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ranks arrested AIETEUR Several for missing guns

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Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Friday Edition November 27, 2020 -Vol. 22 No.46

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Drug addict kills mother, stuffs body between wardrobe and bed

Price $80

- stabs 5-year-old niece with screwdriver

Online readership yesterday, 104,629

Breaking parliamentary list system vital to improve - Professor, South management of oilFlorida University Woman who killed brother in defence of sister-in-law charged Guyana-Suriname Misconduct in public office border to remain Ashni Singh, Winston closed until COVID-19 Brassington must cases decrease face Magistrate - Chief Justice ruling

Two-week bonus, Cop remanded risk allowance for all healthcare for sexual abuse of relative workers

Fisherman gets 20 years for raping, killing C.I. senior citizen

What did Guyana get from this US$30M? US Hedge Fund, Elliot Management, paid US$30M to the people to whom the PPP/C (Robert Persaud and Donald Ramotar) handed the Kaieteur oil block.

That US$30M is payment for only a tiny piece of the block. With all this money changing hands, the question is this: What did Guyana get from this arrangement?

That is the question Guyanese would like to have answered by Vice President Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Harmon. In case they are hard-ofhearing or suffer from human attention deficit, we repeat the question for Messrs. Jagdeo and Harmon: What did Guyana get from this arrangement?

We ask also, how will Guyanese benefit from the investment made through Cataleya Energy?

Can we expect anything, at any time, with this oil of ours, Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Harmon?

By the way, we commend, Mr. Jagdeo for saying that he would not tolerate Exxon importing bottled water.

We express thanks for the small start.

Now how about the bigger, material things like: What is Guyana going to get from this investment by Elliot Management Corp into Cataleya Energy?

Compliance, monitoring - former EPA head needed for sound Vincent Adams governance of oil sector

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Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

PAGE 03

Ashni Singh, Winston Brassington must face Magistrate

Misconduct in Public Office charges …

C

hief Justice (ag) Roxane GeorgeWi l t s h i r e h a s dismissed the challenge by recently re-appointed Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and new head of the Government’s gas-toshore project, Winston Brassington, over the misconduct in public office charges, which was brought against them by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).

In the decision, which was delivered at the High Court on Wednesday, the Chief Justice essentially ruled that Singh and Brassington must return to the Magistrate Court and face the charges.

The ruling comes one year after the challenge by

Singh and Brassington was heard by the Court. The duo had challenged the legality of charges for ‘Misconduct in Public Office’ noting that their positions specifically excluded them from being considered or described as ‘public officers’ under the Constitution of Guyana.

However, Kaieteur News understands that based on Wednesday’s decision, the CJ did not uphold this reasoning.

In an invited comment following the Court’s decision, attorneyat-law Sase Gunraj, explained that at this point the legal team for the two accused officials is exploring their options including their right to appeal the decision.

As it stands, he said their

- CJ ruling

Former NICIL head, Winston Brassington. case would return to the lower court for trial.

According to charges, Singh in his capacity as Minister of Finance and Chairman of the National

Breaking parliamentary list system vital to improve management of oil - Professor, South Florida University Professor of Economics at the University of South Florida, Dr. Tarron Khemraj, believes that there are several dynamic changes that need to be made to G u y a n a ’s g o v e r n a n c e structure if the country is to succeed in its management of oil, to secure maximum benefit for the people. The present system, he opines, promotes disunity.

One of these, Khemraj told Kaieteur Radio, involves promoting independence at the level of Parliament by breaking up the list system, allowing Members of Parliament (MP) to be more dependent on and be voted in by their local constituents instead of party loyalty.

“The list system has to g o . Yo u n e e d d i r e c t representation of independence, so an independent person doesn’t necessarily need to go and compete in national elections.” Dr. Khemraj said on the radio show, Petroleum 101.

If the Constitution is so reformed, Dr. Khemraj opines, “You can have a talented independent person from Essequibo Coast who is not part of one of the main political forces and can run for election or become a Member of Parliament,

Dr. Tarron Khemraj represent the locality.”

The present system requires persons desirous of being MPs to join the list of a political party.

The major political parties are or are led by parties, which have been around for decades, and tend to secure most of the votes, making it difficult for new, independent parties to break into the system.

While some MPs are selected based on the vote in the regional elections, this accounts for less than a third (20) of the 65 seats of the National Assembly, while the 45 other seats are decided based on the national vote using the “top-up” list.

Dr. Khemraj shared the view that voters may be more willing to “split” their vote, meaning they would vote for a member of one party for the p r e s i d e n c y, a n d a n independent or third party candidate as an MP for their constituency. He pointed to the United States, in which a voter may support a Republican as a senator, and a Democrat for the presidency, or vice versa.

He’s of the view that it would be more difficult to be elected to the presidency as a third party candidate early into such reform, but that that could change, a few decades down the line.

The Professor signaled that it might be difficult to bring about such change, seeing as the incumbent party benefits from how the current system allows them to consolidate power.

“So once you are the incumbent, you tend not to call for changes…

When the PPP was in power, prior to 2015, the calls for constitutional change were really from the PNCR side, and from other small opposition parties.”

Similarly, he said of the incumbent, “this Burnham constitution is very much loved in the PPP.” “The PPP thinks it can use the (Continued on page 30)

Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and Brassington as the head of NICIL—on May 14, 2011 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown— sold a tract of land being 10.002 acres of Plantation Turkeyen, East Coast of Demerara - property of the state of Guyana for the sum of $185,037,000 without first having procured a v alu atio n o f th e s aid property from a competent valuation officer.

It is further alleged that D r. A s h n i S i n g h a n d Brassington on December 30, 2008 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase without due diligence, sold to Scady Business Corporation, a 4.7 acres tract portion of Plantation Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, for $150M knowing that the said property was valued at $340M by Rodrigues Architects Associate, a competent valuation officer.

A similar charge alleged that the two on December 28,

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

2009 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, a tract of land at Plantation Liliendaal, Pattensen and Turkeyen, situated on the East Coast of Demerara, 103 acres, being property of the State of Guyana for the sum of $598,659,398 (VAT exclusive) without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer.

The last charge against the duo states that: “Dr. Ashni Singh, being and performing duties of

Minister of Finance and Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, a company owned by the Government of Guyana; and Brassington, being and performing duties as the Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, a company owned by the Government of Guyana; between October 26, 2010 and December 20, 2010 at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to Queens Atlantic Investment I n c . , S a n a t a Te x t i l e s Complex, with building and erections thereon, that is to say, Parcel 4702, Part of Plantation Ruimveldt, situated on the East Bank Demerara, being 18.871 acres, for $697,864,800 plus VAT, knowing that the said property was valued at the sum of $1,042,403,500 and was therefore being sold at a price that was grossly undervalued, thereby creating a breach of their duties.”

In relation to the first three charges, the men were each released on $6M bond by the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kaieteur News

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Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Missing Guns First, it was missing money, then missing guns at the GPF. Guns for crimes committed, linkages gone; people will have to be freed, crimes continue to flourish, because people can make things happen at any place they wish in this society.

They get politicians, who take their money to go through contortions behind-the-scenes to get things done for them. These include removing existing regulations, diminishing what is on the books by an unstated policy of non-intervention when there is non-compliance, or by delaying under one cover or another much-needed amendments to close loopholes and hold violators accountable.

Similarly, guns in official custody for legitimate reasons are made to disappear because of illegal conduct on the inside, which partners with criminal elements on the outside to evade law and justice. This is one businesslike society, where everything has a price, could be had for the right price, once the right people are engaged.

When this occurs in everyday commerce, we lament and rightly so. When the same things happen in the GPF, then there is cause for great alarm. At first glance, it cannot be constables and those from the lower tiers orchestrating and executing the unofficial and criminal removal of over 150 weapons. It does not matter if those guns were transferred out in one fell swoop (which looks unlikely), or they were moved by the batch, or even one at a time. What is relevant is that sensitive items that were under lock and key, and as we would think robust documentation, as well as constant attention, have taken on a life of their own and walked through the door into the unknown.

Well, it should not be too difficult to trace those at the door with the keys, and those with the authority to sign for the movement or release of the now missing weapons. It has to be a small number of those likely to be involved, which consisted of senior and junior officers. In fact, it should be well known in the GPF, as to who were responsible and for what period. In addition, any changing of the guard had to be accompanied by actual physical checks of what was being handed over and efforts made to ensure that the number of pieces aligned perfectly with what was recorded in the books.

It, therefore, bends the mind to understand how “over 150 guns” could disappear while under tight police guard.

It comes down to the usual, now settled, Guyanese way of life where things happen because there are those who want them to happen, and people in professional ranks, who are there to do their part happen. Both (the ones seeking certain kinds of favors and those known to aid and abet, through proven performance) are well equipped to deliver on their respective roles. The seekers have money that can move mountains and men, while the doers in the bureaucratic ranks have the positions that give them power to fill illegal needs.

This is what the law abiding is faced with in this society.

The poor and bottom of the ladder citizens are forced to take whatever comes their way in the form of justice, with much injustice being their lot.

On the other hand, those with deep pockets are in a position to carve out their own brand of justice by moving police officers, court officers, prison officers, and a host of other public service officers to arrange outcomes that are pleasing to both outside initiator and the rogue operators on the inside. This is what makes the tracing of prints in the 11 tons of cocaine caper go up in smoke. This is what makes in excess of 150 guns leave police custody and sleuths scrambling to put the missing pieces together.

Now some of those guns form the basis of possible court action; with them gone, charges and the strength of cases behind them become extremely uncertain. It is not so farfetched as to conclude that dismissals would have to follow. Thus, it is more than guns gone. Rather, it is of justice violated, and those of a criminal bent have more opportunities to do worse using those same guns, or more.

The time for petty partisan politics and childish behaviour within City Council is over Dear Editor, I must admit to being gobsmacked when I read that a City Councillor from the Georgetown Municipality was ejected from a statutory meeting for having his cell phone on and in camera mode during the proceedings of that forum. Clearly the City Council continues to suffer from an epidemic of combined stupidity and hubris. How much longer must the citizens of Georgetown be subjected to receiving such poor service, whilst their representatives sit and squabble over very trivial matters?

Since when a meeting of City Mothers and Fathers has become a meeting of the Triad? Why all the secrecy and clandestine behaviour?

Is there not a public gallery w i t h i n t h e C o u n c i l ’s chambers where any member of the public is welcome to sit in and listen to the goings-on of the Council? Isn’t the statutory meeting of Council a public forum where the City’s business is discussed openly?

In Guyana members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places

and the Mayor has no power to stop a Councillor from filming or photographing incidents within City Hall which is a public place.

The ubiquity of camera phones has turned every layperson into a semiprofessional photographer.

Sometimes, those very photos and videos even end up changing the course of his tory, or igniting a movement. What is the Mayor afraid of?

Someone needs to tell the Mayor about democratic freedom and the social concept that recognizes the dignity of individuals. His

request for the Councillor to turn in his telephone to have its contents examined by an IT technician of the Council is just preposterous.

Guyanese are protected from unlawful search and seizure, and have the right to be secure in their, “persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” This is not the days of the wild, wild West.

The time for bullyism, petty partisan politics and childish behaviour within the City Council is over.

Yours truly, Sambu Jacobus

The Ethnic Relations Commission is still trapped by an old and ineffective approach Dear Editor, The Ethnic Relations Commission announced last week its plan to host a national conversation on ethnic relations to, according to its press release, “have frank and open discussions to capture diverse views on factors that impede ethnic h a r m o n y a n d recommendations for the compilation of a report, to be submitted to the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders for implementation.” The event is slated for mid-December, will span two days, and will give face time to political leaders, youths, and local and overseas presenters.

Following the horrific incidents in WCB a few months ago, the ERC was intensely criticized for doing too little too late. Most likely, the commission would think that its two-day national conversation is a robust response both to the WCB events and to its critics. The ERC would be wrong to so assume.

To be sure, Guyana needs a national conversation on fostering good ethnic relations, but mainly of a different sort from the ERC’s two-day talk shop. The main national conversation must instead occur at the c o m m u n i t y a n d i n t e rcommunity levels. As the

WCB incident showed (if further evidence was needed), it is at these levels that the fear, pain and suffering of bad ethnic relations play out. Highprofile conferences in Georgetown, involving political leaders, dignitaries, and academics, reach only so far. The ERC would be badly mistaken should it believe that such talk shops should be its leading tool in fulfilling its vast constitutional mandate. The report from its December event, it is an easy bet to make, could essentially be written as early as today. We would have heard the s p e e c h e s a n d

recommendations before.

And we can predict that any palliative value of such a conversation would quickly fade.

Guyana and the ERC must try something else, something more grassroots, more structured, and more durable. That “something else” must be a focus on working at the community and inter community levels.

So convinced, I submitted to the ERC in September the following three recommendations: 1) the ERC should promote the mushrooming of grassroots community or intercommunity ethnic relations (Continued on page 6)

Peeping Tom’s criticisms of UG are baseless and useless Dear Editor, Having read Peeping Tom‘s column of November 23, 2020, on UG, I feel compelled to join the numerous persons who have flayed To m f o r t h e unwarranted and illinformed negativity. That it is an attempt to ridicule, rather than to do a critique, is validated by its reference to ‘what use to be’.

What is the relevance of “there was a time, a few years ago, when persons with first degrees were allowed to lecture at UG” to a current evaluation of UG, which is not comparative across periods and only identifies the negatives? In essay writing, that is like

padding the argument with irrelevant information.

T h a t t h e To m h a s engaged in a baseless and malicious excursion is exemplified by the following propositions: ‘… every year dozens of students with the requisite qualifications are not accepted into the Law and Medicine programmes because places are limited’.

“The obvious solution should have been to expand the number of places to meet the demand for these programmes”. One can hardly be more ludicrous.

A student only qualifies as an Attorney-at-Law after completing the Legal Education Certificate. Only twenty-five law graduates,

from UG, are allow to enter Law School, annually, to read for that certificate. UG already admits and graduates in excess of twenty-five law students, each year.

Is the Tom suggesting that UG should graduate persons to kick brick in the interest of making more money? In the instance of medicine, clinical rotations have to be undertaken from year three through to the fifth year.

This requires practicing specialists, teaching hospitals and a sufficient number of patients across specialist subjects.

We simply have limited capacity in that regard, in Guyana. Should UG flout

those requirements in the interest of money?

In fact, the accrediting body would not permit such a practice.

Those are but two e x a m p l e s o f To m ‘ s tomfoolery.

There is much to be done to improve the quality of service provided, at UG. But, Peeping Tom‘s criticisms are baseless and useless.

Apparently, he wishes to equate UG to himself as he seeks to make his quota of o n e c o l u m n p e r d a y.

Education is about quality not quantity, as seems to be the case with some columnists.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Friday November 27, 2020

Suriname-based Guyanese busted with cocaine in book, make-up remanded

T

hree days after a woman was allegedly busted with close to two kilograms of suspected cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), she was yesterday remanded to prison.

The defendant, Tommy A n n B u n b u r y, 4 2 , a Suriname-based Guyanese, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce in the D i a m o n d / G r o v e Magistrate’s Court.

It is reported that

Bunbury told investigators that she is a mother of seven children and is originally from Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) but resides in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Bunbury denied the charge that was read to her which alleged that on November 23, 2020, at CJIA, she had in her possession a quantity of suspected cocaine. The drugs were hidden in a book, her make-up, personal hygiene items and office

stationeries.

Magistrate Scarce remanded the woman to prison until December 23, 2020, for disclosure of statements.

According to a statement from the Customs AntiNarcotic Units (CANU) on Monday, ranks busted a woman with a quantity of suspected cocaine. Bunbury was held just before she boarded a New York flight.

The release stated that an officer was tasked with searching the woman’s

suitcase and a handbag she was carrying at the time.

Inside her handbag, the suspected cocaine was discovered neatly concealed in her nail polish covers, a hardcover book, deodorants, mascara and permanent

markers.

She was immediately detained and taken into custody.

It is reported that Bunbury told the investigating ranks that she is a food vendor and only

Remanded: Tommy Ann Bunbury.

returns to Guyana periodically to fulfill her immigration obligations.

It was later revealed that Bunbury had travelled from Suriname to Guyana on Saturday to board Monday’s flight to New York.

The items in which the suspected cocaine were found.

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Who next, Venezuela?

One day after returning from an official visit to Suriname, the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, met with the Brazilian Foreign Minister in Georgetown. It is now being suggested that President Bolsonaro is likely to visit Guyana next year.

The President has thus within one week met with high-level officials of two of t h e c o u n t r y ’s t h r e e neighbours, Suriname and Brazil. Who is next, Venezuela?

The former Coalition government was belligerent in its relations with the Maduro administration. That belligerence was selfserving. It was intended to lay the foundation for Guyana to opt out of a negotiated settlement of the territorial dispute and to move towards a juridical settlement. Guyana has been encouraged to go in this direction and that encouragement may not have necessarily been without some personal interest by persons whose influence weighed heavily on the former Coalition government.

Instead of seeking to improve those relations, the PPP/C – due to a palpable lack of experience – does not seem inclined to improve relations with Venezuela.

Guyana is now firmly toeing the American line and insisting in democratic elections in Venezuela.

It seems to be lost on the Ali administration that Venezuela has the best electoral system in the world and has a legitimate President. Guyana must refuse to be led on a leash by the Lima Group which is bent on delegitimizing the

Dem

boys seh...

Maduro administration. The Guyana Government is going to regret its policy of seeking to isolate Venezuela in order to curry favour with the Americans.

Guyana has always been deluded into believing that Brazil is an ally when it comes to Venezuela. But Brazil had her own interest in the 1960s when Venezuela re-staked its claim to the Essequibo.

Brazil acted out of her own interests, rather than Guyana’s. It would be a mistake for Guyana to continue to habour the idea that Brazil will always come to their rescue whenever there is a problem with Venezuela.

The former PNC/R has consistently peddled the narrative about Brazil siding with Guyana in relation to Venezuela. This is an untenable argument. Brazil is not siding with Guyana. It is siding with itself. Brazil and Guyana has enjoyed good-neighbourly relations but Brazil must never be counted on to take any sides in any territorial dispute.

Having friendly relations and being friends are two different things. Brazil is no friend when it comes to Guyana. It was Brazil which moved to the World Trade Organization to challenge the EU sugar regime. The result of course has meant the end of preferential access of sugar into the European market.

Ve n e z u e l a , u n d e r Chavez and Maduro, has been more a friend to Guyana than Brazil. Brazil has never offered the sort of concessions which Venezuela offered under Petrocaribe.

Takuba Lodge has to make an assessment as to why the Brazilian Foreign Minister came to Guyana.

There had to be reasons why he came in the midst of a pandemic and instead of getting all excited, it is the duty of the Foreign Ministry to try to understand what are Brazil’s’ present motivations.

Nationalism is now the dominant ideology in Brazil.

Its leader is seen as the Donald Trump of South America and therefore it needs to be questioned why is there now talk about him coming to Guyana. What is he going to come here to do?

And why should he be welcomed in Guyana?

The Ali administration is so obsessed with economic relations that in pressing for cooperation in aquaculture, infrastructural development and trade, no mention was made of security which makes one wonder just who is responsible for developing the country’s foreign policy.

If, like the PNC/R, the PPP/C believes in the narrative that Brazil is a counterfoil to any possible Venezuelan aggression, then how can it not see security as being its primary interest in any talks with Brazil?

Security and stability has to be on Guyana’s mind when it comes to Brazil. The visit by the Brazilian Foreign Minister comes a mere two weeks before parliamentary elections are due to be held in Ve n e z u e l a . I s t h e r e something which is being fomented between Washington and Brasilia and they are seeking the support of Guyana?

President Ali and his government had better begin

Coronavirus tests tekkin’ longer to reach dan de CXC final results

Uncle Frank seh dem now gat three tests fuh de coronavirus. But dem boys know a fourth one. It is called de paper test. Dem boys seh that India develop de test and it fairly reliable.

Dem boys asking why not bring de paper test which would allow people fuh test themselves Wan man seh he want to tek all three tests. So that if one wrong, de others gan pick up de mistake. It nah look like he understand de difference between the tests.

Dem boys wan know how come the testing

numbers fluctuating so much. Some days it high and some days it low. Guyana gat a high positive rate relative to the number of tests it does.

Just less than one in every five persons tested positive.

This says that testing levels is far too low. But don’t tell that to the Government. In the age of air travel and Internet, it tekkin’ weeks fuh certain tests fuh reach Guyana. Dat is not good at all.

What is also not good is that it is now likely dat de

vaccine will be made available in some countries before Christmas, but nobody ain’t talking yet about when it gan reach Guyana and if it coming with de slow train.

Things getting serious with de virus in de world.

And it getting serious in Guyana. Every two to three days is 100 or more persons testing positive. And we know that when that happens, we can expect more people to die.

Talk half and nah ask de Government about when de tests arriving.

to understand better what is taking place with the country’s neighbours. All this talk about infrastructural development and aquaculture and trade may be based on false assumption of just why the Brazilian Foreign Minister is paying a

sudden visit to Guyana.

And why is President Ali not seeking to mend fences with Maduro? Surely that is equally important to Guyana’s future as relations with Suriname and Brazil.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Friday November 27, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The PNC betrayed African Guyanese; here is the evidence Leonard Craig and Michael Carrington are two of the better young people politics has produced. I say this because I knew them moons ago before they found a place in the AFC leadership. I taught Craig at UG; I knew Carrington a long, long time ago. Craig has resigned from the AFC. I would urge Carrington to do the same ASAP. I would urge President Ali to reach out to them. They are not party diehards even in the remotest way. When their party, the AFC, got into power, I urged both of them to raise their voices. This exhortation I exhibited countless times. I will never forget a conversation between me and Craig over the phone. I called to chastise him on an unpalatable thing an AFC executive had said about the ethnic reality in Guyana. I admonished him for sitting

in silence at that meeting.

This was something no patriotic Guyanese should ever utter. It is so sickening I cannot repeat it. I will not reveal the person’s name to you if I do not know you because you are not going to come even close to pushing me up the steps of the High Court. I will reveal what was said only. My cell is 6145927. My email is fredkissoon@yahoo.com.

Of course, you could ask Craig too.

H e r e w a s C r a i g ’s explanation. He said when you are in the leadership of a party, there are times when things come up that should never come up, you give one to the party. Those were his words. He went on to say that this is what party leadership demands, that there are times you just don’t rock the boat.

He went on to explain that he thinks I do not hold such an

attitude and that explains why I am never, and have never been, in political organizations.

Craig knows me a long time, and he is right. I come now to the relevance of the background above. If I was in the PNC hierarchy, and in 2016 the PNC had withdrawn the amendment to the anti-narcotic act that was on the Order Paper of the House, I would have walked straight into the office of the president, and tell him to get out of my country and my party. Were I in the AFC’s war room, I would have told my leader to jump in the ocean with Jaws after the Bill was scuttled.To date not one of the clowns that purport to speak for African Guyanese and who are supposed to fight India hegemony to protect African-Guyanese and see they have a place in the sun has spoken out

against what happened to that Bill in 2016. Let us briefly recap the betrayal of African Guyanese. The APNU+AFC promised in its 2015 manifesto to remove the draconian section of the law that jails possessors of small amounts of ganja.Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron drafted the amendment to be read in the n a m e o f A F C parliamentarian, Michael Carrington. It was put on the Order Paper to be tabled and read. The PPP stated it would support the legislation. In the same year, it was taken off the Order Paper.

To this day, one human in Guyana has publicly stated why the Bill was shelved.

That person is Michael Carrington who told a media house that Amna Ally, Chief Whip at the time, told him President Granger was uncomfortable with the

legislation. The only boldness Granger has shown as president in relation to the rejection of the Hughes/Carringt on Bill was to publicly state that Guyana has to be careful how it copies from other c o u n t r i e s . M r.

Granger never displayed testicular Frederick Kissoon boldness in facing the a foreign visa because no nation on his decision to c o nviction would be shelf the Bill. recorded against their name.

This week, AttorneySo in 2021, an Indian General, Anil Nandlall, informed the nation that the dominated government will legislation would soon be remove a monster that has changed. I would ask the AG devoured young African to note that in Jamaica, legal Guyanese. How can African possession is 40 grams and in Guyanese in and out of this Trinidad, those convicted country support these and jailed for small amounts betrayers who say they are were released and their files fighting for the African expunged from the record. It Guyanese future and against means that they can apply for a n I n d i a n d o m i n a t e d government that will discriminate African Guyanese? My honest advice to the PPP leadership is to reach out to African Guyanese in genuine ways, so Guyana can chase the PNC, ACDA and their apologists to the circus in Russia.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday November 27, 2020

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Friday November 27, 2020

Drug addict kills mother, stuffs body between wardrobe and bed -stabs 5-year-old niece with screwdriver

T

he Good Intent community was thrown into a state of shock yesterday as news spread that a drug addict brutally murdered his mother and left his five-year-old niece battling for her life in the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Allegedly beaten and stabbed to death by her own son is Jenifer Anderson, 62, popularly as ‘Aunty Judith’ of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Police, however, believe that more than one persons participated in the heinous crime.

The woman’s body was found a little after midday, hidden under a pile of clothes stuffed between her bed and

wardrobe.

Prior to the discovery, her severely injured granddaughter only five, turned up close to 08:00hrs at the home of a relative, heavily traumatized. One of her uncles told Kaieteur News that she was brought to his home by the individual in a bloody state.

He recalled asking her what happened and her response was “Uncle Devon choke meh” and “he choke Granny and beat she up and took her to hospital.”

The uncle rushed out with the little girl and took her to the hospital where he inquired about his mother.

The staffers there told him, he recounted, that she was not a patient there. The

man claimed that he left his niece there and went back to her two-storey house. He began searching for his mother but couldn’t find her anywhere.

His attention was then grabbed by a pile of clothes, he said, stuffed between her bed and the wardrobe. He remembered removing all the clothes only to find his mother lying in a pool of blood with lacerations to her face.

The police were alerted immediately and arrived at the scene shortly after. News of the gruesome discovery spread through the community and many turned up at her house.

Persons living close by did not recall hearing any

screams or noises coming from her house.

In a video seen by this publication her children and other close relatives broke down in tears as the undertakers removed her body form the house.

According to family members, doctors who examined her body said that she was stabbed with a sharp object at least 72 times.

Doctors also told them that her granddaughter also received several stabs to her abdomen. “It’s a miracle that she survived,” said one of the relatives who spoke with Kaieteur News.

Last evening whilst cleaning up Anderson’s room, family members found a bloodied screw driver on her bed believed to be the murder weapon.

Kaieteur News learnt that the son, Devon Anderson, 31, was captured by police late last evening.

Sources close to the investigation said that it appears that the son did not a c t a l o n e .

Family members revealed that he was into drugs and would constantly steal from his mother and abuse her.

“He does not live with her, but would still go to her home and cause trouble. He was arrested and locked-up multiple times,” said one relative.

In fact, he had only recently come out of jail- two months ago.

As her friends and family attempt to come to grips with (Continued on page 26)

Murdered: Jenifer ‘Judith’ Anderson

The house in which Jenifer was murdered

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday November 27, 2020

CEO: GuySuCo tractors will cost - less than satisfactory response forced $1.2B not $1.45B Corporation to use Louisiana company T

he state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) says that it is going ahead with the purchase of 44 USmanufactured tractors, as part of the retooling of its estates.

However, the $1.45B price tag quoted in a report

by Kaieteur News on Tuesday has been reduced to about $1.2B. On Tuesday, Kaieteur

News reported that the cashstrapped GuySuCo, which is reopening three of four the closed estates, was supposed to take to its Board of Directors the proposal for the purchase. It is unclear whether that board meeting took place.

The news raised eyebrows about the decision to purchase at this time and the price tag.

However, Chief Executive Officer (ag),

Sasenarine Singh, was able to throw light on the decision.

In two recordings he made, released to the newspaper, the official ex p lain ed th at in th e National Budget for 2020, the Government of Guyana had allocated $3B to support GuySuCo. The procurement of the tractors under consideration is part of that allocation.

He explained that

GuySuCo, because of the urgency of the situation, established a special team, which embarked on an “accelerated procurement” programme to ensure that the sugar estates acquire the required tools.

Leading up the belated swearing in of President Irfaan Ali in August, there were only three estates functioning - Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

GuySuCo is moving to re-open three estates closed by the Coalition Government - Skeldon Rose Hall and Enmore.

Singh said that the corporation went to the private sector for tractors but the response was less than satisfactory. GuySuCo then

GuySuCo’s CEO, Sasenarine Singh , decided to procure “sugar specific” tractors.

According to the CEO, the cost of the tractors comes in at around $1.2B for the 44

Cameco branded models.

According to Singh, GuySuCo turned to Game Equipment, a Napoleonville, Louisiana company that specializes in sugar cane loaders, haulers and planters.

Singh insisted that the reality is that tilling is everything in the sugar market, and unless there is tilling, there will be no p r o d u c t i o n .

It was pointed out that Albion estate was supposed to have 16 functional tilling tractors - they currently have eight half-functional ones.

In fact, he says, tilling operations right now across the industry is 40% of GuySuCo’s budget.

It was stressed that the (Continued on page 25)

GuySuCo insisted that its plans to buy 44 articulated tractors would not cost $1.45B but around $1.2B.

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

Works underway to ease Lusignan Prison overcrowding Rehabilitation works have started at the Lusignan Prison to provide adequate spacing for inmates in light of the COVID-19 preventative measures.

This was disclosed by Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn, during a sideline interview at the launch of the National Road Safety Week 2020 on Monday.

“At the Lusignan Prison, we have completed the designs for three types of prison buildings. The Central Government has promised the money to be made available for work to start now, and work has already started,” Minister Benn said, in a Department of Public Information statement.

These projects will provide adequate social distancing and separation of the different types of

offenders, with one of the designs expected to a c c o m m o d a t e approximately 1,000 prisoners.

M inis ter Benn had visited the Lusignan Prison in August, where he was briefed on the prison population, security issues and COVID-19 challenges.

“Prisoners of all categories of criminality are mixed up. We immediately started to do things in relation to social distancing [where] - we carried 60 persons to the Mazaruni Prison,” Minister Benn reflected on that visit.

In October, 290 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19, and some prison officers were also infected.

Additionally, Minister Benn said that virtual court hearings will now be made available for persons on remand.

The virtual hearings are

underway through a team effort by the judiciary, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

The Lusignan prison became critical, after arson killed several inmates and leveled several buildings at the Camp Street prison, a few years ago.

The prisoners were temporarily moved to Lusignan, with early release programmes and other measures taken to ease the overcrowding.

In recent months, several high-profile escapes of murder and robbery accused, rocked the Lusignan prisons, raising questions.

Recently, a prison officer was remanded after a significant quantity of ganja was found in his room.

There were even attempts for mass escapes and arson at the prison.

PAGE 15

The Lusignan prison is up for a major upgrade so that inmates can be better separated.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Two Zeelugt men remain Police warns local women of Facebook scam in custody for brutal Meten-Meer-Zorg robberies T Two men who are suspected of allegedly beating and robbing four persons at MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, are in custody.

Region Three Commander, Errol Watts, disclosed that the two men are still in custody assisting with the investigation.

The four victims were identified as Shiradatt Ramlall, 25; Paul Jaipaul, 25; Rakesh Pitamber, 29, all of Railway View, Meten-Meer-Zorg, and Aneela Raghemoudan, age 33, a housewife of Seafield, Leonora.

According to the police report, the robbery occurred at around 18:30 hrs. on Tuesday.

Based on the information received, the victims were heading home, when the two identifiable males on a red and white XR motorcycle approached them.

The victims reportedly told police that one of the males, who was wearing a white vest took out a silver object suspected to be a handgun, and dealt Ramlall, Jaipaul, and Pitamber several blows to their faces.

The report further revealed that Ramlall was robbed of two cellphones and cash, Raghemoudan was robbed of her phone and cash, while Jaipaul was robbed of his chain, ring and his cellphone. Pitamber was robbed of his cellphone and cash.

The men reportedly escaped in an unknown direction.

Investigators disclosed that a search was conducted within the area and two 23-yearold residents of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo were found along with a motorcycle fitting the description.

They were taken into the custody.

Investigations are still ongoing.

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is warning persons of an ongoing scam via the Facebook application, targeting Guyanese women.

In a statement released yesterday, the GPF’s Public Relations and Press Officer, Royston Andries-Junor, said that the persons conducting the scam were pretending to be of Nigerian nationality.

He stated that they would usually send a friend request to the potential victim on Facebook, then proceed to message them once the request is accepted.

Further, he disclosed that the perpetrators would request their mobile telephone number so that they can communicate better

via WhatsApp. “As time progresses, the mastermind, who is apparently residing overseas, expresses an amorous interest in the intended victim and indicates that he would be sending some gifts for her, i n c l u d i n g j e w e l l e r y, ” Andries shared.

Following this, he said, the women would receive a call from someone pretending to be employed at a s h i p p i n g c o m p a n y, claiming that a box has arrived at the airport for them, but scanning was conducted by Customs officials and it was found that money was in the box.

Since shipping money is “illegal”, the imposter would

then threaten prosecution.

They would request that the victim pay various sums of money to avoid facing the law and to uplift the box and its contents.

The victims are required to pay the money to identified individuals through money transfer services or a post office and once they pay the money, the perpetrator is never heard from again, leaving the defrauded women in despair, according to Andries.

"Guyanese: No more 'Nancy stories' from leaders; DEMAND they tell ALL on our wealth."

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Woman kills brother in defence of sister-in-law charged with manslaughter - placed on bail The woman, who allegedly stabbed and killed her brother in a bid to protect her sister-in-law, yesterday appeared in court on a manslaughter charge. She was placed on bail.

Lashena Morgow, age 31, was charged with manslaughter and placed on $250,000 bail for the murder of her brother, Alex Morgow, age 20, both of Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo.

The accused appeared at the Wales Magistrates Court before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty where the charged was read to her. She was not required to plea to the indictable charge. Morgow is slated to return to court on December 16th.

According to the police report, Alex Morgow, a fisherman, was stabbed to death at around 17:45hrs on Sunday by his sister at his oneflat wooden home.

Based on the information received, the woman committed the act in retaliation to him beating his common-law wife. It was reported that he was intoxicated when she committed the act.

The reports further stated that Morgow’s wife, Joyana Atkinson, and his sister went to the Parika market earlier that day to do some shopping.

On the way back, they stopped at a friend’s house, where they began imbibing Guinness.

They reportedly spent two hours there before heading

Charged: Lashena Morgow. home. Upon their arrival, Morgow confronted his wife about a meal she had prepared for him.

There was an argument and the sister-in-law was shoved to the ground where she was kicked.

The accused reportedly scolded her brother and was told to stay out. The woman allegedly headed to the kitchen, returned with a knife and stabbed him to the region of the heart during a confrontation.

He later died.

The police were summoned to the scene, where they arrested the sister. They recovered the suspected murder weapon in her handbag.

The body was removed and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where it was further examined by a doctor before it was sent to the morgue.

Prisoner hospitalized after being stabbed to the abdomen A prisoner is now hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after he was stabbed to the abdomen, following an argument between him and another inmate.

The incident occurred at the Lusignan Prison.

Nursing a stab wound to the abdomen is Diquan Hamilton, a convicted prisoner, currently serving a two-year sentence for attempted robbery.

According to the Guyana Prison Service, the incident occurred at around 10:27 hrs. yesterday.

Based on the information received, Hamilton was in an argument with another

inmate, Shadrack King aka ‘Mark King,’ who is currently serving time for robbery.

The argument reportedly resulted in a fight.

An alarm was raised and both prisoners were taken to the prison infirmary, where it was discovered that King had suffered a stab wound to his left forearm while Hamilton received a single penetrating wound to his abdomen.

GPS reported that Hamilton was referred to the GPHC for further medical attention where he was admitted.

His condition is listed as non-life threatening.

The police was informed and have launched an investigation into the matter.

PAGE 17

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Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Friday November 27, 2020

Lowenfield matter postponed as magistrates attend seminar

A

s the probe continues into electoral fraud allegations, the matter against Keith Lowenfield, the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), is postponed for next month.

Lowenfield is facing six electoral fraud charges that were instituted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Those six charges include three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery.

Lowenfield was released on a total of $300,000 bail for those charges.

The matter is being heard

by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The matter was expected to continue yesterday, but due to a seminar/conference the Magistrates had to attend, the matter was postponed.

However, when the matter continues, Magistrate McGusty will receive submissions from Lowenfield’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, and the prosecution, as to why the matter should be heard in the Magistrates’ Courts as opposed to going

to the High Court before a judge and a jury, as requested

by Hughes.

Last month, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, withdrew the private criminal charges that were filed against Lowenfield.

During an interview with reporters, Hughes had stated that the court was informed that the DPP has taken the decision to withdraw the three private criminal charges that were filed against Lowenfield on June 30, 2020 by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member, Desmond

Morian and The New Movement Party (TNM) executive, Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai.

Kaieteur News was informed that the private criminal charges were withdrawn because the State has instituted similar charges against Lowenfield.

Under Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the DPP has the power to discontinue the charges against Lowenfield.

According to Article 187: “The Director of Public Prosecutions (referred to in this article as ‘the Director’),

shall have power in any case in which he or she considers it desirable to do so – (a) to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court, other than a court martial, in respect of any offence against the law of Guyana; (b) to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other person or authority; and (c) to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or her or any other person or authority.”

Police had announced last August that they will be conducting a comprehensive investigation into the criminal conduct of Lowenfield; the Returning

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo; and others in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and the events that followed.

During the ongoing probe, several GECOM officials were arrested and placed before the courts.

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Brazil’s president to visit next year; Guyana looks to access COVID-19 vaccines from that country -agreements signed for energy, trade, oil and gas, security collaborations -President Ali says road link high on the agenda

P

resident Irfaan Ali y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n announced an amplification in bilateral relations between Guyana and Brazil, after a fruitful meeting among highlevel government officials from both countries.

The Guyanese President, who returned yesterday morning from Suriname after a four-day official state visit, said that the meeting was a follow-up and will see all three countries (including Brazil) connecting at many levels.

“We’re talking about the integration of the Guiana Shield and link to Brazil.

That discussion started in Suriname,” a statement of the Office of the President said.

Ali said that high on the agenda is the paving of the Linden to Lethem road, which will facilitate trade and investments between the two nations.

“That road link is linked to the port development, so for that issue we have set up a special committee that will be led by the ministers’ technical teams, so we can advance the work and move, not only to the

conceptualization, but closer to the implementation of this project. Both sides have committed fully to this development—via a joint approach.”

In the Brazilian meeting, which was led by the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd and his Brazilian counterpart, Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Ernesto Araújo, both countries are also agreeing to the implementation of the “International Road Transport Agreement.”

Araújo and a team arrived yesterday in Guyana from Brazil.

Several other highranking government officials, including Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Attorney General, Anil Nandlall; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, also met with the Brazilian delegation.

President Ali said that the discussions were riveting and included key areas of focus, (Continued on page 28 )

President Ali meeting with the Brazilian delegation yesterday.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Friday November 27, 2020

Fisherman gets 20 years for raping, killing C.I. senior citizen Jaipaul Hitlall, 45, a fisherman of Sea View, Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in prison after he admitted to killing senior citizen, Bibi Keniez.

Hitlall was initially charged for murder in the furtherance of a rape. He, nonetheless, admitted to the killing yesterday, just before as a voir dire (trial within a trial) was about to commence at the High Court

before Justice Navindra Singh.

The fisherman pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, for the death of the 65-year-old woman which occurred between October 2nd and 3rd, 2016, at her Cornelia Ida, (CI) home.

Giving the facts of the case, State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker disclosed that Hitlall had entered the woman’s home while under the influence of alcohol and

violated not only the sanctity of her home but her body as well.

After raping the woman, Bakker said Hitlall then proceeded to stab her some 22 times, as revealed by an autopsy.

His lawyer, Adrian Thompson, asked the court for leniency noting that his client attempted to mend his ways via participation in rehabilitative programs offered by the prisons.

However, after

considering both the aggravating and mitigating factors, Justice Navindra Singh told Hitlall that his actions were heinous and that he would be spending the next 20 years behind bars- no time was deducted from the sentence.

Last year, Hitlall was sentenced to 20 years in jail of raping another woman who he saw washing off her shoe along the seaside.

He was charged with the December 29, 2016 rape of

the woman who was at the time in her mid-20s. The act occurred at CI, WCD. According to reports, the woman was on her way home when she ventured out to the sea walls along Cornelia Ida to wash off her shoes.

That was when Hitlall attacked her from behind and dragged her into the waters.

At the time, the waters were ankle high.

They then became involved in an altercation during which she stabbed Hitlall to the shoulder and temple with a pocket knife she was carrying. But Hitlall overpowered her and had sex with her right there before dragging her by her hair to shore.

There, he threw her into a boat and had sex with her again before recognizing

Sentenced: Jaipaul Hitlall. that he knew her.

He then begged her not to tell anyone about what transpired- the woman promised to do so. Hitlall followed her to the roadside from where she made her way home. The woman filed a report with the police the next day.

Tenant, 59, found dead in bed by landlord Upon his return from work, a landlord on Wednesday found his tenant, 59, dead in his apartment at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The dead man has been identified as Azad Khan.

According to police, the discovery was made around 17:00hrs.

The landlord told investigators that he last saw the man alive earlier that day at around 07:00Hrs. He detailed to police that the man was unemployed and rented an apartment from him situated on the bottom flat of his home.

The landlord claimed that

he greeted the man before leaving for work. He returned later that afternoon and called out for the man again but this time got no response.

He then peeped through a window and saw the man lying motionless on his bed.

Police were summoned to the scene and arrived shortly after.No marks of violence were seen on his body but it appeared as if he vomited on his bed.His body was removed and taken to Leonora Cottage Hospital where it was examined by a doctor before sent to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour.

Investigations are ongoing.

Cop remanded for sexual abuse of relative

A policeman was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he appeared in court for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 13-year-old girl.

The defendant appeared before Magistrate Rondel Weever, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the charge was read to him.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that during the month of December 2019, in Georgetown, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

A c c o r d i n g t o information, the child told

investigators that last December, she exited the shower and was heading to the bedroom.

The defendant entered the bedroom a few moments later and raped her.

Last month, the defendant made an attempt to engage in sexual activity with the child, but she was able to record a short video of him trying to pull off her pants.

The matter was reported and the defendant was arrested and subsequently charged for the offence.

He is expected to make his next appearance on December 16, 2020.

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

PAGE 23

Several police ranks under close arrest for missing guns

Healthcare workers are to receive a two-week bonus and their risk allowance next month, President Irfaan Ali announced yesterday.

Two-week bonus, risk allowance for all healthcare workers President Irfaan Ali yesterday announced that all healthcare professionals will be given a two-week bonus in December.

President Ali made the announcement in Region Three on Thursday afternoon during the launch of the retrofitting of the Leonora Cottage Hospital to a smart hospital.

“Every health care professional will benefit from a two-week equivalent … bonus pay before the end of the year as part of the response to the pandemic,” the President said.

The President explained that his team made some necessary changes to allow for all healthcare workers to now access COVID-19 risk allowances.

“We have been able to cut programmes and find additional resources, beyond the $150 million, and this afternoon I want to say that we will consider every healthcare professional as

President Irfaan Ali

frontline.”

The President said public health was a serious issue, which required not only healthcare professionals but also communicating to the population what was needed.

He said upon entering office, he made a promise to nurses and doctors to resolve issues affecting them, and he was happy that this was done in a short period. “I said to the nurses and doctors that we understood their concerns, but we must have patience,

that we have to address issues based on the situation of the country, and I promise that the government will address this issue before the end of the year and I backed that promise by setting aside $150 million … plus, they are included in the household COVID-19 plan.”

D r. A l i h a d u rg e d Guyanese to trust his Government and its policies since they are looking out for the best interests of the people. (DPI)

Several ranks have been placed under close arrest, as a probe continues into an estimated 150 guns that reportedly vanished from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) armory, Eve Leary.

Kaieteur News learnt from a source that those ranks are currently being grilled about the disappearance of the weapons.

Just a few days ago at the launching of the National Road Safety Week at Parliament Park, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told reporters that those found responsible for the missing weapons will be dealt with by the authorities.

“It appears that every now and again, police would capture someone with a firearm and the numbers are filed off and we feel that the source of these fire arms might actually be the police armory.”

Benn then asked reporters, “Can you believe that?”

Kaieteur News reported on November 23, that the weapons were discovered missing during an audit of GPF by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).

Benn had called the revelation alarming. His exact words were, “It is not simply worrying but

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

Former Commissioner Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan of Police, Leslie James alarming that such a number of weapons cannot be accounted for.”Information reaching Kaieteur News had suggested that weapons started disappearing in 2018, under the administration of the Coalition.

At that time, Khemraj Ramjattan served as the nation’s Minister of Public Security while Leslie James

was the Commissioner of Police.

The cache of weapons, according to sources, comprised of guns lodged for safekeeping and others that are part of ongoing criminal matters.

This newspaper was told that there is likely to be several more arrests in the coming days.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Guyana-Suriname border to remain closed until COVID-19 cases decrease

Persons participating in the face mask initiative.

190,000 locally produced masks delivered so far to Human Services Ministry -100 plus persons trained under initiative

T

he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through the Gender Affairs Bureau, has commenced the training of approximately 120 individuals, who are part of the ministry’s ‘Garment and Accessories Cottage Industry Initiative.’

Training began simultaneously in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on November 24, 2020 and will conclude on December 11, 2020.

According to the ministry yesterday the

participants, comprising of seamstresses and tailors who responded to the Minster, Vindhya Persaud’s invitation to sew facemasks for countrywide distribution.

A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Persaud, the ‘Garment and Accessories Initiative’ was developed to provide critical support to small and medium term businesses and individuals severely impacted economically by COVID-19.

Training, she explained, is a critical component for the ministry when

Friday November 27, 2020

implementing new programmes. The sessions being conducted are designed to support the participants’ development in business literacy and microenterprise development, individual rights and the law, suicide, anger management, conflict resolution, gender issues and domestic violence. The initiative was piloted by Minister Persaud on October 19, 2020, and so far over 190,000 masks were sewn and delivered to the Ministry for countrywide distribution.

Both the government of Guyana and the government of Suriname have decided that the border crossing between the two countries will remain closed until there is a decrease in the COVID-19 cases.

The decision was made during President Irfaan Ali’s four-day visit to Suriname for that country’s 45th Anniversary of Independence. The trip ended yesterday.

President Ali and his delegation met with a number of Surinamese government officials, including President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, where they discussed several key issues.A joint press statement between the two countries said that both countries acknowledged that the borders should only reopen when it is safe and that the health and safety of Suriname and Guyana’s population should be more prioritized than re-opening the borders.

All of Guyana’s borders were closed on March 18 as part of the measures to curb further spread of COVID19, following the first case being recorded on March 11.

President Irfaan Ali and President Chandrikapersad Santokhi This included the suspension of the GuyanaSuriname Ferry Service.

However, Suriname had agreed to ease travel restrictions on the Corentyne River for riverain residents.

This came after steady complaints were filed about them being stopped from traversing throughout the river.It was also noted over the past few months that there were reports of several illegal border crossings in both countries, but authorities have been working assiduously to get the situation under control.

Discussions between the PPPC government and Suriname’s government on reopening the borders and allowing the ferry service to

resume have been ongoing since August. Further, G u y a n a ’s M i n i s t e r o f Health, Dr Frank Anthony, had announced last month that Guyana and Suriname will be establishing a working team, to collaborate on tackling the novel Coronavirus. This team, Anthony said, would be responsible for ensuring that the COVID-19 protocols between both countries are synchronized when the borders reopen. He added that they will also see to port health authorities exchanging information.

This liaison between the port health authorities will enable safe travelling between both destinations according to Anthony.

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

CEO: GuySuCo tractors will...

From page 14 situation of tilling or lack of has forced GuySuCo to continue to push cycles and not re-develop them and that is contributing to the decline in productivity.

With regards to the Cameco tractors, Singh said that it was in use up to the mid 90s.

The CEO is confident that the tilling would allow GuySuCo to achieve a 100 percent return of production at the estates in four years.“…all lands cultivated over a four-year period, so by 2024 we expect maximum production at the estates. On the three operating estates we are also improving their tillage program with the input of machinery so that we can achieve the

annual 20% rehabilitation program.”

GuySuCo is hoping to rehire a total of 3 , 000 sugar workers by year-end.

The industry has become highly politicized with the Coalition, now in Opposition, insisting it was making so much losses that the National Treasury was being drained.

There were attempts to privatize with a number of land deals at Wales and Ogle now under investigation by the Irfaan Ali government.GuySuCo has over 9,000 workers.The new government has asked for expressions of interest for managing the sugar industry, which spans the counties of Demerara and Berbice.

PAGE 25

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Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Drug addict kills mother, stuffs... Teacher jailed 3 years for From page 12 the brutal murder, they recalled an ‘Aunty Judith’ who was kind, friendly and charming.One of her sons, Mark Anderson, recalls her selling in a stall at the Stabroek Market, just to raise her children as a single parent.Even now, he said, she sells her “one one” drinks at her house to maintain herself.

“She also has two buses which are down.

It was only on Wednesday we spoke. She told me that she wants a mechanic to repair the buses. I didn’t know it was the last conversation with my mother,” said Mark.

During her final days Jenifer Anderson lived alone with her granddaughter. She was described as a doting grandmother.

sexually assaulting minor

A

n Economics teacher at a private city school was yesterday jailed for three years and fined $1M, after he was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

It is alleged that the accused, Mohammed Wazir Khan, braced his penis towards the child’s vagina and squeezed her butt.

Khan is charged with committing sexual activities with a minor and abusing a position of trust.

The incident he was charged with occurred on March 9, 2019.Khan made his first court appearance on March 12, 2020, before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the indictable charge was read to him.Yesterday, during the hearing of the matter, Magistrate Daly ruled that there is sufficient

Jailed: Mohammed Wazir Khan evidence against the accused for him to be

convicted for the offence he is charged for.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

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...Brazil’s president to visit next year; From page 21 including discussions to expand the partial scope agreement (PSA), energy, Guyana’s oil and gas sector and other energy potential, which can be exported to the Portuguese-speaking nation.

He said that the aim is to develop these areas in anticipation of a visit by Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, early next year.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Technical Feasibility Studies for the Installation of Optical Network from Boa Vista, Brazil to Georgetown, Guyana was also signed during the visit.

“There will be a number of teams that will commence work almost immediately

leading up to the visit of the President (Bolsonaro), so that you can advance these initiatives forward.” President Ali added that the idea was to have an investment arrangement, where potential investors can have an understanding of the opportunities that exist in Guyana and how to access them.

Meanwhile, the two countries also discussed areas of security and COVID-19.

Areas of security, according to the President, included integration of our security efforts, targeting drugs and securing the borders.

“We’ve also set up a high-level team to look at the security concern and integrating what we’re doing into the regional programme. So,

that was also an area that we discussed.”

Meanwhile, according to the President, an MOU was also expected to be signed yesterday between CANU and the Brazilians.

The President said that coming from a previous discussion with President Bolsonaro, it was agreed that the two countries would work closely together to fight COVID-19.

“Brazil has been developing their own vaccines.

So, they will be manufacturing nationally…in my discussions with President Bolsonaro, we’ve talked about this and Brazil supporting Guyana with our vaccination programme when it comes around.”

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

Compliance, monitoring needed for sound governance of oil sector

T

o say that the oil and gas industry is large would be the understatement of the century.

In fact, the size of this industry is so immense, it often leaves room for the majors and super majors in the corporation to abuse loopholes and slack oversight.

To guard against this, compliance and good oversight are needed for the sound governance and monitoring of the oil sector.

This is opined by the recently relieved Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams.

During an interview with Kaieteur Radio’s: ‘Corruption, Governance and Justice,’ Dr. Adams was asked to share his thoughts on the oil industry in Guyana, where it is today and what he believes is needed for sound governance. To this he responded: “Monitoring, compliance and well, good governance.”

During his 30 years of service in the United States’ Department of Energy’s Environmental Management office, Dr. Adams recalled that he came up with the mantra that the government must have better-equipped

personnel and all other equipment that is needed.

“You have got to be better equipped, which means that [the regulator] makes sure that it trains their people so that every time you get into a negotiation, you understand the issues better than the company themselves.

That was one of my goals.”

It is with aims of achieving this goal that Dr. Adams shared his reasoning for embarking on a programme to ensure that representatives of the government, engineers, scientists and other relevant personnel are two steps ahead of those contractors in the industry.

He adds, however, that this is not the only requirement for the authorities and regulators, but that these bodies must have free access to every single piece of information possessed by the contractor.

“Not only does the oil belong to us,” he says, “they are just extracting it. But all of the data belongs to us as well.

Everything they develop belongs to the government as well. I think any law is gonna back you up on that.”

Importantly, Dr. Adams

- former EPA head Vincent Adams is keen to point out that the country first needs to train and equip their people “more than anything else.”

With tackling this, the former EPA Head indicated that the next challenge would be compensation. ”One of the things that used to happen to us in the US is that you would train the people, get the best and then you would hire them.

This means we would have to now compete… You invest in your personnel, but you have got to make sure that the personnel, conditions, salary, whatever is the compensation package, that it is competitive, and that’s the reality.”

This practice, he says, ensures that the agency gets a return in the money it has

invested. Dr. Adams is ready to serve his country Shortly after being relieved from the EPA, Kaieteur News had asked Dr. Adams whether he would be willing to commit his services to the government in future if asked. To this he indicated that he is enthusiastic to serve the people of Guyana in any (Continued on page 30)

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

...Hamilton aiming for more records ...Virat Kohli: From page 37 triumphs in the following Sakhir Grand Prix, at the same track, and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on the two following weekends.

If he does that, he will be only the third driver to claim 13 victories in a season, following fellow-seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton has already overtaken Schumacher’s record of 91 wins and is now on 94. He also holds the records for most poles, with 97, and most podium finishes, with 163 –- feats that he is likely to surpass next year if, as expected, he stays

with Mercedes.

The champions have already clinched their record seventh consecutive title triumph, but they have not yet agreed a new contract with Hamilton beyond this year.

Talks are expected to take place during the next three weeks.

Hamilton and his ‘black arrows’ team-mate Valtteri Bottas will be the favourites, but much interest will be focused on the battle for positions behind them in the constructors’ championship.

Red Bull appear set to finish second, but behind them Renault, McLaren, Racing Point and a revived Ferrari look set to scrap for the next

four places.

The difference between finishing third and sixth is reported to be worth around 90 million euros ($107 million) in prize money.

Ferrari were very strong in Bahrain last year when Charles Leclerc claimed pole and only missed out on victory due to engine problems.

It could also be a busy weekend for teams making driver announcements with Red Bull, Alpha Tauri and Haas all yet to confirm their plans.

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, could win the Formula Two title tomorrow.

Friday November 27, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When the day is done, you will look back on it as an unusual one. Wild ideas sprouted in your head like mushrooms. You may have imagined leaving immediately for a trip around the world.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There's likely to be some tumult in your emotional life right now, Taurus. You may feel a pressing need to have a heart-to-heart talk with your partner.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Friends and family, while dear, can be irritating today, Gemini. Everyone around you seems upset and unable to communicate clearly.

Fortunately, your temper has a long fuse.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) All dissatisfaction will be abolished today as you systematically confront and resolve all the little problems that have been bothering you. Your tolerance threshold is low to nonexistent.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're often called the "cleanup crew." Whether it's the home or the unconscious, you enjoy preparing nests for all sorts of births, real and figurative.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Act without hesitation today, Scorpio, especially if you're following unfamiliar directions or exploring new territory. This may not seem like the best advice.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're obviously struggling with something big, Sagittarius. Recent comments about your irritability are well founded. But don't worry. They'll forgive you eventually.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Expect to be in a provocative mood today. For the past few days, you may have been searching for an outlet for the overflowing energy you're so lucky to have.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're rarely surprised or bothered by the occasional setback. Today, however, you should put a firm hand on any project you undertake.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your passions have been stirring like a caged animal for the past several days.

Now is the time to let them out. Some of what you express may elicit surprise or disapproval, but that's no reason to stay silent.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Expect to be torn between two seemingly paradoxical urges today. Part of you wants to spend the day wrapped in a cocoon, playing with your toys. But another side of you is just as committed to spearheading a major creative with friends.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) What an odd day! You feel like you've been given a one-way ticket to a faraway place. Departure is imminent, leaving you no time to pack or say goodbye. There isn't a moment to waste. You're intrigued by the adventure, yet afraid to go.

Younger

From page 32 and we expect that, and we’re ready for that. We’re ready for some tough cricket on the field and something that we’re looking forward to as a side.

But I don’t think we’re attaching any incentives to motivate ourselves just because it’s an opportunity to set the tone before the test series.

Every series is different.

The importance of starting well is purely because you come to foreign conditions and you want to get confident as a team really quickly so that you can carry it forward to other formats.

And that’s something we’re looking forward to.”

PAGE 33

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Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

Rachael Haynes, Hannah Darlington, Sam Bates put Sydney Thunder in WBBL final ESPNcricinfo - Sydney Thunder came back from the brink to book their first WBBL final since the opening season as defending champions Brisbane Heat suffered a dramatic collapse.

Hannah Darlington, who claimed last year’s young player award, struck in consecutive balls in the 18th over after Laura Kimmince was removed having been close to taking the Heat across the line again.

The winning moment came when former Heat star Sammy-Jo Johnson grabbed a low caught and bowled to spark wild celebrations. The Heat’s overall collapse was 6 for 12 as a campaign which had started slowly before coming to life with seven consecutive wins came crashing down.

Captain Rachael Haynes had hauled the Thunder up to a competitive total amid a stuttering innings in which Amelia Kerr and Nadine de Klerk stood out with the ball: their combined figures were 7-0-30-3. They took wickets regularly enough to stay in the contest, but Kimmince’s latest onslaught appeared to have decided the game before the astonishing turnaround.

Even powerplay Tammy Beaumont played

one of her better innings of what has been a tournament where she has largely struggled, getting off the mark with a deft scoop and adding five more crisp boundaries inside the powerplay. She fell attempting another scoop, moving so early into the shot that Nicola Hancock had barely started her delivery stride, sending a simple catch looping to short fine leg. That wicket evened up the powerplay ahead of the Heat’s spinners getting to work.

Kerr’s deception Like the Heat as a whole, Kerr took time to get into her stride but played a central role in the team’s success. It is so rare to see her taken to by an opposition and today was no different. Her first two overs went for eight and when she returned for her third, in the 14th over, there was a brief but enjoyable contest with Phoebe Litchfield. The left hander started with perfect straight drive, but off the last ball of the over was defeated by the googly and comfortably stumped. It was the second time Kerr had claimed her this way following the group-stage dismissal at Blacktown. Either side of that dismissal was moments that stunted the

Thunder just as they were building. Heather Knight drove a firm catch to cover, having not quite found top gear, and then a superblyjudged catch on the deep midwicket rope by Georgia Prestwidge removed Johnson who had threatened to open her shoulders against former team-mates.

The first wobble The Thunder’s eventual total looked short but gave them something to bowl at. In her opening over, Sam Bates, who has been one of the best bowlers of the tournament, removed Grace Harris and then Johnson struck with her first delivery when Georgia Redmayne, after a brisk 25, picked out mid-off to keep the Heat in the contest. It has been a hallmark of the Heat’s campaign that there have been contributions throughout the order and the trend continued as de Klerk and captain Jess Jonassen added 46. However, just when things were under control they fell in consecutive overs: Jonassen skied a top edge to Darlington and de Klerk was run out by Beaumont’s pinpoint throw.

The scene was set.

The collapse Laura Kimmince has hit the form of her life in the last

Sydney Thunder celebrate clinching victory to reach the WBBL final. (Getty Images) couple of weeks.

Before today she had rattled up 123 runs off 49 deliveries in her last four innings, taking her strike-rate to the highest in WBBL history, and struck the ball with huge power again. She had a massive stroke of fortune first delivery when the ball rolled back into leg stump but did not dislodge the bail then the next ball was launched for six.

An over from Lauren Smith cost 20, swinging the game almost fully towards the Thunder who needed 26 off 30 balls.

However, Georgia Voll was run out after a mix up over a second and Kerr went the same way two balls later as panic set in. Another six from Kimmince brought it back under a run-a-ball, but then she was bowled by Bates attempting a reverse sweep

that wasn’t really required. It became too much for the lower order as Darlington delivered her yorkers on demand and finally Delissa Kimmince hammered the ball back at her former team-mate.

The Melbourne Stars await tomorrow.

Scores: Sydney Thunder 6 for 143 (Haynes 48*) beat Brisbane Heat 131 (L Kimmince 37, Darlington 3-19) by 12 runs.

Virat Kohli: Younger players will feature a lot in Australia tour

Virat Kohli gees up his players while fielding, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2020, Sharjah, October 15, 2020 ©BCCI

ESPNcricinfo - India will look to play the younger members of their squad throughout the Australia tour, their captain, Virat Kohli, said on the eve of the first ODI. India will be playing three ODIs, three T20Is and four Tests on a tour that stretches till January 19. Also fitted into that schedule are two threeday warm-up games, the first of which overlaps with the T20Is. Kohli said the management had “discussed those things”. “ We a r e l o o k i n g a t giving opportunities to younger players. There are a lot of young guys in the squad who are eager and really waiting to get onto the park and play in a place like Australia,” Kohli said. “ I t ’s a great opportunity for them to realise something new about their own games and how they can take their games to the next level and grow that confidence level and keep helping the team going forward.

“So from that point of v i e w, y e s , i t i s a v e r y important series for them

as individuals to grow and for us as the management group and the captain to give them that opportunity to go out there and play to the best of their abilities and play freely and enjoy t h e i r c r i c k e t . We ’ r e definitely looking forward to seeing these guys on the field and how they shape up because they’re a bunch of very talented guys.”

India’s squads across formats consist of players who are either on their first tour with the side - T Natarajan, for instance, and Mohammed Siraj on his first Test tour - or are close to breaking into the first team - Shubman Gill and Navdeep Saini are two of them. As such, it is a sizable contingent that Kohli suggested will be used liberally through India’s time in Australia.

Another factor governing that decision is workload management, especially for their two premier bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami - who both had full

IPL seasons, and will likely take on more responsibility in the absence of Ishant Sharma. “ I t ’s a n o - b r a i n e r [managing Bumrah and Shami’s workloads],” Kohli said. “They’ve gone through a full IPL season as well. Both of them have bowled b e a u t i f u l l y, bowling in great rhythm.

It’ll be very important to monitor the workload and hence the point about some of the younger guys getting a chance comes into play as well.

“We want to see how people react in different situations because you’re up against a different situation every time you come for an India tour.

Yo u h a v e t o m a n a g e workloads, you have to l o o k f o r w a r d t o the youngsters performing on the field. So there’s a fine balance you need to maintain, something we’ve been able to do well in the last few years and that’s why our bowlers have been fit and available for the important matches - most of the time - for us.”

The Indian team came out of their mandatory 14-day quarantine yesterday, and are understood to have been training since November 14.

This pandemic-enforced reality had helped with the team’s preparation, Kohli said, adding that spending time getting accustomed to a country on tour was an under-rated factor. He did, however, like his deputy KL Rahul, stress that the team is focussed on building momentum in the ODIs that they can carry into the Test series.

“I don’t think that there’s any extra desperation or need to think on those lines for us as a team,” he said. “Because we’ve to understand that the last time we were successful here, it was because of a reason.

We were focusing on our process and we were really really strong in our minds to be able to win difficult situations and be at our best in those difficult situations.

And that doesn’t change.

“Australia is going to try and come at us really hard (Continued on page 31)

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Warriors’ Thompson undergoes surgery, expected to make full recovery LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Golden State Warriors’ All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson underwent season-ending surgery to repair his torn Achilles on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery, the team said.

“Klay Thompson underwent successful surgery earlier this morning to repair a torn right Achilles,” the team said in a statement.

“The surgery, performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel in Los Angeles, is expected to keep Klay sidelined for the entire 2020-21 NBA season. He is expected to make a full recovery.”

The three-time NBA champion suffered the injury a week ago while playing in a practice game in his native Southern California. The 30-year-old will miss his second consecutive season after being forced to sit out last season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.

Thompson is a five-time All-Star and is

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

widely considered one of the greatest shooters ever to play the game.

He holds the record for most points scored in a single quarter (37), most three pointers made in a regular-season game (14) and most three pointers made in a playoff game (11), and is an elite defender.

After making the NBA Finals five years in a row, the Warriors posted the worst record in the league last season as Thompson and fellow sharp-shooting “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry were sidelined by injuries.

Curry offered words of encouragement to Thompson this week.

“Klay can come back strong,” he said.

“He’s a guy that loves the game so much. He is going to do whatever it takes to get back out there on the floor and be himself.”

In light of Thompson’s injury the Warriors recently signed small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. The NBA regular season kicks off on Dec. 22.

PAGE 36

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

Pepe scores opener as Arsenal cruise into knockout stage with win at Molde

Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson scores their second goal against Molde. (NTB via Reuters/Svein Ove Ekornesvig) BBC Sport - Nicolas Pepe put his red card against Leeds United behind him with the opening goal against Molde as Arsenal secured their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a 3-0 triumph.

The Ivory Coast forward curled a powerful strike into the top corner after a difficult week following his dismissal at Elland Road.

Reiss Nelson doubled the Gunners’ lead shortly after with a tap-in from close range as Arsenal progressed to the knockout stage with two games to spare.

Substitute Folarin Balogun, 19, scored with his first touch to cement victory for Mikel Arteta’s side in Norway.

The North London side have won all four games in Group B and scored 12 goals in the process, displaying a consistency that is in contrast to their Premier League campaign.

After a bright but goalless first half, £72m signing Pepe broke the deadlock for the Gunners in a style befitting his price tag.

A lovely cushioned touch

set the 25-year-old up to fire home past goalkeeper Andreas Linde and put Arsenal on their way to last 32.

The Gunners quickly increased their advantage when Nelson, Arsenal’s best player along with Pepe, tapped home after a good pass into the box by Joe Willock. A comfortable win was completed when Balogun swivelled in the penalty area and fired home a low strike to cap off a positive performance by Arteta’s side.

With qualification to the

Reiss Nelson doubled Arsenal’s advantage five minutes after Nicolas Pepe’s opener. (Reuters) knockout stage secured, the focal point for Arsenal in Europe will be the return of a small number of supporters to Emirates Stadium for the tie against Rapid Vienna on 3 December.

The club tweeted before the game in Norway: “It’s been a long nine long months without our fans. And our matches simply haven’t been the same. So we’re delighted to confirm we’ll be safely welcoming 2,000 fans back to Emirates Stadium for next week’s #UEL fixture.”

Gunners find form in Norway An away game in wintry Norway might not have seemed an ideal fixture for Arteta and Arsenal to face after a modest performance in the draw against Leeds and a sobering 3-0 home defeat to

Aston Villa in the Premier League.

But Pepe, red carded for a headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski on Sunday, looked keen to repay Arteta’s pre-match words of support with a bright performance.

The former Lille winger’s first moment of threat came when he sprinted down the left and cut inside to make space for a shot but fired over the bar.

He got closer with his next effort from the outside the area as his curling drive hit the crossbar with Molde goalkeeper Linde beaten.

The club’s record signing, who will now start the first of his three-match domestic ban against Wolves, eventually got his third goal in the Europa League this season with a neat piece of control

and shot.

Pepe’s strike gave Arsenal’s youthful side an injection of confidence and, after a dearth of goals in their previous two fixtures, suddenly Arteta’s side looked dangerous with every attack.

Nelson, who turns 21 in December, was a bright note from the start at the Arker Stadium as he linked up well with captain Alexandre Lacazette and got an early effort on target.

The winger was rewarded for his persistence as he doubled the advantage from the six-yard box and then Balogun, linked with a move from Arsenal in the summer, staked his claim for a new contract by scoring on only his second appearance for the Gunners.

Friday November 27, 2020

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

Africa Football roundup: Senegal rise to 17th in world rankings AFP - Sadio Maneinspired Senegal climbed four places to 17th in the FIFA world rankings on Thursday after home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victories over Guinea-Bissau.

The Teranga Lions, whose stars include Liverpool forward Mane and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, are the only one of 48 Cup of Nations contenders who boast a 100 percent record after four matchdays.

Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Mali and Burkina Faso complete the African top 10.

Here, AFP Sport rounds up football news from around Africa.

South Africa Kaizer Chiefs’ poor start to the South African Premiership continued after a 1-0 loss at promoted Swallows with Joseph Mhlongo scoring four minutes from time in the Soweto derby.

Chiefs, whose 53 domestic trophies since being formed 50 years ago is a South African record, have won just one of five league matches and lie 11th.

The strugglers now adjust their sights to the CAF Champions League and a preliminary round first leg against debutants PWD Bamenda in Cameroon

Senegal are the only African team among the top 20 in the FIFA November world rankings.

Sunday.

Mauritania Champions League hopefuls FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania have hired three of the high-riding Comoros national team — head coach Amir Abdou, midfielder Faouz Faidine and forward Ibroihim Youssouf.

The Comoros are on the verge of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time as they lie five

points above closest rivals Kenya with two rounds remaining.

Nouadhibou, who were formed by 2021 CAF presidential election candidate Ahmed Yahya, host twice title-holders Asante Kotoko of Ghana Friday in a Champions League preliminary round first leg.

Egypt The 2020 Champions League finalists Al Ahly have

signed Ahmed Ramadan Mohamed, whose ‘Beckham’ nickname refers to the former Manchester United and England star.

While David Beckham operated in midfield, Mohamed is a 23-year-old fullback earmarked to succeed veteran Ahmed Fathy, who is joining fellow Egyptian Premier League club Pyramids.

Record eight-time African champions Ahly rate

Mohamed so highly that they signed him from Wadi Degla on a five-year contract.

Zambia Zambia coach Milutin Sredojevic has not given up hope of qualifying for the Cup of Nations despite propping up a group table after three losses in four matches.

Referring to a surprise defeat in Botswana this month, the Serbian said: “It would be very unfair to the Zambian people if one setback will make us give up and I assure them we are not surrendering.”

The shock 2012 Cup of Nations winners host already qualified Algeria before visiting second-place Zimbabwe during the final two matchdays next March.

Botswana Botswana, the Comoros, eSwatini and Zimbabwe have been disqualified from the Africa Under 17 Cup of Nations after choosing overage players for a regional qualifying competition.

The cheats were exposed

by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests when they arrived in South African city Port Elizabeth for the tournament.

Age cheating is commonplace in the continent and often cited as a reason why African nations fare well in world age-limit

competitions but flop at senior level.

Libya Libya coach Ali el Margini has quit after losing twice to Equatorial Guinea this month in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and leaving the team with little hope of reaching the finals in Cameroon.

The Mediterranean Knights also fell to Tunisia last year and are bottom of the standings with just three points from a possible 12.

El Margini was appointed only two months ago after assisting Tunisian veteran Faouzi Benzarti, who quit when coronavirus enveloped Africa this year. eSwatini Esperanca Sagrada of Angola have received a preliminary round walkover in the CAF Confederation Cup after the withdrawal of Mbabane Swallows from eSwatini.

“Swallows were never part of the CAF Confederation Cup,” said eSwatini Football Association spokesman Muzi Radebe, who did not explain how the club were included in the draw.

Esperanca will meet 2015 Confederation Cup runnersup Orlando Pirates in the round of 32 with the first leg in Angola on December 22 or 23.

6 Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19 in NZ WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Six members of the Pakistan cricket squad in New Zealand have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been moved from managed isolation into quarantine.

Two of the cases were described as “historical” and four were new. The Pakistan touring group, including 53 players and officials, was tested after arriving Tuesday.

All six positive cases were being moved to the quarantine arm of their isolation facility.

Cricket officials also said closed-circuit television footage showed some members of the Pakistan squad had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation.

“We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.

“NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and government position.”

New Zealand’s Ministry

Pakistan players celebrate their win in the third Twenty20 cricket match against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Six members of the squad in New Zealand have tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Jon Super, Pool, File) of Health said the infractions of isolation rules occurred “despite clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviors while in the facility.”

“The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Pakistan team’s exemption to practice while in

managed isolation will be withheld until an investigation has been completed. All players were tested four times before their departure from Lahore to New

Zealand and were negative on each occasion.

New Zealand Cricket said while the positive cases were disappointing, their early discovery showed New Zealand government protocols around touring teams are working.

As for the protocol breach, New Zealand Cricket said it will work more closely with the Pakistan squad to ensure it understands and complies with isolation rules.

No members of the public were endangered, it said.

New Zealand DirectorGeneral of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said breaches of managed isolation rules were taken very seriously.

“It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport,” he said. “But in return teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe.”

Air Commodore Darryn Webb, head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine, said the focus now as on keeping the rest of the squad and local staff safe, and so all members of the Pakistan squad will have to remain in

their rooms until further notice.

Pakistan will play three Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand, beginning on Dec. 18, and two test matches the first of which starts on Dec. 26.

New Zealand will play a series against the West Indies before it meets Pakistan.

The West Indies team, which begins a Twenty20 series on Friday, was also found to have breached protocols while in managed isolation earlier this month.

CCTV footage showed players mixing in hotel corridors and sharing food, beaching the requirements of their internal bubbles.

The West Indies team was forced to cease training after the breaches were discovered.

New Zealand has contained the coronavirus well, recording 25 deaths and just over 2,000 confirmed cases. The country went 102 days without a case of community transmission through the southern winter.

Most restrictions have been lifted on gatherings, although masks are required on public transport in Auckland.

PAGE 38

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

Holders Bayern, Man City through to Champions League last 16 as Liverpool beaten AFP Robert Lewandowski set Bayern Munich on the way to a 3-1 Champions League win over Salzburg on Wednesday as the holders joined Manchester City in qualifying for the last 16 with two group games to spare, while Liverpool went down to defeat and Marseille are now the owners of an unwanted record.

On a night when clubs marked news of the death of Diego Maradona by holding a minute’s silence in memory of the Argentine before all Champions League games, Bayern eased to a recordextending 15th straight win in the competition.

Lewandowski scored the opener just before half-time at an empty Allianz Arena, his 14th goal of the season and also his 71st altogether in the Champions League, leaving him level with Real Madrid great Raul in third place on the all-time list behind Cristiano Ronaldo (131) and Lionel Messi (118).

Kingsley Coman scored Bayern’s second and then crossed for Leroy Sane to head in their third, before Mergim Berisha pulled a goal back for the Austrian champions.

Marc Roca was sent off for Bayern, but they have a

Robert Lewandowski scored the opener as Bayern Munich beat Salzburg 3-1 on Wednesday to progress to the Champions League last 16. maximum 12 points and are guaranteed to advance as Group A winners, while Atletico Madrid sit second but continue to toil in Europe this season after being held 0-0 at home by Lokomotiv Moscow.

Pep Guardiola’s City earlier secured progress as Phil Foden swept in from a Raheem Sterling back-heel to secure a 1-0 win away to Olympiakos in Greece, their fourth win out of four in Group C. City had 21 attempts on goal and their bluntness in attack is a source of concern, even if their European progress provides a tonic to their mediocre Premier League form.

“It will come, we would

love to do more, but one day it will come and will break everything,” said Guardiola, whose side now just need a point from their final two matches to top the group.

- Unlucky 13 for Marseille Second-place Porto are on the brink of joining them in qualifying after a 2-0 win at Marseille, which was the French side’s 13th consecutive defeat in the competition stretching over three campaigns going back to 2011-12.

The Nigerian Zaidu Sanusi gave Porto the lead six minutes before half-time and Sergio Oliveira scored a second-half penalty after onloan Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic had been sent

Japan’s Olympics minister: not government’s role to look into bid payments TOKYO (Reuters) Japan’s Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto said it was not the central government’s role to look into reports about large payments the Tokyo campaign made to various entities in the run-up to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) vote in 2013.

In response to a question from a lawmaker about Reuters’ reporting on the subject, Hashimoto said it was the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Tokyo metropolitan government to explain the bid’s activities.

IOC chief Thomas Bach said last week no IOC rules

Japan’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Seiko Hashimoto attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, September 16, 2020. (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon) were infringed by payments in 2013 and 2014 totaling more than $8 million from the Tokyo

Olympic bid committee to an executive of the Tokyo organising committee.

off for the Portuguese side.

Marseille, who had defender Leonardo Balerdi sent off, cannot now qualify for the last 16.

“We have hit rockbottom,” said Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas.

Six-time European champions Liverpool are not yet sure of progressing to the next round after going down 2-0 to Atalanta at Anfield.

Three weeks after beating the same side 5-0 in Italy, Liverpool struggled with a weakened starting line-up, and Josip Ilicic put Atalanta in front on the hour mark before German international Robin Gosens got the second goal.

“A deserved defeat in a difficult game,” was how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp summed up the game.

Liverpool are top of Group D on nine points, two points clear of Atalanta and Ajax, who were 3-1 winners at home to Midtjylland.

Second-half goals by Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres boosted Ajax’s hopes, with Awer Mabil getting a consolation from the penalty spot for the Danes who had captain Erik Sviatchenko sent off late on and are yet to register a point. Ajax go to Liverpool next week.

- Hazard on target for Real Meanwhile, Inter Milan are on the brink of being eliminated in the group stage after Arturo Vidal was sent off as they went down 2-0 at home to Real Madrid.

Eden Hazard gave the visitors an early lead from the

penalty spot at San Siro for his first Champions League goal in a Real shirt, and Vidal was sent off before the break after seeing two yellow cards for dissent in quick succession.

A Rodrygo shot went in off Achraf Hakimi in the second half to make it 2-0, and Real are now on course to qualify from Group B after losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in their first game.

Shakhtar lost 4-0 to B o r u s s i a Moenchengladbach, with Lars Stindl scoring a penalty and Nico Elvedi, Breel Embolo and Oscar Wendt also on target to keep the Germans on top of the group.

Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Sevilla punched their tickets to the knockout phase on Tuesday.

Napoli planning to rename stadium after club great Diego Maradona

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the club’s stadium could be renamed to honour Partenopei great Diego Maradona.

SportsMax - Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the club’s stadium could be renamed to honour Partenopei great Diego Maradona after his death on Wednesday.

Maradona – arguably football’s greatest ever player – died at the age of 60 after a suspected heart attack, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed midweek.

A World Cup winner with Argentina, Maradona enjoyed great success in Naples, where he guided Napoli to unprecedented Serie A glory in 1986-87 and 1989-90 – the Italian team are yet to add to their only two Scudetto honours.

As Napoli fans and Naples natives mourn the death of Maradona – a Godlike figure in the city – De Laurentiis said the Stadio San Paolo could be named after the football icon.

“It could be an idea to

name the stadium San PaoloMaradona, it’s something we can think about,” De Laurentiis told RMC Sport.

Naples mayor Luigi de Magistris also tweeted: “Let’s name the San Paolo stadium after Diego Armando Maradona!!!”

Gennaro G a t t u s o ’s Napoli hosted Rijeka in their Europa League Group F clash at the Stadio San Paolo yesterday.

Napoli were second heading into the matchday four fixture, adrift of AZ Alkmaar on goal difference.

“I’d like to project Maradona’s face [onto the stadium] during the whole game tomorrow,” De Laurentiis said.

Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata head coach Maradona was discharged from hospital a fortnight ago following brain surgery, having undergone a routine operation for a subdural haematoma after being admitted to hospital due

to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Maradona, who went on to coach Argentina at the 2010 World Cup, had been hospitalised just days after turning 60.

He appeared in a fragile state when he briefly made an appearance as his Gimnasia side played a match on the evening of his birthday last month.

Maradona won 91 caps for Argentina between 1977 and 1994, scoring 34 goals at international level.

He started his career with Argentinos Juniors before joining Boca Juniors and went on to play for Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys before returning to Boca in 1995.

Maradona also had stints in charge of Textil Mandiyu, Racing Club, Al-Wasl, Fujairah and Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico before being appointed by Gimnasia last year.

Kaieteur News

Friday November 27, 2020

PAGE 39

Kraigg Brathwaite’s unbeaten 183, GSCL Inc. Prime Minister’s Darren Bravo’s 93, put West Indies T20 Cup bowls off today - Regal confident of title defence in command against NZ ‘A’ SportsMax - Kraigg Brathwaite produced an unbeaten hundred and Darren Bravo just missed out on his second of the tour as the West Indies compiled 353 for 3 against New Zealand ‘A’ on the opening day of the second warm-up match at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Thursday.

The Barbadian opener, who was on 183 at stumps shared an opening stand of 111 with John Campbell, who made a relatively brisk 45 from just 62 balls before he was bowled by Blair Tickner. The Jamaican struck eight boundaries during his 106-minute stay at the crease.

Bravo joined Brathwaite and together they mounted a 189-run stand that put New Zealand ‘A’ on the defensive.

Brathwaite’s 100 came up in 139 balls during which he hit eight fours and a six. Bravo, picking up from where he left off in the first match, hit six fours while bringing up his 50 in 90 balls.

The pair took a 171 balls to mount the 100-run partnership with Bravo doing the bulk of the scoring with 52 of the runs. The Trinidadian looked set to get his second ton in a week when Rachin Ravindra had him caught by Tickner for a

Kraigg Brathwaite produced an unbeaten hundred to lead the West Indies.

Wayne Jones

By Zaheer Mohamed

R

well-played 93 scored off 167 balls in another long stay at the crease, 221 minutes.

After a brief partnership of 22 with Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks fell cheaply for 5 with just six overs remaining in the day’s play.

However, Jermaine Blackwood was on 19 at the close with Brathwaite at the other end looking forward to the possibility of a double century when play resumes today. So far, his 183 has come from 262 balls and

includes 14 fours and a six.

Ravindra has so far taken 1 for 45 from 14 overs while Tickner was more expensive giving up 90 runs from the 20 overs he bowled in the day.

Michael Rae, who took the wicket of Brooks, has 1 for 74 from his 20 overs.

Scores: West Indies 353 for 3 (Kraigg Brathwaite 138 not out, Darren Bravo 93, John Campbell 45, Jermaine Blackwood 19 not out) versus New Zealand ‘A’.

Hamilton aiming for more records and a new contract in Bahrain

AFP - Lewis Hamilton goes into this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix aiming to continue his recordbreaking romp this year and make a successful start on final talks to stay with Mercedes in 2021 and beyond.

The newly-crowned seven-time champion will be bidding to claim a fourth career victory at the Sakhir Circuit, where he won last year, and seal his own future with the champion team.

Despite clinching his record-equalling seventh drivers’ title in Turkey two weeks ago, the 35-year-old Briton and his Mercedes team have no intention of easing off in the final tripleheader of three floodlit Middle Eastern races of this Covid-19 affected season.

“It’s a bit more chilled

Lewis Hamilton wrapped up a record-equalling seventh F1 world title earlier this month in Turkey. now, but I still have three races ahead of me that I really want to win,” said Hamilton, following his momentous victory at Istanbul, his 10th this season.

“It’s important for us all to keep working and to maintain our momentum.

There is no thought of us

slowing down.”

Hamilton, now established as the most successful driver in Formula One history, has never won more than 11 races in a season, but has a chance to do that this weekend.

He can go on to reach a total of 13 wins if he (Continued on page 31)

egal will be looking to defend all three titles when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc./ Prime Minister’s T20 Cup bowls off today at several venues.

The competition which is being held in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, is being contested in three categories; the Legends Over-50, Masters Over-45, and the All-Stars (open), and will culminate at the Everest Cricket Club on Sunday with over one million dollars in cash and prizes up for grabs.

The first prize for the Legends Over-50 is $200,000, while the runnersup will receive $50,000. The ‘man-of-the-match’ in the final will receive a trophy, and the ‘man-of-the-series’ will take home a 503 4k Smart TV valued at $120,000.

In the Masters Over-45 category, the winner will pocket $200,000 and the runner up $50,000; while the ‘man-of-the-match’ in the final will receive a trophy and the ‘man-of-the-series’ will carry away a brand new 50" Smart TV valued at $100,000.

In the All Stars category, (open to all ages), the winner will pocket a handsome $200,000; the runner-up $50,000; ‘man-of-thematch’ in the finals will receive a trophy; and the ‘man-of-the-series’ will claim a 403 Smart TV valued at $70,000.

Regal can expect stiff opposition from the likes of

Wazeer Hussain Speedboat who won the open title in 2017 and 2018; Fisherman Masters, 2018 and 2019 Masters’ finalists Wellman Masters; Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) who will compete in the Legends Over-50 division as well as Parika Defenders and Rockaway Legends.

In the 2019 edition, Regal All stars and SVC Grill Masters of Berbice shared the open title after the game was abandoned due to faulty lights. Regal Masters defeated Wellman Masters in the Over-45 segment while Regal Legends beat New York President’s XI in the over-50 division. Regal’s Sachin Singh (open), Ramesh Deonarine (Masters) and Mahendra Hardyal (Legends) took the MVPs. Regal possess a well balanced unit in all three categories, but their title defence will depend on how well they play together and execute on the day. A decent start to the tournament is important in order to build confidence and stake a claim for a place in the final four early on.

Regal All stars will depend on the likes of skipper Chien Gittens, Patrick Rooplall, Sachin Singh, Sewchand Budhu, Richard Latif and Fazal Rafiek. Regal Masters will be led by Mohendra Arjune and include Ramesh Deonarine, Eon Abel, Unnis Yusuf, Laurie Singh, Ejaz Mohamed and Samuel Kingston.

Mahendra Hardyal will be at the helm of Regal Legends which comprise Longsford Klass, Lyndon

Anil Beharry Lyght, Parsram Persaud, Rudolph Baker, John Sumair and Mahase Chunilall.

In the All stars segment, Speedboat can be considered another serious contender for the title with players such as Wazeer Hussain, Greg Singh, Safraz Esau, Lennox Marks, Mark Harold, Kishore Smith, Anand Bharat and Shazim Hussain in their lineup.

Wellman Masters are another confident bunch and will be looking to skipper Wayne Jones, Nandram Samlall, Lloyd Ruplall, Troy Lewis, Azeemul Haniff, Mike Singh and Sheldon Perch for glory.

Floodlights are another team to watch and will depend on the experience of Ricky Deonarain, Anil B e h a r r y, R a m c h a n d Ragbeer, Steve Narine, Richard Persaud, Ramesh Sunich, Dharam Persaud, Lalta Gainda, Reyaz Hussain, Surendra Nauth and Buddy Rahaman.

Matches will be played at Everest CC, Transport SC, Queen’s College, Gandhi Youth Organisation and Ogle.

Among the sponsors of this year’s tournament are Banks DIH, Chung’s Global, Danny Persaud (Youtuber) It’s our life ARD, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Price Chopper Store, Star Party Rentals, P&P Insurance, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Florida Guyana Hope, Crown Mining Supplies and Dinar Trading.

The free-entry tournament will be live streamed on Facebook, NCN and YouTube.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

Premier League managers welcome return of fans in limited numbers General view inside the stadium before the match Crystal Palace v Leeds United at Selhurst Park.

(Pool via REUTERS/Matthew Childs)

Friday November 27, 2020

Anthony fill produced a fine all round performance yesterday at Everest.

GCB/Tropical Spring O-40 T20 cricket (Reuters) - Premier League managers have welcomed the British government’s decision to allow fans to return to stadiums for the first time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even if clubs are limited to 2,000 at stadiums where they can open their doors.

With a month-long national lockdown to contain the spread of the virus set to be lifted on Dec. 2, the government has said up to 4,000 fans can attend outdoor elite sports events in the lowest-risk medium alert areas of England.

While none of the Premier League clubs are in

that Tier 1 zone, Liverpool City Region and all 32 boroughs of London plus the city of London fall under the high alert Tier 2 and clubs in those areas can welcome up to 2,000 fans.

Clubs classified as being in the very high alert Tier 3 zone, including the Manchester teams, will have to wait longer before welcoming fans back to their grounds.

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce, whose club cannot yet host any fans, said the move was a “step in the right direction” for smaller teams but questioned the maximum limit as the size of stadiums

was not being taken into account.

“I can understand 4,000 fans if it’s an 8,000-seater stadium but what I can’t quite digest at the moment is why only 4,000 or 2,000 when we’ve got the capacity to... comfortably put 15,000 to 20,000 people in,” Bruce told reporters.

“It’s a small gesture but for the smaller clubs, 4,000 or 2,000 is welcome relief because they live off that sort of thing.”

Burnley must also wait to host supporters at Turf Moor but could play in front of spectators at Arsenal next month. Manager Sean Dyche said “any fans getting

into stadiums” was a start.

“The rules are the rules and we still want people safe and well and that is the main thing,” he said.

“Home or away fans in the stadium is great, they’ve been waiting a long time and we’ve been waiting a long time.” Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, whose London club can host supporters, said 2,000 would not make a lot of difference.

“I don’t think 2,000 fans in a stadium will make a sizeable difference in terms of fair competition in the Premier League,” he said.

“It is more a matter of it being such a great thing for the fans to enjoy.”

Ifill’s all-round work gives Regal Masters 10-Wkt win - W/Dem Mavericks remain unbeaten joined W/ B’ce & Jai Hind in play offs

A

n outstanding all-round performance from Anthony Ifill, who blasted three sixes in a cameo unbeaten 28 after taking 3-2, highlighted fourth round action in the r a i n - h i t G C B / Tr o p i c a l Spring O-40 T20 cricket tournament yesterday at the Everest ground in the City.

At Everest, heavy overnight and morning rain left the First-Class venue water logged resulting in the contest between Everest Masters and West Demerara Mavericks being washed out without a ball being bowled.

However, this result propelled the team from the West side to their fourth successive unbeaten match and joined Berbice unbeaten sides Jai Hind Legends and West Berbice in places in play-offs.

We s t D e m e r a r a Mavericks beat RP Construction Legends, got a walk-over from KV Construction Masters (who has withdrawn from the 16team tournament) and defeated West Demerara Masters before yesterday’s no-result.

In the afternoon game at Camp Road, Regal Masters hammered Sand Pippers by 10 wickets with 13 balls to spare.

Sand Pippers were

restricted to 39-6 in a game reduced to 10 overs as only Bhupendra Deokie and Alvin Charran reached double figures as medium pacer Anthony Ifill captured 3-2 from two miserly overs.

Regal Masters galloped to 43 without loss in 8.5 overs to register a convincing 10-wicket win.

Ifill crowned a fine all-round performance by lofting three consecutive sixes in a pugnacious unbeaten 28, while former Berbice InterCounty batsman Eion Abel was the silent partner finishing on eight not out.

At Enmore, Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec got a walkover from KV Construction Legends in the morning game before West Demerara Masters reached 95-8 off 20 overs with Elroy Fernandes and Chabiraj Parmanand, with 18 each got into double figures.

Chatterpaul Singh had 29 for RP Construction Legends who replied with 98-7 in 19.1 overs to win by three wickets.

Rohan Mangar led the win with an unbeaten 37 as Sudesh Persaud and Steve Harripaul took two wickets each.

The tournament continues tomorrow in the Berbice and on Monday in the Demerara Zone. (Sean Devers)

Friday November 27, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

Naeem Khan named BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha Agriculture Scholarship awardee Seventeen years old Naeem Khan of Belvedere created history on Saturday last when he was selected as the first awardee of the Berbice Cricket Board/Minister Zulfikar Mustapha Educational Scholarship. Khan, an aspiring all-rounder, plays cricket for the famous Albion Community Centre Cricket Club and also Chesney Cricket Club. The tall allrounder, who bowls off spin, attended the New Amsterdam Secondary School and obtained passes in ten subjects.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the awarding of the scholarship as another red letter day in the development of cricket in the county and the start of major things to come.

The BCB, he proudly stated is the first cricket board in Guyana to give out an educational scholarship as it values the importance of education to the overall development of youths.

Education, Foster stated is the cornerstone of a successful future and called on all cricketers in the Ancient County to place emphasis on it. He noted that an educated mind assists youths to think on their feet, to obtain jobs easily and to take care of themselves after their cricketing career comes to an end.

The BCB President had approached Minister Mustapha for the sponsorship of a University of Guyana scholarship at the cost of $200,000.

The Minister readily agreed but requested that the scholarship be in the agricultural field.

The BCB invited cricketers from across the county to apply for the scholarship with the

following criteria needed the applicant must be a member of a cricket club, and must have a solid CSEC performance. Additionally, the applicant must submit proof that they had been accepted into the University of Guyana. The BCB received five applications and after careful consideration by a special committee established by the board, Khan was selected.

He would read for a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture. The scholarship is worth $200,000 for the first year and Foster committed to its renewal if Khan achieved a GPA score of 3.0.

The BCB President also disclosed that great effort would be placed in obtaining another two or three educational scholarships for cricketers, attending the University of Guyana. Foster stated that the fields to be covered would be public communications, public management and marketing.

The BCB, he stated would also assist cricketers to complete their educational career by assisting the less fortunate ones with bicycles, educational materials, footwear and school bags in a joint project with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

The BCB for all of its Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 tournaments in 2021, would make it compulsory for a player to be attending school if he/she wants to participate. Foster also extended thanks to Minister Mustapha for his support and hailed him as a long time supporter of Berbice Cricket.

Naeem Khan expressed gratitude to the BCB and the Minister for their support and pledged that he would make them proud of him.

BCB Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman hands over scholarship cheque to Naeem Khan (left) in the presence of his parents, representatives of the BCB and Albion CC.

Darren Bravo made 93, falling just short of another century on this New Zealand tour. (AFP file photo)

t r o Sp

Kraigg Brathwaite’s unbeaten 183, Darren Bravo’s 93, put West Indies in command against NZ ‘A’ GSCL Inc. Prime Minister’s T20 Cup bowls off today - Regal confident of title defence

Regal will be looking for a repeat of last year’s success.

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