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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

Implications of throwing out the Sexual Amendment Act The recent decision of the High Court that the Paper Committal law which amended the Sexual Amendment Act is unlawful has a number of repercussions and leaves a number of questions unanswered. Among them are that all those who were charged under the said Act and even those convicted would now have to be freed or have a new trial using the old Act. It also asked the question as to what our law makers in Parliament which is made up of a number of lawyers on both side are doing. Why are they making laws that run directly in conflict with the constitution? When the law was first amended it was never discussed with the lawyers or their representative body. When that was thrown out by the high court the new amendment to the amendment was never discussed or taken to the Bar Association for its input, thus the limbo. Recently Attorney at Law Murseline Bacchus successfully challenged the amendment to the Sexual Amendment Act in the High Court. Bacchus moved to the High Court after Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus committed his client Ray Bacchus to stand trial in the High Court on the amended Sexual Offences Act. His client Ray Bacchus was charged indictably on August 28, 2013 for engaging in sexual penetration of a child of 14. Bacchus had contended that the amendment to the Act was unconstitutional. He moved to the court and sought an order or rule nisi of certiorari directed to the Director of Public Prosecution, the Commissioner of Police and Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to show cause why her decision should not be quashed on the grounds that it is null, void, unlawful and unconstitutional. The act, when it was first amended in 2010 read- “For the purpose of a paper committal, only the evidence of the Prosecution shall be allowed.” After this was thrown out by the courts it was amended to read, “For the purpose of a paper committal, credible evidence of the Prosecution and the defence shall be allowed.” The new law thus took away the right of the client to call and cross examine witnesses for the defence. The Chief Justice in his ruling looked at what was presented before him and what is provided for in the Constitution. He stated that Section 43 of the Sexual Offences Act 2010- provided that, “where a person is charged with an offence under the Act, there shall be no oral preliminary inquiry and instead, a paper committal shall be held in accordance with the procedure set out in the first schedule.” However, this act is inconsistent with article 144(1) and 144(2) of the Constitution which reads, “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence-shall be permitted to defend him or herself before the court in person or by a legal representative or his or her own choice.” “The person shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his or her legal representative the witnesses presented by the Prosecution before the court, to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his or her behalf before the court on the conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the Prosecution. The Chief Justice thus concluded that it is difficult to see how a person charged, can defend him or herself personally before the court unless he or she is at liberty to dispute the evidence of the prosecution witness either by cross- examining the prosecution witnesses who have made statements tendered as evidence before the court or his own behalf. A senior lawyer stated that when he first heard of the amendment, he told the Attorney General (AG) that something is still not correct and should be looked at. Now that Parliament has been suspended by the President, nothing can be done to the Act and the situation remains in limbo. The country awaits the next move.

Tuesday November 25, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

The people must not forget the seriousness of these malicious actions

DEAR EDITOR, As Guyanese, we must not forget the seriousness of confidential tax information of Kaieteur News being made available to a private citizen. This is a malicious act. We must not forget the vulgar and obscene language and the alleged death threats against the owner of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, and his employees. Not to mention the pimping of a female reporter and other obnoxious utterances. We must not forget the more than 50 fictitious law suits amounting to over $1 billion that have been filed against Glenn Lall and the newspaper’s Editor in Chief, Adam Harris by the oppressive PPP regime. It is very clear the same PPP which fought to have its paper published has been hatching a plot to close down Kaieteur News, the leading news paper in the country. Who do these people think they are? We must never forget that those currently in power, who claimed that they have fought against dictatorship and corruption in Guyana,

have now become the most corrupt and dictatorial regime in all of the Englishspeaking Caribbean. By proroguing Parliament, the PPP has now joined the ranks of their dictatorial friends in North Korea and Cuba. Shame on them! If there is one substantial benefit which has already been derived from all the deceitful acts is that, at long last, the people have realized how evil, brutal, spiteful, dictatorial and dangerous the regime is. And the group-think c a b a l ’s o b n o x i o u s , treacherous and torturous acts have awakened Guyanese to the precipitous plight of their survival and their beloved country which is under siege. How unfortunate that spurious attempts are being made by the cabal to distract the public away from their dreadful actions against the staff of Kaieteur News, freedom of the press and the people in general, especially those who oppose the regime. The truth is unashamedly being undermined by the

administration and a small recalcitrant cabal selfishly prostituting themselves and unrelentingly sabotaging the integrity and intellectual capacity of the people. Their hatched plan to destroy Kaieteur News and harm its Publisher and staff coupled with their rule by decree which is dictatorial have not only backfired on them but has become public knowledge. The columns of the PPPaligned newspapers are awash with distractions, propaganda, distortions and lies, glaringly intent on subverting the real issues affecting the people and the PPP hideous plans to deny the people their rights by circumventing democracy and freedom of the press. The incompetent cabal are bent on suppressing truth, honesty and integrity while, in turn, obnoxiously g l o r i f y i n g i n d e c e n c y, deception, immorality, foul and anti-women behaviour. It defies human intelligence that a party claims to support the poor and the working class could indulge in such nefarious and

demonic acts against them. The regime is in a degenerative stage and it is so desperate that it will do anything, including hurting the citizens, to maintain power that is rapidly slipping away from them. It is only those with warped, devious or perverted m i n d s w h o c a n surreptitiously attempt to justify the actions of such uncouth, uncivilized and criminal acts. It is time for the general public to join APNU in the streets to protest the actions of the dictatorial PPP regime. It is a sign of decay of immeasurable proportion when a government responsible for overseeing due process and the rule of law continually fails to reprimand and apprehend those who violate them with r e m o r s e l e s s i m p u n i t y. Guyana has a tyrannical and a Mickey Mouse government. Guyana is a failed state that beckons for a course of action by the people and the opposition to save it. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh

There’s a need to reform the system that perpetuates this atrocity DEAR EDITOR, I would like to express my profound consternation at the recent sentencing of two men to extremely long prison sentences, that must obviously have been aimed at shutting them out permanently from the rest of humanity, and condemning them to a life of misery and isolation from their loved ones as well as any meaningful activities to fulfil their lives. The two offenders, are they not a product of our

society, and entitled to the benefits of this society, which must have failed them in the first place to develop ethical standards in their lives? Does not this society have a reciprocal obligation to at least try to reform them into inculcating standards of behaviour that would allow them to regain their place in their communities with the ability to contribute meaningfully to it? I firmly believe that the system that commits these

grave injustices should itself be redesigned to implement a corrective function within the penal organisation rather than a purely punitive one, which has been proven repeatedly to produce more hardened criminals. No man, or group of men, has a right to permanently imprison another unless he takes on the responsibility of giving him ample opportunity and the wherewithal to reform his character. Furthermore, when we denounce another

human being without giving him this opportunity, we are admitting our own inability to effect such reform, even when we have him totally in our custody for a long period of time. I hope that the relevant authorities in our country will see the wisdom of the above, and take the necessary steps to reform the very system that perpetuates this atrocity of condemning our fellow human beings to a fate worse than death. Roy Paul

Observing Int’l Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women DEAR EDITOR, The Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union calls for all to say “No” and stop violence against women as the world observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, today, November 25, 2014. Violence against women is a big issue worldwide and especially here in Guyana. That violence in the home leads to physical and mental health issues, with all

members experiencing violence. What is sad is that this violence stops women from enjoying their basic rights - to work, to help raise a family, to live a long, healthy life, free of fear. We have heard over and over again about gender equality, that women should have equal rights as men. We know some of the troubling statistics related to w o m e n ’s h e a l t h a n d wellbeing, including maternal death.

So what can be done to improve the lives of women so that they can enjoy the same rights that men do? Men must play a very important role in encouraging gender equality for all. They should be part of the solution. Men need to have role models who teach them good leadership and problemsolving skills and treat women with respect, both men and women need to work together without the

use of violence. Today also serves as a day to keep women’s issues in the spotlight because despite all of their accomplishments, women still do not enjoy the same rights as men. They are still more likely to die from HIV/AIDS, live in poverty, and to suffer from genderbased violence. Sherwood Clarke General President Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union


Tuesday November 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Addressing a global problem of epidemic proportions DEAR EDITOR, Commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW) is an opportunity to recall the categories and circumstances globally in which such violence occurs. Domestic violence, child and forced marriage, female infanticide, female genital mutilation, sexual trafficking and rape all contribute to a global health problem of epidemic proportions according to the World Health Organization. One contributory factor surfaces in virtually all forms of VAW, namely, the controlling behaviour of males over females, manifest in religious, cultural, professional, political and economic relations. In Guyana, dominance of male figures in society is so pervasive as to place direct and personal responsibility on all males to take steps to dismantle the rules, habits and practices in their spheres of influence which control the behaviour of females. Those males in leadership and prominent roles have an

even greater responsibility in this respect. Resistance to modernizing both legislation and legal procedures with respect to sexual offences is a clear-cut example of where a culture of male leadership continues to sustain unacceptable gender control over the legal and judicial regime. Last week, Chief Justice Chang again ruled in favour of a challenge to the Sexual Offences Act (SOA), effectively declaring paper committal procedures as embodied in the SOA to be in violation of the constitutional right of defendants to a fair trial. All sexual offences procedures in the Magistrates Courts now have to be postponed until this Judgement is considered by the Court of Appeal. Convictions in the High Court have reached rock bottom. The reason given for the ruling is that the procedure does not allow the defendant the right to cross-examine witnesses for the prosecution. This judgement is only sustainable if paper committals are considered to

be a trial, an interpretation few would find persuasive of the relevant constitutional text (Article 144). Paper committals replaced the gender-biased, grossly unfair and now discredited PIs precisely because PIs had been corrupted from an administrative procedure into mini-trials. Notwithstanding Justice Chang’s superior legal acumen, the same provisions in the SOA have replaced PIs in Caribbean jurisdictions and in the United Kingdom and have never provoked the kind of objections found in both the first and this most recent Judgement. In recent months, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has been involved in cases in which the police, mainly in rural locations, discouraged victims from reporting sexual offences, distorted statements to eliminate sexual offences or refused to take statements altogether. The unpredictable response of the police is possible because reporting takes place in police stations, an environment completely under control of

Ban Styrofoam products and plastic beverage bottles DEAR EDITOR, The ubiquitous Styrofoam material and plastic beverage bottles found all over in Guyana – even in ‘pristine’ places are staggering – and one of the main reasons that have caused the flood waters to linger. These materials should be banned from the country

immediately - until Guyana has adequate recycling facilities. In India, with its more than a billion people, the problem does not seem as mammoth. One does not see plastic bottles littered all over place, for example. This is probably because they use more biodegradable material

for eating, and much of their garbage is recycled – including plastic bottles. In many parts of the country, food is given in banana leaves. Though not an ideal substitute for Styrofoam cups, plates and containers, it is an excellent concept that Guyana could adopt. Devanand Bhagwan

the Guyana Police Force and isolated from modern thinking about sexual offences. Moreover, willingness on the part of the police to improve their response is also hampered by isolation. The current situation, for example, sees victims of sexual assault who report to police stations in Georgetown being referred to the central station, Brickdam, where a medical examination is performed. While this is an improvement over untrained police officers in every station handling sexual assaults as they please, the problem is the focus and priority being entirely on the medical examination as a source of forensic evidence. While this best serves the needs of the police, priority health needs of victims are much broader. Following this brief examination by the police doctor at Brickdam, in which rape kits are not used, victims are encouraged to go to the Public Hospital Georgetown for other medical needs to be addressed. This procedure undercuts the use of rape kits as a forensic tool to increase likelihood of conviction. It also has victims going to two police stations and two medicals. The unpredictable response victims receive at stations across the country and the reduction of the medical response to forensically inefficient evidence-gathering, both

prompt the question whether the reporting function should take place away from police stations. The ‘stand-alone’ response isolates the police from the key feature of modern thinking about sexual offences, namely, the integrated provision of services in one place, preferably located close to a major hospital. Known as ‘Sexual Assault Referral Centres’ (SARCS), such centres manage and tailor responses in other societies to the particular needs of the victim. A police officer is present on duty to take statements when the victim is ready to provide them – which may take days or weeks. Moreover, an integrated response also requires improved performance from the health services. The widespread absence of rape kits in hospitals, and almost equally widespread ignorance in the medical profession over how to conduct medical examinations of sexual assault victims, usually results in hesitant medical personnel relying on the police to direct what should be done. Two recent cases, brought to the attention of the GHRA, had the doctors stating that

they had not examined the victim for sexual assaults because they only complained of physical assaults. Police statements in those cases made the same claim. This is seriously unprofessional behaviour and needs to be addressed as a priority within the profession. An integrated response is essential, in which all providers (official and NGO) – health, police, probation, counseling, welfare and legal – are brought together to address the problems outlined. However, initiatives such as SARCS require administrative and budgetary support. They also need to be promoted and understood. Several years ago, an initiative in which the GHRA brought together official and NGO responders to examine provision of integrated services received an overwhelmingly positive response. Had the Sexual Assault Task Force been active, called for by the Sexual Offences Act, this initiative could have evolved and become sustainable. Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association


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Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

NBS fraud charges… Post flood sanitation exercise forces closure of Bourda Market Ombudsman has displayed

independence and integrity - APNU MP Bulkan

APNU MP, Ronald Bulkan

A section of the closed stalls at Bourda Market yesterday. A post flood sanitation exercise forced officials of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to close the Bourda Market yesterday. The market had been closed over the weekend in the wake of the flood. However, yesterday’s closure found displeasure among several stallholders. The vendors told reporters that they were virtually forced to close their stalls to facilitate the exercise without any proper notification. They said that they were only informed of the exercise yesterday. “We ain’t vex that the market close but tell people before...Nuff people ain’t get to sell since Thursday because the place flood out…This is we daily bread and this morning when people turn up to sell we hear that the place got to close off for sanitation purposes. Is not that we ain’t want de place clean; is just the principle of notifying people in time because when we can’t get to sell we still got to pay our full rent,” one vendor said. Some of the vendors noted said that the flood has had an adverse effect on not only their stalls but their

goods as well. One vendor explained that on an ordinary day a parcel of bora would cost around $200 but since the flood the price was increased to at least $40 more. “Our issue is not only that we ain’t get to sell but that the flood damage plenty people goods. Who will pay us for that?” another vendor asked. Head of the M&CC Public Health and Market Committee, Councillor Ranwell Jordan, said that he was also notified of the decision yesterday by the Clerk of Markets, Simone Mickend. He said that he learnt that the team was spraying the area with chemicals and clearing the drains to restore the market, making it an acceptable environment for goods to be bought and sold. “It is my understanding that a team of officers from the Public Health Committee decided to close the market immediately to sanitise it and clear the area of garbage to allow for the drainage to take place since the water has not completely subsided,” he added. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green criticised the

officers who were responsible for closing the market without adequate notice. She insisted that protocol must be observed in dealing with any issue, regardless of crisis. Chase Greene noted that Town Clerk (Ag) Carol Sooba and a group of officers attached to City Hall led the clean up exercise, without the knowledge or approval of the necessary personnel. “The council was not informed of this decision; I am now learning about it. It is my knowledge that should any such decision be taken it must be gazetted and widely publicized since such a move has an immense effect on vendors and consumers alike,” the Deputy Mayor stated. Chase-Greene noted that such actions can result in the council facing legal action. This has happened in the past. That market is a public facility we can’t just close it off like that…There are persons who depend on that market for their livelihood.” The sanitation exercise concluded within a few hours; Bourda Market vendors are expected to resume work today.

Ombudsman, Justice Winston Moore

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Member of Parliament, Ronald Bulkan, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has lauded Ombudsman, Justice Winston Moore, for being fearless in executing his duties. Earlier this month, Justice Moore completed a significant report on a complaint by a former Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Arjoon, of the New Building Society (NBS). The complaint by Arjoon would have been among the first major ones filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, which has sweeping, independent powers to investigate and make pronouncement on abuses by public officials, since Moore was sworn in, back in January. The former CEO said that he was deliberately and maliciously charged in 2007 after he refused to illegally lend $2B of NBS money for the construction of the Berbice River Bridge. He claimed that his decision angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo who was in power at the time and who was searching for financing for the structure. Arjoon said he lost his substantial pension, benefits and seven years of his life because of the trumped-up charges. Following that complaint by Arjoon in January, Justice Moore hired former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Henry Chester, who on

reviewing a copy of the police’s file of those fraud charges, concluded that the men should never have been brought before the courts in the first place. There have been praises for the Ombudsman and the report. According to Bulkan, Moore has displayed strength of character and should be applauded for the fearlessness he has brought in discharging his mandate in keeping with the terms of the Ombudsman office. The report, Bulkan said, “represents a most welcome breath of fresh air in what has been a most suffocating and stultifying atmosphere, one where the public felt there was no avenue to seek redress for acts of victimization, injustice or state vendetta. He has displayed professionalism, independence and integrity; qualities that sadly can be found lacking in many public offices and which are worthy of emulation.” The Ombudsman’s office and that report are now likely to attract similar complaints from others because of the confidence and trust that Justice Moore would have sparked. The Ombudsman has “struck a blow for integrity in public office”, the MP said. According to Bulkan, while President Donald Ramotar must be given credit for filling the appointment of the Ombudsman, one which his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo failed to do, it is hoped that the administration does not now seek to undermine Moore’s office in anyway now that the “office holder has demonstrated that he will act fearlessly and in the public interest”. “People will take hope. Only recently I was approached by a former prison officer who alleges that

Cleared: Maurice Arjoon he was unfairly dismissed following the notorious jailbreak in 2001 which he characterized as a ‘walkout’. He could not find employment for seven years thereafter. He says he is going to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.” Last week, the Ombudsman took on Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who questioned the jurisdiction of Justice Moore’s office to even take a complaint of the NBS fraud matter. Moore in a telephone call to Gopaul, told him to “read or re-read my report and to point out where in the report I made any finding on anything done by the NBS Board.” Justice Moore also urged Minister Gopaul to now do what is “honourable”. Arjoon and his two managers, Kent Vincent and Kissoon Baldeo, were all charged in June 2007 for a $69M fraud at the bank. The charges were later dismissed, but not before the three were sacked for what NBS Board of Directors said was “dereliction of duty, negligence and serious misconduct”. The Ombudsman’s report had questioned the role of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana in the NBS charges.


Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Hagel, under pressure, resigns as U.S. defence secretary (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday, leaving under pressure as President Barack Obama faces critical national security challenges, including fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and revising plans to exit Afghanistan. It was the first major change to Obama’s Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who now control both houses of Congress, are looking for a new approach from the White house. Hagel was appointed less than two years ago as Obama pushed his signature programme of winding down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a process now being upended with U.S. reengagement in Iraq and greater military cooperation with Kabul. He had privately expressed frustration to colleagues at the administration’s strategy toward Iraq and Syria and at his lack of influence over the decision-making process, a source familiar with the situation said. Officials said publicly the decision for him to leave was mutual but privately others said he was forced out. “There’s no question he was fired,” said one source with knowledge of the matter. Hagel raised questions about Obama’s strategy toward Syria in an internal

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel policy memo that leaked this fall saying the president’s policy was in jeopardy due to its failure to clarify its intentions toward Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Obama has insisted the United States can go after Islamic State militants without addressing Assad, who the United States would like to leave power. FLOURNOY IS POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR Top potential candidates to replace Hagel include Michele Flournoy, a former under secretary of defence, and Ashton Carter, a former deputy secretary of defence, who were rumoured to be contenders for Hagel’s job before he was named. Hagel, who was the only enlisted combat veteran to serve as defence secretary, ran into a wave of opposition

when Obama, a Democrat, nominated him. Republicans objected partly because Hagel opposed the 2007 ‘surge’ of troops in the Iraq war, which eventually helped defeat al Qaeda and other militants and opened the way for a U.S. troop withdrawal. He was seen as poorly prepared and hesitant during his confirmation hearing, including refusing to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when McCain demanded he judge whether he was wrong to oppose the surge strategy. Hagel, who became an outspoken critic of the administration of President George W. Bush, had also upset many in his party by endorsing Obama in his presidential race against Republican Senator John McCain in 2008.

US condemns Gambia’s anti-gay law DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president to approve a law imposing life imprisonment for some homosexual acts. In a statement, Director of Press Relations Jeff Rathke said the State Department was also concerned about reports of recent arrests targeting at least four men, a 17-yearold boy and nine women accused of committing homosexual acts. The suspects are the first to be arrested since the new law went into effect Oct. 9, the day President Yahya Jammeh signed it. Amnesty International last week accused Gambian security forces of resorting to beatings and the threat of rape and other abuses if they did not confess. Gambian officials have declined to comment on the

new law or the arrests. “We are dismayed by President J a m m e h ’s decision to sign into law legislation that further restricts the rights of L.G.B.T. individuals and are deeply concerned about the reported arrests and detention of suspected L.G.B.T. individuals in The Gambia,” Rathke said, using an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Homosexual acts were already punishable by up to 14 years in prison before Gambian lawmakers passed a bill in August punishing “aggravated homosexuality” with life in prison. The term, borrowed from a Ugandan law signed earlier this year that drew widespread condemnation before it was overturned on procedural grounds, targets “serial offenders” and people living with HIV/ AIDS.

Suspects can also be charged with aggravated homosexuality for engaging in homosexual acts with someone who is under 18, disabled or who has been drugged. The term also applies when the suspect is the parent or guardian of the other person or is “in authority over” him or her. Jammeh, one of Africa’s most vocal anti-gay leaders, has also been criticized for other rights abuses, including allowing the execution of nine people by firing squad in 2012. In remarks aired on state television Sunday night, Jammeh said he would push for a law imposing capital punishment for child rapists and people convicted of “baby dumping,” or abandoning their children. “And I will implement the law to the letter,” he said.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Trinidad and Tobago’s most wanted fugitive in custody for triple murder P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad, Monday November 24, 2014, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago police say they have captured the country’s most wanted man, the main suspect in the disappearance of four members of a family. Police said they captured Azmon Alexander Sunday after Irma Rampersad, 49, and her daughters, Felicia, 17, and Jennelle Gonzales, 19, and her one-year-old granddaughter Shania Amoroso, were reported missing from their home in Brasso Seco, south of here, on October 26. A family friend, Felix Martinez, 52, was also reported missing. On November 8, the bodies of Irma Rampersad and Shania Amoroso were found in the Brasso Seco Forest. The body of Martinez was also later found. Police said they captured Alexander in Arima, east of here. He had a cutlass in his

Azmon Alexander (Credit: Trinidad Guardian) possession and was the lone passenger in a vehicle. He offered no resistance when the police nabbed him. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar in a statement congratulated the police and urged the public to continue providing assistance in a bid to end the criminal activities here.

“Given the brutal and tragic circumstances of this particular case of the murders of three people from the Brasso Seco community, where one of the victims was an innocent 18-month-old baby, quick and successful investigative work by the police bring a sense of hope that justice will be delivered,” he said. “I must also thank and congratulate those very caring and civic mind citizens who, in different ways, assisted the police with information which eventually led to the capture of the suspect. “I believe all officers of our protective services should heed the signals sent by these interventions which can help tremendously in ongoing efforts to build greater trust and confidence by people and communities in our Police Service,” she addeD

Roman Catholic priest defrocked amid sexual scandal ROSEAU, Dominica, Monday November 24, 2014, CMC – The Roman Catholic Church has issued a decree defrocking a priest who had been accused of sexually abusing a young girl nearly 20 years ago. Roman Catholic Bishop, Gabriel Malzaire issued the decree earlier this week removing Monsignor Reginald LaFleur from the priesthood. Father LaFleur, also known as ‘Father Reggie’ received his termination letter on 6 November 2014 after he “failed to respond to defend his matter on two occasions”, according to the statement issued by the Bishop. The head of the Roman Catholic Church here described the defrocking as a painful decision for him and the diocese. “I am sure that one will appreciate that this is one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do in my life as a bishop and priest.” Monsignor LaFleur had been placed on administrative leave in 2013 following reports of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl in 1994. LaFleur, who has declined to take part in the church investigation into the case, has 60 days to issue an appeal. Last year, Bishop Malzaire said the alleged sexual conduct case involving the

Monsignor Reginald La Fleur Grand Bay parish priest, would be referred to the Vatican in Rome for a decision. He said a decision on the matter would be made by an office of the Catholic Church called the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, after a local review board concluded it was “beyond our competence”. The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith was founded in 1542 with the aim to “spread sound Catholic doctrine and defend those points of Christian tradition which seem in danger because of new and unacceptable doctrines”. It investigates crimes which the church describes as ‘serious’ including crimes against the sixth Commandment (“thou shall not commit adultery”) committed by a cleric against

a person under the age of eighteen. According to Bishop Malzaire’s statement, “after a Diocesan preliminary investigation the case was forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which has exclusive competence in these matters”. “The Congregation, having reviewed the case, authorized the Diocesan Bishop to proceed with an Administrative Penal Process”. Bishop Malzaire said that Monsignor LaFleur was duly informed of this process and invited to take part by leading a defence either personally or through his advocate. “Two canonists from outside the Diocese were invited as assessors of the evidence gathered. Because the accused cleric had not answered to the invitation to participate in the process, and in an attempt to preserve the right of defence, another canonist from outside the Diocese was invited to lead a defence on behalf of the accused cleric,” the statement said. “After forwarding the judgment of the assessors and the canonist who led the defence on behalf of the accused to Rome, the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith authorized that the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state be imposed on the accused cleric,” it added.


Tuesday November 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

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REDUCING TRAFFIC As promised last week, I propose in this column to address the alternatives that are available to the government to reduce the parking problems in the city. The approach of the government to this and many other problems has been to attempt to satisfy the demand for parking. This is an untenable approach towards the problem of parking in the city because it is impossible in such a cramped city to meet the present parking needs, much less to be able to satisfy future demand. Vehicle traffic within the city has grown beyond the capacity of the city to absorb this volume of traffic. The city is not expanding. It remains a small city and instead of catering for traffic and zoning certain areas, there has been haphazard development, a situation compounded by bus and car parks being located in the heart of the city. The government is trying

to meet the demand for parking by covering over the canals of the city. Fortunately the floods of last week would have put any such plans on a permanent hold. Given what took place last week, there is no way that the government is going to cover any drains in the city, much less to do so for the purposes of parking. Alternatives have to be found but these alternatives must be based on reducing the flow of vehicles into the city. And it must be predicated on a different approach. What should be that approach? Well that approach should be about reducing the volume of traffic rather than trying to satisfy that demand? The first question to be asked therefore is: How does one reduce the number of vehicles entering the city? Anyone who uses the public roads in Guyana can answer that. The traffic entering the city is heaviest during the

school term and it is lightest when school closes for recess. Since however the number of school children entering the city in school days cannot be reduced, the solution has to be to reduce the number of vehicles transporting children to school. This is why school buses should be reintroduced for city schools. Each of the five top secondary schools in Guyana which attract students from outside of the city should be allowed to have its own school buses to bring the students in from outside of the city. These buses should preferably be large buses capable of transporting about sixty students at any one time. The buses should be operated by private individuals but should be exclusively assigned to the schools. If this arrangement cannot work, then the schools should operate the service. The students will pay a fee

Dem boys seh...

De prophet did warn bout Jagdeo and de others Dem boys read something in one of de good book and from de time dem see de words dem seh that Jagdeo family used to live in old time days and he follow in dem footsteps. Back then one of dem prophet write: “Look at dem, bloated by self-importancefull of demself but dem souls empty.” Is de family of Jagdeo, Babbie, de fat crook, de Shaat scamp, de Bees, and de new kid on de block, de self-proclaimed, Chat-sh*t, he was talking about. De man continue fuh write: “Note well, The arrogant rich don’t last. Dem more greedy for wealth than the grave is for dead bodies. Don’t give people like dem a second thought. Soon the whole world will be taunting them” Dem boys taunting dem already and de world gun follow suit just now.

De same prophet ask dem “‘Who do you think you are-getting rich by thiefing and extortion? How long do you think you can get away with this?’ Indeed, how long before your victims wake up, stand up and make you the victim? You’ve plundered nation after nation. Now you’ll get a taste of your own medicine.” Dem boys seh very soon this will happen. When de prophet was writing he was pointing fingers to all of dem family who been on earth at that time. Imagine Jagdeo, Babbie, de crook and de scamp plus de Bees and de one and only, Chat-Sh*t, maintain that family tradition. Talk half and remember chip don’t fall far from de block.

for the service; it should not be free. If you have six hundred students each day being transported into the city by ten big buses, this will take at least one hundred vehicles off the road. But it will also have other effects. With fewer vehicles the existing traffic will flow faster into the city meaning less congestion during peak hours. Secondly, a large number of persons commute to the city each day from East Coast, East Bank and West Demerara. The majority of these vehicles are for persons coming to the city for business or work. One way of reducing the resulting traffic is to reintroduce mass public transportation. Why for example cannot the government buy a few big buses which operate an express service from La Parfaite Harmonie, Mon Repos, Diamond and Enterprise to the city? These are big schemes and there are many workers and persons

who if they have a reliable and express service to and from their housing scheme will rather use this and park their vehicles at home. The third solution to reduce demand- and this is of particular importance during the Christmas season- is to have no-vehicle zones in the city. The city should be zoned in such a way that no vehicles should be allowed in certain streets, only pedestrians. If for example, the areas outside of the GRA are converted into a pedestrian zone, it will mean that persons wishing to do business in that area will have to park in the areas provided for parking and walk to the GRA to transact their

business. The same can apply for zones in which Courts are located. The government should not be attempting to satisfy the demand for parking. They should be attempting to reduce the number of vehicles that flow into the city each day. If they don’t we are going to have to spend billions each year in building all manner of infrastructure just to keep up with the increase in the number of vehicles.


Page 10

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Do Japanese women love white men only? Last week, Britain denied a visa to successful American “pick-up artist”, promoter Julian Blanc. A “pick- up artist” promoter is different from a pick-up artist. The latter practices the art of seducing women. The former runs a business teaching men how to do it. Blanc has a fairly well patronized service in the US. He tours the world holding seminars for pick-up artists. In one of his videos, Blanc said that if you are a white male you can get any Japanese woman you want. The question is, does that

surprise you? In Guyana, the Caucasian image dominates ninety eight percent of commercials in both the print and electronic media. I have a file that I keep permanently in my car. It contains Caucasian images in advertisements in the print media and you would be surprised that those White faces appear in advertisements ranging from hospital service to the retail trade. In all types of placements in the media, whether it is the latest coffee, the newest bath soap, the

latest medical equipment, the newest toothbrush, a recent pharmaceutical discovery, or a recent discovery in the use of a screw-driver, the person in the frame is a White human being. This is in Guyana, a country where over seventy percent of the population has my complexion and where less than two percent of the population is Caucasian. In last Saturday’s edition of one of the newspapers, a North Road store named Glamour announced a big sale in clothes. There is a huge photograph of a White man in the box. He looked like the handsome former Pakistani cricket captain, Imran Khan, but when I looked closer he was certainly Caucasian. Khan is clear-complexioned but the ordinary eyes can easily tell that he is not a White man. Now surely, Denzil Washington would not have objected if he saw his image in a commercial in a Guyanese newspaper.

Interestingly, Denzil Washington once gave an interview to 60 Minutes in which he describes his experience with white racism. He identified a situation in an elevator in a fancy hotel in Switzerland. I have a low opinion of Switzerland not because of the Denzil Washington incident but because I think Switzerland is a rogue nation that thrives on the banking of illegal, criminal and blood money. If a Third World country had become rich due to secret banking of trillions of dollars of dirty money, Europe and the US would have moved against it ages ago. I have now included that Glamour placement in my file that I keep in my car. Please feel free to stop me if you want to see what I have in that folder. I publicly shared it at a symposium at the St. Stanislaus College where I was on the panel with Nigel Hughes. How interesting that

Blanc’s statement on the racial preference of Japanese women was carried in the international media at a time when fifteen (wow! fifteen!) women have made sexual molestation accusations against Bill Cosby and all are Caucasian women. Reminds one of Tiger Woods. The twelve women who went public with their sexual trysts with Mr. Woods were all Caucasian. Seems like Bill and Tiger have something in common. Japan and China who are not fond of each other at all because of past colonial and wartime atrocities, have something in common – either obsession or enduring adoration of the Caucasian race. China has one billon, three hundred million citizens, large land space as any of the big countries in the world and an economy equal to that of the US. So China is spending money as if the world is about to end. China has built a replica of Manhattan, the Eiffel Tower, Venice and other symbols of Western civilization but nothing from the Third World. You would think that it would have enjoyed a replica of the Taj Mahal. China’s huge, global

Frederick Kissoon television network, owned by the state, CCTV, has more White anchors than BBC in London and CNN in the US. Only the African Bureau of CCTV employs African correspondents. In Beijing, CCTV has only one African anchor as opposed to several White ones. If you think Japan, China, Bill Cosby, Tiger Woods and Bollywood actors are crazy about the Caucasian race then you have to travel to the Arab World. Once you land in the oil rich Gulf, the accountants, managers, hotel advisors, engineers, banking advisors, computer experts, financial consultants are Caucasian from Europe and the US. But in a strange situation, the medical doctors are from India. Why not White doctors? I dunno (as the Irish would say).


Tuesday November 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Man dies after dentures stuck in his throat for 10 days For 10 days, 60-year-old Luther Miller had something stuck in his throat and did not know what it was. Even doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital didn’t have a clue about what was causing the elderly gentleman to have difficulty breathing. They got the shock of their lives when they were finally able to remove the blockage only to find out that it was his denture with seventeeth that had been there all the time. Miller had swallowed his denture when he suffered a seizure almost two weeks ago at his Vigilance, East Coast Demerara home. He then lapsed into a coma. But by the time the doctors were able to remove the dentures, it was too late; Miller succumbed on Saturday, a day after the successful surgery. His sister, Joycelyn Miller, told Kaieteur News that the elderly gentleman took ill two Thursdays ago and was rushed to the GPHC in an unconscious state. She said that after a few hours in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, miller regained consciousness and doctors

began treating him for a suspected heart condition. He was subsequently admitted and transferred to the Male Surgical Ward. According to his sister, visits to him the next couple of days found him in a cheerful mood, although he was experiencing some difficulty breathing and swallowing. They all attributed this to his suspected heart condition, although they were unaware that he had any such complaint. Days passed and Miller, his relatives and even the doctors treating him were not sure what was causing the problem. “When he coughed, everything was coming through his nose and I thought it was just cold,” Joycelyn Miller. Since more than a week had passed and his condition was not getting any better, doctors decided to examine Miller a bit closer and they soon realized that there was a foreign object in his throat that was blocking it. According to his sister, Miller managed to relate to them that he was taken to the hospital’s operating theater where he overheard a doctor

telling a nurse that they would have to operate on his throat to remove whatever it was that was blocking it. An x-ray was done and doctors made the shocking discovery of the dentures stuck in Miller’s throat. “Initially when he did not find his dentures, he did not worry much since he thought that it had dropped out in the taxi that took him to the hospital or he had forgotten it at home. Is when I go to the hospital on Friday (last) his son told me that they find the dentures in he throat,” Joycelyn Miller explained. She said that she was relieved that the doctors had removed the dentures and was hoping that her brother would soon recover and go home. But the story did not have a happy ending, since Miller succumbed the following day. “Is ten days he had it in he throat and Saturday we got word that he had died,” the woman stated. Kaieteur News was told that Miller’s body was taken to a private funeral home without a post mortem examination being done to determine the cause of his death.

Pensioner dies on Corentyne Highway An elderly man, who was getting ready to belatedly celebrating his birthday with his children and grandchildren, was killed on the Corentyne highway on Sunday. Dead is Deowraj Doodnauth, 76, called ‘Daniel’ of Lot 165 B No.68 Village, Corentyne. The fatal accident occurred around 16:30hrs on the village public road. According to information the man was riding his pedal cycle along the village public road on his way home when he was struck down by a speeding motor car. He was returning from a shop. The accident allegedly occurred in the vicinity of the No. 68 village turn when the driver lost control and struck

the elderly man who was cycling in the corner of the road. The man was hurled several feet in the air and landed some distance away whilst his bicycle got stuck to the car. The young driver who seemed to be under the influence of alcohol continued to drive for a while, slamming into two culverts before the car came to a halt. The driver tried to escape, but was held by residents until police arrived. Relatives told the media that the man had gone to the shop a stone’s throw away and was on his way home when he was killed. They stated that they were at home when they heard a loud impact. Not knowing what it

was they ventured outside and to their horror, realized that it was their elderly relative. Doodnauth was described as a hardworking and caring individual who was well known and respected in the community. The elderly man is survived by his wife, five children, grandchildren and other relatives. A release from the police stated that an accident occurred on the No. 68 Village Public Road, Corentyne on Sunday. It resulted in the death of pedal cyclist Dhanraj Doodnauth, 76 years, of the said village. The driver of the car is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Page 11

Body in CJIA reservoir…

COPS DETAIN TWO AIRPORT EMPLOYEES Police are questioning two airport employees in connection with the death of maintenance worker Chris Jacob, whose body was found in a reservoir near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport last Sunday. Sources said that the employees were taken into custody yesterday and are being questioned at the Timehri Police Station. It is unclear why the two were detained. Information reaching Kaieteur News indicates that Jacobs, 26, of Hauraruni Village, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, may have met his death at around 23.00 hrs on Saturday, shortly after an altercation. Kaieteur News understands that Jacob was at a party in the airport’s maintenance area, when he attempted to fondle a female employee. According to sources, the woman slapped Jacob, who attempted to hit her with a louver pane.

Two employees reportedly restrained him while others called the police. It is alleged that on learning that he might be arrested, Jacob fled in the direction of a reservoir and the employees lost sight of him. He was found dead in the reservoir the following day. A release issued on Sunday stated that Jacob was discovered “apparently drowned” in the reservoir after being involved in a reported assault and a resulting altercation at 23.00hrs on Saturday in the Works Maintenance area. “Mr. Jacob’s body was discovered at 1330hrs today 23 November after repeated efforts to locate him last evening. He was identified and the body removed under supervision of the Police,” the release added. Jacobs had been working in the maintenance department at CJIA for several years.


Page 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

Limited US airwaves fetch US34 billion and counting A multi-billion US dollar auction for six blocks of airwaves has attracted huge interest in that North American country. It has also starkly highlighted how Guyana deliberately set about giving away what is one of its most valuable assets. According to the New York Times online news, a government auction of airwaves for use in mobile broadband has exceeded expectations, becoming the biggest auction in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) history. The demand for the electromagnetic spectrum or frequencies as they are known would signal how phone companies expect demand for internet will soar in face of rising popularity of smartphones. FCC collected bids of more than US$34B as of Friday afternoon for six blocks of airwaves, totaling 65 megahertz of the electromagnetic spectrum. That total is more than three times the US$10.5B reserve price that the FCC, as the US regulators, put on sale. US authorities are now expecting prices for these precious assets, which are limited, to rise further, because the auction has no definite end and could continue for days or weeks. The previous record was US$18.9B raised in a 2008 sale of airwaves that, because of

- but Jagdeo gives away Guyana’s to friends and family

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop

their lower frequency, are considered more attractive for wireless phone use than the current batch. The spectrum is so expensive that a group representing broadcast television stations is considering giving up theirs for sale in the FCC.’s next auction, scheduled for 2016. The success of the auction has been fuelled largely by the pent-up demand for years without an auction and which coincided with the explosive popularity of smartphones and mobile broadband. The response to the FCC auction is more surprising, given that the airwaves’ high frequency makes them less

attractive for wireless use than those sold in the last auction or scheduled for the 2016 sale. BENEFIT TO COUNTRY About US$7B of the proceeds will be used to finance the building of a nationwide public-safety communications network, known as FirstNet, with the remainder going to the Treasury. What makes the auction more interesting for onlookers, is the fact that the frequencies up for auctions are currently occupied by Government agencies, including branches of the military, which had to be cajoled to agree to move out or to share portions of them.

Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud

E-Networks, Vishok Persaud

The relatively high position on the electromagnetic spectrum of the blocks being sold also cast doubt on their attractiveness. Higher-frequency waves generally have more trouble passing through buildings, making them less desirable for mobile phones, although they are able to carry lots of data, increasingly important to wireless broadband. Frequencies, according to the New York Times report, are being sold include two blocks in the 1695-1710 megahertz band, and four paired sets of frequencies at 1755-1780 and 2155-2180 megahertz. The next scheduled broadcast spectrum auction, in 2016, involves frequencies in the 600 megahertz band. The last such sale was in 2008, when the iPhone was barely a year old and demand for mobile broadband was at a relative trickle. “Today, as consumers’ stream video and share photographs with many more phones, tablets and other devices, demand for bandwidth has exploded.” Some analysts have also

speculated that because the auction of broadcast television bands currently scheduled for 2016 has already been delayed twice, buyers might be skeptical that those frequencies will come to market on schedule — giving them extra incentive to buy now rather than wait. Verizon Wireless and AT&T are assumed to be among the big bidders in the sale. But Dish Network could also be in the running. Some prices are truly eyepopping. The price for licenses in a 20-megahertz block of paired frequencies covering New York and Long Island, and portions of adjacent states stood at US$1.96B Friday afternoon. In the bidding round that starts Monday morning, the minimum bid is more than US$2B. NOTHING FOR GUYANA The US auction will have huge significance for Guyana as it will continue to highlight how valuable the airwaves are c o n s i d e r e d f o r some countries while Guyana gives it away to friends and family. Closer to home, Jamaica

Head of Quark Communications, Brian Yong has been moving to auction its electromagnetic spectrum, while places like India, Canada, the US, Europe and Australia have all been finetuning the allocation of the frequencies under auctions. The bottom line for the countries is that there is big money to be made from the telecoms companies who are willing to spend to acquire the spectrums. The issue of the airwaves became a burning issue following an announcement by Government in late 2011 that former President Bharrat Jagdeo doled out several frequencies before he was due to step down in November of that year. The radio frequencies went mainly to his best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, the ruling party, and to an overseas-based sister of sitting Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. These three were given multiple frequencies allowing them countrywide coverage. Others were granted single frequencies, giving them limited range in their transmissions. It will also be recalled that frequencies were given by Jagdeo to E-Networks and Quark Communications Inc., two companies he has close links with, to go-ahead to run cable TV services. Quark, E-Networks and Global Technology’s iNet Communications are now standing at the head of the line for telecoms licences that will be automatically granted to them once new laws before the National Assembly are passed. Jagdeo and Ramroop are linked to all three companies. These licences and the frequencies will also allow the companies to offer telephone services, mobile services, internet and a host of other high demands services. As can be seen, one can only presume the value of the frequencies Guyana has given away as against what it could have received.


Tuesday November 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Three years after hit and run tragedy…

Grieving husband still seeks driver who killed his spouse By Michael Jordan Whenever a darkcoloured Sports Utility Vehicle passes Terry Singh, his heart beats just that bit faster. He can’t help wondering if the person behind the wheel killed his wife three years ago. These days, Singh isn’t as angry as he was back then; though the sense of loss is still there. What he really wants now is for the driver who left his wife’s mangled body on the roadside to come forward and apologise for leaving him without a wife, and robbing three small girls of their mother. But a hit-and–run driver with a conscience is a rare thing, and Singh is still to meet that repentant individual. It was shortly before ten o’clock on the night of Tuesday, July 26, 2011, that Terry Singh’s wife, 26-yearold Kaishrie Persaud, called Nanda, asked her husband to look at the couple’s ninemonth-old daughter, and their other two girls, aged eight and six. Nanda explained that she was following her 16-year-old neighbour, Tricia De Freitas, to a shop near her Lot 10, Crane Old Road, West Coast Demerara home to buy a

“If they had come and said ‘It was an accident, I’m sorry, I would have understood. I had expected that as a human being they would have …” phone card. They didn’t get the card. Accompanied by a male resident, Nanda and her teenage neighbour were walking along the West Coast Demerara public road, some five minutes from home. That was when the vehicle struck them. Tricia De Freitas was flung into a nearby ditch, but it was Nanda Persaud who bore the full impact. Terry Singh got the news from a friend. When he reached the scene, he saw the injured Tricia De Freitas in a car. The male friend who had accompanied them “was screaming,” he recalled. His injured wife was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. He assumed that, at worst, Nanda had suffered “a couple of broken bones.” But one look at Nanda in the Accident and Emergency Department, told him that it was much, much worse. “When I went into the Accident and Emergency Department I saw her lying motionless. They told me to wait outside, because they were attending to her, but I knew that she was dead. After

I went back in they told me that she hadn’t made it.” Sixteen-year-old Tricia De Freitas escaped with minor injuries. WOMAN DRIVER? From reports relayed to the grieving husband, the trio was about to enter Crane Housing Scheme when a dark-coloured vehicle, similar to a SUV, and heading east, swerved onto the northern parapet on the West Coast Demerara roadway. The vehicle struck Nanda and Tricia, ‘rode over’ a heap of sand before continuing east along the West Coast Demerara Public Road. Some three weeks later, a close friend of Terry Singh provided him with more information about the mystery driver. “He said that it was hard to face me before because he had assisted at the accident scene. He said that he was going into a restaurant when he heard a loud sound. “He came back out and a vehicle passed him with a woman and two kids inside, and they (the children) were screaming.” From the friend’s

Guyana tells regional regulators... From page 19 continues to receive from the diplomatic community in Guyana at various levels.” As regards the legislative measures, Nandlall, according to the statement, pointed out that this is the area which continues to pose tremendous challenges to the Government of Guyana since up until the Paris meeting, the majority comprising of the joint opposition in the National Assembly refused to lend their support to the enactment of the AMLCFT Amendment Bill 2013 which captures all the requisite legislative measures. “He further pointed out that since the Paris meeting there has been some developments in that Parliament has since been prorogued because the joint opposition was going to move and pass a no-confidence motion which would have resulted in dissolution of Parliament and general elections within three months.” One of the grounds for the prorogation of the Parliament was to offer an opportunity by the President for the Government and the joint opposition to enter into constructive engagements in order to arrive at consensus on a number of national issues including the swift

enactment of the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill, the Attorney General reportedly said. “The Attorney General emphasised that should no compromise be produced by this offer of the Government, then National Elections will be inevitable. The enactment of the AML/CFT Bill will continue to be of the highest priority on the Government's Parliamentary agenda when Parliament resumes and every effort will continue to be exerted to ensure that this Bill is passed within the timeframe agreed upon in the Action Plan.” Many jurisdictions in the region have responded to the CFATF's public statements by issuing directives and instructions to the relevant agencies within those jurisdictions informing of the status of Guyana and to continue to take measures or prepare themselves to take measures to protect themselves from the risks which Guyana poses or will pose should the situation deteriorate. These jurisdictions include the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Curacao, Dominica, St. Maarten, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados and Montserrat.

Kaishrie Persaud, called Nanda

TERRY SINGH: Still seeking his wife’s killer description, the vehicle was similar to an enclosed SUV “with a (spare) wheel at the back.” Some reports, investigated by police, suggested that the driver was a woman in the legal profession. Thinking that the hit-and–run driver might have crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge, a friend of Terry Singh’s checked the closed circuit television images at the bridge for vehicles that had passed at the time of the accident. He found nothing. Initially, Singh had hoped that police would have tracked down the driver, or that the culprit would have had an attack of conscience and come to him. “If they (the driver) had come and said ‘it was an accident, I’m sorry, I would have understood. I had expected that as a human being they would have said ‘It was me, I’m sorry.” But as days passed and the driver remained unknown, Singh’s anger and frustration grew. And he wasn’t convinced that police did as much as they could have to track down the driver. Rumours that some investigators may have known the individual only added to his frustration. “I was close to being crazy,” he confessed. Two years on, Terry Singh says that the fact that he may never know who killed his wife is making it hard to put that fateful night behind him. “Whenever I see a (similar) dark-coloured vehicle, I would say, ‘What if that is the vehicle?’

STILL MISSING THEIR MOM: The couple’s three children; from left, Shalini, Garima, and Jhasoda “I’m trying to put it behind me, but I think I need confrontation (with the culprit). That person is heartless; knowing that I had a nine-month-old child and they did not even try to contact me, just to say ‘sorry’. I don’t need money. I need an explanation to what took place.” And even though the older girls were only seven and eight at the time, he believes that they were just as emotionally affected, and, like him, are still to get over

their loss. “Everything just brings it back. It’s hard; every time I look at my kids, it’s hard. She was a good mother to them.” Anyone with information about the identity of the driver who killed Kaishrie Persaud can contact Michael Jordan at Kaieteur News on telephone numbers 225- 8465, 225-8491 or 2259473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also reach him on his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com


Page 22

Kaieteur News

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate condition, must see serious enquiries only. Call 641-4556 (Anytime after 4:00pm) 2005 Honda Airwave, Mint Condition - $2.6M negotiable Call: 592-6851231, 592-670-2343 2003 Toyota Premio - $2.3M, New Model Spacio $2.150M, fully loaded, unregistered. Call: 617-2891 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Minibus (pitbull) sliding glass - $15,000- Contact:6280909 Toyota 212 Carina, Toyota Vigo Pick-up, Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, excellent condition, prices negotiable. Call: 264-3732, 225-8427, 6097766 1-Honda-600RR, Toyota Raum, Rav4, AT212, AT192, EP71 Starlet, Fun cargo, Tacoma 2007- Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 Unregistered Spacio 2004, camera, rims, body kit, Fielder 2003, black interior, fully loaded. Call: 617-5536 Two Suzuki, minivan 1 for parts – Call: 216-2465, 6876083, 678-5438 Ford F150 - $1.1M, GX90 Mark 2 - $1.1M, enclosed pitbull with refrigeration, never registered, reasonable offer accepted – Call: 6106066 2002 Toyota Premio $2.450M, 2003 Toyota Spacio (new model) $2.150M Tel: 681-7117, 227-5950 Series: PRR 9216, White Premio. Call: 265-3053, 6273139 2003 Toyota Fielder PRR Series - $1.750 – Call: 6628665, 677-1745 One Toyota Alteeza in excellent condition PPP Series, colour white, Alteeza rim - $2.9M negotiable – Tel: 680-8343 Mitsubishi Lancer $750,000. Call: 647-0271

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WANTED One Honest Domestic/Maid to work Monday to Saturday. Call:226-5793 between 10:00am – 5:00pm Graphic Artiste @ Trophy Stall (Bourda Market). 1 Experienced cook (Interior Restaurant); Ages 30-45, 1 Female Bartender for Interior Location; Ages 20-30. Attractive Salary! Tel:6812997, 680-1323 Labourers to work at Hack’s Hallow Block Factory, preferably from E.B.D - Contact: 226-8766 or 265-7385 between 8:00am & 4:00pm Live in waitress to work in Liquor Restaurant – Call:6863116 Cook, waitress to work at New Bar in Agriculture Road Call: 612-2522 Male/female kitchen attendant, roti/pastry cooks @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant, Commerce Street. Wallaba squares to buyContact: 610-2335, 261-3645 between 8am-5pm Live in domestic in Peter’s Hall, 1 week on; 1 week off, 40years plus, starting $13,000. Call:675-0767 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Hairdresser, nail technician and one barber @ Grove Time Square Mall – Call: 6694390, 216-3174 One live in waitress/cashier, must be good at Maths. Salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly, boarding & Lodging free. Tel:610-5043 Experienced dispatcher & taxi drivers at Princess Hotel Providence – Tel: 616-5419, 265-7076 Diesel Mechanic to work in Georgetown – Call: 218-5105

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 6273206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Grooming Palace Barber Shop & Salon, excellent, prestige & refine haircuts & designs, Royal Castle Building South - Tel: 6018045, 218-0116 Repairs to refrigerators gas stoves washing machine, A/ C units – Call Lindon: 6411086, 694-2202, 227-8907 FOR LOW COST: REPAIRS TO FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/ C UNIT, MICROWAVES, TV & WASHING MACHINE CALL: 629-4946 OR 2254822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734

EDUCATIONAL Earn a Certificate in Cosmetology or nails alone. Tel:225-5360, 687-7566, 6257844 Pre-Xmas Give away $20,000 OFF 9 Course Computer Diploma, Conditions Apply. Micrographics, Vreed- EnHoop. Call: 264-3057 Limited Space.

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TAXI SERVICES City Taxi Service (since 1968), 8 Vlissengen Road, Newtown -24hrs service – Call: 225-8600, 226-1088, 2271101, 226-7150 Eddie’s Taxi Service, 6 Vlissengen Road, Newtown. Call: 226-0606, 225-1513

Tuesday November 25, 2014

LAND FOR SALE ECCLES: Build your own home in a modernize gated community, lot size 60X100 - $7.5M – Call: 227-2913, Cell: 689-3033 ECCLES: Commercial Lots - $14M – Call: 227-2913, Cell:689-3033 Parika (Butcher Shop Street) – One (1) Lot 38' X 150' $ 7m - Contact 650-0402 - for serious inquiries Blankenburg @ The Back Of Gas Station (3) Lots @ 75' X 76' Each. $20M for all 3 Lots. (1) Lot for $10m - Contact 650-0402 Blankenburg Public Road, W.C.D, 38X150, 37X150$16M Each. Call: 666-3619 1500 ACRES TRANSPORTED LAND IN REGION 6 @ No19 Corentyne Highway, Cane & Rice Cultivation, & Fish Ponds Etc. Call: 694-0079

VACANCY Carpenters & Welders to work in Coverden E.B.D. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Work from home;earn $5,000- $20,000 daily- Contact: 233-6517, 622 1957,www. jobfairworld wide.com F o r o n e m a l e c l e a n e r, apply to Alabama Trading, G/town Ferry Stelling Stabroek. IT Technician to install outdoor antenna, must have driver’s licence. Send application to jobs@awngy.com. Live in House Keeper 3545yrs, Long term employment. Call: 697-8797. Nail Technician, barber, hairdresser. Tel:225-5360, 687-7566, 625-7844 CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427 One Trainee refrigeration technician – Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 Sales girls & boys @ Avinash & Ravina’s Stores – Call:2263361, 227-7828 For 3 salesgirls @ People’s Choice Café – Call: 660-5604, 223-1645 HEALTH Hazel Herbal Store for genuine herbal supplements. Iridology Evaluations on Monday December 8th 2014. Call: 226-9136

SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Glamazon Beauty Salon and Cosmetology School, Located 28 Sheriff Street C/ Ville, Visit us or Call for an appointment. Tel:225-5360, 687-7566, 625-7844

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) AND MORE, SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 4 Bedrooms house- AC, Security camera, GEB alarm, phone, 2 vehicle parking, etc @ Friendship, E.B.D. Call: 674-6363 Hair station to rent behind Bourda Post Office opposite The Net Library Contact: 676-4316, 602-0333, 225-4665

FOR SALE PS2, XBOX360 Console and games- Contact: 644-6012 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 1 Model M Bush Truck with Winch & dump, 1 Honda ATV 4-wheel bike used only for prospecting, 250 hours, excellent condition. Contact: 672-4536 Sheep for sale - Call: 6956139 One 14 inch dredge / draga Call: 663-0742 One 1200lbs ice machine $200,000 negotiable – Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 One desktop computer for salescomes with everything from backup battery to printer- Call: 6691646 Pools table cloth, balls, pocket cuestick, rubber, coinshute tips, chalk springs, chalk holder, coins– Call: 669-9927 Canon Image Runner 400/ 330S, working condition and for parts – Call: 6247155 One 33FT Flat Baton 400LB ‘5 Inch’ cat guts seine, one Tahoma Engine – Call:2207655, 220-0410, 695-9860 Bedford Truck Model M 4X4, 2 Perkins engine, one 6, one 4 Cylinder, fully bead, Owner leaving country Call: 693-2237

TO LET Barber Stations & Hair Stations for hairdressers, in lucrative & friendly environment. Call: 601-8045 Two bedroom furnished house in Crane Housing Scheme W.C.D. Call: 671-6855 Store to rent in Lethem Commercial Zone, prime location – Call: 664-5401

Wolf power 7500E, Generator, One Tohatsu everrun , outboard engine 18HP. Owner leaving country - Call: 693-2237 9 weeks German shepherd pups – Contact: 654-6355 3" Honda water pump – 5.5HP Brand New, one Garmin GPS map. Owner leaving country Call: 693-2237 Hacked PS3 with 40 top games and more - Call: 6519620 Excellent quality used salon equipment & AC units. Owner leaving country. Call: 664-5401.

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 PEN PAL Indian Male from USA is seeking female age 30/33 with good personality. Call:6653246 (no texting)

Imported German Shepherd and Huskies pure bred pups. Call: 664-5401. ACCOMODATION SIGNATURE INN: Luxury Suites & Apartments. Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast; AC & Self Contained Rooms @ 83 Laluni Street Queenstown. Tel: 592-226-2145 (Continued on page 23)


Tuesday November 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Local farmers applauded for adapting “green” farming methods By Nicholas Peters As “green” and sustainable methods of farming begin to take root in Guyana’s agriculture sector, yesterday farmers of the Canal Polders communities on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) were applauded for adapting the Canal Polders Green Initiative (CPGI) project. The initiative was started by the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), with the purpose of developing economic advances within local communities. The farmers unveiled their progress at a ribbon cutting ceremony which displayed the wide variety of produce they have been able to grow since adopting the project. In attendance at the ceremony was CARILED Country Coordinator Dhanraj Singh, Programme Director Alix Yule and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker. The programme resulted in the construction of greenhouse structures by farmers in the communities with funding from CARILED and the Small Business Council. These greenhouse structures incorporated mesh walling and roofing, which protects vegetation from extreme weather while providing them the necessary sunlight and rain to grow. Meanwhile, the structures’ interior is sectioned off by long elevated wooden compartments, filled with fertilized soil. The elevated compartments are meant to protect vegetation from pests along with making them less susceptible to flooding. Currently, there are three greenhouses of this type in Canal Polders One and Two. The project costs 41,500 US dollars which includes community wide training sessions along with building fees. Whittaker commended farmers in the area for their

innovative farming methods which can help put an end to traditional “slash and burn” methods. Such methods are said to be unsustainable forms of farming as Guyana’s dependence on agriculture increases. In addition to promoting sustainable forms of agriculture, the CPGI was commended for providing farmers more control of their crops. The Local Government Minister said that as global warming has caused more difficulty for farmers in the past years, such an initiative has potential to benefit their production output. The project also allows farmers to more easily diversify their crops as the country enters the global market. As part of the project, farmers are trained on the proper skills needed to run such a “green themed” initiative. Yule noted the importance her organization has placed in ensuring that similar programmes reach other communities and regions. She stated that CARILED has similar projects and outreach programmes in Region’s Two, Three, Four, Five and Six. CARILED is a regional body with aims of improving the state of agriculture at the community level in Guyana and other Caribbean territories. The organization has operations in seven Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, receives funding from the Canadian government and is implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. According to the Yule, CARILED works in collaboration with Neighourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) to have projects like the CPGI run successfully. However, representatives from both local NDCs and RDCs were notably absent to comment on the success of the overall project on the community Naomi Rambarran, one of the

Teen mothers grateful... From page 20 the effects of teenage pregnancy, along with preventative methods. Gornette revealed that the group created a support system which helped her through her darkest times. Whenever she was close to giving up on herself Gornette related, that she would remember a saying one of her WAD peers told her, “Move up and not down, Makeda. And if you're moving up, move to success.” Since being part of the

group, Gornette has begun to pursue her studies in Social Work, and continues to advise adolescent girls about the effects of teen pregnancy. She hopes that her work can decrease underage birthrates in the country. Other women also revealed that when they were close to giving up GRPA, WAD and UNFPA, these organisations provided the encouragement and support to better their lives, not only for themselves but for their children too.

From page 22

PROPERTY FOR SALE Diamond Section “A”, 274 Great Diamond, E.B.D, 56’ by 40’ building on 111’ by 60’ land- $17.5 Million- Call: 233-2546, 233-5859 3 bedrooms upstairs & 3 bedrooms downstairs, Thomas Street Kitty, Georgetown – Tel: 680-7047

Interior of CPGI greenhouse structures

Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245

Exterior of CPGI greenhouse structures

1-3 Bedrooms flat house with full bath at Recht- Door – Zee, Parfaite Harmonie W.B.D – Serious enquiries only – Call: 643-4740 2 STORIED 3 BEDROOMS CONCRETE & WOODEN PROPERTY ON LARGE LAND 300FTX40FT, IN BERBICE, NEAR CANJE BRIDGE. CALL MAX: 6098132, 672-8569 Diamond Front Concrete on 60X110 Lot price $16M & $22M, 2 Storey @ Enterprise - $35M – Call:2317805, 618-7483 2 Storey building , 8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, hot & cold water, Lot 11 Coghlan Dam, W.B.D, Just off main Road- Tel:264-1582, 6797587 ACCOMODATION

participating farmers in the project, noted the efficiency and improved production she has received from the project. “Even though our yard

and land was flooded out by the recent rains, when I came to check the crops on the same day, I found that nothing happened to them,” said

Rambarran. She also related that she is willing to pass on the knowledge and skills she has learned to other farmers in the area.

Harmony Inn: Furnished apartments (A/C, Hot & Cold, refrigeration, microwave, etc) $5,000$8,000. Your luxury hide away. Tel: 668-0306, 694-7817

Betsy Ground man dies in horrific motor... From page 14 Jugisteer, 30, a cane cutter, of Lot 43 Bristol Street, Betsy Ground, East Canje Berbice. Jugisteer was the father of two, ages three and one. According to reports, about 13:30 hrs, Jugisteer was a passenger in the vehicle PFF 556 which was being driven by his cousin Davendra Bakridi 25 of Adelphi East Canje, Berbice. He was travelling at a fast rate of speed along the East Canje Public road, when in the vicinity of Betsy Ground he lost control and ended up off the road. It hit a road sign before continuing for about 20 meters to broadside a parked trailer before ending on its side at the side of the road. The two occupants were thrown from the vehicle.

Jugisteer was lying on the ground and appeared to be seriously injured. The men were picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where Jugisteer was pronounced dead on arrival. Bakridi was subsequently taken into custody. According to Jugisteer's wife, Rada Jugisteer, her husband of over seven years was not required to work on that day and left home around 06:00 hrs. She said that he left with his bird cage to go on the road. The woman stated that she was at home when she received a call stating that her husband was involved in an accident. She said by the time she ventured to the road her husband was already removed and taken to the hospital where her worst fears

were realized. His mother, Ishwantie Jugisteer, stated that she last saw her son early the morning when he visited her and ate a roti. He stayed a while; spoke with her and his father, Takur Persaud Jugisteer, before leaving to go home. She was at home when she received a phone call that her son was involved in an accident and was lying on the road. By the time she ventured out he was already taken to the New Amsterdam Hos-

pital. They caught a car and raced to the hospital where they learnt that he died. The driver Bakridi told the police that whilst driving he tried to swerve from a dog and his cousin (Jugisteer) pulled the steering wheel in the opposite direction forcing him to lose control. The road fatality figure in Berbice has climbed to 24, compared to 22 from a similar number of accidents for the corresponding period last year.


Page 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

Police to get new vehicles Bartica youth dies in instead of reconditioned ones motorcycle accident

Two weeks ago the Guyana Police Force rolled out an elaborate security plan for the city for the Christmas season, complete with foot, motorcycle and vehicular patrols. While the “foot soldiers” seem to be functioning well, albeit with limited success, it is the vehicular patrol that could make a mockery of the police plans. Several patrol vehicles which have been earmarked for patrol duties are not in proper working condition. A visit to mechanic shops both in and out of the city which are tasked with repairing police vehicles, revealed a sorry sight. This is coupled with the constant sight of police vehicles being towed by other vehicles, in addition to the sight of policemen huffing and puffing, pushing broken down automobiles. It means that responding effectively to crimes might pose a major problem. The blame is being put squarely on the quality of vehicles that are being imported by the government for the police. This is compounded by the round the clock use of the vehicles by the police who are tasked with maintaining 24hour security for the nation. But the situation may not be the same for too long, since according to a senior government official, the administration has a plan to stop the importation of used or reconditioned vehicles. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Minister Clement Rohee are always in the habit of boasting about the amount of money spent on equipping the Guyana Police Force with the necessary vehicles to carry out its mandate. The Minister, at every presentation of vehicles to the

One of the many police vehicles in need of constant repair police, urges that care be taken in their handling. What was not being disclosed however was the fact that the police had raised concerns about the quality of the vehicles being procured. “A conscious decision has been taken, starting from the 2015 budget to procure brand new vehicles for governmental use, including the Guyana Police Force,” the government official told this newspaper. This move was taken to reduce the constant request for funds to effect repairs on government vehicles, most of which are used by the Guyana Police Force. Police sources have told this newspaper that ranks have tried to exercise care for the vehicles entrusted to them. “Vehicles going into the workshop and parts coming out and being replaced with old parts. The vehicles coming out the mechanic shop and the same day they got to go back in. Plenty money spending but is who getting all the money?” a rank queried. There were more damning reports. On East Coast Demerara there are at least two pieces of equipment that can hardly been called vehicles for patrol purposes. The vehicles are tilted to one side and the headlights are non-functioning; not to mention non-existent tail lights. They can hardly go over 30 miles per hour and so cannot go after criminals getting away from crime scenes. “We have vehicles that

puncture on the road and we ain’t get spare wheel and jack. The day of the flood (last Wednesday) plenty vehicles were down. The vehicles ain’t getting to service on time because as soon as one shift comes in, another one going out. The vehicles ain’t even getting to cool off,” a patrol rank stated. “Some of the vehicles can’t even open from the inside so if we come under fire while sitting in them is trouble. Some ain’t even got windows. Is only because we like what we doing mek we taking this chance,” the rank added. To address this situation, the force will certainly have to look at acquiring more vehicles to allow for a separate vehicle for every per 12 hour shift. “The police administration is presently looking at enhancing its fleet of vehicles to ensure that there are adequate vehicles to carry out our mandate and to prevent round the clock use,” a high ranking police officer told Kaieteur News in an invited comment. Kaieteur News understands that the issue of more and better vehicles for the Guyana Police Force is also being addressed during engagements with the civilian Strategic Management Department, which is overlooking the implementation of the police reform process. But for now, the police will have to make do with the few reconditioned vehicles and the other makeshift machines for their Christmas patrols.

A Bartica youth is now dead and his friend is nursing serious head injuries after they were involved in a motorbike collision Sunday night. The incident allegedly occurred around 18:45pm. Dead is Alden Straker, a/k” Carley”. According to reports both Straker and Rodriguez were returning from a waterfall some four miles from Bartica when it was alleged that Straker and Rodriguez collided with each other. Straker sustained a fractured skull while, 21-yearold, Gary Rodriguez suffered multiple lacerations to his face. He also sustained a fractured femur. He is currently receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was transferred. The mangled motorbikes were discovered by the police on the Bartica Potaro Road.

The mangled bike

Mother fears for missing epileptic son

It has been five days since 20-year-old Tregon Bremner, of Lot 408 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, has been missing. Despite efforts of concerned relatives and members of the Guyana Police Force to locate him, there is still no sign. Cindy Brisport, the mother of the missing 20year-old, has spoken of her unrelenting anguish since she last saw her son. Her fears for his wellbeing are increasing. Brisport, 38, said that relentless efforts to locate Bremner, who had been diagnosed with epilepsy at a tender age, have proven futile. She and her family are extremely worried about him. Brisport has made an emotional plea for help to locate her son. The devastated woman, who visited Kaieteur News yesterday, recalled that her son was last seen on November 20 (last Thursday). According to her, her house was flooded and her son Bremner had pitched in on the cleaning exercise. She said it was around 15:00 hours that she noticed that he was missing so she asked his sister if she had seen him but she hadn’t. Checks around the house

MISSING: Tregon Bremner, 20 proved that Bremner was nowhere there. His mother said that they immediately launched a search in the neighbourhood for him. But no one saw the 20-year-old. Brisport said that she received word from an acquaintance that her son was spotted at a Charlestown shop called “Pet Boy” but the man assumed that Bremner was with someone. She said that another person told her that they saw him at the Square of the Revolution walking around in the pools of water that had

accumulated after the rains but a search in that area too did not help to locate him. Distressed, the mother said that this is the first time that her 20-year-old has wandered for such a long time. She added that once, 12 years ago, he was lost but they had located him the said night. The mother is lamenting that her son may be confused. She is extremely concerned over what he is eating and doing. “He deh bare foot. He can answer he name and so but he can’t tell you where he lives,” she divulged. Brisport recounted that they have combed through Queenstown, Alberttown, D’Urban Backlands and other city regions in a desperate bid to locate him. She said the only place they haven’t searched is on the East Coast and East Bank areas. “I ain’t sleeping and I barely eating. I ain’t focusing. I don’t know what he doing, if he sit down or if he walking around or what he doing,” the woman stressed. Bremner, she said, was last seen wearing a grey vest and black trunks. A report has since been lodged at the West Ruimveldt Police Outpost. The woman is pleading with public spirited citizens to help her find her son. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tregon Bremner is asked to contact the nearest police station or his mother on telephone 6699112 or brother, Trevor Bremner on 6020413.


Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Ukraine leader, under pressure from West, pledges new government soon (Reuters) - Ukraine will take the first steps this week towards forming a new government, President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday, seeking to assuage concern among his Western allies that the delay is holding up reform and imperiling Western assistance. The U.S. and other Western governments are criticizing Kiev’s tardiness in putting together a government following October elections - with suspicions that the delay is due to rivalry between Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk over control of key portfolios. “We hope that the process (of forming a government) will begin this week,” Poroshenko said at a news conference with visiting Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, apparently referring to the first session of the new parliament on Thursday. Separately, Poroshenko also announced that Lithuania would provide Ukraine with some military aid to help Kiev in its fight against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country. “We have agreed on supplies of concrete elements of concrete armaments for the Ukrainian armed forces. This is real help,” Poroshenko said standing alongside Grybauskaite. It was not clear, however, if Lithuania was following fellow NATO member the United States in providing non-lethal military equipment or whether it was supplying weaponry - something NATO countries have so far been

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko (R) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden walk into a hall before a news conference in Kiev reluctant to do in case arming a non-member prompts a conflict with Russia. Ukraine has pressed NATO countries to provide weapons to help it defend itself against attacks by well armed Russian-backed separatists who, before a ceasefire came into effect, inflicted heavy losses on government forces in their fight to hive off parts of Ukraine’s east. Despite the ceasefire, three more Ukrainian soldiers were killed overnight into Monday, the Kiev military said. Kiev says more than 150 government troops have died since the truce came into force on Sept 5. The United Nations says more than 4,300 people have been killed overall in the conflict. Asked whether Ukraine would seek to join NATO, Poroshenko held out the

prospect of a referendum in several years’ time, but said attempts to join now would cause “more harm than good”. Before the confrontation with Russia, Ukrainians showed little interest in joining NATO, and the country’s constitution specifies a “non-bloc”, unaligned status. But since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March and Moscow’s open backing for the pro-Russian rebellions, popular support for joining the Alliance has shot up. Last week, U.S. VicePresident Joe Biden became the latest Western politician to express concern at Kiev’s slowness in forming a new government team, without which new International Monetary Fund credits and other Western assistance cannot be released.

Iran nuclear talks extended seven months after failing to meet deadline (Reuters) - Iran and six powers failed on Monday for a second time this year to resolve their 12-year standoff over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and gave themselves seven more months to clinch an historic deal. Western officials said they were aiming to secure an agreement on the substance of a final accord by March but that more time would be needed to reach a consensus on the allimportant technical details. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, trying to win relief from crippling international economic sanctions by patching up relations with the West, said the gap between the sides had narrowed at the latest round of talks in Vienna.

“It is true that we could not reach an agreement but we can still say that big steps have been taken,” he told state television. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave a more guarded assessment, saying “real and substantial progress had been made but adding that “some significant points of disagreement” remained. “These talks are not going to get easier just because we extend them. They’re tough. They’ve been tough. And they’re going to stay tough,” he told reporters in the Austrian capital. The cost of failure could be high. Iran’s regional foes Israel and Saudi Arabia fear a weak deal that fails to curtail Tehran’s potential to produce a nuclear

weapon. A collapse of the talks would spur Iran to become a threshold nuclear weapon state, something arch-foe Israel has said it would never allow. Under an interim deal reached by the six powers and Iran a year ago in Geneva, Tehran halted higher-level uranium enrichment in exchange for a limited easing of the financial and trade sanctions which have badly damaged its economy, including access to some frozen oil revenues abroad. Monday marked the second time a self-imposed deadline for a final settlement has passed without any deal. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told reporters that the target date had been extended to June 30, 2015.

Page 25

Experts fear bubonic plague will spread after 40 die in Madagascar A N TA N A N A R I V O , Madagascar, Monday November 24, 2014 – An outbreak of bubonic plague in Madagascar has left 40 dead in less than three months, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The number of confirmed cases of the killer disease on the Indian Ocean island now stands at 119 and health experts fear it may spread rapidly. While only two cases of plague and one death have been recorded to date in the capital Antananarivo, experts now fear it could be the area most at risk, with its high population density and weaknesses in the health care

system conducive to rapid spread. The current plague outbreak in Madagascar reportedly saw its first known case on August 31 in a man from Soamahatamana. He died on September 3.

The country’s health authorities alerted WHO to the outbreak at the beginning of this month. Neither trade nor travel restrictions have as yet been recommended by the international health body

Bill Cosby performs in Bahamas amid sexual assault allegations NASSAU, Bahamas, Monday November 24, 2014 – As the sexual assault allegations continued to pile up back home in the United States on Thursday and Friday, it was “better in the Bahamas” for veteran comedian Bill Cosby when he performed at a small theatre in the world-famous Atlantis resort. Cosby reportedly received a standing ovation at the close of his 90-minute set at a fundraiser to support the Nassau chapter of The Links. The audience, which included some prominent Bahamians, apparently had no problem ignoring allegations that have made headlines worldwide claiming that Cosby had drugged and sexually abused women at intervals spanning more than two decades. “I think everybody is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” Alfred Sears, an official with the College of the Bahamas and a former

attorney general, told the Associated Press. “Tonight is for a cause, and I think that he has contributed to the cause. In terms of the other issues the court of law and the court of public opinion will deal with those issues.” During his 90-minute performance, Cosby made no reference to the recent

allegations by several women, focussing instead on anecdotes about his life, including stories about his childhood growing up in the projects of Philadelphia, and some observations about life in the Bahamas. He also related episodes drawn from his long marriage to wife Camille, according to Us Weekly.


Page 26

Kaieteur News

Tuesday Movember 25, 2014


Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 27

WICB four-day Franchise cricket

Permaul grabs career best 8-36 to lead Jaguars to 92-run win By Sean Devers A mesmerizing spell of left-arm spin bowling from Veerasammy Permaul provided the top-of-the- table Guyana Jaguars with their second consecutive win and 14th against the Windwards at this level when the final day of the second round WICB four-day First-Class cricket Franchise ended yesterday with an exciting 92-run win for the hosts with two overs and six minutes remaining in the contest. Set 283 to win in two and a half sessions after the Jaguars declared at 175-6, an hour into the day’s play, the 25-year-old Permaul decimated the Volcanoes batting as he took a career best 8-36 from 31.2 probing

overs to finish with match figures of 11-76 as the visitors were bowled out for 190 when it seemed at one period that Alton Bobb (24) Nelon Pascal would see their team hold on for a draw. Scores: Jaguars (290 & 175-6 dec), Volcanoes (184 & 190). Permaul picked up his 11th five-wicket haul and second 10-wicket match bag in 66 First Class matches and joined OH Layne (9-19), Devendra Bishoo (9-78) and CR Browne (8-58) as the only bowlers with eight or more wickets for Guyana in FirstClass cricket and only the second to do so since 1966 when the Shell Shield was born. On a pitch that

surprisingly did not play as badly as expected and in brilliant sunshine instead of the scattered thunderstorms forecast for yesterday, Permaul befuddled the batsmen after the dangerous 33-year-old Devon Smith fashioned an entertaining 43rd First-Class fifty (54) and shared in a 72-run second with partnership with 28-yearold Andre Fletcher (38) after Chris Barnwell had removed Tyrone Theophile (9) at 28-1. Guyana, now on 34 points, 14 points clear of T&T’s Red Force (20) and Jamaica (19), resumed on 133-5 and lost Shiv Chanderpaul, who was run out for 44 to leave Bajan acquisition Raymond Reifer unbeaten on 29 when the declaration was made after the

Tuesday November 25, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will have to expect a few disturbances in the harmony that has reigned over the past few days, Aries. For example, your needs may not match those of your mate or close friends, or you may feel restless. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) As a person who embodies affection and tenderness, Taurus, you may feel especially resentful about today's mood. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A longing for comfort and the small, simple pleasures in life is likely to cripple your initiative today, Gemini. Have you decided to withdraw from the career whirl for the time being? CANCER (June 21–July 22) For the past several days, Cancer, you've been fairly lucky in financial and material terms. But the day ahead will be an exception. If you're planning to make an investment, sign a contract, or purchase a major item, postpone it until another day. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The way you act when you first meet people is typical of Leo. What is it that you do? You try to teach them something. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your philosophy of life comes naturally, Virgo. Others need to study, listen to experts, or sign on to various allegiances.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It isn't because your new projects demand such precision that they're causing you problems, Libra. You tend to think details keep you from having a global vision, but that simply isn't true. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Yes, Scorpio, this is a good moment to abandon old beliefs and moral values. Your view of life has changed and, above all, you're more aware of how your outdated, preconceived ideas sometimes poison your life. SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) If you aren't careful to keep your eyes straight ahead and focused on the future, the past is likely to catch up to you, Sagittarius. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This would be the moment to say yes to your destiny, Capricorn. You're a little frustrated because things haven't been moving forward the way you'd like. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't expect to meet the partner of your dreams today, Aquarius. Rather, your romantic hopes are likely to meet with frustration. energy, the rewards are more likely to be forthcoming. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's some likelihood that a recent meeting with an influential person has put a damper on your hopes for your projects.

Jaguars had scored 42 runs in 60 minutes yesterday. Mervin Matthew (3-47) and Bobb (2-30) were the most successful bowlers for the Islanders. As the second wicket partnership gained momentum, Smith with 23 First-Class tons and 17 at the Regional level, crashed Ronsford Beaton to the cover boundary like a bullet and the elegant cover drive was excitingly orgasmic. Smith then leaned into Barnwell in the next over with a majestic extra cover drive and not a man moved as the ball speed to the boundary across the lush green and well manicured outfield. Fletcher with four First-Class tons to his name, waded into Barnwell and smashed him with disdain past mid-off while Smith looked compact with his defensive bat looking as broad as the sightscreen. Fletcher clipped Beaton delightfully off his legs for four off the final ball before Lunch which was taken at 691 with Smith on 43 and fellow Grenadian Fletcher on 14. After Lunch, Fletcher danced into Bishoo and dumped him back over his head for four. The righthander then clipped Bishoo off his legs before pounding him past mid-on for another boundary and at that point the game was in the balance with the pair making a consorted effort to chase down the target. However, once Smith’s 105-ball and 162-minute innings ended when he touched a catch to the Keeper to give Permaul his first scalp, the local team breathed a collective sigh of relief since Smith is quite fond of Guyana’s bowling.

D’Edward... From page 29 wickets. Port Mourant 197 in 35 overs with Arif Chan 80, Nicholas Cameron 39, Devindra Lalsa 2 for 35, Eon Abel 2 for 46. D’Edward 198 for 4 in 27.4 overs with Devindra Lalsa 72, Kevon Jawahir 34 not out, Lakeraj Sookra 31 not out, Jaipaul Heeralall 25. At Sisters, Albion Community Centre beat Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist by 9 wickets. Kortherberaadt Seventh Day Adventist 111 in 21 overs. Quincy De Velde 33, Andre Percival 4 for 2. Albion Community Centre 113 for 1 in 14.3 overs with Adrian Sukhwa 57 not out, Verapen Permaul 27 not out.

Fletcher, dropped by Beaton off Bishoo, was then taken at cover off Permaul after hitting six fours and when Sunil Ambris, who hammered seven fours and a six in his 39 departed, the innings went into rapid decline as the Volcanoes slumped from 151-3 to eventually lost their last seven wickets for 39 runs as Permaul went to work. A small gathering saw Permaul bowl Skipper Liam Sebastian for a duck, Ambris was LBW to Permaul who also got rid of Lindon James (4), Romel Currency (10) and Matthew

(0) and the Islanders were desperately trying to survive for dear life. Peters was LWB to Beaton before it was all over when Permaul finished off proceedings by trapping Bobb LBW. Guyana play Barbados at Providence from Friday in their final home game for the year and will be without Skipper Leon Johnson, Shiv Chanderpaul and Assad Fudadin who leave tomorrow for the West Indies camp before the Regional Team departs for the three-Test series in South Africa which starts on December 17.

CONCACAF sets...

From page 28 Rica on Thursday, March 6 when Olimpia call on Herediano. Twenty-four clubs from across the Confederation began the quest for the crown in this season’s Champions League group phase, played between August and October, with the top team from each of the eight three-team groups advancing to the knockout round. Two-leg semifinals between the quarterfinal winners are scheduled to begin later in March. The winner of the DC United/Alajuelense pairing will face the winner of Montreal/ Pachuca, with the winner of the Montreal/Pachuca matchup hosting the first leg of the series, and the second leg played in either Washington, DC or Alajuela, Costa Rica. The club that emerges from the Herediano/Olimpia match will take on the victor from the Club America/Saprissa series; the first leg will be played in either Heredia or Tegucigalpa, and the second leg will be hosted by either Club America or Saprissa. The final round between semifinal winners will be contested the last week of April.


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Kaieteur News

Ramchand Auto Spares/Rohan Auto Spares Softball Finals

Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Letter to the Sports Editor

Personal self-aggrandizement has taken Its Wolf Warriors vs Regal, Floodlight vs Wellman at DCC Saturday precedence over Football Administration “Guyana Softball Cup 4” champions Wolf Warriors (Open) and Floodlight (Masters) proved that they are true champions when both teams stormed into the finals of the Ramchand/ Rohan Auto Spares Softball Tournament. Wolf Warriors defeated Farm by six wickets in the semi-finals played at the Police Ground last Sunday. Farm batted first made 154 for 9 off 20 overs. Avinash Sookdeo 25, Lalta Karim 22 and Narine Bailey took 5 for 20 bowling for Wolf Warriors. Wolf Warriors made 155 for 4 off 14.5 overs, Safraz Karim 46 no and Lincoln Leander 36 no. K. Ramkumar took 2 for 15 bowling for Farm. In the other Open semifinal Regal got a scare from new comers Uprisers. Regal won by 1 wicket to set up a repeat of the “Guyana

Softball Cup 4” finals with Wolf Warriors. Uprisers batting first were all out for 149 in 19.5 overs. W. Osborne made 26 and Ejaz Mohamed 18. Balram Roopnarine took 3 for 26 and Delroy Pereira 2 for 17 bowling for Regal. Regal in reply made 150 for 9 in 19.1 overs. Rohit Dutchin made 36. S. Budhu 24 and Ricky Sargeant 18 not out. Bowling for Uprisers Chris Pattadin took 2 for 24 and V. Mohamed 1 for 8. In the Masters category (40 yrs and over) Floodlight def. Parika Defenders by 7 wickets. Defenders made 141 for 9 in 20 overs. Oswald Black 39, R. Rambarose 30. Clive Canterbury took 3 for 20 and Ramchand Ragbeer 2 for 31 bowling for Floodlights. Floodlights replied with 146 for 3 in 16 overs with Intiaz Mohamed stroking 59 not out and Ramesh Narine 46 not out.

M. Saffie took 2 for 37 bowling for Defenders. Wellman def. Slingers by 6 wickets. Slingers 119 for 9 in 20 overs. Tony Singh took 4 for 21 and Grieg De Franca 2 for 18 bowling for Wellman. Wellman replied with 120 for 5 with Latchman Kallicharran 45 not out and Motilall Chumandat 25 not out. M. Hafiz took 2 for 22. The two Male finals and Female semifinals and finals, together with two Male third place play-off (Open & Masters) will be played on Saturday November 29th at the DCC ground starting at 10:30am. The four Female teams to play are Trophy Stall Angels vs Blue Divas and Karibee Girls vs Mikes Wellwoman. The teams to play the third place play-off are Uprisers vs Farm (Open) and Parika Defenders vs Slingers (Masters).

GCA Elections Stopped by the Court - Third Class Cricket Club challenges their Expulsion The Roger Harper led Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) was prevented from holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday last. Kaieteur Sport was made to understand that Third Class Cricket Club’s President Shalim Baksh secured an injunction against the entire Executive Committee of the GCA. Mr. Baksh is contending that Harper and his executives relegated the Third Class Cricket Club from the Status of founder member with full voting rights to associate member with no voting rights, contrary to the constitution of the GCA. Baksh further stated that this occurred at an OGM to which the Third Class Cricket Club was not invited, based on a letter submitted by Malteenoes Sports Club. Hon. Chief Justice Ian Chang had ordered in February of this year that the current GCA Executives were illegally in office since January 2013 and the members must meet and decide on a date and venue for elections. It was understood that a meeting was called and three ineligible second division clubs namely Diplomats, Ace Warriors and YMCA voted. Also, Harper and his executives decided to have their January 2013 AGM last Thursday. These actions were challenged by Nazimul Drepaul a life member of Everest CC and Baksh. However, Kaieteur Sport understands that before the

court could hear the matter Harper and his executives decided to expel third class Cricket Club as a full member and replace them with a Team from Sophia. “Third Class has been a founder member of the GCA and their expulsion requires a constitutional change,” said Baksh, “The Executives of the GCA did not even have the courtesy to invite us to the meeting,” he stated. Hon. Justice Ramlall ruled on Thursday that, “It is ordered that the respondents by themselves their servants and/or agents, and each and everyone of them and every executive member of the Georgetown Cricket Association whether by themselves or their servants or their agents of the said association or otherwise howsoever be and are hereby restrained and an injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents and each and everyone of them and each and every executive member of the Georgetown cricket association, whether by themselves or by their servants and/or agents of the said association or otherwise howsoever from calling or holding the Annual General Meeting fixed for 20th November 2014 or any other Annual or Special General Meeting of the Georgetown Cricket Association and from taking any decisions or passing any motions and/or resolutions or electing ant Executives at any such Annual General Meeting of the 20th November 2014 or at any other Annual or Special General

Meeting of the Association until after the hearing and determination of a summons in this cause returnable for the 5th day of December 2014 at 9.15 pm”. The honourable judge went on to order service. Kaieteur Sport was told that only clubs that were eligible to vote in Jan 2013 can participate in the deferred AGM and that Ace Warriors and Diplomats only appeared to have played recently in the GCA second division cricket, whereas YMCA, on the other hand has not played any cricket for at least 10 years and it is totally illegal to be including Sophia at this time. When contacted, Harper said the decision to demote Third Class was not taken by the Executive committee, but members of the GCA. He informed that a member club wrote to the GCA, questioning Third Class’ eligibility and it was found out that they are not based in Georgetown and as such they did not meet the criteria and the members voted in favour of them being demoted. Harper said that the club was invited to the OGM but did not turn up. He pointed out that following the court order in February a decision was taken to hold the AGM on November 20, but Third Class and Nazimul Drepaul went to the Court saying that Ace Warriors, Diplomats and YMCA should not be allowed to vote and the case is fixed for December 3 before Chief Justice Ian Chang whereas the matter concerning the AGM will be heard on December 5.

DEAR EDITOR, Editor, I was extremely perturbed but somehow not surprised to have read in your newspapers (KN 13-11-14) publication of a letter captioned “Guyana’s Football needs a Tsunami to save us from these inept Administrators” by Daniel Stern. Wherein, from the public disclosure within the letter’s content; it remains a sad day for the sport that a General Council Meeting can be conducted in such a despicable and unprofessional manner. From all indications this is what transpired on 07-11-14. However, with time and space definitely not at my disposal to offer an infinite analysis, a few pertinent issues listed hereunder urgently needs attention. I. The venue of the meeting should have been disclosed, in addition to Mr. Stern’s status. Did the meeting confirm to the requirements of how meetings are conducted i.e. was a quorum present? II. Was an agenda in place? III. Did the President/ Chairman attempt to maintain some semblance of social decorum, pertaining to individuals’ immoral conduct? i.e. “How much an individualgainsfinanciallyasagainst the GFA’s losses of $23,000,000"! Editor, within this “crystal clear” concept of avarice, corruption, greed and ineptitude, it must be of utmost priority that the Normalization Committee, hastily review the GFA’s application of seeking approval to host the year-end knock out tournament. Precedence must be taken to address this issue, rather than applying to host a tournament for individual financial gains. (Was there a

common consensus from the remaining clubs?). Further with the GFA and other of its ilk in dire need of “constitutional reform/ upgrade”, nevertheless it remains incumbent upon associations on an annual basis to submit to the GFF, a written programme of its seasonal activities. Automatically, this transcends into the GFF, compiling and circulating its annual national calendar of activities. Whereas, all associations in the past had to conclude their respective season by October, the Annual Mayor’s Cup KO by tradition was played in November followed by the Annual Kashif & Shanghai KO, from the second week in December and concluding on January 1st. Also it must be noted that with the respective associations concluding their season in October paved the way for selection of its best clubs to participate in both competitions. Additionally, the Fruta Conquerors 16 teams KO/Namilco sponsored, along with the WDFA Sweet 16 KO also had a place in the GFF’s Annual Calender. Who or what brought about the change? Since “it takes two hands to clap”, the GFF under the Presidency of Former President (a.g) Franklin Wi l s o n , c o u l d h a v e allowed the participation of GFA affiliates, who were deemed ineligible at the time due to an injunction filed in the High Court, by the GFA Executive. While the three (3) teams that participated was as a result of their participation in the GFF National League, which was automatic. As a consequence the GFA was empowered to coordinate a tournament for its marginalized affiliates that reaped meaningful success.

The following year it was expanded, involving teams from outside of its jurisdiction with additional success. Thereafter with Matthias’ ascendency to the GFF’s presidency, what followed after was a catastrophe. A deficit of $23,000,000, unpaid bills, perks for the boys and disgruntlement. So how on God’s earth, can the GFA Executive submit a proposal to host a year-end tournament? A timely reminder! “The keeper of Israel doesn’t sleep or slumber”. With this in mind it remains incumbent upon the Normalization Committee, to instill some level of normalcy to the scenario. And by justifiably doing so request a written copy of Minutes of the General Council Meeting (07-11-14). In addition to the GFA and all other Associations Calendar of Activities for the 2014 season, this would be entailed if the year-end tournament was within their respective schedule. Finally, a timely reminder, by tradition the GFF’s season used to commence in September and culminate in February, with a break in January. Over the years or more over under Matthias’ stewardship was this trend continued? With the Kashif and Shanghai Organization’s application to host its annual year-end tournament, coinciding with their 25th Anniversary, the Normalization Committee should seriously consider at this crucial juncture, which tournament is best suited for the football starved fans that needs to see quality football and competent organizing and definitely not mediocrity and inept administrative policies. Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey.

CONCACAF sets Champions League Quarter-finals schedule Miami, FL – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today unveiled the schedule for the quarter-finals of the 2014/15 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, the region’s premier competition for clubs. The quarter-final round begins the evening of February 24 in Alajuela, when 2013/14 CONCACAF Champions League semifinalist LD Alajuelense receive DC United of Major

League Soccer, the top point earner of the group phase with a perfect four wins from four matches, at 8PM EST. That same night, fellow MLS side and 2014 Canadian Champion Impact de Montreal travel to Mexico to visit CF Pachuca. The following day, action returns to Costa Rica as CD Saprissa take on Club America, current Liga MX Apertura 2014 leader. The opening legs finalize on Thursday, February 26 in Honduras, when CD Olimpia welcome CS Herediano in

Tegucigalpa at 8:00 PM EST. The second legs of the quarter-finals will take place the first week of March, beginning with a March 3 showdown between Impact de Montreal and Pachuca at Montreal’s historic Olympic Stadium. Wednesday night March 4 sees two Costa Rican teams on the road, as Alajuelense visit DC United, and Saprissa pay a return visit to Estadio Azteca to face off with Club America. The quarterfinal phase concludes in Costa (Continued on page 25)


Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

Kaieteur News

Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition

Defending champs suffer shock defeat to West Back Road West Back Road made an auspicious start in this year’s Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition after producing an inspiring performance to beat National and Georgetown champions Queen Street Tiger Bay 2-0 on Sunday evening, at Demerara Park. Playing in front of a fairsized crowd that had a lot of supporters from the defending champions camp, West Back Road never looked intimidated throughout the contest and went ahead in the 9th minute through Akeem Fitzpatrick, who dispossessed the final defender, before firing into an empty goal. Bouyed by their early success, the underdogs continued to dominate play and came close to adding another goal, but a timely clearance kept the champs in the game. The half came with West Back Road clinging to a slim 1-0 advantage, but still holding the momentum as fans anticipated a fight back was in store from the reigning titlists. However, there was no stopping the young West Back Road unit as they once again seized the initiative with another strike this time courtesy of Jamal Haynes, who won a one-on-one battle, before poking the ball into the goal in the 13th minute of play. They then held on grimly, withstanding numerous raids from the Tiger Bay side until the final whistle sounded, causing major celebrations

- Hope Street of Tiger Bay impressive from the West Back Road supporters. In the opening game, Festival City Warriors squeezed past North Sophia 2-1. Daniel Favourite’s 8th minute strike gave the Warriors a positive start following an easy finish after being fed a clinical pass from the right flank. The Warriors missed an opportunity to add to their lead after being awarded a penalty kick which sailed just outside the left upright. North Sophia was quick to respond following their stroke of luck when Leron Jones delivered the goal of the night. Jones, lurking on the left wing, got on to the end of a floated pass and he rose effortlessly in the air to glance a header over the leaping Solomon Austin into the goal. It was a moment of magic. However, North Sophia failed to produce any spark after that and Favourite, who had missed the spot kick earlier made amends when he punched home from close range in the 17th minute of play. Hope Street of Tiger Bay sounded an ominous warning to opposing teams when they inflicted a crushing 4-0 win over D’urban Street in their group-D match. Dwayne Dickson’s 9th minute penalty kick got them on the scoresheet and that lasted until the 22nd minute when Stephon Moore made it 2-0. One minute later, the

situation worsened for D’urban Street after an intended pass deflected off the foot of a defender and trickled over the goal line. Pierre Bobb then displayed enviable skill, marching past the last stop, before finishing with aplomb down the centre of the goal. In other results, Randolph Wagner’s 4th minute goal helped West Front Road-Gold is Money beat Cross Street 1-0. Broad Street Bullies brushed aside Riverview 2-0 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 0-0, while Globe Yard were comfortable winners against Adelaide Street Charlestown 2-0. On target were Lionel Grimes (7th) and Kevin Lewis in the (13th). Leopold Street gained a walkover from Stevedore Housing Scheme. The final matchup of the evening saw Albouystown-B beat South Sophia 2-1 in a bruising encounter. Dwayne Lowe gave South Sophia the lead in the 6th minute, before Marlon Nedd responded for Albouystown-B one minute later. Roy Cassou then scored the go ahead goal in the 14th minute one that stood until the final whistle sounded. The action is scheduled to resume today, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac with eight more games, commencing at 19:00 hrs.

2014 NBS Second Division 40–over cricket competition in Berbice

D’Edward and Albion Community Centre advance to semi-finals D’Edward and Albion Community Centre both won their respective quarter-final matches to join Cotton Tree Die Hard and Corriverton in the semi-finals of the 2014 New Building Society Second Division 40-over cricket competition in Berbice. Former Guyana under 17 cricketer Arif Chan slammed 80 (7 fours and 1 six) to steer Port Mourant to 197 in their 35 overs against D’Edward who in their response benefitted from 72 (3 fours and 7 sixes) from their opening batsman Devindra Lalsa who helped them to reach the winning target with six wickets and 7.2 overs to

spare. In the other quarter final, former Guyana all-rounder Andre Percival, bowling off spin, took 4 wickets for just 2 runs from 5 overs to see Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist bowled out for 111 in 21 overs. When Albion replied Guyana under –17 batsman Adrian Sukhwa led them to a 9 wicket victory by firstly putting 63 for the first wicket in 9 overs with Guyana under – 17 batsman Ritesh Umroa (10) and then featuring in an unbroken 2nd wicket stand of 50 in 5.3 overs with former Guyana under–15 allrounder Veerapen Permaul (27 not out) to be 57 not out (6 fours) at the end.

Devindra Lalsa IN SUMMARIZED SCORES: At D’Edward, D’Edward beat Port Mourant by 6 (Continued on page 25)

Page 29

Latif XI overcome Boodhan XI in Tapeball fixture Led by outstanding bowling from Junior Duncan and Clyde Hoyte and unbeaten knocks from Shemroy Barrington and Sunil Singh, Richard Latif XI overcame Boodhan Super Star by 10 wickets in a 20-over tapeball fixture on Sunday last at the National Park tarmac. Duncan grabbed 3-13, while Hoyte claimed 3-20 to help bowl out Boodhan Super Star for 94 in 11.4 overs after they decided to bat. Only Troy Boye showed fight with 20 as Suresh Budhu supported in the bowling department with 2-13. Openers Barrington and Singh then blasted their team to victory in 7.1 overs without much hiccups. Barrington slammed 44 with five fours and two sixes, while Singh scored 41 inclusive of four fours and three sixes as their team finished on 96 without lost. Duncan was given the man of the match award, Barrington the most outstanding batsman prize and Hoyte the best bowler

Kavita Latif (left) receives the winning trophy from Charwayne Mc Pherson of Boodhan Super Star on behalf of skipper Richard Latif, while Clyde Hoyte shares the moment. accolade. Both teams received trophies. In an invitational match which followed, Boodhan Super Star rebounded to register a 30-run victory over the said opponents. Batting first Boodhan Super Star managed 96-4 off their

allotted eight overs with S. Scott scoring 44. Latif XI replied with 66-5 in eight overs. Dexter George took two wickets. Both matches were sponsored by Boodhan Wholesale Depot and Richard Latif and family.

Party Time wins feature event at Budhan Memorial Turf Club meet Smarty Light, Sophia Choice, Quincy also outstanding By Samuel Whyte Party Time of the Parmanand Stable made sure that the connections of the stable had a good time when it ran way with the feature G and Lower event when the Budhan Memorial Turf Club and Sports Complex of No 66 Village, Corentyne, Berbice successfully held their grand one day horserace meet on Sunday at the club’s entity at the above village. Party Time, trained by Ramsaywack and spurred on by jockey Ajai Sansarran, started slowly before picking up speed and easing away in the one mile event to win the Budhan memorial trophy from Its Tricky and The Legend. Quincy of the Zaheed stable with Prem Chandra on the hunch had things its way in the J3 and lower 6 furlongs event as it dusted its opponents to take the first prize and trophy from Speed Vision and Its My Time. Smarty Light of the Velloza Stable with Randolph Richmond in the stirrups was too smart and good for Speed Vision as it raced away with the one mile event. There was a dead heat in the K class 6 furlongs event as the judges could not decide on the winner between Royal Intention ridden by Michael Sancho and Sunny Silence piloted by Yap

Assistant Organiser Compton Sancho (left) presents the winning trophy to Shard Stewart for Sophia Choice’s victory. Drepaul. Running in third was Pick Pocket with Royal Stallion Fourth. Turn About with Rodrigues riding ran a straight race as it gallop away with the 6 furlongs L1 and lower event. Survival King, Fit to Fight and Go Zapper occupied the other positions. Sophia Choice of the Stewart Stable of Alness and ridden by Joshua made the right choices as it won the L2 and lower 6furlongs event from Red Region, It’s a Day and Another Day.

Map Head with Sancho on the hunch used it head to the best of advantage as it outsmarted all opponents in winning the L3 and lower race from Sudden Star, Sand Fly and Chestnut. Jockey Michael Sancho was the top jockey on show with two wins. Organiser Neville Budhan was happy and thanked all for the wonderful turn out and support on the day’s meet. The next event at the entity is slated for January 11th 2015.


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Kaieteur News

Winston Murray Memorial softball rescheduled for Sunday Due to the inclement weather, the Winston Murray Memorial Ten\10 softball competition which was set for the GNIC ground last weekend will now be played on Sunday at the said venue. The winning team will take home a trophy and $100,000, the runner up a trophy and $60,000 while each member of the winning and runner up teams will be given a medal.

There will also be awards for the man of the match, best bowler and batsman in the final. Only invited teams will be allowed to take part and among them are Brikery XI, Omesh XI, Regal and Trophy Stall. Teams can contact organizer Samuel Kingston on 614-9536 for more information. Action gets underway at 09:00 hrs.

McKinnon, Ramlakhan win GNRA .22 pistol shoot

The top three shooters in both senior and junior categories (in front row) with other competitors at the TSU Range at Eve Leary. Ryan McKinnon and Joshua Ramlakhan won the senior and junior categories at last weekend’s .22 Pistol competition as the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) hosted the first leg of its Yearend Handgun championships at the TSU Ranges at Eve Leary. McKinnon, who scored 453 points, had 10 points clear of second place finisher Smallbore captain Dale Hing who recorded 443 points, while third place went to Ray Beharry who recorded 441 points in the event which comprised three stages shot at 5 and 10 metres distances. The first was a precision

stage shot from 5 metres with no time limit where shooters were required to engage targets with both strong and weak hands. The second was a 20 seconds timed stage, shot from 5m where shooters had to engage targets with mandatory reload with two 8round clips. The third was a 30 seconds timed stage from 10 metres which also required a mandatory reload with two 10-round clips. Ramlakhan was also in top form among the juniors winning with 424 points, beating into second position Surujballi Persaud who recorded 400 points, while

third place finisher Ray Amjad recorded 372 points. The championships will conclude on Sunday with the Practical Pistol shoot at the Timehri ranges from 09:00 hours. Results Seniors: 1st- Ryan Mckinnon-453 points 2nd Dale Hing – 443 points 3rd Ray Beharry – 441 points Juniors: 1st - Joshua Ramlakhan – 424 points 2nd - Surujballi Persaud – 400 points 3rd - Ray Amjad -372 points

Tuesday Movember 25, 2014

From 1st Dan to 2nd Dan Black Belt, Max Messiah aims for the ‘Maximum in the Sport’ Years of diligent practice and commitment has finally borne fruit and host of ‘Maximum Sports’, Max Messiah , also a karate practitioner, was honorably promoted from 1st Dan to 2nd Dan Black Belt by none other than Chairman of the Guyana Karate College and International Karate Daigaku, world renowned 9th Dan Master, Frank Woon-a-Tai. Mr. Massiah received the accolade along with the requisite certificate from Master Woon-a-Tai at a simple ceremony at the National Communication Network (NCN) shortly after completing a telethon on Maximum Sports to facilitate the construction of a Dojo for the Guyana Karate College (GKC) headquarters in Lilliendaal ECD on a plot of land made available by the government in 2011. Master Woon-a-Tai congratulated Mr. Massiah while pointing out the depth of his contribution to the sport. The Karate expert leaves shortly for Canada where he resides and further promised to officially bestow a personalized belt to Mr. Massiah to be presented when he returns early next year. Mr. Massiah expressed gratitude to Mr. Woon-a-Tai for recognizing his talent even as he promised to continue being an asset to the noble sport. He said that his entry into the sport dates back more than 4 decades when he was merely 11 years old. During his introductory years to the sport he practiced in Houston EBD under the tutelage on one, Sensei Danny, before shifting

The satisfied look says it all as Mr. Messiah (left) collects the coveted accolade from Master Woon-a-Tai. sessions to his Agricola residence where he had built a small gym. Shortly afterwards he enrolled as a recruit into the now defunct Guyana National Service in 1975. He said that that organization facilitated his continued development in the sport and when he eventually left a few years later, he continued to practice his skill. Consequently, he enjoyed promotion at various levels and was a 1st Dan when he received the honorary promotion from Mr. Woon-aTai. Mr. Massiah underlined the importance of perfecting the sport saying that it was a noble profession that teaches

self discipline even as the practitioner perfects the art of self defence. He said that his favourite weapon is the nunchaku sticks, two stout pieces of sticks attached by a chain that when expertly wielded serves as a defensive weapon. Mr. Messiah is a true sports enthusiast and is also a certified boxing coach. He also dabbled in bodybuilding where he enjoyed some measure of success. He currently hosts Maximum Sports, a one hour programme that deals with the intricacies of karate, martial arts and similar contact sports. (Michael Benjamin)

2014 BCB/NBS Second Division 40-Over Cricket in Berbice

Byass (4 for 23 and 38 n.o), Beresford (50 n.o) see Corriverton through to semis - Cotton Tree Die Hard advance from tied match Corriverton and Cotton Tree Die Hard are the first two teams to reach the semifinals of this year’s New Building Society Limited Second Division 40 Overs Cricket Competition for teams in Berbice after defeating Police and N0.64 Fighting Marines respectively in their quarter final encounter. For Corriverton, medium pacer Errol Byass took 4 for 23 which together with 3 for 26 from pacer Jermain Reid, saw Police restricted to 140

in 31.1 overs with No 3 batsman Kwesi Mickle hitting 58 (5 fours and 2 sixes). When Corriverton replied, they lost Jeremy Moore for 8 with just 12 runs on the board. Anthony Seeraj joined the other opener Byass and together they put on 62 for the second wicket before Seeraj went for 20. Clavern Beresford came to the crease and along with Byass they clobbered the bowling to all parts of the ground with an unbroken 3rd wicket

partnership of 68 to see their team comfortably home with Beresford finishing on 58 n.o and Byass 38 n. o. In the other quarter final, there was an exciting tie with both teams, Cotton Tree Die Hard and No 64 Fighting Marines finishing on 188 all out, the result in this case accordingly to the competition rules had to be decided by the scores at the end of the first 15 overs with Cotton Tree making 88 runs to edge out No 64 Fighting

Marines by one single run to be declared winner. In summarized scores: At No 73, Corriverton beat Police by 8 wickets. Police 140 all out in 31.1 overs with Kwesi Mickle 58. Errol Byass 4 for 23 and Jermain Reid 3 for 26. Corriverton replied with 142 for 2 in 17.3 overs with Clavern Beresford 50 n.o and Errol Byass 38 n.o. At the Tagore Memorial Secondary School Ground, the match between No 64 Fighting Marines and Cotton Tree Die Hard played to a tie but the latter team was declared winners after score

Clavern Beresford

Kwesi Mickle

88 runs in the first 15 overs, edging the host by 1 run. Cotton Tree Die Hard 188 in 31.4 overs with Pooran Persaud 45. Ryan Joseph took 4 for 25 and Kumar

Chand 3 for 35. No 64 Fighting Marines 188 all out in 35 overs with Stanley Embrack 37, Ryan Joseph 28 and Kumar Chand 26. Afzal Haroon 3 for 30. Totaram Suknanan 2 for 44.


Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

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Athletics on the rise in Region AIBA EC member ready to work Nine – Club Chairman Lewis with Caribbean counterparts towards regional development

By Zaheer Mohamed Chairman of the Region Nine (Rupununi) Athletics club Kenrick Lewis feels that the sport is on the rise in the District. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport on Friday last at St. Joseph High School, Lewis, who hails from the Essequibo river island of Wakenaam, said Region Nine posses a number of talented athletes who can represent Guyana with distinction in the near future. Lewis who graduated with a degree from the International University of Physical Education and Sports in Cuba in 2007 said the training of the athletes is being done on a regular basis in various locations due to the vastness of the area. He was confident that the District would have done well hadn’t the rain intervened at the 54th National Schools Athletics Championships. “We brought some very good athletes to compete in the middle and long distance races which were evident in the 10k Road Race and the Girls U-20 800m,” he added. Simona Lawrence copped the road race, while Mary Leandrew won the Girls U-20 800m event, both of Region Nine. The chairman said that there is still a lot of work needs to be done as it relates to the training of their athletes (juniors and seniors). “We are hoping to meet with the trainers across Rupununi shortly to have them upgraded with the help of the Athletics Association of

Kenrick Lewis Guyana (AAG). We want our athletes to be trained throughout the year so that they can improve in all aspects,” said Lewis. He feels that there is a dire need for an Athletics gym in the area so that athletes can become well rounded which will improve their performance adding that the support of the business community is vital. “Business are on stream, but there is a need for them to contribute a little more so that the athletes can be well equipped because next year when the schools’ championship most likely will be held at the Synthetic track at Leonora, they cannot run bare footed,” Lewis stated. When quizzed about the club’s plans for 2015, Lewis pointed out that they are waiting on the calendar of events from the AAG to know how to set their programme so as to meet those events.

Simona Lawrence “We are hoping to run off a meet prior to the 2015 CARIFTA Games trials and another on Olympic day in May,” he said. Lewis strongly feels that athletes selected from the Region to represent Guyana at Regional meets in the future must be trained in Rupununi. “There are too many distractions in the city which can somewhat affect their preparation. The environment is not conducive for distance runners due to pollution and the natural landscape,” Lewis explained. He expressed gratitude to treasurer of the club Joyce Lawrence, former chairman Sugreem Singh, Bhoowan Sidari Trucking Service, Takutu Gas Station, Macedo Gas Station, Ken Grant, Regional Education Office, Regional Administration Office, parents and guardians and Toshaos for their continued support.

Pacquiao scores six knockdowns in title defence MACAU (Reuters) Manny Pacquiao knocked down American challenger Chris Algieri six times to retain his WBO welterweight championship in Macau on Sunday morning. The first knockdown, in the second round, was a combination of a Pacquiao punch and Algieri slipping on the canvas but in the sixth round Algieri tumbled head over heels after a Pacquiao barrage and went down again in the same round from a right hook. A fierce left cross in the ninth sent Algieri to his back. He beat the count, but dropped to his knees from a follow-up flurry and seemed on the verge of being stopped as Pacquiao unleashed a fusillade of

punches against the ropes. Somehow the American survived that round and despite being knocked down by another left hand in the tenth, made it to the final bell. Algieri (20-1, 9 KOs), who suffered his first defeat, had earned the shot against Pacquiao by overcoming a swollen right eye and two knockdowns against Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov in his previous outing but he was never remotely in this contest. Although he circled constantly to his left and attempted to keep Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) at a distance with his superior reach, he rarely landed any consequential punches. “It’s not just his hand

speed,” said Algieri afterward of Pacquaio. “He’s a great fighter. He does everything well. I was never hurt, but he did catch me with a big shot.” Although Pacquiao sometimes struggled to hit Algieri cleanly because of his opponent’s backward motion, the punches he did land took their toll. “I did my best,” reflected Pacquaio. “Algieri was fastmoving. I’m not surprised that he kept getting up, because that’s what he did against Ruslan Provodnikov.” The win raised once more the prospect of a longanticipated clash with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather, a fight that Pacquiao said he welcomed.

Steve Ninvalle at the AIBA Congress in South Korea. By Michael Benjamin Following his historic election to the AIBA Executive Committee, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle is optimistic that his newly acquired status will be advantageous towards the advancement of the sport in the region. Mr. Ninvalle expressed this view at a recent interview with Kaieteur Sport when he returned to Guyana from the AIBA Congress in South Korea where several other Caribbean nations participated. “It was an expression of unadulterated Caribbean Unity in South Korea,” said Ninvalle when asked of the quality of representation enjoyed by the region. Fifty percent representation of the Caribbean’s 22 territorial members attended the forum and Mr. Ninvalle, who initially vied for a Vice President position, wondered aloud of what might have been attained had there been an impeccable hundred percent turnout. Those Caribbean countries that attended the forum included Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and To b a g o , B a r b a d o s , Bahamas, Grenada, Dominica, Cayman Islands, St Lucia, US Virgin Islands and Aruba. Despite the small turn out the regional territories were able to accomplish the

mission in a scenario likened to the biblical battle between David and Goliath. Ninvalle, who became the first person from the English speaking Caribbean to be elected an AIBA Executive Committee member, said that the regional representatives would have been able to make a more resounding statement had they enjoyed full representation from other regional outfits. He cited several reasons for these absences and resolved to address them in the coming months. Consequently, the Caribbean affiliates huddled shortly after the Congress in South Korea and resolved to ‘awake’ the other members of the other territorial associations that were not at the forum. Meanwhile, Mr. Ninvalle feels that his position now gives the region a voice within the top echelons of the sport. He said that whereas in the past the region were hampered by a smooth communicational channel to relay its grouses, concerns and other issues to the ruling body, his position now allows for more direct contact. “This is not only historic but a big plus for the Caribbean region since all concerns will now be directly addressed at the level of the (AIBA) executive body,” explained Ninvalle. He views the direct link as critical to the development of the sport in the region and

d i s c l o s e d t h a t representatives of the various Caribbean associations will meet shortly to discuss the way forward including the possible resuscitation of a body to monitor boxing in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Presidents’ meeting was last convened in Barbados in June and it was at this meeting that Ninvalle was nominated for the AIBA post. He said that the regional executives are currently contemplating a date for the next meeting which would address critical matters towards the development of the sport in the region. Mr. Ninvalle further said that his feat was the cause for much rejoicing and this was justified since it was a long, hard struggle that was eventually won. “This has triggered resurged energy in the Caribbean and the region is still rejoicing,” proclaimed Ninvalle. Meanwhile, AIBA President, Ching-Kuo Wu, congratulated Ninvalle and expressed the desire to work with him to improve the sport even as he noted the stringent efforts of executives of Guyana and the Caribbean. The AIBA President feels that Ninvalle’s election is in recognition of his unshakable devotion to the development of boxing followed by the exceptional results achieved by Caribbean countries over the past years.


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Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

Copa Airlines flies with Plaisance clip Eagles’ wings Flex Night International for U-23 Five-a-side B/ball title - lucky fan to win return ticket to any of 69 destinations in 30 countries

Copa Airlines Country Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk (centre) hands over the signed Letter of Commitment to David Gomes, Flex Night Inc. Director of External Affairs in the presence of Managing Director, Donald Sinclair. By Franklin Wilson In a simple but historic ceremony, Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S . A . , { N Y S E : C PA } , yesterday inked an agreement with Flex Night Inc. organisers of the annual Flex Night Body Building and Fitness Show that will see a luck fan winning a return ticket to any of the 69 destinations and 30 countries the airline services. Signing the letter of commitment on behalf of Copa was Country Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk who said that the airline is pleased to be associated with the event which represents fitness and responsible bodybuilding. Signing on behalf of Flex Night Inc. was Director of External Resources David Gomes who, in delivering the vote of thanks praised Copa for partnering with Flex Night Inc. and was looking forward to the two entities working towards building a partnership that will last for a long time. Managing Director of Flex Night, Donald Sinclair in remarks stated that the partnership with Copa is one that is exciting not only for the

Directors of Flex Night and the athletes but for all the fans that would be buying a ticket to be at the show on December 7 at the National Cultural Centre. “Copa itself will have a presence at the National Cultural Centre on Flex Night not only to hand over the ticket to the lucky person but to tell the cultural centre audience about what they do. The motto of flex night of raising the bar, well I think this collaboration with Copa raises the bar 33,000 feet.” Sinclair also noted that this is the initial stage of the partnership; the two entities will be meeting after the show to discuss further. With their motto being, “Connected, everything is possible”, Oudkerk stated that Copa Airlines services several destinations of key importance to Guyanese travelers such as Miami, Toronto, Orlando and several others via its Hub of the Americas in Panama. “Since starting service to Guyana on July 11th, Copa Airlines has experienced unprecedented support from Guyana; the service has been well received by the travelling public, who has shared

positive reviews.” Copa Airlines flies twice weekly out of Guyana. Meanwhile, Sinclair informed that the weigh-in for athletes on December 7 would be at 15:00hrs at the National Cultural Centre. While the closing date for entries was Saturday last, Sinclair noted that they are still receiving entries. To date, a total of 32 male athletes and 9 females have registered. The male athletes will be pre-judged. The males will compete in the Men’s physique which will be open; the bodybuilding segment would see competition in the following categories: Under 143 lbs (64.8kgs), Under 154 lbs (69.8kgs), Under 165 lbs (74.8kgs), Under 176 lbs (79.8kgs), Over 176 lbs (79.8kgs+). On the distaff side there will be the Miss Bikini (Short class (Under 5ft. 4ins. – 162.6cms) and Tall class (over 5ft. 4ins. – 162.6 cms). There will also be the Miss Best Legs (Open). Tickets are on sale at $1500 each and fans are being urged to be early for show time at 18:00hrs since there would be open seating.

Show Stoppers win NEE/Stag Beer /Cell Smart Futsal title in Linden Show Stoppers defeated Plantain and Cheese 3-2 Saturday night to win the New Era Entertainment /Stag Beer/Cell Smart Futsal title and the $250,000 cash prize at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hardcourt in Linden.

Plantain All-star beat Russians in the third place playoff in penalty shoot out. The second placed team won $116,000 with a trophy while third got $91,000 with a trophy. The fourth placed team walked away with $41,000 and trophy.

Nikkoloi Smith’s Plaisance team members pose for a photo opportunity following their win at the National Gymnasium Sunday night. Nikkoloi Smith imposed his speed, skill and ballcontrol on Eagles Sunday night when he led the Plaisance team to victory in the Pepsi Sonics Under-23 Five-a-side competition at the National Gymnasium. Plaisance clipped Eagles’ wings for a 23-21 victory in the outdoor competition. Smith and guard Kelvin Yorrick ran riot against Eagles with Smith sending a

defender grazing along the concrete surface with a crossover dribble. Smith ended with a game high nine points for Plaisance. Rolston Richmond had eight points in the losing effort for Eagles. Smith’s absence from Colts, which is his club team, obviously forced them into third place. Colts won with a walkover win against the

Pepsi Sonics. For their victory, Plaisance took home $50,000, which Southland International sponsored while Smith also won the three-point contest that Giftland Office Max sponsored to the tune of $10,000. Automotive Essentials and Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs were the sponsors of the second and third place prizes.

National ruggers confident not... From page 31 means for rugby in Guyana and because we are going to win, opposing teams will have to look at us not us looking at them.” Green under whose stewardship Guyana added the 15’s title to its burgeoning collection after years of trying, in his remarks spoke of the importance of returning with the title. According to him, the recent success in the 15’s format, a version that had eluded them for a number of years, have really helped to transform the fortunes of the team, placing it in a very positive light, while also enabling the Union to gain much needed support readily in contrast to last year when a scarcity of funds prevented Guyana from confirming participation at the same event in the specified time. The GRFU Head pointed to the amalgamation of assistance from the Government, Private Sector and the Guyana Olympic

Association as tangible proof of a new era marked by success for the sport. He congratulated the overseas-based players for answering the call to return to represent their country, adding that because the stakes are high they’ve responded positively. Captain Gonsalves, who has been a very successful leader in his remarks, spoke of the high team spirit within the camp, while assuring those present that no team will be taken lightly. “We are a very strong unit and everybody is sticking together as a team, we know each other well, having played together for so long so it’s just another tournament for us,” he stated. Henry too spoke of the importance of winning the tournament which according to him will allow them to get back to playing at the highest level. Guyana open up against nemesis Mexico who beat them the last time the two

teams met. They next face the Cayman Islands, before closing the Group stage with an engagement against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Guyanese due to m i s s i n g l a s t y e a r ’s tournament is currently ranked 9th out of the twelve participating teams. Meanwhile, the full squad is: Vallon Adams, Dwayne Schroeder, Avery Corbin, Richard Staglon (ViceCaptain), Ryan Gonsalves (Captain), Leon Greaves, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Kevin McKenzie, Claudius Butts, Isiejah Allen and Patrick King. The two reserves are: Rickford Cummings and Lancelot Adonis. The Manager is Ret. Col. John Lewis, Head CoachTheodore Henry and Strength and Conditioning Trainer/ PhysiotherapistBarrington Browne. The team departs next Friday and return on December 5.


Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 25, 2014

Page 33

Pepsi Sonics stay unbeaten in PG III

Having selectors’ boss as Asst Coach/ Manager - Ravens survive Masters scare could cause discomfort in Jaguars dressing room

Jason Squires (right) releases a jumper just inside the three-point line with he defence flying in his face Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Jason Squires continued his strong offensive leadership for Pepsi Sonics Sunday night, ensuring his team remained unbeaten in a victory against Linden’s Victory Valley Royals when the third Phillip George Legacy tournament continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Squires shot his way to 18 points to lead all individual scores in Pepsi’s 78-69 win. His support came from Colis ‘Forty’ Pluck, who has improved his midrange game massively; Pluck had 15 points with Trevor Smith and Sheldon Frank adding 11 points each. For Royals, shooting guard, Chris Williams had 15 points, while Harold

Adams had 14 points as the Linden team that has marched up the ranks in the Mining Town after winning its anniversary tournament this year, suffered another defeat in Georgetown. Earlier in the night, top of the table, Nets had a walkover Berbice Rockers, which improved their record to 3-0, having also beaten Pacesetters and Ravens. Nets and Sonics, from opposing groups are bound for the semi-finals given their tournament record. Ravens almost got a scare on the night, when in another game without Coach, Darcel Harris they struggled against the Georgetown Masters, eventually eking out a 65-62

win in the final minutes of an encounter that featured an aging Masters team. In fact, the Master led throughout the game after taking the first quarter 1816; the Masters then led at halftime 32-26 and 47-43 after the penultimate period. It is in the final quarter that Ravens managed to stave off the team from yesteryear in the tournament. Jermaine Slater dominated the boards for 17 points with Dominic Vincente adding 10 points to control the offence for Ravens. Aubrey Young and Lugard Mohan had a good night against their former team before becoming RIBA referees with 19 and 16 points respectively.

Says Sean Devers In a world where many people are consumed by the lust for power and position, 35year-old Chairman of the Guyana cricket selectors and now Assistant Coach and Manager of the Guyana Jaguars is one of the nicest people you could meet and a man just doing his job to the best of his ability. However, appointing the former Guyana pacer, who has 56 wickets from 22 First-Class matches as Assistant Coach to Head Coach Esuan Crandon in addition to the position of team Manager, could create some level of discomfort in the Jaguars dressing room and cause unwanted stress on Griffith, especially after the departure of senior players Skipper Leon Johnson, Shiv Chanderpaul and Assad Fudadin who leave for a training camp this week ahead of the West Indies tour to South Africa. I have known Griffith since he was in the Guyana under-19 team and I am convinced that he is extremely knowledgably about the players he has to select and also about the technical aspects of cricket as a Coach. The verdict is still out on his managerial skills. Cricket Guyana Inc has replaced Alvin Johnson, who like Carl Moore before him never represented Guyana in cricket at any level. Both were excellent Managers. It is understood that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) wants to phase out Managers who have very little technical knowledge of cricket. But I believe if you have a competent Coach you don’t need a Manager whose

Rayon Griffith strength is coaching and you could still appoint an Assistant Coach along with a Manager if you so desire. The duties of a Manager includes being a Counsellor to the players when they are going through a bad patch, organising practice sessions, official functions, organising and verifying travel arrangements, looking after arrangements for internal transportation to the match and practice venues and taking ill or injured players to the hospital among others things. The Assistant Coach helps the Coach to set up practice equipment, help players with their training schedule, carry out fielding drills among other things. By making Griffith Manager and Assistant Coach, it will inadvertently rob one of the two duties of his commitment and time. But this plan, while I think is not the best one, can possibly work. But to make the Chairman of selectors, a man who is supposed to have the last say in picking or dropping players

from the team, responsible their performance, could be a dangerous thing and make life uncomfortable for the players. A Coach is supposed to ‘pull up’ players for nonperformance and tell them when they have let the team down. Having the Chairman of selectors constantly breathing down your neck and telling you have not performed could give that player the impression that he would be dropped from the squad especially if that player is batting for his place in the side and unsure of his selection. Those not selected initially could hold animosity for Griffith when that player is selected. I understand that some players feel uncomfortable when Griffith, who has a level two Coaching certificate (sometimes unconsciously), wears his selector’s hat in the dressing room. Holding all three positions gives Griffith too much power since the Chairman of selectors could hold a different view from the Manager or the Coach and presently Griffith holds the only opinion on matters. In addition the Manager has little say in selection of teams, especially on tours. This is usually done by the Captain, Vice-Captain and the Coach but being Chairman of selectors G r i ff i t h o v e r- r u l e t h e Coaches’ decision when it comes to selection matters. It is OK for the Chairman of selectors to tour with the team but he should not enforce his presence in the dressing room as the Manager or the Assistant Coach is mandated to do.

National ruggers confident not cocky-Australiabased Kevin McKenzie By Rawle Welch Cautioning that the team is not cocky, but confident, Australia-based national rugby player Kevin McKenzie, who returned to improve the potency of the team as they prepare to participate in the NACRA Sevens Tournament in Mexico, told the media yesterday that any team that scores against them should count themselves lucky. “This is the best Guyana team that I’ve played with, it

has more depth and I’ve never been more hyped going into a tournament like now,” McKenzie revealed to the media at Olympic House. The Briefing which was called to announce the final composition of the squad to participate in the tournament also had in attendance members of the team, Guyana Rugby Football Union President Peter Green, Secretary Terrence Grant, manager Ret. Col. John Lewis and Head Coach

Members of the national team pose for photo op with GRFU President Peter Green (right) and other officials yesterday at Olympic House. Theodore Henry. McKenzie, who is one of the most feared players on the team and who is

returning to the squad since 2011 when asked about the reception he received on his return, said that the response

from fellow members was positive, informing that the support he got is probably the best he has had.

“Everyone knows the importance of this tournament and what it (Continued on page 30)


t r o Sp Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition

Defending champs suffer

P.30

shock defeat to West Back Road - Hope Street of Tiger Bay impressive

Part of second night action in the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition at Demerara Park.

WICB four-day Franchise cricket

Permaul grabs career best 8-36 to lead Jaguars to 92-run win P.27

The end! Alton Bobb almost batted his team to safty before he was last out to Permaul during his 8-36.

Devon Smith gathers leg-side runs in a losing cause for the Volcanoes yesterday.

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