounter at the Canarsie Park in Brooklyn. When the draw for the semi finals were done, it turned out that the Guyana-based sides went head to head for a crack at the title yesterday. Regal Masters were sent in and got excellent contributions from their top order to put up 213 for 3 from their 20 overs. The
massive total was set in halves with new opening pair of Mahesh Chunilall and Throy Kippins putting on 115 that laid the foundation for the assault. Chunilall’s good form continued and was first to go for 34 (30 balls; 2x4; 2x6) in the 12th over bowled by Unis Yusuf (1/ 15). Eion Abel (08) followed shortly after at 126/2. Kippins played some exciting strokes but at 128 for 3 was run out for 70 with nine fours and three sixes from 42 balls. I n t h e 1 5 t h o v e r, Rudolph Baker and Eric Thomas joined forces and took the score to 213 for the same three
wickets. Baker ended on 44 not out (26 balls; 5x6; 1x4) and Thomas 31 not out (16 balls; 3x6; 2x4) in an unbroken 85-run partnership. In reply, the defending champions lost wickets at regular intervals with only opener Unis Yusuf hanging around for 41. At the half way stage of the run chase Floodlights were above the required run rate at 109 for 6 with only 105 required but with just four wickets in hand. Regal Masters, who were sloppy in the field in the group stage, held their catches and were restricted to 176 for 8 falling 37 runs short and bowing out of the tournament. Skipper Ramo Malone batted at number
8 and tried desperately for 31 (14 balls; 3x6; 2x4) but the odds were heavily stacked against him and his side. Pacer, David Harper was the pick of the Regal bowlers with 3/28 and was backed up by Fazleen Mohamed with 2/21, Kippins 2/55 and Laurie Singh was very economical with 1/19 from four overs. Regal Masters were to meet Better Hope Masters at 10:00hrs yesterday at the R o y Wi l k i n s P a r k i n Queens. Better Hope edged NYSCL Masters by three wickets off the last ball chasing 129. In the final of the Open Category, SVC All-Stars were to meet NYSCL AllStars at the same venue from 14:00hrs.
Kaieteur News
Monday July 02, 2018
Rainforest Waters Senior Nationals Championships
Arjoon and Fung-A-Fat claim Men’s and Women’s titles The Final day of the Rainforest Waters Senior National Squash Championships closed off yesterday afternoon following the fundraiser BBQ at the Georgetown Club Camp Street. 28 players stayed hydrated throughout the week with sponsors’ Rainforest Waters from Banks DIH, and they certainly needed to hydrate with the lengthy rallies and intense play that took place during the competition. The finals brought forth a new level of squash as the seniors, veterans and few newcomers hoping to gain much needed experience, met, sparred, won and lost. In a close battle it was the women’s final that held the crowd as Mary Fung A Fat and Taylor Fernandes vied point for point to take the crown. In the first game neither was ready to concede as they fought to a 17/15 score. Mary pulled out first to win 3 points followed by Taylor taking back her own 3 then surging ahead with a run of 7 more. At game point for Fernandes 10/3, Fung A Fat dug deep and answered with her own run of 8 points to edge ahead 11/10. In a nail biting finish, Fernandes pushed through for a 17/15 victory. The ensuing games took the same vein as both players displayed decisive, expert placement and excellent retrieval but in the end, the experience and patience of Fung A fat won out in the four setter for a 15/17, 13/11, 12/10, 11/8 win. In the other main final, Alex Arjoon kept ahead of the experienced Richard Chin with clean, precise
The outstanding players show off their Trophies yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) shots which worked Chin around the court. Despite the expertise of Chin, Arjoon managed to keep in control of the measured rallies and was triumphant in another four setter final with an 11/7, 8/11, 11/7, 11/4 win. All the players showed great spirit, skill and improvement during this year’s Senior Nationals. The mix of play and style gave the audience real thrills, and the younger spectators some valuable lessons; an important part of the ethic of the game. Sunday’s Results: Alex Arjoon beat Richard Chin 11/7, 8/11, 11/7, 11/4 Shomari Wiltshire beat Regan Pollard 11/7, 12/14, 11/1, 11/4. Damien DaSilva beat Robert Fernandes 11/5, 5/11, 11/4, 11/9. Jonathan Antczak beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 6/11, 11/7, 4/11, 13/11, 11/8 Jason Van Dyk beat Adam Alves 11/9, 12/10, 5/11, 11/6. Mary Fung A Fat beat Taylor Fernades 15/17, 13/11, 12/10, 11/8. Ashley Khalil beat Abosaide Cadogan 11/6, 8/11, 11/8, 11/5. (Continued on page 26)
Alex Arjoon & Mary Fung-a-Fat emerged Champions in the Men’s & Women’s divisions respectively.
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rt o p S CBC men’s Championship in Suriname
Gold for Guyana!
Rose voted MVP after leading Guyana to 83-70 win over Antigua P. 31
Team Guyana celebrate after clinching the Caribbean men’s title.
GCF National Championships 2018 – Senior Road Race
Curtis Dey is new King of the Road as youths put their stamp on marquee event P. 29
Recipients of prizes yesterday with GCF officials Hassan Mohamed (6th left) and Joseph Britton (back row left). Cyclists in pic from left are Andrew Hicks, Raynauth Jeffrey, David Hicks, Romello Crawford, Curtis Dey, Briton John, Warren Mc Kay, Shameer Baksh and Jaikarran Sookhai.
Russia stun Spain 4-3 on penalties to reach World Cup quarters P. 32 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.