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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Time is of the essence A 48-month sentence was recently meted out to a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for his involvement in a shooting incident. Now Adrian Bishop is shot in questionable circumstances, raising questions about the quality of guidance provided to frontline ranks by the police leadership. The GPF has been in existence for over 175 years, and when compared with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), that entity has not reached the level of institutional development and maturity that the latter has displayed during its 49 years. Incidentally, there is perception that the GDF is more welcoming of civilian expertise than the capacity-challenged GPF. This is perhaps symptomatic of inherent antagonisms in police-civilian relations which are hard to dissolve. Citizens hear about ranks acting in contravention of standard operational procedures, but nowhere up to this juncture is documentary evidence of clear guidelines governing ethical police behaviour provided. Maybe the time has come to equip the ranks with body and vehicle cameras. Blaming the frontline ranks for errors of judgment which are sometimes fatal seems to be the panacea. Also questionable is the police operational doctrine when one observes different approaches to public disorder incidents, depending on which sets of disgruntled persons are involved. Citizens may be forgiven for getting the impression that references to dictates of policy are only intended to soothe agitated minds. Can the premier law enforcement arm of the state point to policies similar to the GDF but formulated based upon the strategic administrative and operational circumstances of the force? It might well be a situation of the force interpreting policy, process and procedure to mean one and the same thing. This observation raises an interesting conundrum with respect to a GPF policy position on a range of issues. Among the policy areas which impact upon the effective performance of its ranks, and which need to be documented and highlighted, are matters pertaining to welfare issues, career development, training, civilization and health concerns. Apart from the GPF Standing Orders, the Police Act Chapter 16:01 and the Police (Discipline) Act 17:01, not much work appears to have been done to fill gaps and broaden the knowledge base of serving members of the organization. Indeed the distinct impression gained is that people are allowed to carry out their duties in an almost totally discretionary manner, leading to bad judgment calls and legal sanctions when these are unavoidable. Maybe the indiscretion seen on the part of subordinates should not come as a surprise to anyone. A casual examination of the officer corps within the force will reveal that the senior functionaries are not particularly endowed with leadership qualities. The argument must be made that attendance at tertiary institutions and overseas programmes do not necessarily make good leaders out of people who are products of a system which - for the most part - has been ambivalent about members pursuing higher education. Officers, it should be noted, have a responsibility to promote within themselves and in their ranks, a sustainable interest in self-development. With a few exceptions, senior officers are not equipped for leadership, and would prefer to remain on the streets rather than performing in an administrative capacity. The GPF administration, if awake to its responsibilities, must do all in its power to demonstrate the kind of actions synonymous with acceptance and ownership of strategic management methods, and not make that process appear as a stand-alone figment of Minister Rohee’s usually fertile imagination. This column has alluded in the past to the concept of police reform, but no evidence has been presented to convince the populace that the GPF has developed a conceptual framework which embraces a vision for reform.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
The Hope Canal kokers have design problems DEAR EDITOR, Earlier this month, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, gave December 31 as the revised completion date for the Hope-Dochfour Canal Project (HCP) when flood waters from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) could be safely discharged into the Atlantic Ocean. An eight-door sluice (one of the components of HCP) across the sea defence will control discharge from the Canal into the Ocean but a review of its design shows a number of anomalies which if not corrected will affect the proper functioning of this structure and hence compromise the design objectives of HCP. The sluice gates are to be remotely controlled by electric motors with power supplied by GPL and two standby generators in case of
emergency although it is difficult to understand the justification for two instead of one generator in the circumstance. Further, once the gates are opened there is no mechanism showing how they will be closed. It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that the weight of the gates will exceed the friction forces and hydraulic pressures acting on them at the time of closure allowing the gates to close freely under gravity. If for whatever reason the electric motors fail to activate the gates there is no mechanism to indicate as to how the gates will be opened and closed manually or otherwise particularly at a time when EDWC is in flood mode. When closed, the gates will rest on steel plates fastened on top of the weirs. Design experience has shown that unless an approved sealant strip is
fastened to either the bottom of the gates or on top of the plates of the weirs severe leakages are to be expected between the two steel surfaces at closure. As with any structure, regular maintenance, repairs or in cases of emergency the sluice will have to be shut down and de-watered to carry-out work on any of these. Unfortunately no provision for stop logs or similar isolation mechanism has been provided for in the design to dewater critical parts of the sluice to facilitate work of any kind in the dry. It is hoped that due attention will be given to these issues before construction of the sluice is completed to enable the structure to function effectively. Charles Sohan New York
Correcting a distortion of the facts DEAR EDITOR, I wish to correct the misinformation stated in an article appearing in the Sunday Stabroek of September 28 and Kaieteur News of September 29, 2014 about the slaughtering of wild animals. The article and photo of a Puma gave the impression that this was a recent incident. The facts are that this photograph was taken nearly two years ago on a Goat Farm in Ituni Savannahs where Jaguars and Pumas, including this one, had reduced the flock of goats from nearly one thousand to just about four hundred now. This could be verified by Dr Austin of Guyana Livestock Development Authority. The cats are still roaming free on the Farm killing at will. Many cage traps were set to catch the predators alive but without any success. We asked the authorities for permission to purchase tranquillizer guns so that we can catch these large cats and transfer them out of the area but no one seems to know how to go about it. We were not successful in obtaining
them. We do not shoot animals indiscriminately many animals we caught alive were donated to the Zoo. We are as much conservative as the writer of that article. Another thing is that the author of the article referred to the animal as a pregnant female. The cat in the photograph is a male. HE WAS SHOT WITH A SHOT GUN. The meat was given to some Chinese friend of ours. The meat is considered a delicacy by them. (I could supply you with the names if needed). Jaguars and Pumas continue to this date to wreak havoc with mostly goats on the Farm and the number keeps dwindling. Cows are also reared on the farm, but because of their size, kills by these large cats are kept to a minimum. I would like to inform you that a herd of Boer Goats - a special breed of goats some weighing between 100 and 150 pounds were imported from the USA at a cost of millions of dollars. These were crossed with local goats to improve their size and get them suitable
to the local conditions. We have been selling prize rams and ewes to farmers all over the Country in order to improve the local breed. You could check this out with GUYANA Livestock Development Authority. In this country, People shoot Jaguars which kill their farm animals. This is considered good news. Hardly anyone complains about this even though Jaguars are an endangered species all over the world. I wonder what agenda the author of the article in your newspaper has for campaigning so bitterly about a Puma shot nearly two years ago under the same circumstances. It should be noted that Pumas are being hunted legally to this day even in the USA. I am sending photographs of two cows mauled by of some of these large cats and one goat recently killed and left behind on the Farm. I trust that you will give these photos the same prominence that you gave the Puma killed nearly two years ago. A. Persaud
The return of blackouts DEAR EDITOR, We are just over two months away from the Christmas season and we are now greeted by blackouts for over eight to twelve hours on a daily basis. Last week I was officiating at a very big wedding at my church. The moment I started the wedding I was greeted by a blackout. The lights went off, the microphones were
dead, the place was heated and I had to stop the wedding until we put on our standby generator. A few months ago I had guests at church from over eight different countries. In the evening service the moment our guests arrived they were greeted by a long blackout; we had to put on our generator again. It’s quite embarrassing in this
Practical work to implement the strategic plan of the force should not be confused with institutional reform which, as argued before, remains a mirage if the pervasive dysfunctional environment is anything to go by. Steadfastly maintaining contradictory archaic practices and attitudes while only talking about reform will serve only to frustrate the efforts of those genuinely pushing for a police force that is universally respected. The few policy issues mentioned above are among a host of others which, if addressed in a timely fashion, will truly exemplify reforms in progress. Time is of the essence.
day and age of modern technology that our nation is moving backwards not forwards. It’s more humiliating when we have foreign guests at a church, the place of worship, and while officiating at a wedding that we are embarrassed by constant blackouts. At most church services now I prefer to use generator rather than GPL because GPL has failed this nation. But it does not fail to disconnect your power if a day passes and bills are not paid. The bills are getting higher and higher for electricity that is not supplied. They carrying away meters from old people saying the meters are tampered with and they have to pay two years backdated bills to get back their
electricity. They have old meters since GEC that’s over 30 years old that were never replaced now they go all over hollering meter tampering from old mal-functioned meters. Everyday hundreds of our tired citizens have to form long unending lines at GPL to query bills. It’s disgusting when your light bill exceeds your salary and it seems as if our politicians care less about the progress of this nation. Do we have a vision plan to run this nation since elections are very soon? What our politicians need is to have a new modern vision to govern this nation. But it seems to me that none of our political leaders have what Continued on page 29
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Why some protesters are the victims of police brutality DEAR EDITOR, Under the captioned heading ‘ Why this drum beat of doom when it comes to African Guyanese protests? Some of us are familiar with the otherization that is central to racist constructions. Is there an otherization of African Guyanese protests in Guyana? My answer is not important here. What does the evidence show’?? The reason for me understating Dr. Hinds’s position on this issue clearly is simply because whenever protesters of African descent predominantly take to the streets, peacefully, to protest for better wages, living and working conditions, better health care, education system and equal rights, among issues of genuine concern to them in this country, they are either being arrested, terrorized, murdered, jailed, tear-gassed, beaten, tortured and in some cases shot with live rounds by ranks of the police force. This is a matter that need to be address. While on the other hand, when protesters of different ethnicity, background and of section in society protesting on the streets on issue of concern to them the treatment from the same police force is be completely different from when African Guyanese protests in Guyana. This is a fact that couldn’t be questioned since it is obvious in the eyesight of everyone that shows that there is some form of d i s c r i mi n at i o n ag a in s t protestors on the basic of their gender, ethnicity and culture in this society today. On the morning of
Thursday, April 10, 2014 hundreds of sugar cane workers turned up in front of parliament to register their concern and to support the $6B allocation that the Government had made for the sugar industry in the 2014 budget by Finance Ministry Mr. Ashni Singh which was presented in the national assemble recently. These sugar cane workers who were predominantly Indo-Guyanese were allowed to protest outside of parliament on that day in question that was fair it was their constitutional right to protest of matters of interest to them. However, we have all observed that none of those protestors were arrested, terrorized, murdered, jailed, tear-gassed, beaten, tortured or shot by any member of the Guyana Police Force. The police and those in authority acted in a professional and civilized manner in dealing with the hundreds of sugar cane which was very good and noted In July 2012, the police reaction to protestors which were predominantly AfroGuyanese was totally different. Shemroy Bouyea, Ron Somerset, and Allan Lewis were killed during a protest regarding Government’s plan to increase electricity tariffs in the bauxite mining town of Linden. The protestors were calling for a reversal of the decision. These three protesters of African descent were peaceful and unarmed, just like those sugar cane workers outside Parliament Buildings on the morning of Thursday, April 10, 2014, yet they were killed senselessly by the
police. Why? Here is another reason why I say that protestors who were predominantly AfroGuyanese were being treated differently on the afternoon of December06 2011 when APNU Member of Parliament, James Bond along with eleven persons were shot and injured with rubber bullets by ranks of the Guyana Police Force during a peaceful march in the city for job creation for our youths. There were no reports of police brutality when Government workers from National Communication Network (NCN) Government Information News Agency (GINA) One Laptop Per Family Pogramme held a peaceful march in front of Parliament against the Opposition budget cut on April 24, 2014. Under the Constitution, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” and Article 20 (1) states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.” So why have predominantly Afro-
Guyanese protestors have been the victims of police brutality under this PPP/C Administration for the past twenty one years? Why it is so? It is because of the pigmentation of AfroGuyanese in his country the reasons being for them to be treated in that manner by the
police while protesting which is their Constitutional right to do so. To date, it hurts me to note from the records that they have been over three thousands protestors who have been the victims of police brutality. They are predominantly of African descent. Their punishment
has ranged from murder, arrests, jail, tear-gassing, and beatings to torture and in some cases, being shot at with live rounds. We are now a divided society where our motto’ One People, One Nation and One Destiny’ no long exists for one and for all. Rayvonne P. Bourne
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Miller threatens to blow lid off rice industry A miller has clashed with Government over the rice industry following questions regarding the multi-billiondollar Venezuela deal. The issue has now drawn in the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which disclosed it has been working to assess the industry and will soon make those findings known. The trouble all started Monday when several millers were in a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, to discuss paddy prices and other issues. There were also representatives from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA). Several questions were raised, including the players involved in the Venezuela rice deal. According to Dr. Turhane Doerga, former Chief Executive Officer of Alesie Group, the Minister allegedly threatened to revoke the operating licence of his company, after becoming incensed by questions. Yesterday, Doerga held a press conference at the office of the Leader of the Opposition, on Hadfield Street, saying he is now prepared to blow the cover off the corruption within the rice industry. There was also Jinnah Rahman, who says he is representing the RPA Action Committee, a West Demerarabased grouping of rice farmers. According to Doerga, the industry is in a crisis, with a recent deal with Panama a
...after clash with Agri Minister good example of how bad a deal Guyana is getting. The deal will only allow millers to pay $2,800 per bag of paddy, way below the profit margin for farmers. Farmers need at least $4,000 per bag to stay alive, with many of them facing cash problems now. He made comparisons to the sugar industry which, unlike rice, was not privatised in the ‘90s. The billions being plugged into sugar annually by Government to keep that industry alive is testimony of how bad a decision it was, not to privatize sugar, he said. Doerga, who said he helped put together the Venezuela oil-for-rice deal, also claimed that his company played a role but was sidelined afterwards by the Jagdeo administration. Several operators, some of whom do not even deal with the local market, are now benefitting. Doerga claimed that it is indeed true that GRDB and the Government is creaming off monies, described as fees, shipping costs and a social fund, to the tune of billions. At the end of the line, farmers are t a k i n g t h e s c r a p ings, leaving many of them struggling. The Government has gone so far to even sell out its rice wharf in Kingston, forcing farmers and millers to depend on other, more expensive shippers. It may be “legally right” what GRDB and the Government are doing, Doerga charged, but it is also “morally unacceptable”.
Former CEO of Alesie Group, Turhane Doerga APNU’s General Secretary, MP Joe Harmon, said that the Opposition clearly does not support threats by the Government to revoke licences at the drop of a hat as there is a process for that. This borders on “dictatorship” and possibily violates the constitutional rights of parties, the official said. GRDB REFUTES Doerga said that scores depend on Alesie for a living and it would be a shame for the Ministry to follow through on its threats. But GRDB refuted Doerga’s claims. The regulatory body said that Minister Ramsammy told the millers that in relation to
complaints of low prices being paid to farmers, GRDB was preparing to audit the books of the mills. “Such a move by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will bring closure to the perception that millers are not making huge profits. This move didn’t go down well with some millers, including Mr. Doerga who interjected.” GRDB said that during the discussion, the allocation of quotas for the Venezuela market was also addressed. It was pointed out that this quota allocation was discussed with the millers’ association on several occasions. “Mr. Doerga then refuted that claim that a Millers’ association exists even after several of his colleague millers clarified that they are indeed
a part of the Millers’ Association who meet often.” GRDB claimed that Doerga accused a GRDB official of being in partnership with the association and involved in bias distribution of quota for rice export. “Mr. Doerga was then asked to issue an apology for the misleading statement of which he refused and continued to behave in a disorderly manner. He was then asked to leave the meeting after he became very confrontational and threw papers (which are believed to be emails) in the face of the Minister.” GRDB said that Doerga threatened to go to the Opposition. The Ministry of Agriculture, in response to Dr. Doerga, admitted that while the rice industry has
challenges, works are moving apace to overcome them. “However, while Mr. Doerga is of the view that the industry is in trouble, the rice sector for the first time in Guyana’s history recorded in excess of 500,000 tonnes of rice. This year, GRDB is moving to exceed this production target.” In 2013, GRDB said it exported approximately 400,000 tonnes of rice and this year based on exports done thus far and current contracts, the industry is set to export 500,000 tonnes. “The success of the rice industry is always based on the sector’s ability to export to new markets such as Panama, Nicaragua, and Belize, and increase sales to traditional markets such as Haiti, Venezuela, EU, and CARICOM.”
U.S. says wants Syria’s Assad out despite focus on Islamic State (Reuters) - The United States is focusing its efforts on defeating Islamic State militants wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria but has not changed its position that Syrian President Bashar alAssad must go the U.S. envoy to the United Nations said on Tuesday. The United States and five Arab allies began bombing Islamic State positions in Syria this month. The group, which is also known as ISIL and ISIS, has seized vast
areas of Syria and Iraq and is accused of massacres and beheadings of civilians and soldiers. “We continue to believe that the Assad regime is a magnet for terrorism,”
Ambassador Samantha Power told reporters. “The moderate Syrian opposition provides the best alternative to the Assad regime and the best counterweight to ISIL.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Bahamas strikes tough tone on immigration at UN UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The foreign minister of the Bahamas said yesterday his country is determined to control illegal immigration, saying that allowing it to balloon could be a “recipe for civil strife.” Frederick Mitchell struck a tough tone during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly, less than two weeks after his government announced a measure making it harder for migrants to work in the island chain. The Caribbean country is considering additional restrictions as part of a plan that appears mostly aimed at large numbers of Haitians who have settled there. Mitchell said controlling illegal immigration in the Bahamas is “central to our survivability as a country, central to our national identity and central to our national security,” he said. “We have only to see today how it drains our financial resources, and we do not have to look far to see
how unchecked immigration in other countries has been a recipe for civil strife within their borders. “We do not intend for that to happen to us,” Mitchell said. Haitians have long used the Bahamas as both a transit point to reach the United
States and as a place to settle, often taking low-wage jobs. The International Organization for Migration estimates that between 20,000 and 50,000 Haitians are in the Bahamas illegally. Mitchell said the Bahamas has purchased a new fleet of vessels to support its efforts to stop the flow of migrants to the country. Under the measure, already in effect, no work permits will be issued to anyone who does not have legal status in the Bahamas, and anyone who applies without legal status will be arrested and deported. The Cabinet also is considering measures that include a permanent ban on giving legal status to anyone ever deported from the Bahamas. Other proposed restrictions include a requirement that Haitians seeking work permits could be required to pay additional processing fees and apply in person at the Bahamas Embassy in Port-au-Prince.
Dominican-born PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne reminded delegates that many key public health achievements in the Americas have been made possible by the collective action of PAHO member countries. “Our region is on track to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis. More than 75 per cent of people living with HIV in the Americas have access to antiretroviral treatment. Our region was the first to eradicate polio, smallpox, measles, and congenital rubella syndrome,” she said. “This region has always
been, and will continue to be, a trail blazer as a result of your collective and committed leadership and your tireless hard work in improving the social conditions and health systems within your countries.” Etienne urged similar collaboration to advance universal access and universal health coverage, top agenda items for this week’s meeting. “It is hoped that the decisions and resolutions that emanate from our discussions this week will result in major health benefits for all, and especially those people in most need.”
Frederick Mitchell
Regional countries urged to collaborate on improving health care
WASHINGTON - CMC – Health ministers from the Caribbean are joining their counterparts from other member countries of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in the United States this week to debate universal coverage and other regional health challenges. The PAHO 53rd Directing Council meeting has been told that collective action by the regional countries is needed to expand affordable access to health care and to address other hemispheric health challenges. The five-day meeting will discuss a wide range of issues including childhood obesity, blood safety, disabilities and rehabilitation, mental health, prevention of blindness and visual impairment, healthrelated law, coordination of humanitarian assistance, and universal access and universal health coverage.
LIME in the red Barbados Nation - Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited’s persistently healthy profits have buckled under the weight of a $103 million “major restructuring” programme that included the departure of more than half of its employees. For the first time in recent memory, the company which trades as LIME is seeing red – recording a $69.7 million loss before taxes up to the end of March after tallying $208.4 million in profits between 2010 and last year. And after receiving $63.1 million in dividends last year,
the company’s shareholders will not be paid a cent this time. Chairman Sir Allan Fields reasoned that “shareholders will appreciate that the longterm viability is critical and the sacrifice being made now will redound to the benefit of all stakeholders in many years to come”. Sir Allan, chief executive officer (CEO) Oliver Chatten and chief financial officer and commercial director Patrick Hinkson outlined the anomalous performance in the company’s 2014 annual report.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Schoolchildren do not need cell phones I see no reason why any schoolchild should have need for a cellular phone while in school. Over the past few days, I have been soliciting the views of children as to the need for this device. Most of the children that I have spoken to, not surprisingly, indicated that a cellular phone is very much necessary, but very few could articulate convincing arguments in support of their contention. One of the main reasons given is that in case of an emergency, they can call their parents. I asked one child how
often such emergencies arise and was told that there are always emergencies. School life must be becoming more dangerous for there to be emergencies all the time. I have never had an emergency at school, which required me to leave school to go home, and of the hundreds of children that were my classmates there was never any emergency which could not have been resolved without the use of a telephone. In fact, there were no telephones in those days. Many schools have telephones and even if there
is none, some teacher can always have access to a telephone to make a call in case of an emergency. Children, therefore, should not have to take a cell phone to school because of an emergency. In addition, having such phones on their person attracts the attention of those who may wish to deprive the children of their valued possession. Many schoolchildren have been robbed of their cell phone. Another reason given by students is that they have to attend lessons and they need
Dem boys seh...
Cee fuh Satar posting voice mail in envelope Old people always seh, don’t left match round li’l pickney. And parents does warn li’l children to stay far from fire. Everybody know how li’l children does behave when dem get bun fuh de fuss time. Dem boys never know that a big man like Cee fuh Satar can behave like li’l pickney when he get bun. He tackle dem boys and he send e-mail all round de place. De Waterfalls boss man deh in he contact list and he thinking so much bout de Waterfalls boss man that he end up CC de e-mail to de man. And then he cuss and asking people how de boss man get de e-mail. When de thing expose he holler like li’l pickney. He jump pun he desk and if Cee fuh Ceelee didn’t see he, was through he did going by he head.1 Dem boys hear that after Cee fuh Ceelee calm down
Cee fuh Satar, de man promise that he done wid e-mail. De next day Cee fuh Karen go in de office and see Cee fuh Satar wid a big, brown envelope over he mouth, talking. Then she see he licking de envelope fuh seal it. She ask he, “Boss man wha you doing deh?” Right away he shout at she and ask she if she is a fool, if she don’t see that he sending a voice mail to Anil. He got to send voice mail now, that he can’t trust de email. De next day Cee fuh Ceelee walk in and see Cee fuh Satar stand up pun he desk, one side pants foot roll up to he knee and expose he one side red socks. Cee fuh Ceelee seh ‘Like you tripping boss man.” He seh that de Waterfalls paper mek he can’t sleep. He didn’t realize that de nastiness that he got in he heart woulda come in de public domain, that
dem boys woulda ketch he wid he pants down. But is de Creatah who watching over dem boys head and showing dem de way to find and expose all de Cee fuh Satar wicked plans. Dem boys seh that when dem done wid he, Cee fuh Satar gun trip more than GPL. Talk half and wait fuh nuff, nuff more e-mail.
the cell phones to call taxis or to let their parents know where they are. These kids today must be rich to be going to lessons with taxis and certainly if they are required to go to lessons, and do so, their parents would not need to contact them to confirm this. The cell phone has its uses. But it has passed the point where it creates marginal efficiencies. It does, however, provide some conveniences in contacting persons wherever they may be, but I doubt whether the increased utility this provides is offset by the cost involved. Cell phones are a fashion fad. Many persons have a phone because it is in vogue and they feel they should have it. It is just like the fancy footwear which children used to wear at one time to school and which caused so many problems. Poor children felt ashamed that they could not afford these expensive footwear which were being displayed by their peers, and this created a lot of pressure on the children, so much so that one child killed herself because her parents mistakenly purchased the wrong brand of shoes for her.
The rat race over who has the latest or most expensive cell phones is also a problem today. Some kids want the latest and most expensive phones simply because they do not wish to have their friends laugh at them in school. This creates its own pressures and even forces some children to demand more than their parents can afford. For this reason alone, the ban on cell phones in schools is fully justified. It will cause the same problems as occurred when children were allowed to wear whatever footwear they pleased. Those who could have afforded the brand name shoes sported these and the others kids felt pressured to keep up. This is not good for the school environment. Cell phones are also distracting. And this is one of the main reasons why they are outlawed from the classroom. I can understand the distraction that can be caused if in the middle of a class a cell phone rings. The phones can also be distracting outside of the classroom. One child told me that she used her phone to call one of her friends within
the same school, but only during the lunch periods or after school. That constitutes wasted time, because why would you have to use a cell phone to call another student in another class? All those schools which have therefore banned cell phones are in order. Students should not have cell phones in their possession. There is no need for them within the school. It would, however, be wrong to expel a child for the possession of a cell phone. There are ways to punish a child for a cell phone other than expulsion. The phone may be seized and returned to the parents at the end of the week or at the end of the term. But no child deserves to be expelled because of the possession of a cell phone. A great deal of harm is done to a child who is expelled and thus when one is considering such punishment, one should also consider the possible mental and emotional damage which can be done to the child.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Living La Vie en Rose and La Dolce Vita with Chikungunya This country is perhaps the weirdest hell-hole on the map. You travel all around Georgetown and you are amazed at how filth and wealth could co-exist so graphically, how leisure and disease could so happily coexist. And you wonder if what you see is real. Surely such an impossibility cannot be real. But it is. Kellawan Lall, in 2010,
said publicly that he wished there could be a health crisis so it could be the motivating factor to remove the opposition-dominated Georgetown City Council that cannot clean the garbage. There was a swift condemnatory reaction to Lall. Condemnation was automatic not only because you don’t wish illness on people, but for the reason Lall wanted the epidemic. In Guyana, you can put a justification on many thoughts, because Guyana is a sick nation. Lall was wrong to say what he uttered, but can you put a more acceptable touch to what Lall said? I believe you can. I believe you can say that the people of Guyana deserve an outbreak because they are a bunch of self-destructive sheep. This article is being typed
on Sunday afternoon, minutes after I received a second call from a distraught parent. He called earlier in the morning when I was at the protest by the people of Plaisance to reclaim their ancestral lands. I told him to call back. He just did. He is upset that one month after his son was admitted by UG to read for a degree in Geography, they wrote to say the programme will no longer be offered. He asked me to write about it. I told him I will after he sends a strong letter to UG and threatens legal action and consults a lawyer, because UG signed a contract with his son which they allegedly broke by not offering Geography anymore. Do you think he will? I doubt it. He wanted me to fight his battle. Well I have played my part. I am writing
about it here. Will he play his part? The Guyanese people are just living a self-destructive life. They have accepted to live in filth and therefore they must pay the consequences. If Chikungunya is the chichipate they must swallow because of their incredible self-destructive cowardice, then they deserve it. What will it take this nation to reject a government that is building a Marriott Hotel with taxpayers’ money running into billions and cannot clean the alleyways and drains which can easily be described as mountains of miasma waiting to infect you with Chikungunya? Visit Georgetown, day or night, and you will see people eating in alfresco fashion at the most posh fast-food restaurant and the stink gutter overflowing with filth is right in front of their faces. Fancy women with fancy money go into the most expensive boutique buying a designer T-shirt for $15,000 and right next to the building is an
ocean of smelly garbage. The rich and well-to-do enjoy a superb existence living life right next to Chikungunya. These are people who refuse to raise their voices against an impending health disaster. So there are times you think Kellawan Lall was right. Visit the Kaieteur News or the Stabroek News and the gutter in front of these two media houses are overflowing with silt that hasn’t been removed for decades. Go to Austin’s Bookstore (the only one in Guyana so you don’t have a choice) and the alleyway next to it is like a jungle. The mosquito carrying the Chikungunya is probably living there by the millions. Visit the Kitty Police Station and the gutter next to the station has overflowing sewage for over ten years now. The sewage runs onto a bridge in front of a DVD store that is highly patronized. Police personnel and patrons at that store will be hard-hit by Chikungunya. In Guyana sewage,
Frederick Kissoon garbage, silt, and overgrown weeds meet in a deadly confluence that is going to create a pandemic. And we are staring it in the face. Chikungunya is child’s play to what will follow. Nothing moves the zombies of Guyana. I guess zombies cannot be moved. We see the warning signs all over the world (Ebola is on the rampage) but we are too selfdestructive to open our mouths. Mark Benschop and I spent three days and three nights in the lock-ups denouncing the threat to thousands of people from the fumes that came out of the garbage dumped in Le Repentir cemetery. My wife and daughter constantly ask me where were the people whose lives we were fighting for. Lall’s reasoning was wrong, but some nations don’t deserve to live.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
$7M grass field plot for GLDA The Ministry of Agriculture, under the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), received a solitary bid for the construction of grass field plot #45. The bids were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main Street, Georgetown.
And also under the Health Ministry, seven bids were opened for the renovation of block ‘A’ Richmond Hill, Linden Doctors’ quarters.
Within the same sector, the GLDA received bids for the construction of a rain water drain and concrete strip for a hatchery.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works received a lone bid for consultancy services for road safety public relations and communications (Fourth Road Project, West Coast Demerara Road Improvement).
GPL clips power to UG’s recently re-commissioned IT Centre
The Tourism Ministry received bids for the extension of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission building, Sophia National Exhibition Centre.
Five bids were tendered under the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) for the acquisition of furniture. The bids were divided into two lots.
The GPL disconnection vehicle in the University’s compound yesterday. Bids were opened for upgrading works to the old Linden Hospital Building’s Ophthalmology Theatre and Doctors on-call rooms, Linden, Region 10.
Less than two weeks after the University of Guyana’s Centre for Information Technology (CIT) was commissioned by President Donald Ramotar, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) yesterday disconnected the power to the building. Calls to UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPL, Bharat Dindyal, along with other officials, went unanswered. The cash-strapped University has been straining to pay its staff, taxes and utility bills for several years. As part of a three-year $60M MoU signed
with the University of Guyana on April 30 last, the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) financed the refurbishment and replacement of hardware and software in the Computer Lab at the University of Guyana. The Internet Resource Centre was recommissioned at a cost of $20M. Additionally, the re-commissioning ceremony marked the delivery of the 2Mbps of dedicated Internet Bandwidth to the Centre for Information Technology (CIT) at an overall cost of $1.2 million monthly. The IT centre was re-commissioned on September 18.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
PPP prepared for “any one of the two elections” By Abena Rockcliffe General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee has made known that his Party is only prepared to contest in one election, even in light of actions which registered calls for both General and Local Government Elections. Rohee made the assertion on Monday as he hosted his Party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House. “With elections looming, be it Local Government or General, this is certainly an encouraging move to ensure our democracy is protected and Guyanese are afforded their rights as is stated in the Constitution of Guyana.” He said that as he had expressed, the PPP noted the latest development, whereby GECOM has released its intention to employ an Information Technology Manager. Further, Rohee said, “One statement that struck me is that we (PPP) do not seem to know what is happening on the ground and we are misreading the mood of the people.” He opined that this cannot be determined by
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee reading the daily newspapers, watching regular programmes or by making a call or watching facebook occurrences. Rohee said that during his years in politics he learnt that the best way to find out the mood of the people is to “get down on the ground and walk the villages and the communities, sit down at a bottom house, sit down on a back step, sit down in someone’s hammock and rap with the people on the ground…that is the only way to actually tell the mood of the
people.” He said that the PPP has been on the ground and has been able to assess that “right now the mood of the people is that they want one of the two elections. Whichever one we say we are going for they will follow us.” When questioned as to whether his statements meant that the PPP is only prepared to contest one of the two elections, Rohee said that he doubts that the two elections can be held in one year. He told Kaieteur News, “Well I don’t know that our Constitution and the Representation of the People Act can facilitate two elections both being held in one year… I doubt it and it has never happened in Guyana’s political or electoral
history.” Rohee added that even though so is the case, there is a lot of political chat taking place on these possibilities “but the law must be complied with”. The General Secretary said that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will have to decide if the desire is to have General or Local Government Elections. He added that, “the PPP is working and preparing for any one of the two elections.” However, hee noted He noted APNU’s preparedness specifically for Local Government Elections with some measure of disregard for the possibility of Guyana having General Elections.
But, Kaieteur News gathered from reliable sources that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) conducts elections as called upon to so do, and therefore can hold both elections in the very same year. The sources say that the President is the one authorized to call General Elections while the Minister of Local Government is authorized to call Local Government Election. It was pointed out that there is no legal provision that Local Government and General Elections cannot be held in the same year. However, it was explained that if there should be a “clash”, General Elections would take precedence and Local Government Elections would
be held 90 days later. When the National Assembly reconvenes later this month, it will debate and consider the No-Confidence Motion that the AFC laid against the government. Approval of that Motion would result in the resignation of President Donald Ramotar and his entire Cabinet being forced to resign. The President would also have to set a date for elections within three months after the Motion is passed. He also has the choice of calling snap elections even before the Motion is passed. APNU pledged to support the AFC’s Motion and subsequently renewed calls for a date to be set for the holding of Local Government Elections.
Prison fracas accused make another court appearance
Police are still on the hunt for the fourth man who is wanted in the New Amsterdam Prison fracas that occurred on May 23, last, even as the other three accused made their second court appearance in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. Alan Samaroo, called ‘Scare Dem’ of Angoy’s Avenue, was among four high profile prisoners (part of a gang) implicated in the incident which left four other inmates (part of another gang) seriously injured. Samaroo, who was incarcerated at the time on a charge of robbery under arms, was subsequently released from prison before charges were filed in the matter. He subsequently disappeared from the jurisdiction and has been on the run since. The other men who were
- hunt for fourth man continues
Jason McKenzie called ‘Psycho’
Randolph Rodrigues called ‘Shoulders’
Colwin Cort called ‘Dutchie
implicated with Samaroo and made their second court appearance yesterday are gang leader Randolph Rodrigues called ‘Shoulders’ who is in jail on a charge of
murder; Jason Mc Kenzie called ‘Psycho’ also in jail on a charge of murder; and Colwin Cort called ‘Dutchie’ who was on remand on a charge of wounding.
The men appeared yesterday before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus and were further remanded to jail.They are scheduled to return to court on October 14.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Lawyer asks court to order LGE before Dec. 7 Weeks after successfully getting Government to overturn a decision to have a recent birth certificate tendered when a new passport is being applied for, a lawyer known for taking on sensitive constitutional challenges is at it again. This time, attorney-at-law Saphier Husain-Subedar has gone to court asking for orders that will force Government to hold Local Government Elections between November 1st and December 7th, of this year. The motion, filed yesterday, will be heard this afternoon by Chief Justice (acting), Ian Chang. The court action comes at a time when the Opposition and the diplomatic community have been intensifying pressure on Government to hold the elections, the last of which took place in 1994. There have been a number of protests by the Opposition over the delays, with the diplomatic community even issuing statements calling for elections. However, the process has been stymied by delays, with Government objecting to the number of dead persons on the voters’ list, among other things. The lawyer is asking for an Order or Rule Nisi to be directed to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, to show cause why a final order should not be made that will see the holding of the local government elections
between November 1st and December 7th, 2014. The motion is also asking for orders that will force the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to conduct the Local Government Elections by secret ballot on the date appointed by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Husain-Subedar is also requesting an order directing Whittaker and GECOM to file answers within14 days. In supporting court documents, the lawyer said that he is the Leader of the National Independent Party of Guyana, a party that has plans to contest the Local Government Regional and National Election. This has been officially conveyed to GECOM since July. The lawyer said that the last Local Government Election was held in 1994, some 20 years ago. This was despite the fact that elections are supposed to be held every three years between November 1st and December 7, as is mandated in the law. “The Minister and his predecessors have acted inconsistent and contrary to Section 35 (1) and 35 (2) of the Local Authorities (Election) Act Chapter 28:03 of the Laws of Guyana and claimed to be protected by 36 A (1) Local Authorities (Election) Act Chapter 28:03 of the Laws of Guyana and subsequent amendment.” The lawyer said he
- says NDCs, municipalities acting illegally
Attorney-at-law, Saphier Husain-Subedar
Local Govt. Minister, Norman Whittaker
President Donald Ramotar
believes not holding the election is contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations Declaration on criteria for free and fair elections. Husain-Subedar pointed to the last Amendment of the Local Authorities (Election) Act – dated January 9th, 2013, which purports to postpone Local Government Election to sixteen years from the last date of elections to December 1st, 2013. “It is my contention that said amendment is unconstitutional, repugnant and inconsistent with Article (71) of the Constitution and Section (21) of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations International Covenant on Economic and
Social and Cultural Rights.” On January 16th, 2014, a bill was presented to Parliament to amend the Local Authorities (Election) Act to postpone Local Government Election for 17 years. This bill was amended and passed in Parliament to read 16 years and eight months to August 1st, 2014, but the act has not been assented to by the President. “It is my contention that the contents of the Bill No 3 of 2014 (not assented) are inconsistent, repugnant to,
and purport to postpone Local Government Election contrary to the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The lawyer said that GECOM does not have a constitutional authority to cause the deferral of Local Government Elections for over 16 years. “I advised myself and verily believe that the right to vote at periodical Local Government Election is a fundamental right as recognized by the United Nations…and the
Constitution of India and Amendment of United States Constitution. It is irrational and an absurdity that fourteen, fifteen and sixteen years have passed and the Election Commission is not ready for election.” The lawyer contended that the postponement of Local Government Elections for so many years violates his and the rights of other Guyanese. “I shall contend that the failure to hold periodic regular elections for Local Government from 1994 to date is in contravention of my rights guaranteed under Article 147 of the Constitution, “the right to form or belong to a political party” including my “right to vote and/or to contest periodical elections.” The lawyer is also arguing that there is no existing law empowering the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development to postpone the appointment of a day for election. He also says that all acts and things done or purported to be done by the Municipalities and Local Democratic Organs Authorities since December 1st, 2013 were/are illegal, unconstitutional and void since there is no existing law protecting the said acts.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Jamaican expert calls for attitude change to fully embrace TVET — emphasises importance of punctuality By Sharmain Grainger The need for a change in values and attitudes was cited as critical, before earnest agitation can be made Caribbean-wide towards fully embracing Technical, Vocational Education Training (TVET). This assertion was yesterday made by TVET visionary, Robert Gregory. The Jamaican, who has for many years displayed a keen interest in the area of TVET, was at the time speaking at the start of a Ministry of Education-organised stakeholders’ forum held at the Millennium Manor Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Tasked with delivering the feature address at the forum, Gregory took time to explain that “attitudes come from somewhere; attitudes come
from your values...at the root of all things is values–what you stand for, what you believe, who you are at your very core is what influences your attitude, and your attitude is really your predisposition towards anything.” He made this point to underscore that inculcated attitude is a feature that a human being adopts to craft their behaviour. And even as he addressed the need for attitudinal changes to ensure that TVET becomes a real asset to the Caribbean, Gregory could not contain his passion about the importance of punctuality. His move to divert from the TVET subject was premised on the fact that the planned 09:00 hours start of the forum yesterday was
delayed in order to accommodate the arrival of participants. “There is a correlation between serious countries, serious people and punctuality,” said a stern Gregory, as he recalled a visit to Germany where he was able to observe punctuality at its best, or so he thought then. “But when I went to China, trust me...when dem say the bus leaving at 8, the bus is pulling out at 8 on the dot, mek the Germans and the Swiss look like a joke,” said Gregory in a thick Jamaican accent. In emphasising the importance of punctuality, he stressed that “punctuality has to do with time and time is a non-renewable resource; we will never relive this moment we are in right
Jamaican facilitator Robert Gregory displays the recently launched TVET Strategy. now...If you waste it, it’s gone; you can’t recapture it...we are one minute older and closer to our grave.” He therefore cautioned those gathered at the forum that spending time is in fact like spending money and must therefore be used as a
A section of the gathering yesterday.
resource with a view of getting a return on the time invested. “How much is half an hour of your time worth folks? How many dollars?” questioned Gregory as he pointed out that those oblivious to the importance of punctuality in essence “punish the punctual, those who came on time sitting down waiting for you to come, wasting their time waiting. Can you imagine adding up the value you ascribe to your half-hour that you sat waiting...the total sum of money wasted for yourself and for Guyana, think about it that way and then you will understand why the German people are there on time, and why the Swiss bus arrives at 8:06...” He even went on to highlight that people in ‘serious countries’ are at work on time doing their job and not simply drinking coffee first; they turn up at work to work and they produce because time is money. Gregory, in continuing on his TVET deliberations, disclosed that the Caribbean seems to be well on its way to directing needed focus to technical matters, as according to him, a TVET Strategy for workforce development and economic competitiveness was only recently launched. The document which Gregory displayed yesterday was launched in Trinidad and Tobago last week Monday and came after a number of years of consultations with citizens of the Caribbean of various professional levels. “This represents the ratified thoughts of the Caribbean people about how they are going to move forward with TVET, and TVET as a means to an end, as education is a means to an end...no longer are we talking about education in little compartments,” Gregory asserted. According to him, “it (TVET) is not an end in itself; it is a vehicular tool to arrive at workforce development and the competitiveness of Guyana and the entire Caribbean in this global environment.”
Also speaking at the forum yesterday was Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, who lauded the work that Gregory has over the years plugged into helping the Region embrace TVET. Gregory, according to Sam, has committed to supporting Guyana in its efforts to help craft where it is going to go in relation to the broader regional movement towards enhancing the TVET agenda. “The reasons why I think this is critical is because we in the education system have moved, I think, a very long way in relation to recognising that Technical, Vocational Education and Training has to be the vehicle for the development of this nation we so love, and that the education system has to articulate that in very real, tangible ways; that our structures or pathways need to reflect the importance of TVET,” Sam emphasised. Alluding to the need to embrace TVET to aid national development, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Patrick Chinedu, spoke of the need for measures to be implemented at secondary schools across Guyana in order to realise greater benefits. “We know we can’t do it alone. We ask you parents, teachers, education officers (to support us). We know and I’m confident our officers at the Ministry have bought into this idea,” Chinedu told the gathering. He disclosed that while Caricom has launched a TVET Strategy, Guyana has also developed its own plan “that we hope is going to take us to that place where Guyana can benefit from the successes, the fruits, the results that a well articulated TVET system can bring to Guyana towards its economic competitiveness.” The effort by the Ministry of Education to raise awareness about the importance of TVET is being supported by the Government of Canada, and the support was reinforced by the presence of a representative at the forum yesterday.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 17
US Embassy joins local fight against gender-based violence By Latoya Giles Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Byran Hunt, on Monday evening handed over grant aids totaling US$600,000 from the United States State Department to three Local Non-Governmental Organizations. Among the recipients that worked tirelessly to obtain the funding were the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre which received US$89,962, Child Link (US$99,999) and Red Thread, which received almost US$400,000. The money is expected to be used by the agencies to fight instances of genderbased violence across the country with an aim to eliminating the scourge. Addressing the gathering, the Chargé d’Affaires explained that the money will be used to enable the organizations to expand their existing grass root work to prevent violence, and to assist victims in meaningful ways. Hunt explained that the US Embassy has launched what he says will be a critical new phase in the United States government’s efforts to assist the people of Guyana in advancing the status of women and combating the scourge of gender-based violence. Hunt said that the event sought not only to recognize the significant achievements that the global community, in general, and Guyana, in particular, have made in working to end gender-based violence, but also to raise awareness of the significant work that remains to be done, if they are to eliminate this significant roadblock to women’s full participation in the political, economic, and social lives of their communities. “Gender-based violence cuts across ethnicity, race, class, religion, education level, and international boundaries, and an estimated one in three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime,” Hunt told the gathering. He said that research provides evidence that violence committed by spouses or family members is the most common form of violence experienced by women globally, and children are particularly vulnerable. “Almost 50 percent of all sexual assaults worldwide are against girls 15 and younger. Around the globe annually, 150 million girls and 73 million boys are victims of forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence,” Hunt asserted. He further stated that doing more includes raising awareness, changing societal attitudes, and offering care and support for the victims of
gender-based violence, building more shelters, offering additional counselling to victims and their families, and assisting victims in achieving economic independence from their abusers. “International donors, civil society, and the private sector can and should unquestionably assist in this area,” the Charge d’Affaires stressed. He said, however, such efforts will always be insufficient until such time as there is a clear global understanding that genderbased violence is and must be treated as serious criminal activity with severe criminal penalties. Hunt further noted that the first response in handling instances of such violence must include the involvement of law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts, to ensure that those who persist in perpetrating violence against their family members are held accountable and brought to justice.
“Decades of research have shown that if severe criminal penalties do not attach to gender-based violence, such violence becomes a self-perpetuating cycle in which children learn abuse and ultimately become abusers.” The grants which were given out will help to empower Guyanese civil society organizations to begin an expansion of local efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. Hunt said that the proposals that they would be funding run the gamut of activities from education and awareness to improved implementation of existing criminal penalties for domestic violence. Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre’s project will use education to address deep-seated social and cultural norms that contribute to gender-based violence. It will work with young men to promote a positive and healthy definition of masculinity; to build conflict resolution skills; to provide coping mechanisms for
Representatives of the three entities pose with Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt. depression, anger and stress; and to assist them in developing healthy relationships. Child Link Incorporated’s project will aim to build capacity and raise awareness among teenagers and caregivers, including teachers
and parents, Parent/Teacher Association executives, and school welfare officers on the issue of gender-based violence and its relationship to HIV/AIDS. Red Thread’s project focuses on improved implementation of domestic
violence laws. It will work with communities, law enforcement, and the justice sector to create a protective environment against domestic violence and to increase prosecution related to gender-based violence. Continued on page 24
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Kaieteur News
Handyman caught “red handed” burgling city house remanded A handyman of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, charged with Break and Enter and Larceny, was ordered held without court bond when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday. Paul Richard is accused of breaking into Julia Maxwell’s house last Saturday (September 27) and stealing a BlackBerry cellular phone, one Vaseline moisturizer, one computer speaker and a pair of sandals – articles which
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
amounted to $41,500. After being caught redhanded in her home with the items, Richard was taken to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he initially pleaded guilty to the offence. He explained that he went to “take a smoke” and a man came in the yard and started to beat him. He said when he woke up, he noticed a plastic bag with “dem things” next to him. Richard denied entering the house, claiming that he fainted as a result of the thrashing he received. As a result, the Magistrate recorded a not guilty plea. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant told the Court that Maxwell secured her home around 14:00 hours and left to
conduct business. He said when the victim returned, however, she observed that her door was opened and when she checked, she found the defendant with a plastic bag in his hand which contained the articles. Grant explained that the matter was reported to the police and Richard was taken into custody and later charged. The Prosecutor opposed bail on the nature of the offence and stated that the accused has a similar matter pending before the courts. The Chief Magistrate granted the Prosecution’s request and Richard was remanded to prison. The case will be called again on October 8 for statements.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Murder accused to face High Court trial Kurt Clarke, the 34-yearold accused of stabbing a patron to death for using a gay slur against him, has once again been ordered to stand High Court trial on a murder charge. Clarke was, for the second time, before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on the indictable charge. He is charged with killing Jamal ‘Gaga’ Fernandes on the morning of September 4, 2013, outside of Baroombar on North Road, Lacytown. According to reports, about 03:20 hours, Fernandes was standing outside the club with two female acquaintances. The accused reportedly referred to one of the women as “sexy,” and Fernandes, who became annoyed, allegedly told the defendant that he (Clarke) is an “anti-man”. Clarke, who is said to have become annoyed by the remark, allegedly got out of his car, armed himself with a knife and stabbed the victim five times in his chest. Fernandes died on his way to the Georgetown Public
ACCUSED: Kurt Clarke Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Two days following the incident, Clarke appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face the murder charge and he has been held in custody ever since. The first Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was conducted before the Chief Magistrate last year and she had on December 23, last, committed him to stand trial in the High Court. The case was, however, ordered to be
reopened by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a second PI was conducted. During this PI, one new witness was brought before the courts to testify on behalf of the state, in addition to the witnesses from the previous PI. Following testimonies of all witnesses, the Prosecution spearheaded by Inspector Michael Grant moved to close its case against the accused while Defence Attorney, Peter Hugh, argued that no case had been made out against his client. The Chief Magistrate ruled yesterday that a prima facie case of murder had been made out against Clarke and offered him a chance to address the Court. “I am innocent of this charge, your Honour. I will reserve my witnesses for High Court,” the accused said. The Chief Magistrate indicated that based on the evidence she is of the opinion that a sufficient case of murder was made out against Clarke to stand trial for Fernandes’s murder. The date of the trial is yet to be fixed.
No bail for construction worker on attempted robbery, illegal gun charges A 26-year-old construction worker accused of pouncing on a patron with a gun at a popular fast food outlet at the Stabroek Market Square in a daring robbery attempt last Friday was remanded to prison when he appeared in court yesterday. Calvin Dover of Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was taken at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to respond to attempted robbery as well as charges of unlawful possession of a fireman and ammunition. The first charge read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry alleged that last Friday (September 26) at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, while
being armed with a gun, he attempted to rob Dave Rodrigues. It is also alleged that Dover had a 9mm pistol and eleven live rounds of matching ammunition at the said time, when he was not licenced to carry same. The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges and submitted a bail application through his lawyer, Adrian Thompson. According to the Police, about 19:00 hours, the victim (Rodrigues) was sitting at the Demico House outlet when Dover placed a gun to his head and attempted to rob him. Police P r o s e c u t o r, Inspector Michael Grant said that the victim retaliated and the two ended up in a scuffle,
US Embassy joins local... From page 17 Meanwhile, Chair of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indranie Chandarpal pointed out that there is still a lot of work left to be done. She said, in her personal opinion, this type of violence cannot be eliminated but must be reduced, and called for all stakeholders to keep raising awareness. She recognized the need for a collaborative effort to tackle this type of violence. Also in attendance at the event were Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster; Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene; as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps.
during which Rodrigues managed to disarm the accused. He related that the police was contacted and Dover was arrested. Further investigations led to him being charged. The Prosecution made a request for the accused to remain in custody. Grant cited the serious nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. He said that Dover used a firearm and added that the weapon was recovered. He also related to the Court that Dover has a pending unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition case before city Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Meanwhile, Thompson, in his address to the court, claimed that his client was a victim of robbery who had been struck to his head. He added that the police took the accused to the hospital, and that there is a medical to show the injuries he had sustained. The lawyer contended that the facts presented by the Prosecution were not entirely correct. Notwithstanding the application, bail was refused and Dover was remanded to prison. The matter is set to be called again on October 17.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Parliament gears to resume Human rights body condemns work on critical issues action of police, medical officials Brutal Matthews Ridge rape…
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has strongly criticized the manner in which the police and medical officials in Matthews Ridge have handled the case involving an Amerindian woman who was raped in her home by an intruder last week Tuesday. The local human rights body is issuing a call for concerted and urgent action, both from the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force to ensure that a more professional and realistic response to allegations of sexual assault is adopted in hinterland areas. “There is clearly also a sense of impunity developing in hinterland areas, whereby perpetrators of sexual offences believe themselves to be beyond the reach of the law,” the body said in a release yesterday. In fact, the GHRA noted that this was not the first instance of sexual assault where an unacceptable response was garnered from the police and medical officials. It said that the case of the 55-year-old woman in Matthews Ridge, North-West District was made public merely a few days after an allegation of sexual assault of a young Amerindian hotel worker in Mahdia was similarly reduced to physical assault. The body complained that neither the police nor the medical staff at the Pakera Hospital investigated allegations of sexual assault made by the elderly woman “because she could not narrate the story as clearly as they would have liked.” The woman had sustained a speech impediment since she suffered a stroke about eighteen months ago, GHRA explained. “Despite torn underwear, as well as the presence of relatives and friends capable of understanding what the woman says, the police and doctor focused entirely on physical assault. The police
also claim she did not complain of rape,” the nongovernmental organisation said. GHRA further disclosed that the members of the family and community are angered by the police and medical responses to the incident. “In the first place, it was handled entirely by male police and male medical staff when there are female police and medics available in the community. The hospital, the GHRA was informed, did not perform any examination for sexual assault because the victim only complained of a physical assault.” GHRA said it is alleged that the woman “never got to tell her story properly because the policeman in charge of the station was more interested in questioning her about her life history, asking her some questions she wasn’t able to answer, and loudly talked her down when she tried to talk about the rape.” The body said that it was informed by relatives that “you don’t need a sign language interpreter to understand her; lots of people who know her can tell what she is saying.” According to GHRA, following publication of the case in Kaieteur News’ September 30 Edition, a detective appointed to reinvestigate has ordered the female relative most active in pursuing the case not to revisit the police station or the hospital and instituted a male relative as the main interlocutor for the victim. The human rights body explained that the suspected perpetrator is well-known to the victim and she took the police to his home. GHRA lamented that the disability dimension of this case should be a cause of serious concern. “The inability of a person to speak clearly by reason of disability cannot be an excuse for not taking action on what
they allege.” The NGO said that while more formal arrangements may be required for court proceedings, the police cannot demand similar standards in order to pursue investigations. “In both the Mahdia case and this case, circumstantial evidence pointed clearly to the need to examine and investigate for sexual assault. The unavailability of rape kits is no excuse for not doing so.” GHRA also reported that there is widespread indignation, at least among females in the community which is being fuelled by the growing number of sexual assaults in the area. The much publicized case of a young woman sexually assaulted and murdered, whose body was found in bushes and nothing has come of it, was one instance highlighted by GHRA. The human rights body said that the women also complained that “within a day’s walk of Matthews Ridge, miners from the coast have virtually taken over some small villages, where they wait till parents get drunk then prey on girls as young as seven years old. According to the GHRA, the clamour that “no one here is responsible for Amerindians” was a further echo of Mahdia. The 55-year-old woman was last week rushed to the Pakera Public Hospital, Matthews Ridge, after she reported that she was sexually molested in her bed by an intruder. The incident occurred around 20:30 hours last week Tuesday at the woman’s home at Flats, Matthews Ridge. One of her relatives explained that one of her son’s friends sneaked into her house, beat her, and had sexual intercourse with her. The relative said that the woman explained that the ordeal lasted for about 30 minutes.
By Kiana Wilburg Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman expressed during a press conference yesterday that the Parliament office is ready and rearing to resume the business of the National Assembly. However, there is a full agenda of critical issues still to be addressed. According to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, the debate of the No Confidence Motion may not be the first hot topic to be attended to. In fact, it is possible that it can take a while for this debate to occur. Trotman said that the annual recess runs for the period August 10 to October 10. This year, there appeared to be a much longer recess period because the House last met on July 10. Nonetheless, he noted that the Parliament Office is in preparation mode as the Assembly still has to address a number of important matters. These include the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, the Telecommunications and Public Utilities Commission Bills, Education Bill, Customs Amendment Bill, the Wildlife Import and Export Bill, and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. Trotman said these matters remain extant and are to be addressed when Parliament resumes. The House Speaker said that he expects that new questions, motions and bills will also be added to the Order Paper before the resumption. On the last business day before the recess commenced, August 8, a Motion, commonly referred to as a “No Confidence Motion”, was submitted for debate in the names of Alliance For Change members, Moses Nagamootoo and Cathy Hughes. After receiving the benefit of advice and extensive research, Trotman said that he concluded that the Motion,
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman extraordinary as it is, does qualify for debate, as it meets the internationally acceptable standard for a motion of this nature. Trotman told members of the media that in conducting research on the Motion, reference was made to the procedures in other CARICOM member states such as Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, along with Commonwealth members such as the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand. He said that they
all support the opinion that the Motion is in the proper form. “Procedurally, this Motion is no different to any other motion that is submitted, approved and debated by the National Assembly. As such, the Clerk will place it on the Order Paper for debate in keeping with Standing Order 14 (1) which states that the “Clerk of the Assembly shall prepare an Order Paper for each sitting of the Assembly showing the business before the National Assembly...”. Thereafter, the mover of the Motion will indicate if and when the member is prepared to proceed with the debate,” the Speaker added. Because of the unprecedented nature of this Motion, Trotman said that he has taken the liberty of communicating with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Dr. William Shija, to alert him that the National Assembly may require guidance and support on the interpretation and application of the Motion. He has also contacted his counterparts in the Caribbean informing them that their guidance may also be sought if becomes necessary.
Former Chronicle reporter on fraud charge Mark Bradford was charged with fraudulent conversion on Monday last, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that between November 1 and December 24, 2013, Bradford was entrusted with $525,060 by Elton Cordis to pay for a venue, music and police security for a party, but he used the money for his own benefit. Bradford, 45, of M&TC Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice, pleaded not guilty. When asked what he does for a living, the defendant, a former reporter for the Guyana Chronicle, told the court that he is currently a ‘freelance sports journalist’. He was granted bail originally at $100,000, but that was subsequently reduced when he stated that he “only got $50,000”. Prosecutor Michael Grant did not oppose bail and the matter was adjourned until October 31.
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Kaieteur News
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2006 BMW 320i PRR series, 2008 Toyota Tacoma, GLL Series – Tel: 615-4114 One Toyota Raum with double sunroof automatic, mags, CD, AC, excellent condition - $975,000 – Tel:618-1047 Mark 2, good working condition - $400,000 – Contact: 667-8561
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call :225-9032, 647-2943 FOR LOW COST: REPAIRS TO FRIDGE, FREEZER,A/C UNIT, MICROWAVES, TV & WASHINGMACHINE -CALL: 629-4946 OR 225-4822 Offering care giving service direct to patience home, USA Trained & certified, service fee negotiable, no agent – Call: 692-7599, 628-4027 Managing, renting or Selling then contact the professionals Pearl Realty – Call: 689-9991 Professional grill works, razor wired, installations, fabrication and maintenance, repairs – Call:661-6793 or 677-2482 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766
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Wednesday October 01, 2014
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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: 30% OFF COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Salon Stations @ 51 Robb & Albert Streets to rent, must have clients – Call:2314010, 627-8277, 669-6110 One business space in Duncan street,One bedroom apartment in Austin street with parking space- Contact 628-7953 Two bedroom apartment in Austin street with AC accommodation & parking space. Contact 628-7953 Restaurant & Bar – Tel:6690366 (Continued on page 29)
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
CONSPIRATORS IN A Ms. Teixeira was selective HOUSING FRAUD
DEAR EDITOR, I write with reference to a news story titled: “Home of US-based Guyanese burglarized” (Guyana Times Sept. 18th). The article reported that Jagdeo Persaud’s “sister . . . who lives overseas might have plotted with the men to commit the act … she might have known about the robbery”. Let it be said here that I am that sister. My name is Shanni Persaud and I have an entirely different and fuller account of the entire matter. I was there in person when the locks of the padlocked rooms were broken. We needed to clean the rooms to house a live-in caretaker to take care of a brother, Harry, who was discharged from the hospital and needed 24-hour care. The rooms were extremely hot. It felt like the temperature came down 10-15 Fahrenheit degrees after the rooms and windows were opened. No one removed any items from the house. What I saw were mostly inexpensive household items, not million-dollar appliances or other merchandise. Jagdeo made up these false charges of stuff missing. He felt he needed to compound the mischief and criminality he has committed in that house. (2) Over the last five years it appears Jagdeo Persaud claimed or seized possession of the house, padlocked the rooms, and consigned the only remaining member of the family, living in Guyana, to the smallest room in the four-bedroom house. Jagdeo created hell-like conditions in the house by preventing the free air-flow. That brother passed away in that house on September 14, one week after he was discharged from the hospital. (3) The house belonged to my mother who passed away in New York in 2007. She
did not pass ownership of the house to any one by sale or otherwise. I took care of my mother until she passed away. I never heard her say she wanted to Will or Sell her house to Jagdeo Persaud. After she passed, it was discovered from papers copied from the Deeds Registry in Georgetown that my mother (supposedly and secretly) gave a Power-ofattorney to Keith Oudith who works at the Ministry of Finance in Georgetown, who then sold the house to Jagdeo Persaud. My mother never met Keith Oudith in New York – and having ten children alive, I can say categorically, she would not have given such a power-of-attorney to a total stranger, Keith Oudith. (4) Since 2009 the family has been trying to get the Fraud Division of CID Eve Leary to investigate this matter. Last week I received unconfirmed reports that DetectiveReidattheFraudDivision had been looking in this matter. Recently, family members met Mr. Rekha, Finance Secretary at the Ministry of Finance who confirmed that Keith Oudith does indeed work there. As far as I know Keith Oudith has not yet been contacted by Guyana policeto investigate this bizarre turn of events. How on earth could this man have met my mother in New York, much less receive powers to sell her house? My mother had ten children alive before she passed on in 2007. My mother would not ever – ever - pass her house on to one son only. A gigantic fraud (a criminal matter) had been committed here – and it is time the Guyana Police do something about this category of crimes and restore a sense dignity and respect for the laws of Guyana. (5) It further appears that Jagdeo Persaud
The return of...
From page 4 it takes to govern because of a lack of vision. Real leadership is about having a vision plan to run this nation. What I see is our politicians fighting and accusing each other daily so a house divided by itself cannot stand. If they are fighting among themselves then it means that our nation has bad examples to follow. Our existing administration had 22 years to deal with blackouts, bad drainage and irrigation, garbage everywhere now the outbreak of chikungunya, all because our environment breeds the bad mosquitoes that carry the disease. People throw garbage everywhere, from the rich businessman to the poor ghetto folks. I normally walk through a road that leads to the Mon Repos Primary School and see tons of garbage thrown near the road by residents. Where are the sanitary inspectors? Where is the NDC chairman? V.S Naipaul wrote a book called an Area of Darkness; I believe this is a prophecy for our nation since we are in blackout and darkness. With the right technology our Kaieteur Falls can give this nation and our neighboring nations, electricity. To eradicate blackouts we should turn to solar power. With less than a million people it’s possible to have solar power in every home. We will have no need for GPL. Rev.Gideon Cecil
commandeered two cars, loaded them up with purported plainclothes detectives and went looking for John Persaud (brother) and Rabindranath Persaud (cousin) to do some sort of a citizen’s arrest. Brickdam Police (Detectives Bowman, Herbert, Marshall – who report to Commander Hicken) have no record of any arrest team being dispatched to carry out any such arrest. It appears that Jagdeo Persaud in cowboy style hired his own arrest team and went out in Wild West fashion to effect an arrest. Guyana Police, to protect their reputation, must find out who the members of this arrest team were – Were they for private hire? Kaloutie Rampersaud of Third Street, Windsor Forest, filed a report at Den Amstel Police Station providing details of two cars bearing (supposedly) plainclothes detectives led by Jagdeo Persaud who showed up at her house looking for John and Rabindranath. According to descriptions provided by Kaloutie, one member of the arrest team was believed to be a doctor attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The members of the arrest team must be properly identified and account for their mission – who hired and assign them to this arrest mission? Guyana is not a Wild West country – at least not yet. (6) Family members tell me they visited with Commander Hicken, Detectives Bowman, Herbert, Marshall (Brickdam); Detectives Makanlall, Colleen John, and Karim-Baksh (Office of Professional Responsibility, Eve Leary), Constable Sewsankar and Edmundsen of Den Amstel and many other divisions at Brickdam and Eve Leary – all in an effort to prod the GPF to get to the bottom of this matter. Police HQ must investigate these matters and ensure justice is done. It is incredulous that so many properties in the last ten years (perhaps the number run into several hundreds) have changed ownership on the basis of fake power-of-attorneys. This is also a matter that should engage the attention of the AttorneyGeneral. One family member spent three days visiting the AG Ramson’s office in 2009 trying in vain to get him to investigate the spate of fake and rampant power-ofattorneys fraud sweeping the country. AG’s office said these are civil matters, not criminal. Stealing people’s properties are civil not criminal? Are we getting stupid in this country or something? Shanni Persaud
DEAR EDITOR, Responding to Gail Teixeira’s outpouring on the accusation against Raphael Trotman, and her accusation that Red Thread and others are dealing with this differently than we did with the accusation against Henry Greene. First, to correct omissions of Ms Teixeira, the first organization to concretely address the issue of sexual offences prosecutions was the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) which also produced an analysis of the progress of these cases through the courts. Her letter also fails to name Ms Priya Manickchand who, as Minister of Human Services, piloted the public consultations and tabled the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) in parliament. The campaign and lobby against the sloth of the parliament in enacting the Sexual Offences Bill 2010 was pursued by Help and Shelter (H&S, not mentioned in Ms Teixeira’s letter) and Red Thread, with support from Childlink and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD). We do not recall the Women’s Progressive Organization (WPO) putting its weight behind the call for reformed legislation though they may have done so behind the scenes. The implementation of this legislation on sexual offences continues to be inadequate, since police investigations are patently unsatisfactory and the capacity of the courts to schedule trials is far below what it needs to be. Generally, the treatment of accusations against public and influential figures continues to be dealt with in a very immature fashion, and certainly, Ms Teixeira seems to be suggesting that this should continue with the trial by media. The SOA provides for the protection of the identity of the accuser, apparently not a protection that the accuser of
Mr. Trotman is interested in claiming. Following the reports in the national media, our view on a few things follows: The texts from a practising lawyer – Ms. Jaya Manickchand - to Mr. Trotman appear to have offered a path to settling the matter so that the accusations would have never seen the light of day in a court of law. That a member of the legal fraternity should attempt to mediate/negotiate a financial settlement rather than to ensure a full police investigation in the face of a report of child rape strikes us as a complete violation of the spirit of the Sexual Offences Act and speaks to one of the ways we tragically fail to protect children and subvert the law. According to the newspaper reports, Mr. Trotman’s injunction sought to prevent the accuser publishing the details of his accusation. While we are wary of attempts to restrict free speech in relation to allegations of abuse by persons in positions of power, we would argue that the Chief Justice’s decision in the Henry Greene case went further on the road of undermining justice for survivors of sexual assault than an injunction which, so far as we gather, does nothing to interrupt an ongoing police investigation. As well, media reports suggest that Mr Trotman has consistently called for such an investigation from the beginning. The difference in the Henry Greene case (Ms. Teixeira’s benchmark to prove our apparent inconsistency) was that Mr. Greene used the court and his office to completely subvert the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in advising about charges against him; then the Chief Justice in his decision rode roughshod over the provisions of the SOA 2010 and the authority of the DPP. Red Thread’s position on all matters of rape and sexual and other forms of abuse is
that however painful it might be when a relative or friend is involved, we must each do our part to ensure that the facts are elicited and the law is applied without fear or favour. The political/media football that is being kicked around in this Trotman matter speaks more to a sick political culture than to a national concern with protecting the vulnerable from abuse. Ms Teixeira, who remained silent through all the public debate on the Henry Greene case, (though she now conveniently says we were right to condemn the decision of the High Court in that matter) should refrain from attempts to bait organisations like Red Thread who have been, and continue to be, totally committed to the effective implementation of all laws aimed at the protection of the vulnerable to enter the partisan frenzy. We are also sending this letter to the Guyanese taxpayer funded state newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle, which also carried Gail Teixiera’s letter. Karen de Souza Red Thread
(From page 28)
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Page 30
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
GUYEXPO preparations in full force Workmen erecting booths for GUYEXPO 2014.
Preparations are in full force, as it is crunch time for exhibitors to complete their booths in time for the country’s premier trading exhibition, GUYEXPO, which is held annually at the National Exhibition Centre in Sophia. As of today, many of the stalls set to be present at the exhibition are still under construction. However, Event Coordinator Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh promises that all structures will be completed by noon tomorrow, “…just in time for the festivities of the opening ceremony”. The event will be held under the theme “Transformation: Partnering for a better Guyana”. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Irfaan Ali, in brief remarks, thanked the sponsors of the highlyanticipated exhibition.
GUYEXPO, which will be held from October 2-5, received support from longtime sponsors like Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), Digicel, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Global Technology Incorporated, E-Networks, Barama Group of Companies, and Ansa McAl Group of Companies. Some of the new sponsors include Corum Distribution and Shangri-La Gardens. Sponsors commented that the primary reason for their participation in the exhibition is always the chance to interact with supporters of their companies and to personally thank them for their loyalty throughout the years. The Minister once again assured the public that this year’s exhibition will be the “biggest” and most festive expo yet, with emphasis on
promoting the indispensible relationship between businesses and their customers. While preparations are still underway, the Event Coordinator is anticipating that the committee will
achieve their goal of 400 booths. “Our state of readiness stands at 395 booths and we’re confident that we will continue to add more to the exhibition,” affirmed Singh, as she elaborated that “exhibitors are even coming in the nights to get their booths ready in time for Thursday”. International interest is also said to be at an all-time high as, according to coordinators, delegations from Antigua, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, French Guiana and India, along with a few others, are expected to arrive today. These delegates will occupy the ‘International Pavilion’ which will showcase the unique cultural, business and trading opportunities that they have to offer the Guyanese public.
Patrons can expect an intricate showcase of handcrafted furniture from the Pakistani delegation, who commented that they are “ready for Guyana”. This delegation will be represented by Global Connections. The Director of the company, Kamran Shaikh, relayed that he hopes that he can establish a business relationship with the Guyanese public as he remarked that he sees a lot of potential here. Also highlighted by Singh was the inaugural presentation of the ‘Guyana Supermarket’ which will boast to have 100 percent Guyanese agricultural products on sale. For this stall, the planning committee is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote their ‘Buy Local, Eat
Local, Live Local’ campaign. This campaign, which ties into Agriculture Month activities this month, is aiming to increase the consumption of Guyanese produce in the agriculture sector. The Guyana Supermarket will have “fresh produce, along with processed and packaged products”, with a layout that mimics that of an actual supermarket with eight to nine aisles of shelved products. With the opening ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, organizers are convinced that the event will go off without a hitch. Attendees can expect presentations from the Tourism Ministry, the Private Sector, local and international performances, and a keynote address from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar.
Members of the planning committee with Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali (centre).
CONTRACTOR WAS FIRED ON DIAMOND KOKER PROJECT One day after the publication of a picture on the front page of the Kaieteur News questioning the operations of a new sluice at the New Diamond area, the Ministry of Agriculture says the project was delayed because of the slow pace by the contractor. The Ministry said that the project was taken away from one contractor and retendered, with the sluice now functioning. The Ministry insisted that the sluice was completed and has been functioning over two months now. “This can be corroborated by residents and the sluice operators which will denounce the lies peddled by your newspaper,” the Ministry said. However, residents in the area said that new koker is not fully operational because the outfall has to be dredged. They were unable to say when this would be done. The Ministry said that the Grove/Diamond area was
– Agri Ministry
The New Diamond sluice.
formerly under agriculture production and the government, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority,
recognized that with the setting up of the new housing scheme, by the Housing Ministry, that it would require improved drainage discharge
to meet the requirements. In total, the costs were $43M, with $33M spent on construction and $10M on consultancy.
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Centennial Cup America Officially Added to 2016 FIFA Events Calendar The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and FIFA recently announced that the FIFA Executive Committee has voted in favor of and officially added the centennial edition of the Copa America – the Centennial Cup America — to the FIFA Events Calendar. The competition is set to be played June 3-26, 2016, in the United States. “With its addition to the FIFA Calendar, the historic Centennial Cup America in 2016 is now set to be the most important full national team tournament hosted in the Americas since this year’s FIFA World Cup,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “We want to thank FIFA, all Confederations and all others involved for their unconditional support in this process, making sure that this once in a lifetime celebration was treated with the respect that the players, football fans around the world and participating countries deserve.” The addition of the Centennial Cup America tournament to the 2016 FIFA Events Calendar means that all countries participating in the event will be able to call upon the services of their players from any club around the globe, allowing them to field the best teams possible. “Knowing that Copa America is the oldest national team tournament in the
history of football, it is an honor for us to have the event officially included in the international calendar and be able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this event and the foundation of CONMEBOL,” expressed CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout. In a 16-team field, CONMEBOL’s ten Member Associations – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela – will be joined by six competitors from CONCACAF, including host and 2013 Gold Cup champion United States, six-time Gold Cup champion Mexico and 2014 Central American Cup winner Costa Rica. The champion of the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup, the final round of which will be contested this November in Jamaica, will also earn a Centennial Cup America berth. CONCACAF’s last pair of representatives will be determined through the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The four national teams advancing furthest in the biennial competition that had not previously confirmed their Centennial Cup America places will dispute playoff matches to decide the final two CONCACAF qualifiers to the Centennial America Cup. The teams advancing to the playoff round will be seeded one through four according to their final Gold Cup placements. The highest
seed will then face the fourth seed, and the second seed will face the third seed in a playoff doubleheader, with the winners qualifying for the Centennial Cup America. If the winner of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup is a team not previously qualified to the 2016 Centennial Cup America, it will be awarded an automatic berth in the competition. The last CONCACAF spot would then be settled through a singlematch playoff as explained above between the next two best performing teams that had not already qualified. Argentina hosted the last Copa America in 2011, as Uruguay claimed a record fifteenth title. The next edition is set to be played in Chile in 2015. wematch, a partnership between three international leaders in the soccer industry — Full Play, Torneos and Traffic Sports — holds the commercial rights for this tournament. Copa America Centenario Participating Teams CONMEBOL- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. CONCACAF - United States (host), Mexico (seeded), Costa Rica (2014 Central American Cup champion), TBD (2014 CFU Caribbean Cup champion), TBD (winner of 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup – if not one of the already qualified teams, or 2015 Gold Cup Playoff 1 winner), TBD (2015 Gold Cup Playoff winner).
Sunil Narine likely for CLT20 semi-final Kolkata Knight Riders have accepted the decision taken by the match officials against Sunil Narine, their premier off-spinner, whose quicker ball was reported as suspect by the on-field umpires during the match against Dolphins in Hyderabad and are likely to field him in their XI for the semi-final against Hobart Hurricanes tomorrow. Narine has been put on the warning list, but is allowed to play on in the tournament. However, any subsequent offence will disqualify him from bowling in any BCCIconducted tournament. Narine had finished with figures of 3-33 on the day to script a 36-run victory for Knight Riders and is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. His consistency has been key to Knight Riders qualifying for the semi-finals with a clean slate in the group stage. ESPNcricinfo understands that on-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Chettihody Shamshuddin specifically picked the fourth and fifth deliveries of the 15th over and the fourth ball of the penultimate over of Dolphins’ innings as suspect. All were quicker deliveries. On Monday, Narine’s first over had gone for 12 runs including three fours and he was held in reserve for the later overs. Dolphins were recovering from a poor start with the middle-order pair of Khaya Zondo and Andile Phehlukwayo adding 44 runs
when Narine returned. The equation read 77 runs to win from the last six overs. Phehlukwayo, the 18year-old left-hander from KwaZulu Natal, punished Narine for bowling short with consecutive boundaries off his second and third deliveries, including a reverse pull. Narine hit back, bowling a straighter delivery that pegged back Phehlukwayo’s off stump and sent the bails flying. The delivery speed was 98 kph. Narine bowled a carrom ball next, clocked at 99 kph, and deceived new batsman Robbie Frylinck and the edge flew towards third man. Narine was on a hattrick after he grabbed two wickets off the last two deliveries of his third over. Then, two balls before ending his spell, Narine pitched a length delivery that missed Kyle Abbott’s stumps by a few inches. That ball was measured at 100 kph. Narine was told about the complaint after the game by match referee Andy Pycroft in the presence of the on-field umpires. It is understood that Pycroft told Narine specifically of the three deliveries being under the scanner and nothing else. Pycroft also spoke with Knight Riders coach Tr e v o r B a y l i s s l a t e r. Incidentally Kumar Dharmasena, the ICC Elite Panel umpire, was the TV official for last night’s match and has now been
involved in official complaints for all the four bowlers reported for suspect actions so far in the tournament. Considering the sensitive nature of the issue, officials from various teams have remained tight-lipped on the incident. But one official from a team whose bowler was reported admitted that the exercise seemed to be part of the “same thread” of enforcement by the ICC on suspect actions. He said that the clause on illegal bowling actions had been part of the IPL and CLT20 for a while, but it was only recently that “the decision that we are going to enforce the clause” was taken. “It is not that they are after us specifically,” the official said. This is the second time Narine’s action has come under the scanner. In 2011, after Trinidad & Tobago won the Caribbean T20 championship, Narine was one of the nine players match officials had listed to have had a suspect action. Narine underwent rigorous tests before he announced himself to the world in the 2011 edition of the Champions League Twenty20. After Knight Riders bought him for US$ 700,000 in the IPL auction in 2012, Narine played a big hand in the franchise winning its maiden crown. (ESPNcricinfo)
Nadal, Djokovic and Murray enjoy Beijing wins Reuters - Rafa Nadal enjoyed an emphatic return to singles action as he powered past Richard Gasquet at the China Open yesterday, while world number one Novak Djokovic overcame a sluggish start to continue his perfect run in Beijing. Spanish world number two Nadal, playing his first singles match in three months due to a wrist injury, extended his record to 13-0 against the Frenchman with a brisk 6-4 60 win after Djokovic had beaten Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-1. Briton Andy Murray also maintained his good form in China but was made to dig deep before grinding out a 67(9) 6-4 6-2 victory over Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz in a night match. An early break for Nadal in the third game put him on course for the first set but only after the left hander saved a break point
Rafael Nadal with an ace when trying to serve it out. A dejected Gasquet was then broken in the opening game of the second set as Nadal’s confidence soared, the Spaniard pummeling some trademark forehand winners as he wrapped up the first-round win with a 27th fizzing winner.
Novak Djokovic Nadal’s last match before Beijing was a last 16 defeat to Australian Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon. The Spaniard will face German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in the second round after the world number 122 defeated big-serving Ivo Karlovic 6-4 2-6 7-5. Djokovic had less time
away than Nadal but showed more rust in his first appearance on the ATP Tour since losing to Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open semi-finals this month. The world number one traded five breaks of serve in the opening six games against Garcia-Lopez before Djokovic took a grasp of the match by holding for only the
second time to lead 5-2. He then broke GarciaLopez for a fourth time to seal the set with the Spaniard his own worst enemy, landing only 38 percent of his first serves. The Serb looked more assured in the second set as he dropped just 14 points to take it 6-1 and make it a perfect 20 wins and no losses on Beijing’s blue courts as he bids for a fifth title here. Murray, seeded six, won the Shenzhen Open on Sunday in his quest to book one of the eight spots at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London and needs a similarly strong week to help him climb up from 10th in the standings. Facing off against the big-serving Pole, a man he beat in the semi-finals on his way to winning last year ’s Wimbledon title, Murray was broken in his
first three service games before he finally found his form. Trailing 5-1, the Scot battled back to force a tiebreak but both players continued to struggle with their serves and wasted two set points apiece before the Pole finally claimed the opener 11-9 after a grueling 70-minute set. Murray shook off the disappointment of losing that set and did not lose his serve again, breaking once in the second and twice in the third to set up a secondround match against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas. Third seed Tomas Berdych, who won here in 2011 when Djokovic was absent, also dropped just three games in a first-round win as the Czech downed Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 6-1 62.
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Serena leads march of China Open top seeds
Serena Williams
Maria Sharapova
Simona Halep Reuters - WTA Finals qualifiers Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep confirmed their class with straight-sets victories at the China Open yesterday as two contenders to join them in the season-ending tournament suffered surprise defeats. World number one and defending champion Williams had struggled in her opening match on the blue hard courts of Beijing but the American was back to her best in her 62 6-3 second-round victory over Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. The pair traded a break apiece in the first five games of the match before recently crowned U.S. Open champion Williams took control of the contest by reeling off three straight games to claim the opening set. The second was a much tighter affair until Williams broke her opponent in a marathon ninth game and then held her own serve to secure victory in 74 minutes. Like Williams, French Open champion Sharapova and Halep, runner-up at Roland Garros, are already assured of places in the eight-woman field at the W TA F i n a l s , a n d t h e y continued their good form yesterday. Russian Sharapova produced some bruising ground strokes as the world number four crushed Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 62 6-2 to set up a third-round meeting with Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. Romanian Halep had a slightly tougher time overcoming Chinese wildcard Zhu Lin 7-5 6-4. World number 167 Zhu f o l l o w e d S h a r a p o v a ’s
aggressive tactics to move 5-4 ahead in the first set against second-ranked Halep, only to lose her composure and the match. The Chinese produced 28 unforced errors as Halep’s counter-punching approach helped her claim a win that sets up a third round clash with 15th seed Andrea Petkovic, the German having little trouble in ousting American Madison Keys 62 6-3. The Beijing hard courts were not so welcoming for C a n a d a ’s Eugenie B o u c h a r d a n d P o l a n d ’s Agnieszka Radwanska, h o w e v e r, w i t h b o t h continuing to struggle for late-season form as they look to add their names to the elite list in Singapore. Bouchard, who lost in the final of last week’s Wuhan Open, was beaten by unseeded German Sabine Lisicki 6-2 6-4, while I t a l i a n R o b e r t a Vi n c i knocked out 2011 China Open winner Radwanska 64 6-4. The defeats left the Polish world number six and seventh-ranked Bouchard still waiting to book a qualifying spot at n e x t m o n t h ’s s e a s o n ending championships. Former world number one, Serb Ana Ivanovic, who currently holds the eighth and final spot in the Race to Singapore standings, beat Swiss Romina Oprandi 6-4 6-2 on the Moon Court. Venus Williams, seeded 16, also made the third round with a 6-4 6-3 victory over France’s Caroline Garcia, while 13thranked Czech Lucie Safarova beat German Mona Barthel 63 6-3.
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Antigua prime minister holds talks Texas patient confirmed as first Ebola case diagnosed in US with US on Internet gaming dispute NEW YORK, United States - CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has held talks with senior United States officials in a move aimed at ending their long standing Internet gaming dispute. The meeting followed Browne’s criticism of Washington during his address to the United nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week. A statement by the Antigua and Barbuda government stated Prime Minister Browne met US Trade Representative, Michael Froman, on Friday “where both men sat down to open dialogue about the stalled trade dispute and discussed practical ways in which the matter could be brought to a conclusion”. Browne was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Charles Fernandez and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Colin Murdoch. “Both sides agreed to put a team together to work out the details of their discussion, and PM Browne undertook to name his team within a week,” the statement said. Prime Minister Browne later said he
Gaston Browne was “courage” that his administration has been able to secure a meeting with Ambassador Froman “so early”. He said that the US official is a Cabinet-level officer and that “this should facilitate decision-making on policy matters”. In his meeting with Froman, Prime Minister Browne outlined the economic losses suffered by Antigua and Barbuda as a result of US non-compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling, according to the statement. It said both parties are expected to resume discussions in the coming weeks. Earlier this month, Antigua and Barbuda said it was seeking US$100
million to settle the dispute. Prime Minister Browne told a news conference then that while the figure represents a reduction on what St John’s had originally been demanding, it is negotiable and could be a mixture of cash and kind. Antigua and Barbuda has submitted new proposals to Washington to end the dispute. St. John’s has criticised the United States since 1998 of breaching its commitments to members of the WTO under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) by enacting laws that prevented foreign-based operators from offering gambling and betting services to its citizens. In 2005, the WTO ruled that Washington had violated international trade agreements by prohibiting operation of offshore Internet gambling sites. Antigua claimed that it lost US$3.4 billion a year due to the US action , b u t t h e W T O awarded the island US$21 million. But in its final ruling, the Geneva-based WTO has allowed Antigua and Barbuda to suspend certain concessions and obligations it has under international law to the United States in respect of intellectual property rights.
DALLAS – A Texas man just back from West Africa has been confirmed as having the first case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the U.S. Authorities with the Centers for Disease Control revealed the finding Tuesday, two days after the unidentified patient arrived at a Dallas hospital with suspicious symptoms. Officials at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
put the man into “strict isolation” and sent a blood specimen to state and federal labs for testing. The CDC said results show the man has the deadly disease which has been linked to more than 3,000 recent deaths in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 6,500 cases confirmed in Africa, with Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra
Leone among the hardest hit. Dr. Christopher Perkins with the Dallas County health department told reporters that the Texas man didn’t start showing symptoms until he arrived home. “We know at this time this person was not symptomatic during travel but became symptomatic once arriving here and being home for several days,” said Perkins, according the Dallas Morning News. “So that decreases the threat that might be to the general population.”The CDC has a team enroute to North Texas to help health officials re-trace the man’s contacts since he has been back in the states. Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, said the man arrived from Liberia on Sept. 20, but didn’t start feeling ill until Sept. 24. The man sought medical treatment last Friday before being sent home, but later admitted to the hospital on Sunday. Ebola is highly contagious and deadly, but only spread through contact with bodily fluids.
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Letters to the Editor Report of the AAG Scheduled meeting at Bush Lot was called off Development Committee Dear Sports Editor, I would like to clear the air on an article published in the Guyana Times on the 23rd September, 2014 under the heading “Draft Horse Racing Legislation” Arbitrary and mull and void. A portion of the article stated that on June 28th 2014, aggrieved members of the G.H.R.A passed a vote of no confidence against Mr. Oudit at a special meeting held at the Bush Lot United Turf
Club. This is totally incorrect. The meeting scheduled for that day was called off for a later date. Some members showed up anyway for selfserving reasons. One member said to the others, since we cannot have a meeting for the lack of an agenda. We can have a discussion. No meeting took place and various topics were discussed.
There was no special meeting it was just a discussion. I did not vote for these people because they never supported Bush Lot United Turf Club. Note: The President of the Racing Authority must be a neutral person. The President must not be affiliated with any race track or own race horses for him to be fair. L. Sukhdeo Treasurer
Wednesday October 01, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): It isn't exactly all lightness and harmony at home today, Aries. There's tension in the air and it manifests in silly family arguments. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): This could be a particularly stressful day, Taurus. Your workload is heavier than ever, thanks to the increased responsibility you've taken on. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Your self-confidence may be a bit low and you could doubt your abilities right now, Gemini. Don't get depressed or disheartened. Your skills are excellent. Try to look at your situation objectively and pinpoint *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Today you may feel bored and frustrated with your life's direction, Cancer. You feel buried under responsibilities, with no time left to do what you really want to do. You have other interests to pursue but no time to pursue them. It's frustrating. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You're less optimistic and energetic than usual, Leo. Your mind feels sluggish - your whole body does, in fact. You're either coming down with the flu or completely and thoroughly disheartened. This would be a good day to take some time off. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may be discouraged about money matters today, Virgo. Perhaps a raise you'd been hoping for didn't come through. Perhaps a professional project didn't work out as you expected.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): If work is beginning to feel more like a burden than a joy, it may be time to rethink your job, Libra. Your personality is such that you need lots of room to stretch and grow. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): You're especially in tune with the environment and the people around you today, Scorpio. Such sensitivity is new to you, and you aren't exactly sure what to do with the myriad messages that come into your head, seemingly out of nowhere. *************************** SAGITTARIUS(NOV22-DEC 21): You're drawn to public service, Sagittarius. This desire propels you to volunteer your services with a group of some kind. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Don't take everything at face value today, Capricorn. Information you receive might not be accurate. Someone could be repeating gossip or even creating it just to have something to talk about.
*************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You may be feeling a bit on edge today, Aquarius. Your self-confidence is shaky and you may feel in need of new challenges. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): You and your mate may be experiencing some differences of opinion. It seems you each have definite ideas about some of life's fundamental values and they aren't completely in sync.
Dear Editor, The Development Committee of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is charged with the “responsibility for the planning, organising and executing of all levels of training courses etc. for coaches, athletes, officials and clubs. Together with the Technical Committee, it shall nominate persons for overseas training to the Executive Council.” (Outlined in section 22 (4) of the Constitution of the Association). Unfortunately for the reporting period of 2013, the Committee was unable to carry out its mandate due to a number of factors. However, in April 2013, a status report on the Development Committee Activities and the concept note on the Master Plan for the AAG were submitted to Mr. Aubrey Hutson as was requested. A document suggesting areas/ideas for incorporation in a Development Plan for the AAG was also forwarded to the Executive Council for discussion. To enhance the value and image of athletics towards media, the young, fans and institutions, the development Committee wrote NCN seeking air time for the Development of an athletic television programme to promote and rebrand the sport.
Zabala... From page 36 at a level higher than we are used to. This is the biggest game for us (at the World Championship) so far,” said the 28-year-old. “We are happy we are able to give our best every time we step on the court.” Guard Leidys Oquendo, who after Cuba’s loss to Belarus on Sunday said not to write the team off yet, pointed out: “We did it.” The 32-year-old was the live wire of Cuba ‘s defense especially in cutting off Korea’s ambitions, and attempts, from beyond the arc. “They had only three threepointers. But more importantly, they had only 14 attempts. For a team like Korea that is really low,” Zabala pointed out. “I’m confident we’ll come out all guns blazing tomorrow as well. Serbia better watch out.” (FIBA)
A favorable response was received from NCN however the Association was unable to run with the programme because of lack of funds. To improve efficiency of governance in Athletics a proposal was forwarded by the Development Committee to the Secretary General of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for assistance to hold workshops, seminars and lectures for Coaches/ Trainers/Officials. The Committee did not receive a response from the GOA in this regard. As has become the norm, no funds were available from the IAAF
Grant for the development of Athletics. It should be pointed out that there is an urgent need for transparency and accountability in the administration of athletics in Guyana for development to be realised. Respectfully, Wayne Walcott Chairman AAG Development Committee Committee Members: Mr. Claude Blackmore; Mr. Mark Scott (resigned from the AAG some time ago); Mr. Harry Baptiste; Mr. Charles Griffith and Ms. Wanda Richmond.
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UEFA Champions League
PSG stun Barça, Chelsea see off Sporting
David Luiz takes a brilliant first touch in the box before turning and driving home his left-footed finish to give Paris Saint Germain the lead over Barcelona. Paris Saint-Germain shrugged off the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to inflict a first defeat on Barcelona under their new coach Luis Enrique with a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Parc des Princes. Injury denied Ibrahimovic the chance to face his former club but PSG proved they are no one-man team as goals from David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi helped them take the spoils in Paris. Barça responded with goals from their own star strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar but could not find an equaliser, with rising star Munir El Haddadi coming closest with an 85th-minute effort that hit the post. The result sees PSG replace Barça at the top of UEFA Champions’ League Group F on four points, one more than the Catalan side. Elsewhere in Group F, Ajax’s stuttering start to their European cam p a i g n continued with a frustrating 1-1 draw at APOEL Nicosia. The Dutch champions forced a draw by the same scoreline against PSG in their opening match but knew they should have made their home dominance count at the Amsterdam ArenA. Young winger Lucas Andersen made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark in Nicosia, yet Frank de B o e r ’s m e n w e r e s o o n pegged back by a Gustavo Manduca penalty and
could not force the issue after the break. After Bayern Munich had earlier seen off CSKA Moscow 1-0 thanks to a Thomas Muller penalty, Roma’s Francesco Totti became the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history as Manchester City escaped with a draw from their Group E clash. Totti, who turned 38 last week, defied his age with a sublime finish to cancel out S e rg i o A g u e r o ’s e a r l y penalty for City at the Etihad Stadium. Matic guides Chelsea to victory Nemanja Matic’s firsthalf header was enough for Chelsea to record a first victory of Group G, but it should have been more comfortable than a 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon. Diego Costa, selected despite his fragile hamstrings, erred in a oneon-one as Rui Patricio saved after two minutes and 20 minutes later Andre Schurrle missed a straightforward chance. It was one of a number of opportunities spurned by the German as it appeared the Premier League’s top scorers were having an off night in front of goal. That was until Matic, booed on account of his spell with Sporting’s rivals Benfica, headed Chelsea into a 34thminute lead from Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick. Elsewhere in Group G,
Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored in the second half to cancel out Damjan Bohar’s effort from the opening period. The 1-1 draw leaves both sides on exactly the same number of goals scored, conceded and points. Porto secured a dramatic point in Lviv against Shakhtar Donetsk, with a late Jackson Martinez brace securing a 2-2 draw for the Portu g u e s e giants. Alex Teixeira put the Ukrainians ahead after the interval, before Luiz Adriano looked to have made the points secure with five minutes remaining. The burly Colombian had not read the script though and his double, the first a penalty, sees Porto top Group H after two games. B AT E Borisov produced a surprising, but deserved, 2-1 win over faltering Athletic Bilbao in the first Champions League game at the Borisov Arena. Denis Polyakov gave BATE a 19th-minute lead which was added to by Aleksandr Karnitski and, although Aritz Aduriz pulled a goal back just before half-time, Athletic could not find an equaliser. It was quite a comeback for the Belarusian side after their 6-0 hammering by Porto in their continental opener two weeks ago. Athletic, by contrast, prop up the group with just one point.
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Franklin guides Tridents to victory James Franklin guided Barbados Tridents to a solitary win over Northern Knights in the inconsequential final group match of the Champions League T20. With 12 needed off the final over, Franklin hit fellow New Zealander Tim Southee’s full tosses for a six and a four to haul Tridents home with two balls and six wickets to spare. Zimbabwe limited-overs captain Elton Chigumbura played his part, lofting and pulling Trent Boult for a couple of fours in the penultimate over with 23 needed off 12. Jonathan Carter, the leading run-getter of the main round of the tournament, chipped in with a steady 30 before he fell to another relay catch from Knights, Anton Devcich and Daryl Mitchell the combination this time after Southee and Mitchell did it against Lahore Lions in the qualifiers. The catch gave Ish Sodhi his third wicket, and it was the legspinner who had dented the chase after Tridents had motored to 49 for 1 in seven overs. Sodhi had Raymon Reifer and Jason Holder holing out in the space of three deliveries in his second over.
James Franklin hits over the top Dilshan Munaweera had given the chase a kickstart with a quick 20, but fell to a spectacular diving catch by Mitchell. Carter and Franklin steadied the innings with a 56run fourth-wicket partnership in just under eight overs before Franklin and Chigumbura shared an
unbeaten stand of 33 off 20. Knights had labored to 135 for 8 in 19 overs after the match was marginally shortened following a nearly hour-long rain interruption during their innings. Before the break, Devcich and Daniel Flynn had put on 60 in 8.2 overs but the Knights captain fell to Munaweera just before the players went off, and Knights tapered off after the resumption. Devcich was around till the 13th over but could never really get going in a run-a-ball 47. Several of his strokes were powered straight to fielders. He played and missed regularly, and even when they hadn’t lost too many wickets, Knights weren’t able to build much momentum. In the same over in which Devcich was run out, Scott Styris swung his second ball to deep midwicket. BJ Watling looked good during his swift 29 but Devcich’s crawl had cost Knights too many overs, and despite taking 46 off the last four overs, they fell short of posting a daunting target. Barbados Tridents 138 for 4 (Franklin 33*, Carter 30, Sodhi 3-18) beat Northern Knights 135 for 8 (Devcich 47, Rampaul 3-34) by six wickets (D/L method). (ESPNcricinfo)
Zabala throws down gaunlet to Serbia
Cuba’s Avila Suchitel powers past this Korean player during yesterday’s game in Istanbul, Turkey. Cuba yesterday made quick work of Korea’s perimeter shooting in a 73-57 win and reach the Qualification to the QuarterFinals phase of the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women. Coach Alberto Zabala was prompt in raising the bar for his team. In fact the 54-yearold sent a message of
challenge to Serbia, his team’s opponents today. “I have a message for Serbia. You have to bring your best game to the court, Serbia,” said the coach of the 2013 FIBA Americas champions. “We were brilliant in our defense. I am very proud of my team. “This (Korea) is a not a style we are used to. We did
very well to cut off their perimeter shooting. It shows my team can raise their level when it’s needed. We have shown we are here to not just to make up the numbers.” Center Marlen Cepeda had her best game of the tournament with 16 points and a personal career-high 17 rebounds. “It was time to play (Continued on page 35)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Page 37
Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Tournament
Defending champs St. Pius aiming to prove last year’s success was no fluke
Wayne Ritchie Defending champions of the Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Tournament St. Pius will be going all out to prove that their success last year was no fluke, but rather due largely to hard work and superior coaching. Head Coach Wayne Ritchie speaking with Kaieteur Sport at his home yesterday said that while the aim is not to put unnecessary pressure on his players, they would like to show that their success in the final was no stroke of luck. St. Pius defeated West Ruimveldt 2-1 in last year’s final to be crowned champions and Ritchie, who has been the lynchpin of the schools achievement exuded confidence ahead of the tournament which is scheduled to commence Saturday with first round action at the Thirst Park ground in Ruimveldt. “Even though the team is a brand new one made up mainly of students from the Grade 5 level, what we’ve been witnessing is very encouraging, the kids have been turning out in their numbers with the kind of enthusiasm that tells me last year’s success is what they themselves want to duplicate,” Ritchie said. The Head Coach told this newspaper that what they have is a large cadre of players who want to play football, adding that a lot of parents have been coming to the sessions to inquire how their children could get involved. He said that even though it is not possible for him to take all, the parents still stick around and has even been
offering their support something he related to the team’s performance last year. Additionally, Ritchie informed that the school currently has a new Headmistress and she too has been very supportive and 100% behind the students. Meanwhile, Ritchie, who has been around the sport for some time, called on other members of the corporate community to come on board and complement what Courts has been doing by providing some of the schools with football kits such as boots, hoses etc. “Most of these kids parents cannot afford to fully outfit them, but you can see the eagerness in them they want to play the game, but equipment is w hat is lacking,” Ritchie mentioned. St. Pius will kick off their pursuit for top honours when they face J.E Burnham. Twelve games are slated for the day and the remaining fixtures will see West Ruimveldt tackling Redeemer at 10:00hrs on Pitch #1, while Comenius takes on Green Acres on Pitch #2. Starting from 10:45hrs, St. Stephen’s engages St. Gabriel’s, while Tucville and Thomas More square off at the same time. At 11:30hrs, F.E Pollard clashes with St. Angela’s and at 12:15hrs, Success Academy go up
against Enterprise and East La Penitence and Ketley do battle. St. Margaret’s and Smith’s Memorial collides at 13:00hrs, this game will be played simultaneously with the one between South
Ruimveldt and St. Ambrose. In the final double header of the day, Marian Academy collides with Stella Maris and North Georgetown tackles Winfer Gardens. Furniture and
Appliances giant Courts have pledged in excess of $2.8 million in sponsorship towards the tournament, while Petra Organisation will once again co-ordinate the tournament which is also
being sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd. The Ministry of Education is also working in collaboration with the Petra Organisation to ensure that the event is a success.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Roraima House prevails in thrilling Winfer Gardens Primary School Athletics c/ships There were no Usain Bolts or Shelly Ann Frasers, but the students of Winfer Gardens Primary School underlined their talent for the future after turning in some gusty performances that thrilled the crowd when their school staged the Inter H o u s e A t h l e t i c Championships at the Everest Sports Club ground yesterday afternoon. The programme commenced in the morning and after 39 competitive events, Roraima House was adjudged the champion unit after amassing 393 points. Pakaraima House scored 390 points and occupied the second place slot, while Ayanghana House ended in the cellar with 343 points. Up to press time the male and female champion athletes were not identified. The young athletes really give it their all and though the pace in many of the races was grueling, they battled on to the end and only then did they allow themselves to be overcome by fatigue. One such event was the boy’s Under-12, 400 meters event where Roland Hamilton blazed around the track with Ashlon Henry and Ta v o n L u k e i n t o w. Hamilton refused to say die and the three finished in exactly that order amidst grunts and gasps. The 200 meters, girls Under-10 was another hectic affair with Tracy Aaron romping home before
Mistress of ‘A’ House, Jennifer Gittens (2nd left sitting) joins her ecstatic bunch of athletes shortly after being declared winners. Neopha S a m p s o n a n d Keziah Cassiah r e s p e c t i v e l y. A n o t h e r commendable event was the 200 meters, girl’s Under-12 where Tanisha Boston assumed the lead from the start and never relinquished
until she had crossed the line. Her nearest rival, Jada Shepherd came in a distant second, while Shania Hopkinson brought up the rear. Jeremiah Harrison turned up the heat in the
boy’s Under-10, 100 meters event and braced the tape before Keion Henry and D a q u o n J a m e s r e s p e c t i v e ly. Harrison returned to clinch the honours in the 200 meters before anchoring the boy’s
Under-10; 4 X 100 meters relay team to victory. The there were the obstacle race, tire race, sack race and late for school race among other novelty events. Earlier, activities commenced with prayers
before the teams march past and official opening of activities. Parents and teachers capped the day’s events with steamy races that truly reflected the competitiveness of the day’s activity.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Page 39
Carib Beer 1st Div. T20 Sarwan among four Test players not in their Country’s initial 10 Eon Abel’s 83 steers
D’Edward to victory
Leon Johnson
Shiv Chanderpaul
Ramnaresh Sarwan
By Sean Devers Ramnaresh Sarwan, the 34-year-old flamboyant Guyanese Test batsman is among four players with Test Cricket experience not named in their country’s initial list of 10 players for the next Regional FirstClass season which is scheduled to start on October 14. The upcoming season will usher in the franchise system for First-Class cricket in the Caribbean and will also see one winner being crowned after the round-robin phase. Sarwan has 15 centuries from 87 Tests but has not played Test cricket since July 2011, the stylish right-hander is however, in the additional pool of 15 provided by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) who controls the Guyana ‘Franchise’ and can still be bought by Guyana. Bajans Fidel Edwards, Tino Best and Ryan Hinds and Grenadian pacer Nelon Pascal are the others with Test experience who have been overlooked by their respective teams for the initial list of 10 who are assured of being in their home country’s 15-member squad and will be contracted. Sarwan like Edwards, Best, Hinds and Pascal could be bought by any team since
they are among the 90 players in the pool. According to reliable sources, Trinidad and Tobago has not put any of their big name players in the pool to be bought by the other teams since apart from the 10, any team can buy five home born players or five from anywhere in the Caribbean once they are among the 90 in the pool. Guyana’s initial 10 are Leon Johnson, Chris Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l , Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton and Taignarine Chanderpaul. Shiv Chanderpaul has got a WICB central Contract and is an automatic pick among the remaining five for Guyana. The 15 Guyanese in the pool are Chanderpaul Hemraj, Steven Jacobs, Antony Adams, Kevin Boodie, Robin Bacchus, Rajendra Chandrika, Keon Joseph, Amir Khan, Ranga Latchana, Zaheer Mohamed, Kemo Paul, Shemron H e t m y e r, R a m n a r e s h Sarwan, Vishaul Singh and Paul Wintz. There is no place in the pool for former West Indies ODI player Royston Crandon who has been in great form in the four-day
Inter-county tournament but according the sources those players who are under the age of 18 would not be considered which means Hetmyer and Paul will be removed from the pool and be replaced by two others which will give players like Crandon, hopes of getting into the pool. Many of the Region’s top players who are in the pool could be bought and earn a monthly income of not less than US$1,200 excluding their match fees, enabling them to earn a decent living from cricket. These contracts are being funded by WICB and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for an initial period of two years. Guyana will play their first three games at the Providence Stadium (vs Leewards Nov 14-17), (vs Winwards Nov 21-24) and (vs Barbados Nov 28-Dec 1) before playing their final game for the year against T&T in Trinidad from Dec 58. The tournament will then break for Christmas resuming on Feb-5-9 after the Nagico Super 50 is played. The final round of the 10-run four-day competition is set for March 23-27. The West Indies Cricket Board will release the names of the full 90 players on October 3 next.
Inter-Mandir T10 KO Softball slated for West Berbice Goodwill Promotions will be promoting for the first time in West Berbice a Ten10 softball cricket competition in memory of the late Sukhu and Sumintra Bulkan, formerly of Woodley Park Village. This competition will see teams from various Mandirs across West Berbice taking part. According to the coordinators, the event will be played on weekends at the
Woodley Park Sports Club ground and there will be cash and trophies for the winning and runner-up teams along with the best bowler, best batsman, man-of-the-series and manof-the-final. According to the release no entrance fees will be charged. The competition will be starting on October 12 and interested Mandirs are asked to register early by contacting the
coordinators on 684 3293 or email at gpads98@yahoo.com. Interested Mandir teams are also invited to an important meeting on Monday October 6 from 15:30hrs at the Woodley Park Sports Club Pavilion. The competition which is sponsored by the grand children of the late Sukhu and Sumintra Bulkan will be played using round arm bowling action and extra’s will be played.
Eon Abel
Raffiel Estriado
Carib Beer first division T20 cricket action commenced Saturday last in the Ancient County with victories for West Berbice, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, D’Edward and Edinburgh. P e r f o r m i n g outstandingly with the bat was all-rounder Eon Abel of D’Edward, who smashed 83 (7x4 6x6) to shape his side’s 7-wicket win over Bush Lot Rising Star, Abdool Subhan chipped in with 36. Bush Lot Rising Star had posted 151-6 in 20 overs, Somdat Bharrat made 61 (4x4 3x6) and Akeem Miller 40 (5x4 1x6). Here are the summarized scores from the matches played. At Bush Lot - D’Edward beat Bush Lot Rising Star by 7 wickets. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bush Lot posted 151-6 in 20 overs; Somdat Bharrat made 61, Akeem Miller 40 and Asif Khan 31. Devendra Lalsa
took 2-27 from 4 overs. D’Edward responded with 153-3 in 18.1 overs; Eon Abel 83 made and Abdool Subhan 36*. At Blairmont - West Berbice beat Blairmont Community Centre by 61 runs. West Berbice 129-7 in 20 overs; Raffiel Estriado 62, Keith Fraser 28*, Shabeer Baksh 3-21 from 4 overs. Blairmont Community Centre 68-8 in 20 overs; Shabeer Baksh 26*, Raun Johnson 3-11, Keith Fraser 3-14 from 4 overs. At Port Mourant - Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets 161-6 in 20 overs, Jason Sinclair 41, Delbert Hicks 37, Askhay Homraj 26, Rajiv Ivan 24, Troy Consalves 2-36 from 4 overs, Devendra Thakurdeen 2-38 from 4 overs. Port Mourant 151-7 in 20 overs; Joshua Ramsammy 65, Yudendra Harrinarine 32, Arif Chan 22, Troy Mathieson 2-9 from 4 overs,
Raun Johnson
Kevin Ramdeen off-spinner Eon Hooper 2-23 from 4 overs. At Cumberland - Young Wa r r i o r s h a m m e r e d Universal Solutions Bermine by 7 wickets. Universal Solutions Bermine 104-8 in 20 overs; Joemal La Fleur 20, Kevin Ramdeen 3-21. Young Warriors 105-3 in 15.1 overs; Wahied Edwards 46. Meanwhile, Edinburgh defeated Police in their encounter details to follow.
Amateur boxers intensify training schedule as National Open Championships loom Amateur boxers have been advised to commence training as officials of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) announced that the National Open Championships are scheduled to be contested October 24 next. GBA officials said that they have not yet determined the number of days for the championships as this will depend on the amount of pugilists competing. Nevertheless, they have assured fans that they could expect fistic fury especially since this tournament will feature the cream of the crop. Boxers from the Republican Boxing Gym have sent an ominous warning to
their detractors after dominating the Intermediate championships just one month ago with gusty performances. They will still have to be wary of their opponents from the Guyana Defense Force who will be smarting after they
were out-punched at that forum and would be going all out to retain their position as the best amateur unit locally. This does not by any means suggest an easy walk in the park for those two gyms since the other units will also vie for the coveted crown. Other gyms in contention are the Young Achievers, Harpy Eagles, Rosehall Jammers, Pocket Rocket, Essequibo and Ricola among others. Boxers are advised to stay in training as their performances could decide their chances on the national squad as the officials of the GBA continue to select talent for possible participation in the 2016 Brazil Olympics.
Page 40
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Adams slams half century Bramble’s 160, Crandon’s 121 for E’bo on opening day spearhead Berbice recovery GCB four-day Inter-County cricket
By Sean Devers The Wales Community Centre ground is not in the Village of Wales but in Patentia and yesterday on a slow track which offered prodigious turn for the spinners in steaming hot conditions, Berbice recovered from 88-5 to reach 418 against the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Development X1 on the opening day of their third round four-day Inter-County tournament in West Bank Demerara. Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble (160) and Royston Crandon (121) featured in a shot-filled double century partnership to engineer a magnificent recovery after joining forces at 88-5 just before lunch. Crandon, the 31-yearold, who played a single ODI back in 2009, after making his Inter County debut for Berbice in 2003, hammed eight fours and six sixes in his commanding 121 from 128 balls and 151 minutes to follow up his 88 in the first round while 23-year-old Bramble’s entertaining 160, his maiden ton at this level, was decorated with 22 fours and four sixes and lasted 228 minutes and 156 balls to lead the Berbice fight-back after Lunch. National Under-19 offspinner Sharaz Ramcharran finished with 4-126. He got support from fellow Guyana youth leg-spinner Steven Sankar, who followed up his eight-wicket haul for Malteenoes over the weekend with 3-92, and Skipper Steven Jacobs (252) as Berbice were dismissed 11 minutes before the scheduled close. Berbice won the toss and elected to bat in an agricultural setting, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Shemroy Hetymer weathered the early storm before settling down nicely against the spin dominated attack. Hetymer, the elder sibling of West Indies Under-19 opener Shemron Hetymer, looked very accomplished and used his feet sweetly to the spinners as Surujnarine played the supporting role on a lush green and fast outfield as the partnership flourished. A small but very vocal crowd which had come to the venue mainly to see
haraz Ramcharran
veteran Shiv Chanderpaul play alongside his son, Taignarine Chanderpaul for the GCB X1, were entertained by attractive batting from the openers as they put together 70 for the first wicket before Surujnarine was removed by Ramcharran after hitting five fours in a 76-ball and 83-minute 31. The right-handed Hetymer edged a cut at Ramcharran to slip nine runs later after making a stylish 40 with seven fours from 102 minutes and 105 balls. Berbice then suffered a mini collapse as they slumped to 107-5 by Lunch with Devon Clements (1) falling to Sankar at 79-3, Skipper Narsingh Deonarine (2) being dismissed by Ramcharran at 88-4 and Jonathon Foo (1) being trapped LBW to Sankar without addition to the score. Crandon missed the last game due to a one-match ban imposed by the GCB for breaching the code of conduct in the first round at Bourda but yesterday he and Bramble the carried their team safely to lunch at 106-5 and after the interval consolidated the position with confident stroke-play as both batsmen posted their fifties without too much bother. Crandon, who relished the sweep and square drive and Bramble, who put the bad balls away with disdain, batted with ease as Skipper Jacobs switched his bowlers around in a futile attempt to dislodge the pair before Tea. Crandon climbed into Sankar and dumped him for six while Bramble was not to be outgunned by the more senior Crandon and two consecutive covers drives
off Yatesh Dhanpaul reached the boundary like bullets. Crandon launched into Dhanpaul and reached his third Inter County century with a mammoth six. His ton came from 130 minutes, 113 balls with six sixes and three fours. He celebrated by clobbering Dhanpaul even further off the next ball, before finishing off the over with a scorching pull for four to be unbeaten on 112 at Tea. Bramble was on 98 at the break with Berbice recovering to reach 292-5 with the pair adding 186 without being separated in the second session which belonged entirely to the team from the Ancient County. During the last session which was delayed by 10 minutes after the official scorers protested for tea, Bramble’s full-blooded sweep brought up his hundred but soon the 212run sixth wicket stand was broken by the persevering Ramcharran when he had Crandon caught at mid-on at 304-6. Keon Joseph hammed six fours in a quick-fire 30 w h i l e Te s t s p i n n e r Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l smashed four fours in 24 to take Berbice past the 400 mark before Jacobs took the last two wickets for no run, including Bramble who was ninth out via the LBW route to end the innings. To d a y ’s a c t i o n i s scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs and a lot will depend on openers Shemron Hetmyer and Taignarine Chanderpaul to produce a good start for the experienced Shiv Chanderpaul and Jacobs to build on, if the GCB unit hopes to successfully chase down Berbice’ imposing total.
Trevon Griffith
Ricardo Adams
By Zaheer Mohamed A fine half century by Ricardo Adams propelled Essequibo to a respectable 263 before they were bowled out in the final session of the first day of their third round Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior four-day Inter County match yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda. Demerara closed the day on 60-2 facing 19.2 overs with night watchman Amir Khan not out on eight. Opener Shemroy Barrington was bowled in the final over of the day for 20 while Trevon Griffith was dismissed for 32. Royan Fredericks and Kevon Boodie added 43 for the opening stand after Essequibo decided to bat on a flat track. Fredericks drove pacer Paul Wintz for fours while Boodie pulled Seon Daniels through mid-wicket a n d d r o v e Wi n t z f o r boundaries. Medium pacer Christopher Barnwell provided the breakthrough when he had Boodie caught at gully for 19 after the batsman had hit him for a boundary. Barnwell then had
Ricardo Peters (08) caught by wicketkeeper Joseph Perry, pulling at a short ball. Fredericks drove Barnwell for four and cut Zaheer Mohamed for another, but after doing the hard work he was taken off Mohamed for 40 (8x4) after facing 64 balls, leaving the score at 73-3. Ricardo Adams and Mark Gonsalves resurrected the innings with a fourth wicket stand of 82. Adams mixed aggression with defense; he dispatched Wintz to the point and cover boundaries and drove M o h a m e d f o r f o u r. Mohamed was guilty of pitching too short to Adams on several occasions and the left hander wasted little time in taking advantage. Gonsalves supported the solid looking Adams, rotating the strike well and was quick to pounce on the bad balls. After reaching his half century off 61 balls with eleven fours, Adams turned for a double and was run out after he was sent back by Gonsalves for 52. Without addition to the total Gonsalves was caught off leg
spinner Amir Khan for 25. However debutant Tulsieram Premnauth and skipper Anthony Adams (16) featured in a sixth wicket stand of 48. Premnauth attacked from the onset, dumping Khan for sixes and driving Mohamed for fours. He faced 29 balls and stroked three sixes and five f o u r ’s b e f o r e h e w a s dismissed for 44. Khan picked up two more quick wickets, but Brian Hubert propped up the total with an attacking 40. Hubert drove Mohamed and Khan for boundaries before he played across to a straight ball from Khan and was lbw to be the ninth wicket to fall. Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 4-54 while Barnwell captured 3-27. Griffith drove fast bowlers Ronsford Beaton and Mark Tyrell for fours to get Demerara reply underway in fine fashion. He and Barrington rotated the strike well before Essequibo removed them both just before the close. Royan Fredericks and Hemchand Persaud have so far taken one wicket each.
GFSCA names squad for Media X1 T/20 clash The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) has named its team to contest a challenge T20 match against the Media XI on Friday. Trophies and balls for the match have been sponsored by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall. The T20 contest starts at 7:00pm Friday at the DCC Ground, Lance Gibbs Street.
The players are: Ricky Deonarain (Captain), Reaz Hussain (Vice Capt.), Rabindra Singh, Surendra Nauth, Steve Narain, Dharam Persaud, Richard Persaud, Patrick Khan, Aravinda Gainda, Wayne Jones, Khalid Baksh, Shameer Baksh, Pithamber Maharaj, Saheed Mohamed (Coach/Player), Rohan Boj-Raj (Manager) and Mike Singh (Physiotherapist).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 01, 2014
Page 41
2nd Flex Night International launched
Aruba, Suriname, Brazil and Barbados to compete The 2014 bodybuilding calendar is anticipated to come to an exciting end with the 2nd Flex Night International event set for December 7 at the National Cultural Centre, under the theme, ‘Raising The Bar’. Unveiling plans of a grand nature was Managing Director of Flex Night Incorporated, Donald Sinclair at the Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose and Lamaha streets, Georgetown. Present were m a n y o f t h e e n t i t y ’s sponsors, Prison Service authorities, executives of the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation and prospective Flex Night contestants among others. The best local athletes will flex muscles against competition from Suriname, which is in the process of launching Flex Night in that country, Barbados, Brazil and Aruba according to Sinclair. Two locally based Brazilian females are already in training and will be joined by another from the northeastern state of Amapa. Sinclair informed that the contingents from
Aruba and Barbados would be announced shortly. On the night of Sunday December 7, at what is anticipated to be a packed Cultural Centre arena the male athletes will compete in male bodybuilding and men’s physique, while the ladies will be displaying their toned, shapely bodies in the Miss Flex Night Bikini and Ms. Flex Night Best Legs contests. For the first time on the Guyana bodybuilding stage representatives from the Guyana Prison service will be in contention. Sinclair noted that this development is a part of the fruits of the ongoing relationship between Flex Night Incorporated and the Guyana Prison Service. Under this initiative, a gym has been established in the Camp Street Prison with support from the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society. Bodybuilding will form part of the activities for Prison Week 2014. Flex Night Inc. in an effort to ensure that the public is kept abreast with plans will be featuring profiles of the athletes leading up to competition
The Directors of Flex Night Inc. pose for a photo following yesterday’s launch. From right, David Gomes, Fiona Harris, Robyn Marshall-Lord, Donald Sinclair, Onai Vasconcellos and Nadira Taharally. night. A number of promotions with the various sponsors would also be done
along with community outreach programmes. The official hotel of Flex Night
International is the Status Hotel, Croal Street, Georgetown. The inaugural
Flex Night (2012) winner was Suriname’s Koese Soepe. (Franklin Wilson)
t r o Sp GCB four-day Inter-County cricket
Bramble’s 160, Crandon’s 121 spearhead Berbice recovery Stories on P.40
Adams slams half century for E’bo on opening day
Bramble plays through the on-side during his century for Berbice at Wales yesterday
Royston Crandon was on fire for Berbice at Wales yesterday
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