Kaieteur News

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Monday October 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Leadership reform - most important one needed We talk a lot about numerous reform programmes in this country. But of one kind of reform, Guyanese powers and Guyanese citizens do not speak of at all, but tiptoe around gingerly. We point to the most urgent need for leadership reform in Guyana, only to find ourselves to be alone and with no takers. We support the need for constitutional reform. But it is now clear that constitutional reform only finds solid ground and loud voices, when the traumas of elections brutalize us, and leave us with the understanding of how pathetic we look before friends, neighbours, and the world. The problem is that many obstacles remain before genuine constitutional reform can come about, and they all originate with leaders being bent on crafting reforms that suit their purposes, and provide them with alleyways in which to run and hide, or to leverage for political and other mischiefs. Our crookedminded leaders stand in the way. Alongside constitutional reform, there are calls for serious campaign finance reform that means powerful interests in business and other pivotal sectors in Guyana’s landscape can no longer give so much so secretly to leaders and political parties that those leaders and groups are beholden to. Our raging 2020 elections provided a hotbed of details of how much was given, and the tainted people and areas from which countless millions were accepted by the two major Guyanese political groups. The post-election environment, a mere year later, confirms that leaders in Guyana’s Government are so indebted to their donors, that they have already bent over backwards to repay, to the detriment of citizens and the state. It is not that our leaders in government are repaying multimillion dollar monetary donations made during last year’s elections season out of their own pockets or party coffers. They are doing so with lavish gifts of land and delivery of valuable areas in the rich resources of the state. Those gifts empower recipients to become still bigger Princes and Dukes in their own rights. To engage in legitimate and impactful campaign finance reform with limits, conditions, transparencies, and penalties attached is a commendable exercise. But none of these can occur to the degree necessary, when other than for some cosmetics and nothing more, the people to make such possible are warped political leaders in the government and opposition, who leave no stone unturned to maintain things just the way they are. It is the same situation with judicial reform and, as usual, any such reform is not about what is wholesome for all Guyanese, but what could prove invaluable in times of crunch. That is, when the reforms are so skewed, and the people benefiting from needed judicial reform turn out to be more cronies, more of those lacking in independence, and those who can be counted on to decide or rule along partisan lines. One of the most troubling and embarrassing example of this is the longstanding one, which involves the acting appointments of the two highest judicial offices in this country, meaning those of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice. Some situations have to be called out in the frankest of terms for what they are. When judicial officers of one crucial level or another have to be appointed, there are these endless delays and blaming across the political leadership divide about who is in the wrong, and who is preventing the process from moving along to higher ground. The hang-ups, from the perspective of one leader and side or the other, could be those to be considered are the wrong color, presumed to be about wrong politics and which leads to the automatic conclusion that they would be the wrong choices. It is not about the law, or what is best for country, but what serves leadership visions and their party’s interests the most. In sum, the record is that unreformed leaders are the biggest stumbling block to any reforms planned for here. Our political leaders are compromised and crooked, frauds and falsifiers and given to pretending and misleading citizens. Our leaders must be reformed. Their characters must be reformed. Their sense of honor, fair play, and integrity all must be reformed. Without those, Guyana goes nowhere.

The PNC/R must begin to cast itself as a Govt. in waiting Dear Editor, In September ’s New Nation (organ of the PNC/R), there appears what is termed “a revolutionary plan to equip and support teachers and deliver quality education to our children” during the pandemic. I, for one, was elated just to see a policy proposal from the party, as I feel the party is overly obsessed with its assumed role of an “opposition” or a “resistance or protest movement”. As such, it has

neglected to strategically cast itself as a government-inwaiting or the next government. The “revolutionary plan” on education reads well. It includes, for example, cash grants and Internet connections for students and teachers across the country…in all, a far more generous and serious package than that currently on offer. I urge the party to announce a wider set of

policy positions to actualise the social and economic rights of Guyanese—now that oil revenues make this possible. It should address in some detail its ideas on, for instance, poverty elimination (not just poverty reduction), universal child and elderly welfare, guaranteed family incomes, food security (guaranteed access to daily nutrition), economic empowerment of women (especially those tied down by burdensome homecare responsibilities) and decent

housing. These positions need to be well publicised for public viewing and feedback. Tucking them inside the New Nation will not do it. As regards the funding of these social and economic rights, the financial conditions now exist to allow the party to escape the classist mindset among our political class that development need not be urgent and that the poor and deprived are an inevitable presence in our midst. Sherwood Lowe

The other divide Dear Editor, While our attention is usually primarily fixed on the nation’s racial passions and emotional seductions nurtured by those, I think there is a still worse divide. I think so, because the other now increasingly pronounced divide does not get as much attention as our barbed electrified racial fence; and I believe that it is worse, because the class divide has too many features that makes it a quick, soft, and convenient target that intensifies our hatreds and associated chasms. The class divide is more subtle, since it is in of the competitive in-the-face variety of struggling communities seeking toeholds anywhere they can get them, and with anyone who will give a helping hand out of where such

communities and their people are condemned: rural, remote, usually racially concentrated this way or the other. It exists in the urban and middle-class sections, too; but it is not as raw and wretched, but better managed, with more nuanced strains, compliments of education, practice, clever hypocrisies. On the other hand, the class divide is so small as to be almost unnoticed. It is there, everybody agrees; but it is as if it is some alien presence, somebody else’s problem. It is of the haves and have-nots. And the acuteness of the problem of this divide is that it is so overwhelmingly powerful and influential, that it even obtains the deferential from hard political leaders. Guyana’s political leaders line up (both sides) to bow to whims; members say what the

law is, call the shots. Different schools of thought settle for a broad 1% of the population. It is a reasonable start, but not even close to the small inner circle at the finish line. The class divide is way less than a thousand Guyanese, less than a hundred, when the coastline is examined. I believe it is about 20 (on the low side), arguably not more than 30 at the highest. The membership of the class divide is visible. There are physical assets and vast holdings that bend the mind, could break any calculator, besides those that total the United States debt. This visibility is in both town and country, on land and gathering more and more around the feasts from under the seabed. Ruling politicians ensure that members get the deeds, the projects, the

contracts, the clearances. Little is left after such quid pro quo arrangements. Even worse still, in the visibility of the class divide, the thick racial colouring of it is most obvious. It is almost exclusively one demographic, with lighter shades of pale here and there. Thus, this class divide reinforces convictions and conclusions that those not of that group are doomed to economic extinction, and are forced to the margins to await the charity of political convenience. Last, the haves have more than they could ever want or grab or be awarded; the have-nots do not have even a dream, only the scream conveying what could have been. Citizens grow restless, problems fester. Sincerely, GHK Lall

Banks Beer and Personnel Management – 56 Personnel Manager, was producing a quarterly Bookers Sugar years ago Estates Booker Group of Companies magazine titled ‘Developing Dear Editor, Somehow in a contemplative mood, I recall Personnel colleague practitioner Emamudeen Khan and I got a motion unanimously passed at a Bookers’ Sugar Estates Personnel Officers’ Conference 1965, to organise the First Conference of Personnel Officers in Government and Industry. The 41 participants of the subsequent meeting included representations of: Public Service Commission Public Service Training Centre Ministry of Works & Hydraulics Transport & Harbour Department, General Post Office, Mayor and City Council Sprostons Ltd Wieting & Richter, along with the Sugar Industry Welfare Fund Committee

Demerara Co. Guyana Sugar Producers’ Association; and Other Companies of the Booker Group The conference agreed on the founding of the National Personnel Officers’ Association – registered in 1966. A range of training courses was held on the immediate years following with participants including the Ministries of: Agriculture & Natural Resources Communications External Affairs Finance Health Housing and Reconstruction Labour, and the Public Service Commission USAID The range of lecturers involved included: Minister of Information – Martin Carter Chief Personnel Officer, BSE – Harold Davis

– Edmund Richards P e r m a n e n t Secretary, Public Service Ministry – David Ford Secretary, Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union – George DePeana Professor of Public Administration, University of Guyana – Dr. Bertram Collins Executive Director, Bookers Rum Company Ltd – Pat Thompson Assistant General Manager, Demerara Bauxite Co. Ltd. – Bob Rosane One particular series of training was in ‘Perspectives of Management’ conducted by the Head of then Administrative Staff College, Henley, United Kingdom. By 1969, there was so much excitement generated amongst members of varying professions that it became necessary to absorb them into a transformed new legal entity – registered as the Guyana Institute of Management (GIM). By 1973, the organisation

Management’, each edition of which featured a ‘Manageron-the-Spot’ interview. As its Editor, I have always recalled the interview I did with Peter D’Aguiar, then Chairman of Banks DIH. He talked of the informative experience, which he had during a business course in Trinidad and Tobago during which he was allowed access to a study conducted for the Bookers Group about the manufacture of beer. But they could not come up with the budget to fund its manufacture. Peter D’Aguiar then conceived of the first shareholding construct in the local private sector, at an offering of one dollar per share. Incidentally, he was later Advisor to the Banks Beer development project in Barbados. Several insights emerged from the interview, which I had in his Demico House Office, in Stabroek Square, where the company started (Continued on page 6)

Monday October 04, 2021

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The High Court ruling was fit and proper Applaud Govt. on In-School Learning Dear Editor, The recent handing down of judgment to convicted felon Jamaican National Sandra Russell by Chief Justice Roxane George is most welcomed. I say her judgment was most welcomed because it has brought to the fore the fact that the law is the law and must be applied in all matters. The law while it prosecutes and punishes the criminal, it also protects them from the excesses of those who administer it, rightly spelt out under the human rights charter. Both must be kept on an even keel, the excesses of either party must be curbed. In this case, the GPF is the one culpable of not applying the law appropriately, they, whether by its misinterpretation or gross neglect thereof have fallen short of their legal obligation under the law. The awardee was granted the sum of $3.1M for her aggravation and illegal detention. The facts of this case include the offender being found guilty of the crime of drug trafficking and was incarcerated. She served her time of three and half months jail time and thereafter was promptly deported. However, for some unknown reason, she was unlawfully detained and deprived of her freedom for five additional months without charge. The Chief Justice in her ruling maintained that Miss Russell’s rights were infringed and as such should

be compensated for it, further the judge’s ruling directed that Russell be deported. Now, while some may ask the question why should a convicted felon be compensated, the answer comes back again that the police have also broken the law and as such must be held accountable. Rightly put, it is indeed irritating and embarrassing to know that a criminal can be treated so handsomely when they are indeed a criminal. However, the fact remains that the custodians of the law (being the police) have indeed broken the law and under such circumstances, the judge was within her rights to rule in the felon’s favour. The fact is the criminal is also covered under the wide ambits of the law. This case exposes the inefficiencies and shortcomings of the Guyana Police Force when dealing with such matters, something I have been clamouring for, for years now. In the circumstances outlined above, the police, if they are ignorant of the law, they should have sought legal advice at their disposal and not rely on their own interpretation of the law. In so doing, they would have saved themselves the embarrassment that they are now exposed to. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. All the parties involved must realise they

must operate within the confines of the law. Why this woman was not deported back to her home country is the sore point for anyone viewing of the case. She now in her clever, criminal, capacity has turn again and sued the State and was duly compensated. Unbelievable, yet right and proper as seen in the eyes of the law. Now I turn your attention to two cases of a similar nature but with different outcomes, one in Barbados and the other here in St. Lucia. It involves illegal aliens both handsomely winning at the local betting games of chance. In both instances when they turned up for their winnings, they were denied it and promptly ordered deported. One might say this is indeed heartrending and inhumane treatment but we must not forget that in the circumstances, they were illegals and as such were outside of the privileges of normal citizenry. The law, though inhumane as it seems, clearly stipulates that such persons are prohibited from employment or as - in the two cases mentioned - are outside of the largesse of the State. Pretty tough to digest, but the law is the law and must be upheld. Sandra Russell got away with it this time due to clumsy policing; however, she would not be so lucky in the future. Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Saddened by destruction of Brickdam Police Station Dear Editor, I am deeply saddened by the destruction by fire of the Brickdam Police Station. Another iconic building designed by Cesar Castellani went up in flames. This is probably the most serious damage done to an important and strategic asset of the GPF in recent history. Too many fires destroying specifically targeted public buildings have occurred in recent times. I was disappointed to see the lack of crowd control with persons swarming all over the site of the fire when the area should have been cordoned off immediately with armed

ranks of the Tactical Services Unit manning the cordons and traffic ranks diverting the flow of traffic. It is my fervent hope that no physical harm came to persons detained at the time at the Police Station lockup. Some criticisms concerning its modus operandi have also been levelled against the Guyana Fire Service. This should be included in an immediate investigation which must to follow. So many records of firearm licences, court documents, files belonging to the CID, narcotics, and Traffic departments relative to Police ‘A’ Division.

It is a severe loss that will take time and effort to rebuild. I have every confidence that it can and will be done. In the circumstances, Guyana Police Force has it work cut out for it. Now the Guyana Fire Service must get down to serious investigations in collaboration with the GPF to determine the origin of the fire. On a sad note... CJR

Dear Editor, I applaud the government, Ministry of Education, for moving to inschool learning. So far, only schools for lower grades are open. Learning loss has been a big fallout of the pandemic crisis. School closures and remote learning can’t continue to infinity. Online, remote learning is not a substitute for in person learning with regular connection to other students and teachers. Plus, many children have been excluded from online classes due to the digital divide – some can’t afford the devices or the cost of internet. Some can’t get connected to internet even when it is affordable. Children who can’t connect with internet are at a disadvantage. In fact, in a survey I recently conducted, parents complain that their kids are not learning much through internet. They need in person instruction. The survey shows that most parents want schools to reopen. Most students also want to return to school, recognising the limitation of

remote learning. Most teachers want to go back to their normal professional mode of imparting knowledge. Some teachers prefer to continue online or remote teaching because it is like a continuous vacation at home where they can do their personal chores. In addition, the sight of children going to school evokes normalcy in a society. Our children’s lives are centred around schools, and the learning, the routine, playfulness, being with peers, and fun that come with it. Eighteen months from regular schooling has taken its toll on kids as well as on the educational system. As an educator of 40 years, I can say that children miss critical developmental milestones not being in regular attendance in school. Children, Staff, parents, and students suffer mental illness from closure of schools. It is time to get back to normalcy especially that COVID-19 will be around for a long time. We will have to adjust our lives to COVID19. Government should move

Change in location of concern Dear Editor, In a previous roll out schedule for the 25k one off grant and 2022 pension book distribution, it was stated that the location for North Cummingsburg would have been the post office located at Lamaha and Carmichael Streets. Now in a subsequent publication of Sunday, October 3 newspapers, it is

now stated the distribution location for this ward is Parade Ground. I find this confusing and concerning for security reasons in the prevailing circumstances. Was this change in location and possible ensuing ramifications carefully thought through? Shamshun Mohamed

towards full re-opening for all students providing it is safe for all stakeholders. The US has moved to inschool learning as have other countries. A federal court ruled against New York City Teachers Union that appealed a ruling of a lower court agreeing with government’s mandate on teachers’ vaccination. In NY, if you don’t vaccinate, except for religious or health reasons, you cannot teach. The ruling was put on hold until last Friday when the court threw out the case. The Teachers Union indicated it would appeal to the Supreme Court. I think the Supreme Court will side with the government – State has power to restrict rights during an emergency. The pandemic is an emergency. In fact, teachers would lose their jobs in NY if not vaccinated. In Guyana as in the US, increasing numbers of people are being vaccinated although the COVID infection rate and deaths have been rising in Guyana. The government prioritisation of vaccination for educators and students is praised. Teachers and students should take the vaccine. Government should enforce its policy on mandatory vaccine for teachers with exceptions for religion and medical issues. This would make it possible to implement in-person teaching for all students and staff. Of course, government or the Ministry must provide a safe environment for stakeholders. Stakeholders must be assured of a safe reopening. Kids should be given jabs if available and safe. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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What is needed to stem the coming tide? Dear Editor, Guyana may be a good candidate for a new administrative capital. Fire risk, flooding and traffic - a well-known triple-threat in the Georgetown area is costing us dearly. This head-spinning troika unfurls while we continue to make bad decisions such as property development along the Railway Embankment Road, the existence of the ‘conversation tree’ road and others and the absence of a proper attitude toward the modern industry of flood prevention. We like to blame ‘koker men’ for our troubles but I digress! Editor, The New Administrative Capital near Cairo in Egypt intends to solve the congestion problem in the capital by relocating a number of civic buildings and government agencies to a brand new area, planned to include modern facilities and amenities. This mesmerising project has progressed rapidly since it was commissioned in 2015 and its many districts are nearing completion. In spite of high modern desires, so-called mega-city projects usually do not succeed because they are often times enabled (and even inspired) by overly simplified instruments of legibility (like numbered house lots) that may impose, potentially authoritarian administrative grids on top of cosmically determined things like human communities, nature and the exchanges among them. The needs and destinies of communities come first and the organic way of selecting land for development through demand-driven

interactions and guided by sound planning principles - is shown to lead to maximum utilisation and financial viability. Our brothers in the USA know this all too well. Manhattan, with its many problems for example, is a hotbed of research in all the things we should avoid as city planners. An administrative capital though, in my view, would provide a significant measure of convenience, cost and timesavings for multitudes of government employees and processes while diverting traffic away from Georgetown, allowing for favourable proximity to transit hubs, like the airport and the stellings. Imagine navigating a beautiful walkable campuslike city complete with cafes, eateries, accommodation for foreign guests, residences, places for convening and especially for work places that function as growing temples of insight on the technology of governance. Editor, I believe that this is something that we can pull off. Our people are conscientious and loving, mysteriously diverse and therefore precious. Uniform codifications will not work - we must be lovers of complexity and scale, industrious in our aims and careful about inequality and social ills that tend to surround certain uses of land. Will the cities be built by our people, for our people or will they be built for foreign principalities? Could a New Administrative Capital, small enough to be possible, large enough to be impactful, be just the thing we need to stem the coming tide? Sincerely, Emille Giddings

Monday October 04, 2021

DISCONTENTMENT WITH LOCAL CONTENT Dear Editor, Discontentment seems to be growing in private sector and other influential circles over the pace with which Local Content Legislation/ Policy formulation and implementation are moving. It is probably this discontentment expressed both publicly and privately, that has evinced recently, a number of pronouncements on LCP by government officials, private sector and locally-based ExxonMobil representatives as well as by sections of the local media. A post by Mr. Timothy Tucker, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry on his Facebook account expressing his view on the subject stood out. Mr. Tucker was kind enough to make public an extract from a World Bank Report pertaining to Local Content Policy (LCP). For the benefit of readers, I consider it necessary to repeat his extract from the World Bank document: ‘As with TRIMS, (Trade Related Investment Measures), GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) has provisions for ‘Special and Differential Treatment’ (S&DT) of developing countries which allow for certain exceptions from the general rules. In addition, there are provisions that allow flexibility to encourage foreign suppliers to assist in technology transfers and training through offsets (of particular relevance to the designs of LCP’s). Offset transactions are contractual conditions that require the seller (usually a foreign supplier) to transfer additional economic benefits to the buyer (usually a host government or domestic company) as a condition for the sale of a base good or service. Offsets include preferential hiring and training of nationals, preferences for local sourcing, encouragement of inward investment, support for domestic suppliers to develop future

competitiveness, and support of the development of operational infrastructure to be made available for public use (for example, roads, power, water supply, and so on). Therefore, LCP’s that encourage offset activities in countries that benefit from S&DT would not be in breach of such countries WTO commitments.’ This is sound technical advice coloured with strategic and political connotations. Mr. Tucker ‘rounds off’ the excerpt with his own take that read: ‘Local Content is citizen’s right to benefit from ‘ their’ natural resources but like everything in Guyana we got to wait long for it, five months then election results, six years for local content.’ Based on statements made, ExxonMobil is not awaiting any local content legislation. Indications are that, the company is rolling out its own Local Content Policy through capacity development rather than through legislation. As the Minister who was once responsible for superintending the negotiations at the WTO on behalf of CARICOM (2002-2005), this matter provoked my interest. Caricom countries have generally not used WTO flexibilities to their fullest extent. While the World Bank is correct in its interpretation of TRIMS and GATS, the key issue is to avoid breaching WTO National Treatment obligations and ensuring that local businesses do not become ‘hewers of wood and drawers of water’ operating on the periphery of a dynamic and growing industry in particular and the Guyanese economy in general. LCP’s can be designed in such a way that they do not breach WTO obligations, however, for the avoidance of doubt, a country’s LCP can come under close scrutiny by

Will we see plans to curb madness on our roadways? Dear Editor, It’s very alarming to see the number of accidents occurring daily, some deadly. As usual, excuses are being used to defend driver’s reckless use of the roadways, paying little regards to the way they are driving and how it’s affecting others. At one time, almost all accidents were being blamed on stray animals. Government introduced a stray catching

units, that created tremendous stress to many who rear animals for a living. Out of financial frustration, many gave up depending on rearing animals for a living. Today, stray animals are not so prevalent on roadways, but accidents keep occurring alarmingly. Will we be seeing any plans to curb this madness on our roadways? Yours truly, Sahadeo Bates

other WTO members. A few examples will suffice; at the WTO Committee on TRIMS, C h i n a ’s l o c a l c o n t e n t provisions on cyber security measures came under scrutiny by WTO members following a claim that the measures could violate Chinese WTO obligations. Also, Indonesia’s Local Content measures came under the microscope following concerns expressed over its measures applicable to mining, oil, gas and solar in particular. Indonesia has been called upon not to restrict the flow of foreign goods into the country, including from developing countries. Russia and Argentina have also come under scrutiny. Argentina in respect to fiscal measures granted to private companies, and Russia as regards import substitution, and giving priority to Russian sourced goods and price advantages. Legislation or no legislation, policy makers and private sector advocates of LCL/P should learn from these country’s experiences and work together to create special carve-outs for local businesses, while ensuring that they do not place the country at a disadvantage at the WTO. The recent statement issued by the GCCI, begs the question whether local content is better realised through capacity development rather than via legislation. Rather than allowing it to raise eyebrows, it should be put for public debate. In this respect, the Acting P r e s i d e n t ’s statement on September 24, to the effect that ‘Structured Local Content Policy can be a conduit to benefits for all Guyanese’ is instructive especially when juxtaposed against the concerns raised in the S/N editorial of October 1, 2021; ‘Helter-skelter into an oil economy.’ In the final analysis, the fundamental question is, whether local content policies are achievable through capacity development rather than legislation or both.

Some countries have successfully developed their oil services sector, making it sustainable by offering some protection to local businesses within the meaning of S&DT. At the same time, pursuance of such a policy on the basis of National Treatment would allow local businesses in the oil services sector to grow into a national and potentially, an export industry in their own right. Trinidad and Tobago’s export of significant segments of its oil services sector to Guyana such as transportation, insurance, logistics and human resources are good examples to note. Compounding the issue further, was ExxonMobil’s announcement that it will move its T&T operations to Guyana. Realisation of this move will bring into sharp focus the whole question of National Treatment. The debate over the urgency/necessity for Local Content legislation has missed three important considerations; first is, whether such legislation is fundamentally necessary at this point in time; secondly, is whether the policy should be statutorised for a specific period of time and thirdly, whether LCP should be driven exclusively and unilaterally by foreign operators in the oil and gas sector. My own view is that, government should create sufficient policy space that allows it to implement its local content policies that, on the one hand, supports competitiveness while on the other, offers some protection, within the meaning of WTO flexibilities to indigenous infant industries in the oil and gas sector, allowing them to grow and develop future competitiveness. Competitiveness aside, in the midst of all the excitement over what “Makes good business sense” (and what does not) the biggest challenge is to avoid the ‘Dutch Disease’ the contours of which some feel are already emerging. In this respect, concubinage between public officials, the ‘oil men,’ carpetbaggers and shysters is where the danger lies. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

...Banks Beer and Personnel From page 4 the first take-away service in the country, of ‘Chicken-inthe-Rough’. Here is a quote recorded from the interview: “Well I am a firm believer that the workers and the owners’ interests are not only compatible but are one and

the same…I believe in keeping workers informed as much as possible as to what the company is trying to do, and how it is trying to achieve its objectives. I like the worker to be a shareholder? If space is affordable.” Yours truly, E.B. John

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No place for riggers in a democracy The PNC attempt at electoral banditry never ceased after 1985. Except for in 2006 when it was comprehensively whipped at the polls and suffered a fallout from the criminal insurrection, the PNC/R has tried all manner of mischief to hijack elections. Its new sidekick, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), has no moral authority much less political credibility to criticise the PPP/ C. One of the WPA’s leaders went as far as calling for the ballot boxes to be thrown aside. He certainly would not have said that if the Coalition had won the elections. The WPA now rails against the PPP/C’s refusal to invite the Leader of the Opposition for talks. The PPP/ C’s position is that it cannot do so while the APNU+AFC refuse to recognise it as the elected government. But the WPA had refused to recognise the PNC as a legitimate force when the WPA tabled its proposal for a Government of National Unity and Reconstruction. The WPA was then so appalled over the PNC’s lack of democratic credentials that it had no place for the PNC in Guyana’s political future. As far as it was concerned then, the PNC was a dictatorship and could not have a role in any government of national unity. The WPA is fully au fait with the electoral banditry of the PNC/R and its attempts since 1992 to destabilise elected governments. The WPA did not participate in the 1980 elections because it felt that the PNC would have rigged those elections, which it did. But after the collapse of the Grenada Revolution and the WPA’s switch from being a Marxist party to an ill-defined Rodneyite party, the WPA entered the 1985

election and became a victim of the worst rigging in the country’s history. The WPA wants us now to believe that the PPP/C is the villain and practices domination. But it is successive PPP/C governments which have been subject to a relentless campaign of destabilisation at the hands of the PNC, except for the period 2006-2011. This campaign to undermine democratically elected governments and to falsely claim fraud began even before the results of the October 5, 1992 elections were made public. Mobs were mobilised outside of the Guyana Elections Commission headquarters, which was then on Croal Street. The mob eventually began to stone the building in an attempt to stop the elections which a faction in the PNC feared the party would lose. Former US President Jimmy Carter, who was in Guyana as part of his Carter Centre’s Observer Mission to the elections, said he had never feared for his life so much as he did then. When Carter arrived at the GECOM Headquarters, there was already a hostile mob outside. He called President Hoyte and told him that the building was not properly protected and that if he did not receive immediate protection from the mob outside, the Secret Service would contact the White House. Hoyte took action to quell the mob outside GECOM’s Headquarters. But that was not the end of the violence. On the day after the elections, when it was reported that the PPP/C had won 70 percent of the vote on the Essequibo Coast riots broke out in the city. Stores were looted and burnt. This was the PNC’s salute to

democracy. After the party lost again in 1997, it unleashed a campaign of violence and destabilisation under the banner of “slo fyah, mo fyah”. Here again it was attempting to fraudulently install itself in government on the pretext that it had won the 1997 elections. Then in 2001, the violence morphed in criminal terror following the jailbreak. The country has never recovered from that period. In 2006, facing a backlash from its actions since 1992, the PNC accepted its humiliation at the polls but it was back to it wicked ways in 2011 when it sought to question the results of an election which deprived the PPP/C of a majority in the National Assembly. Despite winning the 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2006 elections, the PPP/C has never been able to host a public victory celebration because every time it won, there was instability triggered by the PNC. That changed in 2020. The PPP/C was determined last year to enjoy its moment of victory after having to wait five months for its winning candidate to be sworn in. It was during those five months that one person within the WPA leadership tried to peddle his poisonous views within this newspaper. The Publisher had to let him know that the Kaieteur News was not going down that road. The President is perfectly in order to demand that he be recognised before he initiates any meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. To do otherwise would be to court disrespect. Eventually the two will have to meet but for the time being those who tried to benefit from an attempt to rig elections must be

Dem Boys Seh…

Big words huttin’ dem boys head Dem boys head huttin’. Dem read something yesterday and when dem done dem get dead silent. Dem boys wan send it to de CXC fuh use a comprehension test but dem boys nah understand wat it mean. Suh dem boys asking fuh help. Dis is wah dem boys read: “Further, it lends to reason that the impasse would’ve been on tenterhooks, such that the misjudged utterance or action could’ve meant exsanguination. But that was inconsequential to the coldhearted many, whose perilous shenanigans we visualised, internalised, albeit unable to rationalise. And for this, the depraved agent provocateur

in question, most amphibiously cold-hearted, was the megalomaniac and cheeky attention seeker, Lewd Showman.” Wow! But it get even more difficult fuh dem boys when dem read: “So, as we die and tearfully mourn, without empathy he prognosticate to agitate with confabulates, that Guyana was of COVID19 Armageddon. But this attention seeker, in both word and wear, we all know to crave eyes and more eyes, with knees approximating the soil, beseeching the International Community to Afghan-airlift the COVID-19…” Wow! But den Prezzie join de bandwagon and dem boys

get lost again in translation. Dis is wat he said: “For a matter of fact, many of his conversations were unsettling, many of his conversations were thought-provoking, many of his conversations evoked conversations, but those controversies in thought evolution were necessary to address the situation that he was dealing with, and that is why their relevance remains because as humans we have failed.” Dem boys done! Primary school education no longer good enough fuh understand wah people writing! Talk half and remember yuh need a dictionary dese days!

ostracised locally and internationally. The PNC/R, the AFC and the WPA have no place in a democratic society. They are pariah parties which cannot be reformed. The call therefore, for them to reject

publicly election rigging, is like asking the devil to become a saint. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Monday October 04, 2021

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Government will spare no effort to determine the cause of destruction to public buildings - Pres. Ali FOR RENT

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Georgetown, Guyana— (October 3, 2021) His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, this morning said that his Government will spare no effort in investigating the circumstances surrounding the recent destruction of several public buildings by fire. The President made the comment during a visit to the temporary police offices that have been set up at the St Stanislaus College, in the aftermath of a fire on Saturday that destroyed over 80% of the Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ Headquarters at Brickdam, Georgetown.

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The historic Brickdam Station is the third public building to go up in flames within the last few months. In mid-June, the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School was partially destroyed by fire. It was followed by the Mabaruma Secondary School fire just under two weeks ago. A preliminary investigation by the Guyana Fire Service into the Mabaruma fire later revealed that the destruction was an act of arson. The Head of State, during his visit earlier today, said that he is very concerned by the recent trend and will be seeking international assistance to solve the cases while preliminary investigations take place. “To say I am not bothered would not be a true reflection of how I am thinking. I am bothered because this is not the first public asset that we have lost… this is coming on the heels of threats made on the capital city from New York. This is not the first time, and I am not going to take this lightly… out of concern and out of an abundance of caution at this early stage, we will not spare any effort in reaching out for international support…to investigate, to

follow any lead and to ensure that our capital remains safe and stable”. Additionally, the President said that he was disappointed by the response of the Guyana Fire Service, during Saturday’s fire. He noted that since entering office, his administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to equip the Fire Service with the necessary resources to do its work, and it is sad to see the institution not live up to expectations. He stressed that there must be a strong system of accountability and a sense of professionalism for those persons who perform public services. “The State can’t provide you with basic things like equipment for you to wear as Fire Officers and you turn up without them. It means that you are not in any state of readiness to respond to an emergency. It means that from a personal level you are not taking the job that you are entrusted to do with the level of seriousness that is necessary… we can’t be making investments in state apparatus and state institutions and not get the results from those

investments.” The Head of State added that he has already requested a list of all the persons in the diaspora who would have worked in a senior position within large cities, in an attempt to retain their expertise and infuse it locally. He, however, commended the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) within the St Stanislaus College compound for their valiant efforts at ensuring that there was no loss of service to the public, following the devastation caused by the fire. The President said that his Government is already assessing the acquisition of resources for a more permanent solution. Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Robeson Benn; Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie and other senior members of the GPF also visited the temporary offices. Meanwhile, following the President’s visit, the GPF via a statement, said that their Officers have managed to get a video confession from a prisoner who claimed to have started the fire. Investigations are ongoing. (Office of the President)

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President Ali (left) with Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie (centre), and Minister of Home Affairs. Robeson Benn (right).

Monday October 04, 2021

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Marc Marquez wins seventh MotoGP of the Americas, DeSinco Trading supports GFF/EBFA ATC Programme Quartararo eyes title AFP - Marc Marquez reasserted his mastery of the Circuit of the Americas yesterday, winning MotoGP’s Grand Prix of the Americas for the seventh time. Marquez, starting third on the grid, seized the lead at the start and relentlessly powered to victory over championship leader Fabio Quartararo of France. Marquez never allowed Quartararo a look-in, but the Yamaha rider pushed his lead in the standings to 52 points over Italian Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, who finished third. With just three races left this season — and with 25 points on offer to the winner

Spain’s Marc Marquez won the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, his seventh triumph at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas (AFP/Mirco Lazzari gp) of each one — Quartararo is within touching distance of a first MotoGP world title.

“The plan exactly was like I did the race,” said a beaming Marquez, the six-

Monday October 04, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your heartstrings may not feel particularly strong, and this situation isn't likely to get any better today when you find that people are insensitive to your situation. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) This is a climactic time for you, and you may feel like your world is caving in. You may desperately try to hold the keystone in place so that the whole structure doesn't fall. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your mood should turn toward getting things underway. This may mean that you need to get certain things out of your way, including people. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're on an emotional high. You feel like a soaring eagle. Your behavior may seem rather primal and animalistic, but this is fine. See where this instinct takes you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may be asking, "Why me?" in almost every realm of your life today. For some reason it seems that everyone but you has exactly what they want. Perhaps you're just being too picky. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Draw your strength from your sense of self. There isn't another person like you, so capitalize on this and move forward in the way that only you can. There's a great deal of bravery in your heart asking you to take risks that you may not have considered before.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) At first you may be taken aback by someone's aggressive approach to people and situations, but then you may see that really, this person has something important you can learn from. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Gifts of pleasure could be bestowed upon you with little or no effort on your part. It may be hard for you to sit still, since just about everything seems to be going your way, especially in matters of the heart. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might be put off by other people's comments. You'll find their behavior rude. You may break from your normal good manners and start to lash out at people around you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You have many fantastic ideas. The hardest thing for you now is to choose which one to pursue first. Activities that engage your creativity and sensitivity are most appealing now. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your heartstrings may not feel particularly strong, and this situation isn't likely to get any better today when you find that people are insensitive to your situation. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The fog has finally lifted and you're able to see clearly again. Make sure you're awake and alert, because the gun is about to go off and the starting gates are about to open.

time world champion who won the first six races held at the Austin, Texas, circuit but fell off while leading in 2019. The event was cancelled last season when he was recuperating after breaking his right arm in a crash, and his front-row start was his first since his return to the sport. “Start well, be first in the first corner, be slow the first two laps and then when the tires drop a little bit start to push,” the Honda rider said of the pre-race plan. “That’s exactly what I did.” By the halfway stage he was more than two seconds up on Quartararo, who started from the middle of the front row and finished 4.679sec behind. Bagnaia, starting from pole for the third straight race, was running fourth with a few laps remaining, when his pressure on Jorge Martin finally caused the rookie to cut two corners and draw a long-lap penalty that secured B a g n a i a ’s p l a c e o n t h e podium. Quartararo will have the chance to become France’s first MotoGP world champion at the next race at Misano in Italy on October 24.

...Man City hit back to deny From page 28 Liverpool’s favour. The Egyptian danced around Cancelo, Silva and Aymeric Laporte before firing on his weaker right foot high past Ederson. Guardiola was then booked for taking his protests too far, but five minutes later he was screaming in celebration as De Bruyne’s effort from the edge of the box deflected in off Joel Matip. Liverpool had the best chance to win the game in an end-to-end finale, but Rodri blocked Fabinho’s goalbound effort after Ederson flapped at a free-kick.

Long time supporter of football in Guyana, De Sinco Trading on Saturday last donated three cases of its Arla Foods’ Milex “Hi & Low” milk powder to the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Academy Training Centre (ATC); this follows their donation of 40 cases to the Guyana Football Federation a few days earlier. De Sinco Trading’s Sarah Piggott, who is the company’s Medical Representative, was on hand to make the presentation to EBFA President Kevin Anthony, said that her company was elated to broaden its support for the development of players in the game, especially youths. Piggott, who further noted that the donation would assist with the proper nutrition of the players, shared that the company would continue to support the growth and development of the nation’s youth. Anthony expressed his Association’s gratitude to Piggott for their generosity, noting that the EBFA is willing to develop a working relationship with the company going forward. The ATC which is fully

funded by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is designed to harness the best talent at the Under13, 15, 17 and 20 levels in the various Regional Member Associations which would be drawn upon for national teams. GFF President, Wayne Forde commented: “The GFF Academy Training Centre (ATC) is regarded by FIFA and Concacaf as one of the best youth development models within our Region. We have also seen the improvements in our male and female youth national teams at the international level. I am therefore very happy to welcome this timely support from De Sinco Trading for the ATC programme. The Boys and Girls that received their Milex milk felt so special by this expression of care offered by a long standing partner of Football development across Guyana. I would like to thank my dear friend Mr. Frank DeAbreu and his remarkable team for this kind gesture as I look forward to strengthening this partnership in the coming months and years.”

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Monday October 04, 2021

NWSL commissioner ousted, FIFA opens probe after accusations against fired coach (Reuters) he National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has fired commissioner Lisa Baird and FIFA has launched a preliminary investigation in the wake of a report detailing allegations of misconduct against former North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley. World soccer governing body FIFA said it is “deeply concerned” about allegations of abuse in the sport in the United States. The Athletic on Thursday had outlined allegations of sexual coercion and misconduct by Riley, who led the Courage to back-to-back NWSL championships in 2018 and 2019, after speaking to more than a dozen players he coached since 2010. “Due to the severity and seriousness of the allegations being made by

T

players, we can confirm that FIFA’s judicial bodies are actively looking into the matter and have opened a preliminary investigation,” FIFA said in a statement. “As part of this, FIFA will be reaching out to the respective parties, including US Soccer and NWSL, for further information about the various safeguarding concerns and allegations of abuse that have been raised.” R i l e y, w h o h a s reportedly denied any wrongdoing, was terminated by the Courage and the league. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. “I am so sorry for the pain so many are feeling,” Baird said in a written statement hours before she turned in her resignation and announcing that the league’s

weekend slate of games would not go on. “Recognizing that trauma, we have decided not to take the field this weekend to give everyone some space to reflect. “Business as usual isn’t our concern right now. Our entire league has a great deal of healing to do, and our players deserve so much better.” General counsel Lisa Levine was also sacked, according to the Athletic. The report sent shockwaves through the sport and the players’ association demanded sweeping changes across the league, as some of soccer’s most prominent figures including twice World Cup winners and NWSL players Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan - voiced their outrage. “This pause will be the first step as we collectively work to transform the culture

United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief marketing officer Lisa Baird addresses the media in a USOC leadership news conference during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS)

of this league, something that is long overdue,” added Baird. U.S. Soccer said it would immediately launch an independent investigation into the allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct.

“Player safety and respect is the paramount responsibility of every person involved in this game,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Cone. “That is true across every age, competition and ability level.”

The Athletic report came days after another head coach in the league, Richie Burke of the Washington Spirit, was terminated with cause. He had previously been suspended following allegations of abuse detailed by the Washington Post.

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Glenn Maxwell and Yuzvendra Chahal fire Royal Challengers Bangalore into the playoffs ESPNcricinfo –Virat Kohli’s quest for a maiden IPL title before stepping down as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end of the season is still very much alive after his side became the third team to clinch a playoff berth in IPL 2021, holding on for a sixrun win over Punjab Kings in Sharjah. Choosing to bat first, Kohli helped lay a solid foundation in tandem with Devdutt Padikkal by adding 68 for the first wicket before Glenn Maxwell powered on further with a half-century to take RCB to the highest total made by any side in Sharjah since the tournament resumed in September. For the first half of the chase Kings looked like they would track it down, reaching 81 for 0 at the 10over mark. But despite 57 from Mayank Agarwal as part of a 91-run opening partnership alongside orange-cap wearer KL Rahul, the wheels fell off soon after thanks to an inspired spell of legspin from Yuzvendra Chahal who claimed three wickets

including Agarwal. By the time the final over came around, 19 runs were needed and purple-cap holder Harshal Patel had little trouble containing Kings lower order to secure victory. Kings luckless in the field, with or without the umpires Despite a wicketless p o w e r p l a y, K o h l i a n d Padikkal’s partnership was at times a meandering one, and also had its share of luck. Kohli was dropped twice, on 9 and 10, while Padikkal was allowed to continue batting on 35 in controversial circumstances after Rahul’s use of a DRS was unsuccessful despite UltraEdge showing a clear spike on a failed reverse sweep where the ball appeared to graze Padikkal’s gloves on the way through to the keeper. Moises Henriques finally broke the partnership and then some, taking three wickets in the space of seven balls in the 10th and 12th overs. Kohli was bowled for 25 by one that kept low. Dan Christian bagged a golden

duck, mistiming a drive to backward point. And Padikkal was finally sent back for 40. This time there was no need for the third umpire to intervene as an attempted cut produced a thin edge that was well held by Rahul standing up to the stumps. Royal Challengers were under pressure at 73 for 3. Maxwell tortures his former franchise The Australian power hitter gave a handy reminder to his old team-mates about why he’s such a valued resource in T20 cricket, hitting 57 off 33 balls. With AB de Villiers struggling to get going at one end, Maxwell dominated their 73-run partnership with a flurry of sixes, mostly off the slog sweep against the spin duo of Harpreet Brar and Ravi Bishnoi. But it wouldn’t have been Maxwell ball without a reverse at some stage and he executed one to perfection against Bishnoi in the 18th over to secure another boundary. He brought up his half-century off 29 balls and

was dismissed only in the final over, by which time Royal Challengers had put up a strong total on the board, the best by any team in Sharjah this season. Another excellent Kings platform goes to waste Rahul might well become a chief lobbyist on behalf of the T10 brigade f o l l o w i n g h i s t e a m ’s contrasting fortunes this season in their first 10 overs compared to their last 10. The Kings captain continued his run as the leading scorer in the IPL with another sharp burst at the top of the order in tandem with Agarwal. But once he fell for 39 off 35, the chase began to flounder. Chahal built off the Rahul breakthrough by inducing a top edged sweep from Nicholas Pooran, dismissing him for 3 in the 13th over. Agarwal was another victim of the extra b o u n c e i n C h a h a l ’s legbreaks as a catch swirled over to short third man in the 16th over. Three balls later, Chahal capped his haul by defeating a flummoxed Sarfaraz for a golden duck.

Glenn Maxwell got to a fifty off 29 balls. (BCCI)

At 121 for 4 in 16, the Kings required rate of 11 per over through the last four proved to be a herculean task. Now in addition to needing a victory in their final match, the Kings will need a series of other results to go their way to have any

chance of securing the fourth and final playoff berth. Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 164 for 7 (Maxwell 57, Padikkal 40, Henriques 3-12) beat Punjab Kings 158 for 6 (Agarwal 57, Rahul 39, Chahal 3-29) by six runs.

Man City hit back to deny Salah-inspired Liverpool AFP - Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s pulsating 2-2 draw with Liverpool yesterday exhibited why he believes the Premier League is the best in the world. The points were shared between the two sides that have dominated English football for the past four years after a breathless second-half that saw City twice come from behind having dominated the first 45 minutes. Liverpool weathered that storm and hit the English champions with a sucker punch when Sadio Mane opened the scoring just before the hour mark. Phil Foden levelled before Mohamed Salah looked to have won the game with a moment of individual brilliance as he jinked around four defenders before firing past Ederson. However, Kevin De Bruyne’s shot that deflected in off Joel Matip nine minutes from time salvaged the point Guardiola’s men at least deserved. “What a game! That is the reason the last years Man City and Liverpool were always there because we try

to play in this way,” said Guardiola. “That’s why the Premier League is the best. It was really great. Unfortunately we couldn’t win, but we didn’t lose.” A share of the spoils leaves the title race tantalisingly poised with Liverpool a point behind leaders Chelsea and City two points off the top in third. It could have been much worse for City as a 0-0 draw at home to Southampton two weeks ago left them three points off the top of the table ahead of two of the most daunting away trips in the Premier League either side of a Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain. However, rather than being cut adrift from the contenders to take their title, they have laid down a marker in schooling Chelsea on their own patch last weekend and doing the same to Jurgen Klopp’s men for the majority of a thrilling contest. “The way we played at Stamford Bridge, in Paris and today shows we are a great team,” added Guardiola. Jurgen Klopp admitted

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scores his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield, Liverpool, England, Sunday Oct. 3, 2021. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

he was happy to hear the half-time whistle as City failed to turn their dominance in the first 45 minutes into goals. Alisson Becker twice saved one-on-ones with Foden, who also saw strong penalty appeals for a push by James Milner waived away, while De Bruyne headed over a glorious chance at the back post. - Sucker punch But Klopp reorganised his troops at the break to turn

the game into a far more competitive contest in the second-half. “I was more than pleased when I heard the whistle for half time because we had to adjust a lot of things and we did,” said Klopp. “Second-half was completely different. If we only played the second-half I would have loved to have win, but with the first half I am happy with the point.” Mane hit City with the sucker punch as Salah

skipped past Joao Cancelo and played in the Senegalese to slot calmly into the far corner. Anfield was suddenly stirred and Liverpool’s players crashed into challenges in response as they didn’t allow City to get into the rhythm they enjoyed before the break. However, one slick move from Guardiola’s men finally saw them find the net to level 21 minutes from time.

Gabriel Jesus skipped across the face of the Liverpool box before finding Foden, who this time drilled the ball low into Alisson’s far corner. Guardiola was then infuriated as Milner avoided a second yellow card after chopping down Bernardo Silva. And moments his later his mood soured even more when Salah’s stunning solo goal swung the game in (Continued on page 25)

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Bowlers and Shubman Gill boost KKR’s playoffs chances

E

(AFP/Getty Images)

SPNcricinfo Kolkata Knight Riders simply had to win, and they kept their end of the bargain thanks to a superb bowling performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad that moved them to 12 points with one game to play. Winning with just two balls to spare meant their net run rate didn’t jump by much, but their NRR is the best among all the contenders for fourth place, which means a win in their final game should see them through in all likelihood. Sunrisers off to disastrous start Wriddhiman Saha was out second ball to a Tim Southee nip-backer but could have survived had he reviewed. Jason Roy, who has come in since David Warner’s ouster, looked to cut loose but was tied down by Shivam Mavi’s tight lines as he kept premeditating and missing. The frustration eventually got to him as he slapped a length ball straight to mid-on as the Sunrisers crawled to 17 for 2 in five overs. Mavi’s figures read 2-04-1 when Eoin Morgan decided to gamble with a third over for the fast bowler inside the first six. He erred and got picked off. Kane

Shubman Gill drives towards mid-on. (BCCI)

Williamson took him for 18, including four boundaries: a back-foot cover drive, a slap through point, a front-foot cover drive, and, to top it off, a neat little dab past short third. It gave Sunrisers a hint of momentum. Shakib makes an impact Playing his first game of the second leg, and only his fourth overall this season, Shakib Al Hasan made a mark in his very first over, not with his left-arm spin, but with his athleticism. A quick sprint, a turnaround and throw in one motion at the bowler ’s end had

Williamson short of the crease as he tried to steal a single in the seventh over. It left the Sunrisers three down, leaving two youngsters Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma - having to resurrect the innings. That wasn’t to be. Shakib had Sharma stumped with a slider in the 11th over, and finished with 4-0-20-1. The slide continues Sunil Narine, brought into the attack in the eight over, maintained the Knight Riders’ stranglehold. In trying to break the shackles, Garg, who could have been

T20 World Cup to have fans at 70% capacity across venues

ESPNcricinfo - The upcoming men’s T20 World Cup, in October-November in the UAE (and Oman, for some of the first-round games), will witness significant spectator presence, with all stadia set to allow people in at 70% capacity throughout the tournament, the ICC announced yesterday. This will make the tournament the largest-scale event held in the UAE since the pandemic in terms of fan participation. The second half of the latest PSL, held in the UAE in June this year, was not open to spectators, while the ongoing IPL has fans at the venues in a “reduced capacity”. Letting fans in for the IPL matches, as ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier, was also meant to be a dress rehearsal of sorts for the local governments in the UAE, the ICC, and the BCCI for the World Cup. “The ICC and event hosts BCCI have worked closely with host authorities to ensure fans can be welcomed in a safe environment and COVID 19 protocols will apply at all

venues,” an ICC statement said. Tickets have already gone on sale for games in both Oman and the UAE. The stadium in Abu Dhabi will also include socially distanced pods - four people in each while a temporary structure at the Oman Cricket Academy will enable up to 3000 fans to attend in person. The T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to take place in India, but a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country earlier in the year resulted in a relocation to the UAE, where the remainder of the IPL is currently taking place. The T20 World Cup begins on October 17 in Muscat, with Oman taking on Papua New Guinea in the first round, from which four teams will join the top-eight teams in the main competition, which will begin on October 23 when Australia take on South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is the venue for the final, which will take place on November 14.

out on 5 had Shakib taken a simple pop-back, was out slog-sweeping to deep square for 21 to give Varun Chakravarthy his first wicket to leave Sunrisers 70 for 5. Two monstrous hits from the threatening Abdul Samad, R a s h i d K h a n ’s f a i l e d helicopter shot, and Venkatesh Iyer’s towering presence as a boundary catcher highlighted the rest of the innings as Sunrisers limped to 115 for 8. The spin trio of Shakib, Narine and Chakravarthy ended with combined figures of 12-058-3.

Sunrisers tie down KKR top order In UAE, the Knight Riders have so far been able to shellack bowling attacks upfront to reduce the pressure on their middle order. But here they were given a proper workout early on. Venkatesh Iyer was beaten for pace three times before he miscued an attempted hoick to Williamson at mid-off in the fifth over. Two overs later, Rahul Tripathi erred in picking length as he swatted a Rashid Khan delivery to midwicket. Enter Umran Malik Talk about making a mark with raw pace. Umran Malik, the 21-year-old from Srinagar, let it rip as soon as he came on in the fourth over. Originally in the Sunrisers contingent as a net bowler and signed as a short-term Covid-19 replacement for T Natarajan, Malik bowled the fastest delivery by an Indian in IPL 2021 with the third ball of his first over, which clocked 150kph. Having made Iyer hop around, he then troubled Nitish Rana with his zip off the pitch in his second over. This spell coincided with the Knight Riders treading a cautious path, with Rana and Shubman Gill crawling

along to add 9 off 25 balls at one stage. The asking rate was creeping up, with the Knight Riders 44 for 2 at the halfway mark. With three more overs to come from Rashid, it was by no means going to be a cakewalk. Gill shreds pressure to secure victory After the famine came the feast as Gill changed gears. Using his feet to throw Holder off his lengths, he pulled him imperiously for two boundaries in the 12th over to signal a turnaround. He then took on Rashid and Malik, who slightly erred in trying to go full throttle. Gill soon brought up a halfcentury, his first of the season. When the Knight Riders took the strategic time-out at 84 for 2 in 15 overs, they were well on their way to victory. Gill and the struggling Rana departed soon after, but Dinesh Karthik and Eoin Morgan calmly completed the job; Karthik’s bullet drive first ball and a cracking cut off Bhuvneshwar crushing any little hope Sunrisers may have had. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 119 for 4 (Gill 57, Rana 25, Holder 2-32) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 115 for 8 (Williamson 26, Samad 25, Southee 2-26, Chakravarthy 2-26, Mavi 229) by seven wickets.

Gezahegne breaks 10km road race world record in Geneva

Kalkidan Gezahegne of Bahrain celebrates after winning silver. (REUTERS/ Dylan Martinez)

(Reuters) a h r a i n ’ s K a l k i d a n Gezahegne won the Giants Geneva 10K in 29 minutes 38 seconds yesterday to take five seconds off the women’s world record for a 10km road race when men are also

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competing. The Ethiopian-born 30year-old, who won 10,000 metres silver behind Sifan H a s s a n a t t h e To k y o Olympics in August, bettered the mark of 29.43 set by Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2017. Agnes Tirop, who last

month set a new record for women-only races at the distance in a time of 30.01, finished second with her fellow Kenyan Celliphine Chespol third. Kenya’s half marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie won the men’s race in 26 minutes, 51 seconds.

Kaieteur News

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Monday October 04, 2021

BCB $2M Patron Fund to assist First Division clubs, youth cricketers to be launched - Four social seminars to be hosted as part of massive developmental programme

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he outstanding work of the Hilbert Foster led Berbice Cricket Board on Saturday 6th of November would receive a massive boost when the second edition of the BCB Patron Fund is launched. BCB Patron Minister Vi c k r a m B h a r r a t a n d President Hilbert Foster are expected to launch the Fund during a special social skills seminar for youth cricketers at the New Amsterdam Secondary School. Minister Bharrat was last year inducted as the first ever Honorary Patron of the board on the 7th of November and hosted the first edition of the Patron Fund. A total of thirteen youth players received two hundred thousand dollars worth of cricket gears, while t h e b o a r d ’s c r i c k e t development programme received a million dollars under the 2020 edition. The Patron committed two million dollars for the fund in 2021 as he congratulated Foster on the outstanding work of the

board despite the ongoing covid 19 pandemic. Under the 2021 edition, the eleven first division teams in the county would receive one hundred thousand worth of white balls for the upcoming season. Foster, stated that the combined $1.1 Million dollars worth of balls would assist the clubs a great deal as the costs of balls has climbed heavily during the covid pandemic. The clubs which will receive the balls are West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, Albion, RHTYSC, Port Mourant, Skeldon and Upper Corentyne. The BCB has plans to host at least five tournaments at the senior level whenever the National Ta s k F o r c e g r a n t s permission for a restart at the 20/20, 40 overs, 100 balls, 50 overs and two days levels. Distribution of the balls would be done in late November. Four hundred thousand dollars would be invested into the Patron Educational

Grant programme. Twenty junior players would receive a grant of twenty thousand dollars to assist them to obtain educational materials for school. Foster and his executives have invested heavily into the educational careers of youths with hundreds of junior players receiving grants to assist their pursuit of an educational background. Each cricketer would receive a voucher to uplift the items from a popular stationery store. The final part of the 2021 Patron Fund would be the hosting of four social skills seminars across the county. The seminars are the brainchild of Minister Bharrat and would be held in the four sub associations of We s t B e r b i c e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. Each of the seminars would involve forty under 19 players and would be conducted by graduated students of the University of Guyana Social Works class. Among the topics to be

BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over copies of the board historic coaching manual to BCB Patron Minister Vickram Bharrat. covered would be table manners, public speaking, drugs abuse, suicide, peer pressure, personal manners, how to handle your finance, importance of discipline, importance of education and importance of religion.

The BCB Patron and President both agreed on the importance of the county producing not just outstanding cricketers but also all round individuals who would be sports ambassadors for the country.

Foster has also indicated that all players selected to represent the county in the future would also have to be involved in these sessions as part of the BCB c o m p r e h e n s i v e development programme.

Jepkosgei, Lemma triumph at London Marathon

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FP - Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei won the w o m e n ’s L o n d o n Marathon yesterday as Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma triumphed in the men’s race in the first fullscale staging of the event since the coronavirus pandemic. Brigid Kosgei, aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive London Marathon titles since Germany’s Katrin Doerre in 1994, came fourth. Jepkosgei won in a personalbest time of 2hr 17min 43sec. Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw finished second in 2:17.58 and compatriot Ashete Bekere was third in 2:18.18. Lemma failed to finish the Olympic marathon in Japan in August but bounced back to win in the British capital in 2:04.01. Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba was runner-up for the second year running in 2:04.28 and Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew came third with a time of 2:04.41. The London Marathon returned to normality for the first time since 2019 after being held without amateur runners or spectators last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma celebrates after winning the men’s race at the 2021 London Marathon (AFP/Glyn KIRK)

The pandemic forced the event to be moved from April to October in 2020, with a small number of elite runners completing laps around St James’s Park. But this year more than 40,000 amateur runners joined the elite athletes in covering the traditional 26.2-mile course from Blackheath, southeast London, to The Mall that leads to Buckingham Palace. Another 40,000 runners competed virtually as the race got

under way to cheers and applause from returning spectators, with mass participants’ start times staggered to avoid large gatherings. The elite women set a ferocious early pace, completing the first 10 miles in 52min 10sec. I s r a e l ’s L o n a h C h e m t a i Salpeter, Kosgei, Jepkosgei, Bekere and Azimeraw formed a breakaway group after half-way. Reigning New York Marathon champion Jepkosgei broke away after 1hr 55min, establishing an

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei won the women’s race at the 2021 London Marathon (AFP/Glyn KIRK)

insurmountable lead with a few miles to go. It is the first time five women have completed the London Marathon in under 2hr 19min. The men’s pack was touted as arguably the strongest in history despite the absence of Kenyan fourtime London Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge, with six runners holding best times of under 2h 05min. Defending champion Shura Kitata of Ethiopia, who failed to

finish the Olympic marathon in Sapporo and entered the race carrying a hamstring injury, faded quickly. The runners passed half-way in 1:01.25 —12 seconds faster than Kipchoge’s split when he set the men’s London Marathon record of 2:02.37 in 2019. A five-strong pack featuring Kenyans Evans Chebet and Kipchumba and Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese, Lemma and Geremew broke away as the race progressed.

Kaieteur News

Monday October 04, 2021

PAGE 31

Wilbert Benjamin Memorial Cycle Road Race

Jamual John cops senior top spot; Aaron Newton is junior winner; Clavecia Spencer wins female contest

The top two juniors and their moms, Aaron Newton (left) and Alex Leung. Winner of the female race, Clavecia Spencer, being rewarded. Jamual John, just back from competing on the USA circuit made an immediate impact showing that his fitness level is superior to the locals when he rode to victory in yesterday’s inaugural Wilbert Benjamin Memorial 70-mile Cycle Road Race in the Ancient County of Berbice. Popularly known as

‘Willy’ or ‘Benjie’, the former junior and senior national cyclist died last year after receiving head injuries form an accident he was involved in; his sudden demise shocked the cycling fraternity let alone his family who’ve decided to keep his memory and legacy intact by organising this race. The Flying Ace Cycle

Club was the organizing club for the race which was opened to all cyclists who came out in numbers to remember a good son of the soil who would have been celebrating his 51st birthday, today. John dominated and won the race which started at Fyrish proceeded to Springlands before returning

to the starting line from Marcus Keiler, Walter Grant-Stuart, Andre Green, Alex Mendes, Paul DeNobrega, Christopher Griffith and Kemuel Moses in that order. The junior division was won by Aaron Newton ahead of Alex Leung and Mario Wa s h i n g t o n . C l a v e c i a Spencer took the female segment from Senika Texeira and Anecia Crandon

while the Veteran race went to Grant-Stuart ahead of

Mendes and Paul Choo Wee Nam.