Kaieteur News

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Monday June 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The truth of crime in Guyana There is this slight storm in a teacup in the local environment. For anxious and insecure Guyanese of all walks of life, though, it was not such a slight storm at all; far from the paltriness of slightness. And that is because so much more is at stake including, at times, life itself. Two widely publicised statements from official and influential places identified the issue. One was from the Minister of Public Security, as articulated by the Hon. Minister himself. The other was from the United States Department of State in the form of an advisory to its citizens. The two messages are a study in contrast, parts of which are quoted as reported, to furnish context, clarity and, hopefully, some appreciation for the matter at hand. The Hon. Minister is reported (Kaieteur News - May 31) to have “insisted that serious crime is down, while suggesting that stories on the front page of the media might give the perception of an upsurge.” For its part, in the same May 31st edition of Kaieteur News, the US State Department warned that “Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” Which is closer to the reality of daily life in Guyana? Who is exaggerating by blowing out of proportion without full regard for local conditions? Perhaps by the same token, who is minimising by pretending that things are not as bad as presented? Recognition is due that media headlines ruffle and the police are terribly shorthanded. But that only goes so far. For truth be told, headlines and resources do not matter when a target is stalked, a victim is cornered, and a gun is pointed. For that is the truth of crime in Guyana. That is the sum of all fears that brings out the embedded fears and pervasive and overpowering insecurities that are part and parcel of the troubled days, and even more ominously the menacing dark cloak of night. That is what matters. Not the preemptive, cautionary note from State to its own. Not the intended-to-be comforting pronouncement to private sector and the rest of listening Guyana from the Minister of Public Security. In some ways, the Minister’s well-meaning balm can be compared to that extraordinary aviation statistics: flying is the safest form of transportation. The statistics so confirm by the longest time and miles. That is, until there is catastrophic failure and personal disaster. That statistics is not so bloodless nor so impersonal nor so far away anymore. And with respect and contemplation for the words of the Minister, that is what all Guyanese citizens live with today, and for a while now. When that incident, that hurting, that news report of brutality and violation and loss involves them. It is no longer out there; involving somebody else, some stranger, some hapless unfortunate in the wrong place at the wrong time. For that somebody could be the bell tolled (the gun fired and weapon brandished) for oneself. Then it is no longer a question of who is alerting inaccurately, or who is defending unwisely. That is why, it is better to focus on that which is the disturbing reality that encircles. For these are the circumstances that encircle and terrorise and enfeeble and lastly imprison one and all. Everywhere and anywhere. And anytime and every time too. The hard, irrefutable, devastating truth is this: Guyanese feel endangered. All, to some extent, sense trouble (rightly or foolishly) from the shadows, from any silence, from all sounds. Citizens are nervous. Citizens are frightened. Citizens shelter. These are the palpable perceptions that reign, which overwhelms public reports and police records that say otherwise. Perception is reality. Who will be next? Will that be…? That is what we have to be overcome. And the only way to demonstrate that is through taking back street, community, and country.

Incompetent and possibly corrupt renegotiations Dear Editor, Kaieteur Newspapers is taking readers for fools with its reporting on the issues with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. All reports seek to place blame for issues with the construction contract in equal portion APNU+AFC and PPP/C. This is disingenuous reportage and should not be practised by a news outfit that touts itself as unbiased. The PPP/C negotiated a fixed price contract on the airport expansion project, for the enlightenment of all concerned, here is the definition of a ‘fixed price contract’: A Contract that provides for a price which normally is not subject to any adjustment unless certain provisions (such as contract

change, economic pricing, or defective pricing) are included in the agreement. These contracts are negotiated usually where reasonably definite specifications are available, and costs can be estimated with reasonable accuracy. A fixed price contract places a minimum administrative burden on the contracting parties but subjects the contractor to the maximum risk arising from full responsibility for all cost escalations. These facts seem missed on the reporters at Kaieteur News. Therefore, the ‘claims’ by Kaieteur News that they ‘found’ overpriced items in the contract list are of no real value, once the contractor delivered the original project

at the agreed price. Now we have the situation where the APNU+AFC have renegotiated the contract for a smaller sized expansion; from six air-bridges to four and at the same time have increased the ‘fixed price’ by $30 million USD and counting. To simplify, I would like to offer an analogy; a contractor and I sign a $500 ‘fixed price’ contract to build a six-piece living room suite, my brother then takes over dealing with the contractor and ‘negotiates’ with the contractor to build a fourpiece suite instead and takes an extra $300 out of my bank account to pay the contractor a total of $800 for a smaller set of chairs than I originally

got a fixed price on. I would say it is quite clear my brother is demonstrably incompetent or possibly engaged in corruption to my detriment. The side issues of when the contractor is paid and what he delivered at what time is wholly irrelevant to the issue at hand and are nothing but distractions and smoke-screens for puny minds. Guyana got a smaller, shabby renovated airport instead of a larger, newer expansion that was negotiated by the PPP/C and for that, the blame must fall squarely on the incompetent and possibly corrupt renegotiation done by the APNU/AFC. Regards, Nalinie Singh

Guyana is a lawless country! DEAR EDITOR, Sometime ago, I wrote to Kaieteur News (letter never published) in which I advised Guyanese to stay away from Guyana. Now, our State Department has issued a warning in which travellers are urged to exercise increased caution while visiting Guyana. According to the State Department, the increased caution is due to crime. “Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” I read most of the publications from a Guyana online daily and there are so many reports of murder, rape, armed robbery, escape of

prisoners, arson, and many other such crimes. According to the local news outfits, many of these crimes are being committed by officers from the Guyana Police Force and by soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force. What a shame! Guyanese living abroad often go back to visit relatives or on holiday only to get robbed or killed. A visitor’s passport recently disappeared at Customs and Immigration at the local airport, and that visitor had to spend an extra week in Guyana. Many visitors were robbed between the local airport and their destination. Several visitors were robbed and killed in Georgetown and in Berbice. A group stopped

at a restaurant on their way from the airport and all their belongings were stolen. The list goes on and on, yet, the number of visitors to Guyana, sadly, has increased. Thousands of Guyanese now enjoy a life of plenty in America and in Canada and often must overlook the financial and physical factors and criminal elements to visit family members and relatives that have so little in Guyana. These visitors leave their homes with so much expectations, only to be robbed or killed in Guyana. I urge ALL Guyanese living in America and in Canada to take the warning from our State Department seriously. If you really want

to help your family members in Guyana, send cash. It is so easy to do so now. Guyana is a lawless country…Robbers and murderers roam the streets from the airport to the city, night and day. These criminals thrive on Guyanese visitors especially. There are so many beautiful places to see and enjoy in America and in Canada; Disney in Florida, Las Vegas in Nevada, the Grand Canyon in Arizona or Niagara Falls in Canada. Stay away from Guyana. Armed robbery and murder is an everyday occurrence. You may reach Guyana, but may not return. Sincerely, Mohamed Majeed Florida

UG Pro-Chancellor called upon to publicly comment on the Vice-Chancellor’s letter DEAR EDITOR, I am grateful for the opportunity provided by the letter written by ViceChancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, and published in the press on Thursday 30th May 2019, to clarify a number of matters that are of great interest to members of the University of Guyana community and the wider public. The Vice-Chancellor’s public communication revealed information previously not known to either the University community or the Council. The Pro-Chancellor MajorGeneral (ret’d) Joseph Singh, according to the letter, appears to have discussed and agreed to an entire evaluation process with the subject of the evaluation before bringing it to the body that was supposed to be considering the matter. The timeline given in the Vice-

Chancellor’s letter reveals that the entire process, including the potential panel, was discussed and agreed with him (a draft evaluation instrument was apparently prepared!) before the ProChancellor first raised the matter at the Council meeting of 7th March 2019. The Vice-Chancellor also appears to be in possession of documents that he should not have access to, since they are confidential Committee documents concerning his evaluation. Both matters raise interesting ethical and governance issues. I note too, that the Council was only made aware that the ViceChancellor had concerns about the Performance Evaluation Committee (PEC) when the Vice-Chancellor sent his letter asking for payment in lieu of leave on 2nd May 2019. He alluded in that letter to another letter of 18th March

2019 sent to the ProChancellor. Members of Council asked to see that letter, and the Pro-Chancellor refused to provide it, citing confidentiality. This is, in fact, stated in the first point of the PEC’s report to Council (dated 15th May 2019) – that the Vice-Chancellor had referred to possible bias, and the PEC was therefore concerned about the potential for litigation by the Vice-Chancellor. The PEC also noted that it had not been given the letter. Since the ViceChancellor has chosen to discuss publicly the Council’s proposed evaluation process, I am now able to share some additional details, from my vantage point as a member of Council and a member of two subcommittees that were part of the attempted evaluation process. These details will

help to contexualise and clarify some of the information given by Professor Griffith. 1. The need for an evaluation of the ViceChancellor’s tenure was recognised at the point of hire. The then Chancellor and Council, however failed to make the provisions for this, and at the Council’s Annual Business Meeting held on 8th November 2018 a firm decision was taken to ensure it was done before the end of his contract. 2. Notwithstanding that determination, and despite two further reminders from the University Unions in November 2018 and in January 2019, the ProChancellor did not bring the matter to Council until 7th March 2019. It was at this meeting that the issue of the evaluation process was first (Continued on page 6)

Monday June 03, 2019

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Men and Domestic Abuse-Truth, Fairness and the BIGGER PICTURE DEAR EDITOR, Rest assured that I have not jumped ship, been paid or have lost it completely. I stand, not on my promontory of judgment, but instead will always address issues that threaten or compromise our co-existence alongside our brothers. So easy over and together let us look at the bigger picture. However, let me add a final caveat that this article is not to be viewed as an excuse for domestic violence or abuse of any kind at any time. There are always better ways to resolve differences in a relationship. But it is also about truth, fairness and the larger picture. In the movies, on television, and in real life, a woman’s slaps a man face. The man, the victim is expected to be the bigger person and simply walk away. He is expected to be strong enough to take it. However, forgotten in the equation is the fact that strength of the male is not the determining factor as to whether or not a crime of domestic violence has been committed. Whether or not the man is the bigger person and walks away after being abused is not the determining factor either. Not even the act itself is the determining factor, as clearly defined by law. So let’s look at what they are not telling us about the big picture. , domestic violence is committed more by men than women, but it is not all done by men, women are also often perpetrators, aggressors and abusers. We are no strangers to the fact that when it comes to gender, there are double standards in both the judicial system and law enforcement, just as with race or ethnicity. If the man is slapped by the woman, society expects him to walk away. However, if the man slaps the woman, the norm and the term changes, she is a victim of domestic violence and should seek help. Again, if the woman slaps the man and he reciprocates,

he is frowned upon. Should she block him, or take his keys as he tries to leave, he is seen as making excuses. He is expected to suck it up and take it, if the woman follows him through the house, refuses to leave him alone and annoys or harasses him to no end. Still if the male insults the female and she slaps him, he is immediately told, he should not have said that to her. Clearly, the double standards need to be exposed, and factored into the statistical data against men being the abusers. Everybody should keep their hands to themselves, and nobody should strike anybody. The oft repeated warning “never hit a woman no matter what” is simply an unfair expectation if not applicable to both genders. Fair is fair! Ideally, it should never get to the point of violence because one or both parties should possess the level of maturity to cool down, argue without violence or simply walk away. Another argument used to justify the double standard against men is that men are stronger, so they should be able to take it. What is being said is that men should accept the abuse. Why should that be? What does strength have to do with it? Every man is not stronger in every way than every woman all the time. Yet, to make the woman the automatic victim, society constantly refer to the man being stronger, thus implying that he has a greater responsibility than the woman. For the divergents and those holding different opinions, permit me to say this. If a woman hits a man and he hits her back with less intensity than she used against him, the man is still seen as violent and abusive. In such case the strength of the man was not even a factor at all, but he is still seen as the bad guy. Here is a question that requires careful consideration: if a female is willing to strike a man, whom she knows is stronger than

her, knowing she is taking a risk, why should society be more concerned about her than she has just been about herself? Why should we keep gender, size and strength on the table when she obviously did not let these factors deter her actions? And why should an abusive woman, though she may walk in denial of this truth, be exempted from the consequences of her actions when the man would not be if he did the same? If as is so often claimed women are equal to men, and I believe that they are, then why are women not also expected to walk away? A world of difference exists between hitting her, hitting her back and defending yourself. Without making any excuses, we need to realize that all aggression is clearly not the same. Undoubtedly self-defense is justifiable. Application today of the American “stand your ground” laws state that when you feel or believe your safety is severely at risk, the violence you use may also be justified. Then if a man is trying to leave the confusion and his wife or girlfriend bars the door, what should he do? And in such an instance, should pushing her out of the way be considered as “domestic violence”? Men should not be exempted from taking actions for self-defence nor looked down upon when they do. Neither should they automatically be labelled as violent, aggressors without close examination and real facts – not stereotypical perceptions and sociological assumptions. The practice of double standards must cease. Neither a man nor a woman should be a victim of domestic violence. However, society should stop raising the status of the woman as more important by calling her weaker, when it is

convenient on one side of the coin, then calling her equal to a man and just as capable on the other side. If she is equal there should be equal expectation, equal punishment and equal revealing of facts that show the whole truth to the public. Additionally, the figures are somewhat inaccurate, because men are far less likely to report cases of abuse or domestic violence at the hands of women. Men who are victims of domestic violence are laughed at, seen as weak and not taken seriously. When responding to a domestic violence call, the police are tasked to establish the “predominant aggressor”. The predominant aggressor is the one who is supposed to be arrested or face charges. While it is often reported to be the male, sometimes it is the female. Other times, when the male leaves, the female is at liberty to make up anything she wants. In the absence of the male (because he is expected to walk away or leave), to refute what she is saying, the police often take her word as Gospel – even when evidence does not exist to back up her allegation. This happens all the time. Hopefully, a clearer picture is emerging, as to the manner in which the statistics has been and set deceptions in place that wipe away the presumption of innocence for men in domestic violence cases. If you dare to emphasize one expected behaviour for one partner in a relationship and a different acceptable behaviour for another, you have most certainly set a double standard that goes against the whole idea of equality. The whole story must be honestly told, and not the one that make only women the victims. Yvonne Sam

Overpass is needed in Agricola now! DEAR EDITOR, There is no overpass at the section of the Agricola Public Road where a tragic accident occurred last Saturday. An overpass is needed as the density of a population requires one. The difficulty in installation of an overpass there is related to private property along the highway. One more death is too much. I sympathise with the family of the deceased. To the driver of the lorry, I feel your ache and pain of being put in a no way out situation, a choice to avoid collision or contact with pedestrians, yet traversing that very road peril awaits. The government can now compulsory acquire land to install this needed overpass. I believe cost may have won the debate at that specific location. If not an overpass, there needs to be electronic pedestrian activated stop lights at crossings where there is no overpass. It cannot be business as usual as pedestrians continue to thrust into flowing traffic. While electronic control methods can work and may be a cheaper fix; an overpass is safer. Now we must calculate the cost of Saturday’s mishap. It’s in the billions of lost property, wages, life, production, environmental and health care. The other glaring tragedy is being trapped on the highway with no alternate routes to get out of the city, no routes through adjoining villages, no service routes. If,

heaven forbid, there is a natural disaster, leaving this city is going to be hellish. I urge those responsible for disaster preparedness to quit studying and start acting. In this modern world of technology, no one should lose his or her life on the road like that. The mix of commercial traffic, dense daily commute and pedestrian movement east and west did result in this tragedy! Can we fix this? This child’s demise demands it. Its beckons leadership and vision! As regards to vigilante behaviour of some residents, I urge the police to be swift in investigating the actions that led to destruction of property and evidence at the scene of the accident. I urge those who have available video evidence to corroborate eyewitnesses’ account of the accident to please provide the investigating authority the recordings. As the hours and days wane, we may fall back to our routine, lest we forget the carnage on the roads that jolts us to improve accessibility that results in reducing or eliminating deaths on our roads. Louis Nestor

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Andaiye is deserving of honours DEAR EDITOR, I join others in paying tribute to Sister Andaiye who lost her battle against cancer. She is lauded not only in bravely combating cancer but also for courageously fighting the Burnham-Hoyte dictatorships and playing a significant role in the restoration of democracy to our homeland. Nigel Westmaas and Clement Rohee are justified in extolling Andaiye’s work and calling for recognition. Few contributed to the freedom struggle like Andaiye. She

should have been honoured for her contributions to the liberation of the country. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, two stalwarts of the freedom struggle, are aware of Andaiye’s contribution to the freedom struggle and should have recommended her for national honours. I don’t recall if Andaiye was among those who came from town (with Walter Rodney, Eusi Kwayana, Omowale, and others) to give solidarity to us (striking

students and faculty) on the Corentyne in 1977 against unfair termination of educators at Corentyne High School where I was a student leader. There were a few women on the picket lines and at rallies in that struggle in Berbice. Andaiye was the type who would join the struggle for justice and against oppression if she were on the Corentyne. As I learn from my engagement with her and from others who knew her up close, she was not fearful to join just causes. She did contribute to the movement against oppression at a time when the members were targeted for physical brutality. I do remember engaging Andaiye at Rodney House on Croal Street in the late 1980s and at events around town including the picket lines. During my holidays from teaching in New York, I used to spend time in Guyana and would visit Rodney House, Liberty House (URP), Freedom House, and offices of other parties to discuss strategies on the struggle against the dictatorship and acquiring political literature that was then smuggled out of the country to share with colleagues involved in the liberation struggle in the diaspora. At times, Ravi Dev, Baytoram Ramharack and Vassan Ramracha were with me to engage WPA activists

or to join picket lines where we were often stoned by House of Israel thugs or harassed by police. Andaiye and her WPA colleagues were helpful in political acquiring literature and in discussing strategies in the struggle to liberate the country; and of course we contributed financially to the party’s work as we also did towards the other opposition parties. Nigel, Eusi, Rupert Roopnarine and a few others, had a daily presence at the office and they introduced me to Andaiye. She, like others, was pleasant, receptive and informative. Andaiye, like Bonita Harris, Karen DeSouza, and Joycelyn Dow were involved in an antidictatorial struggle (from the 1970s to October 1992) when it was very rare to find women playing such a political role. She, like the other women, fought bravely against forced national service and they also contributed significantly in other battles like the protests against the ban on basic foods and religious paraphernalia and for higher wages. She stood up to the police and army forces sent by Burnham to intimidate freedom fighters. She was undeterred when House of Israel thugs stoned (inflicting physical harm on) protesters and picketers and audiences at opposition public rallies (Continued on page 22)

UG Pro-Chancellor called... From page 4 discussed in detail. However, Council, ignorant at the time of the content of the ViceChancellor’s contract, had concerns about how evaluations and other related things were articulated in it. It is perhaps important to note that there had been requests for the contract to be shared when Council sat to discuss merit bonuses for the ViceChancellor – but these requests had been ignored. 3. Council on 7th March 2019 decided to create an ad-hoc Committee with similar membership to the Interview Committee for Vice-Chancellor (used in the 2016 search process). The nominees and representative of various groups on Council were largely the same and the Committee eventually comprised of nine persons. A major departure from the Committee of 2016 was that the Pro-Chancellor recused himself citing perceived conflict of interest and appointed an external nominee as Chair. This was done initially without discussion with or the consent of the Council and had to be later ratified by the Council. 4. During its deliberations, the Committee highlighted a number of things, including the fact that the Vice-Chancellor’s contract mentioned an annex that should have been completed and attached three months after the commencement of the contract. That Annex would have contained conditions on which the merit bonus could be awarded. However, it would appear that the Annex was never completed. Additionally, there was no reference to an end of contract evaluation or renewal of the contract. The Committee was therefore left to determine a way forward. In doing so with serious time constraints, the Committee referred to the University’s Act and Statutes; documentation from the search and interview process in 2015-16; the commitments made by Professor Griffith during and after that process; and the evaluation processes for similar appointments at institutions such as the University of the West Indies. In the end, the criteria were primarily based on what the Vice-Chancellor himself had outlined in speech entitled ‘Values and Vision to Dream and Do: Opportunity and Innovation to Aid Guyana’s Development’ made in 2016, very soon after he assumed office. 5. At the next meeting of Council on 15th April 2019, the Committee presented its report which proposed criteria on which the Vice-Chancellor could be evaluated. It recommended that given the limitations faced, including the availability of financial resources and time, Council should utilise a Committee structured almost precisely as that used to develop the criteria and process and refer

to it as the Performance Evaluation Committee. Note that a similar committee would have recommended Professor Griffith for hire. The Council decided on a nine-member Committee made up entirely of Council Members. 6. This Committee first met on Friday 26thApril 2019.Aware that it had to complete its work by the hard deadline of 23rd May 2019, we agreed to a timeline including having a draft instrument by Monday 29th April 2019, circulating it for final comments by Tuesday 30thApril 2019, recirculating a corrected draft for approval of the Committee by Thursday 2nd May 2019 and sending out the approved instrument to evaluating persons/groups by Friday 3rd May 2019. The intention was to have a draft evaluation report ready by the week beginning Monday 20th May 2019 so that the ViceChancellor would have the opportunity to respond to it before the final document was sent to full Council. However, this plan broke down when two things occurred: Committee Members not involved directly in the drafting of the instrument failed to react to the draft within the agreed timeline; and, the internal arrangements for identifying representatives of certain groups of staff were not made. Consequently, after some agitation from one Committee member, the Committee met on Thursday 9th May 2019 and conceded that it could not complete the process as envisaged for multiple reasons including the two above. The desirable goal of an evaluation, from my perspective, is an objective assessment of the Vice Chancellor’s tenure that provides evidence-based conclusions about his performance. Such an assessment should provide for all relevant stakeholders in the University community to share their views. The process outlined above, though far from ideal, was an attempt to secure such input. My standpoint is of course informed by the Unions’ perspective, since I am their nominee on Council. In conclusion, I call on the Pro-Chancellor to comment in public about the ViceChancellor’s letter. I feel strongly that it falls to him, as the leader of Council, to defend the body against the Vice-Chancellor ’s accusations of bias and also to defend the decisions taken by Council. He is well aware of all the concerns that were expressed during the process, and he, of course, can verify the accuracy of what is contained in the ViceChancellor’s letter, and can state if he disagrees with what I have outlined here. Yours faithfully, Jewel Thomas (Dr) Council Member

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Andaiye was a brave woman Andaiye who died this past week was a brave woman. A protégé of the late Dr. Walter Rodney, she faced down the oppressor’s hate and scorn and became one of Guyana’s strongest advocates of women’s rights. As a member of the Working People’s Alliance, she was never far in the background during the party’s struggles to rid the country of Burnham, her father’s patient. Burnham’s viciousness knew no boundaries and extended even to her father. Her father and mother were associated with the PPP before 1953 but when the split between Jagan and Burnham

occurred, her father went with Burnham. And Andaiye was bold enough to admit that she thought it was because of racial loyalty. The same label cannot be pinned on her. She had no such loyalties. She did not speak out on public issues very often but when she spoke, it was most often when it mattered the most. Even in recent years when her health deteriorated, she still managed to speak out when she felt it was absolutely necessary. Andaiye was quite unlike so many of her colleagues who craved attention and position. She stood on principle, regardless of how

unpopular it made her. In 2016, as part of the Walter Rodney Committee, she called on the government to publish the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Walter Rodney. In a public letter, she called on the President and the Coalition Government to recognise the historical significance of the enquiry and the role it can play in bringing closure to Rodney’s death and in helping in the process of national reconciliation. Last January, she along with Moses Bhagwan and Eusi Kwayana described the decision of the APNU+AFC government to dismiss

DEM BOYS SEH

Saudi Arabia got Kings, Guyana got king of kings

Ever since dem announce Guyana find oil, dem boys know kak gon pass because dat is what all oil companies do around the world, pass kak. De waterfalls paper carried several stories how oil companies target weak and corrupt Govts. Dem boys plan to tell Guyana in de future many stories about what de PPP and de PNC/AFC Govts do wid de oil industry so people can decide wheh dem Govts tekking Guyana. De paper already report over and over dat almost all the oil countries Exxon went into and left, the people became poorer than they were before. Dat is exactly wheh Guyana heading if you de people don’t wake up to what is already playing out in dis country. When dis newspaper was exposing what oil companies did to several countries Carl Greenidge, who was de foreign affairs man, was the first to get upset. He was so livid with one reporter just after a function at de Marriott, dat he tek out he phone and show de reporter an email dat he had just received from the top executive of Exxon. Dat email seh, ‘Man dis kind of reporting does happen after we lef; not before.’ Meaning when dem rob de country blind is only then de media does wise up the nation. Now ask yourself, is who interest dis man looking out for? You or ExxonMobil? Now we learning a lot of things about dem politicians. One is dat Donald Ramotar sign away two oil blocks – Kaieteur and Canje. These two blocks is as big as de Stabroek dat Exxon own.

De companies dat get de oil blocks got no assets. A matter of fact, nutten can be seen or heard about dem in de oil industry. Dem never drill a water well in Pomeroon or Timbuktu. Dem never even find a pint of oil anyway in the world. Nobody know nutten about dem, and worse yet in de oil industry yet de PPP put de two oil blocks in the hands of these people. Now dem boys realise why the PPP never seh anything or even join the

discussion when de waterfalls paper was exposing all de weaknesses, loopholes and skullduggery in the oil industry. De PNC silent, de AFC dumb and deaf and all dis going on while dem boys finding a lot wrong in de oil industry. Dem boys see people scrambling to become kings of Kings, even bigger dan de Saudi kings. Talk half and confront de politicians about what dem doing in de oil industry.

thousands of sugar workers as “callous, foolish, illadvised and economically unfeasible.” She is better known of course for her letter during the criminal violence of the early 200s. In 2002, Andaiye, along with Kwayana and David Hinds opposed the use of extremist violence to pressure the PPP into constitutional reform. First, they said that such as position was immoral since it would justify innocent people having to endure rape and terror and turn young people into child soldiers and spies in order to bring the government to its senses. They also said that the naked and inter-ethnic violence had created a climate of fare and mistrust, which was counterproductive to any objective it may had of forcing the PPP government to address power sharing. Andaiye and her pals from the WPA predicted that if the violence continued, by the time we get to power sharing, there will be no power to

share, as political parties would be prisoners of violent extremists, criminals, and drug lords. She was not afraid of going out on a limb or of confronting the government on issues of concern to women. In one case, she along with others from Red Thread questioned the purpose of an anti-traffickingin-persons (TIP) raid in Bartica. She was not afraid to suggest that if prostitutes were persecuted, this could push sex workers underground where they would face more unsafe conditions. When the new APNU+AFC government assumed office, she was among the first to lament the gender imbalance on state boards. This forced the government to reconstitute most of the Boards. Andaiye was also a respected women’s advocate regionally. She was a strong supporter of sexual and reproductive rights in Guyana and had supported the

legalisation of abortion in Guyana. Her advocacy of such rights was not just national, she also had a regional perspective. In March of this year, she called on Jamaica to legalise abortion. She was one of the earliest voices – if not the first – who drew attention to the need for contingent rights for women under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), noting that while the CSME had allowed domestic workers to move freely across the region, the same privilege was not then accorded to their children. Her public statements and letters, even though far too intermittent, represented a plea to the social conscience of the nation. They reminded us of what really matters in our society. Rest in peace Andaiye! Brave voices like yours do not come along very often!

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UG and stakeholders launch “Energy Think Tank” initiative As Guyana speeds towards unchartered waters in oil and gas exploration, and production in the context of green sustainable energy, the University of Guyana (UG) along with its key local and international stakeholders have launched a “Think Tank” Initiative. T h i s “ T h i n k Ta n k ” initiative aims at discussing, disseminating and figuring out with partners to tackle energy related issues in Guyana. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohammed said that this is an exciting opportunity to work with UG, as they team up with a number of international and local stakeholders. These stakeholders include the Arizona State U n i v e r s i t y, Tr e n t University, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the D e p a r t m e n t o f E n e rg y, Guyoil, and the Faculty of Natural and Social Sciences of UG, as well as Caricom representatives. According Professor

Mohammed, other countries have not yet understood the pressures this “wonderful moment” brings, and such this “Think Tank” will assist in mitigating some, if not all of those issues. She also remarked that this launch is one in a series of events that the university has been undertaking to better educate and facilitate discussions about the oil a n d g a s s e c t o r. T h e university has been hosting seminars, discussions and programmes to equip persons to respond to the problems that may arise with the introduction of the new sector. The ‘Think Tank’ intends to soon come up with an agenda that will be shared to the general public. The event which was held last Friday was facilitated at the recently commissioned Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Research at the university’s Turkeyen campus.

Stakeholders of the “Think Tank” Energy symposium

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Monday June 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

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(From page 12) says she remains committed to seeing the project to fruition, and has sent out letters to several Ministers, and has recently engaged President David Granger on the issue. Alluding to comments made on social media about "greasing somebody's hand', in order to get things done expeditiously, BenjaminFauconier quipped, "we have US investors, and our company operations will be inextricably intertwined with the United States. We are therefore bound by the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids us to pay bribes to anyone!" GIACC said it is aiming to employ at least 500 Lindeners in its first six years of operation. The Company conservatively estimates that it will provide 20 permanent positions by the end of the first year of operations at the Kara Kara site, 100 permanent positions by the end of the third year, and 500 permanent positions by the end of the sixth year. According to officials, the multi-million dollar enterprise, which would be powered exclusively by renewable energy, will encompass a five hundred acre solar farm, and is expected to produce a variety of products and services for both local and overseas markets. But forging ahead with the project, is proving to be frustrating for the US based Linden investors. They have complained about NICIL's sloth in notarising their lease, which is creating an unnecessary hold up; and now, the Mayor's suggestion that an alternative site be identified. The Company's Senior Business Strategist Everton Forris recently lamented, "Right now, we have over $20M in equipment waiting to be shipped, but we cannot do that unless we secure our site, and that cannot be done without having our lease being notarised."

Andaiye is deserving of... From page 6 and meetings during the 1970s and 1980s. Few contributed to the struggle to liberate the country like Andaiye did. Her contributions to the freedom should not be forgotten and as Rohee rightly said, her role should be part of official history. Regrettably, Rohee’s party did not see it fit to recognise the work of Andaiye or several others who helped to liberate the country from the evil of dictatorship. She was most deserving of national honours. For those of us who were involved in the struggle against oppression and for the liberation of the country against the dictatorship, Andaiye’s spirit will live on. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Monday June 03, 2019

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Kaieteur News

‘F’ Division records at least 14 murders in six months - imbibing of alcohol blamed for most killings Police in Guyana’s interior locations continue to express concern over the spate of murders in ‘F’ Division that are often fuelled by alcohol. It is estimated that at least 14 murders have been recorded in ‘F’ Division for the first six months of the year. Most of them have a particular pattern: Two friends or a group of men begin drinking, an argument ensues, and one kills the other. When sober, the perpetrator has no recollection of his deed. “Most of these crimes, including sexual offences, happen when these people are drunk,” a source said. MURDER OVERA HAMMOCK In April, David Smith was charged with murdering his cousin, Dave Boyal, at Black Water Island Backdam, Cuyuni River. That incident occurred in March 22. It is alleged that Smith, who was reportedly intoxicated, entered the mining camp, and began to cut down the hammocks. An argument reportedly

ensued between the parties and this annoyed Smith, who allegedly armed himself with an arrow and stabbed Boyal to the abdomen, which led to his death. At around the same time, Emanuel McLeod, said to be 19, allegedly murdered Herbert Willie at 111 Miles Mahdia, Potaro River. The victim was found bleeding from stab wounds near the Mahdia Primary School on March 19. He succumbed at Georgetown Public Hospital. Police are still investigating the murder of Nicholas Bobb of Bartica, who was ambushed and shot dead on the Kuribrong Trail, Potaro River last April. It is alleged that Bobb and a miner were shuttling dredging equipment in the Kuribrong Backdam when they saw a truck heading towards them. Bobb allegedly stopped to allow the other truck to pass when the men shot him. However, police subsequently received information which seemed to contradict this story.

In May, Darwin David, a miner, was drinking with other miners at a shop at Barama, North West District, when he allegedly accused one of the men of attempting to rob him. When David eventually left, the man he had accused reportedly followed him and stabbed him to death. The killer and others dumped the young man’s body in a pit latrine. Two men have since been charged with this killing. Also in late May, Lexroy Garraway, called ‘Bam Bam,’ was charged with killing Eric Nurse, 24, at Takatu Landing, Mazaruni River. It is alleged that the defendant and the victim were drinking at a shop, when Garraway went into a room occupied by a female cook. After the woman raised an alarm, Nurse reportedly went to her rescue and dragged Garraway out. She later heard a commotion outside and on checking, saw Nurse lying face down with several stab wounds to his back. After his arrest, Garraway allegedly admitted to inflicting the wounds on the

Driver of truck that crushed girl in custody after receiving medical treatment The driver of the truck that swerved onto the Agricola Road median, crushing seven year old Ciara Benjamin to death and severing her body, is still in custody and is assisting with the investigation. After the accident yesterday, his truck was set on fire and he was attacked, stoned and beaten by angry onlookers. Hence, he had been taken for medical treatment, then taken back into police custody, according to Traffic Chief Linden Isles. He said that the driver was taken for further treatment yesterday due to the severity of his injuries. The driver’s daughter has come forward pleading for sympathy for her father, adamant that he was not driving carelessly. Video footage of the accident is circulating on social media and has been shared hundreds of times, with many speculating about the exact cause of the accident. Asked how far the investigation has gone, Isles told Kaieteur News that police are taking reports from the persons involved and eyewitnesses. But it is difficult to ascertain just what happened, he added, because persons are giving multiple conflicting reports. The accident happened at about 16:00 hours

The truck driver, yesterday, before being taken away by police yesterday. It had resulted in widespread commotion and a traffic build-up for about six hours on the East B a n k public road. Minister of

Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes visited the parents of the child yesterday, and offered her condolences.

Murdered: Nicholas Bobb victim. Police said that they also recovered the knife. A few weeks earlier, Leavern Daniels, a 44-yearold miner of Princeville Village, Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight, was imbibing alcohol with some friends when 55-year old Phillip Bacchus, also called “Tattoo Nose”, allegedly approached the victim at his friends’ table. Bacchus allegedly asked to join the men, but his request was turned down. He reportedly became annoyed and threatened to harm Daniels before storming out of the shop.

Charged: Emanuel McLeod

Charged: David Smith

Charged: Phillip Bacchus, also called “Tattoo Nose

Charged: Lexroy Garraway

Daniels later left the shop, and was on his way to a camp, when Bacchus attacked and stabbed him in his abdomen.

Daniels was pronounced dead at the Mahdia Hospital, while Bacchus was later arrested.

China says U.S. can’t use pressure to force trade deal BEIJING (Reuters) The United States cannot use pressure to force a trade deal on China, a senior Chinese official and trade negotiator said yesterday, refusing to be drawn on whether the leaders of the two countries would meet at the G20 summit to bash out an agreement. Trade tensions rose sharply last month after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration accused China of having “reneged” on its previous promises to make structural changes to its economic practices. Wa s h i n g t o n later slapped additional tariffs of up to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate. Speaking at a news conference, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said it was irresponsible of the United States to accuse China of backtracking. “If the U.S. side wants to use extreme pressure, to escalate the trade friction, to force China to submit and make concessions, this is absolutely impossible,” said Wang, who has been part of China’s negotiating team. Switching into English, he said: “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”. “During the consultations, China has

overcome many difficulties and put forward pragmatic solutions. However, the U.S. has backtracked, and when you give them an inch, they want a yard,” he said. Wang said the U.S. had made “unreasonably high” demands and insisted on adding “demands r e l a t i n g t o C h i n a ’s sovereign rights” to the countries’ agreement. T h e r a i s i n g o f t a r i ffs escalated tensions and severely frustrated the talks, he added. His comments were echoed by Chinese D e f e n s e M i n i s t e r We i Fenghe at a defense forum in Singapore yesterday. “If the U.S. wants to talk, we will keep the door open. If they want a fight, we will fight till the end,” Wei said. Trump has said he will meet President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka at the end of the month, though China has not confirmed the meeting. When asked if Xi would meet Trump in Japan, Wang said: “I don’t have any information on this to provide.” Wa n g , who was speaking at the unveiling of a new government policy paper on the trade war, said U.S. officials overestimate the trade deficit between the two countries and China should not be blamed for a decline in U.S. manufacturing jobs.

The U.S. goods and services deficit with China is closer to $150 billion and not the $410 billion quoted by U.S. officials, he said, a d d i n g t h a t C h i n a ’s processing trade with the United States should not be included in deficit calculations. The white paper cited three instances of the U.S. backtracking on its commitments, adding that Wa s h i n g t o n was reponsible for setbacks in the talks. It said China had enough fiscal and monetary policy tools and “good momentum” to sustain economic development despite the trade war. Data last week showed China’s factory activity shrank in May at a more severe pace than expected. It followed soft data in China’s retail, export and construction sectors, raising expectations that Beijing may need to roll out more stimulus to support the economy. Wa n g a l s o r e j e c t e d assertions that Beijing is directing domestic companies on overseas acquisitions and investments. “China’s government is not involved in the specific commercial behavior of companies, and won’t instruct or require companies to invest in a project or buy a technology,” he said.

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Reggae Girlz ready to take on Brazil LYON, France, CMC – Head coach of the Reggae Girlz Hugh Menzies is anxiously looking forward to next Sunday’s opening round encounter of the FIFA Women’s World Cup against Brazil. The Jamaican women, who will be making their debut at the tournament, are in Group C and will play Brazil on June 9, Italy on June 14

and then Australia on June 18 in their final group game. Menzies said the Reggae Girlz were itching to kick start their campaign after suffering a 3-2 defeat to hosts Scotland on Tuesday. “Everybody is upbeat and they are ready to get back on to the training ground. They have not had training sessions in the last couple of days, so they are itching to

get back on to the pitch. While he said the team was upbeat, he stressed that the team would have to maintain its discipline against Brazil to ensure a positive result. “We have had films already being sorted out so we can see where we can exploit and just study their style. “It does give us hope that they haven’t won a game in a long time, but we have go in there and maintain our discipline and play the way we know how to play. Then we shouldn’t have a problem,” Menzies said. “I think that we just have do a better job of keeping the ball and making sure that we just focus on individual assignments throughout the match in order to make sure that we come away with something from the game.”

Monday June 03, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You aren't free enough, Aries. This is especially true in your relationships. With the current astral energy, you can expect to break free of your chains.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will have to expect the day to be somewhat frustrating, Libra. Your friends may insist that you be more cooperative and less individualistic.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you were in charge of a company's human resources department, Taurus, today you would begin to completely overhaul the recruitment procedure.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You mustn't expect to do whatever you like today, Scorpio. Quite the contrary! You may be restrained by technical limitations.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Gemini, 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. CANCER (June 21–July 22) The day may be somewhat oppressive, Cancer. It's possible you will receive some unpleasant news related to your domestic life. Perhaps in the past few years you haven't been especially careful about your home budget. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You seem frustrated today, Leo! There's only one person who could possibly arouse your anger to such a degree, and that's you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is a contemplative day, Virgo. You seem to be developing new techniques, means, therapies, and methods to use in your main occupation. Today you're likely to question your underlying reasons for so much innovation.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.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. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) What good does it do you to resist change? Everyone knows that you have trouble adapting to change in the world around you. Unfortunately, that's life and you can't do much about it. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you work in a helping profession such as psychotherapy, you're probably breaking quite a few rules and protocols right now. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You don't have to be a genius or do something extraordinary in order for people to notice you, Pisces. It's time you abandon the notion that you can't play a musical instrument because you don't have perfect pitch.

Regal Masters... From page 29 Troy Kippins 2-20. Wellman Masters beat HS Masters by eight wickets. HS Masters took first strike and made 118 all out in 20 overs. Troy Lewis stroked an even half century off 41 balls with five sixes, while Saheed Gittens made 32 including one four and three sixes. Latchman Kallicharran captured 3-18 and Rawle Reid 2-23. Wellman Masters replied with 121-2 in 15 overs. Mahase Chunilall led with 47 which contained one four and five sixes and came off 37 balls. Greg De Franca scored 35 with two fours and three sixes and Kallicharran 22 not out inclusive of three sixes.

Joshua suffers... From page 30 Joshua’s scheduled opponent, Jarrell Miller, tested positive performanceenhancing drugs. Ruiz was dropped to the canvas in the third but the heavy brawler came back to down the Brit in the same round and Joshua was lucky to survive. Joshua appeared to recover and worked his jab well over the next few rounds but Ruiz landed big body shots in the sixth to put the champion on the back foot. Joshua went down again in a flurry of Ruiz punches with nearly two minutes left in the seventh and while the British fighter got off his knees just in time to beat the count his legs looked like jelly as he made his way to a

neutral corner. The referee asked him if he was okay to continue before waving his arms to end the fight, prompting wild celebrations in the ring by Ruiz and his trainers. “This is what I have been dreaming about,” Ruiz said. “This is what I have been working hard for. I can’t believe I just made my dreams come true. I just want to thank my team and my family. The sky is the limit, baby.” Ruiz said being knocked to the floor in the third round only spurred him on. “That was my first time getting dropped on the floor,” he added. “It just made me stronger. It just made me want it more. I just had to knock him down back.”

Monday June 03, 2019

Martic overcomes her own demons to reach French Open quarter-finals

Croatia’s Petra Martic reacts after winning her fourth round match against Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) PARIS (Reuters) - It proved to be 30th-time lucky for Petra Martic yesterday because after a decade of trying at the slams, she finally overcame her fourth-round jinx at the French Open. The 28-year-old Croatian had plenty to celebrate as she reached the second week of a major for the first time by eclipsing Estonian Kaia Kanepi 5-7 6-2 6-4. Martic admitted she feared that she may never experience the joys of going deep into a major after stalling in the fourth round on four occasions - twice at Roland Garros and also at the Australian Open and Wimbledon tournaments. “Well, it was tough mentally for me today, especially because I was stopped four times before in the fourth round, so it really

felt like I was doubting whether I was ever going to get through that fourth round,” 31st seed Martic, who made her Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros in 2009, told reporters. “That was close, two years ago. I was two points away,” she added recalling her last-16 French Open encounter with Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. “Didn’t happen. Today it played a role in my mind. It was not always easy to focus on my game, but I really just tried to fight as hard as I could, and thank God, I finally made it.” This time she believes she came better prepared thanks to her new coach, Sandra Zaniewska, a former tennis professional. “When I started working with her, everybody was

Richard Carapaz becomes first Ecuadorian... From page 26 looked like relinquishing the leader’s jersey and appeared a grand tour champion-inwaiting. He extended his advantage over the next three stages and then marked his GC rivals on the final two mountain stages which concluded in the Dolomites on Saturday. Overall standings 1. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/ Movistar) 90hrs 01mins 47secs 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/ Bahrain-Merida) +1min 05secs 3. Primoz Roglic (Slo/ Jumbo-Visma) +2mins 30secs 4. Mikel Landa (Spa/ Movistar) +2mins 38secs

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Kaieteur News

5. Bauke Mollema (Ned/ Trek-Segafredo) +5mins 43secs 6. Rafal Majka (Pol/BoraHansgrohe) +6mins 56secs 7. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +7mins 26secs 8. Simon Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) +7mins 49secs 9. Pavel Sivakov (Rus/ Ineos) +8mins 56secs 10. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/ Katusha-Alpecin) +12mins 14secs

doubting my decision,” said Martic, who is a year older than her coach. “People even laughed at it. But I always knew, I heard this girl talking about tennis and I knew she knows what she’s doing. “So it was not easy for me to make that move. It was a pretty bold move, and I was a bit shaky at the beginning, because I also wanted to prove that I did the right thing.” Now Martic has a real chance of going even deeper in the tournament as she next faces Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova, whom she beat in the final of the Istanbul tournament in April.

Brazil players support Neymar: Fernandinho RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil midfielder Fernandinho backed his team mate Neymar yesterday, saying he and the other players training for the Copa America will not let the rape accusations against the Paris St Germain player affect their preparations for the tournament. Neymar issued a statement early on Sunday morning denying any wrongdoing in a case that came to light hours before when Sao Paulo’s public security ministry confirmed a young woman had made the accusation. The woman, who was not named, alleged that Neymar raped her in a Paris hotel room on May 15. The PSG forward posted a long video on his Instagram page denying all the accusations, saying he was a victim of extortion and lamenting the pain caused to him and his family. The video showed what he said were WhatsApp messages he exchanged with the alleged victim, including racy photos she sent him. In a further complication for the former Santos player, police in Rio said on Sunday they were investigating whether he committed a crime by posting the intimate pictures online. “I heard about this with great sadness and I thought it strange,” Fernandinho, one of the most experienced players in the squad, told

reporters at the national team’s training camp outside Rio. “Fifteen days of travel until the girl denounced him. “But I think this is going to be cleared up as soon as possible and I believe in Neymar’s innocence. We the players and the backroom staff are going to support him so that it doesn’t have any effect on the field.” Neymar arrived at the camp yesterday in his personalized helicopter but did not speak to reporters. Brazil are preparing for the Copa America, a tournament played by South America’s 10 national teams plus Japan and

Qatar which kicks off on June 14. Brazil play friendlies against Qatar on June 5 and Honduras four days later. The 27-year old Neymar became the most expensive soccer player ever when he left Barcelona for Paris St Germain for 222 million Euros ($263 million) in 2017. Widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest Brazilian players this century, he has become a polarizing figure, loved by some for his brilliance with a football but loathed by others for his unapologetically extravagant lifestyle and penchant for diving and feigning injury.

Paris St Germain’s Neymar during the match versus Angers at Stade Raymond Kopa. (REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo)

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Wawrinka battles past Tsitsipas, Federer and Nadal dazzle PARIS (Reuters) - Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years to stop Stefanos Tsitsipas in his tracks in the match of the tournament yesterday to set up a French Open quarter-final against fellow Swiss Roger Federer. Giving away 14 years to the swashbuckling young Greek on a baking afternoon, 2015 champion Wawrinka prevailed in a riveting five-hour battle of the backhands in front of an enthralled Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd. Tsitsipas, 20, looked on the brink of victory at 5-5 in the fifth set but could not convert any of the three break points that came his way and 28th seed Wawrinka went on to claim a 7-6(6) 5-7 6-4 3-6 86 victory. Tsitsipas ended up coated in claydust after several diving volleys and the drama went right down to the last point when Wawrinka’s sliced backhand pass just touched the sideline — leaving Tsitsipas crestfallen. “That’s the reason I came back from (knee) surgery,” three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka said after the classic. Today was

Monday June 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

something really special.” Sixth seed Tsitsipas admitted defeat, when he was playing such scintillating tennis, had left him in tears. “It’s the worst feeling ever,” he said. Third seed Federer, bidding to emulate his 2009 French Open title, was sublime in the dazzling sunshine, waltzing past Argentine Leonardo Mayer 62 6-3 6-3. The 37-year-old is still to drop a set but Wawrinka is the last player to beat him at the French Open — four years ago —since when Federer has skipped the tournament. “I hope he’s not at the level of ‘15, but we’ll find out, because there he was crushing the ball. It was unbelievable,” Federer told reporters. Defending champion Rafael Nadal was equally impressive during a 6-2 6-3 63 win over Argentine debutant Juan Ignacio Londero, reaching his 38th Grand Slam quarter-final. He will face the winner of the match between Kei Nishikori and Benoit Paire which was stopped for bad light.

Former w o m e n ’s champion Garbine Muguruza had been looking ominously good thanks to a return top form but her hopes were dashed by 2018 runner-up Sloane Stephens yesterday. American Stephens won 6-4 6-3 to line up a clash with Johanna Konta who became the first British woman to reach the last eight at Roland Garros since 1983 by beating Donna Vekic. Left-handed Czech teenager Market Vondrousova reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final in stunning fashion — thrashing Anastasija Sevastova 6-2 6-0. She will play Croatia’s Petra Martic who rallied from a set down to beat Estonian Kaia Kanepi 5-7 6-2 6-4. The heat of the weekend is forecast to disappear today when the rest of the fourthround is completed. Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic faces Jan-Lennard Struff while women’s defending champion Simon Halep, the clear favorite for the title after an exodus of big seeds, takes on unseeded Pole Iga Swiatek.

Stephens downs Muguruza to reach French Open last eight

Sloane Stephens of the U.S. in action during her fourth round match against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) PARIS (Reuters) - Last year ’s runner-up Sloane Stephens downed former champion Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-3 yesterday to book her place in the French Open quarter-finals. Seventh seed Stephens struggled with her serve but she was more consistent on Court Philippe Chatrier and set up a meeting with Britain’s Johanna Konta in the last eight. The 2017 U.S. Open winner is now the clear favorite in her half of the draw after the exits of world number two Karolina Pliskova and one of the pre-tournament favorites Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. “I think Mugu is one of

the most intense players out on tour. She has a lot of, like, good, strong energy. You can feel it from the other side of the court,” Stephens said. “And I think sometimes if you get too passive, that kind of takes over you and your game, like, what you’re trying to do. “So like I said, you just have to match that. You have to stay intense. You have to move your feet. You got to do all the things that you know how to do to combat that energy.” Stephens shook off a wobbly start by breaking back for 3-3 and she broke 2016 champion Muguruza’s serve again to move 5-3 up.

The American’s serve was still far from perfect, however, and she surrendered the extra break right away. She bagged the opening set, however, on her opponent’s equally inconsistent serve. Another break in the second set allowed her to serve for the match and she wrapped it up on her fifth match point when 19th seed Muguruza returned a second serve poorly. She is the first American of the singles draw in the last eight and could be followed by Madison Keys, Sofia Kenin and Amanda Anisimova who are all in fourth-round action on Monday.

Richard Carapaz becomes first Ecuadorian to win Giro d’Italia Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts after winning his fourth round match against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in action during his fourth round match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. (REUTERS/Vincent Kessler)

BBC Sport - Movistar rider Richard Carapaz became the first Ecuadorian to win the Giro d’Italia after coming through yesterday’s final time-trial in Verona unscathed. With a lead of almost two minutes going into the 17km stage, Carapaz, 26, comfortably held off his main general classification challengers. American Chad Haga won the stage while Primoz Roglic replaced Mikel Landa on the podium behind Vincenzo Nibali. Britain’s Simon Yates finished eighth overall. ‘The biggest moment of my sporting life’ After 2018’s processional final stage in to Rome, the final stage timetrial in Verona was designed to decide the 2019 edition of the race. However, Carapaz, fourth

on his Giro debut in 2018, was unflappable across the technical Torricelle circuit that was used in the 1999 and 2004 World Championships. Despite finishing 49 seconds behind Nibali and over a minute behind Haga, the Ecuadorian becomes only the second South American to win the Giro. His Movistar teammate, Colombia’s Nairo Quintana who was not competing in Italy this year - was the first in 2014. “This is the biggest moment of my sporting life and it’s hard to explain it,” Carapaz told Eurosport. “I just suffered from start to finish until I reached the arena in Verona.” It was also a momentous day for Sunweb rider Haga, 30, whose only professional victory until now had been in the prologue of the 2013 Tour of Elk Grove in the US.

Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez won the white jersey for the best young rider, while Germany’s BoraHansgrohe rider Pascal Ackermann took the points jersey. Italian Trek-Segafredo rider Giulio Ciccone won the king of the mountains competition. How the race was won While Carapaz took the acclaim - in front of a large contingent of fans from his homeland at the finish inside the Roman amphitheatre at Verona Arena - he laid the platform for his success on the mountain slopes leading into Courmayeur. There on the 14th stage, he delivered a superb win, his second stage victory of the Giro to claim the Maglia Rosa and emerge as a serious GC contender. Since then he rarely (Continued on page 25)

Monday June 03, 2019

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Inspired Bangladesh upset South Africa LONDON (Reuters) Bangladesh piled up their highest one-day International total and bowled superbly to upset South Africa by 21 runs in the Cricket World Cup at The Oval yesterday. It was a major scalp for Bangladesh, underlining their reputation as dangerous outsiders at the tournament, while South Africa slumped to their second successive defeat. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan put together a record partnership as Bangladesh made 330 for six after being put into bat. That meant South Africa needed to pull off the highest run chase in World Cup history, but they ended on 309 for eight and with their next game against India on Wednesday, their chances of making the semi-finals are already under threat. Mushfiqur and Shakib added 142 runs for the third wicket to notch up Bangladesh’s highest World Cup partnership in an

aggressive batting display backed by enthusiastic support. Bangladesh moved on to 217-2 before Shakib was bowled for 75 by Imran Tahir in the 36th over while attempting a sweep shot to a full-pitched ball. Mushfiqur went for 78 not long after, caught on the boundary off Andile Phehlukwayo. But South Africa, who lost to hosts England at the same venue on Thursday, were unable to keep the brakes on and continued to leak runs right to the end of the innings. Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten 46 and Mosaddek Hossain scored 26 runs off 20 balls as Bangladesh smashed 54 runs off the last four overs. “It was one of our top innings. We’ve had some previous upsets but this is a World Cup where we really want to do well,” said manof-the-match Shakib. “It’s the way we wanted to start, you cannot get better

than that.” South Africa had gambled on putting Bangladesh, four places below them in the ODI rankings, into bat and hoping to bounce them out cheaply with their pace attack but that fell flat on a docile wicket, and was exacerbated by a hamstring injury to Lungi Ngidi. The fast bowler left the field after bowling just four overs and is a doubt for Wednesday. “Nothing went to plan and I feel we are firing at only 50 to 60% of our potential,” said losing captain Faf du Plessis. South Africa’s target was a tough one and after Quinton de Kock departed, Aiden Markram (45) was bowled by Shakib to make the Bangladeshi all-rounder, playing his 199th ODI, the fastest player to the double of 5,000 runs and 250 wickets. Du Plessis threatened to lead a successful chase but was bowled for 63, followed by David Miller (38) and

Brazil soccer star Neymar denies alleged rape in Paris SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil soccer star Neymar has denied an accusation of rape, outlined in a police report seen by Reuters, in which an unnamed woman alleges that the sports star drunkenly assaulted her at an up-market hotel in the French capital. Sao Paulo state’s public security ministry released a statement confirming the accusation had been made, and said the investigation was still sealed, without giving further details. The police report was obtained by several news organizations including Reuters. The accusation represents a fresh blow for the Brazilian, who has seen his international reputation suffer amid incidents of indiscipline. Neymar posted a long video on his Instagram page, in which he denied all the accusations against him, claimed to be a victim of extortion, lamented the pain caused to him and his family, and shared WhatsApp messages with the alleged victim, including racy photos she sent him. “I’m being accused of rape,” he says in the video. “Whoever knows me, knows of my character and my nature, and knows that I would never do a thing like that ... What happened is exactly the opposite of what

they’re saying.” His representatives directed Reuters to their official statement, accusing a Sao Paulo lawyer purportedly representing the victim of trying to extort the soccer star. Reuters was unable to determine the identity of the lawyer or to seek comment on the extortion allegation. “Faced with this unfortunate, illegal and outrageous event, we completely repudiate the unjust accusations and, above all, the exposure in the press of an extremely negative situation,” the statement said. “All evidence of attempted extortion and non-rape shall be submitted to police in a timely manner.” Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr., said earlier in a local TV interview that his son needed to move quickly to clean his name or risk the situation snowballing. “If we have to show Neymar’s WhatsApps and the conversations with this girl, we will, because it is clear that it was a trap,” he said, adding they were living “difficult moments.” According to the police report, the unnamed woman told investigators in Sao Paulo that she met Neymar on Instagram and he suggested they meet in Paris, where he plays for Paris St Germain. Neymar’s assistant sent her

plane tickets and on May 15 she checked in to the Hotel Sofitel Paris Arc Du Triomphe, according to her account. The Sofitel hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The woman told police that Neymar arrived at the hotel that night “apparently drunk,” and that they talked and “caressed.” “However, at some point, Neymar became aggressive, and through violence, practiced sexual intercourse against the will of the victim,” the police report says. The woman told police she returned home to Brazil two days later without telling French police about the alleged rape because she was “emotionally shaken and afraid to register the facts in another country,” according to the report. Neymar is currently in Brazil, training with the national soccer team ahead of this month’s Copa America. Earlier in May, Neymar was banned for three matches by the French soccer authorities for hitting a fan after PSG’s French Cup final loss to Rennes, and was also reportedly involved in a dressing room fracas with his PSG team mates. Paris St Germain did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brazil’s soccer federation (CBF) declined to comment.

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim in action against South Africa at Kia Oval. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs) Rassie van der Dussen (41) as South African hopes slipped away. Mustafizur Rahman returned the best figures of

3-52 but all six bowlers contributed to keeping South Africa in check with a good variety of deliveries. Scores: Bangladesh 330

for 6 (Mushfiqur 78, Shakib 75, Phehlukwayo 2-52) beat South Africa 309 for 8 (du Plessis 62, Mustafizur 367) by 21 runs.

Konta first British woman into French Open quarters since 1983 Reuters - Johanna Konta proved that she had found her comfort zone on Roland Garros’ red clay as she surged to a 6-2 6-4 win over Donna Vekic to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open in 36 years. Konta, who before this year had never won a match at the claycourt major in four previous appearances, struck 33 winners, including seven aces to dispatch the 23rd-seeded Croatian on the hottest day of the tournament so far, with temperatures set to rise to as high as 31 degrees Celsius. Vekic was broken five times. The last British woman to reach the Paris quarters was Jo Durie in 1983. Durie eventually lost in the semis. Although Konta and Vekic had split their

previous six encounters, including an epic clash in the second round of Wimbledon in 2017 that lasted more than three hours, this was their first meeting on clay. After three straight breaks of serve, Konta was the first to hold, going up 3-1. With Vekic struggling to land a first serve in, Konta went up a double break for 5-2. Serving for the first set, the Briton saved four break points before taking it with her third ace. After swapping breaks early in the second set, a drop shot handed Konta another break. She held serve to love clinch the match in 84 minutes. Konta will play either 2017 U.S. Open winner Sloane Stephens or twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza for a spot in the semi-finals.

Britain’s Johanna Konta reacts after winning her fourth round match against Croatia’s Donna Vekic. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

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Aleem and Mahindranauth are champions in Torginol Paints annual golf tournament Golf Club President, Aleem Hussain painted the course “Winner” in his F l i g h t f o r t h e To rg i n o l Paints annual golf tournament on Saturday last at the Lusignan Golf Club, while Mahindranauth Tiwari ensured that he also put up the colours in his Flight. Played in two Flights, of handicaps 0 – 13 and 14 – 28, the tournament was rich with the friendly rivalry and exciting challenges that are characteristic of tournaments at the LGC. Three representatives of Torginol Paints - “Pioneers of the Paint Industry” in Guyana, (website: torginolpaints.com), - were on hand to congratulate the winners, Messrs Jairaj Rajpat, Robert Singh and M a n a g e r, Rajesh Ramgolam. After congratulating the winners of the day’s tournament, they reiterated To rg i n o l Paints commitment to continuing support of golfing in Guyana and the Lusignan Golf Club. On Saturday President Aleem Hussain, Patrick Prashad and Dr Philbert London ensured that their desire to stay in the Wi n n e r s ’ Row was realized! In the 0 – 13 Flight, winners were: Aleem Hussain (72/10) – 1st; Kassim Khan (who broke a tie with the third place winner by one stroke in the back nine) (73/9) – 2nd; and Patrick Prashad (73/9) – 3rd. Striving hopefuls were

Some golfers and winners pose with the Torginol Paints Reps. From left LGC Treasurer Aasrodeen Shaw, Kassim Khan, Mahindranauth Tiwari, LGC President Aleem Hussain, Lekhnarine Shivraj, Mr Jairaj Rajpat, Robert Singh and Manager, Rajesh Ramgolam of Torginol, Dr Joaan Deo (for LGC Captain Chatterpaul Deo), Maurice Solomon and Mohanlall Dinanauth. Ay u b e S u b h a n ( 7 5 / 1 3 ) ; Mike Mangal (76/10) and Mohanlall Dinanauth (76/ 6). Speciality prize of Nearest The Pin was won by Kassim Khan. In the 14 – 28 Flight, a fierce tie played out a little too late in 6th position between Shanella WebsterLondon (79/15); Rabindranath Persaud (79/ 17) and Balgobin Ragnauth (79/21)! The winners in this Flight were: Mahindranauth Tiwari (67/ 15); Lekhnarine Shivraj (71/ 17); and Dr Philbert London (72/24). In 4th and 5th placers were Maurice Solomon (75/24) and Guillermo Escarraga (77/ 21). To rg i n o l P a i n t s i s a

France ease to routine friendly win against Bolivia PA R I S ( R e u t e r s ) World champions France geared up for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers with a routine 2-0 victory in a friendly against Bolivia yesterday. Thomas Lemar and Antoine Griezmann found the back of the net in a one-sided encounter in which striker Kylian Mbappe was replaced at halftime with an ankle injury, although coach Didier Deschamps said it was ‘nothing major’. Lemar put Les Bleus ahead after five minutes with

a fine lob after being set up by Griezmann at the end of a counter attack. Lemar returned the favour two minutes before the break, as Griezmann tapped in from his cross to double the tally with his 29th international goal. France travel to Turkey on June 8 before facing Andorra three days later as they look to cement top spot in the Euro 2020 qualifying Group H. They are level on six points with Turkey after two wins from two games.

memberof the Continental Group of Companies, with headquarters and factory

located at 9-12 Industrial Estate, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana,

(Tel:592- 226-4041/43), and with two outlets in Regent Street, Georgetown as well

as several Distribution Centres and Dealers scattered across Guyana.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Some questions for the GBA head Dear Sports Editor, Even as we examine the fall out between Kevin Allicock and the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association, it may be instructive to question the disappearance of a former Olympic aspirant, Imran Khan, from the scene with no logical explanation from the executive of the Boxing Association. Allicock was cited for his lackadaisical approach to his training sessions and we were told that GBA President, Steve Ninvalle, has written to GOA President, K A Juman Yassin suggesting that the monthly stipend offered to the boxer be suspended while an investigation is launched to ascertain the reason behind the said boxer’s lackadaisical approach to his training sessions. On the face of things, and in the eyes of the uninitiated, such a firm administrative stance may seem justified but one needs to firstly pose a few questions to Mr. Ninvalle and even examine any shortcomings on his part that might have contributed to Allicock’s behavior. Like I said, one may need to review from as far back as when Imran Khan was touted as the one to win an Olympic Gold medal. Monies were solicited from the business community as well as after the application of many public relations ploys. Khan was shuttled around the globe, to many high profiled

tournaments at huge costs yet he failed to qualify for the Olympic Games. He has since shown a disinterest and simply disappeared from contention. Did Mr. Ninvalle forget to mention that under his watch Imran Khan was roaming the street and was engaged in a street fight and received injuries from a stabbing incident when he was to have been encamped under the watchful eyes of GBA trainers? It is apposite to note that the esteemed President of the GBA did not find it necessary to deal with this issue in a public way. He did not find it necessary to rake his trainers over the coals but instead remained mum while replacing Khan with Allicock without even a modicum of respect for the public or financial supporters by offering a line of explanation or remorse. Did Mr. Ninvalle hold an inquiry over the defection of three of our boxers to the USA while under the watch of his anointed coach? By the way, why is the focus only on Allicock, what about Colin Lewis, another anointed pugilist? Are we not owed an update on his progress in view of the fact that monies were solicited from the public and business entities towards his boxing advancement? He seems to have been sidelined because we are not hearing much about him; it’s only Allicock,

Allicock, Allicock! On the same note, could Mr. Ninvalle please explain to his publics what has become of GDF boxer, Burt Braithwaite, and why such a talented boxer has disappeared from the ring without even an explanation? Would you tell the public or do you want to confer the honours (on me)? Also explain to us why you should not be the one being placed under the microscope. Explain also, Mr. Ninvalle, why some gyms were shut out from the voting process in the last AGM. Explain sir, why YOU have to stand at the gates collecting entrance fees devoid of a structured accounting system. Explain also, what you have accomplished for o u r b o x e r s s ince your installment as President of the GBA. We have read of your world sojourns and prestigious placements in some of the major world bodies, how has these positions redounded positively to the boxers’ development. What is the GBA finances like? When last was there an audit from a reputable firm? Why were we not furnished with a financial report pertaining to international tournaments held in Guyana? What monies have been accrued from the Berbice to Georgetown walk and had it been remitted into the GBA

coffers? There are lots of other questions that could be asked but those above, if addressed may very well highlight where there is a necessity for an inquiry by the GOA and it certainly should not be directed at those poor, defenseless pugilists. In closing, I have gotten quite a few enemies in my (journalistic) and other efforts to have Mr. Ninvalle installed as President of the GBA. I have been publicly called a miscreant by his predecessor. I have accepted a professional assignment (paid for) to investigate certain alleged improprieties of Ninvalle’s predecessor. I was in the forefront of Ninvalle’s installation as GBA President. I accepted, and later willingly rescinded my appointment as PRO of GBA because I was not satisfied with the general modus operandi of the GBA. My interest is not position oriented but a desire to see our young pugilists reap the rewards of their sweat (and blood). I will die representing that! Michael Benjamin Former Carifta gold medalist Former lightweight champion (pro) Former welterweight champion (pro) Former Continental of America’s Champion (pro) Now journalist

Monday June 03, 2019

Regal Masters, Wellman Masters chalk wins Regal Masters and Wellman Masters have secured their places in the final of the Fisherman Masters/Chand’s Printing Service softball competition which was contested yesterday at Malteenoes Sports Club. Regal Masters beat

Savage by 166 runs. Batting first, Regal Masters managed 239-7 off their allotted 20 overs. Unnis Yusuf struck five fours and 12 sixes in a top score of 110, while David Harper slammed five fours and seven sixes in a fine 93. Vivekanand Ramsaywack took 2-52. The pair steadied

the innings nicely with a third wicket stand of 188 after Regal Masters were reduced to 262. Savage were bowled out for 73 in reply. Troy Ramsaywack made 46, while Wazir Baksh got 14 as Khalid Haslim picked up 3-5 and (Continued on page 24)

Khalid Haslim accepts the best bowler award from Daywantie Narine.

Razia Hassan presents the best batsman prize to Unnis Yusuf.

Australia to give Windies taste of own medicine - Coulter-Nile (Reuters) - West Indies used plenty of short-pitched deliveries to dismantle Pakistan in their Cricket World Cup opener but the Caribbean batsmen will get a taste of their own medicine when they face champions Australia, fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile has said. A blistering Oshane Thomas-led pace attack swept Pakistan away for a dismal 105 in under 22 overs on Friday as West Indies wrapped up an easy sevenwicket victory at Trent Bridge. Aaron Finch-led Australia also notched up a convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday and will next face the exciting West Indies. “You’ve got to give it (bouncers) to the Windies,

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otherwise they just get on the front foot and pogo you everywhere,” the 31-year-old told reporters. “We’ll definitely give it to them, we give it to every team. You’ve got to use your two (permitted bouncers per over). “The grounds are so small and the wickets are generally pretty flat, so you’ve got to use bouncers when you can.” Early matches have shown that short-pitched bowling could be a recurring theme in England and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell said his team would take a similar approach against Australia. The defending champions will also have to contend with an explosive West Indies batting line-up

led by opener Chris Gayle. The former captain recently returned to the ODI fold and proved he has lost none of his touch, despite approaching his 40th birthday, with a 34-ball 50 against Pakistan. But with fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also in the side, Coulter-Nile was confident Australia had the firepower to neutralise him. “Oh Starcy will knock his off pole out,” Coulter-Nile joked. “It will be easy. “You know he’s going to hit your good balls for four and hit your bad balls for six. Just keep bowling as many good balls as you can. “I think you just need to be aggressive at him. He’s still smacking them but he is getting older. “

‘Reds’ Perriera supports GBA decision to discipline Allicock Former chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Guyana, Caribbean Cricket Commentator and Past President of St. Lucia Boxing Association, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perriera, has come out in support of the move by the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to impose sanctions on their star fighter, Keevin Allicock. Allicock, who won a silver medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, has qualified to represent Guyana at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru this July-August but has been delinquent in attending training and between the period of May 123, he only attended 12 of the scheduled 30 training sessions conducted by Cuban Coach, Francisco Roldan. The GBA then wrote to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), recommending that Allicock’s trip to Cuba to prepare for the Pan American games be put on hold due to his lackadaisical approach to training; according to head of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, Allicock was scheduled to already be in Cuba since the training was projected to last two months. ‘Reds’, the now retired veteran broadcaster who resides in St. Lucia, explained to Kaieteur Sport that such action which was taken by the GBA was good because it also sends a strong message to other national sportsmen and women that there is no short cut to success and there is a responsibility in being a national representative. “I want to congratulate the boxing association for

Reds Perriera taking that principled strong stand because they could’ve easily brushed it under the carpet and he (Allicock) would have gone to Cuba and the Pan Am games underprepared which would have surely affected his chances of doing well,” Perriera posited during a telephone interview with Kaieteur Sport. The former sports administrator posited that, “I was extremely surprised to read of the situation that developed with Keevin Allicock, a young man who I met in Guyana, a man who I am very proud of and who has done very well so far at the national and regional level. It’s virtually a mystery why he has been so delinquent when there is so much in the offering for him, although I understand from my source in Guyana that his training attendance is almost at 100% since sanctions were put on him.”

Perriera congratulated the K.A. Juman-Yassin led GOA for giving Steve Ninvalle and his executive their full backing on the situation and stance they took which he believed, “Has brought about a change in Allicock’s attitude, commitment and responsibility.” Ninvalle in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport noted that since the GOA was asked to put a hold on Allicock’s stipend, which they decided against, but has put the trip on hold. “There has been a complete turnaround and we at the GBA applaud his improved attitude, attendance and work ethic. We will meet with the GOA to decide a way forward,” Ninvalle stated. Guyana’s boxing team for the Pan American games are scheduled to depart for Peru on July 22nd. (Calvin Chapman)

Dharry defeats Mendoza, wins two belts PANAMA CITY, Panama, CMC – Elton Dharry is now the holder of the Central American Boxing Federation (Fedecentro) World Boxing Association (WBA) and Central American Boxing Federation (Fecarbox) World Boxing Council (WBC) belts after defeating homeboy Gilberto Cacique Mendoza by unanimous decision in their super flyweight on Friday night. Despite suffering a black eye after clashing heads with his opponent, Dharry knocked down Mendoza – a former title challenger – in the seventh round, before

emerging victorious in their 10-round bout at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Centre in Hotel El Panama. One of the judges gave the New Yorkbased Dharry a five-round victory with a score of 97-92, while the other two thought the fight was closer with scores of 95-94 each. The 33-year-old bantamweight fighter, who fights under Havoc Boxing Promotions, has now won 21 consecutive bouts since 2010. With the victory, Dharry also moved up to number eight in the world. It was Dharry’s first fight since March 2018 when he registered a unanimous decision over American Oscar Mojica in New York.

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RHTYSC, MS Cricket Teams continue to invest heavily in the Educational Sector Since its formation in 1990, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS has placed special emphasis on the importance of Education by investing heavily to assist students to fulfill their educational goals. The ten cricket teams of the Club continued the longstanding tradition by making a donation to a youth who wants to write several CSEC subjects after dropping out of school at a young age and twelve students of the Rose Hall Town Nursery School. RHTYSC Asst Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu stated that the main agenda for Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation in 2019 is the promotion of its highly successful Say NO/Say Yes Campaign which targets all youths in Berbice. The main objective is to promote the Say No to Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Crime, Suicide and Yes to Sports, Religion, Education and Culture Message. The ten Cricket Teams donated financially to eighteen years old Govindan Sahadeo of Port Mourant to assist him to fulfill his dream of writing several subjects at the CSEC Level. Shahdeo was forced to leave school due to ill health of his father and to take care of his younger siblings. Today, he wants to complete his education with the objective to join the Medical Profession. A close friend of Sahadeo approached Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster for the Club to assist Sahadeo with funds for Textbooks and

Monday June 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Joshua suffers stunning defeat to Ruiz Jr (Reuters) - Andy Ruiz Jr. dethroned British title-holder Anthony Joshua with a stunning seventh-round stoppage at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday to become the first Mexican-American world heavyweight champion. Joshua, previously undefeated and fighting for the first time in the United States, was defending his IBF, WBA and WBO titles but was knocked down four times in the fight before the referee waved off the contest in the

seventh. Joshua said he could have fought on but had no harsh words for the referee. “I want to fight. I am never one of those fighters to disrespect a referee like, ‘he should have done this’ or ‘he should have done that,’” he added. “He called it off when he thought I couldn’t fight. It’s a shame. But I don’t want anyone to drown in their sorrows.” The defeat was a setback but Joshua said he would be

back. “Boxing is a tough sport. I trained hard, I stayed dedicated. And I just got beat by a good fighter tonight,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how far he goes but good luck to him. “I gotta bounce back. This is all part of the journey. Fighter by heart, boxer by trade.” Ruiz had not been given much chance of beating the champion given he had just five full weeks to prepare after (Continued on page 24)

RHTYSC Asst Secretary CEO Simon Naidu (right) hands over donation to Govindan. the recent National Awardee readily agreed. The ten teams were then mandated to assist and they handed over $20,000 to Sahadeo. Naidu in handing over the Cheque praised the employee of the Port Mourant Hospital for having the courage to complete his education and stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club was willing to assist in the future. Sahadeo expressed gratitude to Foster, the teams for their investment into his future and promised to make them proud. The Team also handed over $50,000 worth of educational materials to the Management of the Rose Hall Town Nursery School. The much needed items would be donated to twelve students of the school based on discipline, attitude and the financial income of their parents.

Additionally, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club a n d t h e Te a m s d o n a t e d over $100,000 worth of trophies, medals and prizes to several schools across Berbice on requests for upcoming graduation and fundraising events. Naidu stated that the Club would continue to invest in youths and disclosed that a major sponsorship would soon be unveiled for the Say No/ Say Yes Campaign. The sponsor would be an i n v e s t o r i n G u y a n a ’s emerging oil and gas sector. Under the sponsorship, the ten cricket teams would publish thousands of its Youth Information Booklet for free distribution across Guyana, host a Berbice wide Essay Competition, print thousand of Say No Posters among others.

Simon Naidu hands over educational materials to the students and Headmistress of the RHT Nursery School, Ms M. Rodney.

Andy Ruiz Jr in action with Anthony Joshua for the WBA Super, IBF, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles at Madison Square Garden, New York. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

Corona Futsal Tournament

Tiger Bay and Back Circle shoot to final Tiger Bay’s Deon Alfred will definitely be among the contenders for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the fourth annual Corona futsal tournament after smashing seven goals against Future Stars in his team’s semifinal win up on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium. The MVP of the event will ride away with a Hero Honda 150cc Motorcycle that has been sponsored by the official distributors of the brand; Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales located on North Road. Tiger Bay defeated Future Stars 8-5. Keoma Gravesande scored the eighth goal for the victors in the 39th minute before Alfred had plundered successful strikes in the 9th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 27th and 38th minutes. William Europe scored a hat-trick in a losing cause,

while his teammate Jamal Cozier found the back of the net twice during the 13goal thriller that had fans on their feet throughout the contest. In the f eature match, which kicked off at midnight, fans saw Back Circle upsetting Bent Street with a comfortable 4-1 victory. Trayon Bobb and Quasan MacAulay each fired home a brace of goals for Back Circle, while Sheldon Profitt netted a consolation goal in the 33rd minute for Bent Street after they had already conceded four. With those results, Tiger Bay will clash with Back Circle for the championship title this Saturday at the host venue, National Gymnasium that is located on Mandela Avenue and Princess Street. The winner will pocket $500,000,

runners up $250,000 and the winner of the third place playoff will pocket $125,000. See full scores below. Game 1 Tiger Bay 8 – 5 Future Stars Goal Scorers Tiger Bay Deon Alfred 9th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 27th & 38 min Keoma Gravesande 39th min Future Stars Jamal Cozier 11th & 19th min William Europe 10th, 16th & 22nd min Game 2 Back Circle 4 – 1 Bent Street Goal Scorers Back Circle Trayon Bobb 19th & 33rd min Quasan Mc Allay 13th & 24th min Bent Street Sheldon Profitt 33rd min

Kaieteur News

Monday June 03, 2019

Russia assisting in doping probe into alleged forged documents

M

O S C O W (Reuters) Russia’s athletics federation is cooperating with global athletics officials in a probe into allegations that some of its representatives forged documents in a doping case, it said yesterday. British newspaper The Sunday Times reported that forged medical documents were filed to the Athletics Integrity Unit, which probes doping cases in the sport, in order to provide an athlete with a medical excuse for having failed to declare his whereabouts last year. The athlete, high jumper Danil Lysenko, had been one of the Russians cleared to compete internationally by the IAAF for having demonstrating he was training in a doping freeenvironment. But he lost his status and was provisionally suspended in August, 2018 for having failed to provide his

whereabouts. “In the case of Lysenko, the Russian athletics federation is providing the Athletics Integrity Unit will full assistance,” federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said in a statement. “The federation has an interest in the investigation being objective.” The Russian athletics federation has been suspended since a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report that found evidence of widespread doping in the sport. IAAF will consider whether to lift the ban against Russia at its Council meeting in Monaco next week. Russian authorities have denied their doping program was state-sponsored but have accepted that senior officials were involved in providing banned substances to athletes, interfering with anti-doping procedures or covering up positive tests.

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t r o Sp Corona Futsal Tournament

Tiger Bay and Back Circle shoot to final Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile appeals to the umpire against England’s Jonny Bairstow. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)

Play between Tiger Bay (on the ball) and Future Stars during the former’s 8-5 victory on Saturday night in the first semifinal at the National Gymnasium.

Joshua suffers stunning defeat to Ruiz Jr

Andy Ruiz Jr knocks down Anthony Joshua during their WBA Super, IBF, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title fight at Madison Square Garden, New York. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

Australia to give Windies taste of own medicine - Coulter-Nile

Inspired Bangladesh upset South Africa

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