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Monday May 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Guyana - a growing state of apartheid We at this publication are going to take a hard and a sharp stand because we are so disgusted, so incensed, and so insulted with what is going on in this beloved country of ours. It is going on, compliments of our feeble and helpless leaders, our collaborating leaders, who sell us out repeatedly, through the inaction and incompetence of one government after another. We say it loud, and we say it clear from the rooftops so that all can hear us: what we have in Guyana today is a growing state of apartheid. Apartheid is a dirty and ugly word that took hold and became the harsh and degrading reality of South Africa. It was that system of horrid imbalance and injurious inequity that kept black South Africans as virtual chattel. It was that apartheid system that downed Steve Biko and many other stalwart men and women like him. It was that same brutal and oppressive and exploitative system that jailed a man called Nelson Mandela for many a long decade. Fellow Guyanese, we repeat those words that are worth listening to and absorbing and appreciating for the fullness of what they are worth and what they are coming more and more to mean in this country. Look at how we are, where we are, how we are being treated, how we are being misinformed and misled by our own, who are in cahoots with the outsiders, who rip our guts out. They seek to take the heart and spirit and soul out of us, but that is not going to happen here. No! Not while we at this newspaper have the breath of life in us. And not if we can help it, so help us God: it is not going to happen in this country, and to the peoples of this society. The words are ‘dirty’ and ‘ugly’ and ‘degrading’ and oppressive’ and ‘exploitative’. Is this not what is happening here more and more daily? If no Guyanese leader, if no other Guyanese citizen, dares to say it, then we will. It is happening here, in what is a subtle but undeniable system of apartheid in its many features. We furnish some examples for our fellow citizens to digest and turn over in their minds. For starters, that lopsided contract is a glaring example of economic apartheid. It is of one set of values and benefits for Exxon (the whole hog of it almost) and the tiniest of trickles for the coloured peoples of this lowdown Third World country. It must be called out for what it is: it is a racist contract, one that is paternalistic and patronising. Just like how the good ole boys in the Old American South, the South of the slaveholding Confederacy, used to go to their churches and pray for more riches off the backs of their fellow humans reduced to a subhuman level of beasts of burden but all the time defending their cruel oppressions and unparalleled exploitations of slaves as being so good for them, as being the best thing for them. Is this not what we are hearing? That as Exxon and the other American and European companies come here and fetch away our richest natural resource prizes, we are being patted on the back, and told how good we have it, and that we have never had it so good, and will not from anyone else. The top people of Exxon itself are careful not to say anything that will draw attention to them; the fellows from Texas are too slick to stain their hands with such contaminations. They have Guyanese leaders to do that heavy lifting and dirty work for them. Just like they had powerful tribal leaders do in Africa and the cooperating maharajas do in India several centuries ago. The outsiders (British, American, Spanish, Belgian, French, and Dutch) all had their time and did their dirty inhuman deeds to our peoples before in their ancestral lands and with their ancestral riches. Their suppressions of the spirit of the people, their economic predations, and their cunning machinations and manipulations of local lowlife losers that operated under the name of leaders stand as unsparing and inarguable testimonies to their rapacious handiworks. This is what the foreigners did every time and in every place where they went before they now come to Guyana in this 21st century to do exactly the same, if not worse. They do so with how they travel (by themselves), where they live (by themselves), how they separate themselves from us locals, how they hold themselves aloof from us,
Did the pandemic create a first mover advantage or disadvantage at UG? DEAR EDITOR, I am of the opinion that the University of Guyana did not properly think through the cost of tuition for final year students. Unless this is the norm, which I highly doubt, final year students are persistently being surprised with new registration fees for certain courses. UG has engaged simulation software to conduct some courses that are mandatory for final year students. These courses attract their individual tuition costs, all of which were already approved by UG, and paid for by the student. After commencement of the semester, and weeks into the class, we were then informed that registration for the
simulation software attracts a cost that must be fully borne by the student. The cost is approximately US$40-45. Seriously? The tuition for the course was not reduced, and students have to stand the expense for a software that UG made a decision to use in delivery of their course. There are ways that UG can subsidise the cost, even partially. Discounts can be negotiated with the software providers and licenses can be bought by the University of Guyana. And, don’t let me get started on one payment method in particular: Deposit to a local commercial bank with no additional payee information, other than the bank account number. As
usual, no response when students asked questions. Is this going to be the trend going forward? We paid for it now, will students pay for it next year, too? Or, are we just fortunate to have this dropped on us because of the pandemic and virtual teaching? Is the institution of the opinion that we are just going to conform because we ‘fed up and want graduate?’ Because I am…extremely ‘fed up and want graduate so I just paid it and done.’ That is the mindset of the final year students. Students lost their jobs and made life changing decisions to be able to continue their studies, and UG comes along with a decision like this, and one student is now expected to
allocate approximately US$90 to tuition fees. And this does not include the time and cost to acquire an electronic payment method; registration for a VISA card costs US$60 at the local commercial bank. And on the other occasion, we now have to hit the bank again to pay US$40 to God knows who. We don’t. This is the first batch of students who are being taught in a pandemic. We are getting used to online sessions and all of the other wonders of the technological evolution, but don’t continue like this. Some of us can easily afford the added costs, but there are others who can’t and this letter speaks for them. UG Student
Doctor Drain Digger? DEAR EDITOR, Is Texila offering a medical or any other degree in drain digging? It is reported in social media that a contractor, son of a minister of the government, was awarded a medical degree from Texila. I congratulate the young man and encourage him to pursue higher studies in a foreign land where he will acquire sound practical training and experience in medicine. I should note that a number of prominent persons affiliated with this government have secured questionable Executive
MBAs; they did not pass the GCE or CXC examinations, or attended university. But they got admission to pursue a Master’s Degree. Others do the studies, write exams, and prepare papers for them. Obviously, the degree recipients learn nothing but occupy high positions in this government. Is this now a norm for this government? My grandparents used to me tell me while growing up to study very hard and I will be rewarded richly. I listened to them and I studied and succeeded. They said don’t
cheat and or steal and I listened to their words of wisdom. I live by that standards and I am proud of my achievements. If a man of ‘bhusey’ pursues a degree with others doing the work for him, the product will be ‘bhusey’. He won’t know much. The medical doctor is tied to a company that has been given contracts under this government to pursue emergency works in infrastructure through the NDIA and Works offices. Does the university also offer skills in public works while
one is doing medical studies? Why would a father whose son completed a medical degree have his son engaged in contracted agricultural work? Would anyone with a passion for medical studies be involved in agriculture works? Is this not a mockery of honesty? Did the medical doctor study medicine or drains? The young man is ascribed the moniker “Dr. Drain Digger”. Is this how he wants to be known or his father wants him to be known? Yours truly, Dharmendra Lalji
Much to learn of Guyana from the simple postage stamp DEAR EDITOR, It was indeed heartening to see Stabroek News’s editorial of May 14 on the 1856, ”The One Cent Black on Magenta” – the world’s rarest stamp. Guyana was the nineteenth country in the world to begin issuing its own postage stamp in 1850; ten years after Great Britain issued the world’s first adhesive postage stamp in May 1840. Guyana was also the first British West Indian colony to issue governmentapproved postage stamps.
It has long been recognised that stamps serve as a recording media and source of information that illustrates the social, commercial, political, cultural, historical, geographical, and artistic aspects of a society in their own unique style. Using short and abstract text, colour graphics, photos, and symbols on a limited surface area to communicate its contents is the key attribute that differentiates stamp from other non-book material. For this unique attribute, the
while holding their noses to prevent them from sensing that we are around, and we are terribly angry. These are all a part and parcel of a ballooning system of apartheid that is taking firmer and larger holds on Guyana and Guyanese life. We invite the world of Guyana to take a close look and see if there can be nothing but the fullest agreement. Last, we invite the rest of the world and say that there it is: the ways of Exxon and others, and the ways of complicit Guyanese leaders, in fostering a system of pure and perfected apartheid. No skillful public relations defences, no distracting propaganda gimmicks can conceal what is really going on here. It is the newest form of apartheid, and of that there can be defending, no dodging, no denying.
simple postage stamp can be deemed as a communication tool, a work of art which can also be used as a teaching tool because it is a discoverybased method of learning. E.g., the Jesuits in Guyana celebrated with the Aug 2008 issue of three stamps; 10th Pork-knocker Anniversary in Oct 2010 with the issue of four stamps; UG 50th anniversary in 2013 with four stamps; “Women in Aviation” in 2014 showing four stamps with four women in this maledominated field. People of distinction, our natural resources, industry, the rich flora and exotic fauna, festivals, religious ceremonies, notable buildings, key landmarks and other important milestones have all been celebrated on our own stamps over the years. Stamps help us to get a glimpse of the issues, events, and notions that helped shape how we look at Guyana and understand the country, its heritage, rich resources, multi-cultural make-up and
instill a deep sense of pride and patriotism. They can show scenes of daily life and the commemoration of important events and milestones showcasing Guyana from so many dimensions including sports. I recently did a 30-minute documentary containing over 500 stamps issued since the late 1800s right down to 2020 organised in 14 categories from my collection showing both images and texts that showcase the rich heritage of Guyana and its people. Over 1200 viewers from around the globe have contacted me since its release, some providing additional information and photos of rare Guyana stamps and others indicating how much they have learned of Guyana, its resources, history, and geography. Please see the documentary using this link https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1-UoTjPk4k4DsB87BtvKqkjgLkgPdZAV/ view?usp=sharing Lal Balkaran, Scarborough, Ontario
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There is need for a formal diaspora engagement structure and institution Dear Editor, Diaspora is an asset — economic and political. Since the time of President Cheddi Jagan, I have been goading succeeding governments to develop a formal policy (establishment of an institution or office) of continuously engaging the diaspora which since then has grown larger than the population of Guyana and perhaps have developed a greater interest in homeland affairs than pre-1992. Presidents toyed with a diaspora policy but their hearts were not in it. The President Irfaan Ali government has announced a conference with the diaspora for May 22. It is long overdue, and it is hoped that it would not be a one-off engagement like what happened under previous governments. Some formal network should be established to engage the diaspora – whose presence in America alone is bigger than the population of Guyana –
and whose investment (financially and skills) in Guyana would be key to rapid development. And there should be delineated goals. I have worked with, studied and written extensively on diasporas – Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, India, Mexico, Fiji, El Salvador, among others. I traveled to virtually every Indian diaspora country and engaged their diasporas in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, and elsewhere. I don’t think anyone has traveled to more Indian diaspora countries to study and investigate the role of diasporas in development. Ashook Ramsaran and I are perhaps the only Guyanese and only persons from the Indian diaspora who have consistently engaged and worked closely with governments in India from Vajpayee (1998) to Modi to harness the resources of the Indian diaspora for India’s
development and to lobby Washington for India on varied issues of concern. We were politically neutral and as such were taken into confidence by alternating governments. Ramsaran also advised the government of El Salvador on how to engage her diaspora; El Salvador has an effective diaspora engagement network in America as do Mexicans and several Central American governments. From my studies and practical experience of working with Indian diaspora groups, mounting evidence confirm that diasporas play a significant important role in development in countries of origin. Aside from sending remittances, they have helped home countries with promoting trade and investment, transferring knowledge and skills, spurring entrepreneurship, creating businesses, forming civic groups, funding charities, building schools,
Why not promote the Indian Deputy Secretary General to head CARICOM? DEAR EDITOR, I wish to extend my congratulations to Dr. Carla Barnett the first female to be appointed to this most exalted position in the Caribbean region coming about 50 years after the Treaty of Chaguaramas signed in Trinidad. However, from the perspective of an East Indian and with due respect to Dr. Barnett, I do believe given that there has never been an East Indian Secretary General, this was an opportune and unique moment to kill two birds with one stone and appoint Dr. Manorma Soeknandan, a current Deputy and surely equally as
capable as Dr. Barnett. In my opinion, East Indians in the region seem to be regarded as 2nd class citizens, one recent analyst writing in the newspapers has pointed out to scant regard and coverage of the contributions made by East Indians in our history books and one should not overlook the paucity of presence in the West Indies Cricket teams over the years of persons of Indian descent. I emphasise that three important countries in Caricom namely Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname have large East Indian populations contributing enormously to
taxes, which help to fund a massive Caricom bureaucracy, and over the years, serious questions have been raised about the efficacy of this institution vis-a vis the large financial resources it consumes. Admittedly, it has helped Guyana in times of our post elections chaos. In summary, it seems that it could be at least another 10 years before it may be possible for a change in the status quo as it relates to ethnicity of the Secretary General of Caricom further alienating East Indians from this Institution. Yours sincerely, Chris Persaud
opening foreign currency accounts, among other contributions to development. IndoCaribbeans have done all the preceding in India. Politicians from every developing country have been coming to the diaspora (in North America and Europe) since the 1980s for funding for election campaigns and selected development projects of a self-interest nature. Politicians looked to see what they could get out of it for self-benefits not heart or compassion or national interests driven. There has not been a formal policy per se on the Guyanese diaspora. It was not about country but themselves. Guyanese politicians ‘talked’ to the diaspora in their visits telling them to return home and invest but they offered no specific or concrete projects. There was no formal policy. Succeeding Guyanese governments worked with some members of the diaspora on discrete projects that benefited a few or that were self-serving. Missing is an engagement policy of mutual interest for the entire diaspora or practical collaboration as equal partners. They did not engage the diaspora as active equal partners in development; they did not seek the advice of the
diaspora as the governments of India or El Salvador or Mexico or Jamaica did. During the mid-1990s, then BJP leader Atal Beharri Vajpayee met with the Indian diaspora in Manhattan during which Guyanese Dharamdatt Sukhai Durjan broached the subjects of the role of the Indian diaspora in India’s development and the conditions of the Indian diaspora in developing countries overseas. Vajpayee committed that should his BJP were to come into government, he would commission a study on the diaspora and establish a formal institution to engage them. Vajpayee’s deputy, Lal Krishna Advani Vajpayee, made a similar commitment when he engaged the diaspora, including Guyanese, in New York. Vavpayee and Advani honoured both promises after they became PM and deputy PM respectively in 1998. An Overseas Indian Ambassador was set up in Manhattan and he engaged the diaspora regularly, including meeting Indo-Caribbeans in NY and India. Ramsaran, other Guyanese and I met with him regularly in NY on diaspora policy. We also engaged PM Vajpayee in his every visit to NY on policies beneficial to the Caribbean; we lobbied for greater assistance to the Caribbean. Manmohan Singh
replaced Vajpayee as PM in May 2004. He deepened engagement with the diaspora establishing a Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs headed by Vyalar Ravi who never gave up an opportunity to meet with Indo-Caribbeans to listen to their concerns and recommendations on improving relations between India and the Caribbean; he met Ramsaran regularly in NY and India. Modi replaced Manmohan as PM in May 2014, replacing the Ministry with an Office for Diaspora within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has been actively engaging the diaspora; a junior Minister took charge of diaspora affairs. India has attracted annually tens of billions in American dollars of investment from her diaspora over the last fifteen years because of her engagement. The diaspora has championed investment and charitable and philanthropic activities in India; IndoCaribbeans assisted in those endeavours. The government cheered the diaspora and honoured several who contributed to development of India. Guyana should consider emulating the Indian model as indeed several other countries have done. There is need for a formal policy or structure to link diverse communities of Guyanese (Continued on page 6)
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Giving credit where due DEAR EDITOR, I have been involved in Guyanese politics since the age of 16. I have abided by the principle, so perfectly articulated by the great African freedom fighter, Amilcar Cabral. Cabral, who instructed us to: “Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories.” By now, surely all Guyanese must have realised that the last five years of APNU+AFC governance, and their bizarre and embarrassing behaviour following the March 2020 elections, has changed Guyana’s political landscape. I hope and pray that Guyanese, of all races, will wake up and see that the major contradiction is between the exploiters and the exploited, the oppressors and the oppressed, the “haves” and “have-nots”. For OVP, it is about Guyanese of every race, who toil 40-60 hours weekly, and still cannot adequately care for their families. They are the working poor, who wait longingly for every pay-day, knowing that before the next pay-day, they and their children will be back to tennis roll and tea. It is
about those who hustle every day to eke out a living in dilapidated markets and on the pavement. It is about those who are forced to beg for a living, including many of our elders. This is a terrible injustice, in a country that is so resource-rich, and fewer than a million people. There were many people who believed that the APNU+AFC government was the answer to their prayers. When they first came to power in 2015, their supporters were crying out, “thank you Jesus” and “David and Moses will deliver us”. It has been a painful process watching the debacle of the last five years, culminating in the tragic events that followed the March 2020 elections, which even led to the loss of lives. If anything positive can come out of it, it will be that Guyanese of all races will finally realise that we must judge a government not on their race, but on their policies and actions. Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP) congratulates President Ali on his decision to kick out the two principals of the rogue foreign company, Superior Concrete. For too long, foreign capital and their local
minions have been running riot in this country.OVP urges President Ali and his government to reign in the local business people who facilitated this rogue company. We advocate that this approach be consistently applied across the board, to all corporate predators and plunderers, including ExxonMobil. Guyana has a class of business people that constitute a socio-economic category known as the “comprador bourgeoisie”. According to Serbian radical sociologist, Ljubisa Mitrovic, “this upper layer of the bourgeois class, posits its own interests over the general social ones...it is not national in character and is socially irresponsible. It is a blind servant of foreign capital, ruthless in the exploitation of the domestic workforce and dictatorial in relation to its fellow countrymen”. Those with eyes to see can identify these people in our midst. They constitute the 1% that own and control the wealth of this nation. In addition, we must congratulate President Ali and his government on the issuing of 20,000 scholarships. This is an excellent move, because Guyanese of all races are in
dire need of education and upgrading if they are to take their rightful place in the future development of our nation. The scholarships on offer are not “PPP scholarships”, they are scholarships issued by the Government of Guyana, I urge all African Guyanese, once they fulfill the necessary criteria, to apply immediately and take advantage of this opportunity. As I write this letter, news has been posted that the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, is talking about abolishing the draconian National Grade 6 exam and making every school a “good school”. This is something that OVP has called for since our inception (see The National Grade 6 Assessment is a class based system, KN, 4/7/17). I say to all Guyanese that we need to move beyond race-based politics, recognise that the fundamental contradiction in our society is between the “have and the have-nots”, regardless of their ethnicity, and begin to exercise our right to decide who will govern this nation on the basis of their policies and actions. Gerald A. Perreira Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)
US$30 a tonne conveys that we have no shame DEAR EDITOR, Thanks to the media and the mostly underground Christopher Ram, Guyanese have a new conundrum with which to grapple. It is best presented to the public as christened: “excess of timelines for flaring events.” Even I have to pause, and thread gingerly around this Kissingerian construction, this Machiavellian monstrosity that could lay waste to any interpretation. This is reminiscent of Guyana’s constitutional morass that, if permissible, it would have limped its way to the august CCJ for some final sagacious adjudication. Whatever that concoction means, this is where all of my positions terminate: it is of the tangled webs that we weave, when we practice to deceive. It has been deception
upon deception, and as the erudite and patiently probing accountant cum attorneyonce omnipresent, now a pale faded shadow of himself, revealed: that insult and embarrassment of a US$30 fine per ton is ultimately paid by Guyanese. Because I feel politically charitable today, I will volunteer something publicly. That stupidity of a fine, so meaningless as to be useless and pointless, is so dirt cheap, that I am thinking of paying for it. But because I think so poorly of the ethics of the PPP government and crooked PPP leaders, disbursement would be to some private charitable organisation. That way government and leaders can’t get their hands on the money, even on something so tiny; it is my conclusion of how low they would sink. To levy a fine of US$30
(GY$6000) per tonne on Exxon for whatever that phrase quoted above means and whenever it applies (if it ever does) to a corporate powerhouse like Exxon has to be the source of unending derisive laughter in the corridors of Exxon. A double shot of Johnnie Walker Blue costs more on the expense accounts of its top executives, who must be even more convulsed with laughter at how incurably mentally defective (worse than lazy) Guyanese are. Unfortunately, that means all of us, including yours truly. Whether I like it or not, I find myself lumped with all these political halfwits, and the national parade of dimwits. It is the price paid for yearning to be here. I call it diaspora decompression. US$30 a tonne conveys that we have no shame, not a speck of pride or self-respect
left. There is no deterrent present there; it definitely lacks any element of what could be considered punitive. It is more rehabilitative and conducive to a continuation of reckless ways by a feckless American corporate superpower, and the lowlife Third World political people that it gets to go down on their knees and clean up after them. For there it was: a Guyanese leader, without a care as to how utterly impotent and unconcerned he comes across, going before the public and announcing that measly US$30 per ton fine. It is an invitation to flare more. Perhaps, that is what that “timelines” business is about; how to flare at will, while the mudheads try to find their feet. Sincerely, GHK Lall
SATIRE: THE CATHEDRAL OF MANGROVIA By Tulsi Dyal Singh The Archbishop of Mangrovia invited all the people of Guyana to the opening of the new cathedral and people came from far and near but it didn’t matter from where they came, the last mile could only be by boat. The Archbishop welcomed everyone to this majestic shrine to progress in the name of St. Petra and St. Oleum, reigning in a case of gold and glass, statued by a slab of sandstone rock drenched in oil in a million barrel vial. This cathedral was singularly unique it was floating on the water, built topsides on a floating platform previously known as, yes, Destiny,
above a garden city, flooded down below. If you look outside that window that thing below used to be a lighthouse. So, why did they build it on the ocean floor? See that building over there that’s the old cathedral, St. George’s it was called, the tallest wooden building in the world, now it’s the tallest building under water. Why, Archbishop, that piece of wood below the statues of St. Petra and St. Oleum? That chip of wood is from an extinct species that once grew wild around here, it helped to keep the ocean out, away, from the land above which we are standing. That relic is a symbol, of our sacrifice to progress, and to St. Petra and St. Oleum. Welcome to the Cathedral of Mangrovia.
Opposition influence needed for herd immunity Dear Editor, For such a small population, Guyana has over 15,000 cases recorded with over 320 deaths. This is such an alarming number since in Guyana communities interact closely with each other. The government continues to invest large sums of money to provide vaccines across our country. There are many sensitisation programmes including those on television, radio, print and social media. The government’s efforts are being undermined with
misinformation especially on social media. If the Opposition cares at all for their supporters as much as they claim, or even the citizenry, they will come forward and endorse and even in some cases take their vaccines once medically advised. With such a low turnout in Region 10, the Opposition, especially through their leader, should come forward to encourage vaccination if herd immunity is to be achieved. Yours truly, Timothy Joseph.
...There is need for a formal From page 5 Diaspora, strengthen overseas the bonds, and explore the benefits of collaboration between government and diasporic groups. Just like how India formally engages her diaspora and countless overseas Indian organisations with an institutionalised structure and an office established specifically for that purpose, holding regular meetings with community leaders and consulting diaspora experts, Guyana government should
examine that or a similar workable model. The government must recruit people with expertise in the field to assist it. It is not a task for amateurs or those who will learn on the job. Government needs specialists in the field. Staff has to have a love and interest and background in the field. Guyanese like Ramsaran and I, with extensive experience in the field, would be willing to lend a helping hand. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
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The Opposition’s opposition is premature The APNU+AFC is on record as supporting electoral reforms. As late as last October, at a press conference, the Opposition said that it supported electoral reform. The Opposition Leader was quoted then as saying that any help to reform the country’s electoral laws would be welcomed. One month prior, in September 2021, the Leader of the Opposition was reported to have pledged to work with the People’s Progressive Party Government in achieving electoral reform. Harmon had hinted that, “While that [electoral reform] can take some time, we can examine a bipartisan Bill that seeks to amend aspects of the electoral law.” According to a report in another section of the media, Harmon had said that the reforms must take into consideration the rulings of local and regional courts and that the Coalition was not interested in the holding of any new elections with the same electoral laws in place. Harmon said after the current election petitions which challenge the March 02, 2020 elections are heard and determined, the Coalition will not be interested in the holding of any new elections with the same electoral laws in place. When the APNU+AFC took over in 2015, it was in possession of a solid body of recommendations which it could have used to undertake electoral reforms. Among the recommendations were those from the Organisation of American States (OAS), which called for the electronic tabulation of the preliminary results to obviate the extended time, which it takes for tabulating preliminary
results manually; and for automatic recounts where the difference in votes between the top two candidates falls below a certain threshold. The Carter Center had also suggested that the country’s electoral laws be amended to allow for individual candidates to stand for President. It had also called for attention to be paid to the structure, staffing, recruitment and training of GECOM staff. In fact, the OAS Mission to the 2011 Elections had recommended a comprehensive review of the transmission, tabulation, and declaration of both preliminary and final results procedures so as to ensure a timely and transparent process. However, in the five years when it was in office, the APNU+AFC did nothing about electoral reform. The APNU+AFC was aware of the recommendations concerning the make-up of the Guyana Elections Commission. Even the Carter Center whose founder had brokered the Carter formula which is used to constitute the Commission had made recommendations for changes. In its 2015 Observer Mission Final Report, there is an appendix in which it lists previous recommendations, one of which calls for a revamping of the Carter Formula. The Carter Center had this to say on the issue, “The socalled “Carter formula,” which has been followed since 1992, provides for an election commission with balanced representation of ruling and opposition parties. While adoption of this model was critical to the success of the breakthrough transitional elections in 1992, in subsequent elections, it has
allowed party interests to interfere with effective electoral administration. As part of electoral reform efforts, Guyana should give careful consideration to alternative models, possibly reducing or eliminating political party representation and increasing the role of independent members of civil society and professional experts.” Given this background, the casual observer may be confounded by the Opposition and its sidekick’s recent stance towards the project, which has been launched for electoral reform. There can be little objection to the government taking the lead on this issue. After all, it is the Government’s duty to acquire the funding and technical support needed for initiating electoral reforms. The Opposition feels that there is a need for consensus. But what sort of consensus? Consensus about how the process should proceed? The process is merely at the preliminary stages. The agency which is providing the technical expertise is expected to meet with all stakeholders and from this to develop an approach. And, therefore, the Opposition’s opposition is premature. The Government cannot be faulted for not consulting on the process leading to the process. The APNU+AFC Coalition does not recognise the PPP/C administration. Therefore, how can the government consult with an entity, which does not recognise it. Concerns have been raised about the choice of the International Republican Institute (IRI). This is an organisation, which has had a controversial record and which even the pro-business PPP/C should be wary of.
Dem Boys Seh…
Exxon come and de fish gone De Big Lady in de US Embassy want we regulate de local fishing industry. But dem boys asking wah fishing industry? Dem fishermen dem out at sea, literally and figuratively. Dem want know way de fishing deh. Dem throwing dem net and dem nah getting de fish. Since Exxon come, dem fish gone! But de Big Lady nah gan tell Exxon fuh regulate dem activities. De whole situation affecting fish. Dem gat to run away from de pollution, de flaring and de nose caused by the seismic surveys. No
wonder dem fishermen nah getting wuk. Dem sitting on de dock of de bay watching de fish swim away. One day a fisherman deh sitting on the docks, smoking he cigarette. A business man see him doing dis and is confused. “Why aren’t you out fishing?” asked de business man. “I have caught a lil bit of fish last week!” replied de fisherman.” “Why don’t you go catch more?” asked de businessman. “And why would I want to that?” replied de fisherman. “Why if you caught more fish, you could get a bigger
boat and go out to deeper waters, catch more fish, soon you could have a fleet of fishing boats, all getting you fish to sell, you could be rich.” De fisherman sits and ponders for a second and said, “And why would I want that?” De businessman is surprised at de laid-back attitude of de fisherman. He said, “If you were rich, you could spend all day relaxing and doing whatever you want.” De fisherman quickly shoots back, “So what does it look like I’m doing now?” Talk half and nah try fuh tell fisher folk about dem wuk.
The IRI is the anti-left wing surrogate of the National Endowment for Democracy which the PNC knew had a role in the establishment of the free-press in Guyana under the Hoyte regime. And the ideological leanings of the
IRI can hardly be of bother to the right-wing politics of the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAGE 16 WANTED
Mason and Carpenter wanted Contact 657-5800/ 666-2887/ 602-9469
FOR RENT Business spot/ bond space Sandy Babb St Kitty. $1500US neg. Contact 653-2774 CAR RENTAL AIDAN'S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.
2 Bedroom unfurnished apt Sandy Babb St Kitty $60,000 Contact 653-2774 Space to rent 5000 SQ FT located @ 76 First Avenue, Bartica Contact #650-0402/ 260-4115 1 & 2 bedroom apartment $40,000 & $50,000 one month rent with one month security, Herstelling Tel#696-1680 Stacey Henry
Wanted live in domestic for Georgetown location Contact 687-7638/ 674-1767
FOR SALE 1- Caterpillar backhoe 3.5M Downpayment $2.5M Cantact 650-0402/ 632-9929
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Male cleaner for workshop Call 642-9823
BUILDING CONTRACTOR HOUSE PLANS ESTIMATE BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION CALL 649-7114 guybuildersco@outlook.com
TO LET 2 bedroom unfurnished apartment in Eccles New Scheme and rooms in Albertown 2253234/ 628-1183
CXC spanish tutoring available online and face to face classes, at an afforable package 633-8311
FOR RENT 3 and 2 bedroom apartment, newly renovated, at 266 New Market street Contact Prem 651-1630 Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email:dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com Furnish apt one bedroom,two bedroom, three bedroom, providence and diamond Tel#672-1906, 682-6238, 216-2299 1 Cafeteria to rent 2748 old road Land of Canaan Tel#668-0306/ 676-0506 great for starting new business
Maid to cook and clean for the East Bank area Call 615-9132 Female cleaner for office Call 642-9823
One unfinished house and business at Kaneville E.B.D price $10M. Contact 699-7546, 600-4292
Smart Meats check us out @ Keisha's Building, Daily chicken pie, potato pie & more
VACANCY
2 year old 52 Banga boat with 452 lb sein 160hp and 140hp Yamaha Contact 649-1512
Repairs and servicing, refridgerator, treadmill, washing machine, stove, pressure pump, filtration system dryer, deepfryer etc 694-9733
Auto Electrical apprentice Age 19-25yrs apply in person Lot 120 forth street Albertown G/Town or Call 610-0340 One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com Receptionist supervisor room attendant 30-50 yrs 233 South Road Lacytown Tel#225-2304 One truck Driver - full time Apply at lens 136 Sheriff Street C/ Ville Tel#227-2486
WANTED
One porter apply at Len's 136 Sheriff Street, C/ Ville Tel#2272486
Male factory worker apply in person at RP Enterprise area K' Leressouvnir E.C.D Tel#220-2818
Farmers / farm workers Contact: 621-4992 or 227-5289 Location Canal No:2 West Bank Demerara
One (1) welder to do grill work Call 625-5763
CXC Mathematics and English required 173 Sheriff street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel#227-5286-9, E m a i l survival.humanresources@gmail.com
Wanted one cook perferably from the West Bank Demerara. Call Sophie 679-2612 Assistant cook must know to make pastry, roti, puri Call 6093643 One live-in babysitter needed Contact Owen on 636-2310 or 622-4576 Urgent: 1 experience kitchen assistant/ domestic live- in available 25-45yrs Tel#6956550/ 656-9313 Farm workers in a cash crop farm in Timehri living accomendation provided Tel#661-1585/ 617-2032 Sailor cook and watch man to work on @ water dredge Tel#226-0772/ 225-9304
Health Ministry records three more COVID-19 fatalities
Cook/ Baker, Kitchen Assistant , Pitmen and Hauler opThe Ministry of Health erator for inteior location. Ap- (MoH) yesterday reported plicants must be experienced. that three persons who tested Call 231-2250 positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) have Land Dredge workers with chain saw experience Call 639- died. Their deaths now bring Guyana’s COVID-19 death 2219 toll to 341. The latest fatalities are Wanted female to work at bar in the interior Age 18-25 Con- two men, a 65-year-old from Region Four (Demeraratact 687-7638/ 674-1767 Mahaica) and a 54-year-old Wanted female maid to work at hotel in interior 25years and over Contact 687-7638/ 6741767
SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Drawing of Building or house plan (Architectual) and also Estimate Call 2160671, 692-8464, whatsapp 622-0267
Monday May 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
Requirements: Valid Drivers License (With Motor Lorry) 173 Sheriff street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 227-5286-9, Email: survival.humanresources@gmail.com Vacancy for cashiers to work at superbet Tel#691-7123
from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and an 84-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). According to the Ministry’s Press Release, all three persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Furthermore, the Ministry via its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 103 new COVID-19 cases, taking the
total number of confirmed cases to 15,271. The dashboard also shows that 14 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 110 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,839 in home isolation and eight persons are quarantined institutionally. To date, 12,967 recoveries have been recorded.
Monday May 17, 2021
Bandits wearing reflective vests rob gas station A video that was circulating on social media y e s t e r d a y captured a robbery by two bandits at a Rubis Gas Station outlet. The two men, wearing matching reflective vests, robbed the outlet of an undisclosed amount of cash. Kaieteu r News c o n f i r m e d t h e v i d e o ’s authenticity with the G u y a n a P o l i c e Force’s Deputy Communications Director, Stan Gouveia. According to the video seen by this publication, a lone cashier was in the gas station at the time when one of the bandits stepped in. The suspect then approached the female employee, pulled out his handgun and demanded cash. The video then showed one of the suspects checking to make sure no one else was in the building. The suspect then removed the money from where it was situated behind the counter and placed it in a
A screen grab of the robbery bag while his accomplice kept an eye on the woman. The men then made good
their escape. An investigation into the matter has been launched.
Cops under close arrest after killing suspect - Claims he attempted to draw a weapon Two cops have been placed under close arrest after they reportedly killed a suspect on Saturday last. The dead suspect has been identified as Peter Headley, 45, of Dowding Street Kitty. Kaieteur News learned too that he was a deportee from the United States of America and is also the son-in-law of the owner of the Drum Yard located in David Street, Kitty. According to police reports, the suspect was shot by one of two ranks while he was being transported in a car to the Providence Police Station located on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). Headley was reportedly arrested along with another man around 20:45hrs at Nandy Park, EBD. The two were suspected to be involved in a robbery, which took place in Herstelling on Tuesday last. Headley and the man were reportedly in a motor vehicle (driven by Headley) when the patrol ranks intercepted them. The ranks reportedly searched the car and found a television set, which they suspected was stolen by the men in the robbery. The man was arrested and placed in the police patrol vehicle while the cops placed Headley into passenger seat of his vehicle. One rank entered the
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Kaieteur News
Two seriously injured in separate weekend accidents Two men are now patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after they were involved in two separate vehicular accidents on Saturday. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is currently seeking the public’s assistance in identifying one of the men who is now in a critical state following a hit and run accident on Duncan Street. The injured man who is of East Indian decent was reportedly struck down around 04:47hrs by a white Toyota Axio motorcar. It was reported to the police that the injured man was seen standing in the middle of Duncan Street when he was struck down by the motorcar. Due to the impact of the hit, he was flung some distance away from where he stood. The driver of the white Toyota car reportedly did not stop and fled the scene in the Eastern direction. Public-spirited persons who were there at the scene summoned the Emergency Medical Technicians, who then escorted the man to the hospital. According to police reports, he was admitted in the Critical Bay Ward where he is receiving treatment for injuries to his head, chest and
Still to be identified. genital area. Meanwhile, on the East Coast Demerara, a 34-year-old man from Number 50 Village, Corentyne, Berbice whose name was not released by the police, is currently hospitalised in a stable condition after being involved in a motor pick-up and minibus collision. According to police reports, the accident occurred on the Plaisance Public Road around 07:30hrs. Moments before the
The suspect who was shot and killed, Peter Headley driver’s seat while another armed with his rifle entered the back passenger seat. They then drove off. However, during the journey the ranks claimed that Headley allegedly reached under seat and pulled out what looked like a gun. This prompted the rank sitting in the back seat to shoot Headley. The ranks then reportedly drove the wounded suspect to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he succumbed while receiving treatment. Police reported that the bullet had struck him to his body. Kaieteur News
understands that cops’ claims were filled with inconsistencies and they were placed under close arrest. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the matter. This newspaper had reached out to the relevant police authorities to find out what the inconsistencies were but up to press time, they had not responded. Speaking with this media house yesterday Headley’s uncle, Ivan Tyrell, said his nephew was deported from the US some three years ago for a criminal offence.
The scene from the East Coast of Demerara accident showing the toppled motor pick-up and damaged minibus.
collision occurred, the motor pick-up, which was driven by the 34-year-old man was travelling west along the northern lane of the road at a speed. According to the police, the driver applied brakes, which caused the pick-up to slide and collide with the nearby median. The driver lost control of his pickup, which ended up turning over several times, after which it collided with the back of the minibus before coming to a complete stop. As a result of the collision, both drivers and the passengers of the vehicles received several injuries about their bodies. Reports are that three women who were passengers of the minibus were rushed to a private a hospital where they were attended to and sent away. The drivers and a male passenger of the pickup were taken to the GPHC for medical attention. The minibus driver and the male passenger were treated and sent away but the injured Berbician was admitted after suffering from blunt trauma to his chest and other injuries. Investigations into both accidents are still ongoing.
Monday May 17, 2021
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Kaieteur News
MCY&S/GCF Independence Three Stage Road Race
Brition John is overall champ as Jamaul John wins 3rd stage By Zaheer Mohamed
Overall winner Briton John. (Zaheer Mohamed photos)
Briton John of We Stand United Cycle Club was crowned overall champion of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF)/ Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport three stage road race after placing second in the third and final stage yesterday. Briton John entered the third stage as the leader in the senior men’s division after winning the first stage and placing fourth in the second. He clocked 2 hours 42 minutes 29 seconds in the third stage, while his overall timing was 6 hours 56 minutes 57 seconds.
Monday May 17, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A relaxing evening at home may be just what you need, but a colleague might ask you to attend a business-related event. You may have had a stressful few days. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A friend may be throwing a party and you might be expected to attend. You've probably had a stressful day and really don't feel up to it. Your friend may try to induce you to come by making you feel guilty. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might receive some uncomfortable intuitive signals from one or more of your friends, Gemini. Perhaps someone doesn't feel well but came out to play anyway. CANCER(June21–July22) Today you may attain a goal you've been hoping to reach for a long time Oddly enough, friends, family, and even your significant other may not seem as happy as you expected. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you may be anxious to spend time with your family, Leo, but there could be some chores you need to do first. This could stress you out quite a bit if you let it. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today it might be more difficult than usual for you to deal with words, Virgo. Someone might lend you a book on a rather obscure subject that you can't understand. In fact, you might find the book - or anything else you try to read - boring!
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some news that comes to you from a friend or colleague could shake you up today. You might find that what you learn casts doubts on concepts you've embraced for most of your life. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you may see that nearly every couple you know is quarreling, Scorpio. You may have a few differences with a current or potential partner, but this is nothing to worry about. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you may be in a very stressful atmosphere. Your entourage is likely to be tense and anxious, and you're no exception. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You and a current or potential partner may disagree on whether to spend some time together alone or go out with friends, Capricorn. If you've both had a rough day, you're likely to be rather tense and apt to snap at each other. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A relaxing evening at home may be just what you need, but a colleague might ask you to attend a businessrelated event. You may have had a stressful few days. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you may try to contact several people, Pisces, none of whom may be available. You might particularly want to reach a female friend or relative who lives far away.
Jamual John of Foundation Cycle Club rode brilliantly to win the third stage which commenced at 07:30hrs from Kara Kara in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden and concluded at Banks DIH, Thirst Park in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes 29 minutes. He placed second overall with a time of 6:57:09. The third stage gradually picked up momentum and it came down to a duel between Jamual and Briton, however, Jamual managed to evade his rival with about 500 meters to the finish line. Raynauth Jeffrey of team Foundation placed third, while Paul De Nobrega of Team Evolution was fourth followed by Kemuel Moses of Team Alanis and Christopher Griffith of Team Evolution. De Nobrega took third position overall with a time of 7:01:56, Jeffrey placed fourth in 7:02:17 followed by Griffith in 7:02:23 and Alexis Mendis
...Why no Hetmyer in From page 23 66 at an Ave of 21.80. Three of those matches were against Pakistan in the West Indies, while the other two were against host New Zealand whom he scored his maiden fifty against. In 2018, his best year, he played five Tests, batted 10 times, scored 376, made his highest Test score of 93 and Averaged 37.60. Hetmyer scored three half centuries, slamming 86 against Bangladesh in Jamaica. He made 63 and 93 against the home team Bangladesh in two Tests after an ordinary two Tests in India. In 2019 the pugnacious batsman played six Tests batted 10 times scored 244 with his highest score being 81 against England in Barbados at an Average of 24.40. He played three Tests against England in the West Indies, two against India in the West Indies and two against Afghanistan in India. Hetmyer has scored 326 runs from three Tests at an Average of 54.33 against Bangladesh, 122 at an Average of 30.5 against New Zealand from two Tests, 121 against India at an Average of 15.2 from two matches, 160 at an average 32.00 from three matches, 96 against Pakistan from three matches at an Average of 16.00 and 13 against Afghanistan in one Test in November 2019.
in 7:02:26. Speaking with the media, Briton said it was tough race and lauded his team members for the support. He added that he is looking forward to a fruitful upcoming season, while Jamaul credited Briton on his victory and said he too is looking forward to an exciting season ahead. Alexis Mendes won the third stage in the masters category in a time of 2 hours
47 minutes 14 seconds, while Stephen Fernandes of Team Evolution took the runner up spot, Paul Choo-wee-nam of Alanis was third and Ian Jackson of Flying Star was fourth. Mendes took the overall title with a time of 7:02:20, while Fernandes placed second in 7:02:23, Choo-weenam was third in 7:02:24 and Walter Grant-Stuart fourth in 7:02:35.
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Kaieteur News
Monday May 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
Monday May 17, 2021
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Jofra Archer ruled out of New Zealand Tests due to elbow concerns
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SPNcricinfo Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s twoTest series against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on June 2, and may face surgery on his troublesome right elbow after failing to come through this week’s return to first-class action. Archer, who was withdrawn from this year’s IPL prior to its postponement earlier this month, had undergone a series of cortisone injections to enable him to get through the T20I leg of England’s whiteball tour of India in March. He also underwent an operation on the middle finger of his right hand while receiving further treatment on his elbow, to remove a splinter of glass following a bizarre incident involving a fish-tank. He showed no ill effects following that treatment and has been playing without protection on the affected digit. After a low-key return to action for Sussex’s second XI against Surrey two weeks ago, Archer appeared to be returning to his best when he picked up two wickets, including his England Test
team-mate Zak Crawley, in a hostile new-ball burst on his return to the County Championship against Kent at Hove this week. However, he bowled just five overs in Kent’s second innings, and none on the final two days of the match, a situation that appeared to have caused confusion for his Sussex captain Ben Brown on the third morning, when he gestured for Archer to open the bowling but had to turn instead to his teammate George Garton. “It was a communication thing with Jofra on Saturday evening,” Brown said at the conclusion of the match. “There is no issue. I asked him beforehand if he was going to have a bowl and he said yes in a warm-up capacity. But he was feeling too sore to bowl.”The issue here is a sad one for Jofra. He’s a champion cricketer, so talented and so gifted, but at the moment he cannot do what he wants to do, he cannot do his skill. “I really feel for him. He’s in a difficult situation, with that skill of bowling really fast being taken away from him if you like. This week has been very
Swiatek demolishes Pliskova to claim Rome crown (Reuters) -French Open champion Iga Swiatek served a warning to her rivals ahead of the claycourt Grand Slam with a 6-0 6-0 demolition of former world number one Karolina Pliskova in the Italian Open final yesterday. The victory in 46 minutes meant the world number 15 from Poland, who shot to fame at Roland Garros last year by beating Sofia Kenin in straight sets in the final, will enter the top 10 for the first time when the new rankings are out today. Swiatek’s third title overall following triumphs at Roland Garros and Adelaide came on the back of one of the most dominant performances of the 19-yearold’s career as she dropped only 13 points against the Czech, who was the 2019 Rome champion. “I’m really happy to win this tournament in Rome, it’s been a tough week from the
challenging for him. He was hopeful about how it would go, but he’s felt pretty sore in this game.” An ECB statement subsequently confirmed that Archer “was suffering from pain in his right elbow when bowling and was unable to bowl in the final two days of the match. “The England and Sussex medical teams will now seek guidance,” the statement continued, “and Archer will see a medical consultant later this week to determine the next course of action on the management of his elbow.” Archer first suffered problems with his right elbow during the tour of South Africa in January 2020, when a stress fracture was detected that ruled him out of the final three Tests of the series, as well as the subsequent one-day campaign. The option of surgery may be the preferred course of action for Archer and for England - not to mention his IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals - given his importance to the team’s plans across formats in the back-end of the year.
Iga Swiatek celebrates with trophy following her triumph.
As the MVP in the last IPL in November 2020, and following a series of hostile displays in the 3-2 series loss in India, Archer’s value to England’s T20I attack is paramount, especially given that the team will go into the T20 World Cup in October and November as one of the favourites, and seeking to become the first team to hold the 50-over and 20-over titles concurrently. Then there is the Ashes campaign in Australia hot on that tournament’s heels - a tour that England’s Test captain, Joe Root, admitted this week was the “pinnacle” of their plans for 2021, notwithstanding a fivematch home series against India before that. In the meantime, England have already indicated that they will be giving opportunities to fringe members of their Test squad during the New
Zealand series - not least among them, Archer ’s fellow Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, who has been a fixture in the bio-secure environment without yet being given a Test debut. Mark Wood and Olly Stone, who like Archer can bowl at speeds in excess of 90mph, are expected to be included in the squad, although the contingent of
Jofra Archer bowled 29.2 overs for Sussex’s 2nd XI last week. (Getty Image)
players who have recently returned from the IPL including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali - are expected to be rested, due to the time they have already spent in bio-secure environments. Ben Stokes is already ruled out of the series after sustaining a broken finger during his stint with Rajasthan Royals at the IPL.
RHTY&SC 6th Patron Charles Ramson Jr. receiving a plaque from the Club’s Youth Ambassador, Ms. Denica Henry. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Minister Charles Ramson inducted as RHTY&SC’s 6th Honorary Patron Club hosts modest but impressive 31st Anniversary Awards ceremony By Franklin Wilson Honourable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. was yesterday afternoon inducted as the sixth Honourary Patron (2021 – 2026) of Guyana’s most successful club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS., when their 31 Anniversary Awards Ceremony was held at the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club. A reduced number of invitees attended due to the effects of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic but the ambience, pump and ceremony that has become the norm of such activities hosted by the club still saturated the afternoon’s activity which saw 15 persons receiving the Dolphin Award of Excellence, including Minister Ramson along with his Father and Mother for their sterling contributions to Guyana. The Dolphin Award of Excellence is the club’s highest award. The activity was also graced with the presence of His Worship Dave Boodhoo, Mayor of Guyana’s smallest Town, Rose st
beginning,” said Swiatek, who won her quarter-final and semi-final matches in straight sets on Saturday after they were postponed due to rain. “I’m really happy I got through everything and I was really focused today, so I’m proud of myself. Now I’ve finally earned some tiramisu.” She served with ruthless accuracy, winning more than 93% of points on her first serve, and converted six out
of eight break point opportunities to close out the win against a frustrated Pliskova, who had no answers on the day. It was also the first double bagel in the final of the Rome tournament and the most one-sided since Hungary’s Andrea Temesvari beat American Bonnie Gadusek 6-1 6-0 in 1983. The French Open begins on May 30.
Hall, REO Navindra Singh and Member of Parliament Faizul Jaffarally. Previous Patrons of the RHTY&SC are President Hugh Desmond Hoyte (deceased) who was the first Patron, President David Granger, Former Ansa McAl Managing Director Ms. Beverly Harper, Farfan and Mendes Limited’s June Mendes and Peter Ramsaroop. As Patron, Minister Ramson is expected to be the face of the club and be the number one role model for its members as the entity continues to lead by example with regards to assisting and directing the positive pathway for its members. Since being established in 1990, RHTY&SC has grown and expanded its level of assistance way beyond just its members. It has become an household name in Guyana through its work of assisting and empowering youths, organisations, NGO’s, clubs as well as sports associations and federations in Guyana. Minister Ramson has promised to serve with distinction during his tenure as Patron.
Kaieteur News
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Keeper Alisson’s stoppage-time header keeps Liverpool’s top-four fate in own hands
Monday May 17, 2021
The goal is, as you may imagine, the first Alisson has scored in his career. (Getty Images)
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BC Sport Goalkeeper Alisson scored an in cr ed ib le injury-time winner as Liverpool claimed a significant 2-1 victory in their quest to achieve a Premier League top-four finish by coming from behind to beat West Brom. With three points a must and just seconds left of a game in which the visitors had been frustrated by an obstinate and disciplined Baggies, the Brazilian keeper came up for a corner. It was surely the Reds’ final chance to snatch the win and so it proved as Alisson rose to glance Trent A l e x a n d e r- A r n o l d ’s delivery into the far corner of the net to send the away side into delirium. In an example of extraordinary timing, it is the first occasion in which a goalkeeper has scored a competitive goal for Liverpool in their entire
history, dating back to 1892. The stunning moment takes the Reds just a point and a place behind Chelsea in fourth and three points worse off than third-placed Leicester with two games to go. That the Blues and Foxes face each other in their next league game gives Jurgen K l o p p ’s s i d e a h u g e
opportunity to take control of their own destiny in the race for Champions League qualification when they travel to Burnley on Wednesday. Things had got off to a terrible start for the reigning champions at the Hawthorns with Hal Robson-Kanu capping his first Premier League start since December
Fury confirms August date for Joshua fight in Saudi Arabia
2017 with a neat side-foot finish to give West Brom the lead. A typically incisive Mohamed Salah finish brought the visitors level, with the Egyptian’s low shot inside the far post taking him to 22 goals for the season, level with Harry Kane at the top of the scoring charts. With Roberto Firmino firing against the woodwork, Sadio Mane seeing a finish ruled out for offside and others profligate in front of goal, it looked as though the Reds had blown their chance. B u t A l i s s o n ’s b i g
moment keeps them firmly in the hunt. “I just tried to run into a good place and be there to try and help my players, to bring a defender, but no one followed me and I am lucky and blessed, sometimes things you can’t explain,” Alisson told Sky Sports. “You can’t explain a lot of things in my life, the only reason is God and he put his hand on my head today and I’m feeling very blessed.” He also paid an emotional tribute to his late father, who drowned, aged 57, in February. “I’m too emotional, this
last month for everything that has happened with me and my family, but football is my life, I played since I can remember with my father,” he added. “I hope he was here to see it, I’m sure he is celebrating with God at his side.” Reds boss Klopp said: “It’s an unbelievable header, I’ve never seen anything like that, good technique. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing. “We are really close and know exactly what it m e a n s t o h i m , i t ’s outstanding, really touching. It’s only football but it means the world to us.”
Nadal overcomes blip to scythe down Djokovic in Rome final Tyson Fury has announced his heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua is on. SportsMax - Tyson Fury has announced his heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua is “100 per cent on” for August 14 in Saudi Arabia. The respective teams for the two rivals have been involved in protracted negotiations over a unification fight, but it appears a date has now been agreed upon by both sides. Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles will be on the line in the bout, while the unbeaten Fury currently holds the WBC belt. In a video posted on social media yesterday, Fury made clear his delight as he confirmed the details for the bout, while he also promised to “smash” his fellow Briton when they finally face each other. “I’ve got some massive news for you all, guys. I’ve just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia and he’s told me that this fight is 100 per cent on,” he said. “August 14, 2021, summertime. All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I cannot wait, repeat, cannot wait
to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all time. “This is going to be the biggest sporting event to grace planet Earth. Do not miss it. All eyes on us.” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn revealed recently that organisers in Saudi Arabia plan to “shock the world” with a purpose-built venue for the muchanticipated bout. Joshua has previously fought in Diriyah, beating Andy Ruiz Jr there in December 2019 to avenge the only loss of his professional career to date. “They want to create something very, very special. Last time they built a stadium for the Andy Ruiz Jr fight in just seven weeks and it held 18,000,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “This will be a similar set-up. They have the opportunity to hold it indoors but they want to create something that will shock the world. “They want to build a stadium just for this fight.”
(Reuters) - Rafa Nadal warmed up for the French Open with a battling 7-5 1-6 6-3 win over world number one Novak Djokovic as the Spaniard claimed a recordextending 10th Italian Open title in Rome yesterday in the latest chapter of their rivalry. After a mid-match wobble, Nadal turned up the heat in the decisive moments of his 57th meeting with top seed Djokovic - the pair’s ninth in Rome - to secure the victory over the defending champion in two hours and 49 minutes. “I was lucky in some moments, especially against (Denis) Shapovalov,” Nadal said, referring to the round of 16 match he won in a tiebreak in the decider. “And then I think I played a good tournament, I have been playing better and better, finding my rhythm on clay. I had a very positive week and I’m very happy. “It’s amazing to have this trophy in my hands for the
Rafa Nadal bites the trophy at the presentation.
10th time. It’s something impossible to imagine but it happened so I’m super happy and can’t thank my team enough.” Nadal broke to go ahead 6-5 in a tight opening set and staved off a late comeback attempt from Djokovic to take the early advantage in the contest with a searing inside-out forehand that caught the Serbian off guard. But Djokovic, who lost to Nadal in their previous meeting in the Roland Garros final last year,
pounced in the second set to race ahead 5-1 as the Spaniard’s intensity dropped and quickly levelled the match at one set apiece. Second seed Nadal then saved two break points at 2-2 in the decider and fired an emphatic shot down the line to hold, before switching gears to complete the win and match Djokovic’s record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles. Nadal will now target a 14th French Open crown when the claycourt Grand Slam begins on May 30.
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Monday May 17, 2021
PAGE 23
Why no Hetmyer in 30-man Test Squad? He should be asked to open the batting By Sean Devers I am among those who supported CWI for not granting Guyanese lefthander Shimron Hetmyer a performance contract after he failed to reach their performance criteria. The Berbician from Cumberland in Canje has played 16 Tests since making his debut in 2017. He has batted 30 times scored 838 with a highest score of 93 at an Ave of 27.93. The 24-year-old has five fifties at Test level but in the 2019 season he played just two Tests, scored 71 from his four innings and Averaged 17.75, while in the 2019/ 2020 season his only Test was against Afghanistan when he made 13 in his only innings. This was during the performance criteria period. The trio of Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul opted out of the England tour in July 2020, while Hetmyer were among those who decided not to participate in the Bangladesh tour due to safety reasons last January. Two failed fitness Tests resulted in Hetmyer missing the Test Series at home against Sri Lanka. However, after it was disclosed the Hetmyer was ‘available for the entire home series’ it was most surprising that he was not selected in a 30-man Test squad for a camp in St Lucia preceding the Test series against South Africa. It was very surprising to see 27-year-old Jamaican John Campbell who has played 15 Tests, batted 30 times, scored 640 runs at an average 23.70 and rookie, 29-year-old Jamaican Paul Palmer who has a First Class Average of 23.85 in 40 matches, included ahead of the pugnacious Southpaw. They are both older than Hetmyer. In 2019, Campbell
Campbell has been picked in the 30-man Test squad despite his poor Test record.
played six Tests and made 298 runs at an Average of 29.80, while in 2020 he played five Tests, scoring 194 runs at an Average of 21.55. Although Hetymer’s Test Av e r a g e o f 2 7 . 9 3 i s unacceptable after four years at this level, Campbell’s 23.70 is even worse. It is hard to believe that Hetmyer is not among the best 30 ‘Red ball’ players in the West Indies. Chairman of the CWI selection panel, Roger Harper explained on the last ‘Sean Devers Sports Watch’ on Kaieteur Radio that Campbell was ‘given a long run’ (despite his mediocre performances), because there are no other opening batsmen to replace him at the top of the order to partner Skipper Kraigg Braithwaite. That statement in itself is a massive indictment in the quality of the First Class game in the West Indies. However, in much the same way that Guyana Captain, Leon Johnson, was sacrificed as an opener when he batted all of his career in the middle order, Hetmyer could be asked to open the batting in Test cricket. This would be nothing new to the left-hander who was an opening batsman for his Young Warriors club in Berbice division one cricket and who opened for Berbice and Guyana teams at U-19 level. Hetmyer, who played in two U-19 World Cups for the West Indies; winning the 2016 version as Captain, also opened the batting for the West Indies U-19 World Cup Team. Hetmyer made his first class debut against Trinidad & Tobago at Providence on April 10, 2014, batted at number three with Trevon Griffith and Tagenarine Chanderpaul opening the batting before he and
Chanderpaul opened together in the 2014 U-19 World Cup. In 39 First-Class matches since then, the former West Indies U-19 captain has batted 70 times, scored 2125, with a highest score of 107 (only ton) at an Average 31.71. Hetymer’s Test record: In 2017 he played five Tests, batted 10 times scored 218 with a highest score of (Continued on page 19)
Shimron Hetmyer seemed unlucky not to be picked in the 30-man Test Squad.