PAGE 4
Thursday May 31, 2018
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 BRAVERY OF A NURSE Despite the unanimous passage of the Whistleblower Protection legislation last year, the truth is the exposure of corrupt and other illegal practices of government officials by whistleblowers could be dangerous. The reason is whistleblowers without strong political connections could face serious reprisals and victimization from operatives from the political party in power at the time. This was what happened to nurse Sherlyn Marks at the Fort Wellington Hospital. She had worked for several years at the Fort Wellington Hospital and had resided in the area, but was abruptly transferred against her will to another hospital by the Region Five Executive Officer. She had refused to administer the narcotic, Pethidine, to a former Region Five councillor. The councillor subsequently resigned amid published reports of the abuse and addiction to the drug. Pethidine is highly addictive; it is not intended for prolonged use. Many countries have replaced it with morphine, which is just as effective as a painkiller, but less addictive. While there is ample availability of morphine in Guyana, many doctors continue to prescribe the addictive Pethidine medication to their patients. The councillor who became addicted to the narcotic medication, has been accused of using her political status to access frequent doses of the drug at the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice. Pethidine is an old drug, and its addiction is a serious problem, not only globally, but in Guyana. There are many citizens whose lives have become miserable and depressed and whose families endure unbelievable agony because of pethidine addiction. The former APNU+AFC councillor abuse and addiction to Pethidine has been a personal tragedy. It was unfortunate that the nurse was on duty at the Fort Wellington Hospital on several occasions when the councillor showed up for her daily dosage of Pethidine. She did not want to help the councilor to sink deeper into the depth of pethidine addiction. She had the moral courage and professionalism not to be an enabler to the councillor. But there were many at the hospital, who out of fear of reprisals from the political elites, were willing to be enablers. Nurse Marks was punished for doing her job by refusing to provide an addictive drug to a patient already seriously hooked on it. Her refusal was moral and ethical and was based on medical and legal principle. It was based on the adherence to her Nurse Nightingale pledge to not administer any harmful medicine to patients. Nurse Marks is a responsible nurse, who was willing to provide proper health care to patients based on her training, but she was not willing to provide substance abuse to anyone. We need more brave nurses and healthcare providers like Ms. Marks who was punished by the APNU+AFC government for doing the right thing. Several investigations by the Guyana Nursing Council, the Guyana Medial Council, Guyana Public Service Union and the Ministry of Public Health have found that Nurse Marks did not breach any rules and that the actions taken against her were inappropriate, yet her transfer from her post at the Fort Wellington Hospital last April has not been rescinded. What is even worse was that the overwhelming silence by the Ministry of Health and by extension the government highlights the failure of the system to be a supporter of the Whistleblower legislation.
It is time this economic and political malice ends DEAR EDITOR, I have watched with great interest, the many attack articles on Guyana Goldfields. Anyone with common sense, after reading that Guyana Goldfields paid billions in taxes and definitely far more than any other company in Guyana. This includes over G$1 billion to the complaining aircraft owners, who seem to be unable to adjust their business model to a competitive environment that is rapidly becoming the status quo with oil arriving soon. I fully agree with the quote from Guyana Goldfields’ Press Release in which it stated that a particular newspaper was carrying out a “vicious and seemingly politically-motivated campaign to discredit the company and mislead the public.” I hope the architects of the Cybercrime Bill understand the new form of terrorism, especially when knowing false information is spread. The extreme lack of business sophistication of the Guyanese media and private sector has been very evident over the last few weeks. Globally competitive companies adhere to four strategic principles: namely (1) be profit-
able, (2) obey the law, (3) be ethical and (4) be a good corporate citizen (be philanthropic). The articles in the Kaieteur News have exposed this lack of sophistication and perhaps business malice towards a company that is the largest single contributor to Guyana’s treasury on an annual basis. Whether it is the owners of local aircraft companies or their media surrogates, the attacks, which can be construed as malice, seem to be a concerted effort to hold Guyana Goldfields hostage to business extortion to use their aircraft, even when these businessmen and women themselves know they would do exactly what Guyana Goldfields has done, were they forced with incredible transportation costs that impact their profitability, safety and flexibility. To be sure, any well-managed company, anywhere in the world, which is leasing aircraft for sometimes up to 30 flights per week, as Guyana Goldfields did for over two years, would make the appropriate business decision to buy their own plane. This decision not only helps to control expenses, but also provides more flexibility in their
operations. Furthermore, given the many aircraft problems in Guyana over the last several years, any company with expats, would be forced by their insurance companies to manage that significant risk. Truth be said, Guyana Goldfields has spent over a billion dollars with local aircraft carriers prior to making a decision to buy, yes buy, their own aircraft. The most recent May 23, 2018 Kaieteur News headline: “Aurora Gold Mine aborts locals; hires Canadian airline to fly domestic trips” is both a purposeful lie and malicious in its intent. The company bought their own plane, as any smart company would. The crew is made up of both Guyanese and Canadian pilots, thus creating more Guyanese jobs, and have added a different set of skills, given the twin otter is not used by other companies in Guyana. Perhaps Guyana Goldfields should sue both the newspaper and the author of the article for billions, given that this negative and malicious information can affect the stock price of this Toronto Stock Exchangelisted company since it seems
as if that is the intent. Lost in all this hysteria and malice is the fact that for over 10 years Guyana Goldfields invested over GYD $30 billion without finding any gold. During that period, Guyana Goldfields hired thousands of Guyanese and benefitted from few concessions from the Government. Guyana Goldfields has taken all the risk with money raised on the stock exchange. Within this time frame, over 30 exploration companies have been registered in Guyana, expended millions of US dollars seeking commercial deposits of resources, found nothing, and left the country. That is the risk a company assumes in the search for natural resources. It is time this economic and political malice ends. It is disgraceful. It can damage the company’s stock, and foreign courts can be harsh on malice of this nature. Is this economic extortion of a company, which has hundreds of local vendors and the best Corporate Social Responsibility practices in Guyana? I hope the owner of the Kaieteur News accepts responsibility for this gross (Continued on page 06)
Bullying, Mae’s School and the Sexualization of Children DEAR EDITOR, The recent act of bullying and utter disrespect of the nine-year-old boy at Mae’s School for proudly wearing his Indigenous outfit has left, not only me, but many, absolutely furious. And I can’t begin to imagine the frustration other Indigenous people felt, since the prejudice against them doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. But let’s focus on this poor boy’s situation alone. There are two issues I want to bring up.Firstly, the bullying. He was bullied by his peers at the tender age of nine. Bullying has existed for a very long time; ask anyone and they’ll tell you, “that’s just how children are”, or give the very often useless advice “go and tell an adult; they will handle it.” There has been much research into the effects of bullying; one child may be able to withstand it, another may not. Every child is different, and putting bullying aside as no big deal creates two big problems: 1) It creates more bullies. A bullied child will be too scared to approach their bully/bullies, and because they are too ashamed to admit that they are scared, they keep it bottled up inside them
until they eventually find other vulnerable children to lash out on and bully; they find a means to let out their frustration. They are children after all; their means may not always be healthy and instead cause more harm. It’s an endless cycle of bullies creating bullies. And adults who are paying attention to this: be careful how you treat others you disagree with or have an issue with. Your children are watching, and they are learning from you. 2) It causes emotional scarring. The child may fall into a state of depression (which is NOT the same as feeling sad. There are many stories and researches done on children and teenage suicides due to depression). They may feel ashamed of themselves, or in this boy’s case, their culture, and not want anything to do with it anymore. So please Guyanese, don’t brush bullying aside. And most importantly, set a good example for your children. Secondly, let’s talk about why this boy’s presence was an issue. It was because he had no shirt on, and that was deemed inappropriate. I took a look at some magazines and brochures for tourists to visit Guyana, and splashed across the cover of almost all of them
are pictures of boys wearing the outfit, this same boy had on. And forgive me if I’m wrong, but it was Cultural Day. That means the children were supposed to dress in cultural clothing, not their uniform, and that is exactly what that boy did. His ancestors did not dress like East Indians or Africans, or any of the other races we have in Guyana. And why was the outfit inappropriate? Because he had no shirt on? He is nine years old. If adults with more mature minds could not stand to see the chest of a nineyear-old boy, is it the boy’s fault or the adults? This is an issue that has been going on for far too long and rarely spoken about. Why do we sexualize our children? Why do some adults look at
very young children as though they are adults with adult bodies and therefore must be covered up, even if they are in a safe environment? Granted there are paedophiles in this world, but he was at school. If you are going to work with children who are years away from puberty, but cannot stand the sight of a shirtless nine-year-old boy, you may be in the wrong profession. Now, it’s probable that Mae’s didn’t intend to sexualize the boy, or even realize that’s what they did. But by handling the situation the way they did, they certainly gave that impression. Yours sincerely, Arianne Bickle
Politicians all have very convenient consciences DEAR EDITOR, I have just read an article, ‘Court orders Attorney General to bring Judicial Review Act into effect’ (KN, May 29) and I am puzzled. Let me first explain. I was not in Guyana in 2010 when the Judicial Review Act was passed; nor was I then receiving KN by email,
so I do not really know what was going on then. But, are you sure that this Act was passed in 2010? Because by my calculation, there were five years between 2010 and 2015 before we had a change of government, and two years between the (Continued on page 05)
Thursday May 31, 2018
Why are motorists still being harassed unnecessarily? DEAR EDITOR, It has been more than two years now since a public statement was issued by the police administration stating that traffic ranks are not allowed to conduct routine stops of drivers and demand to see their documents. They are permitted to intercept a vehicle only if they observe that an offence has been committed. From the time that statement was made public to date, not one traffic rank in Region Six is complying with it. Although, it is well known to traffic ranks that ‘random stops’ are no longer enforced, it still happens throughout the Corentyne thoroughfare on a daily basis. Traffic personnel can be seen at various locations conducting random traffic stops of drivers ordering to see their documents. How long will this continue?This routine process seems to be perpetual
and never-ending. I clearly recall the words of a columnist of this newspaper in one of his daily columns and I quote, “It is an alleged secret that the juniors raise money from these schemes and senior officers get a percentage.” Can this ‘alleged secret’ be one of the reasons why random stops are ongoing? The action of these traffic ranks causes one to raise an eyebrow and become suspicious. On Jan 23, 2016, it was stated in Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s column that the Commissioner of Police made two serious pronouncements, as it relates to random traffic stops. It was mentioned that, “A roadblock must be in the vicinity of a police station” and “Routine traffic stops constitute harassment and are discontinued.” Even though the Commissioner of Police made it clear
that the routine process constitutes ‘harassment’, it still happens. Why are motorists still being harassed unnecessarily? These ranks are not only engaging in an illegal act when they intercept drivers randomly, but they are also disregarding the instructions sent out by their superiors. It should be noted, that most of these random intercepts are being done away from the police stations and many drivers can testify to this. Several persons, including myself, wrote on this issue umpteen times, but it all fell on deaf ears. Will these random stops ever come to an end? I therefore urge the Traffic Chief as well as the Commissioner of Police to look into these ‘random traffic stops’ and do the necessary to bring this public harassment to an end. Ashan Bacchus
Flag-raising ceremony desecrated by altered, unconstitutional flag DEAR EDITOR, Having spent 42 years in North America, which covers
my entire working life, I made the decision to return my homeland.
Politicians all have... From page 04 change of government and the filing of this case last year, 2017. Why did not the Attorney General under the previous government bring the Act into force during those five years? Who was the then AG? Surely not Attorney Anil Nandlall? He must have been the AG before 2010. He could not have been AG after that Act was passed, failed to bring the Act into force then, but now goes to court to force the present AG to do what he did
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
not himself do. Could he? You see, Editor, if that was the case, then this is an example of the problem I have with all of our politicians, of whatever political party. When I do something wrong, or fail to do the right thing, that is okay. When someone on the other side does exactly what I did or failed to do, then I suddenly awake to the realization that it is wrong or a dereliction of duty. They all have very convenient consciences. Pat Robinson Commissiong
In all my years over there, I considered myself a Guyanese first and foremost and always exhibited the flag of Guyana on my car, in my house and on my clothing, including caps and T-shirts. All my friends can tell you that I am the proudest Guyanese, especially during Caribana. I always walk with my Guyana flag and proudly wave it. Therefore when I saw that wrong flag at the D’Urban Park flag raising, which is not (Continued on page 06)
GAWU will continue to take principled approaches in the interest of workers DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU has seen Dr David Hinds’ response to our letter which appeared in the Stabroek News under the title “Why can’t GAWU acknowledge that this gov’t took the brave decision to confront the sugar problem?”; in the Kaieteur News with the title “Guyana has far to go for ethnic, political reconciliation”; and in another section of the media entitled “Guyana’s greatest enemies are its zerosum politics, political culture”. Dr Hinds began by accusing our Union of ignoring his critical views regarding the implementation of the Administration’s plans for the sugar industry. On this score, we urge Dr Hinds to carefully re-read our letter as we did note his decrying of the Government’s failure to communicate its approach to sugar. The political scientist then goes on to say that the Government established a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which, in his words, was required to “investigate the problem” in the sugar industry. Here, we urge Dr Hinds to look at the Commission’s report, if he hasn’t read it as yet. There he would see, without ambiguity, that the Commission which comprised gentlemen chosen by the Government – with the exception of the GAWU representative – saying that the Coalition should not close estates. There he would see the Commissioners advising the
Government that there was a possibility of overcoming the difficulties by pursuing sugar diversification. There he would see that the Commission telling the Government not to pursue non-sugar diversification on sugar lands. There he would learn that there is light at the end of the tunnel once the correct approach is adopted. Those and several other important recommendations were ignored by the Government. It seems, from all appearances, that the Administration was not pleased by the results of the Commission’s investigation. Maybe it didn’t have the narrative it sought. Then the Government, even before the Commission’s report had time to gather dust, did the unthinkable and announced in January 2016 that it would close Wales Estate. That closure put at direct risk the employment of 1,700 sugar workers and hundreds of cane farmers, and, indirectly, upset the lives of thousands of Guyanese resident along the West Bank of Demerara. At that time, the Government said it would pursue non-sugar diversification at Wales despite the realities of past failure and the recommendations of the Sugar CoI. To date, those initiatives have failed to come off the launching pad, save and except for a seed paddy experiment, which had most disastrous results. One, quite logically, thought the Administration would have had its fingers burnt with the Wales fiasco.
But again, they defied the odds when on December 31, 2016, the Government announced it would close East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates and divest Skeldon Estate. This policy, we may add, has not on to this time, benefitted from any study to determine the ramifications. At the end of it all, the workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates have been put on the breadline. Even the statutory redundancy payments were bungled by the Administration, which despite having months of advanced warning simply didn’t cater to make the payments. The WPA Executive goes on to say that, “…the government has pumped billions of dollars’ worth of subsidy in the industry…” But what impact did it have? Sugar production, using round numbers, declined from 231,000 tonnes in 2015 to 137,000 tonnes in 2017, a mammoth 40 per cent drop. Workers earnings fell by 15 per cent in the same period. Wages have been frozen at 2014 levels. The Annual Production Incentive, which dates back to colonial days, went to zero. Debt, which we have previously shared our concerns, has largely remained the same. But, at the same time, between 2015 and 2017, monies going to top management rose astronomically. All of this happened when the Administration, again using Dr Hinds’ words, (Continued on page 06)
PAGE 6
Thursday May 31, 2018
Kaieteur News
A sordid fact we will have I sincerely hope that this country will to live with as Indigenous change! It has to change! peoples DEAR EDITOR, Issues relating to Indigenous persons being discriminated against have caused some discomfort and embarrassment of recent. My estimation however, is that most of these cases are hopefully isolated ones and are being blown out of context and out of proportion. I am subject to correction. But I speak from experience. Those who exhibit crassness, insularity, arrogance, are in the minority, and are those who need help to understand us, the Indigenous peoples of this country. And only they can give the source or reason for their behaviour. Editor, even as more and more Indigenous persons are being given the opportunity to be trained in the areas of Sport, Medicine, Law, Education, Engineering, etc., does it mean our ‘other’ brothers and sisters are not recognizing this? Of course! But we have all been socialized in one way or the other, like it or not; conditioned to behave towards others in one way or the other. Sociology tells us no matter where one goes on this planet, people will regard another with either open or veiled contempt, especially if the subject person is from a minority grouping. That is a sordid fact that we will have to live with as Indigenous
peoples. As a grown Indigenous man, however, I have my own way of dealing with instances of veiled contempt, at college, university, workplaces, and, oh, how life can be brutal indeed, I can tell you. But what of a very young person? What bothers me is when people belonging to a majority grouping use that fact to justify injustices perpetrated against a minority grouping. Or to feel that they have as their right to discriminate. We, the Nation, shall never see the end of this vice, implicit or explicit, by engaging in burying our heads like the proverbial ostrich. We need to recognize the importance of reaching out to the uninformed, misinformed minds through helpful activities and functions; healthy conversations, dialogues, awards, etc. Needless to say, the relevant ministries should set the stage. For example, after 52 years of Independence, how many of the Indigenous leaders have been honoured? Is this not contributing to the state of affairs? Come on! Even if discrimination is not as pervasive as it used to be, we need to take notice, don’t we? It does not augur well for us as a nation to sit back, be complacent, and pretend that all is well. May God bless us all as a nation. Yours faithfully Joseph C. Atkinson
DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to express my thoughts and feelings about being a citizen of Guyana at this point. I know that I am making myself a bit vulnerable, but this is necessary in order to express the emotions I feel. I sincerely hope that the readers would at least process what I am writing with much maturity, but anyway, I will take the risk. When I was in my teens, I was a member of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). It was during those five or six years that I really learnt of commitment, love and loyalty to country; hence, I have spent my years ever since, really labouring for the development of my country and the betterment of my fellow citizens. Editor, I believed in this country, I believed that it could get better; I believed that there could be change for the better. Although being qualified and well trained, I stayed and like so many others, worked day in and day out with the hope that our contributions could or would make a difference. For years, I watched my peers and fellow citizens go abroad, get better jobs, nicer homes, in addition to certain comforts in life, some of them even looked nicer (smile). There is something about people who go abroad; many of them have a ‘glow’. I have always felt that all of us cannot go; some of us have to stay to develop our country.
It is time this economic and... From page 05 distortion, and hope none of the foreign shareholders sue him. He can start by printing this letter in his newspaper so that his dedicated audience sees there is integrity in his leadership of this media entity. Yours truly Eric Phillips PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This letter suggests either that Mr. Phillips did not read the contract signed between Guyana Goldfields and the
Government of Guyana or he has become an apologist for the company. Had Mr. Philips been familiar with the terms of the contract, he would have recognized that the company is violating important local content obligations under that agreement. He must therefore explain his support for the company. Is he a mouthpiece or a hired pen for Guyana Goldfields? Mr. Phillips apparently sees nothing wrong with Guyana Goldfields importing aircraft and trucks, and in put-
ting Guyanese out of business, when in fact the company is committed under its agreement with the Guyana government to give preference to local content. Soon Mr. Phillips may be called upon to defend the importation of Peruvians to take away Guyanese jobs. Guyana has to be careful when dealing with foreign companies, because the country stands to lose billions in potential tax revenues if there are inflated costs and the loss of local content. Mr. Phillips, who seems to know the value of Guyana Goldfields’ investment in Guyana, must answer whether for depriving Guyanese of jobs, import taxes were being paid on the aircraft and trucks imported by the company, and if the pilots sourced from overseas will pay income taxes. Locals do pay these taxes. Kaieteur News will not be cowered by apologists and their accusations of having a political agenda. In the fight to ensure that the Guyanese people get their fair share for their resources, we are quite prepared and capable of defending ourselves against any lawsuits.
But was I wrong? Am I wrong? Is this country really going to change? Are any of our leaders better than the others? Are they all the same? Is country really important? As a citizen, should one have limits to what one is prepared contribute to the development of their country? Do our leaders really care? Are they really serious about fixing this country? Do my fellow citizens really want to see change in our country? Do I care too much? Are we wasting our time? Was staying worth it? Is staying worth it? Should our young educated citizens stay? Why should they stay? Should those who left return? Why should they return? What is wrong with our coun-
try? Can it be fixed? As a people, at some point, we have to say wrong is wrong and right is right - even if the wrong is done by persons of our own ethnicity, group or political party. But then again, I guess power transforms normal people into strange creatures. Hmmmmmm…I guess this is where one’s faith becomes critical. Having said all of the above, I am a believer in purpose and that one’s purpose is linked to particular locations and seasons. I sincerely hope that this country will change! It has to change! Change must come…! Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas Frustrated, but remains a hopeful citizen
Too soon to leave my friend DEAR EDITOR, I felt profound sadness when I heard the news of the sudden death of a dear friend Neil Whyte, in Guyana. I have known Neil over 20 years working at various mines. Neil was well known in Guyana, especially after his 13-year stint at Omai Gold Mines Limited. Neil worked in Suriname, West Africa and Canada, where he made friends and trusted people easily. Neil took part in charity work and was well liked. At work, Neil was considered an easy-going person, hard worker, and
willing to listen to your story. Even though we disagreed from time to time on projects, we found that time after work to have a beer occasionally. I do hope the investigation into Neil’s death will be concluded soon and the person(s) involved in this senseless killing will face maximum penalty. My sincerest condolences are extended to the Whyte family during this period of grief and sadness. May his soul rest in peace. Regards Dave Ghansam Toronto
GAWU will continue to take.... From page 05 “…took the brave decision to confront the sugar problem…” Regarding the recently announced $30B financing package, we wish to advise Dr Hinds that those monies are intended to be utilized on the operational GuySuCo estates and not the “…upgrading of the closed estates…” as the good doctor posits. Dr Hinds then says that “…the government’s action on the sugar industry is the closest it has come to a clear policy on anything”. If this is indeed the case, then may the Good Lord help the Guyanese people. The press is filled with reports of the confusion and clear indecision the Administration has had regarding sugar. Just in recent weeks, we saw the Agriculture Minister disowning the industry then suddenly resuming responsibility. The story of the confusion surrounding the appointment with the Board of Directors could probably provide substantial material for a book. And we have seen the discord playing out in the media between the SPU and the GuySuCo. We are then told that our views are driven by factors
outside of compassion for the sugar workers. This is completely baseless and certainly not factual. We have demonstrated time and again our sincere concern about the well-being and welfare of sugar workers. Certainly, we have used every avenue to advance their cause and plight. We have put to the Government workable solutions to safeguard the sugar industry, which the Administration has not responded to thus far. Incidentally, some of these, we understand, will be pursued using the $30B financing secured. Clearly, from all appearances, we were on the right track. We have also not failed to attend any engagement the Government, the GuySuCo, or even the SPU have sought to invite us to. We have gone as
far as meeting with President David Granger. If our intent, as Dr. Hinds put it, was the “…demonization of the Government” wouldn’t our approach have been different? But, at the same time, the Union cannot fail to call a spade a spade and put on record our serious concerns regarding the Administration’s approach to sugar and other matters of national life and our people’s well-being. We hope to continue in taking principled approaches and positions in our members’ interests and well-being and advocate proposals helpful, as we see it, to the industry. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Flag-raising ceremony.. From page 05 the Golden Arrowhead, I felt very angry and disgusted to see such important people standing up and honouring that ‘thing’. I felt very ashamed that our President and our Prime Minister be part of such a shocking act that desecrates our country. I know plenty people already agree with me and I would like President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo to apologise to the nation for saluting an altered, unconstitutional flag. Yours sincerely, David Khublall
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Battered wife filing for death benefits sexually molested by NIS officer
A
n entire year has come and gone but S h a m e e z a Mohamed, is still awaiting the National Insurance Scheme [NIS] death benefit she became entitled to after the demise of her husband nearly five years ago. The woman who had endured an abusive relationship for many years during which she was stabbed multiple times, became a widow after her husband consumed poison and died in November 2013. Although Mohamed was assured that the processing of her death benefit claim had started months ago, yesterday she learnt that this was farther from the truth. But this development has caused Mohamed to belatedly expose a particularly troubling situation to which she has been subjected for the past months. At the centre of her dilemma is a male NIS officer [name withheld], who Mohamed confessed had promised to process her claim. The promised assistance was however not without a ‘catch’. The woman, during a ‘tell all’ conversation yesterday,
revealed how the NIS officer had assured her that he could process her claim in a speedy fashion if she submitted to his sexual advances. “He would text me night and day and tell me how he love me and how he could get things done for me fast. He tell me ‘So long you husband dead I sure you does lonely at nights. He even tell me how I still look young like a school girl,” related Mohamed. The 33-year-old mother of four said that while she tolerated the text messages, hoping hopes that the man would process her claim, it wasn’t until yesterday that she became aware that the man was only out to take advantage of her. According to Mohamed, she first started her engagement with NIS at the beginning of last year although her husband passed away in 2013. Her first meeting at the Brickdam, Georgetown office, she recalled, was with a female officer whom she remembers as “very friendly”. While the male officer was just as friendly, the woman recalled that his ‘friendliness’
quickly reached another level. “First thing he did was ask me for my phone number and asked if I on Whatsapp or Facebook and I said I don’t know anything about that. He asked me if I would mine if he text me...” Believing that the man required her number to advance her claim, the woman obliged. It didn’t take long for her to realise that the man had other intentions. The woman, who showed this publication a series of text messages which substantiated her claims of the NIS officer, revealed that although she did not appreciate many of the texts, and told the officer as much, she kept hoping that the benefits would be processed because of her financial need. “I was glad to know somebody helping me out but he started telling me things suh out of the way that I didn’t like it. He was asking me things like ‘would you like a man to make love to you?’ He asked me how much years me and me husband tek up and I tell since I was 13. He kept telling me I gon get through [with the benefits] but I need some good loving.
Several organizations benefit from Mohamed’s Enterprise
City Mall’s Manager, Nezam Zaman and other officials with representatives of the organizations yesterday at the City Mall, Camp Street.
A
s part of the annual programme of his companies, prominent businessman, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, yesterday donated cash to several organizations. The cash donations were made to the Blind Institute, Joshua House, and the Guyana Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, among others, and would come as the Muslim community observe its monthlong Ramadan observance. During a simple ceremony yesterday at the
City Mall, Camp Street, one of the businesses controlled by the Mohamed family, the mall’s manager, Nezam Zaman, explained that the gesture is a mere way of the businessman, his family and workers contributing to make the world a better place by reducing hardships. He noted that it is a fact that people are facing losses to health, homes, with hunger and even death proving major challenges. The Mohameds control a cambio and gold dealing operations on Lombard Street as well as Hadi’s World on Regent Street.
He started calling me at nights and ask me what kind underwear I got on...” recounted Mohamed. The woman recalled that on one occasion the man asked her to accompany him to a restaurant to complete some paper work. “I had to ask he why we had to do paper work outside he office but he tell me he had to go to a mechanic shop and didn’t want to hold up me paper work,” recalled Mohamed. According to Mohamed, the man also asked if she was hungry and volunteered to buy her lunch but she declined. Mohamed said that although the man had suggested that becoming sexually involved with him would have helped to fast-track her claim, she was convinced that he was genuinely doing what was necessary to get it done. “He advised me that I needed to get one of the wit-
nesses to do another statement because it was not done right...I had to get two witnesses to say that I live for some 17 years with me husband so I could claim for the benefit,” explained Mohamed. Relying on the man to help process her claim, Mohamed said that even when she had to change phone numbers because of a password issue, she ensured that she furnished him with a new number. The man, the woman said, assured her that her claim would soon be available. This was about one week ago. But things came to a head last week when the man informed her that he was required to be on leave because of a fractured arm and therefore was not in a position to personally handle her claim anymore. Mohamed said that she was startled when she learnt yesterday from another of-
ficer who started dealing with her claim that it wasn’t even possible for it to be completed anytime soon. “I started to behave ‘bad’ in NIS because after all this time, and all I had to hear from this man and I still can’t get nothing process. “He keep fooling me and say everything okay but nothing was ever okay, all this time,” said Mohamed as she scrolled the many text messages in her phone from the NIS officer who up to yesterday continued to assure her that he will urge his supervisor to process the claim. But according to the woman it was only yesterday, after a conversation with an acquaintance, that she learnt that all along she was being harassed. The woman said that she was also advised to make public the ordeal that she endured in hopes that others would not suffer in the same way.
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Washington Embassy celebrates Independence
Attendees at the 52nd Independence celebrations in Washington DC.
O
n Saturday, over 200 persons, i n c l u d i n g diplomats and members of the Guyanese Diaspora in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia tristate area, gathered in the Hall of the Americas at the Organization of American States to celebrate the 52nd Anniversary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The reception was hosted by the Embassy of Guyana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Guyana’s Eighth Ambassador to the United
States of America, Dr. Riyad Insanally, in his remarks, noted that Guyana-US relations are going from strength to strength. He welcomed US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo’s strong Independence Day message of friendship and cooperation couched in unambiguous terms regarding recognition of Guyana’s territorial integrity. Ambassador Insanally, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also acknowledged the role of the Diaspora in cementing these relations and called on the groups to use every
opportunity to remind their elected congressional representatives of the importance of the USCaribbean relationship, of building economic prosperity in the Caribbean, and of the enormous value the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act brings to the region and the need to press for its renewal before it expires in September 2020. Turning to developments in Guyana, the Ambassador reminded the gathering that the Government of Guyana is working assiduously to ensure that the transition to being an oil and gas
producing country is managed well and highlighted the ongoing work on initiatives such as the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, the establishment of a Petroleum Commission, capacity building to optimize the benefits of the new industry, infrastructural development, and the pursuit of a Green State Development Strategy in order to pave the way for a sustainable future for all Guyanese.. Ambassador Insanally extended gratitude to all those who had contributed to the event, including the
Ambassador Dr. Riyad Insanally (center) and Deputy Chief of Mission Mrs. Lesley Dowridge-Collins (r.) present a plaque to Ms. June Sumner-Dublin (l.) in light of her 50 years of unbroken service to the Embassy. Master of Ceremonies, Cornel Ferdinand; Reverend Eion Greaves, who sang the National Anthems of the USA and Guyana; Peter Humphrey and the Oasis Island Sounds Inc., Imam Baksh, winner of his second CODE Burt Award for Young
Adult Literature, who did a reading; and the staff of the Embassy of Guyana. A special award was made to June Sumner-Dublin, Executive Officer III, who this year marked 50 years of unbroken and exceptional service at the Embassy.
SOCU seize laptop, question SPU’s official in leak probe Investigators of the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Tuesday raided the La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara office of a privatization official, seizing a laptop. According to well-placed sources, the probe has to do with leakage of “sensitive information” pertaining to the ongoing privatization and divestment process of four sugar estates. Yesterday, the privatization official was reportedly questioned by SOCU investigators. Kaieteur News was told that the official is a specialist accountant who worked in England but returned to live in Guyana. It was explained that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)/Special Purposes Unit (SPU) complained recently to the police of suspicious activities. NICIL hold the shares of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). SPU is its arm that is charged with the closely watched privatization process of four closed state-owned estatesSkeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales.
Significant information, that was supposed to be concealed, were reportedly leaked recently to officials of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and even to the media. Reportedly, some of that information had to do with the molasses production figures at Enmore. NICIL/SPU and management of GuySuCo have been at odds with one another. SPU head, Colvin HeathLondon, did not respond to messages yesterday. He was out of the country. SOCU’s head, Sydney James, was also unavailable. Sources indicate that SPU staffers were told that all affairs of the Unit were strictly confidential as any breaches would raise questions of transparency. However, it appeared the leakages were contained to production figures of the closed estates, which were partly reopened as going concerns for investors. PriceWaterhouseCooper, an international firm, has been hired to oversee the valuation of the four estates. They are currently preparing the reports that investors would use to make proposals for the estates.
L
ast weekend was a championship weekend. The UEFA Champions League Football Final, the Indian Premier League Final and Guyana 52nd Independence anniversary celebrations were all held. The two sporting events matched the hype to their build-up. But the annual flagraising event, usually the marquee celebration of Guyana’s Independence anniversary was a disaster. It is somewhat surprising that no one as yet has asked about the price tag for the flag-raising ceremony which was held at the Durban Park Drill Square. However, estimates do suggest that with more than 2000 children said to be involved, the cost of feeding them and providing transportation would have run into millions of dollars. The event, televised nationally, was a disaster. It was a flop. Its timing was bizarre, the show lacked flair and direction and was much too abbreviated. There was also a problem with the main dance sequence. First, the timing was horrible. It is the first time ever in the history of Guyana that a flag raising ceremony was held in the hot mid-afternoon sunshine. It was unfortunate that this hour was chosen to get the show on the road. This, no doubt , ac-
DEM BOYS SEH Eric hanging ee mouth fuh Canadian soup Everybody know you home and you country come first. Donald Trump seh America come first and he win de election. Guyana leaders saying de same thing, America first and Guyana second. Instead of promoting and defending Guyana and its people, de leaders defending de foreigners. Thank de Man Above dat Eric Phillips is not a leader; in fact he is a parrot just repeating wha de leaders seh. He write a letter to support a foreign gold company dat putting dem country first and Guyana last. Dis is a man who always champion de cause of Guyanese. Dis time, he championing de cause to mek Guyanese slaves.
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Imagine de foreign company knocking off all de Guyanese trucking service, de plane service, and de boat service. Dem bring in dem own trucks and planes. Imagine de man who championing de cause of Guyanese seh de company right when de contract between Guyana and de company says dem must use local people in everything dem do. Dem bruk all de rules in de books and Eric Phillips do like de late Doodnauth when a leader did throw de writ over she shoulder. He see de company throw de contract out de plane dem bring in and he seh “Dat is good.” Dem boys seh he do wha South Africa do to him—
throw him out de country. Dem boys seh don’t be surprise to hear him saying de company got a right to bring in Peruvians to do de wuk wha de Guyanese doing. In a letter he put down de local plane services; he put down de trucking services. Dem boys believe he get a lot to do wha he do. Well it seems like dere is anoder greedy SOB amongst us. Jagdeo was de king. If dis man is wid an organization dat suppose to protect and recover state property, dem boys want to know who interest he protecting? It certainly couldn’t be Guyana’s. Talk half and find out who odda than OP paying dis SOB.
counted for the relatively poor turnout. Many of the adults who were in attendance did so because their children were participating and they went to see their performance. The government must not repeat this timing fiasco. The original midnight flag-raising should be restored and the event should be returned to its original home, the National Park where the first flag-raising was hosted. The venue should be changed and so too should the format. The annual flag-raising ceremony used to provide a range of entertainment, including comedy, singing, dancing and instrument-playing. The singing was dropped from this year’s edition and there was not much steel pan unless of course this was chopped from the televised version which is doubtful since the event was telecast live. It was disappointing that with so much talent in Guyana, the 52nd annual flag-raising ceremony, apart from the military parade, was reduced to a children’s dance show. This is not good enough and an explanation is needed for the limited fare on display. The GDF regiment was re-
splendent and excellent. But what about the Guyana Police Force who many people actually believe, would stage a better parade than the GDF? What about the other Disciplined Services? Why were these Services not involved? Have we become so militarized that we feel only the GDF can pull off a good parade? Just what the dances were intended to project was not clear since there was no commentary and the dances themselves were not very expressive of their theme, whatever that was. Was it assimilation that was being promoted by having one large group rather than one group coming on and another leaving? There is need for some clarity since assimilation would be in contradiction to what the Ministry of Social Cohesion, the organizers of the event, are promoting. D’Urban Park presents too many challenges for such an event. It is too spacious for the type of show, which was organized. The blame must be placed solely at the feet of those who organized the show for the failure of foresight in organizing a cultural programme in such a spacious venue without large props. The organiz-
ers in developing the cultural programme clearly failed to take into account the problems, which had been experienced since D’Urban Park became the main venue for the hosting of these types of events. There was problem with scale. D’Urban Park is huge and without massive props any cultural show was bound to look diminutive in such a large setting. UEFA organized the opening ceremony for the Champions League Football Final and what they did was to use just a few hundred children but massive props. And this lent itself to a spectacular show. It is hard to understand how the organizers of the cultural show at D’Urban Park planned to overcome the challenges of scale within the venue when the cultural segment were virtually devoid of large props. And this is not the first time that this mistake has been made. As such, there can be no excuse for the foul-up. Better must come next time!
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Concessions to Guyana Goldfields One night during the 2015 election campaign, Michael Carrington and I had finished speaking and Khemraj Ramjattan was on the platform. The place was Tuschen. A gentleman came up to me, identified himself as an employee of Guyana Goldfields and unfolded a number of papers on industrial violations by Guyana Goldfields. I perused the documents and they looked authentic. I suggested that he speak with one of the leaders of the Alliance For Change. I called Carrington over, made the introduction and left Carrington
to it. I never asked Carrington what became of his investigations. Now that I have published Carrington’s involvement, he may wish to go public. Of course since that night in Tuschen, Carrington became a parliamentarian. Last year, I received another complaint about Guyana Goldfields. I did not follow up because of the volumes of complaints I get. I keep saying over and over; this country cries out for a human rights group with resources to help victims. Guyana Goldfields is in the
news for the large state concessions it received. Generous state disposition to foreign companies by obscure, developing countries like Guyana is an internationally normal practice. Those of us from outside of the war room, maybe, cannot understand the dynamics of international relations of poor countries and the exigency to attract global companies on the part of governments. We are not inside so maybe we lack knowledge of certain complexities. I doubt radical socialist leaders in power today would balk at
generous treatment for foreign investors. Desperate to move Guyana out of the economic mess he inherited, President Hoyte granted GTT and OMAI prodigious concessions. The EXXON agreement is no doubt seen in that context especially given our protracted security dilemma with Venezuela. My attitude is not intolerance to state generosity for foreign investors but intolerance to exploitation of the local work force. This is where socialist activists miss a crucial point about capitalism in
the West. Companies may earn super profits in the US and Europe but the mechanism to prevent industrial abuse are ubiquitous. Radicals may denounce the democratic pretence of capitalist society but there are genuine mechanisms for stopping workers’ abuse that a country like Guyana woefully lacks. One fundamental reason that explains why companies in Western capitalist countries could be brought before industrial tribunals has to do with the level of wealth in a country. Many public investigators in the developed West are not hand-to-mouth people. It is not easy to bribe them with a pittance. This is not to say there isn’t corruption among public officers in the US and Europe; there is. But in a place like Guyana, it is a runaway train. The explanation is simple. It will take twenty years for a Labour Officer to pay off a bank loan for a car. He/she works for a salary that is fixed on the public service scale. This columnist is told repeatedly by sad ex-employees of many rich private companies that the Labour Department is an ugly, grotesque failure. Do I believe them? Yes I do with every bone in my body. Why do I believe them? Because I know of countless complaints that have vanished into thin air. I guess you know why. The present configuration of the Labour Department is a useless ornament left over from very old colonial days. It is my opinion that President David Granger has a preference for judges to sit at the
Frederick Kissoon helm of many state institutions. One transformative idea the present government can leave for posterity is the complete overhauling of the Labour Department. Make it a separate body detached from any ministry with judicial powers, say like that body that is still on the shelf – the Human Rights Commission or even the Ethnic Relations Commission (the ERC can summon you to appear and can indict you). Staff it with three retired judges (who are willing to serve) with a good compensatory package. Have a quota of researchers that are university graduates. This will be a billion miles away from the present shape where the labour officer is a junior public servant earning $80,000 monthly and have to investigate a company that is not only a multi- billion dollar entity but also a powerful friend of those in government. My experience with the Labour Department is that big businessmen sometimes bark on them. Remember a friend of then President Jagdeo ordered his workmen to detain a group of NIS inspectors. Labour officers are not treated any better. I doubt whether now or in another fifty years, the Labour Department will ever be reformed. Perhaps, never! Not in Guyana!
Thursday May 31, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Illegal fuel crippling gas station business in Charity
One of the gas stations in the Pomeroon Illegal fuel streaming into the Pomeroon, may very well seem like an excellent opportunity for consumers. After all cheaper fuel is now at their disposal. Amidst all the excitement, however, there are a number of businesses that are currently crippling in the process of competing with ‘contraband’ fuel. Proprietors of local gas stations, both in and around Pomeroon, are bitterly complaining that sales have reduced significantly over the past few months. This decline in sales, they claim, is directly related to the shipments of illegal fuel coming into the Pomeroon, allegedly from Venezuela. The proprietor of a local gas station said, “It is affecting business because if the people getting cheap gas, they [are] gonna [going to] buy… Definitely, everything slow because we got about
33 percent decrease in sales!” The Manager of a wellestablished business entity in Charity is also claiming that sales have been reduced by as much as 30%. The Manager added, “Every time it drops about 30%, we know it’s illegal fuel because we have heard that people be buying the fuel and that they be selling it all over the place. According to information we received, they selling the (illegal) fuel for half the price of ours.” Though a floating coast guard base is located at the mouth of the Pomeroon River, it is believed that illegal fuel is still being channeled through the said river. The Manager claims that there is adequate evidence indicating that fuel is still being smuggled.He noted, however, that many are reluctant to speak out, fearful that they may be victimized. Since the Pomeroon River
conveniently links Guyana to Venezuela, it becomes rampant with illegal activities. During the course of last year, a number of vessels transporting illegal fuel from neighbouring Venezuela, were nabbed in the Pomeroon by the Guyana Energy Agency [GEA] and the Coast Guard. The most recent case was recorded in January, when a vessel was seized transporting more than 100 barrels of fuel. Despite efforts by the GEA to curb this illegal practice, one source informed this publication that there are specific periods when illegal fuel will stream into the Pomeroon. The source added, “It’s seasonal. Sometimes, the fuel isn’t being smuggled, and then sometimes two weeks straight fuel is shuffling in…For the week five to six boatloads came in with at least 100 drums of fuel.”
200 Corentyne residents affected by impassable access dam
A heavy equipment is now stuck, blocked access to the dam.
T
he plight of the residents at Auchlyne/Letter Kenny, Corentyne, East Berbice is getting worse by the day.Badly affected by the deteriorating conditions of the main access dam are over residents, including teachers and hire car drivers and school children.Over the past months, numerous complaints were filed with Gobin Harbhajan, the Prime Minister’s Representative in Region Six (East Berbice area). The condition of the dam, residents say, is affecting farmers who are unable to move their equipment. Currently, one is stuck.
According to the residents, what is even more disgraceful is the fact that only a stone throw away is the Auchlyne School, which was attended by the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and the President, David Granger. “What makes this situation such an eyepass is that fact that the local NDC is only a block away,” one resident complained. Harbhajan, in expressing disappointment at the situation, said he has raised the matter with the NDC, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and even the Regional Democratic Council.
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
T&T contractor nabbed at CJIA, charged with GMC fraud
H
a n n i e l
Madramootoo, the Director o f Constantine Engineering and Construction Service Limited, Trinidad and Tobago, was yesterday arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, after he was blacklisted in 2016 for a crime he allegedly committed here. Madramootoo, 35, of 224 Third Street, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, a former engineer attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, was hours later, hauled before a City Court to answer fraud related charges over the approval of substandard works done on the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) building in Georgetown. The charges against him come more than a year after the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force, filed similar charges against his wife, Felecia De SouzaMadramootoo, and former General Manager at GMC, Nizam Hassan. Last year, those charges were dismissed against the two by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who cited that a
majority of the prosecution’s witnesses were discredited and in some instances were found to be lying under oath. The charge against Madramootoo alleges that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012, he, Phillip Madramootoo, his brother and his friend, Nizam Ramkissoon, conspired with each other to continuously approve payments to the contra c t o r of the engineering firm for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with i n f erior materials to rehabilitate the GMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown; knowing that such works should not have been approved. Police are still to arrest Philip Madramootoo and Nizam Ramkissoon, who are both Directors of Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited, Trinidad and Tobago. Warrants have been issued by the court for their arrests. Madramootoo, who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Glenn Hanoman, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
Charged Hanniel Madramootoo Petitioning for reasonable bail, the lawyer said that his client has been cooperating with investigations. He argued that the charge against his client is “nonsensical.� Hanoman dismissed information by Police Prosecutor Richard Harris,
Father, son remanded for killing teenager at Mon Repos barbecue
Killed: Brayon Dewakar aka Blackie The relatives of Brayon Dewakar, aka Blackie, of 128 South, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara believe that they are nearer to justice when two men who are accused of murdering him went to court on Wednesday to answer to the charge. They appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate Court before Magistrate Zamilla Ali. Charged with the murder are 23-year-old Andrew Singh and his father Suraj Singh, 50.
Son: Andrew Singh They are accused of murdering Dewakar. They were remanded to prison until June 28. The younger Singh told the court that he works as a mason and does not have children. His father on the other hand said that he is a businessman and has four children. When asked if he had any previous matter before the court, the man responded in the affirmative. He said that he was charged with self-defence.
Father: Suraj Singh The prosecutor told the court that it was not self-defence but rather attempted murder. The senior Singh told the court that he and his son were locked away by the police and failed to make contact with their lawyer to inform him or her about the court appearance. The two reportedly stabbed the 23-year-old to death at a chic-chic board during a barbecue that was being held in the community at the time.
which suggested that an arrest warrant was issued for his client. On the other hand, Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh strongly opposed bail being granted to the defendant pointing out that Hanniel was out of the jurisdiction when the charges were first filed. According to Prosecutor
Singh, SOCU and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) sought assistance from the Trinidad police to arresting Hanniel who was in hiding. The Magistrate a f t e r perusing the case jacket told the court that there were no records of a summons or arrest warrant being issued for the defendant. In light of this, the magistrate expressed dissatisfaction at the efforts made by SOCU to apprehend T&T contractor. Admitting that she believes the defendant was not properly notified that he was wanted in Guyana for a crime, the Magistrate said she will not deprive him of pre trial liberty. Initially, bail was set at $1M for Hanniel, but after pleas for a reduction, it was reduced to $500,000. Conditions of the bail are that the defendant lodges his passport and travel document with the court. He was also instructed to report to the head of SOCU every Monday until the hearing and determination of the trial. Hanniel is not due back in court until June 29, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Charges were recommended against Hassan and several other persons after SOCU completed its report into the investigations of the multimillion dollar construction of the GMC office building. A forensic audit report submitted in 2015 by auditor, Saykar Boodhoo, flagged the construction, citing several worrying things at GMC, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. The forensic audit report was sent to Cabinet where it was decided that the findings of the report were serious enough to warrant a deeper investigation into not only the construction of the building but also into the handling of hundreds of millions of dollars of fertilizers. According to Government sources, investigations found the principals of the contracting company are close relatives of the engineer. Investigators reportedly also found that Hanniel Madramootoo, who was assigned to oversee the project, allegedly used a family member to conduct transactions at the Tender Board relating to the project.
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Norwegian company predicts ...
WANT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Apartment buliding includes (1) 3 bedroom, (1) 2 bedroom 1 studio location Lamaha Park, Georgetown, $60,000,000 Neg. Call: 681-2500 1 Long base canter, very good condition, owner leaving country or 1 canter driver needed for hire. #6091040 100 lb Air compressor $25,000. 2000 Watt Inverter $35,000 #621-9604 One Unregistered 2011 Toyota HiAce with manual transmission. Call#627-2005 for more information. 35 ft boat flat bottom 400 pound cat guts seine. Contact# 676-6002/665-6585 Gold and Diamond mining,Claim virgin land in the Quartz stone, Cuyuni mining district Guyana for sale. Contact#592-671-9478
WANTED
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Wanted urgently: 1 experienced cosmetologist. Call: 647-1773.
Vacancy exist for 1 Security & 1 Receptionist. Apply with application at Millenium Manor Hotel 43 Hadfield & Camp Street.
Prime Office on Camp Street, next to Shell gas station #6447724/639-4499/622-9560. 2 & 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments short and long term rental Tel# 6642143,691-1432,666-7028 1 & 2 bedoom house to rent unfurnish & unfurnished with parking. #786-1017 Whatsapp, 688-1068 Whatsapp, 868-313-0456 Whatsapp. 2 bedroom apartment, Top and bottom flat. Lot 4633 Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Rasville. Tel#618-5305/6674691 Hair station, Barber station to rent or furnished salon to rent. Contact# 616-7151 Furnished 3 bedroom Apt for rent # 611-4552/685-0265 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $18M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 3 story commercial building,120ftX60ft Building 62ftX30ft Location- Lot 1486, Plot B Herstelling, EBD, reduced price Contact: 6093777/686-0522 Transport property for sale, Eccles H/s EBD. Tel#6169490 or 616-0499
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, B a r e M i n e r a l s , etc.Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
FOR RENT
CAR RENTAL
1 Air compressor 15HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 6281486/698-1134. Wanted experience hire car drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel. Contact: 616-5419/ 265-7076 Looking to buy a house or empty land, Preferences-EBD Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331 1 Mechanic to work in the interior, must know about Cummings/Perkins & Deutz engine. #699-4718 Experienced shop workers & handyman to work in interior. #231-0363. (8:30am-4:30pm) One Live-in maid. Contact: 675-5256 Experience Cashier, Drivers, Roti/Puri cook. Apply Hack’s Halaal with H/written application 5 Commerce St. Yardman. Contact#2235273/74
1 Experienced waitress & livein domestic, must know to cook, 18-25 & 35 from East Coast. $20,000 weekly respectively. #610-3974 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 692-4649 Security to work in Georgetown. Tel#227-1717
One cook needed to work at Itabali. Contact: 665-6444
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
2 storey property for sale EBD, Grove. Contact No: 609-3527 Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445
One Financial Investor for mineral land in the Mazaruni area. Phone: 672-8844
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Parfaite Harmonie. $1.3M Farm (East Bank) $2.4M Schnoord $2.2M Herstelling $4.5M & $1.8M Uivlugt $2.2M Tel#656-1345
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN American Pool Table for sale PAYMENT, CHEAP & rent. Tel# 277-0578 RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 TOLET
18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) NOTICE Ian Griffith of 430 North East LaPenitence, Please make contact with Cherril Henry on Tel# 664-9325/696-1680 FOR SALE/RENT
2 bedroom house fully A/c in Somerset court. Herstelling EBD Tel#6614849
Advertise in Kaieteur News Classified Ads and get fast results.
Pastry Chef, apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St.
LAND FOR SALE
PEN PAL Mature Gentleman seeking female 38 & over for relationship. Call Amanda #592-691-9383
Female cleaner for office in Eccles #233-2745 Experienced salesgirls with CXC qualifications & 5 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Articulated hauler/ dump truck operator for interior, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village. Experienced Driver, Apply in person, Wieting & Richter, Water Street Georgetown.
Diesel Mechanic. Contact#223-5273/74
One General Domestic, must know to cook. Apply @ Keyfood, next door to Post Office, McDoom
TAXI SERVICE
Maid, East Bank area to cook & clean #614-4358
Chef/Cook. Contact#2235273/74
Corner Lot Diamond, EBD Land 61’x110'- House 30’x50' G$32M Furnished Serious enquiries only. #613-6631/6182603
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 226-3693DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
Farm worker, Travel agent. Tel#265-3586
Join a community of Graphic Designers and Video Editors. Start earning cash. Call: 6467494 Office Clerk, East Bank preferable 30-55 years old. Call: 226-1100/629-9450 Purchasing clerk valid license MC/MV/ML 30-55 years old. Call: 226-1100/629-9450 Wanted parts for Toyota Crown Deluxe 1972, 6 cylinder, 3 speed gearbox, body & other parts. #218-0663/6190757
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 RZ Minibus BNN excellent condition. Call: 233-3430 1 Nissan Dualis 2001 #6229951/689-9447, lady driven. Mazda Axela - $1.4M Neg Nissan Bluebird - $1.75M Neg. Cars in excellent condition. Tel#233-2793/615-8502
EDUCATION Electronic course, Practical beginning 1st June. Learn to fix flat screen TV’s etc. Abdul Electronics. 225-0391/2266551 Care for the elderly, Care for children, First aid and CPR G/town 227-4881 Berbice 232-38789 IAE- Register for CXC, full time evening & adult classes. Mathematics, English, Business & Science subjects #683-5742/621-7365 Learn Graphics & Video editing at your own pace. Packages available. Call: 6467494 Learn Adobe illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premier Pro, Audition, CorelDraw, Filmmaking. Call: 646-7494
From page 13 royalty and a 50 percent profit oil levy. “Rystad Energy estimates that this will give the government 60 percent of the profit from the various projects (government take), while the remaining 40 percent will go to international E&P companies.” Erlingsen also noted an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that the deal granted to ExxonMobil to develop the giant Liza discovery was overly “favourable” and suggested the country should consider rewriting its tax law. However, Rystad Energy's analysis shows that for countries that only recently opened up for E&P activities otherwise known as frontier countries – such as the Falkland Islands, Israel, Mozambique and Mauritania – the government take is in the range of 50 to 65 percent. This was corroborated by a Wood Mackenzie report that revenue realization from the project is right in the middle of the pack for a frontier oil area including being in the top 10 of African countries surveyed; in the top five in Europe; and fourth in the Americas. “In order to attract investments from international E&P companies to kick-start their offshore ambitions, frontier countries often need to sweeten the pot with favourable fiscal terms. Guyana has followed this pattern.” “In retrospect, one can argue that the government has succeeded in generating the activity they were hoping for,” said Erlingsen. “The question going forward will be whether the Guyanese government – emboldened by its stunning exploration success over the past three years – will elect to alter its fiscal regime when future licences are awarded.”
Thursday May 31, 2018
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
More from Tuesday’s bidding at NPTAB The Ministry of Agriculture received bids for the procurement of new equipment. Lot 1: One new motor grader Lot 2: Two refrigerated trucks
The Ministry of Education received bids for the supply, delivery, and installation of generator for the Book Distribution Unit.
For the repair and maintenance of the Book Distribution Unit, the Ministry of Education received 21 bids.
The Institute of Applied Science and Technology received bids for the supply and delivery of a new pick-up truck.
The Institute of Applied Science and Technology also received bids for the supply of a new light-duty enclosure truck for the Morning Glory Rice cereal plant.
The Ministry of Public Health received bids for the supply and delivery of immunisation booklets.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Health received bids for the supply and delivery of Psychotherapeutic Medicines.
The Ministry of Education received bids for the repairs and maintenance of the South Ruimveldt Secondary School.
The Ministry of Health also received bids for the procurement of Pharmaceuticals.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) received bids for the control of vegetation of the airfield including perimeter fence.
For the supply and delivery of dietary supplies for the National School Feeding Programme, the Ministry of Education received three bids.
>>>> Continued on Page 24<<<<
PAGE 24
Kaieteur News
More from Tuesday’s bidding ... >>>> From Page 23 <<<<
Finally, the Education Ministry received bids for the repairs and maintenance of St. Stanislaus College
Thursday May 31, 2018
Oil and Corruption…
Guyana must decide if it wants to be the next Venezuela or the exception By Kiana Wilburg
Defence counsel grills relative... From page 16 from Hughes told the court that did not see it fit at the time to see a doctor. Questioned by Hughes in relation to a written statement he give to police, Raymond said that police ranks Singh and Frank who took the statement from him failed to document that he was beaten with a chair and gun although he complained to them. “Yes! I told the police but they didn't write it down,” Raymond insisted. Prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt was then asked by the court to disclose if Raymond's statement contained that he was beaten with a gun and chair. The prosecutor replied, “No”. “Is she (the prosecutor) lying on you”, Hughes asked Raymond who said no. During remarks to Raymond, Hughes told the witness that the only time he mentioned of being beaten
with a chair and gun was during his testimony at the Magistrates' Courts where a preliminary inquiry was held. Raymond, however, only admitted that police rank Frank took the statement from him after Hughes pointed out to him that it was Frank who signed to the statement and not Police rank Singh. In defence of his testimony, Raymond told the court, “Is all two of them (took the statement from him).” When asked by Hughes to explain his reason for telling the court that it was police rank Singh who took the statement from him, Raymond said that he assumed that police rank Singh and the accused were friends. It was then that Hughes put to the witness that he made such an assumption because of the similarity between the surnames of his client and the police rank. “Y'all go to rob the man
(Jaisingh) but y'all didn't realize he was strapped (armed),” Hughes suggested to Raymond. The latter responded in the negative dismissing that he, his brother, uncle and other relatives wanted to rob the businessman. Asked by Prosecutor Schmidt why he did not report the assault on him to police, Raymond stated, “Because everybody did focus on the two men (Sherwin Hamilton and Edwards) who got shot.” In a follow up question by the prosecutor, the witness was asked to disclose what parts of his body he sustained injuries. The witness stated that he received injuries to his head and side and that his clothes were also torn. Raymond replied in the negative when the jury foreman asked him if the accused had any reasons to attack him.This trial is continuing.
As an emerging oil producer, Guyana’s authorities will face a unique opportunity. They must decide if Guyana will be the next Venezuela, where oil wealth is shackled to corruption; or, if it will be the exception, an example for others to follow. This viewpoint was recently posited by Brazil’s leading political analyst, Thiago de Aragao. The Brazilian official said that Venezuela holds some of the world’s best oil reserves. But significant levels of corruption have prevented thousands of Venezuelans reaping the benefits. Aragao said that a huge part of the problem has to do with how countries like Venezuela define corruption. He said that the definition of corruption for some states is what really determines the reaction by the nation’s elected representatives. Aragao said that if Guyana desires to be different, to use its oil wealth in a transparent manner, then it needs to change the way it defines corruption. The Director of the Latin American Political Risk Analysis said, “I am not just pointing out Venezuela as being guilty of this problem but my country too. In Brazil, for example, there is a rule that you cannot bring more than US$500 in foreign products into the country. “But the majority do not declare it. Some say so what? That is not a big deal. Look at what (Former Brazilian Presi-
Brazil’s Leading Political Analyst, Thiago de Aragao dent Luiz Inacio) Lula da Silva did? He allegedly stole millions of dollars…” Aragao continued, “What Guyana must understand that from this example is that corruption is not based on size or volume. It is bad regardless of the size. This is the mindset we have to change. “Policy leaders often excel in putting reasons forward to justify what they are doing…And when that is not being done, they try to compare their actions with gestures that are far worse. By doing this, they think that their action is somehow acceptable.”The Brazilian official said that the Government of Guyana needs a message that says corruption is not tolerable regardless of the magnitude. He said that if politicians are allowed to get away with defining corruption based on size, then oil will fall
prey to the clutches of mismanagement. Even with the APNU+AFC Government in place, there is still a struggle to temper significant levels of corruption. In 2015, the Coalition Administration had commissioned close to 30 forensic audits on state agencies and various projects. The reports on the findings showed that corruption was deeply entrenched in the day-to-day operations of the entities. This was further compounded by the fact that the reports of the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, show on an annual basis that the nation still fails to deal with issues of mismanagement of funds and overpayments for previous and current years. With such a history of corruption, many concerned citizens have wondered what this would mean for the oil wealth to come.
'Fyah' slapped with murder ... From page 18 completed. He said, "It leaves the accused in limbo. The police should be in a state of readiness". He requested that the Preliminary Inquiry commence on the next court date. Magistrate Singh, however, told Edmond that the matter was never in court and was only brought before him yesterday, hence the reason for the incomplete file. Manohar was remanded to prison until June 13, next. Meanwhile, at the Springlands Court relatives, of Dinesh 'Vickey' Persaud and Randy 'Burnham' Couchman, two of the fishermen who were murdered and dumped overboard into the Suriname waters were present. Pandemonium broke out when the wife and family of Manohar and the fisherman's relatives engaged in a heated argument in the bottom flat of the court. According to one of Persaud's cousins, Manohar's wife asked her
"What y'all doing here". She also allegedly asked them, "How a yuh know me husband kill a yuh family?". Those remarks reportedly were followed by a threat towards one of the female cousins. "I gon mark yuh face," Manohar's wife reportedly said. Persaud's relatives subsequently made a report at the Springlands Police Station and both parties were called in to provide statements. After the conclusion of the court case, Persaud's wife, Taramattie Abrahim, called 'Kavita', disclosed that she is confident that the accused is guilty of the crimes put forth to him. "He is not innocent because when he buddy get shoot and kill over in Suriname, 'Fyah' use the words and say 'Peter pay for Paul and Paul pay for all. Everybody who went at the meeting in Suriname stand up and say 'Fyah' do it. “Dem na had to do this to them. You tek dem fish or
whatever, then go and leave dem fuh live na. Dem got families too." Manohar was remanded to prison on May 11, last, for allegedly robbing two fishing vessels in 2015 and 2016. On Friday April 27, 2018 a gang of pirates attacked four fishing boats, tying up, chopping and throwing boiling oil on crewmen while ordering others to transfer their catch. Five men survived by jumping overboard and swimming away. Days later, another fishing boat was attacked with the captain, a Guyanese, killed and crewmen dumped overboard.Some 12 fishermen, all Guyanese, are still missing after the first deadly attack that took place between the Suriname and French Guiana borders.Manohar was arrested on May 2 at Number 43 Village. Some of his workers were also arrested but were released shortly after; Some of the alleged pirates were also arrested in Suriname.
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
$500M spent, 20 percent... Gang attacks third Cuyuni From page 20 have at least four indigenous communities be completely demarcated by October and, with an extension, begin the process in other communities. Under the Guyana REDD + Investment Fund (GRIF), the Government in 2013 signed a US$10.7M document for the implementation of the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project, which concluded in 2016. However, the Ministry requested an extension in
2017, resulting in $165M being earmarked for the advancing of the remaining identified areas for land titling. So far, 13 communities have applied for absolute grants for the first time. Out of that amount, seven have received approval and six demarcated. Out of 23 communities, 14 have been issued with Certificates of Title. The ALT project seeks to achieve three major goals: completion of land titles issues and demar-
cation process for all Amerindian villages that submitted requests, increased use of existing and alternative mechanisms to resolve land titling disputes and thirdly a communication strategy including a handbook describing the process of titling, demarcation and social economic impact of secured land tenure. With the challenges within the communities, Minister Allicock surmises that the project could come to an end in maybe ten years' time.
camp in three weeks
O
ne man is nursing gunshot wounds to the hand after an attack on a mining camp in the Black Water Backdam, yesterday. The attack by bandits resulted in an exchange of gunfire and the loss of two guns and some $13M in gold. Yesterday, around 16:00 hours, while the employees of the mining camp were burning the gold that they had just washed down, four bandits who were laying wait in a nearby water pool, pounced on them. One of the hired security personnel on site said that four men armed with high powered rifles came out of a ‘water pool’ (flooded area like trench), and started firing at the employees of the camp who were burning the gold at the time. One security guard returned fire, but was overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the bandits, in the exchange one of the miners was shot on his hand. By this
The injured hand of the miner who was shot. time, most of the miners had run for cover. The bandits who were speaking in a foreign language, advanced to the camp and took up the gold that was being processed. This was estimated to be in the vicinity of 50ozs with a market value of some $13M, the bandits also carted off 1 shotgun and 1 rifle. The police responsible for
that mining area said the police received reports of a robbery in the Black Water area and dispatched a team from Iteringbang, A team of TSU ranks will be dispatched today, This recent attack is the third in recent months in this area. Only a week ago, another mining camp came under attack from heavily armed gunmen.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
Thursday May 31, 2018
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Home wins for Peru and Messi-inspired Argentina Messi and his teammates celebrate © Getty Images
Sri Lanka 318-6 vs President’s XI – 1st day, tour match PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Sri Lanka, opting to bat, reached 318 for six on the opening day of their threeday tour match against CWI President’s XI at the Brian Lara Stadium here yesterday. Dinesh Chandimal with 108, Kusal Perera 65 and Angelo Matthews 41 led the way for the tourists. Jomel Warrican 267 and Rahkeem Cornwall 2-80 were the bowlers on target for the home team. Scores: SRI LANKA 318 for six (Dinesh Chandimal 108, Kusal Perera 65, Angelo Matthews 41, Roshen Silva 28, Niroshan Dickwella 26 not out; Jomel Warrican 2-67, Rahkeem Cornwall 2-80) vs PRESIDENT’S XI.
Argentina and Peru kick-started their final preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ with morale-boosting home wins on Tuesday, while
Panama had to settle for a scoreless draw against the visiting Northern Ireland. Lionel Messi grabbed the spotlight in Buenos Aires with a hat-trick as the
home side put four unanswered goals past Haiti. La Albiceleste’s No10 scored a quickfire second-half double to add to a first-half penalty, before setting up
Thursday May 31, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may feel a bit restless because you know something is brewing but can't seem to get hold of it, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you wake up this morning and want nothing more than to stay under the sheets and cuddle a little longer, know that you aren't alone, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may find yourself taking the high road today, Gemini. It could be that you're like a bird soaring above the landscape. As you fly, your partner is on the ground trying his or her best to keep up. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today you'll feel as though your energy has come home, Cancer. Oftentimes, if you aren't feeling 100 percent yourself, you'll refuse to leave the house. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your wacky personality will be appreciated today, Leo, but don't take it too far. Leave room for seriousness to enter the picture. There's a dreamy, cloudy sensation to the day that might make it difficult for you VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You should try to feel at ease today. Remember that inner peace is a big part of your health. This can be achieved through a quiet review of where you are in life. Try not to focus too much on material things.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It may be hard to find answers today, Libra. It may also be hard for you to get your point across, especially since everyone's head is way up in the clouds. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is your day, Scorpio. You may find that people gravitate to you for advice and support. They're apt to lower their guard and more openly accept things you believe in. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's important for you to be extra cautious today, Sagittarius. Make sure you're calm and collected before you get behind the wheel of a car. Be sure to have a helmet on if you're riding your bike. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may not want to openly admit something to someone today, Capricorn, even though you know it's true. You're more than likely working to hide behind a barrier that has formed between you and a close loved one or family member. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Like playing a game of chess, you may need to think through your next move carefully, Aquarius. It could be that your opponent is taking a long time to make the next move and you're impatient. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Come out of your shell today, Pisces. You'll notice that people are much more sensitive to your feelings because they seem to be more emotional themselves.
Sergio Aguero for the final goal of the match. It was a night of celebration for another Barcelona star as Javier Mascherano joined Javier Z a n e t t i a s A rg e n t i n a ’s most-capped player with 143 international appearances. Peru secured a confident 2-0 win over an inexperienced Scotland with goals either side of halftime in Lima. Christian Cueva converted a spot-kick eight minutes before the break, while Jefferson Farfan added the second just after the resumption. There was a celebratory atmosphere in Panama City, but no goals for local fans to cheer. Panama came closest to breaking the deadlock against Northern Ireland, but Edgar Joel Barcenas saw his first-half header come back off the crossbar. (FIFA)
2018 Kmpa... From page 33 Senior male 5k will carry a winning purse of $50,000, 2nd $40,000, 3rd $30,000 while the senior females will see the winner running away with $40,000, 2nd $30,000, 3rd $15,000. In addition to cash prizes, 1st to 10th place finishers will receive a trophy, while some lucky student-athletes will receive sponsorships from the King Medas/Pansy Adonis Memorial. There are two laptops and five desktop computers also to be won. Among the sponsors of the event are Shelmacphotos USA, Ansa McAl, University of Guyana, Prodigal, Sybil’s Bakery Queens, Banks DIH, Daddy’s Enterprise, Star Party Rental, Payless Variety Store, NSC, Ministry of Education, Wake Up Guyana Show, Prince Shipping, Island Express and the Adonis Family. The official launch of the event will be held next week.
PAGE 28
Thursday May 31, 2018
Kaieteur News
Adidas takes 12-10 lead over Misfiring Djokovic still searching for those golden shots Nike in World Cup shirt deals BERLIN (Reuters) Adidas (ADSGn.DE) can declare itself the winner over arch rival Nike (NKE.N) in the upcoming soccer World Cup even before the first match kicks off as it is kitting out the most teams. However, the German sportswear brand, which is also the official sponsor of the tournament, expects only a limited financial impact, partly because this year’s World Cup takes place in Russia, where the economy is in the doldrums. “The World Cup in Russia does carry lower financial opportunities than the similar event four years ago in Brazil,” Adidas Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said earlier this month. “At the same time, we’re looking forward to it. It’s going to be a fantastic way of bringing our brand to life globally,” Rorsted added. Since the last tournament in 2014, Adidas has grown sales rapidly in areas other than soccer, capitalising on booming demand for its retro basketball sneakers and springy Boost running shoes to outpace Nike, particularly in the U.S. market. Nevertheless, soccer remains important for the image of the German brand, which has supplied the World Cup match ball since 1970 and has a deal to sponsor the event until 2030. It also announced last week it will extend its partnership with the UEFA Champions League until 2021. After Nike kitted out more teams for the first time in Brazil in 2014, Adidas has fought back, this year sponsoring 12 of the 32 participating teams, including strong contenders like Germany and Spain, along with hosts Russia. Nike, which only got heavily involved in soccer when the World Cup was played in the United States in 1994, is supplying shirts for
10 countries, including Brazil, France and England. “The World Cup is such a powerful moment in sport, and we look forward to amplifying its energy,” Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker said in March. NO IRANIANS WEAR NIKE While team deals are important for sales of soccer jerseys, more critical for sales of boots is the sponsorship of top players, particularly the likes of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who wears Nike, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, in Adidas. Nike expects 60 percent of all the players heading to Russia will be wearing its boots, including almost half the German and Spanish team and three-quarters of the Russians, even though they will be wearing Adidas shirts. An exception is Iran, which faces new sanctions after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal. Nike says none of the country’s players are wearing its shoes, while Adidas is providing the team’s jerseys. German brand Puma (PUMG.DE) is a distant third, sponsoring just four relatively lowly teams in the competition, compared with the eight it kitted out in 2014, dented by the failure of its top team Italy to qualify. Still, Puma Chief Executive
Bjorn Gulden says the World Cup has helped its order book for the second and third quarters. Adidas reported soccerrelated sales of 2.1 billion euros (1.8 billion pounds) in 2014, when it sold 14 million official match balls and 8 million jerseys, including 3 million for the winning German team. Sales rose to 2.5 billion euros by 2016, but slipped as a proportion of total Adidas revenue to 13.5 percent from 14.5 percent in 2014. It has not disclosed figures since then. Nike saw soccer sales fall a currency-adjusted 4 percent to $2 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, accounting for less than 6 percent of group revenue. The World Cup could add about 3 to 4 percentage points to Adidas group revenue growth in 2018, lower than previous tournaments due to the fact it is happening in Russia, according to Piral Dadhania, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. However, Dadhania noted much of the benefit occurs before the event as the jerseys have already been sold to retailers. “Any incremental boost during or after the event relating to jersey sales depends on the extent to which specific teams progress through the competition,” Dadhania said.
Svitolina canters into third round in Paris... From page 31 seed Simona Halep reached the second round of the French Open a day later than expected and not without a fright as she recovered from a slow start to beat American Alison Riske 2-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Romanian world number one stayed under wraps until the fourth day of the tournament after her opening match was canceled on Tuesday evening because of a schedule backlog. It appeared some of Tuesday’s rain had got into
the works as she lost the opening five games, sprinkling unforced errors across Court Philippe Chatrier, but there was no sign of panic and her game eventually clicked into gear. The 83rd-ranked Riske won three games in her previous claycourt meeting with the twice Roland Garros runner-up but broke serve three times in taking the opening set. Halep quickly reasserted her authority though with the depth and power of her
groundstrokes stopping Riske in her tracks — conceding just 14 points in sets two and three. “It was good that I came back so strong,” Halep, beaten in last year’s final by Jelena Ostapenko, told reporters. “I just wanted to relax my arms, because I was moving pretty well also at the beginning, but my arm was very tight and I couldn’t hit the ball as I wanted.“But then it was much easier, and I felt really well in the end of the match.”
PARIS (Reuters) - It is just as well Novak Djokovic did not choose archery or shooting as his preferred sport. Instead of a small circular board or a flying skeet to aim at, Djokovic has half a tennis court to use as his target. At the French Open yesterday, however, Djokovic’s shots often failed to hit the bullseye. The once all-conquering Serb started off by serving a fault, ended the opening game with a double fault and fired plenty of wayward shots wide and long as he tried to subdue Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar. While the scorecard will show that Djokovic eked out a straightforward-looking 76(1) 6-4 6-4 victory, those following the action on a sweltering Court Suzanne Lenglen will know the second-round win was anything but easy. “I went through my ups and downs and I’m not really satisfied with the performance. I just played enough in the right moments to win the match,” admitted 20th seed Djokovic, who is still trying to rediscover his golden touch since undergoing elbow surgery this year. “I have good days of serving when everything flows. But the issue is that I had to (change) the service motion a lot because of the injury (and) I changed the racket. “I’ve already had three different service motions this year. So it’s something that I’m working on. At times today, I didn’t feel rhythm at all of the serve. So I was missing a lot of first serves.” Djokovic was so restless that after being broken by the
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his second round match against Spain’s Jaume Munar. (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) 155th-ranked Munar in the ninth game, instead of sitting down and taking in fluids, he simply walked over to the other side of the net and went through the motions of playing some air shots. While it was obvious his game is still a long way from the form he produced to win four slams in a row from 2015 to 2016, he was quick to put his struggles into perspective. “To sit here and talk about how tough it is and you have people starving to death, for me there is no point in talking about that. It’s just the way it is,” said Djokovic, who has failed to add to his haul of 12 Grand Slam titles since triumphing at Roland Garros in
2016. After shutting down his 2017 season following his quarter-final exit at Wimbledon, Djokovic has suffered more downs than ups in 2018. In the seven tournaments he had played before arriving in Paris, he has been beaten in the first round three times and has yet to reach a final. “As an athlete I have to face these challenges,” the 31-year-old said with a shrug. “I’m not playing at the level I wish to (but) I’m trying not to give up.” He will get a better idea of where his game is at when he faces Spanish 13th seed Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the last 16.
Mohamed’s Enterprise assist Mother of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia bound Jalade Trim Soon to experience the dream of a lifetime, attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ where she is slated to participate in a number of educational programmes as well as coaching sessions, Jalade Trim is even more elated her mother, Mrs. Finola Trim would be making the trip with her. Making this a reality was Owner of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Nazar Mohamed who yesterday presented sponsorship towards purchasing Ms. Trim’s ticket to her in the presence of the young ‘Lady Jaguar’ Jalande who was recently named the GFF Female
Junior Player of the Year. Mr. Mohamed, whilst congratulating the young Trim, who hails from Kwakwani and a member of the Kwakwani Strikers Football Club, noted that his company was delighted to be assisting Mrs. Trim to make the historical trip with her daughter who has taken female football by storm. He stated that it is always good to see young athletes who are focused on being the best and he has been following the exploits of the talented and skillful Jalade who has been playing the game from age 4.”As a company, we
have always been supportive of our sportsmen and women through the years. In this case, we have a young female player who has been afforded a huge opportunity to be at the greatest event in the world and we thought it best to ensure that her greatest fan, her mother gets the opportunity to accompany her on such a trip.” Jalade, whose first time coach was one of Guyana’s greatest, Jimmy McLean, was recently a member of the GFF squad that participated in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Qualifying competition.
Thursday May 31, 2018
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Schedule Confirmed for Qualifying Phase of the Concacaf Nations League - Guyana host Barbados for opening match on Sept. 8, next Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) unveiled yesterday the schedule for the qualifying phase of the Concacaf Nations League. The sixty-eight-match qualifying phase will take place during the four FIFA match windows of September, October and November 2018 and March 2019. The official draw which determined the matchups was conducted on March 7, 2018 following the launch of the Concacaf Nations League in Miami, FL. Prior to the draw a computerized master schedule was produced for the one-
off qualifying phase. The computer model ensured that no two teams will face each other more than once and that each team plays two home and two away matches. Guyana will host Barbados in its first match on Saturday September 8, next at a venue still to be named. Following all matches of the Concacaf Nations League qualifying phase, the total points for each team will be compiled into an aggregate table, ranking the participating teams 1-34 based on their on-field results. The final standings of the qualifying phase will deter-
mine how teams are placed into Leagues A, B and C for the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Group Phase. Additionally, the top ten finishers of the Nations League Qualifying final table will complete the list of sixteen teams that will qualify for the 2019 Gold Cup, joining the six teams that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal. Concacaf recently announced the expansion of the Gold Cup to 16 teams, providing access to top-level football for more Member Associations. The complete match schedule for the qualifying phase follows.
Serena Williams, Venus Williams win doubles match at French Open ESPN – (Associated Press) PARIS — Serena a n d Ve n u s W i l l i a m s won their first Grand Slam doubles match in nearly two years, advancing to the second round at the French Open yesterday. The sisters dropped the first set before coming back to beat the 14th-
seeded Japanese pairing of Shuko Aoyama and Miyu Kato 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in front of a Court 3 crowd that raucously supported the Americans. The Williams-Williams duo last competed at a major tournament together at Wimbledon in 2016. They won their 14th Grand Slam title in women’s
doubles at the All England Club. This return to doubles came a day after Serena participated in Grand Slam singles for the first time in 16 months, winning her first-round match at R o l a n d G a r r o s . Ve n u s Williams lost in the first round of singles on Sunday.
PAGE 30
Thursday May 31, 2018
Kaieteur News
Regional Women’s Cricket tourney
Coach Mangru says bowling is the strength as Guyana prepare
Coach Mangru talks to debutant Cherry-Ann Fraser during the Lunch break at Everest. Guyana will be hunting their first ever Regional Women’s title when they travel to Jamaica for this year’s Cricket West Indies Women’s Regional T20 and 50-over tournaments, scheduled for June 7 to 25 and Coach Bharrat Mangru feels their strength will be their bowling. Without a title since RegionalWomen’s tournament was inaugurated in 1976 when players like Ava Morgan, arguable Guyana’s best female batter played, West Indies batter Shemaine Campbelle will hope to be the first Captain to capture the elusive title. Mangru, a former Coach of the West Indies Blind team,
is making his debut as senior Coach after taking the U-19 girls team to Trinidad in April, says that the team in which six players have previous experience of Jamaican conditions, is expected to be competitive. “If everyone plays to their full potential I am confident that we will do well and our bowling attack should one of the best in the tournament and will be depended on to win games for us,” disclosed the 47year-old former Police medium pacer. The bowling will be spearheaded by West Indies pace trio Eva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt and Subrina Munroe with pace support from
Lashuna Toussaint watches as Melanie Henry drives Kaysia Shultz at Everest.
seamers Akaze Thompson and West Indies’ Shabika Gajnabi. The spin will come from 20-year-old off-spinner Plaffiana Millington who has been playing at this level since she was 15. Spin back-up will be provided by off-spinner Mandy Mangru and leftarm spinner Kaysia Shultz who slit the web on her bowling during the InterCounty competition. However, Shultz showed no signs of discomfort during practice sessions. Four of the U-17 players who played in Trinidad are in this squad in which the only debutant being Cherry-Ann Fraser who earned her pick
after impressive performances with the ball in the Inter-County matches. Mangru said that taking all things into account, especially the adverse weather, he is satisfied with the preparation since the players were just out of the Inter-County tournament. “We have a good mix of youth and experience and having watched the InterCounty games I feel this is the best possible team the selectors have come up with,” said Mangru. The Coach is focusing on the batters picking the gaps and rotating the strike and the bowlers hitting consistent areas. “The batters don’t run
PARIS (Reuters) - Serena Williams will be favourite for a fourth French Open title if she survives into the second week, former men’s champion Jim Courier believes. The 36-year-old is playing her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia last September and has played only a handful of matches this year. But the 23-times major champion looked reasonably assured in her opening win against Czech Kristina Pliskova and fellow American Courier thinks she can only get better. “Look, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone betting against Serena doing the unexpected because she’s done it so often in her
career,” Courier, commentating for British broadcaster ITV, told Reuters. “She needs match play for sure but if she gets through the first three rounds and feels good physically and develops a little bit of confidence then she is probably the favorite, because she is Serena.” Williams is 451st on the WTA rankings and while playing under a protected ranking she was not seeded for the French. Which means she is up against Australian 17th seed Ashleigh Barty in the second round. “She will not want to leave early because she loves Paris,” Courier, winner in 1991 and 1992, said. “It’s hard to say where she is. But she will be ready to fight for it. The draw is tricky but that can play a positive role for Serena because she
enough singles and mainly play in a block or hit manner. This happens even in the male format. We were hoping for at least two practice matches but the rain has ruled that out,” informed Mangru who has also coached the Demerara U-15 and U-17 Boys in the past. Mangru believes that Guyana’s toughest opponent should be Jamaica in their own back yard. Over the past few days the team had to be content with morning fielding drills at the Providence Stadium and afternoon nets at Everest. Campbell and Gajnabi missed the practice sessions due to Windies commitments. Guyana’s best showing
was in 2014 in Dominica when they were beaten in the Final by Jamaica. The Guyana 14-member squad read: Shemaine Campbelle (captain), Sheneta Grimmond, Mandy Mangru, Shabika Gajnabi, Lashuna Toussaint, Melanie Henry, Tremayne Smartt, CherryAnn Fraser, Erva Giddings, Kaysia Shultz, Subrina Munroe, Akaze Thompson, Plaffiana Millington and Katana Mentore, Bharrat Mangru (Coach), Carol Nurse (Manager) The reserve players are: Heema Singh, Shenika Campbelle, Latoya Smith, Dian Prahalad, Althea Newark and Casey Charles. (Sean Devers)
Serena favourite if she survives three rounds: Courier
Serena Williams of the U.S in action during her first round match against Czech Republic’s Kristyna Pliskova. (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) can’t necessarily just work her way into the tournament the way she could if she had an easy draw.” If she beats Barty, 11th seed Julia Goerges could be next, and then there is the possibility of a fourth-round
clash with twice former champion Maria Sharapova. “Barty is a tough Aussie and there are a lot of landmines on her road but none of the others will want to come up against her,” Courier said.
Thursday May 31, 2018
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Windies planning to come hard All Seasons Racing Service boost at World XI in charity T20 ‘Champion of Champions’ Dominoes LONDON, May, CMC – West Indies intend to play t o d a y ’s high-profile Tw e n t y 2 0 I n t e r n a t i o n a l against the ICC World XI at full throttle, in spite of the fact the match will serve as a fund-raiser to help with hurricane relief in the Caribbean. The match, which brings together several global stars of the game, bowls off at Lord’s at 6 pm (1 pm Eastern Caribbean time), and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Funds from the game will go towards the refurbishment of five stadia affected by the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria last September, including Test venues Windsor Park and the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. And though the contest is for charity, West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite told reporters the Caribbean side would be taking the game as seriously as they did any other international. “For me personally, every time I put on the maroon for the West Indies, it is a proper full international game,” Brathwaite said. “Obviously it has been listed as a charity game and the reason we’re playing the game is for charity but personally there’s a lot of pride involved and as a West Indies player and a West Indies captain and also a fan of West Indies cricket, every time you take the field I want to win and I want to give a hundred per cent.
“There won’t be any half-measures on my behalf, whether in a captain capacity or as a player, and I think I speak for the rest of the team when I say we’re going out there to entertain and ultimately to win.” Brathwaite, who played in last Sunday’s Indian Premier League final for Hyderabad Sunrisers before jetting off to London, will be joined by several of the Windies leading stars. Superstar opener Chris Gayle is a member of the squad, along with exciting all-rounder Andre Russell and big-hitting opener Evin Lewis, with the likes of leg-spinner Samuel Badree and resurgent wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin included. The World XI will be led by flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi after England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan was forced to pull out on Monday with a fractured finger. Prolific Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik will also feature along with 17-yearold Nepalese spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane. Though action on the field is expected to be the attraction, the bigger cause will be the purpose of the contest, organised as a collaborative effort by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council, Cricket We s t I n d i e s a n d t h e MCC.Brathwaite reiterated the significance of the match, while also express-
ing the importance of the money to be raised. “It is very important and I want to say personally thanks to all and sundry who [collaborated] to get it (match) up and running,” Brathwaite said. “It is very proactive to have a [relief] fund and hopefully it is something that can be contributed to annually – you never know when disaster will strike. “It (disaster) was very close to me. [West Indies A all-rounder] Kyle Mayers was lost in Dominica for quite a while and obviously it hit his family a lot harder. When it happens so close to home then you really understand the effects.” He added: “I think I can speak for the majority, if not all the players, in saying it’s something that’s needed and hopefully it (fund) can be contributed to annually.” SQUADS: ICC World XI – Shahid Afridi (captain), Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Tamim Iqbal, Tymal Mills, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Luke Ronchi, Adil Rashid. WEST INDIES – Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.
Egypt hopeful Salah will be fit in three weeks CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt are hopeful that forward Mohamed Salah will have recovered from his shoulder injury in three weeks which would allow him to play in their final group game at the World Cup in Russia. The 25-year-old suffered a heavy fall in a challenge with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos while playing for Liverpool in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday. He left the field in tears amid serious doubts about his chances of playing for Egypt at their first World Cup since 1990. But the Egyptian FA was more optimistic after Salah met the national team doctor in Spain.
“The (Egyptian) football association confirms once again ... Salah will be in the World Cup, God willing, and won’t be absent for more than three weeks,” it said on Twitter without giving further details. Egypt begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15, before facing hosts Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25. O n S u n d a y, S a l a h posted a message saying: “It was a very tough night, but I’m a fighter. Despite the odds, I’m confident that I’ll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need.” Egypt reached the tournament after Salah scored a 95th- minute penalty to help them beat Congo 2-1 in October. Earlier yesterday,
Liverpool physiotherapist Ruben Pons was quoted by the Spanish sports paper Marca as saying that Salah would be out for up to four weeks. “He is sad about what happened but is totally focused on recovery, seeing when he can be ready,” he said. “In principle it will be between three and four weeks but we will try to reduce those dates, that’s the big goal,” Pons added. Salah, who scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool after joining from AS Roma, was voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association this month, completing a sweep of E n g l a n d ’s i n d i v i d u a l prizes and becoming the first African player to win the prestigious award.
All Seasons Racing Service representative Shunile Haniff hands over the cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organiser Mark Wilshire on Tuesday. Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshireorganised ‘Champion of Champions’ Competition scheduled to commence on Sunday, June 3, at the R&R Sports Bar situated at 76 Meadow Brook Gardens, has attracted another sponsor. On Tuesday, All Seasons Racing Service on Robb Street joined the growing list of supporters of the tournament when representative, Shunile Haniff, handed over an undisclosed sum to Wiltshire at the entity’s location. Wiltshire, shortly after thanking the entity for its support, said the tournament will see teams that finished first and second in competitions this year battle invited
teams from the three counties in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo. The experienced domino executive said over $300,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs with the winning team set to receive $175,000 and a trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will take home $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000 respectively, along with trophies. Entrance fee is $12, 000 per team which must be paid on or before the start of play. The top female player and the Most Valuable Player will receive $5,000 respectively. Wiltshire added that all prizes are guaranteed and interested teams can contact him on tele#665-5855. Among the teams anticipated to participate are: Gold
is Money, All Seasons, Mix Up, Spartans, Rage, Providence, Gangster, C7, C6, Thunder, Phantom, R&R, Turning Point, Masters, Gold Star, Angels and OPKO. The invited teams are: Orange Walk, NIS, East Taxi Service, Sun Flower Hotel out of Essequibo, Rockets, Players, Uprising, Mark Fitness Gym, Yhip’s Bake r y, L i p p y L o t t o f r o m Bartica, Golden Masters, Beacons, Medi Care, Geology & Mines Commission, Caricom, Lil Boys and Lion. Some of the sponsors include: Dynasty Sports Club, All Seasons Racing Service, Tony’s Jewellery, CBB&L Import & Export, South Land Trading and Boston Casting Jewellery among others. Food and drinks will be on sale throughout the day.
Svitolina canters into third round in Paris Halep rewarded for patience after risky start PARIS (Reuters) - Elina Svitolina saw off Roland Garros debutante Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round of the French Open yesterday. The Ukrainian fourth seed, coming off a successful defence of her title in Rome, played solid tennis throughout to set up a meeting with Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu. Kuzmova, having beaten 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round, was no pushover in the opening set but there was little she could do when the Ukrainian stepped up a gear. After an early trade of breaks in the second set, Svitolina, twice a quarter-finalist in Paris, broke her
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in action during her second round match against Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova. (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) opponent’s serve again for 43 and held to close it out with-
out a scare.Meanwhile, Top (Continued on page 28)
PAGE 32
Thursday May 31, 2018
Kaieteur News
Tabatinga, Gladiators are RFA Champions League winners
Vandette Henry who scored 15 goals in the tournament accepts her prize. Following an exciting contest with Paiwomak Warriors Football Club at the Wada’apna Sports Complex in Lethem recently, Tabatinga Football Club emerged champions of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Champions league. They won 1-0 after a goal which was scored just minutes into the second half. The win will see the Tabatinga Football Club representing Rupununi at the upcoming Indigenous Heritage Games slated for September.
Paiwomak Warriors dominated the opening proceedings but failed to finish some clever moves, sending shots wide of goal. Tabatinga FC were largely indebted to their defence and gradually increased their pace thereby winning possession and dominated the exchange in the latter stages of the first half. Tabatinga FC continued to increase their pace and mounted pressure on their rivals and in the 40th minute Paiwomak Warriors failed to
Female Gladiators FC clear a corner; this error decided the outcome of the duel as Zaulo Bronze headed home much to the delight of the fans. Paiwomak Warriors’ Orlando Allicock was sent off in the 58th minute, after hitting the face of Tabatinga’s FC Jonathon ‘Alex’ Lima. While Tabatinga continued to dominate possession Paiwomak Warriors efforts in search of an equaliser proved futile. Gladiators FC thumped
The victorious Paiwomak Warriors FC team
Paiwomak Warriors FC 4-1 in the female final, and like Tabatinga FC will represent The Rupununi at the upcoming Indigenous Heritage Games. The best female Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player award went to Vanessa Adolph and Vandette Henry respectively, both of Gladiators FC; while the Best Goal Keeper prize went to Dexter Mentore (Tabatinga FC), and the most Valuable Player trophy was given to Zaulo Bronze (Tabatinga FC).
The RFA thanked their sponsors and stakeholders of the tournament; Guyana Football Federation, Imon Wirelesss, Sonja and Jude Abraham, Lynkon Trading Inc., Lillian and William, Dayan James, Curtis Charles, Miss Celita, Miss Fay, G & T Store, Andrew Mangroo, Lethem Town Council, Shivon Farias, Paul Williams, Lethem Public Hospital, Referees, Lethem Police Force, former executive members of RFA and members of the RFA.
Kaieteur News
Thursday May 31, 2018
PAGE 32
Samuel Barakat newly elected head of GLTA
The newly elected GLTA executive committee. In keeping with its constitution, the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) held its AGM and elections on Friday May 11th at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue where Samuel Barakat defeated William Skeete to be elected President of the tennis body, replacing Jamal Goodluck who was the head for the previous year. Barakat noted that he’s, “Happy to be elected and thanks to everyone for their support and I look forward to working with
everyone to take tennis to higher heights not only on the local scene but for to be more competitive regionally.” Other members of the new executive committee include Cristy Campbell -Vice President, Robin Singh- second Vice President, Molly Hassan -Secretary, Illeana Boodhoo - Committee member, Nigel Niles Committee member, Ramesh SeebaranTreasurer, Tina Ram- Assistant Treasurer, Dellon Fraser-Committee member, Jason Andrews- Committee member, Grace
McCalman -Life member and William Skeete - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. During the AGM, Grace McCalman, Ramesh Sunich and Jamal Goodluck were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the sport for the past eight years. The clubs, coaches, parents and players were also thanked by Barakat for the overall progress the GLTA had made in establishing tennis as an enviable status in Guyana which has added to the development of the sport among youths, with the Inter
Sandals teams up with Windies for Lord’s T20I
S
T JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Caribbean hotel chain Sandals Resorts will sponsor West Indies for today’s Hurricane Relief Twenty20 International against the ICC World XI at Lord’s. The announcement comes one day after Cricket West Indies announced they had ended their long-term sponsorship agreement with telecommunications giants Digicel, with a year still left to run on the contract. West Indies’ playing and training kits will be branded with the Sandals logo for the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. “ We a r e d e l i g h t e d Sandals have agreed to partner with us on this fundraising initiative event,”
CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave. “Sandals is a strong Caribbean brand and global leader in the luxury travel industry. This match has great significance for the people of the region and we are very grateful for Sandals’ support.” Sandals is headquartered in Jamaica and boasts properties across the region including Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada. And Sandals managing director for the United Kingdom and Europe, Karl Thompson, said the company’s deep involvement in the region meant the charity match was the ideal opportunity to be involved in a worthy cause. “As ambassadors for the Caribbean, Sandals is
Guiana Games championship hosted in Georgetown last year as a major highlight. Barakat has explained that his objectives, while in the power, will include Club Development, membership expansion, coaching, tournaments and youth programmes which is anticipated to be supported by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Central American and C a r i b b e a n Te n n i s C o n f e d e r a t i o n (COTECC), and the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
2018 KMPA Classic fourday event set for September on the East Coast $4million in cash and prizes up for grabs
CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave. delighted to be involved in such a prestigious event,” Thompson said. “The brand has been the pioneer of luxury hospitality initiatives for over 30 years in the region so to be able to give something back always means a great deal to
everybody involved with Sandals.” T h u r s d a y ’s f i x t u r e , which will see several highprofile West Indies players pitted against an array of global stars, will raise funds for five stadia in the Caribbean damaged last September by the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Test venues Windsor Park in Dominica and the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua are among those set to benefit. The match bowls off at 6pm (1 pm Eastern Caribbean time).
The 2018 King MedasPansy Adonis (KMPA) Classic, which features athletes from the Under-8 to Masters’ category competing in Track and Field, is set for four days of excitement from September 20th to 23rd with over $4million in prizes up for grabs. This year, the 110m and 400m hurdles events have been included with the intention of introducing the event locally since Guyana usually lack competitors in the event at regional competitions. The field and track events will be competed at the Lusignan Community Center ground on the East Coast of Demerara. On the initial day, field events will be competed from 10:30hrs inclusive of the Long and High Jumps, shot put, Javelin and Discuss which will see participation in all age groups. Thursday,
September 20th will also include the heats in all age groups of the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m races. The 1500m finals, 100m finals and 800m finals will race off on day two inclusive of the 200m and 400m heats along with the 80m and 110m hurdles finals, all beginning at 09:45hrs. Day three will speed off from 09:45hrs with the usually enjoyed finals of the 400m, 100m, 200m and 400m hurdles, sprint races. Meanwhile, the signature day which will have the big money, 5k road race, will be on Sunday, September 23rd at Bachelor’s Adventure. In the senior male and female, male and female 17-20 years and the Teachers’ Male and Female along with the Government officials’ male and female categories, there will be cash prizes awarded from 1st to 10th places. The biggest race, the (Continued on page 27)
rt o p S Windies planning to Mohamed’s Enterprise assist Mother of 2018 come hard at World . 28FIFA World Cup Russia bound Jalade Trim XI in charity T20 . 31 P
P
West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite.
Tabatinga, Gladiators are RFA Champions . 32 League winners Regional Women’s Cricket tourney P
Mr. Nazar Mohamed hands over cheque to Mrs. Finola Trim in the presence of Jalade Trim yesterday.
P. 30
Tremayne Smartt bowls to Lushana Toussaint as Akaze Thompson backs up. (Sean Devers photos)
Coach Mangru says bowling is the strength as Guyana prepare Sheneta Grimmond drives during nets at Everest.
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.