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Liza Phase Two, Wednesday Edition NEWS Payara, Yellowtail could each give Hess $1B annually -John Riley, VP AIETEUR

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June 02, 2021 - Vol. 16 No.22

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Direct emissions from 3 Stabroek Block projects

equivalent to burning over 260,000 hectares - CIEL of Guyana’s forests President Previous management paid contractor 93% -ofGWI monies and only 11.2% work was completed CEO Gold miner crushed Guyana records first to death by falling paediatric brain tree, two injured aneurysm surgery

GWI begins process of laying off workers - 76 receive dismissal letters

PPP/C-nominated Commissioners table motions for dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo Join the protest today @ 9:00 AM for a renegotiationof all foreign contacts. see P. 7

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

How much taxes should Exxon Belarus, Revisited and the oil companies have paid?

EDITORIAL

This newspaper first editorialized about the situation on Belarus almost a year ago, in the centre of our own storm of democratic destruction here in this country. In that leader, titled “Democracy or the Abyss”, the case was made that the ‘gravitational’ pull of the breakdown of democratic institutions in the United States of America had implications for countries like Guyana, at the time four months into an attempt by the then David Granger administration to steal the elections that it had decisively lost, and like Belarus, where President Alexander Lukashenko was gearing up for his own elections by decimating political allies.

As was noted then: “Lukashenko has been in power in Belarus for the last quarter century, increasingly consolidating his power the way that all dictators do – clamping down on the free press, creating increasing hurdles for opposition politicians to contest elections, and brutally suppressing protest action.

In recent weeks, lead competitors for the presidential elections slated for next month have either been arrested on trumped up charges or conveniently been told that their registration documents for participation in the polls fell short of legal requirements.”

The argument then was that if the indicators that Donald Trump were not willing to leave the White House were to be proven correct, and if he were successful at doing so, the world would be facing, by sheer virtue of America’s global influence, a stark choice that Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro said Guyana at the time was facing – during a special OAS meeting to consider the attempted rigging of elections here – Democracy or the Abyss.

Of course, in the end, both Trump and Granger would eventually capitulate, Granger after five months of insanity and misinformation and Trump after fomenting an assault on the Capitol.

While both have had their perpetuation of the Big Lie of their being cheated reduced to the theatre of doomed court cases and petulant distraction, Lukashenko in the middle of a primarily democratic Europe (the European Union was a key player in preventing the theft of elections here last year) has actually expanded his control after actually succeeding at rigging his own country’s elections in August of last year.

As we noted, when we focused directly on Belarus under ‘Europe’s last dictator’ in a subsequent editorial of February this year, a notable feature of the shadow over Minsk is that it presents itself as relatively mild shade. In contrast to the accepted mythos of brutal dictatorship, Lukashenko’s methodology is deliberately tepid. Protestors are given a few days in jail as opposed to decade long sentences. People are not being summarily executed but are beaten with nonlife threatening injuries.

His biggest targets, artists and journalists, are given less jail time for “undermining national security” than young people here in Guyana are given for possessing small amounts of marijuana, like the two women journalists who were sentenced a few months ago to two years in prison for simply live-streaming a protest. This is perhaps why Belarus’ president had escaped the sort of international censure he has escaped so far, selling himself as Dictator Lite, particularly at a time when democratic nations have been flirting dangerously with despotism.

This paper had warned, in that editorial, that “Unfortunately, in Belarus, what has so far prevailed is the abyss, one that is deepening and widening by slow but sure degrees, swallowing up dozens and dozens of brave people and grinding them under the teeth of Lukashenko’s repressive state machinery.”

Since then, things have gotten, as we predicted, worse.

Last week, Lukashenko sent a fighter jet to force a Ryanair – a European Airline – flight to land in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, where his security forces then arrested a popular dissident blogger, Roman Protasevich.

Days later, Prostasevich appeared in court, clearly beaten into subjugation. Teens have been arrested and imprisoned for

DEAR EDITOR, As per the 2016 Stabroek Block contract, for the oil production lifecycle, from the preparation for oil production to when the oil is finally sold, the oil companies pay no taxes (see Article 15.1). The applicable income tax laws assess the Contractor’s tax due on taxable income (Article 15.3) and the Minister agrees to pay the tax assessed to the Guyana Revenue Authority on behalf of the Contractor (Article 15.4(a)). How much taxes would have been collected from the oil companies if the Stabroek contract required the oil companies to pay taxes?

E x c e p t f o r telecommunication companies, Guyanese businesses pay two rates of profit taxes (called corporation tax): 40% of the chargeable profits from commercial activities and 25% of the chargeable profits from noncommercial activities.

Nominally, oil producing companies fall under the 25% category but they do not pay the taxes – the Government does it for them.

The oil companies also have business tax

exemptions from the raw materials used to enable pumping of oil. Such items as imported steel pipes, cement, protective paints, and so on, are tax-exempt.

This is in contrast to regular Guyanese businesses that are subject to taxes on listed raw materials and final profits tax. The reason for this dual tax system, one for taxation of locals and zero taxes for foreign oil companies is because section 51 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act 1986, overrides Guyana’s operating tax laws.

What is even more alarming is the possibility that oil companies may be eligible to use tax receipts or certificates obtained under Article 15.5 from the Guyana Revenue Authority under Article 15.4(b), to receive a tax-credit in the US for taxes they never actually paid in Guyana.

The Contractor’s tax benefit assigned could be assessed by analysing a press release dated March 10, 2021, in which the Ministry of Natural Resources stated as of February 5, 2021 the total earned from oil in the Stabroek Block was US$267.7 million dollars.

Without royalties the amount

was US$246.5 million. We know that the oil companies can expense up to 75% of oil revenues and Guyana receives a 2% royalty included as an expense.

Guyana and the oil companies split the remaining revenues as profit share, with each receiving 12.5 %.

Using the information presented, we can assume the 12.5% profit share by the oil companies is a taxable income of US$246.5 million. If we use the 25% tax rate that applies to commercial activities in Guyana, the oil companies should have paid approximately US$62 million (25% times US$246.5 million) in taxes.

This is revenue lost to Guyana with a long list of basic needs.

To put this income assignment in perspective, the average Guyanese pensioner receives about US$1,400 a year in old age pension. If we assume there are 59,000 pensioners in Guyana, then US$62 million would enable an additional payment of US$1,050 per pensioner. The pensioners during their working years contributed to building Guyana’s infrastructure by paying taxes that enabled the

building of our roads and bridges, paying for the airports and other landing ports, etc. How do we explain to pensioners that the oil companies, who will make billions in US profits off oil, are allowed to use our airports, roads, wharves and other infrastructure and services for free? Pensioners who worked most of their lives to pay for Guyanese infrastructure should question this unfairness.

Guyana cannot afford to forgo US$62 million in taxes; this money is needed to cope with the added demand placed on its old social and economic infrastructures due to the addition of the oil industry to its economy.

If the oil companies’ intention is to use the tax receipt from the Government of Guyana for a foreign tax credit, the US tax laws were never intended to allow the oil corporations to doubledip. This is a very serious matter under the US tax code, section 482.

Yours faithfully Dr. Ganga Ramdas, OGGN, Retired Professor of Business & Economics at Lincoln University, USA

SUSPECTED GOLD SMUGGLING - A WORD OF ADVICE FOR THE VP DEAR EDITOR, Something came to my attention on this suspected serious gold smuggling issue, which prompts me to do a rare thing: I offer advice to the Hon. Vice President.

Though there is the high probability that such counsel would not be well received from the likes of me, I still owe a duty to this country.

It came to me that the

Vice President got on his high horse (as Guyanese would say) and went on at a rate, rather publicly. It was shared that he said something along these lines: the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) can’t tell we what to do; must not decide for and dictate to us. I think I hear that we are a sovereign nation, and that we will not be pushed around. I like that,

speaking out against the government, poets and singers have been beaten, and yesterday, activist Stepan Latypov, arrested and on trial for his social media activity, cut his own throat with a pen during a court appearance. Now, Lukashenko has restricted his own citizens from leaving the country after the relatively tepid international condemnation in the wake of the Ryanair flight fiasco. Belarus is an atrocity waiting to happen, as if the cancer that has been creeping over the country in the past several years has not been carcinogenic enough. The country is, as the world watch, descending into the abyss and each unfathomable step downwards is going to make it all the more harder to emerge unless some serious intervention takes place.

and agree, but with these pivotal appreciations attached, and with which the Vice President should be most familiar.

First, Guyanese are not their own masters.

Guyanese, meaning, the PPP, saw to that during the last elections, when its leaders crassly and insistently, were totally against buying local.

That is, having conversation with the dreaded and dreadful PNC. The PPP, with the VP firmly in control, charged ahead and imported, sampled and settled for foreign fare. It was variably called elections help, free and fair elections, and democracy. My position and all those are known, and will not be repeated today. But I will say this: when the PPP and the VP saw foreign products, foreign minds and

hands, and foreign strengths and promises, as the only saving graces, then both party and leader sold themselves - and this country- down the drain.

They owe, so they must pay.

They are beholden; thus, they must bow down cravenly. The wind was sown; now the whirlwind is to be reaped and it is furious.

Yet today, the VP rails up about RCM, whatever his underlying motives (the real ones), and he is right, but only as far as it goes; or as far as Guyanese can trust him and throw him. Because this is bigger than RCM, notwithstanding the renowned Crown Corporation, that it is. This is about ABC&E. This is about the Faustian bargains crafted by the PPP and VP to (Continued on page 28)

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Guyanese Diaspora has an important role to play DEAR EDITOR, The co-naming of a street in Queens, New York, as ‘Little Guyana’ is a fitting recognition of the enormous contribution made by the Guyanese Diaspora to the growth and development of their new homeland.

I am impressed, during my visits to the United States, how well adjusted Guyanese are to their new environment.

Because of their hard work, creativity, determination and ability to apply themselves even under challenging circumstances, they are generally doing well. Many have distinguished themselves in the fields of business, trade, commerce and at the profes-

sional level.

It is significant that the conaming ceremony took place on the 55th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence and a recent Diaspora Conference organised by the Guyana Government.

What I found particularly heartening is the fact that they continue to have a deep and passionate interest in the country of their birth. Their love for Guyana remains strong and enduring.

Guyana is on the cusp of transformational changes and the Guyanese Diaspora has an important role to play in that regard.

Yours faithfully Hydar Ally

GEORGETOWN DESERVES BETTER DEAR EDITOR, As a resident of Charlotte Street, Georgetown, I am concerned that the Bourda Cemetery has not been cleaned and cleared since 2019 by the Georgetown Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC). Located in the heart of Georgetown – on Regent Street, between Bourda Street and Orange Walk, the Bourda Cemetery has become an eyesore. It is left unattended as a dumpsite for market waste and a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other parasites, which can have deleterious effects

on the health and well-being of residents.

While I acknowledge the financial constraints of the M&CC, the city’s administration must explain why the Ce metery has not been

cleaned in approximately two years, and when and how it intends to fully deliver on its mandate to maintain public spaces in the city.

The residents of Bourda deserve better. Georgetown deserves better.

Yours faithfully, Kobe Smith, LLB

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Kaieteur News

PUTTING SALT ON A WOUND DEAR EDITOR, Change is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the human species from the time we are conceived in our mother’s womb.

That change from the embryo to adulthood takes us through a physical and mental process until we depart this earth we all occupy.

Many religious leaders contend that the attitudes, beliefs and responses to different situations that humankind develops between birth and seven to eight years stays with us throughout adulthood.

Severe social and environmental conditions can of course, cause us to adjust as we grow older.

So, for example, if in those formative years, we were taught or believe that my tribe, caste, race or religion is simply the only one that matters or is valid or if it makes me superior to others, we face an entrenched position – this has which bedeviled, all of civilisation.

This curse, this dilemma is what we Guyanese with courage, wisdom and frankness must face.

Recently, in the media this question of electoral reform has surfaced. Among those who have joined the debate are a group of young people who I have no doubt are well intentioned.

We have heard the President, even put out timelines, knowing how, for whatever reason, our country is polarised, those timelines are a recipe for continuing gridlock.

As we move from an Anglo-Saxon type constitutional arrangement to one based on English common law and notwithstanding the many alterations has left us with the Westminster type model even before 1966.

No amount of legal, constitutional engineering will produce a system that will satisfy the majority.

Admittedly, we do require guidelines and rules of engagement in what we understand to be a modern society.

Further, we emerged as a colony of Great Britain where there is no single legal document which sets out in one place the fundamental laws outlining how the State works.

The virtue of the unique British system is that they are governed by convention and historical experiences over many generations.

Furthermore, a reliance on external agencies, most of them, not understanding the complexities of our history and culture as we have seen earlier cannot be helpful.

If our youths, political aspirants and the crop of present day political, religious and civic leaders are serious about us creating a national state of one people, we need to deal with the fundamental, historical causes of our problems.

We all need to devote our energies to getting over the high hurdle of moral turpitude, a winner takes all philosophy and a belief that the other people don’t deserve to be the beneficiaries of our Godgiven natural resources.

In other words, let us begin to campaign for a change in attitude and response among our present leaders in Guyana.

I place this bet that if we pursue the present path as announced by the many groups, an Election will come

Magistrates inadvertently aiding crime DEAR EDITOR, I have become fed up with the Magistrates in Guyana’s Courts perpetrating even bigger crimes than the criminals in Guyana. I am referring to the practice of bail and light sentences being granted to criminals by our Magistrates.

Why are Magistrates treating criminals using guns

to rob and terrorise citizens so nicely?

This is not a new phenomenon, but a regular occurrence I see happening in our court system.Day in and day out, these thugs are perpetrating vicious and violent crimes on the public and when they do get caught, they are treated so lightly in compari-

son to the gravity of the crime they committed, it leaves one to wonder what the hell are these Magistrates smoking.

It seems that every thug in Guyana is in possession of a firearm, which is used with impunity, knowing fully well they will receive a light slap on the wrist and, in no time (Continued on page 6)

CITIZENS’ AND THE EFFECTS OF FLOODING DEAR EDITOR, News reading is very bleak these last few days: “Flood-affected Black Bush residents appeal for help May 27, 2021;” “High tide, heavy rainfall flood Pomeroon farmlands - May 27, 2021,” and I can go on and on.

So it is most daunting indeed to learn about what excessive rainfall is doing across Guyana. We are daily reading and hearing that a number of regions in the country have been severely affected by flood waters.

The ongoing inclement weather has been brutal in

Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo); Bartica in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); Black Bush Polder in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Mahaicony Creek in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and several areas across Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The residents in these inundated areas are indeed in a state of discomfort, having suffered the loss of livestock and crops. However, they have proved themselves to be resilient and coupled with Governmental intervention; these courageous folks have

been most positive and hopeful.

In this vein, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, explained “Hours long heavy rainfall had resulted in extensive flooding in low-lying and other areas…” “but that flood waters had receded … and so encouraged residents to take all necessary measures to secure property in anticipation of the spring tides.” In Region Three, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Regional Chairman, Inshan Ayube; Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Erica Forte, and other officials visited the af-

fected areas to conduct an assessment.

Then on Wednesday night, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, informed Guyanese that the government had already deployed 10 excavators to clear trenches, culverts and the main drainage arteries, so that there could be effective drainage in flooded areas across Region Three. The word is that “Many more were deployed across the country to respond to flooding in communities.”

Over in Region Five, Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally, and other stake-

holders, visited Mahaicony Creek to assess the situation as a result of flash floods. It was noted that “Reports are (Continued on page 6)

and go and we will not make any meaningful step towards justice, decency, brotherhood and love for one another.

It is unnecessary for me to give examples, going back hundreds of years.

The mind set and pattern is real.

As we experienced all of the 20th century from colonialism, Independence and Neo-Colonialism, we’ll continue to squabble and utilise the Judiciary to solve what are essentially political issues, which can only be resolved, if we talk to each other in a civil and forthright manner, taking into account all of our separate and collective experiences.

Some 40 years ago, one of our popular sports personalities called for a moral rearmament.In the late 80s, early 90s, the call for moral and spiritual revival was made.If we do not take the above seriously, trust me, even what good we have today, can be lost, reminding me of the dog with the bone in his mouth – upon seeing his own reflection in the stream below, snapped to get the other bone and lost the one he had.

I am prepared to engage all those, including those of my own Party I grew up in to prove that the on-going exercise may be satisfying as a Public Relations initiative but will not produce the fruits of compassion and oneness.

In fact, from what I have already heard, we run the risk of widening the chasm and for some people, putting salt on a wound.

Yours faithfully Hamilton Green

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Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Corona and La Nina brought Guyana needs a Constitutional Court EDITOR, development and sustainable A Constitutional Court out the best of this government DEAR Having done a brief ad development. could be justified in the light DEAR EDITOR, The La Nina season has been with us since November last year and at this point it would seem, undoubtedly so, that it is increasing in intensity. However, with each passing day blames are being directed to NDCs and RDCs and I would say many are unjustified. A few did venture to blame the Government and this would seem more political than real. Fortunately, many see the current phenomena as it is, an Act of God which cannot be stopped but which can be mitigated and relief given to those affected, which is a huge number indeed, since no Region is spared and no community unaffected.

We have witnessed from day one that this Government had hit the ground running and that pace has accelerated over the past months. The President and his men have been to all the Regions, addressing the problems faced by the people and resolving many on the spot.

This is unprecedented and unique in this country and the people can immediately see that this Government do not discriminate and is indeed a Government for the people. This is quite unlike the last Coalition Government which addressed their own selfish agenda and victimised communities which are deemed supporters of the PPP/C. I wrote several letters on this.

Indeed, the past months have seen a lot of progress in drainage made: countless drains, canals and trenches across the country, some of which have not been touched by the Coalition have been cleaned and excavated but I would like to single out Region 6. Residents in Region 6 have seen this process un-

folding daily by the RDC spearheaded by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman. Mr. Zamal Hussain as the new VC has indeed set a very high standard surpassing the best so far. This official has been relentless in his drive to bring betterment to all the communities of the Region. Sadly, a few malcontents are contended to criticise and condemn rather than compliment.

But as usual no matter how much is done there is always a few who are not contended since they have their personal agenda and prejudices.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, has been indefatigable and showed great competence in handling and resolving all issues brought to him including those on his outreaches to all the Regions.

He must be lavishly congratulated by all. Again he dispensed his services with no discrimination, as it should and ought to be. He and his team have been tireless in bringing speedy resolutions during this worst La Nina period. This Minister is taking agriculture back to the time when Guyana was the ‘bread basket’ of the Caribbean, but this time it will be beyond.

As the rain intensified countless measures have been put in place to alleviate the situation and the President has already decreed that help will be given to the affected areas.

Pumps have been installed in all the main drainage areas but the rains keep coming and this is what needs to be understood. It takes time for water to be drained and when there is continuous rainfall it is difficult for the water level to decrease. Unfortunately, as the water level continues to rise above what is deemed normal there is bound

WELL DONE, PEEPING TOM DEAR PEEPING TOM, You have never written a truer column than you did Monday.

Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Your faithful Peeping Tom reader.

Sincerely Dennis

to be issues which could not have been foreseen but which have to be addressed now and this is what is happening. The Government has been doing what is necessary with great alacrity. For instance, there will be breaches and overtopping which could not have been anticipated.

These things happen all over the world even with those having the best infrastructures and drainage systems. Here we have a country which has been grossly neglected by the Coalition for the past 5 years, and may I add that some who are complaining, condemning and protesting now did absolutely nothing then. Patience and prayers are required!

In conclusion, this Government has been working tirelessly to correct the ills of the Coalition and must be supported by all. I will not go into details but suffice to say that this Government has been fulfilling all its Election promises so far despite this country being hit with both the Corona virus and now the ‘great flood’ once again (last in 2005).

Did I mention the many attempts by the Coalition to rig the 2020 Elections? That was a pandemic in its own rights and until now the battle to cover those nefarious attempts continues in the Courts. The PPP/C Government will always work for the progress and prosperity for this country and all its people.

That is a guarantee!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

hoc review, based on information published in the media mainstream and social media on the frequency, scale, scope, feedback from parties on constitutional matters before the Guyana Courts, comments and concerns from legal professionals, as well as feedback from the general public; I would like to recommend that Guyana begins a serious conversation or go even further, and establish a Constitutional Court.

This court should consist of a panel of judges with indepth knowledge in Constitutional Law in the context of

Perhaps, provisions could be made for one or two of the judges on the panel to be selected from foreign countries.

This is particularly relevant since Guyana has a small population of 750,000.

I believe that this could add more credibility and diversity to constitutional reviews, and judicial reviews of a constitutional nature. It could also result in increased public confidence in the constitutional review process, as well as reduced perceptions of political interference in the process.

of Guyana’s new growth trajectory, as well as strengthen the Judiciary, as the third ‘Arm of Government.’

The international community can provide support in funding the establishment of this Court and the development of the Constitutional Court Law and procedures for appointment of judges, etc.

There are many good examples of Constitutional Courts which Guyana can learn from.

Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas Rule of Law Advisor/Advocate

Unvaccinated persons are holding the nation at ransom DEAR EDITOR, Almost 200,000 Guyanese have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, but Mondale Smith was not amongst them and could have been.

Sadly, we have lost a young, active, well respected, professional journalist from our ranks. It need not have been so.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of young and old ones too, Guyanese, who can be vaccinated but are not because they have chosen not to do so. Mondale was amongst them. The question is why?

There is overwhelming evidence the world over and here at home that the vaccines work. There is no known case of anyone who is fully vaccinated, that has taken the second vaccine dose, where two doses are required, who has

been hospitalised or died from being infected by the COVID19 virus. There are many thousands, however, who have not been vaccinated and continue to be infected and are dying.

I write this letter in the hope that those who read it and who have not been vaccinated, either by carelessness or by choice, learn from what has happened to Mondale and understand that they have made the choice to not only put their own lives at risk but the lives of the rest of the nation, and why do I say the rest of the nation?

Let me quote from a letter in Stabroek News (1st June, 2021) written by Dr. Jacquelyn Jhingree: “Vaccination is the long-term tool to get out of the pandemic and eventually beat COVID-19.

Most of us know this by now.

Scientists, health professionals, governments and science communicators all over the world have undertaken significant campaigns to convince people that it is in their best interest to get vaccinated.”

We cannot use that “longterm tool” to serve Guyana and vaccinate at least 75% of our population to achieve “herd immunity” for our country if a substantial percentage of our population refuses to be vaccinated. We have the vaccines. Some 41% of our population have already received their first dose.

They need to get their second. Those persons refusing to be vaccinated are holding the nation at ransom. I repeat that they are not only putting their own lives at risk, but the rest of the nation with them.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

flat, will be back on the street to carry on with their criminal activities.

I don’t know of any country in the world where crime committed with a firearm is treated as lightly as it is in Guyana.

The Magistrates are acting in a very counterproductive manner that is aiding and abetting the criminals. For such a small population, the crime rate in Guyana is appall-

the situation will improve if our Magistrates continue to behave this way. Violent crimes are an everyday occurrence.

We, the ordinary citizens, are the losers and the criminals are the winners.

Who can we now turn to for help with the out-of-control crime situation here in our midst?

Who is willing to send a harsh and clear message to

tolerated, and if you choose to do the crime you will pay the price for it?

Magistrates, we have had enough of your “nice” treatment of criminals and want you to cease and desist from granting bail and light sentences.

It is time you start treating crime with the seriousness it deserves.

Yours faithfully Fed up Guyanese

FILE A Magistrates inadvertently aiding crime LAWSUIT From page 5 ing and there is no chance criminals that crime will not be

DEAR EDITOR, It seems logical, if it is perceived a deliberate attempt is being made to twist, misrepresent and distort the facts of an engagement, to better suit the intention and purpose of the other side, then the thing to do would be to file a lawsuit.

If not doubts, suspicion and confusion would linger leading to distrust and lack of confidence.

Yours faithfully Shamshun Mohamed

CITIZENS’ AND THE EFFECTS OF....

From page 5 still coming in of other areas which are inundated.”

The idea is that there are urgent plans to continue taking relief to all the residents who are being affected. When we think that the forecast is quite dismal, it is indeed commendable that all the relevant authorities are on board, in order to mitigate the situation.

In fact, in Black Bush

Polder (BBP), Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, after a high-level visit, made a commitment to send hampers which will be distributed by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in collaboration with the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. He stressed that this process will commence

as early as Saturday since he recognises the urgent need for relief.

I do share in the grief and loss that so many people are experiencing. I am also happy there is a concerted effort from the Government to really respond promptly and not only in terms of relief, but infrastructural.

Yours faithfully, Attiya Baksh

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

UG, AG discuss a new agreement for automatic admission of UG Law grads to Hugh Wooding

R

Representatives of the University of Guyana and the Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs.

epresentatives of the University of Guyana (UG) on Monday met with Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C, to discuss the terms of a new agreement with officials of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) of t h e We s t I n d i e s , f o r continued automatic admissions of graduates of UG’s Law Programme into the Hugh Wooding Law School, and other related matters.

According to a Press Release issued by the A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ’s Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs, the visiting delegation comprised of the Vice-Chancellor of the UG, Dr. Paloma MohamedMartin, Registrar of UG Dr. Nigel Gravesande and the Head of the Department of Law of UG Ms. Kim KyteThomas, an attorney-at-law.

Also in attendance were Ms.

Prithima Kissoon, State Solicitor, Public Trustee and Official Receiver, and Ms. Raeanna Clarke, State Counsel.

During this visit, the delegation raised four principal issues with the AG, “The execution of the new and long-term agreement with officials of the University of the West Indies and the CLE of the West Indies for the admission of UG graduates.

The number of Guyanese graduates of the UG Law Programme gaining automatic admissions into the Hugh Wooding Law School should be increased from 25 students to 40 students; Settling the number of non-Guyanese graduates of the UG Law Programme gaining entry into any of the three law schools in the Caribbean Region, namely, the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica; the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad; and the Eugene (Continued on page 25)

Man found dead with head injuries in abandoned house

T

he dead body of 42-year-old Woodrow John Lepps was on Monday morning discovered in an abandoned house in Victoria Vi l l a g e , E a s t C o a s t Demerara, with injuries to his head. A police report revealed that Lepps was unemployed and suffered from epilepsy.

According to the deceased’s sister, Rita Lepps of Belfield, East Coast Demerara, her brother visited her home on Sunday around 09:00hrs and collected breakfast and went to the abandoned building,

where he dwells.

The woman had reported to the police that the following day she received information that her brother was found dead in the building where he stayed.

An alarm was raised and his body was examined by crime scene investigators, who reported that a suspected wound was seen to the left side of Lepps’ head.

Lepps’ body was taken to CC Nicholson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. His body was later transported to Lyken Funeral Parlour.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

PAGE 09

Virtual education Education has not been the same since the pandemic.

Except that in Guyana, our government does not seem to appreciate just how lasting will be the present effects on education.

Education will not be the same ever again. The pandemic has shown the world a more transformative path to delivering education, one which the world knew but was reluctant to go along with in the areas of preuniversity education.

University education, however, has long taken the leap. Except of course in Guyana, where the University of Guyana has plodded along in making the t r a n s i t i o n t o transformational digital education.

The internet has led to the globalisation of educational services.

Virtual classroom is now becoming the new normal, pandemic or no pandemic.

This should have been recognised 10 years ago and actions taken by the University to move faster towards online learning and to internationalise its courses. It has now been surpassed even by the infamously slothful University of the West Indies which is now gobbling up our students, compliments of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

Virtual education is the future of education.

Children, in the future, will not be required to attend school. Schools will no longer be necessary, except for laboratories and for examinations.

Students will not be required to physically attend classes. They will be instructed from the comfort of their homes. They will not be required to haul huge piles of books in overladen haversacks; they will be provided with downloadable electronic textbooks. They will not require smart classrooms and exercise books; their books will be laptops and electronic tablets.

The digitisation of education will transform teaching. A single teacher will teach one subject to all students of a particular Grade across the country simultaneously. The other teachers will become support staff, providing personalised tutorials to students.

It did not need the pandemic for anyone to realise the changes in the delivery of education. The digitisation of education was already taking root. The pandemic has merely made more apparent the direction of the headwinds of educational change.

Except in Guyana where the vision in education leadership is stuck in the past and has a penchant for piecemeal interventions rather than strategic change management. One education consultant, Dr. Jerry Jailall, has said that presently, the Education Ministry is engaged in “random acts of improvement” as opposed to “ a s y s t e m a t i c , comprehensive aligned design for school improvement and reform.” It is essentially a ‘Christmas

Tree’ approach of ‘let’s hang something here, hang something there,’ and hope it looks good. His characterisation of the situation critical as it is, understates the gravity of the leadership crisis in the Ministry.

The Ministry of Education needs an overhaul. It is operating in the past rather than with an eye to the future.

Digitisation of education will make the construction of new schools redundant. Yet, the Ministry of Education is still investing billions in the construction of new schools.

In February of this year, the sod was turned for a school at Prospect, which it is said will benefit 1,000 students. A G$1B school is being built at Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie, Region Three.

Why make such massive investments when the future of education would not require classroom learning?

Children will be learning from home.

Instead of speaking about equality of schools, the focus should be equality of opportunities. The interventions should not be about building new schools but about ensuring that every child has the means to access virtual education.

All of the billions which are being spent to build and rehabilitate schools could have been deployed to ensure that all those students who are present at home – for more than a year – are receiving education.

It was the PPP/C government which boasted that staying at home does not

De government boys seh... breaching de law Dem

In de written law when yuh see de word “shall,” whatever follows is mandatory not optional. De word shall in legal drafting is usually taken to mean “must.” If de law seh dat there shall be X, it means dat X has to happen.

When de no-confidence motion bin pass, de law did seh how de Cabinet shall resign and elections called within three months. But people jump up and seh how de country can’t have a government and how is not de government alone gat fuh decide when elections shall be called. But is suh when de government breaching its own laws.

De government gazette wan Order de other day which seh dat public sector workers shall work on rotation unless otherwise dem get direction to work from home. It didn’t state unless directed to work as usual. Dem boys want know which staff of

any government Ministry, agency or department working on rotation.

Dem workers ain’t gat any choice. Even de government not following dem own law.

And dem union nah sehing nuttin.

Is de same thing in most of de private sector. De Order seh how dem private sector business can be open but de staff “shall” work on rotation. De law did not say they ‘can.’

It seh dem “shall.” But how many of dem private business allowing dem staff fuh work from rotation.

De Order also seh how no recreational activity shall be allowed near any river or creek. Yet some people getting to fish at midnight and nobody nah charging dem.

Talk half and ask de COVID-19 Task Force to designate recreational fishing an as essential service.

have to mean no learning.

Yet, one year after, it is yet to indicate what systems it has put in place to ensure that every child at home is being taught virtually.

Poor children are at a disadvantage during this pandemic because many of them do not have internet service and many of them do not have laptops. They are therefore unable to access the online learning, which is being provided by their teachers – those that are providing online service.

The pandemic has merely hastened the necessity of virtual education. The new normal will require students being taught more from home and more virtually than in the classroom and through traditional means.

The Ministry of Education needs a comprehensive rethink of education. Unless this happens, Guyana will find itself falling further behind the rest of the world.

But this rethink is not

going to take place unless there is new thinking in the Ministry of Education; and it is doubtful whether this can happen under the present leadership. The faster the President recognises this, the better it will be for all concerned.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Wednesday June 02, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Electoral Reform Group is a devious organism W

hat follows below are brief notes as a reaction to Mr. Alfred Bhulai’s letter on me in relation to my criticism of the Electoral Reform Group (ERG) – (Kaieteur News, May 31), and Dr. Desmond Thomas’ missive on me (Kaieteur News, May 28).

Both men are in the leadership of the ERG. Let’s deal with Mr. Bhulai’s piece first because in a large way it shows both the sadness and deviousness of people in this country making a workable future for courageous leadership extremely difficult. In my column of Tuesday May 18 captioned, “Election reform project: The dead, the silent, the shameless,” I dealt with the silence of the ERG on the five-month election rigging.

Mr. Bhulai has now boldly admitted on behalf of his organisation that rigging

was taking place for five months. But it is not simple as what the reader thinks.

First, the date of the admission is important. May 28 of 2021 is the first time since its birth in July 2020 that the ERG has stated that it accepts that the election was tampered with.

Why did it have to take an accusation from me for the ERG to do what any decent, patriotic citizen expects of it?

Secondly, it is more than strange that the ERG normally attaches the signatures of more than 10 names of its leaders when it publishes its newspaper letters. On Friday, just two days before Bhulai’s missive appeared, there was a correspondence in the Stabroek News about election reform by the ERG and signed by 10 of its leaders.

Why two days after another missive is printed by

ERG and this time it accepts that the March election was being tampered with but the correspondence carried only one signature? Here is what I believe happened. The leaders in their individual capacity will not put their signatures to a publication describing the election as fraud perpetrated by the GECOM Secretariat, APNU GECOM Commissioners and APNU+AFC. What happened then is that Bhulai volunteered. If anyone should ask the nine other leaders why they did that, the response would be obvious, “Bhulai said that, not me.”

We come to the founding leader of the ERG, Dr. Desmond Thomas. He responded to my column of May 24 in which I bemoaned again the absence of a statement from the ERG. There is not even one word in Dr. Thomas’ reply that was assigned to what happened

in the 2020 election. The gentleman avoids discussion of the rigged March 2020 election like the Ebola virus.

Here is an interesting part of Dr. Thomas’ missive in which he gets personal with me, Mr. Kissoon’s ad hominem comments are disappointing coming from an established media voice, raising questions about his motives and how genuinely interested he is in finding solutions to our delicate social and political problems.”

Is this the same Dr. Thomas who shares a collegial relation in another organisation with someone who during the five months of election tampering openly supported the fraud, who illegally acquired state lands and had to be evicted by state authorities and who is before the courts on criminal charge for assaulting a woman half his size?

I would like to think Dr.

Thomas should first question the motives of people he shares a civil society relationship with than selecting me in the first instance.

I do not share a collegial relationship Frederick Kissoon with Dr. Thomas; thus, he has no obligation to me to remain silent on what intellectually developed to h e c o n s i d e r s m y d e t e c t h i s s l i p p e r y, questionable motives. scheming, disingenuous But he has an obligation modus operandi. to that gentleman to ask him Here are the words of Dr. about his behaviour.

Thomas, “it is disingenuous I have been around too to suggest that March 2020 is long not to spot the nature of the yardstick to measure the people like Dr. Thomas. r o l e , l e g i t i m a c y o r They come in large numbers, credibility of any person or are of ephemeral passing and group who may seek to bring when they fail to become i m p r o v e m e n t s t o a n numero uno in Guyana; we obviously broken system… hear no more of them. Let us agitation on election issues n o w e x p o s e t h e did not start in 2020.” What conspiratorial ways Dr. Dr. Thomas is saying here is Thomas argues in the hope unadulterated nonsense. he can deceive Guyanese Whatever depravities who he thinks may not be happened in the past that we

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Gold miner crushed to death by falling tree, two injured A gold miner was reportedly killed around noon on Monday while two of his crewmates are left seriously injured after a tree came crashing down on them at Sandhill Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

The now dead miner has been identified as Olrick Matthews, who is believed to be a resident of Port K a i t u m a , N o r t h We s t District.

Those left hospitalised are 49-year-old Edwin Garraway of Diamond Housing Scheme and 40year-old Bryan Richard of

Pomeroon River.

Kaieteur News learnt that the men were at the time working on a mining operation owned by Romeo King, a miner.

Sometime around 12:45hrs during the heavy downpour of rain, the three miners were carrying out duties in the pit, when the high winds caused a nearby tree to uproot which fell in and hit them.

The other crewmembers who witnessed what transpired swiftly ran to their assistance and removed them. Upon checking, Matthews was

found motionless. A report was made to the police and Matthews was later rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was examined and pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was then removed and taken to the hospital’s mortuary where it is awaiting a post mortem examination. His coworkers were examined and admitted in the Bartica Hospital.

As a result of the tragic incident, Garraway suffered a fractured left hand, while Richard sustained lacerations to his forehead.

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Two remanded for robbing, assaulting Land of Canaan woman Remanded, Anthony Maraj.

T

wo men who are accused of assaulting and robbing a 53-year-old Land of Canaan woman in front of her home were on Monday remanded to prison.

The defendants, Anthony Maraj, 25, a labourer of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, and 35-year-old Ryan Chung, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, both appeared in

Remanded, Ryan Chung.

the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, where they were jointly charged with the offence of robbery under arms.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleges that on May 25, at Land of Canaan, armed with a gun they robbed Desiree DeFreitas. They were further remanded and the matter was adjourned to

June 11, 2021.

According to the facts, on the day in question about 15:55 hrs., DeFreitas was in her yard conversing with a relative via telephone, when one of the men who was dressed in a Guyana Police Force (GPF) uniform invaded her premises.

DeFreitas told police that she was sitting in a chair on the northern side of the yard (Continued on page 15)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

PAGE 15

CDC establishes flood relief shelters in Reg. 10 The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Monday established three shelters in Region 10, using the vacant school buildings to provide accommodation to residents affected by flooding within the Region.

According to a post by the CDC on their Facebook page, 12 persons including eight children are currently being housed at the Kwakwani Primary School, while six persons including five children are being accommodated at the Kwakwani Secondary School hostel.

The Coordinator of the project, Major Salim October, CDC Preparedness and Response Manager, stated that the shelters at the Aroaima Nursery and Secondary Schools have already been set up but are not yet occupied. Major October is currently leading a team including Executive Members of the Landersville Community Development Council to evacuate affected residents.

The shelter at the Kwakwani Secondary School hostel was established by the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) while the others were set up by the CDC, which is supporting the overall effort to assist those affected.

The CDC, with support from the RDC and the Ministry of Public Works, also distributed hampers to residents affected by the flooding.The CDC informed citizens that moderate rainfall and thundershowers are expected during late morning and early afternoon across Guyana. Regions One and Two will experience up to two inches of rain while the other Regions will experience up to four inches of rain over the period. It advised all residents to be cautious and report any flooding to their municipalities, RDCs, NDCs, Community Development Councils or the CDC’S National Emergency Management System.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, helping distribute the hampers.

Two remanded for robbing...

From page 14 when the man, in uniform and armed with a handgun, approached her demanding that she hand over her valuables. She explained that he tried to force her into her house but she resisted.

A fight reportedly ensued, during which she received a lash to her head with his

handgun. According to the woman, before he escaped she was robbed of her Samsung Galaxy S9 cell phone.

She further told police that he escaped with his accomplice in a silver Bluebird motorcar.

The two men were later in the day arrested and subsequently charged.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

GWI begins process of laying off workers

The Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) main office located on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

- 76 receive dismissal letters

T

he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) began the process of laying off some of its employees on Monday by sending home 76 of them.

Kaieteur News was able to confirm the development, yesterday with the utility company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Leanna Bradshaw. The workers were notified of their dismissal via letter.

This newspaper is to receive a more detailed response from the GWI concerning the dismissal process, which could be over some 300 employees.

The dismissal of the workers

comes just days after the GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh disclosed during a recently held press conference that the company is gearing up to lay off a number of staff members as a result of the entity’s high wages bill and related production.

Baksh had claimed that the staffing complement was doubled by the Coalition Administration under the leadership of then CEO Dr. Richard Van WestCharles.

“When we compare 2015 to August 2020, we found that the employment numbers moved from about

just over 600 in 2015 to over 1,300 in 2020,” he had told reporters.

The doubling up of the staff complement, according to Baksh, has driven the employment costs from being $96 million in 2015 to $240 million in 2020. He noted that there was a staggering 140% increase at August 2020, and related that a decision was taken by the company to undertake the rationalising of staff because it was just not sustainable for GWI. The CEO had added too that the company had to address its financial (Continued on page 28)

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Health workers, World No-Tobacco Day researchers warn of the dangers of thirdhand smoke While most people are wary of the dangers of secondhand smoke in the use of tobacco and tobacco products, medical researchers and health workers have warned that thirdhand smoke is just as unsafe. During an airing of Kaieteur Radio’s

programme, “Your Health Matters,” on Monday, Dr. Indira Bhoj, the Registrar of Family Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) explained the risk associated with thirdhand smoke.

She was at the time giving the insight on the

dangers of tobacco use on the occasion of World NoTobacco Day observed on May 31, 2021 under the theme, ‘Commit to Quit’.

During the interview, Dr. Bhoj explained that thirdhand smoke is the leftover smoke residue that remains in a room or vehicle

after a cigarette is extinguished. According to her, this smoke residue contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals that can stick to walls, furniture, carpets, clothing, hair, toys, and other surfaces.

She explained that while a person can be exposed to

secondhand smoke when emissions are inhaled from a person who directly smokes, people are exposed to thirdhand smoke when they touch contaminated surfaces or breathe the air in a room where smoking has occurred.

During the interview, Dr. Bhoj noted that the effects of thirdhand smoke can be as dangerous as secondhand smoke or those smoking the tobacco directly.

She alluded to health science studies, which have shown that thirdhand smoke can mix with other common indoor air-pollutants to c r e a t e c a n c e r- c a u s i n g compounds and other health complications particularly for children.

“Children are most at risks in these situations because they would interact with their environment more often than adults. Children are more likely to hold things and put their hands to their mouths and expose t h e m s e l v e s t o contamination,” Dr. Bhoj said during the interview.

According to Dr. Bhoj, while medical researchers were initially focused on the effects of tobacco on direct and secondhand smokers, the conversation has now shifted to the effects of thirdhand smoke, which is affecting children.

“Some of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco and tobacco products were being detected in children causing them to get sick, so more information and research is being shared on the dangers of thirdhand smoke,” Dr. Bhoj said as she urged tobacco users to desist from indulging the harmful product.

“The best thing that tobacco users can do is be committed to quitting, to safeguard themselves and their loved ones,” added the physician.

Additionally, the doctor said there no is the better time to quit smoking than during the COVID-19

Dr. Indira Bhoj, Registrar of Family Medicine at GPHC. pandemic given the impact of the virus on people’s health.

Dr. Bhoj noted that users of tobacco, alcohol and other harmful substances lessen their chance of survival since it helps to weaken the immune system making them more susceptible to contracting the virus and less likely to recover from it. She is not the only health provider warning tobacco users in light of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released information on COVID infection and lung complications in smokers.

According to that information, there is a higher incidence of severe lung complications following COVID in smokers as compared to non-smokers.

Further, a scientific brief released from WHO, earlier this year, showed that smokers are at a higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19.

“These findings of a negative impact of smoking should not be surprising given the fact that smokers have been traditionally known to be more susceptible to infections, especially respiratory infections like flu, p n e u m o n i a a n d tuberculosis,” the WHO research document added.

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Health Ministry records two additional COVID-19 deaths The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday announced that two persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. Their deaths now push Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 391.

Those who died are a 94y e a r- o l d w o m a n f r o m Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 44-year-old man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). According to the

Health Ministry’s press release, the persons died on Monday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 162 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 17,114. A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Region Nine leads with 105 new cases, Region Four with 39,

Region 10 with nine, Region Six with three, Regions Two and Three with two cases each and Region Five with one.The dashboard also shows that 21 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 99 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,745 in home isolation and four persons are quarantined institutionally.

To d a t e , 1 4 , 8 7 9 recoveries have been recorded.

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

UG, AG discuss a new agreement for automatic admission...

From page 8 Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas.

The inclusion of the University of Guyana in deliberations of the CLE on the issues affecting the University of Guyana.

In respect of this issue, it was noted that the University of Guyana is one of the universities given express recognition in the Revised Treaty

of Chaguaramas and accordingly should be properly included in deliberations of the CLE.” The AG, who is also an executive member of the CLE, intimated his commitment to attend the next meeting of the SubCommittee of the CLE and UG on the issues and expressed his commitment to moving these arguments forward.

The Minister was also keen to highlight that Guyana was one of the few States to make prompt and timely payments to the CLE. He used the opportunity to introduce the d e l e g a t i o n t o t h e S t a t e ’ s n e w prosecutorial programme, which seeks to build capacity and improve the proficiency of police

p r o s e c utors and requested that the programme be done at the UG. The Minister also revealed that the programme will be an annual one-year duration programme that will cater for approximately 40 students who possess a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), the students will be trained to prosecute in the various Magistrates’ Courts throughout the country.

The Legal Affairs Minister also disclosed that the curriculum is being completed by a consultant and with UG’s agreement, the programme will start in the academic year commencing in September later this year.

The UG delegation welcomed the idea of the programme and pledged to accommodate the programme at UG.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

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Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Disbelief, denial and anger...

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(Jamaica Observer) - Andrea Gordon, the former National Commercial Bank (NCB) executive who will spend just under eight years in prison for siphoning off $34 million from that entity, is apologising to her two adult children who say

Ffrench, who is before the Half-Way-Tree Criminal Court along with his father Lloyd Ffrench on related fraud charges “is upset with her for implithey are still caught up in disbelief, denial and cating him in the matter”, while her daughter, a 21anger. year-old university student overseas, “is still

According to information shared ahead of in denial”.

GWI begins process of laying off workers From page 17 operations saying, “We have to look at the expenses – not only employment costs, energy cost; we’re looking at other areas of operations, chemical uses and all of these things.Therefore, we had to proceed in this and we reached a stage where a number of employees will have to be terminated in accordance with the law.”Former APNU+AFC coalition minister, David Patterson was the first to hint that GWI was planning to send home employees in a post that he had

From page 3 for Region Four. While the document cites Myers for aiding and abetting Lowenfield in the functions of duties on several occasions, it referenced incidences where she acted questionably on her own volition.According to the motion, the DCEO acted on her own volition when she facilitated a meeting on March 5, 2020 with a candidate of the contesting party, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cummings at the GECOM command centre at Ashmin’s building. It noted too that Myers acted on her own volition when she instructed police officers to remove Commissioner Sase Gunraj and others from the building on March 5, 2020.

This, according to the

lition. Kaieteur News had reported recently, however, that GWI is “cash-strapped” and could not pay its electricity bill in 2018, a year, under the coalition administration, when the company under then boss Dr. Richard Van West- Charles spent some $30M on a Christmas party and anniversary celebrations.It was also reported last year that the company owed the Guyana Power and Light a total of $7 billion from 2018-2020. GWI’s expenditure had come under the spotlight because of its ‘cashstrapped’ state.

Commissioners, caused the loss of public confidence in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, as it relates to Mingo, the motion points to his orchestration of the attempt to rig the elections in favour of APNU+AFC. Among other things, the document calling for Mingo’s dismissal notes that without any lawful authority or proper justification or excuse, the RO deliberately failed, refused and neglected to ascertain the total votes cast in favour of each list in the district by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the Statements of Poll as is required by the Section and instead, he whether by himself or those acting with his author-

ity or under his direction, sought to use in the adding up process, figures. In the interim, the letters dispatched by the GECOM Chairperson asked the officials to show cause why they should not be dismissed by June 15, 2021. In the letter to Myers seen by this publication, the GECOM Chair detailed that the motion was moved by Commissioner Bibi Shadick and seconded by Commissioner Manoj Narayan at the statutory meeting of GECOM yesterday. “ As a consequence, I have attached a copy the motion for your perusal and kindly request that you provide a response in writing on or before June 15 , 2021 to show cause why such action should not be taken against you,” the Chair stated.

Suspected gold smuggling – a word of...

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made on a social media platform. He had disclosed that 100 workers would be fired

by June 1 and posited that they will use the “usual some lame excuse” that the company is financially challenged.Patterson is of the view that the move by GWI represents another “assault on public sector workers”. He suggested too that instead of trying to solve its issue, GWI is proceeding with a witch-hunt against its employees— most of whom is suspected to be supportive of the coa-

PPP/C-nominated Commissioners table...

From page 4 hold the reins of power, by any means.

There is the price for foreign benevolence, such foreign power backing, and I am surprised that the VP, in his haste to be protective, let haughtiness overtakes him, when so much more is at stake, than the records and reputations of others. Clearly, the Vice President is operating more from instinct, than with the vaunted intuition slavishly ascribed to him; in so doing,

Workers for P.S.G.C.S cleaner, labourers and maintenance workers Contact 621-6969/ 615-7784 serious inquiries only

Gordon’s sentencing in the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston Monday, her son, Odain

he plays with unmanageable fires, which bigger and better men than his lordship toyed with, and got cremated.

For the doubtful Guyanese in the midst, and the Vice President himself, I have only eight words of caution: remember Forbes Burnham, and what happened to him. He was championed; he played games; and he lost his sweetheart status. The PPP and VP should remember and behave accordingly. Cut out this nonsense, stop engaging in these double-crosses, and running interference for suspect citizens. It could come back to haunt, as in out on fanny in a jiffy. There must be remembering protections offered, and American surgical removals from Suriname and Trinidad. Remember and learn. Like I

say, this is bigger than RCM, bigger than smuggled gold, bigger than all Guyana. For the Americans, this is all of that and more. This is about sanctions busting and its consequences; it is about a certain kind of financing and the underlying dangers posed; it is about harbouring violators, though they helped enormously last year, who are on disturbing international radars.

Thus, Americans watch closely and build their files.

Historically, they haven’t worked well with leaders manifesting maverick tendencies.

They can turn on a dime, as they have shown before. The Vice President is wiser than this; he has to get hold of himself, and understand who the piper is, and who the player is.

He must stop playing the fool, and stop playing to his gallery.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

PAGE 29

Fight over sexual advances, name-calling leaves two inmates wounded T

wo inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison are presently recovering from incision wounds after they fought with each other on Monday over sexual advances and namecalling.

The wounded men have been identified as Davendra Samawru, 40 and Ravin Ramdehol.

According to a police report the men started to fight around 12:30 hrs.

It is being alleged that Ramdehol had attacked Samawru first with a razor blade. He reportedly cut the man to his lower right arm. Samawru, investigators revealed, fought back and inflicted some injuries on Ramdehol too.

Both men had to be taken to the medical area within the prison for treatment.

Police reported that Samawru was treated there but Ramdehol was referred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital because of the seriousness of his injuries.

Acting Prison Director, Niclon Eliott, said the incident stemmed from name-calling, while Commander of the Guyana Police Force Region Six District, Jairam Ramlakhan, shed some more clarity on the matter stating that the namecalling was in relation to some sexual advances made on Samawru

by Ramdehol in the prison’s bathroom.

Investigators reported that Samawru had related to them that he was taking a shower when Ramdehol entered and allegedly said that he was giving away cigarettes and weed for sex.

Samawru reportedly exited the bathroom immediately without his underwear and Ramdehol followed him.

It was at this point that they reportedly began calling each other names and argument erupted between them.

As the argument intensified, they began to fight.

The New Amsterdam Prison. (Guyana Chronicle photo)

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

The victorious Bel Air Team

Bolsonaro denounced for hosting Copa América amid pandemic

Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has sparked outrage after approving plans to hold the Copa América. (Felipe Dana/AP)

Wednesday June 02, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you were in charge of a company's human resources department, Aries, today you would begin to completely overhaul the recruitment procedure.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Taurus, the romantic side of your life may be rocked by a storm of emotion. You may go from intense rage to ecstasy in an instant.

The day may instruct you to get hold of your emotions.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The day may be somewhat oppressive, Gemini. It's possible you will receive some unpleasant news related to your domestic life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You seem frustrated today, Cancer! There's only one person who could possibly arouse your anger to such a degree, and that's you.

Today's aspect is favorable for crises of conscience that result in a change of attitude.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is a contemplative day, Leo. You seem to be developing new techniques, means, therapies, and methods to use in your main occupation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will have to expect the day to be somewhat frustrating, Virgo. Your friends may insist that you be more cooperative and less individualistic. They could resent your refusal to be part .

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You mustn't expect to do whatever you like today, Libra. Quite the contrary! You may be restrained by technical limitations.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Science, space exploration, and certain other fields require the participation of all with a very strong team spirit. Stubborn as you are, it doesn't make you the greatest specialist in group dynamics.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) What good does it do you to resist change, Sagittarius?

Everyone knows that you have trouble adapting to change in the world around you.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) If you work in a helping profession such as psychotherapy, you're probably breaking quite a few rules and protocols right now, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You don't have to be a genius or do something extraordinary in order for people to notice you, Aquarius. It's time you abandon the notion that you can't play a musical instrument because you don't have perfect pitch.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You aren't free enough, Pisces. This is especially true in your relationships. With the current astral energy, you can expect to break free of your chains. It's time for you to

participate more in life.

The Guardian - The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has sparked outrage after approving plans to hold South America’s answer to the European Championship in his Covid-stricken country despite warnings Brazil is steaming into a potentially calamitous third wave of infections.

The Copa América was originally due to be co-hosted

by Colombia and Argentina, but their struggles with deadly street protests and coronavirus put paid to those plans.

On Monday, in a surprise move, the South American Football Confederation, Conmebol, announced that Brazil, which has the world’s second highest Covid death toll, would host the footballing event between 13 June and 17 July. “I want to say a special thanks to President Jair Bolsonaro and his cabinet for hosting the tour-

nament,” tweeted Conmebol’s Paraguayan president, Alejandro Domínguez.

The announcement caused an immediate outcry in Brazil, where more than 462,000 lives have been lost in a Covid outbreak Bolsonaro stands accused of catastrophically mishandling.

Renan Calheiros, a Brazilian senator who is the rapporteur of a congressional inquiry into Bolsonaro’s Covid response, condemned the “unbelievable” idea of holding what he claimed would be a “championship of death”.

Calheiros urged Brazilian players such as Neymar to refuse to take to the field “while your relatives and acquaintances continue to die”.

Juca Kfouri, one of Brazil’s top sports writers, branded the competition the “Cova América” or “Grave of the Americas”.

“There is no justification for bringing nine South American teams, and potentially new variants, to one of the epicentres of the pandemic, wasting resources and attention that should be directed towards our thousands of infected patients,” he wrote.

Others called the competition as the “Cepa América” – “the Strain of the Americas” – and demanded the Brazilian government reversed its decision which comes with an average of nearly 2,000 lives still being lost each day.

“This is shameful,” one of Brazil’s best-known commentators, Luís Roberto, told the SporTV network. “It’s a provocation. It is a slap in the face of all Brazilians.”

There was little sign Bolsonaro’s administration was rethinking its move yesterday. “As far as it’s up to me, and all the ministers – health included – it’s a done deal,” the far-right populist told supporters outside the presidential residence.

South America is one of the regions worst-hit by the Covid pandemic, with Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay all enduring the most dramatic moments of their epidemics.

On Monday, Peru revealed that its true Covid death toll was nearly three times the official figure of 68,000, with at least 180,000 fatalities. More than 1 million lives have been lost to the disease across Latin America and the Caribbean, about a third of the official global total, even though the region is home to less than 9% of the world’s population.

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

JFF forced to cancel Jamaica, Japan friendly after COVID test mix-up leaves team shorthanded SportsMax - The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has been forced to pull out of its upcoming friendly international against Japan, as a breakdown in COVID-19 protocol communications will see the Caribbean team unable to field enough players.

The game was scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd but the majority of the team’s Englishbased contingent will not arrive in time for the fixture.

The issue stems from the fact the English-based players did PCR tests using the widely accepted dual method of the nostril and oral swabs, however, Japan only accepts the more complicated nasal PCR tests.

According to reports, the Japan Football Association (JSA) had not informed the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) of the specific require-

ment. As a result, the six players were denied boarding in Amsterdam after they were found to not have the specific PCR coronavirus test results required for entry into Japan.

The England-based players have since returned home to do the necessary PCR test but, having rebooked, will not reach Japan until Wednesday.

The members of the delegation who left Jamaica did the correct PCR test and were accepted on the flight from Houston to Japan, except for Tyreek McGee who did not board the flight to Japan for reasons yet to be conveyed.

The player, however, did have the required PCR test done.

He is set to return home.

The remaining matches against Serbia, on the 7th, and the Japan Olympic team, on the 12th, will go ahead as p l a n n e d .

The JFF has been forced to pull out of its upcoming friendly international against Japan.

French Open deletes tweet on Osaka press blackout (Reuters) - The French Open has deleted a post on its Twitter feed which praised players for attending media conferences as Naomi Osaka’s press boycott continued to overshadow the Grand Slam.

The tweet showed pictures of Rafa Nadal, Kei Nishikori, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff engaging with the media along with the caption: “They understood the assignment.”

Osaka announced before the start of the tournament that she would not do any press conferences to protect her mental health, prompting criticism from French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moretton.

Osaka was fined $15,000 for skipping her news con-

Japan, sponsors join athletes to support...

From page 34 offering Osaka support but then did not take questions afterwards, leading to some criticism.

“So the FFT handled the Ms Osaka mental health concerns without empathy or sensitivity. Then the FFT President refuses to take questions at a presser. An own goal,” wrote former Australian tennis official Richard Ings.

Six-time major champion Boris Becker was worried Osaka’s career could be in danger because of her mental health issues

ference after her first round win on Sunday and was warned of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future Grand Slams if she failed to meet her media commitments.

The Twitter post was deleted but not before being shared widely. It drew criticism from social media users but also supportive responses.

Former doubles world number one and tennis pundit Rennae Stubbs said the post was “humiliating” for Osaka.

“I understand your attempt at making a point but this isn’t a good look,” she tweeted.

“I mean, these particular players are a great look for tennis but making a player feel guilty & humiliating her is NOT a good look for a tennis fed.”

Osaka started her French

Serena survives scare in...

From page 36 record at it,” Williams said of her first taste of action under the Roland Garros lights.

“Clearly something about it gets me hyped. I have to say it was pretty cool to be able to play the first night session ever here at Roland Garros. That was something I thoroughly enjoyed.”

Williams will face another Romanian in round two in the shape of 174th-ranked Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Open campaign with a 6-4 76(4) win over Romanian Patricia Maria Tig and participated in the courtside interview.

She later wrote on Twitter: “Anger is a lack of understanding. Change makes people uncomfortable.”

The Japanese world number two next faces Romanian Ana Bogdan.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Brazil’s Roberta Avery, India’s Vijeylaxmi Narasimhan picked women from 29 ICC member countries in ICC Future Leaders Programme Forty will be mentored as part of the programme ESPNcricinfo - Brazil captain Roberta Avery, USA Cricket board member and batter Nadia Gruny, and Indian referee Vijeylaxmi Narasimhan are among a total of 40 women from 29 ICC member countries who will be mentored as part of the inaugural ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme, designed to support emerging women leaders in cricket.

Greg Barclay, the ICC chair, former Pakistan Women captain Sana Mir and former West Indies bowler and now broadcaster Ian Bishop are among the mentors.

In a statement, ICC de-

Girls participate in a junior cricket programme. (Getty Images)

scribed the programme as a part of its “long-term commitment to accelerate the growth of women’s cricket and women in cricket”, and said that there had been more than 300 applicants from 45 different countries before the final 40 had been selected.

“The initial intake will be split into two batches and the programme, which (is) designed to address the low percentage of women in leadership positions in global cricket and build a pipeline of new female leaders in cricket will get underway with batch one beginning this month,” the statement said.

“The first two batches reflect the diversity of our regions and their areas of focus, and all have received outstanding endorsements from their respective Member Boards,” Claire Furlong, ICC general manager - marketing and communications, said in the statement.

“The next six months will be incredibly exciting, and we look forward to a productive learning experience for our mentees.”

Batch 1 Mentor: Greg Barclay (governance and board); Mentee: Nadia Gruny (USA) Mentor: Wasim Khan (management); Mentee: Joanna Taylor (ICC) Mentor: Andrea Nelson (senior management and events); Mentee: Fizza Abid (Pakistan) Mentor: Steve Elworthy (governance and board); Mentee: Tracey Pitt (Bermuda) Mentor: Michelle Enright (commercial and business of cricket); Mentee: Ewa Ostaszewska (Ireland) Mentor: Hilton Moreeng (coaching); Mentee: Helmien Rambaldo (Netherlands) Mentor: Claire Polosak (match officiating); Mentee: Vijeylaxmi Narasimhan (India) Mentor: Sana Mir (player growth); Mentee: Benafsha

Hashimi (Afghanistan) Mentor: Divya Gokulnath (commercial and overall leadership); Mentee: Anna Shaw (England) Mentor: Anthony Everard (fan engagement); Mentee: Vaishali Jesrani (Oman) Mentor: Sharda Ugra (media and journalism); Mentee: Roberta Morretti Avery (Brazil) Mentor: Ian Bishop (broadcasting); Mentee: Xolile Mabuza (South Africa) Mentor: Dhiraj Malhotra (game development and events operations); Mentee: Caitlin Spencer (Australia) Mentor: Christina Matthews (development); Mentee: Iriho Veronique (Rwanda) Mentor: Gemma Davies (digital communications); Mentee: La Donna Williams (West Indies) Mentor: Jodie Hawkins (leadership and senior management); Mentee: Mariamma Hyder (Kuwait) Mentor: Lisa Keightley (coaching); Mentee: Naome Kayondo Bagenda (Uganda) Mentor: Karren Rogers (digital partnerships and fan engagement); Mentee: Nicole Dunn (New Zealand) Mentor: Will Glenwright (development); Mentee: Rosy Ryan (Scotland) Mentor: Chris Tetley (events and development); Mentee: Charilitah Wambui (Kenya) Mentees for Batch 2 (starting November 2021) Tuba Sangar (Afghanistan), Joan Norton (Austra-

lia), Lucy Pringle (England), Stephanie Frohnmayer (Germany), Tammy Chu (Hong Kong),

Laura Peacock (ICC), Harini Rana (India), Niamh O’Shea (Ireland), Nicky Britten (New Zealand), Ijeoma

Azubuike (Nigeria), Marina Iqbal (Pakistan), Margaret Sibona (Papua New Guinea), Samantha Hickman (Peru),

Shivani Mishra (Qatar), Stella Siale Vaea-Tangitau (Samoa), Abbi Aitken (Scotland), Karen Smithies (South Af-

rica), Michell Pereira (Sri Lanka), Amanda Reifer (West Indies), Mary-Anne Musonda (Zimbabwe).

Ann Li earns redemption with express win at French Open as Venue exits United States Venus Williams walks back to her side of the court as she plays against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova during their first round match on day three of the French Open tennis tournament. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PARIS (AP) — The last time Ann Li had stepped onto a tennis court at Roland Garros, she lost to a 182ndranked Russian opponent in qualifying for the clay-court Grand Slam.

The loss had left a bitter taste and the 20-year-old American wanted to erase the bad memory on her return to the French Open.

“It’s funny because I played there on the same court with the same ref, too,

last year,” she said yesterday.

“So, I was like, I’ve got to redeem myself.”

That’s exactly what Li did.

Regarded as a rising star, Li did not face a break point

on Court 9, lost only six points in the opening set and hit a total of 17 winners to dispatch Margarita Gasparyan 6-0, 6-1 and move into the second round. In just 46 minutes, on her debut in the main draw.

Having recovered from an

abdominal injury, the 75thranked Li is back to competition after a two-month layoff.

“I had to kind of step back,” she said. “I was in Orlando and took some time and really wanted to heal fully because an ab is a tricky spot.

I had some good preparation on the clay there and when I came here I was really excited.”

A former runner-up at Wimbledon in juniors, Li is not a natural on clay, but she

said she prepared well for the tournament and feels more comfortable on the slow surface.

“Last year on the red clay it was my first time here, so it was a little bit uncomfortable, a little bit unfamiliar,” she said. “But I feel really good now.”

GOODBYE VENUS The oldest woman at Roland Garros this year, Venus Williams failed in her bid to win a 271st match at a Grand Slam event.

Aged 40, the American veteran lost her opening match at the clay-court major for the fourth straight year, defeated 6-3, 6-1 by Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia yesterday.

A runner-up in the French capital 19 years ago, the former top-ranked player dropped her serve six times and hit 23 unforced errors.

“I guess it happened. So moving on,” she said when asked about her recent record in Paris.

Despite the loss, Venus will extend her Paris stay since she is scheduled to play doubles with 17-year-old Coco Gauff.

“You know, I think we’re hopefully going to be a perfect match,” she said. “She’s so extremely talented that I’ll definitely be expecting her to do all the work.”

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

ICC expands men’s world events: ODI WC to 14 teams, T20 WC to 20 teams The ICC’s next commercial cycle will commence after the 2023 ODI World Cup and stretch until 2031. (Getty Images)

The changes come into effect in the 2024-31 cycle, with the Champions Trophy also poised to return ESPNcricinfo - The 2027 men’s ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams after the ICC Board decided to expand the quadrennial tournament in its next cycle of events.

The decision came after a meeting yesterday amid a raft of significant changes to the ICC events calendar from 2023-2031, including an expanded, 20-team men’s T20 World Cup - to be held every two years - and a return of the 50-over Champions Trophy.

The Champions Trophy will return as it left in 2017, an event for the top eight ODI teams, and will take place first in 2025 and again in 2029.

The ICC Board also decided to continue with the format for the World Test Championship (WTC) with nine teams playing six series each to compete in the final every two years: those will be held in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031.

The inaugural edition of the WTC will culminate in the final between India and New Zealand from June 1822 in Southampton.

The second cycle will commence immediately after the title clash.

The most significant development, however, is the expansion to the 2027 and 2031 ODI World Cups, which will now feature 54 matches each. Calls for a

The Expansion of Global events. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd)

bigger World Cup never stopped since they began after it was decided that participation would be reduced to 10 teams after the 2015 edition.

As it stands now - and cricket has flip-flopped often on the size of its premier event - the 2023 World Cup, in India, will be the last for at least a decade to feature 10 teams.

And there will be a return to the 2003 edition with a Super 6s stage, into which the top three teams from two

groups of seven will proceed. That will be followed by semi-finals and the final.

What this expansion will mean for the 13-team ODI Super League is not clear.

At the moment the league is the pathway into the World Cup, the top eightranked teams in the league going through automatically to the 2023 tournament, and a further two teams decided through a qualifier involving the bottom five sides of the league and the top five

Associate sides.

The T20 World Cup, which the ICC sees as its vehicle to expanding the game, will see 20 teams spread across four groups of five each with the top two entering the Super Eights stage.

The knockouts, including the semi-finals and a final, follow. The T20 World Cups, scheduled for 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030, will comprise 55 matches each.

The Champions Trophy

will retain the same format as in the past with eight teams split across two groups of four, and the top two sides from each group making the semi-finals followed by the final.

“Having the ICC event schedule confirmed through to 2031 is a significant step forward for cricket and will form the basis of our growth strategy for the next decade,” Geoff Allardice, the ICC acting chief executive officer, said in a media release yesterday.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Hope strokes classy century, Smith bags three Raymon Reifer was left stranded on 60.

(Getty Images)

Nial Smith continued to impress the selectors and Shai Hope pushed for a Test spot yesterday.

C

ricnation592 - Guyanese fastbowler Nial Smith continued to impress the selectors after finishing as the pick of the bowlers for Jermaine Blackwood’s XI in the ongoing Best v Best 4-Day match in St Lucia. Shai Hope continued to push for a Test spot, ending the second day with a fluent unbeaten 104.

Smith bagged 3-35 in 12 overs,

including two maidens as the men in Maroon continue preparation for the first Test against South Africa on June 10.

Resuming the second day on 44-4, Jahmar Hamilton’s XI crept to 178 all out in 58.3 overs, replying to Blackwood’s XI first innings score of 264 all out.

Raymon Reifer top-scored with an unbeaten 60, while Roston Chase made 35 for Hamilton’s XI. In addition to Smith’s

three wickets, which included two wickets in two balls, Shannon Gabriel had 2-16 and Keon Harding bagged 2-61.

In reply, Blackwood’s XI lost Darren Bravo (17) and Kaveem Hode (00), both wickets went to young pacer Jayden Seales.

Kyle Mayers then threw his wicket away scoring an attacking 40.

After scoring 79 in the first innings, Hope’s classy century came from 124 balls,

off part-timer Nkrumah Bonner with a boundary to extra-cover.

The day concluded with Blackwood’s XI on 197-3 in 39 overs with Hope on 104 and Blackwood on 23 in an unbroken 63run stand.

The third day will commence from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean time today, June 2, with Blackwood’s XI leading by 283 runs.

Japan, sponsors join athletes to support Osaka after French Open withdrawal Reuters - Naomi Osaka received support from her country Japan, her sponsors, leading sporting figures and tennis fans yesterday after the world number two withdrew from the French Open in a row about media duties, saying she had been suffering from depression and anxiety.

One of the biggest names in sport, Osaka stunned the tennis world when she pulled out of the Grand Slam on Monday after being fined and threatened with expulsion for declining to face the media after her firstround match on Sunday.

The four Grand Slam tournaments released a statement on Tues day commending Osaka for sharing her experience and promised to make things better for players.

“We wish to offer Naomi Osaka our support and assistance in any way possible as she takes time away from the court,” they said in a statement.

“She is an exceptional athlete and we look forward to her return as soon as she deems appropriate.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion had last week signalled her

intentions to skip her media duties to protect her mental well-being and she returned to Twitter on Monday to announce her withdrawal.

While her original stance had earned the Japanese 23year-old little backing from her fellow professionals, most saying that dealing with the media was part of the job, her withdrawal triggered a wave of support from around the world.

“The first thing to be considered is Ms. Osaka’s health. I wish her the earliest possible recovery,” Japan Tennis Association (JTA) Executive Director Toshihisa Tsuchihashi said in a statement yesterday.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference that he would “watch over her quietly” and there was concern on the streets of Tokyo for the woman who will be one of the faces of this year’s Olympic Games in the city.

At Roland Garros, fans were sympathetic.

“I think that it is very respectable and very admirable for a person in her mental condition to feel all the pressure that there can be on a tennis court,” Magali

Romero, who attendedday three of the French Open on Tuesday, told Reuters TV. “They don’t need to feel more pressure, like from talking to the public. I think that people should respect and support the decision.”

According to sports business website Sportico, Osaka earned $55.2 million over the past 12 months - a record haul for a female athlete - much of it from sponsorship deals with major companies in Japan and the United States.

Japanese sponsor Nissin Foods wished Osaka a quick recovery while the world’s biggest athletic shoe maker, Nike, lauded her for her courage in sharing her mental health experience. “ N a o m i O s a k a ’s decision reminds us all how important it is to prioritise personal health and wellbeing,” Mastercard, one of Osaka’s long list of sponsors, said in a statement.

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co also showed solidarity with its brand ambassador.

Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer, owned by LVMH, said it supported its ambassadors also during challenging periods.

‘ I N C R E D I B LY BRAVE’ Wo m e n ’s t e n n i s trailblazers Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King alsooffered support to Osaka.

“It’s incredibly brave that Naomi Osaka has revealed her truth about her struggle with depression,” King wrote on social media.

“Right now, the important thing is that we give her the space and time she needs. We wish her well.”

Williams sisters Serena and Venus, as well as younger American players Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens, added messages of support as the focus shifted f r o m O s a k a ’ s responsibilities to her wellbeing.

There were also supportive messages from athletes in other sports.

“You shouldn’t ever have to make a decision like this — but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be don’t protect their own. Major respect,” wrote NBA All Star Steph Curry on Twitter.

F o u r- t i m e O l y m p i c champion distance runner Mo Farah told Sky News: “I’ve been in that scenario

Naomi Osaka (JPN) in action during her match against Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) at Roland Garros Stadium. (Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports)

where you have 40 journalists, you’ve got the camera right in front of you, and it’s nerve-wracking, and you can only support her.”

Osaka said “the rules are quite outdated in parts” and expressed a desire to work with tennis administrators to improve things for players, press and fans.

Former British number one Laura Robson told BBC that the four Grand Slams,

who threatened Osaka with an expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors, should not have let the matter escalate.

There was also some criticism of Roland Garros organisers for their handling of the matter.

French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moretton read a prepared statement on Monday (Continued on page 32)

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Rutherford wants to play in T20 World Cup T20 specialist has aspirations to play Test Cricket

By Sean Devers Twenty-two-year-old Guyana and West Indies allrounder Sherfane Rutherford is a product of the local Academy system but he did not accept the GCI’s contract which would have restricted him from plying his trade around the world in the growing number of T20 franchises.

The dashing left-handed batsman and right arm seamer is now in Abu Dhabi playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the continuation of his second Pakistan Super League which concludes on June 20.

“This is my second tournament in the Pakistan League and I am really looking forward to make it a good one,” informed Rutherford from his hotel room where is in quarantine until today (Wednesday).

“The pandemic has been the same as any other tournament so it’s just for me to adapt,” disclosed Rutherford, who along with Shimron Hetmyer are the only two Guyanese in this edition of the PSL. “The Pakistan league has always been highly rated and I would definitely say it’s a very tough league in terms of the Pakistan history with fast bowlers and spin bowlers, but I love the challenge and willing to give my best,” said the Guyanese.

The youngster who played in T20 leagues for Guyana Amazon Warriors, Delhi Capitals, Sylhet Thunder, Karachi Kings,

Sherfane Rutherford on the go.

Mumbai Indians and Peshawar Zalmi, said he has not set any goals for this tournament.

“I don’t set goals because it’s tough to know how things will go but every chance I have will be gold and I will definitely look to make the best out of it,” said Rutherford, who revealed that his most memorable moment was his tournament winning innings in last year’s final of the PSL for Karachi Kings in a game which went into super over.

The explosive southpaw had won the IPL with Delhi Capitals and PSL in the space of a week.

Rutherford has not bowled much in his T20 career but says he is working on it.“Well for the past few months I have been personally working on my bowling and nothing has changed coming into this environment,” said the confident lad who last played for Guyana against T&T at Providence in March 2019. Asked if wants to play in the T20 World Cup, Rutherford says that is his dream.“Playing in a World Cup is always my dream, It’s something I always wanna Play but it’s gonna take alot of hard work and determination and am definitely up for the challenge to be there,” said Rutherford who played 17 First-Class, 20 List ‘A’ and 53 T20 games.

Rutherford has been selected for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the 2021

Sherfane Rutherford lit up the Global T20 Canada with 134 not out off 66 balls.

edition of the CPL in St Kitts which is scheduled from August 28 to September 19 but confessed that he was not sure when he had to travel to St Kitts for preparations for the CPL. “I am definitely looking forward to the CPL and playing for the Patriots at home. I guess everyone will know the fact that it’s such a small ground, great pitches….so It’s definitely will be a good tournament,” added Rutherford.

The pugnacious lefthander is only 22 and still has time to develop ability to mature into an all formats player.

“Test cricket is my favorite and definitely that won’t change, and yes, Test cricket will always be in my heart and would love to play that format in the future,” said Rutherford who has three half-centuries in FirstClass including a highest of 93.

He made his first-class debut for Guyana in the Regional Four Day Competition on 15 April 2017. He made his List A debut for Guyana in the Regional Super50 on 31 January 2018.

In June 2018, he was named in the Cricket West Indies ‘B’ Team squad for the inaugural edition of the Global T20 Canada tournament. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament for the West Indies with 230 runs in eight matches.

He made his Twenty20 debut for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean

Premier League on 9 August 2018.

In October 2018, he was named in the squad for the K h u l n a Ti t a n s t e a m , following the draft for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League. In December 2018, he was bought by the Delhi Capitals in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League.

In June 2019, he was selected to play for the Edmonton Royals franchise team in the 2019 Global T20 Canada tournament. In November 2019, he was selected to play for the Sylhet Thunder in the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League. In July 2020, he was named in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for the 2020

Caribbean Premier League.

In March 2020 he made his debut for Champions Karachi Kings in the PSL before being picked for Mumbai Indians in the 2021 CPL which was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in India. He is now with the Peshawar Zalmi in the PCL. Rutherford has played six T2O Internationals after making his debut against Bangladesh in 2018, has made 49 runs and taken one wicket. He has also played three matches against Ireland and two against Afghanistan.

Rutherford was born on August 15, 1998 and grew up in the fast paced era of T20 cricket. It was natural for him to quickly gravitate to that format as a little boy growing up in the East Coast

D e m e r a r a Vi l l a g e o f Enmore.

Rutherford was eightyears old when Ramnaresh Sarwan led Guyana to the Stanford T20 title in 2006 in Antigua.

“Since I was little I used to hit the ball harder than those players of my age and that’s how I got interested in T20 cricket. It has allowed me to see many Countries, meet different people and give me a good living for doing something I love doing,” said Rutherford.

But Rutherford, who played for Enmore, Everest, DCC and now Police, says he is still interested in playing First-Class cricket and Test Cricket but his focus is presently on the PSL in Abu Dhabi and later in the year, the CPL.

Rutherford won the IPL and PSL in the space of 7 days.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 36

Wednesday June 02, 2021

SLBA congratulates new Young cricketers urged to remain committed and disciplined Director of Sport in Guyana Sports Commission holds first meeting with Minister Ramson

T

he St. Lucia B o x i n g Association (SLBA) has joined other boxing associations in the Caribbean in extending warm greetings to Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), who was recently appointed the new Director of Sport in Guyana, a release from the SLBA informed.

Ninvalle was appointed by a six-member National Sports Commission (NSC) which met on Sunday, May 30, 2021, and in consultation with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. His appointment was among the first orders of business by the Commission which was appointed by the Government of Guyana on May 20, 2021.

Ninvalle’s appointed was unanimous based on his stellar contributions to sport over the years in Guyana and the Caribbean.

A former sports journalist and parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in Guyana, Ninvalle has been involved with sports since 1993. He is an awardwinning administrator known for transforming

amateur boxing in Guyana and the region.

Ninvalle previously served as Chairman of the Caribbean Boxing Steering Committee from 2019 until his resignation in October 2020.

He was also the first Caribbean Executive Committee Member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), elected in 2014. Three years later, he was elevated to the Executive Bureau of AIBA before assuming the position of Chairman of AIBA’s Yo u t h C o m m i s s i o n i n February 2019. During that period, he was also elected Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC), the release noted.

President of the St. Lucia Boxing Association, David “ S h a k e s ” C h r i s t o p h e r, expressed congratulatory remarks to Ninvalle, with whom he shares a close relationship through sports.

“Congratulations to my brother Steve Ninvalle on his new appointment,” Christopher said moments after Ninvalle’s appointment was published in Guyana on Sunday. “May God give him the strength, wisdom and

passion to serve all sportsmen and sportswomen in Guyana and the region as Director of Sport. Congrats again and you have the support of the boxing family within the region.”

Meanwhile, here in Guyana, the six-member National Sports Commission (NSC), along with Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, met yesterday with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. It was the first meeting with the commission, which is Chaired by Kashif Muhammad, and the Minister since the appointment of the country’s new Director of Sport.

A c c o r d i n g t o information received, the Minister provided the Commission with the Government of Guyana’s vision for sports, while sharing that of his own.

Apart from Muhammad, the commission includes G u y a n a L a w n Te n n i s Association president Cristy Campbell, Guyana Cricket Board president Bissoondyal Singh, Chartered accountant Chateram Ramdihal, Guyana Hockey Board president Phillip Fernandes and Dellon Davidson.

Last Saturday the team Daniels coaching programme continued in South Essequibo and was graced with presence of the South Essequibo Cricket Committee Chairman Fisal Mohammed. Mohammed, who after witnessing the morning session which had Umpire Deva Das taking the young cricketers through laws of the game and Coach Forbes Daniels doing basic batting, told the youths to remain committed to the game as well as their education. He spoke on discipline and urged the players to work hard for success. He pledged his continued support for the programme. In the afternoon session, Coach Anthony Adams took the seniors through their paces at the Zorg beach.

Adams encouraged the players to get on board for there is place for 11 more players and said they will continue to utilise the beach once the weather and the tide is appropriate.

In an invited comment coach Daniels said he is pleased with the programme so far and is calling on the business community to get

Fisal Mohammed delivering a talk to the youths.

on board as they work towards the growth of the game in the area.

He added that he would like to see cricket being played in regions where the cricketers from the nontraditional areas would be given a chance to display their talent.

“It would be nice to start at the senior level where the franchise and Academy players can turn out from regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and that would give cricket its true National look for the first time in our history as a

nation.

Team Daniels feels that the new GCB should correct their mistake of not having Essequibians in the management on the 19 franchise teams since there are coaches and managers who are qualified for the job.

Meanwhile, with the formation of the Riverstone Allandale Neighbourhood Democratic Council Sports Club in South Essequibo, cricketers and other sports men and women can expect a state of the art sports facility it was noted.

Serena survives scare in French Open’s first night match PA R I S ( R e u t e r s ) American Serena Williams survived a scare in the first ever night session match at the French Open as she edged out Romanian IrinaCamelia Begu 7-6(6) 6-2 in the first round on Monday.

Organisers have introduced night matches under the Philippe Chatrier Court lights this year to provide some late drama for the fans but the match was played in an empty stadium because of a COVID-19 curfew in the French capital.

The flat atmosphere hardly helped the 39-yearold Williams who squandered a 5-2 lead in the first set against a tricky opponent who battled back to move into a tiebreaker.

Begu then led 6-4 and Williams got lucky with a return that clipped the tape, before rattling off four points to win the opener with a drive volley she celebrated with a roar that echoed around the empty stands.

Three-time Roland Garros champion Williams, who has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles, one

Serena Williams survived a scare in the first ever night session match at the French Open to win. behind Margaret Court’s alltime record, was far more assured in the second set and managed to claim the victory without further fuss.

Wi l l i a m s h a s b e e n agonisingly close to matching Court’s record since winning the 2017 Australian Open in her last Grand Slam event before becoming a mother.

She has fallen in four Grand Slam finals and earlier this year lost in the semifinals at the Australian Open.

Following that she underwent oral surgery and has played only three Tourlevel matches since, winning one.

Despite her first set wobble against Begu, however, the seventh seed showed enough of her old firepower and fight to suggest that she can make a deep run in Paris.

“Ironically enough night sessions are not my favourite matches, but I do have a good (Conitnued on page 31)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 02, 2021

PAGE 37

‘Golden Jaguars’ head to St. Kitts today after Antigua camp; Máximo happy with commitment being shown FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022

By Franklin Wilson in Antigua with the compliments of the GFF and Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. Having arrived in Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday last for a brief period of encampment, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ will leave the island today for St. Kitts & Nevis ahead of Friday’s c r u c i a l F I F A Wo r l d Qualifying match against the host nation which is leading Group F to be followed by their final group match against Puerto Rico on June 8th.

Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) are aiming to win both matches which will bring an end to this round of qualifying with the group winner set to advance, Trinidad being the other team in this group.

The Guyanese players commenced training on Sunday evening at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association FIFA Forward Project Artificial Turf and concluded last evening at the same venue.

Sessions were intense on the field as well as off the field with daily tactical sessions taking place inclusive of videos and board work. The Technical staff also met with their charges individually and as groups, defenders, midfielders, forwards and goalkeepers.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) SMNT Head Coach Márcio Máximo disclosed that he has seen great improvement by his charges on a daily b a s i s . ”Of course every training session would have mistakes that you should fix, it’s a natural process but we are very happy with the commitment of the players with each other.

They have been putting lots of energy and effort in the training despite the line because we clarified that no one has a guaranteed seat.

Everybody should prove on the pitch that they have the capacity be in the lineup.”

He pointed out that the atmosphere of the sessions has been very competitive and healthy with the players doing their best for the team. ”Even young players that with their first appearance in the national team haven’t been shy and have given their best and I think we are going in the right direction as we seek to professionalise the way we do things.”

Coach Máximo posited that the two matches will present two nations who play different styles and it is the job of his Technical Staff to work out strategies that will take care of business. ”We need to prepare for each because St. Kitts and Puerto Rico have two different styles but we will prepare for

‘Golden Jaguars’ training on Monday night in Antigua. (Franklin Wilson photo) both. We are very confident that we will do the best to get the desired results. I don’t believe that you can perform well in games without good training as well as good atmosphere inside and outside the training pitch.

What I see here is that everybody is helping each other not inside the pitch only but even outside the pitch. They share ideas, we have tactical meetings every morning to explain and discuss our mistakes in the last training session, so I think that we have an excellent unit here and we w i l l d o w e l l . ” He also alluded to the fact that the National Programme that the GFF has instituted through Technical Director Ian Greenwood, the Academy Training Centers

have impacted positively with a number of young talented players coming to the fore. ”It has provided us with a lot of young local players and they need players that come to add not only in the pitch but off the pitch as well.”

Training will continue for the team in St. Kits this afternoon with the same intensity, Máximo stated.

He also said Friday’s match would be tough as the home team boasts many English based players. ”I think it would be a tough game but an intense one for us but of course we go to the pitch with hope to get a good result. In football you should respect your opponent but we promise to be competitive as usual.”

Friday’s match will kick off

atHead 16:00hrs.

Coach Márcio Máximo (right) and Technical

Director Ian Greenwood chatting before Monday evenings training. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Nadal in his element as temperature rises Reuters - After last year’s autumnal French Open had players grabbing extra layers and shivering at changeovers, the good news is that warm sunshine has

greeted this year’s edition.

The bad news for anyone trying to stop Rafa Nadal claiming a record-extending 14th title at Roland Garros, is that the conditions are

exactly how the Mallorcan likes them.

Warm air and bouncy claycourts, combined with Nadal’s unique spin, have made him all but unplayable here since he won the tournament on his debut in 2005 — as illustrated by a win-loss record that, after Tuesday’s first-round win over Alexei Popyrin, now

Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his first round match against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin.

(REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

stands at 101-2 on the Parisian red dirt.

As he pointed out after his 6-3 6-2 7-6(3) win over the young Australian, he did not do too bad last year on the damp courts, taking the title without dropping a set, including a pulverising defeat of Novak Djokovic in the final.

But Nadal, who on his 35th birthday on Thursday will play Frenchman Richard Gasquet, prefers it when it is warm and his forehand rears up like a kicking horse.

“Of course the conditions of last year for me at the end have been good because I won, no?” Nadal told reporters.

“But it is not the ideal situation to play tennis with three or four degrees or sometimes two degrees like some night matches that I

played. I feel like I was a little bit scared to get injured.

But that’s past. This year, we are back to a normal.”

“I think for everybody is much more comfortable to play under these conditions than in the other ones.”

Perhaps not for his opponents though.

To his credit, Popyrin made Nadal sweat on Tuesday, especially in the third set when the powerful Australian 21-year-old squandered two set points at 5-3 — one with a doublefault, the other with a fluffed overhead.

Nadal extricated himself from a tight spot, as he usually does, to close out the match in the tiebreak and take his winning run of sets to 26 at Roland Garros.

“He was hitting really hard and I was a little lucky to come back,” Nadal said.

Popyrin was playing Nadal for the second time during the claycourt swing, having also lost to him in Madrid.

His description of facing the Spaniard, chasing a record 21st Grand Slam title, was wonderfully understated.

“The guy is solid. What can I say,” he told reporters, before adding: “I think it’s his court. It will always be his court. I think it’s his favourite court to play on.”

On the two set points that went begging, Popyrin did not beat about the bush.

“I think I’m experienced enough to not choke at 5-3, 40-30. I’m disappointed with that.

“I think the moment got to my head a little bit. Taking a set off Nadal, especially in French Open, is not the easiest thing to do.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 38

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Foster hailed as outstanding youth leader, - RHTYSC and St Francis hosts mentor and humanitarian surprise tribute programme

L

ong standing Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster, on Sunday was described as an outstanding youth leader, humanitarian and mentor, who has touched and changed the lives of countless persons, especially youths and the less fortunate.

Foster was a special guest at a secretly arranged event which was coordinated by the executives of the RHTYSC, Berbice Cricket Board, St Francis Community Developers, the Roman Catholic Community of Port Mourant, family and his close friends.

The BCB President turned up at the event, expecting to be part of a ceremony to honour his elder brother Alex, President of St Francis.

RHTYSC Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu noted that the organisers were forced to host a surprise event as the Secretary would have never agreed to be honoured. The club, he stated, had attempted to honour Foster on numerous occasions but he always turned them down as he worked to make a positive difference and not to be honoured. The event, Naidu noted, was an appreciation for the outstanding work that the fifty two years Foster had done over the years at the

club, BCB, St Francis and for the Catholic Community in Berbice.

Additionally, the groups also honoured Foster for his elevation to the positions as Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board and his achievement as the first Cricket Director of Cricket West Indies from the Ancient County. Speakers at the function included Mayor of Rose Hall Town Dave Budhu, GCB President Bissoondyal Singh, BCB Treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry, President of St Francis Community Developers Alex Foster, Carol Appadu of the Catholic Church, GCB Executive and long time friend Anil Beharry, Ameer Rahaman of the Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club, Vice President of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Board Sydney Jackman, Journalist Brandon Corlette, RHTYSC Youth Ambassadors Denica

Henry and Marissa Foster.

Other speakers included Father Ramesh Vanan of the Catholic Church who offered prayers and representatives of sponsors Alisa Anderson, Poonai Bhiroog and Avie Lindee.

All of the speakers spoke highly of the outstanding work that Foster has done for close to four decades and his impact on the lives of so many. Foster ability to stay grounded, to be humble at all times and his approachable nature as his main strengths along with an unmatchable ability to be visionary in his planning.

Special mention was made of his hard work to turn around the fortunes of the BCB in just a matter of months after taking over a system that was totally destroyed.

GCB President, Singh, noted that Guyana Cricket was proud to have a leader

Shawn Perriera hands over a plaque to Foster on behalf of the club.

Hilbert Foster poses with members of his family during the ceremony. like Foster, while Ameer Rahaman called the BCB President his mentor and role model who lead from the front.

Several speakers spoke on the impact that the new

CWI Director had on their personal development and that he is always available to offer words of advice.

The programme also featured several cultural items that lightened up the

Captain of the Rose Hall Canje CC honors Foster.

The new CWI Director poses with some of the RHTYSC cricketers after the ceremony.

atmosphere for the appreciated gathering. The event was hosted under very strict covid 19 guidelines.

Several former associates and work colleagues of Foster including Moonish Singh, Brian Ramphal, Mortimer George and Karen Nero sent congratulations via pre recorded messages from their homes overseas.

An unusually emotional Foster stated he felt humbled to be honoured but he was doing what came naturally to him. Serving people, he noted, is a work he enjoys and as long as God gives him health, he would continue to serve humanity.

In remarks directed to the youths in the audience, he urged them to focus on their education while rejecting the evil ways of Satan.

Foster hailed the support he has received from the two clubs, his fellow parishioners of the Catholic community in Port Mourant and the BCB. Speaking directly to Singh, Foster stated that he was pleased to serve as his Vi c e P r e s i d e n t a n d committed himself and his board to working overtime to take cricket in Guyana to another level.

At the conclusion of the well organised three hours event, several tokens of appreciations were handed over to Foster on behalf of the different organisations he is associated with.

An appreciation booklet on the work of Foster was also launched with sponsorship from Bakewell, while an exhibition was also hosted of his journey of work over the last thirty years.

Wednesday June 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 39

National Championships set for June 18-20

By Calvin Chapman Local athletes will breathe a big sigh of relief as the National Senior Athletics Championships has been confirmed for June 18-20 by the head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson.

Hutson, during an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, revealed that he is sure that this will be very welcomed news by local athletes who are still trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

He expressed great satisfaction with the performances of the 12member contingent at the recently concluded South American Senior Athletics Championships where Emanuel Archibald and the national men’s 100m relay team created history by winning the first silver and bronze medals in the respective events along the way to a record five medalhaul.

However, during the majorly successful Championship in Ecuador, no athlete registered the Olympic Standard (OS) to gain qualification to the Tokyo games so the National Championships may be a final chance for locals

although the closing off date for athletes to register the OS, according to World Athletics, is on June 30.

June 18-20 will be the first time the Guyana national senior track & field championships is being held since 2019 due to the Covid19 pandemic forcing the 2020 games to be abandoned. Olympic qualification will not be the only highlight on the line but the obvious bragging rights at stake.

It is unclear whether fans will be permitted into the stadium but their will very likely be able to witness the action live via streaming with the men’s 800m showdown promising a very mouth-watering contest after former National Champion Philip Drayton announced his comeback after nine years of retirement.

In an article published by Kaieteur Sport on August 2nd, 2020, Drayton detailed that he was out to dethrone current Champion Devaun Barrington and has been preparing since 2018 for his return. The likes of Barrington, Anfernee Headecker and Daniel Melville will make for a very special race.

National long jump record holder, Emanuel Archibald who won silver in the 100m in the S.A. C/Ships will be the favourite to for the men’s 100m and long jump events.

In addition, with Guyana recently claiming a historic bronze in the men’s 4x100m race at the South American games, close rivalry amongst teammates along with local speedster Davin Fraser; who has a big point to prove, will not disappoint the hype that is usually expected from the marquee Athletics event that is the

Fans anticipate Drayton’s return

100m men’s final.Local track & field athletes are deserving of this meet since the internationally recognised Aliann Pompey Invitational has since been

cancelled for 2021.

Of Note: The Annual General Meeting and Elections of executive members of the AAG will be held on the

morning of June 20th where the current President Aubrey Hutson has confirmed that he will be looking to be reelected to serve another term.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022

t r o p S

‘Golden Jaguars’ head to St. Kitts today after Antigua camp; Máximo happy with commitment being shown

New ‘Golden Jaguars’ Captain Matthew Briggs (left) leads his charges as they getwarmed up on Monday night at the Antigua and Barbuda FA Facility. (Franklin Wilson photo)

ICC expands men’s world Hope strokes events: ODI WC to 14 classy century, teams, T20 WC to 20 teams Smith bags three (From left) Phillip Fernandes, Melissa Dow-Richardson, Kashif Muhammad, Honourable Charles Ramson MP, Cristy Campbell, Steve Ninvalle, Chateram Ramdihal and Dellon Davidson take a photo as the Sports Commission met the minister yesterday.

SLBA congratulates new Director of Sports Commission holds first Sport in Guyana meeting with Minister Ramson 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.