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Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2017

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

IN A DANGEROUS PLACE United States President, Donald Trump is on a 12-day visit to Asia to improve his nation’s relations with its allies in that region, bolster US trade, especially with China, and to seek help from China to get North Korea to end its continuous threats and abandon its nuclear weapons program. However, experts have opined that despite China’s promise to urge North Korea’s leader Kim Jungun to end his nuclear ambitions, the truth is China would be more accepting of a nuclear North Korea than US dominance of the Korean Peninsula. It has become clear that President Trump, consciously or unconsciously, has shifted the United States in a dangerous direction since being elected to serve in the highest office. Some of his most ardent supporters, at times of more solemn reflection, have conceded that this is not what they bargained for. They have stated that if the president continues on his present path, none of the objectives they voted for will ever be realised. Even some Republican members of Congress are convinced that the President has placed the United States on a slippery slope that can only spell disaster for the country and the world. The evidence of this treacherous turn in American politics is very palpable. After almost one year in office, President Trump has failed to have any significant legislation passed in Congress. His promise to repeal and replace President Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, dubbed Obamacare, has failed, and his tax reform legislation which is currently before Congress seems to be in jeopardy. This is largely his own doing, as he has sought to govern by tweets, which he has used more as a tool of division than of unity. While his aim is to gratify his supporters, he is clueless that his actions to replace Obamacare will put the health of millions of Americans, including many who voted for him, at great risk. He has taken on football players who refuse to stand during the singing of the national anthem and pursued other causes that are pedantic, and which other presidents would have looked at with derision. He has infuriated groups unnecessarily with his intemperate outbursts at public events. He has preoccupied himself with banalities, and in too many instances has brought embarrassment to the office of the presidency and the American people. His behaviour as President has become more undesirable when one considers that his predecessor, Barack Obama was a measured and temperate person who carefully weighed his public comments so as not to unnecessarily rattle constituents or cause panic. Obama’s lawyerly and often painstaking approach to issues may have been frustrating to some who wanted him to make prompt decisions, but his approach, compared to Trump’s misunderstanding of the issues and tendency to shoot from the hip, was uplifting. Obama avoided the abrasive and incendiary comments which have become a staple in Trump’s public diet, and which Trump seems to thrive on. Trump’s unhealthy obsession to erase Obama’s legacy and name from the history books, and to de-legitimise his achievements, are subtle reminders that he obsessively believed, and probably still does, that Obama was not born in the United States, and should not have been president. He seems trapped in a body of his own narcissism which he has nurtured over several decades. Those who expect him to act presidentially, to be elegant in his expression, to be careful of whom he offends or to bring decorum to the office of the president could as well hope for ice cream to remain solid in the Sahara Desert. America and the world are in a more contentious state than they have been in the past 50 years. Further, there is no great confidence at this time that President Trump would think twice before triggering a nuclear war. Neither is there confidence that the Republicans in Congress or their leaders would have the ability to stop him. Unfortunately, America is moving from one serious crisis to another, because the ideals of its presidency have been misplaced in the present occupant who has placed it in a dangerous place.

Peeping Tom is woefully out of touch on the territorial issue Dear Editor, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is appalled that the author of “Guyana has been outfoxed by Venezuela”, (Kaieteur News, November 7, 2017), a subject of critical national interest, has taken shelter under the nom de plume “Peeping Tom”, betraying immediately a purpose that is unsavoury. Since the style and grasp of the matter, though tenuous in part, are somewhat familiar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obliged to conclude that the mistakes and false assertions are essentially calculated misrepresentations. Whatever material gain accrues from such dastardly venture at this time of deliberation can only be ephemeral and unflattering. This statement will address the more serious mistakes and false assertions. The first assertion is that Guyana is responsible for a “war of words” and failure to engage Venezuela at the diplomatic level to resolve the controversy that has arisen from Venezuela’s rejection of the 1899 Award that established the land boundary with what was

then British Guiana. This is an astonishing statement given that the two nations have engaged in the diplomatic procedures of the Geneva Agreement, including the United Nations Good Offices Process, since Guyana’s independence in 1966. In more than fifty years, there has not been any progress towards resolution. It is not clear why the author would blame this on Guyana’s vigorous defense of its sovereign rights rather than Venezuela’s baseless claim on two-thirds of our land territory. Guyana has good bilateral relations with Venezuela, but will never surrender even an inch of its territory. The trade in rice and energy is solely an economic matter and has nothing to do with the politics of this longstanding controversy. The author is fundamentally misinformed in his understanding of the situation. The second assertion is that Guyana is somehow isolated in CARICOM and Latin America as a result of “a Venezuelan diplomatic counter offensive”. Not only

is this untrue (Guyana enjoys considerable support in the international community), it is also irrelevant to the United Nations Good Offices Process, which is currently the only forum where the controversy is being discussed. Again, the author seems to have no understanding of the nature of that process and is reckless in his speculation about what transpired at the recent meeting in New York. The third assertion, that Guyana’s preference for a judicial settlement is unrealistic is also fundamentally misinformed. First, the author confuses the International Court of Justice (ICJ, which settles disputes between States) with the International Criminal Court (ICC, which prosecutes individuals for war crimes). Second, the author maintains that Venezuela’s approval is required for the controversy to be put before the ICJ. The author seems completely unaware that the United Nations SecretaryGeneral decided in December 2016 that if there is no significant progress on resolution of the controversy by the end of 2017, he would

refer the matter to the ICJ, based on the powers vested in him under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The ICJ is the ultimate guarantor of international law and having waited for more than fifty years, it is the best hope for Guyana to once and for all establish the validity of the 1899 Award that established its land boundary. To suggest that Guyana s h o u l d not protect its fundamental rights because it will have to pay legal fees is absurd, not least because the land and sea resources in questi o n a r e w o r t h billions of dollars. Editorial collusion has denied the editor any claim to objectivity and fairness that a matter of such national interest demands at the present time. For its part, Guyana has confidence in the decision of the United Nations Secretary-General to give the Good Offices process one last chance before going to the ICJ, and will continue its vigorous efforts to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights under international law. The Foreign Affairs

The police force on trial Dear Editor, During the course of history, when moral lines become crossed and crass attitudes come to the fore, it behooves those of us who are honest and strong, to stand up, take note and re-evaluate anew.” (Author unknown) Firstly permit me to extend my condolences to the parents and family of Kescia Branche, the Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher who met such a tragic demise. However, the unfolding circumstances surrounding her death once again brings to the fore the moral cesspool which Guyana has become. Having thus said, I am forced to revert to a wellknown Guyanese orison—Only God alone can save them. Assisting in the investigation are members of the ranks, one of whom is currently in custody and the other who until yesterday, displayed Houdini –like qualities. Firstly, permit me to bring to recall the motto of the Police Force worldwide, which is to Protect and To Serve. It is blatantly evident that these members of the ranks were either a no show when ethics was being

taught, or they were a force within a force. For far too long the noose of police inaptitude, deceptive behavior, and poor or absent c r e d i b i l i t y, e v i d e n c e falsification, utilization of excessive force, improper firearm usage etc. has remained like an untreated haemorrhoid on the orifice of the Guyana Police Force. This latest saga further serves to highlight the point. Mistrust affects crime fighting, the core of what the police are tasked with doing. As reported, the ranks, both stationed at Brickdam Police Station, were on duty when the victim came into their view and environment; she was awaiting transportation. Under whose orders did he abandon duty in order to convert the service vehicle into a means of transportation? At the risk of being accused of jumping to conclusions, it is blatantly apparent that the ride was not being offered as a good will gesture. His colleague, also on duty did not object to the departure, as after consumption at the barbecue he was also forced to leave to respond to an urgent call of Nature.

This is the juncture where the “L I E” misses the “I”, as he clearly states that once he had answered Nature’s call of twentyminute duration, in the ease of his abode, he returned to the spot to find both teacher and colleague missing, and the motorcycle left as evidence of his colleague’s past presence. He further claims that thereafter he returned to base. Was any contact made to ascertain the whereabouts of his colleague, seeing that they were both on duty? In our current era of modern communicative technology, this would not have proven an arduous or impossible undertaking—a cell phone would have served as an agent of rescue. Once he was back at the base, were any senior personnel made aware of the fact that the duty was completed, but that one of the ranks, (who could have been harmed) was not present? Although not an adherent of the police motto he nevertheless was certainly a disciple of the police “blue wall of silence”. Was the motorcycle left at the eating spot? If so, why was a service vehicle left

unattended and in the publics’ view? The Guyana Police Force, regardless of what may be its current presenting façade is nonetheless guilty of behaviour that involves shades of gray, to a lesser but still disturbing degree there is now an urgent need to establish brighter lines. The Chief of Police has been seen and known to chastise the public whenever the behaviour of the ranks is brought to the fore. Based on this matter at hand, that has gained public and media attention, would the Chief still be pondering or wondering as to the reason for the apathy and lack of respect shown to his members by the public at large. In an effort to further demystify the aforementioned seemingly enigmatic statement, may it be understood that there is no allusion or inference that all cops are bad. However, in this instance we have representatives of the Police Force who should be protecting and serving the public behaving instead like the rogues they are. About three weeks ago, (Continued on page 6)


Thursday November 09, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Fake religious leaders Jagdeo is playing the race card abound in Guyana Dear Editor, I have witnessed an unprecedented ‘con game’ being played on our gullible citizens of this country, especially in Regions Three, Five and Six. The Constitution gives us freedom of religion and this is a principle which supports the freedom of an individual or community to manifest religion or belief in teachings, practice, worship and observance. It also includes the freedom to change one’s religion. We are free to express our faith however we choose. But the same Constitution also serves to protect ‘public interest’, so can we allow these ‘religious priests’ to deceive us into not only believing that they have the ability to cure all ailments under the sun and protect us from all sorts of social ills and disasters, but can also bring prosperity into our lives? It started when religious priests began coming from India many years ago. Dressed in saffron robes with ‘Tulsimalas’ on their necks and sporting long beards they attracted a large gathering of the sick, the poor and the fortune seekers. The following is an excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle dated May 2010: “Within recent weeks, Indian nationals purporting to be pandits have been announcing their supposedly faith-healing, fortunetelling and other astrological services at various locations in Guyana and for which seekers reportedly had to pay large sums of money. From all indications, these ‘pandits’ are nothing more than tricksters who found a willing and gullible clientele among Guyanese of all ethnicities and religions including Islam and Christianity. The Guyana police are now looking for them as it is believed they committed crimes by working in Guyana without the relevant work permit and tax evasion. The fragmented Hindu leadership in Guyana has so far remained deafeningly silent on this issue.

No warnings were issued to the public to beware of these fraudsters from India although various public advertisements were repeated in several sections of the media and the entire country was aware of their presence.” After investigative work by the Kaieteur News, in the same year, one of these fake astrologers was confronted after he and his group fleeced approximately $20 million from people who desire ‘quick fixes’ to their problems. These astrologers have now moved into the rural areas away from the City after they were again raided this year. They fled leaving their suitcases behind. However, the competition is now getting intense as the ‘Prophets’ from certain Christian sects are now presenting an open challenge to the Indian astrologers. These ‘prophets’ are using TV advertisements to exhibit their ’healing’ powers which know no bound. They have testimonies from persons who have been ‘cured’ of cancer and AIDS. A person who was giving ‘testimony’ has since got married and reverted to Hinduism. She alleged that she was well paid to give that ’testimony’. What is also alarming is the fact that places of worship, especially churches and mandirs, are vigorously trying to control the minds of their followers; even changing their political mindset. This is where the politicians capitalize on these people. Some Pandits are telling their followers which political party they should support likewise some priests. Instead of bringing peace to the devotees’ minds, they are confusing them. No wonder the suicide rate in Regions Three, Five and Six is so high. These religious leaders are busy asking for donations so that they could live lavish lifestyles while their followers are living in dire poverty, scraping ev-

ery dollar to give to them in order to be cured and to become prosperous. They have become just like these fake astrologers. Furthermore, it is a shame now that almost every temple has become a ‘mini-parliament’ which dispenses hatred and strife. This is where the power struggle intensifies. I must congratulate the Muslims; they have retained their independence. The new confusion is the date for Diwali and Phagwah. No wonder more and more Hindus are flocking towards Christianity since Hindus are now becoming unsure of when to celebrate their holidays. How will these pandits teach their followers to gain salvation? Hinduism is eternally great but many pandits have become so materialistic and power crazy, finding less time to teach the virtues of Sanatan Dharma. It’s a pity that it is rare for a religious criminal to go to jail. While the average criminal and petty thieves will be incarcerated, a religious leader or fake astrologer or fake ‘prophet’ will smile as they go to the bank and live an expensive lifestyle with no fear of retribution or imprisonment. The followers will defend these charlatans as though their salvation depends on it. It is time that our political leaders take a serious look at how the citizens of this country are being swindled by these so-called religious people. I am a devout Hindu who wants to see my religion be treated with divine reverence by those who claim to uphold it. Yours sincerely, Gobin Harbhajan Regional Democratic Councilor (RDC)

Dear Editor, Power has been an intoxicant for many politicians; particularly those who have been leaders. I have always posited that power in itself is not a bad thing, but that those who have its reins ought to be mindful as to its uses, particularly its red line boundaries that should not be crossed. Unfortunately, history is replete with leaders who misused power for all manner of selfish ends, and destructive purposes. The latter ranged from suppressive laws aimed against perceived enemies; imprisonment of rivals, and their elimination and, of course, turning their particular state’s treasury into their personal bank account. Specifically, for the purpose of this letter, I aim to highlight, the dangerous aspect of the obsession of this dizzy quantum, as it relates to the holder. Bharrat Jagdeo’s People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/ C), lost the May 2015 polls, because of a peoples’ decision. Never mind, its narrowness - The PPP/C lost. From that moment, until now, the nation has continued to observe this former President, hell bent on reclaiming power, even if it means the destruction of this nation. The cunning pattern is clear to discern: Apart from constantly attacking the government about its stewardship, and attempting to justify his criticisms with a plethora of half-truths and lies while trying to sanitise his sordid record of misappropriation and mismanagement of government finances, death squads, narcomilitarisation, economic genocide in the African community- he plays the race card. A most shameful tactic, and dangerous, too, since he ought to be aware as to the seriously tragic experiences of the 1960s. How can this politician risk the material well-being of the Guyanese nation and its people on his personal altar

of selfishness? I am of the firm conviction that any political leader that leads the government in a racially polarized country, such as Guyana is, should devote good time and energy towards the goal of national unity. He/she must utilise the power that his office bestows, for the common good. No matter, how great the temptation of furthering divisions for the sinister reason of ethnic dominance – the better political goal of unity must never be shunted aside. History will show, that Jagdeo had what I would describe as perhaps the best opportunity, of all our national leaders, to turn the turbulent tide of race history of this nation, to a much safer shore. It was thought that his relative youth, minus political baggage, offered a new light to governance issues at the time. However, the series of meetings that himself and the then leader of the Peoples National Congress/ Reform(PNC/R), Desmond Hoyte held regarding pivotal national issues, revealed a president, who made agreements with the Leader of the then political opposition, but returned for further discussions with a quite different understanding. We all should recall what ensued. Hoyte subsequently died, and Jagdeo went on to solidify his rule and grip on power. It does not need a political scientist to understand this man’s obsession with power --he removed his government from its political party base, and thereafter went on a rampage, much to

the dismay of PPP/C members. But he played the race card cleverly, as he systematically, along with his willing cohorts, perpetuated a system of governance that defined racism in Guyana. We only have to recall the shameful statement of Roger Luncheon, as he tried to defend the reasons for not having Afro-Guyanese Ambassadors and High Commissioners. The state medical system from post-1992 to not so long ago, evidenced every department headed by an IndoGuyanese. Then there was the even more disgraceful instance of virtually all the post-graduate scholarships, being given to Indo- Guyanese doctors. These were mostly from the first intake of medical students, into the new millennium. As a result of this willful discrimination, many eligible and capable AfroGuyanese doctors migrated to the Caribbean Islands and North America. These and other glaring acts, became the ugly face of PPP/C racism in this country. And Editor, it still exists, so entrenched it has become. I applaud, President David Granger’s realisation that another opportunity had arrived in 2015, for discussions on nation unity. We all remembered Jagdeo’s response. It was a clear rejection, since for him, power means the right to divide and dominate. Thus, for Jagdeo, power was used to solidify racism in Guyana, rather than attempt to bridge the divide. Not the “DEVIDE!” Respectfully yours Earl Hamilton


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PPP’S Cheddi Jagan introduced elections rigging Dear Editor, Ever since President, David Granger at his 7th meeting with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss the naming of a Chairman of GECOM, announced that he had so chosen Justice Patterson, the PPP has raised fears of electoral rigging, never mind it was the PPP’s Dr Cheddi Jagan who in 1962 was the first to introduce rigging at the PPP Congress. He padded the electoral list with one hundred WPO members in order to prevent Hindu intellectual Balram Singh Rai from becoming Chairman of the PPP. Dr Jagan would experience electoral Karma when due to his obsession with the Soviet Union and world communism, the USA decided that he must not be allowed to take power in Guyana. The means to prevent him was by electoral fraud to deny his Marxist Leninist PPP victory at the polls during the era of the Cold War. Numerous Hindu intellectuals had urged Dr Jagan to change his ideology, cease supporting the USSR against the USA, and to embrace capitalism and the USA but he placed the interest of the Soviet Union and Communism above that of his supporters and so he was locked

out of power at the expense of his supporters. Further, although he would cry rigged elections during the 1970’s and 1980’s, Cheddi Jagan would in 1975 declare support for Burnham’s PNC, call for other parties to join the PNC in a National Front in 1977, call for a National Patriotic Front Gov’t with the PNC in 1978, and in the early 1980’s entered into power sharing talks with Burnham’s PNC aimed at creating a one-party socialist dictatorship that would have ended the need for “free and fair elections.” Unfortunately for Dr Jagan, his best friend and student, Burnham, died in 1985 and the PNC’s new leader Desmond Hoyte said enough of the socialist nonsense. Desmond Hoyte proved to be a transformative leader who put the interest of Guyana above that of party and ethnic loyalties. He went about dismantling the semi socialist state of the Jagan/ Burnham experiment, depoliticising the civil service and security forces, restoring fully the freedom of the press and the right to protest. He also began the process of free and fair elections. Dr Jagan’s communist world order came crashing down in 1990 with the collapse

of the Soviet Union thereby ending the Cold War. With Dr Jagan and his PPP no longer posing a threat to the USA, the way was clear for PNC leader and President Desmond Hoyte to restore “free and fair elections” in October 1992 that returned Dr Jagan to power. The one crucial mistake President Hoyte made was not scrapping the 1980 Constitution, which was designed for a joint PPP/PNC one party state. Dr Jagan, although he had publicly opposed the constitution in 1980, kept it intact. He never even amended it. The PPP would rule for 23 years with just an occasional tinkering with the Constitution. It never stripped away the unilateral Presidential powers despite many requests by Hindu intellectuals to do so. And after meeting seven times with Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss the naming of a GECOM Chairman and President Granger not finding any of Jagdeo’s nominees suitable, he made his choice, in accordance with the powers bestowed on him by the Constitution, the same one under which Jagdeo is claiming immunity from prosecution and court proceedings. Malcolm Harripaul

The police force on trial (From page 4) Mrs. Paula Hamilton, the Principal of St. Rose’s High School, in light of the serious lack of moral values present in the school, called on parents to play a greater role in their children’s lives The truth be told parents do have a significant and essential part to play, but not at the risk of excluding those individuals with whom the child also spends part of his or her day. As a former member of the pedagogical profession in

Guyana, teachers were called upon to serve as role models in all spheres of the child’s being. In other words, the teacher was a significant feature in the life of the student. A medical examination conducted on the deceased revealed sexually activity within her last 24 hours. Is this act contributory to the circumstances leading up to the state in which she was found? Why is the second cop, who may be the assailant not around, or cannot be

found? In what role was he cast – Protector or Server? Driving the larger point home, this case tragic as it is, cries out for the Police Force and Departmental Heads to once again, examine the selection and pre-employment screening policies. In- service education and training is essential as well as the cultivation of a culture of support among members. Law enforcement agencies live and die by its existing rules and protocols and above all chain of command. Whenever internal investigation and disciplinary action are necessary, every effort should be made to administer measures that are fair without fear for those who behave fearless and/ or careless. Also let it not be overlooked that the behaviour of the ranks is also indicative of gross disrespect and insubordination to say the least. As the saying goes, a dead man or dead woman tell no tale. While this may ring true, the members of the rank in question certainly have two to tell and it had better not be long ones or wrong ones. Y. Sam

Thursday November 09, 2017

Muhammed Mustapha has a fertile imagination Dear Editor, A few persons contact me assuming the Muhammed Mustapha who signed a letter appearing in the October 24, 2017, Kaieteur News was me. To clear up any misunderstanding I felt it necessary that I share my position on the matters raised in the letter in order for the public to know of my views. The letter appearing under the title “Still a chance for APNU+AFC regime to come good” made interesting reading and had me wondering from which storybook it came. It seems, from the letter, that the ‘author’ is living in a fool’s paradise completely disconnected from the realities of our times. He begins arguing that the PPP/C was not able to convince 51% of the electorate to vote for that party. But the letter writer seems to forget that the 2015 National Elections results were disputed and currently action by the PPP/C has been stymied in the Judiciary. One has to wonder why this is so. Certainly, if the APNU+AFC were so confident of itself and its victory it would join the calls for the Elections Petition matter to be heard in a speedy manner. Clearly, it’s not farfetched to imagine that the Administration does not want the Guyanese people to know about how it truly won the polls. Many persons were deceived by the propaganda and the APNU+AFC promises of the moon and stars. But today, two and a half years down the road, what have Guyanese gotten? Many promises have been dashed, heavier tax burdens placed on our backs, we see a contracting economy and face all-round hardship. Mr. Mustapha then says the PPP/C Councillors are engaged in corrupt practices at the Region Six RDC level. But wasn’t it just a few weeks ago, two AFC leaders in the Region came to blows over the payment for contracts which from media reports were not free of corruption. Moreover, the RDC and the Tender Board are bi-partisan and, therefore, awarding of contracts and decision-making involve all the political parties. Thus in this respect, if there are indeed corrupt practices it could very well involve a cross section of Councillors. It seems the letter writer is merely huffing and puffing and serving

propaganda ends. The letter writer goes on, like a few others before him, to say that the Skeldon Project bankrupted GuySuCo. While indeed the project did have some setbacks which were admitted and were known by all Guyanese there were also steady improvements being recorded. A number of defects were remedied and performance was gradually improving. Skeldon was Guyana’s hedge against the EU price cuts and represented the first in a series of steps to industrialize the sugar industry in our country, it would seem that the author was not aware that Skeldon was examined thoroughly and closely by the international financial institutions before the Government was allowed to proceed, and to which project they lend support. Booker Tate also did the feasibility study and was paid to supervise the project. All in all, doesn’t Mr. Mustapha find it odd that buyers locally and internationally are seeking to acquire this ‘hare-brained’ factory which he says will never work? We are then told that Albion Estate, though being the most efficient in Berbice, will not make its target this year. This speaks volumes and demonstrates vividly that those persons entrusted to run the sugar industry are failing miserably in executing their responsibilities. The fact that they have been handed significant sums and yet failed to deliver tells me that they are unable to perform effectively in the industry. But then again this could well be part of the ploy to illustrate that sugar isn’t viable and therefore must be minimized. The grand stage show is playing out for all to see and at its end thousands of ordinary Guyanese will be the ones to suffer tremendously. The author also says that the PPP/C was aware that the Petro-Caribe rice deal would have come to an end in 2015. This is a matter that former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has conclusively and effectively debunked. The fact that the lucrative contract was ended was in no small part due to the aggressive posture adopted by the APNU+AFC towards Venezuela. But Mr. Mustapha, a per-

sistent question is: what happened to the promised $9,000 per bag of paddy? Also, what happened to the highly-touted Mexican rice market? Weren’t those to make the farmers’ lives better? Today, the stark reality is there for all to see; farmers are hard-pressed to meet their obligations, if at all, and rice production has contracted significantly eroding the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and placing the lives of thousands connected to the rice industry to face an uncertain future. While Mr. Mustapha cries about putting our eggs in one basket, he did not go on to indicate that this is exactly what the APNU+AFC is seeking to do. Today, our traditional industries which provided and still provide employment, helped us to weather the storms in rough times, and made no small contribution to development and progress are being deemed as curses. And all we hear is oil, oil and more oil. The fact remains there are many unanswered questions surrounding oil and assumptions being made seem farfetched. Remember Mr. Mustapha, all that glitter is not gold. The author then says that little attention was made to expand agricultural production. But maybe he was not aware that concerted efforts were being made to develop the Canje Basin and the Intermediate Savannahs to engage in crop production. Several studies were conducted as to the crops that could be cultivated, and a number of private enterprises were examining the possibilities of production. One needs to ask whether this work was sustained by the new Administration or because it was a PPP/C idea, like Amalia Falls, it was thrown by the wayside. We continue to see blunder after blunder committed by the Administration which have reversed years of progress and in that process made our people’s life worst off. All t h e t a l k a b o u t a ‘Good Life’ has all but vanished and replaced with a sense of hopelessness, despair and uncertainty. Zulfikar Mustapha (Real Me) PPP/C Member of Parliament


Thursday November 09, 2017

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A Colonel may end up heading the Guyana Police Force It has been a bad week for the Guyana Police Force, despite the fact that Santa Claus, all the way from China, came with a bag of motor cycles, ATV’s, pick-ups, buses and other goodies. It is probably the largest donation that the Guyana Police Force has ever received, but there is no certainty how long this equipment is going to last in the hands of the police, whose members have a reputation of mismanaging vehicles. The donation from China was the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal week for the Guyana Police Force, which has had to deal with disturbing actions by some of its ranks, and the uncertainty surrounding the succession policy within the Force. Three policemen are under investigation for the murder of a school teacher whose body was found at the side of a road not far from the cemetery. Then another policeman killed himself after unloading his revolver on a female colleague who is now

fighting for her life in a city hospital. These actions will only reinforce the view that there is a serious problem with the recruitment policies of the Guyana Police Force. But the most demoralizing event of all was the suggestion which was made that the government is engaged in well-being talks with the Commissioner of Police. This has led to speculation that there is going to be a shake-up in the leadership of police force. The speculation follows hot on the heels of the completion of a controversial Commission of Inquiry into an alleged plot to assassinate the President, and an even more controversial report of the COI. The government was forewarned that this COI would have an adverse effect on the morale of the police force. It was advised to pursue a different mechanism, such as an independent review of the investigation into the alleged plot. However, the

government was hell bent, for reasons which are obvious even to the mentally challenged, on moving forward with the inquiry. The police force, already reeling from the fallout from the actions of some of its ranks, is now confronted with the possibility of leadership shakeup. The police force may not recover from this blow. Right now, the entire succession process within the Guyana Police Force is unpredictable. And that is a recipe for disaster in any organization, much less at a time when the citizens of this country are worried about crime. The British government had better exit their involvement in reforming the security sector. Any reform is going to fail, unless there are steps taken to improve the morale of the Force. The government is destroying the morale of the Guyana Police Force. From the statements being made, it does seem as if not only will the Force be further demoralized, but it is quite

Dem boys seh... Jagdeo admit he and he kavakamites is street protester From de time he stop being president, Jagdeo start to get mad. He start to talk to heself then he shave off all de hair from he head. People watch him slowly deteriorate but dem boys now planning to move in and help him. Yesterday he seh all dem people who does protest pun de street is parliamentarians. Li’l Joe and Soulja Bai talk dem mind after Jagdeo and he kavakamites protest in Parliament. Dem seh how he behave like a man who invite people to he house and when de people come he put dem in he latrine. De thing really hurt Jagdeo because he talk bout it. He seh de people who talking can’t lecture him on civil behaviour. He was de one who lead all dem parliamentarians in some of de wuss behaviour people ever see in parliament. Yesterday, he seh de same people who lecture to him march in de streets and bun down nuff business places. Dem people also walk

and beat up people pun de road. Dem boys wasn’t sure wha he saying because people start to look and see which MPS was in de crowd bunning down dem business place and beating people on de road. Dem ask Li’l Joe and he seh not he; dem ask Soulja Bai and he seh not he. Every MP dem ask seh he never been pun any road bunning down people place. That is when dem boys realize that Jagdeo equal heself to street protesters. Dem is de people who heckle him at de National Park; dem is de people who storm Ohh Pee when de guards shoot and kill two of dem. Li’l Joe seh he and Soulja Bai never been anywhere deh suh Jagdeo got to be joking when he seh how dem coalition MPs cause all that trouble pun de streets. Dem is not de people who lecture to Jagdeo. De people who lecture is dem who sitting in Parliament. Talk half and watch madness.

possible that an outsider, say from the Guyana Defence Force, will be catapulted to the next acting Commissioner of Police. The government clearly has it priorities mixed up when it is speaking about talks with the Commissioner of Police. There is no need for any talks. The Commissioner will proceed on pre-retirement leave and someone has to step-up. The government is obsessed with control. It wants its own ‘fi t a n d proper’ person to head the Guyana Police Force and, as it has done with the appointment of the Chairperson of GECOM. It is prepared to have its own way, regardless of the consequences for the morale of the Force. The government ought to

know that it cannot remove the Commissioner of Police or any other senior officer, for that matter, on the basis of the findings of a COI. The Commissioner of Police has to be removed following the appointment of a tribunal to examine specified allegations. This is a constitutional requirement. For the demotion, dismissal or supersession of senior police officers, there has to be a disciplinary hearing by the Police Service Commission. The COI report can be sent to the Police Service Commission, but that does not preclude the Commission observing due process, including launching its own disciplinary proceedings before acting. Based on media reports, the COI report is likely to be

easily discredited once it is made public. So it may not be a credible basis on which to press for the demotion or supersession of anyone. The government therefore should allow for the Police Service Commission to determine the succession plans of the Guyana Police Force. But, judging from the actions of the government, this would be difficult for it to accept, since it has an obsession with control, and it may very well bring an army officer out of barracks to assume control of the Guyana Police Force.


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Thursday November 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

“I’ve been a member of the PNC for 52 years; I’m no stranger to struggle.” Those were the very words of David Granger when he spoke to the North American chapter of the PNC last week in the US. I have been in the struggle since I was sixteen, and my praxis since then was joined by my academic status as an analyst of my country’s politics, and I didn’t know that aspect of David Granger’s life. I called the journalist I got the information from to ascertain if Granger used the word “member.” These were his words to me, “Freddie, if he did not use that word I would not have published it.” I thought any

further inquiry would lead to me being accused of questioning the integrity of a senior Guyanese journalist. If Granger was a PNC member for 52 years, then I assume those decades would include the year 2001, when former President Desmond Hoyte was Opposition leader. In that year, Granger accepted to be nominated as GECOM chairman. He was on a list that also included Professor Dennis Craig, Harold Davis, Dr. Gem Fletcher, Justice Rudolph Harper and Steve Surujbally. I don’t know if the others were PNC members, but we now

know at the time, Granger was a PNC member. Why then did he agree to nomination? He had to know that would be an unacceptable manifestation of conflict of interest. Let us move on to another dimension of the 52-year-old membership. As I said, I didn’t know he held such a status in all my years of being involved in social activism and researching Guyanese politics. It meant he was virtually absent on the public political scene throughout his entire membership of his party. When Granger became PNC leader, Clarissa Riehl said publicly she did not know about him in the PNC. At the eastern South Road entrance of the High Court, Ms. Riehl told me she never saw Granger around the activities of the PNC. She said she never saw him in the trenches (trenches was her word). The focus should now be on the word “struggle.” Granger said he is no stranger to struggle. The difficulty in analyzing that statement is

Frederick Kissoon that in the report I read there was n o c l a r i f i c a t i o n o f struggle with the PNC or struggle in general in Guyana. I will have to decide which interpretation to choose. I would like to think that if a man says that he held membership in a party for 52 years, then in the same breath stated that he was involved in struggle, it is logical to interpret the emanation to mean that he was involved in the long arduous activism of his organization. Stack up my interpretation

with what Ms. Riehl said, and an interesting curiosity emerges. And then there is the casual remark made in my presence to Dr. David Hinds by a very senior PNC leader and Senior Minister at a function. To name the Minister is out of the question. To name the function will give the Minister’s identity away, so only David Hinds is living proof of what was uttered. The gentleman said that Granger was nowhere around when the PNC was struggling. I got the pellucid impression that this person does not think Granger should be the leader of the PNC and the President. So we have two intrigues here. What was Granger doing all these years after he demitted public office, when the PNC Government had to stave off the tempest of the PPP under Jagan, the WPA under Rodney and a volcanic civil society bent on denouncing the Burnham presidency and then the Hoyte administration? There could be a couple

of answers. First, membership of a party does not necessarily mean you have to be active. Secondly, Granger may interpret membership the way Christopher Ram does. Mr. Ram, according to Dr. David Hinds, sat in the leadership of the WPA for a number of years. Earlier this year, Ram sent a published clarification to me and attorney Jerome Khan, to say he was never a WPA member, meaning he didn’t take out a card. I thought all my life there was a valid distinction between “de jure” and “de facto.” I wonder if this is what Granger means. Thirdly, one can confine one’s activities in a political party to “behind the scene” duties, meaning that you are an essential element in your organization, but you do not wear a public face. This would mean that for those 52 years, Granger’s work inside his party was not publicly known. But I am still curious about his statement, “I’m no stranger to struggle.”


Thursday November 09, 2017

There’s a Manhunt in Zimbabwe for the Man Who Booed President Robert Mugabe’s Wife

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. ( Ya h o o ) P o l i c e i n Zimbabwe have launched a manhunt for the alleged ringleader of a group that heckled Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe during a rally of the ruling ZANU-PF coalition in the western province of Bulawayo. The booing apparently upset President Robert Mugabe and may ultimately have played a part in the sacking of former vicepresident Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday, a political decision that leaves the first lady widely tipped to become Mugabe’s deputy. Police say that hecklers at an event on Saturday were led by Magura Magura Charumbira, 34, who led a faction within ZANU-PF that supported Mnangagwa. The ruling coalition has long been divided over M u g a b e ’s e v e n t u a l successor between those supporting Grace

Mugabe—known as the G40 faction—and those backing Mnangagwa—known as the Lacoste faction. B u l a w a y o ’s a c t i n g police spokesperson Chipfunde Garikayi said that authorities were “anxious” to interview Charumbira in connection with an incident that occurred “while first lady Dr. Grace Mugabe was addressing a gathering during the rally,” in a statement reported by the state-run Chronicle. But Garikayi did not clarify what offense, if any, police intended to charge Charumbira with. Bulawayo police directed Newsweek to speak to its press department, which did not answer calls. Mugabe said that he was tired of being undermined by supporters of Mnangagwa. “I am getting insulted in the name of Mnangagwa daily. Did I make a mistake to

appoint Mnangagwa as my deputy? If I made a mistake I can even drop him tomorrow,” said the 93-yearold president. The threat proved prescient, with Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Simon Moyo announcing on Monday that Mnangagwa had been removed for exhibiting traits of “disloyalty, disrespect and deceitfulness.” ZANU-PF’s provincial chairman in Bulawayo, Dennis Ndlovu, said that the people who heckled the first lady had been bussed in from out of town, according to the Chronicle . Mugabe, who has been in o ff i c e s i n c e 1 9 8 0 , i s cracking down on dissent and opposition in Zimbabwe ahead of elections in the country next year, in which he is standing for another five-year term. The government set up a ministry of cybersecurity, threat detection and mitigation in October to police social media for attacks on the president. Police in the capital Harare arrested a U.S. citizen on Friday for allegedly insulting President Mugabe in a tweet. Martha O’Donovan, formerly of New Jersey, is facing 20 years in prison for allegedly calling Mugabe a “sick man” on Twitter, USA Today reported.

US ‘loses 60% of career ambassadors’ since January

Speculation is mounting that Tillerson himself won’t stay for much longer (BBC) The United States has lost 60% of its career ambassadors since January, according to the head of the labour union that represents US diplomats. “Leadership ranks are being depleted at a dizzying speed,” Barbara Stephenson, head of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) chief, wrote. Ms Stephenson, a former ambassador to Panama, says there has been a

“decapitation” of top talent. The BBC has asked the Department of State for a comment. “The rapid loss of so many senior officers has a serious, immediate, and tangible effect on the capacity of the United States to shape world events,” Ms Stephenson writes. The former ambassador to Panama writes in a forthcoming issue of the Foreign Service Journal that

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Kaieteur News

the art of diplomacy must be defended under an administration that she argues appears bent on “dismantling government as we know it”. This letter is the latest cry of distress from diplomatic veterans warning about the “mounting threats” to the State Department. They say that the exodus of disillusioned top career officers is depriving the institution of decades of diplomatic experience. And that the freeze on lower level hiring will weaken it in the future. Then there is the slow pace of political appointments to crucial jobs. That has picked up lately but it’s been hindered by the small pool of qualified personnel: President Trump refuses anyone who opposed his candidacy, and most of the Republican foreign policy establishment did.

Goldsmith gets 21 years for killing friend and partner Forty-one-year-old Deon Sunthgolam, a goldsmith and father of one, of Canefield Settlement, East Canje Berbice, was yesterday found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter and sentenced to a total of 21 years and one month in jail. Sunthgolam was convicted for killing 62year-old Terrence Mc Lean, called “Scatchy” at his Lot 6 Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice home. The incident occurred between Monday November 1 and Wednesday November 3, 2014. He was on trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court. Justice Barlow in her summation took about two hours to sum up the evidence to the jury who then retired to consider the evidence. During the trial, a voir dire (a trial within a trial) was held in the absence of the jury after which a caution statement, properly given by the accused, was admitted into evidence. McLean, also a goldsmith, operated a stall in the New Amsterdam Market before migrating. Upon returning to Guyana, he began importing fibre glass boats and engines which he sold to customers. He also repaired boats and engines. The partly decomposed body of McLean, who lived alone, was found in his house with suspected stab wounds. Sunthgolam had visited McLean twice during the day and was reportedly seen when leaving the premises. He was positively identified during an identification parade as the man who had visited the home of the deceased. During the trial, Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy called several witnesses including Assistant Superintendents, Eon Alonzo and Randy Ali; Sergeant, Curtis Cort who testified to visiting the scene and taking photographs, while Sergeant, Randy Hamilton tendered the Station Diary and charge

Jailed: Deon Sunthgolam sheet. Corporal Ryan Caesar testified to taking a caution statement from the accused, while Detective Corporal, Dwayne Harvey testified to being present when the caution statement was taken by Corporal Caesar. Also giving evidence were Constable Kevin Hope, and Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan, who testified to conducting a post mortem examination at the Port Mourant Hospital. The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds. Taxi driver, Darshan Rampersaud testified to transporting Sunthgolam to McLean’s residence on the day in question. The dead man’s son, Frederick McLean, spoke of not getting in touch with his father and contacting the police. Elvis Krisendat in his testimony related that he had seen the accused leaving the premises. Clement La Rose, an eyewitness, also testified to seeing the accused enter and leave the home of the deceased twice on the day that the victim went missing. In a plea of mitigation, attorney at law, Bernard Da Silva asked the court to consider the facts of the offence that led the police making contact with Sunthgolam. He noted that his client is married and a father of a three year old son. He said that after his client heard that he was wanted by the police, he voluntarily turned himself in and never attempted to

escape. He mentioned that Sunthgolam has been incarcerated for three years The lawyer urged the court that despite the verdict, his client should be given a chance to be involved with his son. He submitted that prior to this incident; his client never had any problems with anybody or the law. He stated that his client is a Christian, having been converted during his time of incarceration. He begged that the court should temper justice with mercy and urged that the minimal sentence be imposed. When asked if he had anything to say, Sunthgolam pulled a photograph from his pocket and told the court that he has a three year old son and begged the court to be with him. Before imposing the sentence, Justice Barlow told the accused that he had been found guilty of manslaughter. “The penalty is life in prison, but I will not sentence you to life in prison.” She told Sunthgolam that “the deceased was your friend and partner. He was prepared to assist you. You owed him money which you hadn’t to pay. You chose to take a knife and bore him up and simply closed the door and left him to die”. Despite the pleading of his attorney, the judge stated that the court cannot take these things lightly. “For no apparent reason you took the life of another person. Every day one would see stories of violence and the court must send a strong message. You erred when you took matters into your own hands.” She admonished Sunthgolam that the hardship that has befallen his wife and son is because of his doing. Justice Barlow began the count at 25 years, but deducted 2 years 11 months for the time the accused has been incarcerated and one year for his good conduct. Thus, he was sentenced to 21 years, one month.

Dozens killed in Vietnam flooding days ahead of Trump’s visit (CNN) More than 80 people were killed in Vi e t n a m i n f l o o d i n g caused by Tropical Cyclone Damrey, authorities said, just days before US President Donald Trump is set to visit the country.

Some 26 people are also m i s s i n g , t h e Vi e t n a m Disaster Management Authority said. Many of the damaged homes were in the provinces of Khan Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Phu Yen, the European Union’s humanitarian aid agency

reported earlier this week, citing local media. The a g e n c y s a i d nearly 120,000 homes have been ruined and early 10,000 hectares of rice and more than 15,000 hectares of vegetables were flooded.


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Thursday November 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

School dropouts given second chance to become qualified

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 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. INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

1. Cat 320 BL Excavator, 1. Cat 215 B Excavator, 1. Cat 428 Back- Hoe, 1. Leyland Daft Truck, 1. 8CU.YD. Mack Cement Mixer Truck. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 683-7225

PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767.

1. Double Steel Wheeled Road Roller, 1. 9-Wheeled Pneumatic Roller, 1. 450GLNS. Bitumen Spray Kettle, 1. Honda 450 ATV Bike. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 6837225

E a g l e ’s : R e - g a s – l o w prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966

Creole chicks, ducklings, ducks, turkey chicks & one fridge. Contact: 610-0901

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231

FOR RENT

WANTED

1 bedroom apartment, Samatta Point E.B.D. Phone No: 665-8561/625-2406

Security to work in the interior. Must have Military/ Police background. Age range 35-50. Contact # 2269768

Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Furnished two bedroom house, top flat in E.B.D Diamond to rent. 216-0644/6688430. 2 Bedroom apartment to rent. Caneville, Grove E.B.D. $35,000. Tel#653-3328 PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY ETC.– CALL DIAMOND TENTS:216-1043; 6776620

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Qualified Hairdresser & nail technician. At least 1 year experience must be able to work without supervision. Call: 227-1125, 626-6450

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) TOLET Residential: One bedroom house. Cornelia Ida Public Road $25,000 per month. Tel: 693-3340

1-Caterpillar skid steer loader 236B $3.8M. Contact # 6500402 Mitsubishi Pajero. Best offer accepted- Call: 219-5354 Monday to Friday 8:15am4:15pm, Saturday 8:15am4:15pm CAR RENTAL AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 VEHICLE FOR SALE Gun Metal BMW 3181. Good Condition. PPP series, 164k mileage. Rim music 1.6 million negotiable. Call: 6047998.

Land to buy inParafaiteHarmonie or anywhere on the west coast, 1.8 million, 1.5 million. Tel:6421252

1 Driver/ Purchaser. Must give valid driver’s license ( Mc, Mv, Ml) & over 15 years’ experience. Call 227-7528/ 226-9768 Female general domestic.Must have cooking experience. Age 25-45. Call: 629-9450 Male operators to work shift and one cleaner to work at Del Ice Co.,Meadow Bank. Call : 231-1408,642-9191

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501

Live in & live out Babysitter. Preferably from EBD. Call: 647-1773

One Live-in Female housekeeper for Georgetown. Tel# 223-0654, 225-0605 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665

Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922

Cerulean Inc celebrates tourism month 2017 by hosting a service showcase. Contact 226-4650

Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am-4:15pm

Apprentice for machine shop. Sound Secondary education & one (1) experienced welder. Tel #222-3844

EDUCATION

SERVICE

Experienced Curry cook, Roti/ Puri cook, Cleaners. Apply Hack Halaal. 5 Commerce St.

VACANCY General maintenance man. Age 25-50 Tel: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Rd, Lacytown. Chef and assistant chef. Please call 225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff St. Deskstaff Age 25-40. Tel# 225-0198 or visit South Road, Lacytown. One Tig-welder/ fabricator, One fitter machinist for Lathe and Mill. Call 664-2670, 6970703, Email: havin_ramnauth@yahoo.com Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 One General domestic must be able to prepare vegetarian meals. Apply Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street or call 6231615 General handy man to work at hotel. 225-9211 Cashier/ Sales Clerk. Apply in person with written application @ Nirva Supermarket 49 Sheriff& Craig Street, C/ ville. 227-5771

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6560 0 8 7 , 6 4 3 - 5 1 2 2 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Experienced cleaners, Call between 7am and 9am. Tel: 225-8572

DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1-AT192 Carina. Excellent condition Call: 662-9378.

LEARN TO DRIVE

TOLET

C. Persaud& N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman& Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 6445166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

One business space, located at 177 Charlotte & Alexander St- Kindly call: 689-3462 or 644-3555. Serious enquiries only.

LAND FOR SALE Eccles (Corner lot) $5M ParafaiteHarmonie (High income area) 100ft x 50ft $2M Onderneeming with fence $1.6M. Tel#611-7223/6671960

Whatever circumstances resulted in young students not accomplishing a diploma, no longer has to take a toll on their future. This is being made possible through the certificates in Mathematics and English offered by City and Guilds for Caribbean students. The qualification programme is currently offered at the local City and Guilds Centre, JTW Management Institute, which has been able to secure ‘excellent’ results recently.

Commercial: One bottom flat. 23ft x 60ft. Cornelia Ida Public Road. Tel: 693-3340

LAND FOR SALE BLOCK X SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME. CONTACT: 6115273/ 601-4217, 2330159/216-3093

LAND FOR SALE

Zeelugt 1 st Street- 2.5M ParafaiteHarmonie- $1.8 Million, 1.5 Million. Tel# 642-1252

Herstelling (2nd Bridge) 110ft x 60ft $5M (4th Bridge)$3.5M Farm $3M ParafaiteHarmonie $1.4M Tel#651-1969/656-0701

Eccles New Scheme (Corner Lot) with 12 massive column and foundation $7M on a main road. Tel#656-0701/ 651-1969

The qualification and related exams are offered in three stages. According to the Jamaica City and Guilds Representative, Ms Marva Duncanson, in 2017, through a contract between City and Guilds and the Jamaica Ministry of Education, 15,000 secondary school students took the Mathematics and English exams. It was highlighted that a mathematically literate population is critical to ensure Guyana’s prosperity, productivity and workforce participation. The staged approach enables the students to upgrade the level of their certification as their competence improves. The institute said this is a plus for persons wishing to migrate, since City and Guilds is an international organization. The programme is essentially targeting parents, teenagers and housewives, along with those who are currently employed without the fundamental qualifications. In the region, it has been endorsed by the Jamaica Ministry of Education in partnership and contract with City and Guilds of London (Jamaica Representative Office). The qualifications have received support from the University Council of Jamaica, the Jamaica Ministry of Public Service and Jamaica Defence Force, and the Employers Federation in Jamaica. Additionally, the Ministry of Education on Tuesday launched a programme with aid from the Caribbean Development Bank to enable school dropouts to gain skills, hence securing jobs for themselves or starting their own ventures. The programme deemed as Skills Development and Employability Project costs US$12,252,000. Institutions being targeted under the initiative include Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre (PIC), Region Three, Beterverwagting (PIC), Region Four, Hopetown (PIC), Region Five, St. Ignatius Secondary School, Region Nine, Bartica Secondary S c h o o l , R e g i o n Seven, Mahdia Secondary School, Region Eight and North-West Secondary in Region One. The project was created to advance Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Guyana. At the launch, Chairperson and Head Mistress of St. Ignatius Secondary School, Ms. Yvette Archer said the project was created to give school leavers an opportunity to acquire the skills and competencies they need to get a job or create employment for themselves.


Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2017

Popular Caribbean candidates US tightens travel and victorious in NYC general elections commercial ties to Cuba

Dr. Mathieu Eugene NEW YORK, Nov. CMC – Despite the treacherous weather on Tuesday, several voters rushed to the polls to cast ballots for two Caribbean candidates, who secured sound victories in New York City general elections. The rainy, cold and blustery weather did not prevent voters from overwhelmingly returning Council Members Jumaane Wi l l i a m s , t h e s o n o f Grenadian immigrants, and Haitian-born Dr. Mathieu Eugene, to another four-year term in districts in Brooklyn that are predominantly Caribbean. With 100 percent of the 121 precincts reporting, Williams, who represents the 45th Council District and ran on the Democratic and Working Families parties line, defeated Anthony Beckford, of the True

Jumaane Williams F r e e d o m P a r t y, b y a landslide. Williams – who currently serves as Deputy Leader of the New York City Council, chair of the Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings, and co-chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Vi o l e n c e – t r o u n c e d Beckford in attaining 20, 347 votes, or 97 percent. Beckford only received 613 votes, or 3 percent. Williams, who is also among eight candidates vying to become Speaker of New York City Council in the Special Elections in January, had won the Democratic Primary in a landslide in September with 100 percent of the 121 precincts reporting. On Tuesday, Democrat Eugene – the first Haitian to hold elective office in New Yo r k C i t y a n d w h o

represents the 40th Council District, juxtaposed to Williams’ 45th Council District – beat Brian Christopher Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants in garnering 13, 840 votes, or 60 percent. With 100 percent of the 104 precincts reporting, Cunningham, running on the Reform Party line, mustered 8, 370 votes, or 36 percent. Another Eugene Challenger, Brian Kelly, who contested the seat on the Conservative Party ticket, received 767 votes, or 3 percent. Cunningham had also challenged Eugene in the Democratic Primary in September, receiving, at the time, 3,991 votes, or 30 percent. In that four-way race, Pia Raymond had received 2,956 votes, or 22 percent, and Jennifer Berkley, 822 votes, or 6 percent.

PM wants to end corporal punishment KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for the banning of corporal punishment in schools and the wider society. Holness, who delivered a statement in Parliament on Tuesday on the United Nations Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the ban would send a powerful message to the country, “I wish to declare that I am totally against corporal punishment. I believe that the time has come for the Parliament to have a debate on this issue and finally declare corporal punishment at an end, both within public institutions and as a means of discipline available to parents,” Holness said. The Prime Minister highlighted the alarming findings in the recently launched UNICEF Report – ‘A Familiar Face: Violence

Andrew Holness in the Lives of Children and Adolescents’, which shows the high number of Jamaican children who die violently and who are regularly subjected to sexual violence and violent discipline in their homes, schools and communities. The report notes that eight in 10 Jamaican children in the two to 14 years age group experience violence as

a form of discipline. It also adds that 47 children were killed by violent means between January and October of this year, based on police statistics. Already, more children have been killed violently this year than in 2016. Holness said the banning of corporal punishment would be a “forward-leaning step” in taking a stance against violence generally “and it would send a powerful message about the State respecting the inviolability of the person, whether or not that person is a child or an adult”. “Again, I think it is a matter that we would have to debate here, but I think the time has come with such a report with our commitment to the SDGs. I don’t see how we can maintain this aspect of our culture and claim that we want to advance as a modern civilised society,” he added.

HAVANA, Cuba - CMC – Effective today, the United States will tighten travel to Cuba in an effort to reverse policies implemented by the former administration. The new rules come nearly five months after President Donald Trump announced that he would reverse polices made by President Barack Obama to loosen the trade embargo against the Spanish speaking Caribbean nation. The changes will restrict Americans’ ability to travel to Cuba and prevent business deals with certain entities controlled by the Cuban government and military. But the Trump government says the core of Obama’s policies will remain intact. Under new Treasury Department rules, individual “people-to-people” trips which have enabled American travelers to visit Cuba for educational

Barack Obama purposes on their own as opposed to with a tour group — will be eliminated. Educational group trips must be arranged through a licensed organisation that is “subject to U.S. jurisdiction,” and travelers must be accompanied by a person who represents the organisation and is also subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Tourism to the island is still strictly prohibited, but Tr u m p a d m i n i s t r a t i o n

officials have said that people have been skirting the ban by abusing the peopleto-people category and designing their own trips, instead of going with a tour group. The changes come at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Havana over what the U.S. government has described as “sonic attacks” against its diplomats in Cuba.

Moscow says Venezuela agrees to debt restructuring terms Moscow (AFP) Venezuela has agreed to R u s s i a ’s t e r m s f o r restructuring its debt, Moscow’s finance minister said yesterday. Venezuela, which has been rocked by deadly protests and economic chaos that has caused dire shortages of food and medicine, is counting on Russian support amid growing international isolation. “ Ve n e z u e l a h a s confirmed the conditions that were agreed and so the process will move to a final phase”, minister Anton Siluanov told the Interfax news agency. T h e Ve n e z u e l a n ambassador to Moscow said the agreement should be signed within a week, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. Last month Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month visited the Kremlin, where he and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed possible debt restructuring terms (AFP Photo/Yuri KADOBNOV) visited the Kremlin, where he and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed possible terms of restructuring the debt.

In 2011, Russia granted Venezuela a loan to finance the purchase of Russian arms including tanks and missiles.

Govt. Estimates Billions Locked Away In Their Dormant Accounts The Gleaner - Finance Minister Audley Shaw says he’ll be writing to some financial institutions amid reports of their reluctance to fully disclose information on dormant government accounts.

Speaking in the House of Representatives Tuesday, Shaw said he was surprised to learn a few days ago that when government entities seek information on their accounts, only partial information is provided by

the banks. Shaw says he’ll be writing to them to request detailed reports on all dormant government accounts, with the intention to close them as soon as possible.


Thursday November 09, 2017

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Thursday November 09, 2017

Haitian delegation in Geneva to discuss financing and development GENEVA - CMC – The obstacles being faced by Haiti and other developing countries will be discussed during

the first session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing and Development that opened yester-

day. A delegation from the French speaking Caribbean nation including inter alia of

officials of the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation led by the Director General, Stevenson Jacques

ThimolĂŠon, will take part in the two day Palais des Nations . This first session follows the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development, which was held in Addis Ababa in July 2015 and was an essential step for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) compared to the commitments of the two previous conferences taking place respectively in Monterrey (Mexico) and Doha (Qatar). During this session, the Intergovernmental Group of Experts will review, in accordance with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the obstacles faced by developing countries and the international community, respectively, to the mobilization of domestic public resources and the modernization of international public finance for sus-

tainable development and international cooperation for development. In its discussions and consultations on the modernization of the public aid to development, and on the increased role that could play mixed funding, the Intergovernmental Group of Experts should develop practical recommendations on how best to improve the mobilization of domestic public resources in developing countries and to maximize the contribution of international cooperation to ensure the transparency of new frames. The meeting will also determine the long-term costs and benefits of the different types of financial flows and financing instruments for sustainable development, as well as their real impact on development.


Thursday November 09, 2017

GCUC Workshop set for November 18 and 19 The Guyana Cricket Umpires’ Council will be hosting a workshop starting on November 18 at Union Hall, Woolford Avenue starting at 10:00hrs.

The workshop, which will be conducted by Guyanese international and regional umpires, will look at the 2017 new code laws of cricket.

Umpires and other interested persons are asked to be on time to facilitate a prompt start. The clinic will conclude on November 19.

UCLA basketball players arrested in China ahead... (From page 28) official said the department was aware of reports of three citizens arrested in China and stood ready to provide assistance but had no further comment due to privacy considerations.

Three players from Georgia Tech were questioned by the authorities in China on Tuesday at their hotel in Hangzhou but were later released by police, Georgia Tech athletics spokesman Mike Flynn said in a state-

ment. “During the questioning, it was determined that Georgia Tech student-athletes were not involved in the activities being investigated. They have resumed their scheduled activities,” Flynn said.

Thursday November 09, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Get more involved in group efforts at work. You can continue to make gains if you call a few people who can help you close an important deal. Sudden disruptions will cause upset and a change of routine in your home environment.

tacts.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. Don't delay; go to your physician or dentist and get to the bottom of the discomfort. Get together with people who stimulate you mentally.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will have splendid suggestions for fund raising events. Residential moves will be in your best interest. Curl up with a good book or go for a drive in the country.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try to curb your bad habits. You might just as well let others do their own thing. The knowledge you have will enhance your reputation. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try to understand both sides of the issue before taking sides. Try to visit friends or relatives you don't get to see often. Try not to spend too much on children or entertainment. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may have to explain your actions to your family. Children's needs could be more costly than you anticipated. Help elders get their personal papers in order. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will be extremely sensual; take precautions and don't take any risks. Sudden disruptions will cause upset and a change of routine in your home environment. Travel and social activity will bring about interesting talks, not to mention con-

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may find it difficult to communicate. Emotional partnerships may develop through projects you initiate. You could have trouble persuading others to accept your ideas and opinions.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You mustn't take on other people's responsibilities or you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. You will attract potential lovers, but be sure that they're unattached. You can make money if you concentrate on producing services or goods that will make domestic chores easier. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Entertainment should include the whole family or a lot of your friends. Avoid any confrontations with colleagues. Financial gains can be made through wise investments. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Try not to be too emotional with those around you. Stomach problems could prevail if you haven't been watching your diet. Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will easily capture the interest of those you talk to. Don't be too critical. Channel your energy into passionate interludes with your lover.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets... (From page 26) scored 21 not out, while fellow opener D. Looknauth blasted 36 not out as Tamarind Root Cricket Club raced to victory in just 3.3 Overs. The final was witnessed by a massive Sunday afternoon crowd which overflowed the surrounding streets around the venue. Tamarind Root Cricket Club won the toss and elected to field first. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 reached 76 for 3 in their allotted Overs as Kevin Sinclair 24 (3x4, 1x6), Junior Sinclair 33 and Kevlon Anderson 12 batted well. Keith Simpson struck the last ball of the innings from Brandon Prashad for a massive six, the only delivery he faced. Tamarind Root Cricket Club in response could only reach 52 for 3 to lose by 24 runs. D. Looknauth threatened briefly with 18 from 8 balls with two sixes and a powerful boundary but his dismissal by national Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall signaled the end of the home team. Despite the overwhelming support of the bias home team supporters, skipper Brandon Prashad struggled to get the ball off the square and ended on eight not out from 13 balls. Kevin Sinclair was named the MVP of the Tournament for his brilliant batting, tight off

Bakewell donates... (From page 30) including Annual Magazine, Annual Award Ceremony, Annual Cricket Academy, Cricket Tournament and Sessions, Monthly Post Office Pensioners Programme, Christmas Village, Christmas Charity Programme among others. The General Manager of Bakewell stated that his Company was committed to a long term relationship with the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club as it was very impressed with its work in Berbice and for being an outstanding representative of the Bakewell Brand. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, he stated has never failed Bakewell and he expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to be successful. The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS are the King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17, Pepsi Under-19, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21, Bakewell Second Division, Pepsi Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Teams.

spin bowling, brilliant fielding and astute captaincy of the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Team whose average age is 16 years. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster congratulated the Tamarind Root Cricket Club on their hosting of the highly successful tournament which attracted massive support from the general public. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, he stated has committed to assisting the Club in any way possible and was pleased to send its junior team to participate in the Tournament. Cricket Manager of the team Ravindranauth Kissoonlall congratulated the team and disclosed that the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has decided to invest heavily in its younger players at the second and first division levels as they are the future. Players like Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Chanderpaul Govinda, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Joshua Wilson, Matthew Pattaya, Nicholas Lawson, Tyrese Sealy and Surendra Ramcharitar would be the permanent faces representing the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club at the Senior level as the Club strives to replace

some of its aging senior players. Meanwhile, the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would like to congratulate the Karibee Female Team for winning the female title of the Guyana Softball Cup Tournament. The majority of the team is from the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team, skipper Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Shabika Gajnabi, Dian Prahalad, Plaffiana Millington, Uma Matadin, Abigail Kishun, Shaneeta Grimmond, Kismone Thomas, Aleema Arokium and Sherica Campbelle. The Club is very proud of every one of its female cricketers for keeping the RHTY&SC flag flying with honour. Congrats are also extending to our Under-15 players, Jonathan Rampersaud, Sandian, Mahendra Gopilall, Angelino Ramdihal and Matthew Pattaya on their outstanding performance in the current Berbice Cricket Board Inter-zone Under-15 tournament. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would recognise their performances shortly for being outstanding representatives of our massive cricket development programme which includes close to 150 youths between the ages of 8 to 18 years.


Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2017

Tamarind Root Cricket Club 5/5 Tournament

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets U-21 clinch Title -Kevin Sinclair named MVP The Tamarind Root Cricket Club of Hampshire hosted an action packed 5/5 Cricket Tournament at the Hampshire Ground on Sunday last. Seven teams participated in the fundraising tournament - “Tamarind Root Cricket Club, Toopoo Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21, No. 19 Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Albion Toopoo Cricket Club and Belvedere United Cricket Club”. A youthful Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets team led by national youth player Kevin Sinclair easily defeated three teams to clinch the Championship Trophy and the first prize of $10,000. In their first match against No.19 Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets blasted their way to 91 for 2 off their allotted 5Overs with Kevin Sinclair hitting 36 off ten balls with 7 boundaries and a massive six, while Kevlon Anderson blasted a top score of 42 not out with 8 classy boundaries and a six from 12 balls. Keith Simpson was left unbeaten on 10, while Junior Sinclair was run out for 01. In response, No. 19 Cricket Club were restricted to 34 for 7 off five Overs as only J. Tyler reached double figures with 11. Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall and Keith Simpson all claimed two wickets a piece, while Nicholas Lawson took one. In the semifinals versus Kendall Union Cricket Club, Kevin Sinclair struck a brutal 92 not out from just 21 balls as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under21 raced to 101 without loss from 5-Overs. S i n c l a i r ’s k n o c k s included 13 massive sixes and three sweetly stuck boundaries. Jason Sinclair, who was a mere spectator to Kevin Sinclair, was left unbeaten on eight. Kendall Union Cricket Club in response could only muster 38 for 8 as the youthful Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets fielded and bowled well. B. Mahadeo topscored with 13, while Junior Sinclair 2 for 6, Kevin Sinclair 2 for 8 and Keith Simpson 2 for 7 bowled well for the winners. Tamarind Root Cricket

Club easily defeated Toopoo Cricket Club in the second semifinals to clinch a place in the finals. Toopoo Cricket Club batting first after losing the toss rattled up 54 for 6 from their five Overs, while Tamarind Root Cricket Club replied with 58 without loss. Skipper Brandon Prashad scored 21 not out, while fellow opener D. Looknauth blasted 36 not out as Tamarind Root Cricket Club raced to victory in just 3.3 Overs. The final was witnessed by a massive Sunday afternoon crowd which overflowed the surrounding streets around the venue. Tamarind Root Cricket Club won the toss and elected to field first. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 reached 76 for 3 in their allotted Overs as Kevin Sinclair 24 (3x4, 1x6), Junior Sinclair 33 and Kevlon Anderson 12 batted well. Keith Simpson struck the last ball of the innings from Brandon Prashad for a massive six, the only delivery he faced. Tamarind Root Cricket Club in response could only reach 52 for 3 to lose by 24 runs. D. Looknauth threatened briefly with 18 from 8 balls with two sixes and a powerful boundary but his dismissal by national Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall signaled the end of the home team. D e s p i t e t h e overwhelming support of the bias home team supporters, skipper Brandon Prashad struggled to get the ball off the square and ended on eight not out from 13 balls. Kevin Sinclair was named the MVP of the Tournament for his brilliant batting, tight off spin bowling, brilliant fielding and astute captaincy of the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & G a d g e t s Te a m w h o s e average age is 16 years. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster congratulated the Tamarind Root Cricket Club on their hosting of the highly successful tournament which attracted massive support from the general public. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, he stated has committed to assisting the Club in any way

possible and was pleased to send its junior team to participate in the Tournament. Cricket Manager of the team Ravindranauth Kissoonlall congratulated the team and disclosed that the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has decided to invest heavily in its younger players at the second and first division levels as they are the future. Players like Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, S y l u s Ty n d a l l , K e i t h Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Chanderpaul Govinda, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Joshua Wilson, Matthew Pattaya, Nicholas Lawson, Tyrese Sealy and Surendra Ramcharitar would be the permanent faces representing the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club at the Senior level as the Club strives to replace some of its aging senior players. Meanwhile, the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would like to congratulate the Karibee Female Team for winning the female title of the Guyana Softball Cup Tournament. The majority of the team is from the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team, skipper Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Shabika Gajnabi, Dian Prahalad, Plaffiana Millington, Uma Matadin, Abigail Kishun, Shaneeta Grimmond, Kismone Thomas, Aleema Arokium and Sherica Campbelle. The Club is very proud of every one of its female cricketers for keeping the RHTY&SC flag flying with honour. Congrats are also extending to our Under-15 players, Jonathan Rampersaud, Sandian, Mahendra Gopilall, Angelino Ramdihal and Matthew Pattaya on their outstanding performance in the current Berbice Cricket Board Inter-zone Under-15 tournament. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would recognise their performances shortly for being outstanding representatives of our massive cricket development programme which includes close to 150 youths between the ages of 8 to 18 years.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets U-21 clinch Title - Kevin Sinclair named MVP

The Winning Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Team after the Tournament. The Tamarind Root Cricket Club of Hampshire hosted an action packed 5/5 Cricket Tournament at the Hampshire Ground on Sunday last. Seven teams participated in the fundraising tournament “Tamarind Root Cricket Club, Toopoo Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21, No. 19 Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Albion Toopoo Cricket Club and Belvedere United Cricket Club”. A youthful Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets team led by national youth player Kevin Sinclair easily defeated three teams to clinch the Championship Trophy and the first prize of $10,000. In their first match against No.19 Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets blasted their way to

91 for 2 off their allotted 5Overs with Kevin Sinclair hitting 36 off ten balls with 7 boundaries and a massive six, while Kevlon Anderson blasted a top score of 42 not out with 8 classy boundaries and a six from 12 balls. Keith Simpson was left unbeaten on 10, while Junior Sinclair was run out for 01. In response, No. 19 Cricket Club were restricted to 34 for 7 off five Overs as only J. Tyler reached double figures with 11. Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall and Keith Simpson all claimed two wickets a piece, while Nicholas Lawson took one. In the semifinals versus Kendall Union Cricket Club, Kevin Sinclair struck a brutal 92 not out from just 21 balls as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 raced to 101 without loss from 5Overs. Sinclair’s knocks

included 13 massive sixes and three sweetly stuck boundaries. Jason Sinclair, who was a mere spectator to Kevin Sinclair, was left unbeaten on eight. Kendall Union Cricket Club in response could only muster 38 for 8 as the youthful Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets fielded and bowled well. B. Mahadeo topscored with 13, while Junior Sinclair 2 for 6, Kevin Sinclair 2 for 8 and Keith Simpson 2 for 7 bowled well for the winners. Tamarind Root Cricket Club easily defeated Toopoo Cricket Club in the second semifinals to clinch a place in the finals. Toopoo Cricket Club batting first after losing the toss rattled up 54 for 6 from their five Overs, while Tamarind Root Cricket Club replied with 58 without loss. Skipper Brandon Prashad (Continued on page 25)

Scintillating Hetmyer hundred headlines tour match BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – Rookie Shimron Hetmyer continued to press his case for a return to the Test team, with another whirlwind hundred on the opening day of a two-tour day tour match against Northern Suburb Districts Invitational XI here yesterday. The 20-year-old lefthander smashed a better than run-a-ball 119 as West Indies piled up 352 for eight at the Ian Healy Oval. Kieran Powell scored 65, opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite got 43, while captain Jason Holder chipped in with 35. Seamer Andrew Gode was the best bowler with two for 57. In the first warm-up match of the camp prior to the New Zealand series later this month, Powell got the

innings off to a pleasant start with a knock that included seven fours and two sixes and came from 87 deliveries. He put on 111 with Brathwaite who was patient in contrast, requiring 104 balls for his innings and striking fours and two sixes. However, it was the arrival of Hetmyer at number three which livened up the game as the former Young West Indies captain got stuck into Northern’s bowling, belting 12 fours and eight sixes in an entertaining knock. Hetmtyer made his Test debut against Pakistan earlier this year, playing three Tests with little success. He subsequently lost his place in the team for the tours of England and Zimbabwe though remaining in the touring party.

He gave tour selectors a reminder of his immense talent on the tour of England when he smashed an unbeaten 128 off 120 balls in a drawn two-day tour match against Leicestershire last September. When Hetmyer retired yesterday, Holder stroked five fours and a six in a 56ball knock and Raymon Reifer, an unbeaten 20 off 73 balls, as West Indies ended strongly. The Caribbean side arrived here last weekend for a preparation camp ahead of the two-Test tour of New Zealand starting month end. Scores: WEST INDIES 352 for eight (Shimron Hetmyer 119, Kieran Powell 65, Kraigg Brathwaite 43, Jason Holder 35; Andrew Gode 2-57 vs NORTHERN INVITATIONAL XI.


Thursday November 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

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“Jaguars confident despite last year’s result” Skipper declares By Sean Devers in St Kitts In association with Vnet Communications Warner Park should be the venue for a tough contest between the top two teams on the points table and with the small size of the ground there should see plenty of runs as Guyana Jaguars and the Leewards Hurricanes clash from today in the third round of CWI Digicel Regional four-day Championships. The last time the two teams played in St Kitts last year in the second round of 2017 a declaration by Jaguars Skipper Leon Johnson opened the door for an unlikely win for the home team. But when the dust had settled, Hurricanes, chasing a record 370 to win, produced the highest successful run chase in Regional cricket to win by six wickets. Today Johnson’s Jaguars return to Warner Park with their confidence high after back-to-back wins in the first two rounds and the Guyana Captain declared he

‘We ready’! Says Manager

Warner Park! Today’s battle ground. (Sean Devers photo) is not afraid to make another declaration. “Once we feel that we have enough runs on the board I will declare, last year I felt that 370 were enough runs so I declared, they played well to get the runs in the last hour so credit must be given to them as well. Having said that this is a different game in a different season,” informed Johnson. “Our confidence is high

after registering two wins in a row, we might not have played our best cricket so far but we have had good performances that have set up the wins for us,” said the 31-year-old. In addition to that win the Leewards beat Guyana in the final round at Providence and former Guyana pacer Rayon Griffith, who in addition the being the Jaguars Manager, selected

that last round team as Chairman of selectors. “The Leewards had the better of us in their last two games, we tried a few young players in our final game after we had already won the tournament and they beat us. “But come this season we will come out and ensure we give our best to make sure that we come out on top. I think we are good enough, we have to have depth in our

Letter to the Sports Editor

The unending cricket chaos has now infected Berbice cricket Dear Sports Editor, As a former executive and a life member of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) from the late 1970’s, I have never witnessed any elections of that Board conducted in such an unlawful manner as the one held on 8th October, 2017. The deliberate violation of the agreed protocol was alarming. And noticeably two directors of Cricket West Indies (CWI) were present at those elections and interfered with the process by conducting the illegal method as self-appointed officials of Berbice cricket. Is this the new dispensation of CWI or is it apart of Dave Cameron’s and CWI’s policy to keep them in power. I would agree that once there is a name change there may be amendments in some of the rules of the organisation but not to the extent of hijacking the domestic elections of Territorial Boards. Mr. Drubahadur, sitting at the head table and

questionably performing the duties of returning officer, should have known better than to embarrassingly impose himself on the proceedings. He seemed to be oblivious to the guidelines for the elections issued by the court. Or maybe was he otherwise instructed. I have read a number of damning letters in the press condemning the rigged elections of the Berbice Cricket Board. I know that former executives and supporters of the BCB have condemned the madness that went on at the Berbice elections. The system was illegal and could only have been adopted by persons who do not have basic fairness in their minds. Never in the 78 – year history of the BCB have there been tainted elections. The Berbice Cricket Board up to this time was the best run Cricket Board in Guyana and the region and has produced talented male and female cricketers for the county, Guyana and the West

Indies. I am heartened that a stalwart of Berbice Cricket, Mr. Mortimer George, has recorded his strong exception to questionable BCB elections and has asked for a full investigation into t h a t s o r d i d m a t t e r. Mr. George, from the age of 22 years, served the BCB as Asst. Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman and Secretary of the Competitions Committee, Secretary, Representative to the Guyana Cricket Board, Selector and Cricket Manager. He has been honoured with the Hero Award and is a Life Member of the Berbice Cricket Board, the Young Warriors Cricket Club and the Bermine Community Sports Club. It is therefore extremely unkind and mischievous for letter-writer Persaud, in a clearly personal attack, to mention Mr. George’s present ailment as part of his rebuff of Mr. George’s critique of the BCB elections. Mr. George, even though elderly, has an abiding affection for Berbice

cricket on which he has written three books, a magazine and many articles. He continues to speak out and write on the chaos that has enveloped Guyana’s cricket and has now reached and infected Berbice cricket. For Persaud or anyone else to personally vilify Mr. Mortimer George because of the principled position he has taken on the Berbice Board elections is most reprehensible. I conclude by expressing a hope that this issue surrounding the Berbice Board, be arrested, that fair and legal elections are urgently held and that the people of Berbice be allowed to have their own elections without representatives of the GCB and CWI hijacking the process. The Berbice Board will then once again be a pivotal organisation in Guyana and West Indies cricket. Malcolm Peters Former President - Berbice C r i c k e t B o a r d Former Vice President Guyana Cricket Board

batting and we have to bowl well to keep the score as low as possible,” the Jaguars Manager stated. “Our unit has been a very good unit in the last few seasons and all the players are a humble set of players and I think that is one of our strengths because we bring it together and put it together. “These are players that listen and that is important for the team and team spirit will be very healthy and at this moment I am very satisfied with our team spirit,” Griffith continued. “He informed that the players are putting in the work and the effort and

trying to do their best each game they play for Guyana, adding that there are no injuries to worry about. “There might some fine niggles but everyone is fit and ready to go,” Griffith added. Meanwhile, Johnson explained that he is happy to have Shiv Chanderpaul for today’s game. “Shiv’s presence is going to be welcomed, just like Vishaul (Singh) and Keon (Joseph) who came back in, They have been important players for us over the years so has Shiv,” Johnson said. “We didn’t get the best start batting wise in St Lucia, but we need to rectify that and build a decent foundation for the middle to build on here,” concluded the Guyana Captain who is also a key batsman in the side. The 43-year-old Shiv Chanderpaul and his 21year-old son Tagenarine are once again set to play together in the same FirstClass game. This has only happened once before in West Indies when Sir Leary Constantine played in the same FC game for Trinidad with his father who 48 at that time. Today’s game starts at 10:00hrs and Rakeem Cornwall has been added to the Leewards team after his return from the ‘A’ team.

Several teams withdraw from Second Division cricket competition in Berbice A number of cricket teams in Berbice that were invited to participate in a cricket competition in Berbice which was organised by a group holding themselves as the Berbice Cricket Board has either withdrawn or has refused to participate. The teams have come to this decision because according to some since their involvement in cricket more than 50 years ago, they have never seen a competition so disorganized. Citing some of the irregularities they stated that there are different fixtures being circulated. There are no rules attached to the fixtures. The fixtures are not signed or stamped and not all the clubs have received, although their names are down to play. No address is on the fixtures there is nothing to say what the teams are playing. How they would advance to the next stage, what is the next stage and who they are likely to play in the next stage. There is nothing to say who the contact persons are in case of disputes and how disputes will be dealt with. Whilst some of the fixtures do not have debarred players, others have some names written in with pen, nothing to say if hand writing is authentic. It also states that each team playing a match must pay $20,000 to pay Board Umpires. The teams are questioning if the board has umpires; they are also saying they were never compelled to pay for the services of umpires. Whilst a number of teams said that they are playing for fun others said that they do not have time to waste. Because they believe they are being tricked into partaking in something which is not genuine by people who are seeking self-aggrandizement and who do not have their interest at heart.


Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2017

UCLA basketball players arrested in China ahead of Trump’s visit: reports SHANGHAI (Reuters) T h r e e U C L A m e n ’s basketball players were arrested in China for shoplifting on Tuesday, media said, a day before U.S. President Donald Trump arrived on his first official visit. The players arrested were freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, according to USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and ESPN, all of which cited unnamed sources familiar with the incident. Ball is the younger brother of National Basketball Association rookie Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers. Reached by telephone at a hotel in the eastern city of Hangzhou yesterday, Ball declined to comment. ESPN said the three had been picked up by police at their hotel on Tuesday and released on bail early y e s t e r d a y. T h e y w e r e confined to their hotel pending legal proceedings, it said. The University of California, Los Angeles,

The three UCLA basketball players questioned over shoplifting allegations in Hangzhou, China. declined to confirm the arrests but said it was “aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China”. “The university is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time,” UCLA Athletics said in a statement provided by spokeswoman Shana Wilson.

The UCLA team had arrived in China on Sunday with plans to play Georgia Tech in both teams’ regular-season o p e n e r o n S a t u r d a y, according to statements from both teams. It traveled to Hangzhou, about three hours by bus from Shanghai, to visit the campus of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), sponsor of the annual Pac-12 games in

National Schools’ Championships launched Event runs off next two weeks The five-day event of the Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guyana Teachers’ Union 57th National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field championships, sponsored by Banks DIH was officially launched yesterday at the Ministry of Education’s boardroom at 26 Brickdam. The premier schools’ sports event that is set to host over 1500 student-athletes will run from November 27 th to December 1st from 09:00hrs d a i l y. T h e c y c l i n g championships will ride off with a one-day action at the National Park on November 27 and the swimming will also be competed and completed on that day at the National Aquatic Center. The most popular Track and Field events will run from November 28 th to st December 1 at the Leonora Track and Field facility for the first time in the 57-year history of the games. The 15 districts will be out to dethrone the reigning champions District 10 (Linden). Mark Lyte, head of the Guyana Teachers Union

(GTU) expressed delight in his organisation being part of this event once again, which has seen many athletes burst onto the scene and eventually medal for Guyana at various regional and international meets including the CARIFTA Games and South America Championships. This year, the 57th instance of this competition is significant since it will be competed at the Leonora Track and Field Facility synthetic track, after 56 years running on grass. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta MacDonald, stated that all systems are on schedule for the successful planning of the 57th Schools’ Championships which she anticipates is going to be highly competitive. She noted that the organizers have been working tirelessly to make the event’s success a reality and she thanked all the contributing stakeholders. Also present at the launch was Marcel Hutson, Permanent Secretary of the MOE, who gleefully posited that, “I believe we are going to witness the greatest

championship this year in the games’ 57-year history and once all stakeholders work together, this will be a reality.” Clayton Mackenzie, Banks DIH non-alcoholic brand manager, expressed his company’s pleasure to continue their longstanding sponsorship of the school games, “Banks DIH is pleased to be a part of nationals and we will be sponsoring the event through three brands; the PowerAde brand which is fueled with electrolytes to replenish the athletes, along with Rainforest Waters and Malta Supreme which is packed with many vitamins. We hope that this will contribute to the kids putting on a good show which is anticipated.” There is usually an issue with the correct athletes participating in the Track and Field events having their performances recorded correctly and this year, the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) announced that they will be assisting in the technical aspect of those events.

China. The three players were questioned about stealing from a Louis Vuitton store next to the hotel where the team is staying, ESPN said. UCLA representatives,

including coach Steve Alford, were at the police station while they were there, it said, citing an unidentified source. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement the conference was “disappointed by any situation that detracts from the positive student-athlete educational and cultural experience that this week is about.” “Whether in the United States or abroad, we expect our student-athletes to uphold the highest standards. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” he said. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said yesterday the Chinese government had reported the case to the U.S. side in accordance with consular agreements.

“China is handling this case in accordance with the law and will guarantee the lawful rights in accordance with the law of those involved in this case,” she said. In a video posted on Twitter yesterday by Arash Markazi, a senior writer at ESPN, LaVar Ball said his son, LiAngelo, would be fine. “He’ll be fine. Everyone’s making it a big deal. It ain’t that big a deal,” said Ball, the outspoken CEO of athletic apparel maker Big Baller Brand. Chinese President Xi Jinping led Trump on a private tour of the Forbidden City to kick off his visit yesterday. White House officials could not be immediately reached for comment. Alibaba declined to comment, as did the Hangzhou police. A U.S. State Department (Continued on page 25)

Rose Hall Town Pepsi U-19 Team crush Kendall Union by 210 runs The Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 on Saturday last easily defeated their Kendall Union Cricket Club counterparts by a massive 210 runs margin at the Kendall Union No. 19 Cricket Ground. The defending Berbice Under-19 Champions was specially invited by their host as the Pepsi Team seeks to play matches on a regular basis due to no Under-19 tournaments being organised by the Berbice Cricket Board. The match was played 35-Over per side, Batting first after winning the toss, Rose Hall Town Pepsi were given a commanding opening stand of 106 runs in 14.3-Over by national youth cricketers Junior Sinclair and Kevin Sinclair before the latter was dismissed for an attractive 63 which included five boundaries and two sixes. The inform Chanderpaul Govinda joined Junior Sinclair and together they added 80 for the 2nd wicket before Sinclair was dismissed by D. Harris for 71 (eight boundaries and two massive sixes). Chanderpaul Govinda and Tyrese Sealy then added 40 for the 3rd wicket before Govinda 34 and Sealy 31 fell in quick succession to Harris. National Player Kevlon Anderson was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 16 as the rest of

the batting fell cheaply, looking to increase the run rate, Rose Hall Town Pepsi ended on 270 for 8 of their allotted 35-Over. M. Baker 3 for 55, D. Harris 2 for 61 and H. Harris 2 for 49 were the main bowlers for the home team. Requiring 271 runs from 35-Over to register an upset victory Kendall Union Cricket Team never looked comfortable against some very hostile pace bowling by the Rose Hall Town Pepsi opening fast bowlers Kevlon Anderson and Nicholas Lawson. Only Joshua Hitnarine with 13 not out offered any resistance to Anderson who claimed 6 wickets for 15 runs from seven hostile overs of short pitched bowling. Anderson claimed the wickets of M. Deodat, V. Karran and H. Harris from consecutive balls to claim a rare hat-trick. Lawson supported with 3 for 12 from 4-Overs, while leg spinner Surendra Ramcharitar took 1 wicket for 12 runs for Rose Hall Town Pepsi. Cricket Manager of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Ravin Kissoonlall stated that the Management of the 2016 Guyana Cricket Club of the Year is forced to arrange matches in the absence of organised Inter-club cricket in the ancient county. The Club’s Under-12, Under-13, Under-15, Under-

17, Under-19, Under-21 and Female teams would be very grateful for clubs interested in playing them to contact the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. MS on 337 4562 o r e m a i l : foster_hilbert@yahoo.com. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Kissoonlall disclosed, would be playing away from home for the rest of 2017 as restoration work is currently being undertaken at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town. The outfield of the ground is being upgraded along with the resurfacing of the cricket pitch. Cricket would restart at the ground in early 2018. Meanwhile, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and its cricket teams during the upcoming week would be donating cricket balls and trophies to several clubs across Berbice as part of the Club’s Cricket Development Programme. The donation would be last of its kind for 2017, while Secretary/CEO of the Club Hilbert Foster has disclosed that in 2018, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would be assisting a total of 65 cricket clubs with over $3M worth of trophies, cricket balls, gears, scorebooks, cricket medals and educational materials. The Club would also be organising fourteen major softball cricket tournaments for schools and clubs in Berbice.


Thursday November 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

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GFF successfully completes round of ATC games

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood addressing the Under-13 ATC players. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) successfully concluded friendly Under-13, 15 and 17 Academy Training Centre (ATC) matches over the weekend at the National Track and Field Facility in Leonora. The participating ATCs were the Berbice Football Association (BFA), West

Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and East Bank Football Association (EBFA). Under17 games were completed on Saturday followed by the Under-13 and 15 games on Sunday. Present at the games w e r e G F F Te c h n i c a l Director, Ian Greenwood, WDFA Technical

Nand Persaud group of Companies goes racing again on December 10 The Popular Nand Persaud Group of Companies through its Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group has once organised a horserace meet. The event is slated for Sunday December 10 at the Company’s racing facilities at No36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. The facility is the only one where the horses run in a straight line from start to finish. The races will be 880 and 660 yards. The seven-race card which is dubbed the “Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic” has over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the taking, with the Trophy Stall already on Board. The events listed for the day will see horses competing in the feature D and lower event over 880 yards for a winning purse of $ 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d t r o p h y. The event for animals classified H and lower is for a top prize of $260,000 and trophy also over 880yards. There is an event for J

class animals over 660 yards for a $200,000 winner’s purse and trophy. The K class and lower animals will be competing for a winning take of $140,000 and trophy over 6 6 0 y a r d s . There are three events for animals classified L and lower. Two of the L class events will see the animals galloping over 660yars for the first prize of $100,000 and trophy. The other L Class event is expected to be a heated affair over 880 yards also for the first prize of $100,000 and trophy. C h a m p i o n j o c k e y, trainer and stable will all be rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliment of the Trophy Stall and the organisers. Entries close on the 5th December and persons interested can make contact with Mohini Baker on 6004728 or Amanda on 6462390. The Coordinator is Mohendra Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)

Development Officer, Orin Ferrier and GFF Executive Member, Keith Ojeer. In an invited comment, Ojeer stated: “The prime objective behind having different ATCs compete against each other is to increase the number of games the members of the academies participated in.

There are a maximum of hours in playing time required for academies to develop. The teams have been training for over six months. We are embarking on a plan for the academies to play each other on a regular basis. The Federation has implemented matches throughout the various associations at the

U-15 and 17 levels to increase playing times academies will have. Plans are underway for each association to have a U-13 league to also increase academy playing times.” The results of the games are as follows: Under-17 SATURDAY games: 1) WDFA v BFA. 1:0

2) BFA v EBFA. 0:0 3) WDFA v EBFA. 1-1 U n d e r- 1 3 a n d 1 5 SUNDAY games: 1) U-13 WDFA 1 v BFA. 3 2) U-15. EBFA 1 v BFA 1 3) U-15 WDFA 0 v BFA 1 4) U-13 BFA 2 v EBFA 0 5) U-15 WDFA 4 v EBFA 4

Marian Academy Badminton tournament underway

Part of the action in the Marian Academy Secondary School Badminton Club Tournament which commenced on Tuesday. The Marian Academy Secondary School Badminton Club Tournament started Tuesday at the School’s Badminton Courts and the Club Players came out in full force to take part in the Boys and Girls Singles. The School’s Primary & Secondary Badminton Club practices every Tuesdays under National Coach Gokarn Ramdhani who voluntary gives his knowledge and Skills over

the past 6 years to help produce players to represent Guyana one Day. The Club has over 40 players who shows lots of interest and potential. Play in the Boys and Girls Secondary School Singles are as Follows: Boys Singles First Rounds: Rasheed January defeated Manav Sharma: 2110 Shemroy Holder defeated Omar Samad: 21-

19 Shaquain Sawh defeated Varun Challu: 21-19 John Wang defeated Jaden Totaram: 21-3 Vi k a s h M o o t o o & Matthew Beharry both got Byes into the Quarter-Finals Boys Singles QuarterFinals: Vikash Mootoo defeated Ryan Azeez: 21-8 Girls Singles First Rounds: Sarah Samad defeated Tyra Gomes: 21-8

Amelia Balram defeated Saskia Lalgie:21-8 Girls Singles QuarterFinals: Sacha Permanand defeated Sarah Samad: 2321 Elesa Sangster defeated Racheal Ragnauth: 21-10 Reba Ramlall defeated Ashley Escanaga: 21-13 Amelia Balram defeated Sasha Singh: 21-11 T h e To u r n a m e n t continues next Tuesday November 14, 2017.


Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2017

Escarraga teeing for top Hamilton Green Knockout Cup shot in MACORP’s 11th Semi-Final matches on next Friday Golf tourney Saturday This Saturday, Golf action will continue at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) course for the third consecutive weekend following the Banks DIH/Citizen’s Bank and Guyana Open Cup tournaments the previous two weekends, with the 11th annual MACORP tournament and the tournament will have in excess of $400,000 in Cash and prizes up for grabs. MACORPS’ very own Guillermo Escarraga, the Product Support Manager of the company, who had the best net score at last week’s

Guillermo Escarraga Guyana Open international Golf tournament at Lusignan, will be looking to

have another good outing as he seeks supremacy. “This weekend is going to be tough and I will have to bring my A game for a chance at the top spot because the best golfers will be out there but at the end of the day we’re all looking to have a fun filled day,” Escarraga noted. He said that MACORP is always happy to support the sport, “And I believe that playing golf is a good way to help one’s self development.” Tee-off time is 12:00hrs on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club Course on the East Coast of Demerara.

Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc backs Stage of Champions 2

The Hamilton Green knockout football tournament resumes next Friday with the semi-final clashes at the Victoria Community Centre ground on the East Coast of Demerara from 19:00hrs. The tournament which began with 24 teams from various Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF), member associations battling for the $500,000 first prize will see the finalists being decided on November 17th in front an expected huge crowd at the football loving area. The first game of the evening will be an East Bank vs. Linden affair when Soesdyke Falcons try to come out flying high against the Mining town’s Winners’ Connection. The second clash of the night will pit the inform Police FC, who are progressing in competitions elsewhere, against Milerock of Linden. The final of the competition is set for the n a t i o n a l h o l i d a y, Youmanabi. The runner up team will receive $250,000, 3rd place $150,000 while loser of the third place playoff will receive $100,000 to round off the $1

Hamilton Green Million total prize purse. In addition, as part of former Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green’s 83rd birthday programme, the organizer of the competition will be kick off a nine-a-side, no offside, 15 minutes-per-half knockout tournament. In addition to the $70,000 first prize and $30,000 for second place, the winners of this competition will receive hampers from Ricks and Sari company, Blankets from Food for the Poor, while the top scorer will receive a Dinette Suite from China

Trading. The first games of this nine-a-side tournament will be contested between Buxton Youth & Plaisance at 17:00hrs before next Friday’s Hamilton Green Knockout tournament’s semi-finals. The second encounter will be between Lima Dam and Buxton stars 17:30hrs, Mahaica play Golden Grove at 18:00hrs, while Ann’s Grove will try to out-perform Kuru Kururu at 18:30hhrs; great appetizers before the main course of the two 90-minute semi-final games.

Bakewell donates to RHTY&SC Cricket Teams Say No/Say Yes Programme

Videsh Sookram accepts the cheque from Emily Singh of Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc. Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc. of Lot C Public Road Eccles, East Bank Demerara has supported the second edition of ‘Stage of Champions” which is set for November 18 at Theatre Guild, Kingston. Stage of Champions is a bodybuilding competition which also entails men’s physique and bikini segments.

Emily Singh, a representative of Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc who presented the cheque to organiser Videsh Sookram, said her company is happy to support an event of such magnitude and wished the athletes well. She noted the importance of sponsorship in sports and is looking forward to a successful competition. Sookram

expressed gratitude to the company and said the fans can expect lots of excitement during the contest. Athletes from Guyana, St. Maarten (French and D u t c h ) , Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , A n g u i l l a , Suriname, Barbados and Curacao will vie for supremacy in the U-143 lbs, U-154lbs, U-164lbs, U176lbs and over 177 lbs categories.

The efforts of the 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, to get youths in the ancient county of Berbice to Say No to Drugs received a massive boost from Bakery giant Bakewell on Saturday last. The Company donated a much needed outdoor Public Address and Music System to the teams. The complete system worth $100,000 would be used by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for all of its outdoor activities and would assist the Club to cut down on the massive expense account to rent a Music/PA System for its activities which include Cricket tournaments, Christmas Village, Health Fairs, Career Fairs, Day of Sports, Public Lectures and Award Ceremonies among others. The 10 cricket teams on an annual basis operate one of the largest Say No/Say Yes Campaign in Guyana. The Campaign, which targets 60,000 youths, seek

to promote the Say No to Drugs, Crime, Suicide, A l c o h o l a n d Ye s t o Education, Religion, Sports and Life Messages. Asst Organising Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Ravin Kissoonlall stated that every year, the Club used a large amount of its funds to rent a Music/PA System for a minimum of at least 20 outdoor programmes. Kissoonlall stated that at a recent planning session for 2018, it was recommended that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and the cricket teams should try to acquire its own Music/PA System. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster then approached long time club sponsor, Bakewell for assistance and approval was granted immediately. Foster disclosed that the cricket teams in 2018 would be visiting over 40 Vi l l a g e s / To w n s h i p i n Berbice to host Say No/Say Yes Seminars along with

coaching sessions for Under15 cricketers in the area. For 2018, the Club would also be organising a total of 46 outdoor activities that would include cricket tournaments, Day of Sports, Fitness Walk and School Rallies, while a massive movable Children Play Park would be established to move around Berbice as part of the continuing Say No Programme. The Play Park would include Trampoline, swings, slides and numerous children games and would be used to target children in villages where the usage of illegal drugs are high. The long serving Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to Bakewell and its General Manager Rajin Ganga for their continued assistance to the Club. Bakewell has been sponsoring the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club U n d e r- 1 7 a n d S e c o n d Division Teams since 2000 and also co-sponsors numerous other programmes (Continued on page 25)


Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2017

PAGE 33

Vera’s Finally vs Storm Bird to headline Race of Champions horserace Meet Rising Sun Turf Club will come alive on Sunday December 3 from 1:00pm with top class horseracing action when the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee Race of Champions horserace Meet is staged. The Feature Event of the Day is a 1200m (6Furlong) contest which promises to be the fastest 1200M race ever run at Rising Sun Turf Club. The newly imported, The Guyana Cup and President Cup Champion, Vera’s Finally From the Jumbo Jet Racing Stable, trained by Fazal Habbibulla and ridden by Jockey Colin Ross and owned by Nasrudeen Mohamed is set to pull out all the stops. Mohamed noted that his filly is all set to go at a distance of 1200m for the first time in her racing career. “She has the Track Record with the fastest time going at a distance of 1600m at Rising Sun Turf Club. So I am more than 100% that she will set a 1200m record against the fastest 1000m horse ever seen in Guyana, Storm Bird,” he pointed out.

Vera’s Finally promises to light up the Rising Sun Turf Club when she goes against Storm Bird.

Storm Bird (3rd right) in action during a previous contest will test Vera’s Finally.

Storm Bird is from the I. Bacchus Racing Stable, trained by the same trainer as Vera’s Finally F. Habbibulla and also ridden by Jockey C. Ross. Storm Bird’s Owner I. Bacchus said he hopes that Vera’s engine is well serviced because he’s expecting his bird’s wing to extend even bigger at the Race of Champions. Trainer F. Habbiublla said he has no comments as yet, both great horses with big hearts. Two

horses, two owners, one trainer, one jockey, with one big question; who will Colin Ross Ride, who will be the trainer’s favorite? Those answers will be provided on December 3 at the Rising Sun Turf Club. A purse of $1,000,000 is at stake for the winner of that event. The second prize is $500,000, third $ 250,000, fourth $125,000 and fifth $62,500. The other races listed on the programme are: F Class

& Lower/ E -Class nonearners of 2017 covering 1200M with a first prize of $400,000 on offer. H1 & Lower will gallop over 1200M for $300,000 for the top finisher. The 3Yrs Old Guyana Bred & Open to H class horses who have not earned in their last 2 starts & I1 &Lower horses also collide over 1200M with the winner collecting $250,000. 2Yrs Old Guyana Bred & J3 who have not earned in

their last 2 starts will run for 1200M with the reward being $240,000 for the winner. The K-Class 1200M race carries a $230,000 purse. The L & Lower 1200M event have $200,000 first prize, while the L-Class nonearners since Guyana Cup 2017 will also run over 1200M for $175,000. Entries close on Saturday, 25th November. Horse owners will pay an extra fee for any late entries.

They must also fill the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee form to accompany their fees to enter or their horses will not be allowed to race. Information can be accessed by calling: Chandu Ramkissoon: 624-9063, 608-9063, 2320633 Alan Podmore: 2329115 Rajin (LION): 6084050 Nikita Ross: 662-4668


t r o Sp National Schools’ Championships launched Event runs off next two weeks

A group photo of all the stakeholders inclusive of representatives of the Sponsors Banks DIH, MOE and the GTU who are working to make the 57th National school C/ships a success.

“Jaguars confident despite last Scintillating Hetmyer year’s result” Skipper declares ‘We ready’! Says Manager

Shiv (right) and Tage (left batting) will once again form a father & son combination today. (Sean Devers photo)

hundred headlines tour match

Shimron Hetmyer goes on the attack during his 119 on the opening day of the two-day tour match yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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