Kaieteur News

K

Monday Edition AIETEUR Man executed - had taken four NEWS in Sophia bullets in May October 19, 2020 -Vol. 13 No. 43

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Pomeroon man admits to killing drinking buddy over rum Guyanese… stop your leaders from deceiving you!

Pressure them for full disclosures on all deals!

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 110,133

Canje owner given exploration rights despite having zero insurance for disasters Tread carefully Ramjattan CXC offers 28 deaths in engaging among 55 students in 18 days… new sources of wanted for half price COVID-19 int’l funding racially- to review claims - ex-Finance Minister, Winston Jordan cautions Govt., PSC

insensitive grades comments - body to moderate all SBAs two more

Guyana’s 2020 growth rate toppled - says from 86% to 26% IMF Despite massive oil finds…

Guyana must not cower in ilence s Former President, Donald Ramotar, ably advised perhaps by former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, signed away, for free, the fabulously-rich Canje Oil Block. With the stroke of a pen, part of the inheritance of the Guyanese people was signed away.

When our leaders busy themselves signing away secretly, and for free, parts of our rich oil patrimony, they destroy the future of our people.

Guyana’s oil belongs to all Guyanese, and not only the PPP, AFC and PNC, who have shortchanged the nation.

Guyanese must not cower in silence. They must stand up and denounce this grand betrayal!

All Guyanese must condemn the give-away of the country’s oil wealth.

Guyanese: No more ‘Nancy stories’ from our leaders; DEMAND that they tell ALL about our wealth!

Monday October 19, 2020

Tread carefully in engaging new sources of int’l funding

With billions of investment dollars being promised by high-ranking US officials, former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is cautioning both the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration and the private sector to be wary when sourcing new avenues of international funding.

Jordan’s comments emerge mere days after head of the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), Adam Boehler, and his team comprising the IDFC, Department of Treasury, Export-Import Bank, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and Department of National Security met with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), engaging in deep discussions that could see the US expanding investments in Guyana.

During a media briefing with the delegation, the PSC heads and other members of Guyana’s business community, Boehler had highlighted that the US is not only looking to invest in large projects but to also lend a hand to small and medium scale businesses.

According to Jordan, this is also coupled with the “sum of US$200 billion that was dangled to the country’s policymakers and private sector representatives.”

For a country like Guyana, he outlined, whose Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a mere US$5.2 billion, the offer would be enough to “salivate” at the possibilities and opportunities such investments can present, should they come into fruition.

But notwithstanding this, Jordan warned: “A word of caution to the private sector and the policy makers: while we should not look a gift horse in the mouth, care and extreme caution should be exercised as you engage new sources of funding.” The former Finance Minister supported the PPP/C government’s attempt to widen the sources of financing for Guyana’s economic development, stating that: “In spite of the bounties that oil will bring, it is important for Guyana to explore all avenues for additional resources especially concessional resources - in view of the huge deficits that exist in the country’s social, physical and economic infrastructure.”

He then went on to point out the APNU+AFC Coalition’s success in this regard including clearing hurdles for Guyana to gain membership of the Islamic

PAGE 3

Kaieteur News

- ex-Finance Minister, Winston Jordan cautions Govt., PSC

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan Development Bank (IsDB) which added to Guyana’s existing relationships with other multilaterals such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Jordan noted, too, that Guyana’s traditional donors have been playing their role and pointed out that just before demitting office; discussions were advanced with the IDB for two loans, totalling US$51 million, to be used on COVID-related activities.

“Aside of its classification as ‘upper middle income’, based purely on per capita income,” he continued “Guyana needs highly concessional to near concessional resources to meet its burgeoning developmental needs. This brings us back to the ‘gifts’ being borne by the Americans.”

Delving further, the former Coalition Minister explained that PSC Chair, Nicholas Boyer was reported as saying that the US$200 billion would be in the form of loans at interest rates that are different to those available to local investors.

But such statements, he claimed, give the impression as though the local private

sector is starved of access to foreign funding.

According to Jordan: “This would be far from reality. The truth is that for the most part, the private sector has, for various reasons, shown a disinterest in using the available funding of the private sector window of the multilateral financial institutions, of which Guyana is a member.”

Turning his attention to the IFDC itself, Jordan expressed several concerns regarding the financing process. According to him, the means by which financing is obtained from IDFC is “unclear” since it is stated on their website that the IDFC “complements, rather than competes, with private sector lenders and supports projects that have been unable to obtain sufficient support from private lenders”.

He explained that based on the nature of projects in Latin American, countries like Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador that are highlighted on its website, it appears as though the IDFC either provides financing to US companies, “which would then be used to undertake projects in developing countries; or, provides supplemental development financing to countries in

cases where there is either a lack private sector capacity or inclination to provide financing.”

Further, Jordan stated that once approved for financing, the IDFC will make a projectby-project determination of loan amount, usually not more than 80% of the total cost of the project.

Notably, he stated that the IDFC classifies Guyana as an upper middle-income country, adding that this likely means that any financing provided would be on non-concessional terms characterised by high and potentially variable interest rates and relatively short repayment periods.

“It should also be noted that there is a preponderance of fees associated with financing obtained from the IDFC, which would result in elevated borrowing costs,” Jordan said.

A critical point, according to the former Finance Minister, was that the IDFCled team indicated it was able to provide amounts to an astounding US$200 billion, or about 118 times Guyana’s debt stock at the end of 2019, and about 39 times the 2019 GDP of US$5.17 billion.

The substantial utilization of this financing envelope, the former Minister noted “will compromise the sustainability of Guyana’s debt.”

Given the foregoing, Jordon’s was keen to outline that the observations are neither “exhaustive nor meant to puncture the aura of excitement created”, rather, they emphasise the need for “prudence and probity” in the conduct of the country’s financial affairs.

“Both the Government and the private sector are advised to tread carefully,” he said.

DESPITE MASSIVE OIL FINDS…

Guyana’s 2020 growth rate toppled from 86% to 26% - says IMF The unprecedented economic blows that have been unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further downgrade its growth forecasts for 2020.

According to the financial institution, Guyana’s 2020 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to see a 26.2 percent growth, instead of the previously announced 53 percent.

This amounts to the second d o w n w a r d growth revision for 2020 of G u y a n a ’s economy by the IMF. It had projected in September last year that Guyana’s economy would grow 86 percent.

In spite of its revision for 2020, the IMF said that Guyana’s growth is expected to rapidly increase. In its October World Economic Outlook, the IMF is projecting the Guyana will experience 8.1 percent Real GDP growth in 2021; 30 percent by 2022; and 22.3 in 2023.

This progressive growth forecast is bolstered by the nation’s oil and gas sector. To date, Guyana has over eight billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek

Block. The operator for the offshore concession is ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

It already has on stream oil production from the Liza Phase One project which is expected to last for 20 years.

The Liza Phase Two development project remains

on track for its 2022 commissioning while contracts are already being awarded for the Payara project.

Payara, the third phase, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak by 2024. It will be utilizing a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) called the Prosperity. The collective rate of production for those three projects could meet a peak of 560,000 barrels per day after Payara comes on stream.

PAGE 4

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

Thank God for Cameras Every occasion, development, and event represent a Kodak moment, a shining and revealing one. Those moments are etched in images, as good as written in inerasable ink into evidentiary stone. In sum, it is the treasure house of camera footage that identifies criminals in action and rogue police officers recreating their cover stories. It is also of what affords some semblance of truth and justice in this deceptive and unjust-a thoroughly lawless-society.

As the Wall Street Journal noted in the title of an article dated June 13: “They used smartphone cameras to record police brutality - and change history.” And, perhaps, more tellingly: “Video camera technology on our phones got better. In the process, it made eyewitnesses of us all.”

We are, indeed, all eyewitnesses now, to both the good and the bad, whether in the form of protective store-front arrangements, state authorized electronic street surveillance networks, or individual handheld phones.

The story that is told and history that is made overpowers falsehoods, sanitizations, and re-arrangements.

The small man, the discriminated against, the targeted and victimized, and those made to feel pain and loss are all placed on a more level footing, thanks to new, innovative camera technology.

That is all for the good and should be welcomed. On the other hand, though a wonderful and significant presence, the revolutionary technology raises concerns about misuse, rights, and privacy. At the core, it is about how to manage properly the security of the greatest number without adding to the insecurities of the few.

Right here, when a network of surveillance cameras was introduced for crime detection and prevention purposes, Guyanese articulated their heaviness with what was interpreted as intrusive and undesired.

Not long ago, the police reportedly rolled out body cameras for its ranks. The thinking was that they would help to manage its members better, while protecting the public, while fighting the uphill battle against crime and corruption. Though recognized as valuable, the cameras did not meet with universal warmth, with privacy rights brought to the fore.

Against this backdrop, it may be helpful to examine what the British did. The New York Times article dated September 15 and titled, “Real time surveillance tests the British tolerance for cameras”, provides guidance towards a better understanding, hopefully more tranquility.

The British have given up more than other Western democracies, with government using thousands of closedcircuit cameras to monitor digital communications following domestic bombings (IRA activities) and lethal post 9/11 events.

“Technology is driving forward, and legislation and regulation follows ever so slowly behind,” said Tony Porter, Britain’s surveillance camera commissioner. “It would be wrong for me to suggest the balance is right.”

We need to find that balance here.

One imbalance is the problematic mis-identification of non-whites, with outright bans in San Francisco and some other US cities. An American Republican legislator has compared new technologies to George Orwell’s “1984” and a threat to free speech and privacy.

The European Commission is considering new restrictions. Opponents say its use in a democratic country needs to be more carefully considered, not left to the police to determine. Here there is chronic distrust of the police.

Critics say there has been a lack of transparency about the technology’s use, particularly about the creation of watch lists, which are considered the backbone of the technology because they determine which faces a camera system is hunting for. Writers and critics have been targeted and castigated in this country for daring to speak; blocked from state-controlled media; attacked in political circles. That is for writing and objecting. What about assembling? Protesting?

Worried citizens have expressed concerns about public privacy. Against that not inappropriate anxiety, someone raised the point that along with rights comes numerous

Monday October 19, 2020

Of robustness, acknowledgments and transparency DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to the article titled, “Payara license contains key environmental updates Energy Department, EPA started process, as few safeguards seen in Liza-1” (SN October 18). A thought or two are shared.

It is clear that some solid, if not outstanding, work was done by Dr. Mark B y n o e a n d D r. Vi n c e n t Adams of the DoE and EPA respectively.

Since some of this was leveraged for more robust underpinnings of the Payara Licence executed by the PPP government, I think that, at least, it should have had the professional courtesy and consideration to acknowledge the work product of the two public servants named.

The current administration has been quick to lambaste (sometimes correctly) the disturbing happenings under the auspices of the recently concluded coalition government.

I sense that this is payback for the many, still fresh, elections traumas, and

also of reciprocating the postures of the same coalition when it assumed office back in 2015, when sharp criticisms of the way that the PPP managed the business of the people were par for the course.

I think that when we descend to these levels at the level of the state, we are not about statecraft or statesmanship at all, but of petty politics and the rank malice that flows from such.

We go nowhere like this, other than being sucked deeper into the usual crippling vortex.

But, more to the point, it is disappointing that some other recommendations from the output of Drs. Bynoe and Adams were not found to be mandatory to Guyana’s interests and, hence, not up for discussion and negotiation when the Payara review occurred a few weeks ago.

Specifically, and as extracted from the SN article, I point to “when the final Payara Licence was signed recently, it omitted recommendations, such as 48-hours start-up flaring timeframe, that produced water be reinjected into the

reservoirs rather than dumped into the ocean and it also kept the capping time at five days instead of the proposed three.”

Why and why not? These are the first questions that come to mind. Why did the PPP leaders, after all the postsigning fanfare, conceded and folded on these? Those recommendations could only have accrued to the benefit of Guyana.

As is obvious, Exxon outmuscled and outmaneuvered PPP leaders on the things that would cost the company and subject it to more attention.

And I would not be surprised if Exxon’s peerless Public Relations machine did not have a firm hand in the words uttered by the Guyanese politicians, who came before the nation to present it with, and demand celebrating, a pig in a bag.

PPP leaders from the Vice President on down were bent on presenting their spin on the ostensible glitters of the Payara deal signed, regardless of its shortcomings and exposures for Guyana. In the propaganda department, they have done very well, as

is the norm.

It should be noticed that I make no mention of His Excellency, the President on this one. As I have read, and I think all Guyana by now, the Hon. Vice President, a mean machine all by himself, was not content to play second fiddle to a fifth wheel on Payara.

Last, I seem to recall that the PPP powers (I forgot which ones) did promise to share with the nation the nuts and bolts of the review done by that now elusive Scarlet Pimpernel, one Ms. Alison Redford of Alberta, Canada.

She has flattered to deceive and there is something (lots of it) doubly troubling about what her review efforts actually represented. Why is that being withheld? Why the secrecy?

To protect whom? And my last question is for the President himself: how about a little transparency, Excellency? When promises are made that are not intended to be kept, in whole or in part, it is better than they are never uttered. It makes fools of all involved.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

NAVARAATRI greetings to all Hindus DEAR EDITOR, The Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha of Region Three extends greetings to all Hindus on this auspicious festival of Devi/Mother-Navaraatri. We pray that the Mother Divine inspires us all along the noble paths of Bhakti (devotion), Karma (self-less works) and Jnana (Self knowledge).

Religious observances and traditional worship have, at times, more than one significance. Apart from them being the adoration of the Divine, they are commemorative of thrilling bygone events, allegoric when interpreted from the occult standpoint, and are significant pointers guiding man on the path of GodRealization. Nava-raatri is one such observance. It is dedicated to worship of God as Divine Energy (Shakti) which is called Mother. The Mother Divine is adored in three prominent aspects— Durgaa, Lakshmee and Saraswatee.

While Nava—Raatri is featured by a plethora of

richly symbolic rituals and ceremonies, there must be a more sublime and profound inward transformation of life, that every spiritual aspirant seeks to undergo. This deeper purpose of Nava-raatri is captured in its division of three sets of three nights each, in which the spiritual aspirant adores the different aspects of the Energy Divine (Shakti). This has got a very sublime, yet thoroughly practical truth to reveal. In its cosmic aspect, it epitomizes the stages of the evolution of man into God, from manhood to Godhood. In its individual import, it shows the course that spiritual pursuit should take.

The central purpose of existence is to recognize the eternal identity with the Supreme Spirit. It is to grow into the image of the Divine.

The Supreme One embodies the highest perfection. It is spotless purity, “Niranjana”.

To identity with That, to attain union with That, is verily to grow into the very likeness of the Divine.

The spiritual seeker has,

responsibilities.

It is the old physics relationship: action and reaction.

We believe that it is a matter of scale, the welfare of the greater many.

To put differently, sacrifices must be made to get somewhere, and if such a sacrifice involves surveillance cameras and police body (and dash) cameras, then those are steps in the right directions. The end objective should always be borne in mind: the safety, rights, and security of all and when not universally achievable, then as many as possible.

therefore, as the initial step, to get rid of the countless impurities and the un-divine elements that have come to cling to him in his embodied state.

This transformation is to be experienced during the first three nights of Nava-raatri, where the Energy Divine is worshipped as Mother Durgaa. The acquisition of virtues is then sought for during the second three nights wherein the Divine is adored as Goddess Lakshmee.

When rendered full of purity and goodness, Knowledge flashes upon the seeker like the brilliant rays of the sun upon the crystal waters of a perfectly calm lake. This is to be experienced in the final three nights of Nava-raatri when the Energy Divine is invoked and worshipped as Saraswatee.

This arrangement has also a special significance in the aspirant’s spiritual evolution.

It marks the stages of evolution which are indispensable for every seeker of spirituality, through which everyone should pass.

One naturally leads to the other, and to short-circuit this would inevitably result in a miserable failure. Nowadays, many ignorant spiritual seekers aim straight at the appropriation of Knowledge without the preliminaries of purification and acquisition of divine qualities, and complain that they are not progressing along the path.

How can they? Knowledge will not descend till the impurities are washed out and purity is developed. The pure and good plant can grow on no impure soil.

Nava-Raatri therefore offers an opportune moment for nurturing the seed of spirituality in oneself. It’s an occasion to reflect on spiritual life and begin climbing the ladder towards the Ultimate Truth that is God, as pointed in the Yajur Veda (19.30), “By self-dedication one becomes consecrated; by consecration one obtains grace; by grace, faith and by faith, Truth is obtained.”

Yours truly Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region Three

Irresponsible DEAR EDITOR, While the government is earnestly pleading with citizens to observe and adhere to COVID protocols and restrictions, particularly the wearing of masks, one of

its own, while on an engagement with the media in an opposition stronghold, saw it fit to be without mask.

How irresponsible!

Shamshun Mohamed

Monday October 19, 2020

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Need for formal linkage to tap into Guyanese Questions for GTT Diaspora DEAR EDITOR, The diaspora has a huge reservoir of talent and financial and technical resources including in oil and gas, which are sorely lacking in Guyana. The government should tap into the diaspora.

This should be done through a formal institutionalized approach with linkage via a diaspora center with diverse Guyanese diaspora spread out in several countries.

There could be a formal diaspora department out of the office of the President or Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a separate ministry to engage the diaspora that is much larger than the population of Guyana itself. Many countries have such formal linkages (center or department). I worked with groups that helped to establish such formal linkages for India with her large diaspora of 32 millions.

And I helped with the establishment of diaspora centers in several countries. The resources and wealth of the diaspora, just in America alone, is significantly higher than the annual budget of Guyana and can contribute enormous capital and technology for the rapid development of Guyana whether in housing, infrastructure, telecom, power generation, gas and oil industries, etc.

The terms Guyanese diaspora and Indian diaspora were introduced in the 1980s by a few of us (like Ravi Dev, Baytoram, Ramharack, Va s s a n Ramracha, among others) in New York who were deeply involved in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana.

We worked closely with groups from India to open political doors in Wa s h i n g t o n t h a t p u t pressure on the Burnham/ Hoyte dictatorship to restore democratic governance in Guyana.

It would be ungrateful not to recognize the significant contributions of Indian nationals in making it possible for Guyanese freedom f i g h t e r s , i n c l u d i n g D r.

Jagan, to meet officials of

the Reagan/Bush administrations, Members of Congress, the Carter C e n t e r, a c a d e m i c s a n d influential figures like Arthur Schlesinger, in that long struggle for the restoration of democracy in the homeland. In NY, a small group of us planned and implemented conferences pertaining to Guyanese in America and on Guyana and on overseas Indians and in so doing birthed the terms Guyanese and Indian diasporas that would become institutionalized in India and Guyana and among overseas individuals who trace their ancestry to those countries.

The group of us also proposed establishment of Guyanese diaspora centers in countries like the US, Canada, UK, Suriname, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Antigua, St, Martin, etc. where there were/are large numbers of Guyanese because of the enormous amount of resources that would redound from the formal linkage between the diaspora and the homeland. But these calls were largely ignored except for a half-hearted attempt in 2012 by the Ramotar administration with no follow up.

It is hoped that the President Irfaan Ali led administration would see the importance (like enormous flow of human and capital resources for development) of Diaspora centers.

There should, at a minimum, be a government funded Diaspora Center in Guyana if not also branches in the major Guyanese population centers abroad for formal connectivity and engagement. Separately, there should also be a funded (but independent from government control) Center for Diaspora Studies in Guyana as a group of us proposed after the restoration of democracy in October 1992.

There have been no takers by successive governments in Guyana. I am currently working with

two Professors in preparing a proposal, now in final stages, for a Diaspora Center (that would also address issues pertaining to Guyanese) at the Benaras Hindu University in Varanasi. It would be up and running within weeks. Separately, I worked with peers to establish diaspora centers in Delhi and in Lucknow (capital of Uttar Pradesh state), India.

Since the 1990s, a few Guyanese, including myself, were connected with the establishment of Indian diaspora centers and organizations in several countries including Fiji, Mauritius, India, New Yo r k , A u s t r a l i a , a n d Trinidad. We organized diaspora conferences in all of them (last one in Fiji a year ago and several on zoom since the COVID outbreak) addressing issues relating to the diaspora, the ancestral homeland, and countries of residence.

In November 1992, at a meeting in Jamaica, Queens, hosted by Ray Sundar (at the time President of IndoCaribbean Federation of Associations of North America) of Port Mourant at his real estate office, I floated the idea of a Guyanese diaspora center. I proposed the idea of an office or center to coordinate international aid for Guyana with Coordinator located in Guyana or NY. Sundar supported it and in fact collected a lot of material assistance for Guyana that was sent to schools and religious institutions for distribution. I approached D r. J a g a n w i t h t h e idea. Although he endorsed it, he said the country could not afford to pay anyone or for an office.

He suggested instead that I teach at UG and volunteer my time to head the international aid effort for Guyana. I politely declined

his counter offer.

S i n c e a round 2004, Ashok Ramsaran of Whim, Deo Gosine of Trinidad, and myself have closely engaged the Indian government on diaspora affairs especially relating to Guyana and the Caribbean.

Ramsaran and I communicated with and exchanged ideas almost daily on diaspora matters (of India, Guyana and Trinidad). We issued several reports on the diaspora to the Indian government that appreciated our efforts. The Indian government implemented several of our ideas. In fact, Ramsaran and I were invited to India for formal discussions with government people. A lot of resources poured into India as a result of our engagements and also to Guyana and the Caribbean as a result of our requests to government of India to increase aid. Ramsaran was subsequently approached by groups in El Salvador to assist in that country’s engagement with the Salvador diaspora in America.

A formal diaspora center (linkage) would bring Guyanese together to better relate with one another, celebrate festivals, promote culture, address common concerns, coordinate diaspora public activities, and provide support services. It would be the eye, ear and voice of the community and promote Guyana to tourists and investors. It would be the advocate for the homeland in Washington and other political capitals lobbying for our interests. It would seek assistance from abroad to protect and strengthen democracy. It would be an asset for the development of the homeland.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

DEAR EDITOR, On the evening of Friday 16, instant I sought to purchase the 10Mb plan from GT&T. After dialling the *100# number and making the request, I received a message saying that a request was already being processed for me and that I should wait for five (5) minutes before trying again and if the problem continued, I should call the number 0488.

I waited in excess of that time and encountered the same problem. I then called the number given - 0488 - and went through a process of automated messages before someone answered me indicating that no service personnel was available at that time and that I should hold the line. After asking me to hold the line two more times, I was connected to

another service personnel.

This service personnel took my name and phone number asked me to hold on and went off the line. She returned sometime after apologising profusely and commending me for my patience. She then again took my name, phone number and email address. She advised me not to make any further request as I would be double charged if I did. She then promised that she would get someone to look into the matter and ended the call.

What I would like to know is how long must I wait before trying again to purchase the plan? And do I have to pay for calling that 0488 number?

The time recorded for my being on the line was 10 minutes. Wasn’t that helpful and efficient?

Concerned Customer

Something stinks DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me space to draw your attention to what, to my mind, is becoming a disturbing situation.

This is the third time in the last four months that my gaff a lot plan has expired in less that a week of my replenishing my account with $6,100 that should last for four weeks. Editor, I have been using this plan since it’s inception without incident until now.

On the first occasion, I just thought that something went wrong. However, on the second occasion, if my memory serves me correctly that was in July of this year, I made a complaint to GTT via

their customer service number and they promised faithfully to investigate the matter and get back to me AFTER taking a lot of information.

I’m still waiting. Lo’ and behold the same thing happened again on October 14. Again I made a complaint via the same medium, as usual the young lady was very nice.

She assured me that her supervisor will contact me in twenty minutes and I should not replenish my account before she makes contact with me.

Editor, I am still waiting.

Please, something stinks here.

Penelope Layne Lewis

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Prudence and probity needed in the conduct of our financial affairs DEAR EDITOR, Unbelievably, Christmas came early to Guyana last week when several highranking Americans, representing various government departments, descended on these shores, bearing ‘gifts’ in the form of promises of massive Yankee dollars for investment in our troubled land.

Both the formal and social media were buzzing with excitement at this unexpected piece of good news. Stabroek News of October 14, 2020 ran the catchy headline, ‘Cheaper power, small business aid on the agenda of US development bank,’ echoing the disclosures of Adam Boehler, Head of the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), who led a team of officials representing six agencies, comprising the IDFC, Department of Treasury, Export-Import Bank, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and Department of National Security.

Collectively, the sum of US$200 billion was dangled to the c o u n t r y ’s policymakers and private sector representatives.

Wi t h a c o u n t r y, w h o s e Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a mere US$5.2 billion, the offer would be enough to salivate about the possibilities and opportunities such investments can present, were they to materialise.

H o w e v e r, s h o u l d w e beware of not only the Greeks but now the Americans bearing gifts?

No one should

begrudge the administration’s attempt to widen the sources of financing for Guyana’s economic development. In spite of the bounties that oil will bring, it is important for Guyana to explore all avenues for additional resources - especially concessional resources - in view of the huge deficits that exist in the country’s social, physical and economic infrastructure. In this regard, the Coalition Government was successful in clearing the hurdles for Guyana to gain membership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

This was achieved at the Bank’s Annual General Meeting, in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2016 and added to our existing relationships with other multilaterals such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Soon after our accession, the IsDB made a resource envelope of US$900 million available to Guyana, of which only a tiny amount (less than 5%) has been utilised, in the energy sector, so far. We were also able to renew our relationship with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), when the Government signed a Framework Agreement for the Protection of Investments with that entity, in 2017. The value of this renewed engagement was

emphasised very recently when OFID approved a concessional loan (2.5% interest rate) of US$20 million to assist the Government in meeting C O V I D - r e l a t e d expenditure.

Our traditional donors have been playing their role, too. Just before demitting office, discussions were advanced with IDB for two loans, totalling US$51 million, to be used on COVID-related activities.

A n d t h e Wo r l d B a n k , though dilatory on our request for financing for COVID, has made available highly concessional resources of nearly US$90 million, from the International Development Association (IDA), over the next programme cycle.

Notwithstanding its classification as ‘upper middle income’, based purely on per capita income, Guyana needs highly concessional to near concessional resources to meet its burgeoning developmental needs.

This brings us back to the ‘gifts’ being borne by the Americans. The private sector could not contain itself. Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Nicholas Boyer, is reported as saying that the US$200 billion would be in the form of loans at interest rates that are different to those available to local investors.

I guess he meant more favourable. This and other statements give the impression as though the local private sector is starved of access to foreign funding.

This would be far from reality. The truth is that for the most part, the private sector has, for various reasons,

shown a disinterest in using the available funding of the private sector window of the multilateral financial institutions, of which Guyana is a member. Yet, well-known institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of The World Bank; and the IDB Invest and the IDB Lab of the IDB have been at the forefront of financing bankable private sector projects in member countries.

A word of caution to the private sector and the policy makers: while we should not look a gift horse in the mouth, care and extreme caution should be exercised as you engage new sources of funding. I did some research on the IFDC and wish to give the readers the benefit of it as well as some observations.

The United States International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) was founded in 2019 after the passage of the Better Utilisation of Investments leading to Development (BUILD) Act. This Act combines the capabilities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Development Credit Authority, which had been previously housed in the US Agency for International Development.

Considered America’s development bank, the IDFC takes a triple aim approach: their investments focus on “impactful global development, advancing US foreign policy, and generating returns for US taxpayers. Its main sectors of lending include: energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology, in addition to financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Loans range between 5 and 25 years, depending on the type of project and its

debt servicing capability.

Grace periods are common at the beginning of the term, but are determined on a case-bycase basis. Most repayment schedules are quarterly or semi-annual.

Loan sizes range from US$1 million to US$1 billion.

The IDFC also works with colenders to bring sufficient resources to larger projects.

Interest and fees vary according to the project.

However, the key costs are as follows: Ï% Upfront Retainer Fee – This fee covers due diligence costs such as travel to the project site; Ï% F a c i l i t y / Organisation Fee – This is a one-time, flat fee usually paid at the time of loan agreement signing or first disbursement; Ï% Commitment Fee – an annual percentage charged on any undisbursed amount; Ï% Interest Rate – A negotiated spread over the base cost of funds; Ï% Maintenance Fee – an annual fee charged to cover the cost of monitoring the loan; Ï% Other Fees – These are fees related to the cost of the services of outside consultants or attorneys that may be required by IDFC, related funding costs, and any expenses related to registration or notarisation of documents.

A number of observations follow: Ï% The means by which financing is obtained from the IDFC is unclear, since it is stated on the entity’s website that the IDFC “complements, rather than competes, with private sector lenders and supports projects that have been unable to obtain sufficient support from private lenders”. Based on the nature of projects in Latin American countries like Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador that are highlighted on its website, it appears as though the IDFC either provides financing to US

companies, which would then be used to undertake projects in developing countries; or, provides supplemental development financing to countries in cases where there is either a lack private sector capacity or inclination to provide financing. Ï% Once approved for financing, the IDFC will make a project-by-project determination of loan amount, usually not more than 80% of the total cost of the project Ï% Notably, the IDFC classifies Guyana as an upper middle-income country. This likely means that any financing provided would be on non-concessional terms characterised by high and potentially variable interest rates and relatively short repayment periods. Ï% It should also be noted that there is a preponderance of fees associated with financing obtained from the IDFC, which would result in elevated borrowing costs. Ï% Critically, the quantum of financing that the IDFC-led team indicated it was able to provide amounts to an astounding US$200 billion, or about 118 times Guyana’s debt stock at the end of 2019, and about 39 times the 2019 GDP of US$5.17 billion. The substantial utilization of this financing envelope will compromise the sustainability of Guyana’s debt.

These observations are neither exhaustive nor meant to puncture the aura of excitement created.

Rather, they emphasise the need for prudence and probity in the conduct of our financial affairs, going forward, so as not to reverse the hard-won gains in this area.

Both the Government and the private sector are advised to tread carefully.

Yours faithfully, Winston Jordan Former Minister of Finance

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Graham’s Hall Primary to be used as shelter for Success squatters The Graham Hall Primary School being prepared as a shelter for displaced Success squatters.

The Civil Defence Commission yesterday said that it has prepared the Graham’s Hall Primary School for use as a shelter for displaced squatters of Success, East Coast Demerara.

“The CDC notes that the humanitarian crisis of displaced residents requires immediate action to stem migratory and health issues, especially during the current COVID19 pandemic. The Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Hon. Mark Phillips had yesterday met with the squatters and offered to provide shelter to those who have been impacted.”

CDC’s Director-General, Lieutenant-

Colonel Kester Craig, says those affected by the flooding at Success can immediately contact the National Emergency Management System (NEMS) on 226-1114, 623-1700 and 600-7500 and make their way to the Graham’s Hall Primary School, Cummings Lodge, where they will be housed.

The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation flooded lands at Success, which squatters had descended on, building homes.

The squatters had been asked to remove and apply for house lots.

The squatters clashed with police with the Central Housing and Planning Authority

(CH&PA) meeting with them and assisting with applications.

The flooding of the lands by GuySuCo has

angered cross-sections of the society who pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought extra burden to residents.

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

Helter SHELTER! The government is wasting its time and the resources of the State in preparing a shelter for those would-be squatters at Success. The squatting was essentially a land grabbing exercise and those who were involved are not going to go to any shelter.

They have homes to which they can return. As was observed by one of the government teams which visited the location, none of the structures established on the cane lands are permanent.

The few structures on site are really just there as markers and to be used to establish the owners’ occupancy so that others do not go and occupy the same plot.

This is something that even happens in established housing schemes. Someone who owns a property is given a government plot and in order not to have to surrender it, they build a make-shift structure on site to deceive the housing authorities into believing that they have begun construction.

The mad grab for land at Success is not the first time that an attempt has been made to occupy GuySuCo’s lands on the East Coast. After the Coalition won the 2015 elections, a similar activity took place. Persons began to put down markers, identifying plots which they intended to occupy.

The APNU+AFC did not entertain this. It shut down the intended squatting early.

The APNU+AFC government intimated, in no uncertain manner, that this was not the approach to be taken and that squatting would not be condoned.

This was the response of the APNU+AFC to what it described as massive landgrabbing exercise which began as soon as the Coalition took office and which stretched from the East

Bank to the East Coast of Demerara.

On the 28th May 2015, the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) issued a statement calling attention to what it described as a systematic land grabbing exercise. The CH&PA noted that persons were involved in grabbing lands in areas which included Sophia, Mon Repos, Enmore, Haslington, Nabaclis, Hope Experiment, and Bush Lot. It said that persons were demarcating lands with the intention of squatting and some had even falsely claimed that President Granger had instructed this.

The CH&PA urged those engaging in squatting to desist from doing so, saying that lands squatted on, after 1st January 1998, would not be regularized. It said that persons would have the opportunity to own their own lands by applying through the Authority. Under the APNU+AFC, the CH&PA promised that Guyanese would be given fair and equitable access to land. The CH&PA also pointed out that squatting is illegal and that those engaged could face prosecution, according to reports in the media.

The APNU+AFC effectively shut down the squatter-rush, which was taking place. There was no talk then about the need for the State to negotiate anything with the squatters.

There was no talk about inhumane treatment. There was no reference to anyone resigning his or her position because of the government’s action in aborting the squatters.

No special outreach was held to register those attempting to squat. However, five years onwards and the same thing happens and there is now an outpouring of selfrighteousness indignation.

We hear about the need for

some settlement to be reached.

A settlement has been initiated. The PPP/C government has engaged the squatters. The Central Housing and Planning Authority has met and registered the squatters. It has offered assistance and said it is willing to work with the persons concerned to find accommodation.

In other words, these persons have already been given preferences. There are persons with housing applications in the system. In fact, the government has said there is a backlog of over 60,000 housing applications.

Why should these persons be bypassed in favour of those who opted to break the law by illegal squatting?

Those who attempted to squat at Success are not going into any shelter. They have homes to which they can return. They were living somewhere before they suddenly made their move to occupy those sugar lands.

They were not living on the streets.

The Civil Defence Commission is wasting its time and resources establishing a shelter at a school. It is not likely that any of the Success squatters will be occupying that shelter.

But the folks who live in the stands at Burnham Court and D’Urban Park may want to consider making a trek up to the shelter. They will get free food, a warm bed and a blanket. But no dope!

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

Dem Boys Seh…

Cricket, lovely cricket!

70 years ago, Lord Beginner sang the Victory Calypso which became highly popular in the West Indies. The opening verse and chorus went like this: VICTORY CALYPSO - Egbert Moore (“Lord Beginner”) Cricket lovely Cricket, At Lord’s where I saw it; Cricket lovely Cricket, At Lord’s where I saw it; Yardley tried his best But Goddard won the test.

They gave the crowd plenty fun; Second Test and West Indies won.

Chorus:

With those two little pals of mine Ramadhin and Valentine.

Yesterday was cricket, lovely cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) But all the spectators saw it on the television screens.

Two matches Two nail-biting finishes With a West Indian becoming the hero in one of them.

Imagine if there were crowds on hand.

Imagine the atmosphere But it shows that when it comes to excitement, the game does not need crowds.

Cricket, lovely cricket!

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Shah, Lewis and Alexander: This is Guyana Here is what Lincoln Lewis wrote on April 7, 2019 in this newspaper, “…immigration brings with it consequences such as stress on the education and health services, housing overrun, the creation of slums, and our resources exploited by others willing to undersell their labour at a time when we are on the

cusp of economic greatness.

We also face a crisis of submerging our culture further. This threat comes from others who do not speak our language and share a common culture... we also face a crisis of submerging our culture… we are facing a pending catastrophe which we must seek to avoid at all cost. They do not speak

our language and share a common culture and coming here. We are already bearing witness to criminal elements crossing our porous border and terrorizing our citizens in unprotected border settlements.”

I was deeply disgusted at this racist xenophobia coming from a country that would be the last to have a

citizen write that antiimmigrant poison. See my rejection on the mentality of people like Lewis in my column of April 9 titled, “Is Lincoln Lewis the Black version of White fascism?”

Instead of apologizing to the US, UK, Canada, Trinidad, Barbados and Suriname and Antigua that have collectively taken in more than a million Guyanese, including Lewis’ family, here is what Lewis wrote in response to my condemnation of his antiimmigrant insanity in my column of September 28, 2020, “I stand by my position that systems must be put in place to protect Guyanese business from being overrun by businesses established by an imported Chinese business class whose owners continue to exploit Guyanese labour and make no reinvestment in the community within which they operate.”

Any school boy who read what he wrote in April that is reproduced here knows he is referring to poor souls from Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela coming here to preserve their right to an existence and not Chinese business investors.

This man is the head of a trade union organization.

Let’s move to another African rights activist bent on deceiving people.

This is what Alexander wrote last Saturday in reply to me, “At no time during the PMs’ visit did I sit or have any contact with them.

Kissoon’s contention is therefore built on an untruth

and cannot be the basis for the conclusion that I am two faced”.

There isn’t one word or one line in my column of Thursday, October 16, 2020 on Alexander’s negative role in Guyana that even vaguely implied that he met with the visiting CARICOM PMs. Here is what I wrote, “I then commented on IDAPADA’s failure because the PMs must have detected an air of hypocrisy on the part of Alexander as chairman of IDAPADA. This chairman was asking CARICOM to look beyond election results because there is a bigger, problematic picture. But this same chairman would have been sitting with the PMs discussing the bigger picture while at the same time as a GECOM commissioner was trying to get GECOM to accept a fraudulent election result.”

My point was so elementary that it shows up the inherent evil in people like Alexander. I argued that if the PMs had agreed to meet Alexander and IDAPADA then he would have been sitting with them while at the same time rigging the election.

The meaning is so obvious we could cite a banal example – “if you had accepted the CARICOM offer you would have been sitting with Mia Motley discussing CARICOM over coffee.”

Finally, Ryhaan Shah. I hope Sherwood Lowe reads Shah’s reply to me of October 15. Lowe’s theoretical offer, which is housed in two replies to me last week on the danger and evil in ethnic minds, is

Frederick Kissoon that you can be proud of your ethnicity yet appreciate other people’s culture. Shah in her reply was unapologetic of how she sees African Guyanese, the ethnic perspective she uses in understanding the struggle against the PPP government prior to 2015, when it was in power and her approach to Indians who join with Black Guyanese in their struggle against discrimination.

The entire letter is fertile research soil for those interested in how ethnic consciousness drives the existence of humans who live with racial obsessions.

The entire letter is about an East Indian guy (Frederick Kissoon) who hates himself because he had Black friends that he was active with against an Indian government.

It would be interesting to see if Shah finds the other high-profile Indians as selfhaters who had similar Black friends like me. Christopher Ram comes to mind. Is he a self-hater too? The haters in Guyana are Indians like Shah and Africans like Lewis and Alexander.

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

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

CXC offers students half price to review grades Starting next year, the Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) says the body will be conducting 100 percent moderation of all School Based Assessments (SBAs) based on an independent review of the administration of the July/August 2020 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency examinations.

This was revealed on Sunday during a news conference by CXC Registrar Dr. Wayne Wesley.

“Certainly, the lessons and information that would have been gleaned from this year ’s exercise will be pointing towards us doing and continuing to administer a 100 percent requirement for SBA submission for moderation to ensure that we

protect the integrity and keep the level and standard of our SBA high,” he said, according to a report of Barbados Today.

The final report is expected to be made public tomorrow, following a meeting between CXC and Caribbean ministers of education today.

According to the chairman of CXC’s Board, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the reviews will be conducted at US$15 each — half the cost — and if students are found to deserve higher grades, they would get a full refund.

The CXC Registrar said that up to Sunday, there have been 2,353 requests for reviews of CAPE results and 2,550 requests for CSEC results.

Already, he said the number of reviews for “ungraded” in all territories

- body to moderate all SBAs amounted to less than one percent of the number of people affected.

Professor Beckles said CXC is expected to put in place a system for students to deal directly with the regional examining body, not necessarily with local registrars and the ministry of education. Professor Beckles said top priority would be given to students enrolled to enter universities in and out of the Caribbean.

Usually, CXC marks a sample of the SBAs, but this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 100 percent was moderated from across the Caribbean, a move that uncovered leniency by teachers as opposed to a first

mark and there would be a review mark.

“The report has picked up that there was disparity in terms of expectation, prediction and what actually was the final outcome,” said Beckles, who added that “the decision to go for a more comprehensive and complete moderation of the SBAs this year strengthened and made more robust the examining system and they were impressed with that and believe that it’s a standard and a quality that should be supported going forward.”

According to Beckles, in the Barbados Today report, the review found that students are being given false expectations about their performances and so there would be need for improved communication in the submission of grades, including workshops, with teachers. He also urged Caribbean people to guard against the “culture of predictability” in examinations, even as he noted that the exam system was modified, there was a more robust and comprehensive moderation of the SBAs and the multiple choice structure might not permitted practice and experience. “We can understand how maybe this year more than previous years, how the gap for many people between the predicted outcome and the actual could have been of greater concern to a large number of people,” he said.

The CXC Registrar said grades provided to students would not necessarily be final as that is the responsibility of the regional examining board based on the moderation standards.

CXC plans to conduct an audit review of its operations and governance principles for the organisation that offered exams to 20 countries including those that are not members of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom).

CXC came under scrutiny

Chairman of CXC’s Board, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles after the results came out.

Several Caribbean nations, including Guyana, filed complaints with CXC, making it clear that something was wrong with the grades.

This was after both teachers and students alike raised concerns.

This past week, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and senior officials engaged CXC. The latest engagement was on Wednesday and dealt with the release of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results.

“The session was interactive as the Registrar sought to explain the reasons for the poor performance of some of the students.

Clarification was sought on the weighting of the examination papers, and how the grades from the Paper One (1) and the School-Based Assessment (SBA) were applied to the subject profiles, and therefore affected the overall composite score and the final grade assigned.”

The ministry said that even after profound queries, it remained unclear about why students appeared to have performed poorer on paper one of various exams.

“It is important to note that as a result of the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Education and team, 14 schools that had ungraded

results have since received acceptable grades while MoE awaits the grades of other outstanding schools. The Ministry was assured that most queries would be answered within two weeks.”

The MoE team said they were adamant that CXC should not have changed the format of the examination abruptly and that one cannot negate the fact that students may have been thrown off with the sudden change.

“It should be noted also that some errors occurred on the part of the schools which contributed to the dilemma of the students. For example, in some cases, no SBAs submissions were made, schools submitted SBAs scores late, and the cover pages for SBAs were missing.”

Going forward, the Ministry of Education said it intends to closely monitor the SBA process through the development of a more rigid and elaborate protocol for the submission of same to CXC. “Teachers will also be trained in the process of uploading SBAs scores which will be further examined by the Superintendent of Examinations before the final submission is made to CXC. Training sessions will also be done with teachers with the intent of apprising them of the type of rating students should receive in the various profiles in order to receive the best grades in the various subject areas.”

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

GUYANA TO HOST KEY CLIMATE CHANGE MEETING THIS MONTH-END On October 29 and 30, 2020, Guyana will, in its capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77 + China), host a virtual Ministerial Level Meeting, under the theme “Maintaining a Low Carbon Development Path towards the 2030 Agenda in the Era of COVID-19”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, briefed the press on the two-day flagship event.

Minister Todd revealed that President Irfaan Ali; Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, are among the speakers to address the forum.

According to the ministry, they will be joined by ministerial and expert level

representatives from the membership of the G77 + China to address issues such as sustainable development within the context of a global COVID-19 recovery plan.

According to Minister Todd, the Chairmanship of the Group has provided the opportunity for Guyana to show this kind of leadership, and thereby bring about an even greater focus on issues affecting humanity.

Further, he disclosed that the event will provide a platform for partnership building, knowledge sharing, and lesson learning among the Group’s 134 Member States and China on the implementation of climate action, the mobilization of financial resources, and the achievement of the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs), among others.

The forum will provide the opportunity for discourse on the SDGs, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while highlighting the links between climate action and climate finance, in addition to exploring ways in which the global financial architecture can improve access for developing countries to maintain a climate-resilient development pathway in the context of the 2030 Agenda.

Further, the forum will facilitate knowledge exchange on the experiences and lessons for Combatting Climate Change and the role of South-South Cooperation in supporting developing countries in their response, and the need for vital changes in policy and institutions at all levels.

Delegates will also share case studies demonstrating ecosystem approaches that maintain existing carbon stocks, regulate water flow and storage, maintain and increase resilience, reduce vulnerability and of ecosystems and people among others. During the forum, Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will also be showcased as a model of how climate change can be addressed through low carbon development particularly among developing countries.

The Group of 77 first was established on

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd June 15, 1964, by 77 developing countries and currently serves as a platform for more than 130 states to articulate and promote collective economic interests and enhance joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues in the United Nations system.

Monday October 19, 2020

28 DEATHS IN 18 DAYS…

COVID-19 claims two more

The Ministry of Health announced yesterday that two more persons have died due to COVID-19.

The persons are said to be a 55-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and another man…a 78-year-old from Region One (Barima-Waini).

The Ministry stated that both men died while receiving care at their respective medical facilities. The newly recorded deaths were not reflected in yesterday’s dashboard update.

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll now stands

at 111. Additionally, 24 new cases were recorded yesterday, as indicated by the Ministry’s daily dashboard update. The total number of confirmed cases is now 3,734.

It also states that 14 persons are in the Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital, 78 persons in institutional isolation, 880 persons in approved home isolation while 44 are in institutional quarantine.

A total of 2,654 have recovered from the virus to date. Additionally, 16,865 persons have been tested for the virus.

Pomeroon man admits to killing drinking buddy over rum A Pomeroon man, 21, has admitted to killing his drinking buddy over rum on Saturday at a shop located at Grant Enterprise, Pomeroon River, Region Two. According to a police, Ellon Benjamin, better known as “Buckman”, was slain around 23:00hrs.

Benjamin, 33, and his alleged killer were at the time imbibing at the shop along with some other friends.

It was during the session, an argument erupted between Benjamin and the suspect over the liquor they were imbibing. The quarrel escalated and Benjamin reportedly left in search of a cutlass.

He returned and attacked his killer. Benjamin reportedly

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

dealt him two lashes and two chops with the weapon.

In retaliation, the suspect pulled a knife from his waist and allegedly stabbed Benjamin twice to his right rib cage area.

Benjamin collapsed and the suspect ran away.

Benjamin was picked up and rushed in a speedboat to Charity. He was later pronounced dead at the Charity Public Hospital by a doctor.

Hours later, his alleged killer was located by cops and questioned about the murder.

The 21-year-old suspect police admitted and was subsequently arrested.

Ranks took him to the Charity Police Station and later escorted him to the

Dead: Ellon Benjamin Charity Public Hospital to receive treatment for his chop wounds.

STEMGuyana to launch international academy STEMGuyana will launch an international STEM club on November 8, 2020, in response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents whose children attended the Summer Academy.

The STEMGuyana International Academy has registered students from the Caribbean, the USA and from Guyana.

Students will meet once weekly to strengthen their STEM and creative skills while working on an integrated Maths, Science and Technology curriculum designed by curriculum specialists and elite US University students.

Students will all have a robotics kit while working virtually. They will be expected to use this kit to work on engineering projects after the introductory phase of the program. Students will also learn Artificial Intelligence and project creation using the Arduino board and sensors.

The NY-ACDA non-profit organisation has funded scholarships for 15 vulnerable students for 6 months of the program.

“Children of security guards, estate workers, and from Indigenous or underresourced communities have been identified for the scholarships. STEMGuyana is also working with major sponsors to drastically

expand the program for more vulnerable children. Thus far, children from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and the US and the Caribbean have registered,” STEMGuyana disclosed.

“All of Guyana’s children are valuable and all of them will be needed to develop our great nation. We have to find

creative ways to engage and inspire our young people to engage with education in a meaningful way,” said Karen Abrams, STEMGuyana Director. “We’ve also reached out to the Ministry of Sports, Youth & Culture, the Ministry of Education Continued on page 20

as the probe continues.

Meanwhile, the police are also investigating the alleged wounding of Mohanram Narine, 50, a labourer of Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, which occurred on Saturday.

According to a police report, the suspect and the victim are known to each other. The suspect was said to be a known ‘drug addict’.

On the day in question, the suspect went to the home

of the victim, confronted him and dealt him several lashes to his body with a cutlass causing him to receive severe wounds.

The suspect then escaped and Narine was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was admitted.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The suspect is currently being sought by the police.

‘Drug addict’ injures labourer with cutlass

A pensioner was on Saturday beaten and robbed at Vreed-en-Hoop junction, West Bank Dememara, while on his way home.

The victim was identified as Abel Vernon, 70, of Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara.

Vernon is currently at the West Demerara Regional Hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

According to a police report, Vernon was allegedly robbed and beaten by two male suspects.

The suspects approached the pensioner and dealt him several cuffs about his face and body during which they relieved him of a Blu cellular phone and its sim card.

The suspects then escaped. However, while in the vicinity of the West Demerara Regional Hospital, one of the suspects, 35, was arrested.

The pensioner was escorted to the WDRH where he was admitted a patient.

The matter was reported and the second suspect, a 26year-old man is being sought

“There is enough land for...

From page 18 lands which included Success, Vryheid’s Lust and Chateau Margot, warning them that the lands were a part of GuySuCo’s Cane Breeding and Research Station at the Enmore/La Bonne Intention Estate.

The CEO had also reported that GuySuCo is mandated by the government to prepare the lands for cultivation, with plans to restart operations at the Enmore Sugar Factory as early as 2022.

A housing drive was held by the Housing Ministry subsequently to enable the squatters to legally obtain their own lands, but many of them contended that even though it was a good initiative, they would not be receiving these lands urgently and would still be without a place to live if they moved.

Monday October 19, 2020

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Some high schools gearing up for opening and virtual classes A number of senior secondary schools in Guyana are now preparing for their virtual opening in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools in Guyana have been closed since March, following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, barring students from having physical access to classes.

Over the course of the months that followed, students had to adapt to virtual learning and this method will be used once again as the schools open for a new academic year.

One of the senior secondary schools already in preparations for opening is The Bishops’ High School, which orientation for incoming Grade 7 students is set for today.

It was confirmed that the orientation will be held via a virtual platform since a physical orientation could not be held due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Kaieteur News understands that following the orientation, students will engage in their classes via the Zoom application using their given timetables.

Another senior secondary school, Queen’s College, has already held an orientation for new students since October 9.

However, classes are set to officially begin today via the Zoom application as well.

Teachers of the school said they are fully geared and ready to engage with their students as they continue to ensure the institution produces the crème-de-lacrème of students in the country.

Both institutions are also processing applications for new Sixth Form (Grade 12)

Bishops and QC students unifying to protest CSEC/CAPE results last month

students.

A number of students stated that they are still waiting to know whether or not they would’ve been accepted into their respective institutions that they applied to.

Application processes have been hampered due to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) review of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The Examination Council recently came under regional criticism for a “flawed grading system” that saw scores of students obtaining questionable results and in addition, many students received ungraded results.

Since the examination results were under review, many senior secondary schools decided not to rush the application process to give prospective students time to have their issues resolved.

Many of the schools believed that rushing applications could have placed many students at a disadvantage.

Several students from these senior secondary schools who are returning for the Sixth Form expressed to Kaieteur News that they are very hopeful for the new academic year but learning through a global pandemic was proven to be a challenge while they were sitting their CSEC examinations.

Other senior secondary schools over the next few weeks will be hosting their orientations to welcome their

new students and kick-start classes.

Several high schools around the country are still

conducting registration.

However, that too will be completed over the coming weeks.

PAGE 22

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

Victoria man’s decomposing body found in trench WANTED

SERVICES Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600,627-3206 Repairs,Services,Spares to Wa s h i n g M a c h i n e Refridgetor Store, Treadmill, Deepfryer,Cooler, Dryer, Grains mill.Call:#694-9733

FOR SALE New Pulp egg trays for Sale.Tel:#688-4264 House lots @ Blankenburg W.C.D & Schoonord W.B.D Available @ Schoonord 3/4 bedroom houses for sale contact# 650-0402/ 603-1402 19 Seater pit bull bus super custom seats excellent condition $3.1M. No Reasonable offer refused Tel#640-0624.

Pure breed black and rust Doberman puppies for sale.

Contact Devi on: Tel# 2253721 or 639-2828.

CAR RENTAL AIDAN'S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT &FAMILYOUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE:#6987807.

Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles 1.Mechanic, 2.Fitter/ Machinist, 3.Welder Fabricator, 3 years experience, Apply in person.

VACANCY Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 615-9132.

Security Guard - ideal age between 30 - 50. Contact 2235273/74.

Dynamic Individual with cxc Maths/ English Sales Stocking Experience Apply KeyFood Mc Doom Village.

1- Captain to ply from Bartica - Georgetown contact #6031402, Truck driver Contact# 650-0402/ 603-1402

Experience Accounts clerk apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb street Bourda.

One able bodied male clerk.Call:#225-2313,226-1497

Experience Sales Girl Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda.

One Female Cleaner Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda.

Bus & Car Drivers.Tele:#2253234 One cashier to work at Superbet, apply within at 152 Albert and 6th street, Albertown.

Experienced & Creative Social Media Marketers required to Create and Manage various platforms, Call: +592 503 0382.Email:info@tfstraining.gy.

Experienced Trainers/Instructors, wanted for SIAG's new State-of-the-Art, K-9 Training Academy, Call: +592 503 0382 orEmail: hr@siagsecurity,gy.

Vacancy for male / female worker.Serious inquiries only.

Tel#: 615-7784 or 621-6969 Office Assistant 5 Subjects cxc, 2 years min experience, Lot 8 sheriff street mimadecor12@gmail.com, 227-0176/ 86

FOR RENT Store available for rent @ Bartica.Contact #603-1402 / 650-0402 Apartment for rent in Peter's Hall.Tel:# 698-5800 / 648-1391

FOR RENT

GR TAXI. CALL: 24 HRS 219-5000 227-2100 225-7878 227- 1982

TO LET Appartment in Eccles Rooms in Albertown Tel#225-3234

One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com Mechanic specialized in 740 caterpillar trucks. Interior location. Call# 223-5180 Sales Cleark to work in Georgetown. Age 25-45 .Must have 5 CXC Subjects Call #:225-9026/27 PROPERTY FOR SALE Kitty, Campbeville, Republic Gardens, Thomas street, Georgetown & Enterprise E.C.D, Zeelught E.B.D. Contact : Ray's reality 627-9685.

LAND FOR SALE

LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.

One able bodied male clerk.Call:#231-2029,616-5954

1 Commercial building,3 Story prime location $1.25 US per square foot .Contact: 6183026 Residential house in Eccles furnished 4 bedroom, 3 toilet & bath, 2 kitchen. $2000 US Contact: Tel#618-3026 Furnish apt one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom@ Providence and Diamond.Tel#:672-1906, 682-6238, 216-2299

House and land for sale located at 2 101 Williamstad road, Festival city. Contact Anil Ramkarran. Tel# 6821217

FOR RENT 1 Bachelor.11 Charles Street Charlestown.Tel#223-4060.

Bond, East Bank Demerara with office space, Business: Saffon street, Hadfield street.

Residence: Diamond & Pearl, E.B.D. Contact Ray's Reality 627-9685.

1 two bedroom apartment located at 158 Regent street, Bourda. Tel# 610-7312 / 2275071.

1 Bedroom Apartment fully grilled. Located in Grove, East Bank Demerara. Tel#6877376

The bloated body of Guy Thom, 50, was discovered on Friday last, lying face down, in a trench near a Centre Ground at Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police stated in a report that they had received an anonymous call around 14:20hrs of the corpse’s location.

The body was identified to be that of Thom’s who resides in Victoria.

No marks of violence were seen about his body to indicate signs of foul play.

Nevertheless, his remains are awaiting a post mortem examination to determine the cause of his death.

Person’s acquainted with Thom has related to this newspaper that he was at the time of his death suffering from health complications, including diabetes and vision problems.

Guy Thom

Labourer caught with ganja in shoes Ranks on Saturday arrested a 20-year-old labourer of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) after he was caught with 3.3 grams of suspected cannabis in his left side boot.

According to a police report, ranks who were on foot patrol along the Parika Public Road saw the man acting in a suspicious manner.

This resulted in the police ranks conducting a search on him. They located three ziploc bags containing the substance stashed in his boot.

He was cautioned and taken into custody where he is currently being processed for court.

The suspected cannabis found in the man’s boot.

Former RDC Vice-Chair, Dennis Deroop, appointed as Agri Coordinator Former Vice Chairman of Region Six, Dennis Deroop, has been appointed Regional Agricultural Coordinator for that region.

The announcement was made Saturday when Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, met Agriculture Officers at the Tain Primary School, East BerbiceCorentyne.

Minister Mustapha, according to a government release, outlined that the Regional Agriculture Coordinator will have to submit a weekly report on all

WANTED

the agencies and what they are doing in the areas for which they are providing services.

“As staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, we have to be more accountable to the needs of the stakeholders in the industry,” the Minister noted.

Deroop will supervise all officers within the region and in addition to the weekly report, he will provide a comprehensive monthly report to the Ministry.

The Regional Agriculture Coordinator is a new feature in the system. The decision to establish the post was taken after several Ministerial

visits to the region unearthed a number of complaints in the sector.

While addressing the Agriculture Extension Officers, the new Coordinator said he was ready to work to carry out the policies of the Ministry.

“Region Six is very important as an agriculture region with mostly farming being done in the region, so I’m excited to be part of this team…Region Six, like other parts of the country, will be moving quickly forward with agriculture, so I think this team will have to be prepared to work and work very hard,” Deroop said.

Fuel pump technician. Contact 223-5273/74 Experienced Cashier, Roti/ Puri Cook, Sweet Meat Maker, Kitchen Assistant. Apply Hack's Halaal with application.

Operator, Sailor and Cook to work on a water dredge.

Tel#: 675-0587 or 225-9304 Established and interested candidates only call for domestic maid job. Call: 6271154.

Mature experienced female, Should have a Strong knowledge of creole foods, live-in available for babysitter. Tel# 656-9313 / 615-6550

Dennis Deroop, newly appointed Regional Agricultural Coordinator of Region 6

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Monday October 19, 2020

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Teofimo Lopez stuns Vasyl Lomachenko to win on points and unify world lightweight titles MailOnline - Teofimo Lopez dominated early and finished strong on Saturday night to win a unanimous 12round decision over Vasyl Lomachenko to unify the lightweight titles. Lopez took advantage of a slow start by Lomachenko to build up an early lead, then finished the fight with a big 12th round that left Lomachenko bloodied and beaten on the scorecards.

The 23-year-old from Brooklyn became the unified lightweight champion and managed to do what few in boxing thought he could do outbox perhaps the best technician in boxing. Lopez -

who has a record of 16-0 added the three titles held by Lomachenko, who recorded his second defeat of his career, to the belt he won last year to become the undisputed 135champion.

Lopez was favored 119109, 117-111 and 116-112 on ringside scorecards in a bout held without fans at the MGM Grand conference centre.

Lopez proved faster and stronger than the 32-year-old Lomachenko, who won two Olympic gold medals as an amateur and was regarded as one of the top pound-forpound fighters as a pro.

Surprisingly enough, he was also the better boxer and

proved he could close the show by bloodying Lomachenko’s eye in the 12th round. ‘I had to dig deep, man,’ Lopez said. ‘I’m a fighter, I’ve got to dig in deep.’

Lomachenko, ordinarily a slow starter, was too slow this time as he gave away rounds early as he tried to figure out the style of Lopez. By the time the fight got competitive in the eighth round he was too far behind to come back.

‘He’s been in a 14-month layoff,’’ Lopez said. ‘I knew it was going to take him a long time to catch up.’

Lomachenko, who lost only once in nearly 400 amateur fights and had only one loss as a pro, thought he did better than the scorecards indicated.

‘Definitely I am not agreeing

Monday October 19, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You've had a strong propensity for war lately, Aries. Your drive toward getting things done has rallied and you're anxious to make progress.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your balancing powers will be put to the test today when your desire to fight conflicts with your need to plan, Taurus. You might be even more indecisive than usual as a result of this internal tension.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try not to get too frustrated by the indecisiveness that plagues you today, Gemini.

The longer you stand still, the harder it will be to get moving. The key is to find a balance between planning and forcefulness.

CANCER(June21–July22) Indecisiveness could be your biggest nemesis today. The general tone of the day is apt to be quite explosive as a feeling of restriction and discipline comes into conflict with a need to fight and conquer.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your best plan of attack today is to not attack at all.

There is enough aggressiveness out there. You don't need to add any more to the fray. Let others duke it out.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might need to put on the brakes today. Your present trajectory isn't quite in line with the people and energy around you. Make sure you aren't stepping on other people's toes with your abrasive behavior.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may end up being the peaceful savior that calms everyone down today. Use your artistic nature and love of beauty and harmony to inspire others to put away their differences and concentrate on the positive aspects.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your unique ability to communicate with many different groups and personalities will be extremely important today to maintaining a bridge between warring camps.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your plans meet with harsh opposition today, Leo. You've been going along at a slow and steady pace, but you will find that abrasive tension arises the more you try to force your will on others.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might feel like you're getting worked up from all angles today, Aquarius. Find comfort in knowing that things will definitely improve by tomorrow.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You've had a strong propensity for war lately, Virgo. Your drive toward getting things done has rallied and you're anxious to make progress. The problem is that you might have to hold back a bit today.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Try to rise above the potential tension and rough spots of the day. Do yourself a favor and don't feel like you have to stoop to another's level. Take pride in your actions and do things with confidence.

The 23-year-old from Brooklyn became the unified lightweight champion after his display. with the scorecards,’ he said.

The fight was the biggest since the pandemic began and would have been a payper-view event in normal times. But with no fans it was televised on ESPN, providing

boxing with a bigger showcase than it would have gotten otherwise.

Lopez was told by his father in the corner before the 12th round that he was ahead and not to risk anything. But he came out strong and beat Lomachenko to the punch. ‘I didn’t know if they had him

up on the scorecards or not,’ Lopez said.

Lopez became the youngest fighter to become a four-belt champion in only his second title fight. He had sought the fight against Lomachenko, angering the Ukrainian with his brash tactics.

PAGE 30

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

Sourav Ganguly: India’s domestic season will start from January 1 PTI - India’s domestic season will get underway from January 1, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said on Saturday. He also said the BCCI has “elaborate plans” for junior cricket and women’s tournaments.

The BCCI’s Apex Council met on Saturday to discuss the domestic calendar, which had been thrown in disarray by the surging Covid-19 cases in India. “We have had extensive discussions on domestic cricket and we have tentatively decided to start the competitions from January 1, 2021,” Ganguly told PTI from Dubai.

When asked if it would be a curtailed season or not, the former Indian captain said the board won’t be able to accommodate all domestic tournaments, given the situation with the pandemic.

“We will certainly have the full-fledged Ranji Trophy.

[But] it will probably not be possible to hold all tournaments,” Ganguly said, hinting that the BCCI was eyeing the January-March period for the Ranji Trophy.

“We also have elaborate plans for our age-group and women’s cricket. We will start with the Ranji Trophy and then we will also have the other tournaments between March and April.”

To minimise travel,

Last season’s winners Saurashtra pose with the Ranji Trophy ESPNcricinfo Ltd matches are likely to be organised in four different centres, one for each of the four groups (A, B, C and Plate). For example, Puducherry can host all teams in the Plate Group.

“Puducherry has six grounds and have offered to host. It can host the Plate Group games while the other Groups can play in three different centres.

The main motive is to minimise travel for players,” a BCCI official told PTI.

“Bangalore also has a lot of grounds so it can be one option. Another option can be Dharamsala which has Bilaspur and Nadaun in its proximity.”

Ganguly’s words are likely to give state associations clarity to prepare for their seasons.

Most players have been training on their own due to the covid-19 prevalence in India, though earlier this week, Uttarakhand became the first team to start training

Zverev dominates Auger-Aliassime to win indoor title in Cologne Reuters - Top seed Alexander Zverev bagged his first ATP crown of the year after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 to lift the bett1HULKS Indoor title in Cologne on Sunday (yesterday).

The German, who lost the U.S. Open final last month and exited the French Open in the fourth round, needed only an hour and 20 minutes to get the better of the 20-year-old Canadian thanks to a dominant service game.

Zverev, 23, won 80% of his first service points and an overwhelming 88% on his second serve while he also converted four of 10 break points to hand AugerAliassime — who is still searching for his first title — a sixth defeat in a final.

“I had a very tough final in New York and the next final I played here I wanted to come out and obviously play my best tennis,” Zverev said.

“Felix, you’re an unbelievable player. I know it doesn’t mean much right now, but I’m sure you’re not only going to win one title, you’re

under one roof.

On the international front, the Indian team is expected to tour Australia in the 2020-21 season, to play three ODIs, three T20Is and four Tests.

Ganguly indicated that

players would be allowed to train when they are in Australia during their quarantine phase.

“Cricket Australia has sent us an itinerary and we discussed the modalities of

that itinerary,” Ganguly said.

“We will be playing four Tests and that will end in the third week of January.”

After returning from Australia, a home series against England is scheduled, but Ganguly said that no final call could be taken on schedules yet.

“The England series is good three-and-a-half to four months away,” he said. “We still have time. We are monitoring the [Covid-19] situation, which is pretty fluid and will take a call accordingly.”

Hosting the series against England in India (Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Dharamsala being the likely venues) remains a priority, but the UAE - where IPL 2020 is underway - is a second option for the board.

A BCCI official added that holding all the T20Is and ODIs against England at two separate single venues was a possibility. Similarly, the Tests could be held in just two venues at the most to minimise travel.

Aiken signs new contract with Firebirds Brisbane, Australia, CMC – Jamaican star Romelda Aiken has resigned for Queensland Firebirds, one of three players who have put pen to paper for the northeastern Australia outfit for the 2021 campaign.

The 31-year-old Aiken, a key component of Firebirds’ attack over the years, has been joined by Gretel Bueta and Tippah Dwan in renewing their commitment for another year in the Australian Super Netball Championship.

“Romelda again proved she’s amongst the world’s best shooters with her resurgent form this year, while Tippah produced one of the most impressive debut seasons we’ve seen across the league in recent memory,” said Firebirds’ high performance director, Jeremy Hickmans.

“When you can then welcome a player of Gretel’s calibre back into that mix, you’re looking at one of the most proficient and versatile shooting circles in the competition.”

“We are really excited by the depth of attacking options this group provides and know all three players will have our Purple Family on their feet in season 2021.”

Aiken was the Firebirds’ leading scorer in the 2020 season which is poised to wind up on Sunday with the grand final, tallying 583 goals. She was second only to fellow Sunshine Girl superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Reid who topped the scoring charts with 910 goals.

Trinidadian Samantha Wallace, last season’s Most Valuable Player, was third on the goals-list with 522 for defending champions New South Wales Swifts. Aiken finished the season strongly, scoring 226 goals over the last five outings as Firebirds won four of those matches.

Defenders Kim Jenner, Tara Hinchliffe and Rudi Ellis, along with mid-courter Kim Ravaillion, have also committed to the Firebirds for the upcoming season. Firebirds finished fifth on 26 points to miss out on the final four, posting six wins, seven defeats and one draw.

Jamaican Romelda Aiken.

Alexander Zverev celebrates with the trophy going to win multiple titles in your career, bigger titles than this.” Victory gave Zverev his 12th ATP title and his third on home soil after he won the Munich Open in 2017 and 2018.

Zverev has already qualified for the seasonending ATP Finals in London next month but will remain in Cologne for the bett1HULKS Championships next week where he is again the top seed.

Monday October 19, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Giro d’Italia: Tao Geoghegan Hart wins first Grand Tour stage to climb to fourth BBCsport - Briton Tao Geoghegan Hart won his first Grand Tour stage to climb to fourth place overall at the Giro d’Italia. His win on stage 15 gave Ineos Grenadiers their fifth stage victory at the 2020 Giro, while Deceuninck-Quick Step’s Joao Almeida held onto the leader’s pink jersey.

Several of the main contenders lost time on the 153km route from Base Aerea Rivolto to Piancavallo north of Venice. Two-time winner Vincenzo Nibali lost over two minutes on the final climb.

An emotional first win Geoghegan Hart, 25, powered past another contender for pink in Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman for the win in the final few metres of the category one summit finish, after the Dutchman’s teammate Jai Hindley had led up the long final climb.

Geoghegan Hart dedicated the victory to Nico Portal, Ineos’ sporting director who died of a heart

attack aged 40 in March this year. “This is something incredible for me. I don’t know about [the GC], I haven’t seen the results - but crossing the line first is something truly incredible.

“This one is for Nico Portal. We lost him this spring and it’s been really difficult for the team - this season has had great highs and lows, in the Tour [de France] and for me personally, and also in this race.

“We just have to foster the Grenadier spirit in this team and keep fighting back like we know we can.”

Is Geoghegan Hart a serious contender? - Despite his young age, the east Londoner has long been a part of the Ineos/Sky set-up as a domestique, but like so many of the team’s riders he is capable of winning the over general classification in stage races.

Race favourite Geraint Thomas crashed early in the

Ineos have now won three out of the last four stages at the Giro.

Giro and abandoned after he suffered a fractured pelvis when a discarded drinks bottle became lodged under his front wheel. It appeared

New Zealand 27-7 Australia: All Blacks’ Eden Park dominance continues

Ineos would have to settle for trying to win single stages for a second Grand Tour in succession after a disastrous Tour de France.

But this has been one of the most unpredictable Giros for years, and after spending at least a week more than three minutes down, Geoghegan Hart finds himself in contention even at 2mins 57secs behind.

His biggest strength is climbing, and as the race heads for a final week’s racing in the ever-colder Italian Alps he stands a good chance of gaining time, especially on leader Almeida who is

thought to be more effective in time trials.

Kelderman could be Geoghegan Hart’s main rival, but Pello Bilbao of BahrainMcLaren, Rafal Majka of Bora-Hansgrohe and TrekSegafredo’s Vincenzo Nibali are only a few seconds behind.

A final week of controversy? - After a rest day on Monday, the three-week race is heading into its final week in the Italian Alps, where it was feared adverse weather could cause stages to be cut short or even cancelled.

Weather forecasts are currently reasonably

favourable if cold in places, but organisers are wary the coronavirus could also play a part.

All riders and staff will now be tested for a third time during the race after last week’s rest day tests produced three positive Covid 19 results for riders including Britain’s Simon Yates - and several other team members, causing Mitchelton-Scott and JumboVisma to pull out of the race.

Tuesday’s (tomorrow) stage is a huge, undulating 229km course from the north eastern city of Udine to San Daniele del Friuli.

Rublev sets up final clash with Coric at St Petersburg Open Winger Caleb Clarke, who made his first Test start on Sunday, has been compared to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

BBCsport - A superb second-half display gave New Zealand at 27-7 win over Australia in their second Bledisloe Cup match at a near sold-out Eden Park in Auckland.

After a dramatic draw in the opening game last week, the All Blacks led 10-7 at halftime and scored three quick tries after the restart to run away with the game.

Victory maintains New Zealand’s impressive record at Eden Park, where they have not lost in 44 Tests since 1994 and where Australia have not won since 1986. The All Blacks now need to win only one of the two remaining

games in the Bledisloe series, which will be played in Australia as part of the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament, to retain the trophy they have held since 2003.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 46,049 after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted earlier this month.

Richie Mo’unga converted a 19th-minute penalty to open the scoring before scrum-half Aaron Smith went over for the first try minutes later after an attacking scrum.

The Wallabies bounced back when winger Marika Koroibete crossed after a

turnover and James O’Connor ’s conversion narrowed the gap to 10-7.

All Black winger Caleb Clarke, making his first start, then created tries within the space of three second-half minutes for Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea with two powerful runs, the second where he bounced out of several tackles.

That put the home side 207 up and, after Australia hooker Brandon PaengaAmosa had a try overturned by referee Angus Gardner, New Zealand captain Sam Cane completed the scoring 90 seconds later to finish a sweeping move.

Reuters - Russian home favourite Andrey Rublev rallied from a set down to beat Canadian Denis Shapovalov 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the semi-final of the St Petersburg Open on Saturday to set up a title clash with Borna Coric.

Rublev saved five of six break points to advance and took advantage in the final set when Shapovalov needed treatment on his shoulder.

Victory also improved Rublev’s chances of qualifying for the seasonending ATP Finals next month which has two spots left. The 22-year-old moved up to eighth in the race to London, leapfrogging French Open semi-finalist Diego Schwartzman.

World number one Novak Djokovic, French Open champion Rafael Nadal, U.S. Open winner Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev have already qualified

Andrey Rublev for the ATP Finals.

In the other semi-final, Croatia’s Coric returned to the final for a second consecutive year after he, too, dropped the opening set against Milos Raonic

before turning the tables on his Swiss opponent with a 16 6-1 6-4 victory.

Raonic fired 18 aces in the contest but Coric converted three of five break points to seal his place in the final.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Late Barkley winner at Leicester sends Villa Fantastic Ferguson sets up Super-Over second BBCsport - Ross Barkley drilled in an injury-time strike to maintain Aston Villa’s 100% start to the season as they edged to victory at Leicester.

The game looked set to be the first goalless match of the campaign, but on-loan Chelsea midfielder Barkley finished incisively into the bottom corner to give Villa all three points and send them second in the Premier League.

Villa have won their opening four top-flight games for the first time in 90 years. It had been a drab Sunday night encounter until Barkley’s 91st-minute effort, with neither goalkeeper called on to make difficult saves.

Douglas Luiz had curled a 25-yard shot straight at Leicester ’s Kasper Schmeichel, while Villa’s Emiliano Martinez kept out Youri Tielemans’ deflected long-range strike.

Dean Smith’s Villa are just one point behind leaders Everton with a game in hand, while Leicester remain fourth.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 West Ham United 3 - West Ham came back from three

win for KKR

What a moment for the on-loan midfielder who has surely won it for Villa. goals down with under 10 minutes to go to rescue a point in an astonishing comeback against Tottenham. Manuel Lanzini’s brilliant long-range strike in injury time levelled the scores after Spurs had taken complete control in the opening 16 minutes through two goals from Harry Kane and one from Son Heungmin.

Fabian Balbuena’s header

began West Ham’s fightback, with Davinson Sanchez’s own goal giving even more hope with five minutes to go.

Gareth Bale, on as a substitute in his first appearance since his return to Spurs from Real Madrid, missed a great chance in stoppage time before Lanzini lashed the ball in off goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ fingertips to cap an incredible climax.

West Ham improved

markedly in the second half, but when Kane hit the post with 12 minutes to go there was no sign that the final result would be anything other than another win for Spurs.

The result sees Spurs remain in sixth place, while West Ham move up two places into eighth.

Results elsewhere: Sheff Utd 1 Fulham 1, Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 1.

Jamaica Scorpions undeterred by COVID-19 as training gets underway Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica Scorpions are pressing ahead with their preparation for next year’s start of the Regional four-day season, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though Cricket West Indies are yet to confirm the date for the start of the new season, Scorpions began training last Wednesday and are expected to continue four days per week until year end, under social distancing protocols. “They have to train because they are professionals, so it is only right for them to keep healthy and to keep fit,” the Gleaner newspaper here quoted Jamaica Cricket Association chief executive, Courtney Francis, as saying.

“It is also a part of their mental preparedness.

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, everybody is stressed out.

“Their livelihood depends on it, and they have family members who are depending on them.

We have talked to the players that when February comes around, our players will be fit and in order to play.

“They are training Monday through to Thursday, but it is not

Jamaica Scorpions have kicked off training for next year’s regional domestic season. everybody every day because the numbers are minimal, so most of it is oneon-one training, and we will be going right through to December.”

Jamaica has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 with health authorities confirming 8 195 cases and 168 deaths.

There are currently 4 265 active cases, with 63 recorded on Friday alone. Special curfew restrictions exist in

areas where outbreaks have been detected.

Francis said the players were cognisant of the challenges presented by the pandemic but were going about their business professionally. “They are not feeling any way about training in this COVID-19 pandemic because they know what is required of them if they are going to be successful,” Francis said.

“I think that any tournament that [CWI] comes up with now, I know that they will be ready for it.” Last year’s four-day tournament was cut short after the eighth round last March due to the COVID19 outbreak in the region.

Scorpions finished third in the six-team championship on 91.8 points, with Barbados Pride declared winners after topping the standings on 134.8 points.

ESPNcricinfo - Two midtable sides separated by just two points. Two misfiring middle orders. Two squads unable to use their reserve overseas players in the best possible way. Two teams that were neck and neck with three wins each against each other since 2018. What happened when they met on Sunday evening? A Super Over, of course.

Lockie Ferguson made that one-over face-off a onesided affair though. Playing his first match in over seven months, Ferguson, in the space of three balls, first removed David Warner’s off stump to hand him a golden duck and then hit the base of Abdul Samad’s middle stump with a full and slower delivery, with only two runs allowed in between.

A single from Eoin Morgan and two leg-byes off Dinesh Karthik’s pads with a fumble at short-fine leg gave the Kolkata Knight Riders two points from the third Super Over of the season to keep them on fourth place on the points table.

Ferguson had earlier dented the Sunrisers Hyderabad chase of 164 with a spectacular spell of fast bowling that read 4-0-3-15 without conceding a single boundary. Ferguson did the damage against a tweaked Sunrisers line-up that saw Kane Williamson open with Jonny Bairstow, and Warner push himself down to No. 4.

He allowed just seven in the 18th over when the Sunrisers needed 37 from 18.

With 30 to win from 12, Samad and Warner targeted Shivam Mavi on the off side for two fours before the former fell off the last ball of the over another dismissal that featured Ferguson. Samad had clubbed a full toss to deep midwicket where Ferguson pouched the ball right inside the rope before carefully lobbing it to Shubman Gill when he lost balance.

Warner had struck only two fours in his 28-ball 33 when the last over started with Andre Russell bowling a big wide outside off to Rashid Khan from around the wicket which was later called a no-ball.

Once Warner got strike, he first found the cow-corner boundary, then hammered a length delivery past the bowler and then whipped an innocuous-looking leg-stump delivery for the third four in a row.

With four to get off two, Warner took a double but couldn’t get bat on the last ball and settled for one legbye when Russell nipped the ball into his pads. It was time for a Super Over.

Sunrisers’ Williamson experiment - Slow starts, an inexperienced middle order, and Warner not looking at his best made the Sunrisers change their line-up.

Williamson, who was carrying a hamstring niggle, took charge at the top with fluent strokeplay, hitting consecutive fours off Mavi, while Bairstow muscled Varun Chakravarthy off the back foot.

The duo also attacked Russell and Pat Cummins together to finish the sixth over on 58, of which 46 came in boundaries, and was the Knight Riders’ fourth consecutive powerplay without a wicket.

But then came Ferguson in the seventh over.

Williamson upper cut his first ball to third man to end an enterprising 19-ball 29 that saw Priyam Garg come in at No. 3. Garg couldn’t last more than seven balls as Ferguson’s slower delivery rammed into his stumps and, four balls later, Bairstow found long-off against Chakravarthy.

The Warner you haven’t seen - Warner has been struggling by his standards this IPL and on Sunday he got a life on the first ball he faced from Kuldeep Yadav when Karthik missed a stumping after a loopy delivery deflected off the batman’s pad.

With his team three down and half the innings left, an uncharacteristically watchful Warner relied on ones and twos.

At the other end, Manish Pandey was removed by a 148kmh Ferguson yorker. On one hand was Ferguson’s express pace, and on the other was Yadav taking pace off the ball - the duo combined for 18 dots from their seven overs together, which featured no boundaries.

Warner saw them off and saved his boundaries for the end, which eventually tied the scores.

Kolkata Knight Riders 163 for 5 (Gill 36, Morgan 34, Karthik 29*, Natarajan 2-40) tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad 163 for 6 (Warner 47*, Bairstow 36, Ferguson 315). Super Over Kolkata Knight Riders 3 for 0 beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 2 for 2.

Monday October 19, 2020

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

‘Government plans to stay connected to Guyanese despite Political loyalties’ says Minister Charles Ramson

By Sean Devers ‘Government plans to stay connected to Guyanese despite Political loyalties’ these were the words of the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. before making a presentation of sports gear to the East Bank Demerara Community of Agricola last Saturday morning.

Considered as one of the deprived areas in Guyana and high in crime, Agricola is last Village in Georgetown heading south from the City and was one of Villages bought by the freed slaves after slavery was abolished on August 1, 1834. Almost its entire population support the opposition APNU. Ramson, one of the most active Ministers in this Government, presented basketballs, footballs, footwear and other sports gear at the Evan Phillips Park ball field. The gear was received by executive member of the Agricola Sports Committee. Colin John.

Ramson has already embarked on a number of plans proposed by this Administration for the development of local sports and was accompanied by several officials from his

Minister Ramson engaging the youths of Agricola.

Ministry, representatives from the Guyana Football Federation and Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Football promoters Kashif & Shanghai, Officers of the Guyana Police Force including Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken and CDC Representatives.

“An important point of this is that coming into Government, what we have said is that we would be a Government for all people

regardless of whether the area had supported the PPP or not” Ramson informed.

“The kids who are the beneficiaries of the sports gear would not be interested in politics. The long term benefits would be improving skills, being healthy and possibly becoming career sportsmen and sportswomen” the Minister explained to the Media and listened to the concerns of the Villagers. Ramson played a leading role in ensuring that

the Guyana Cricket Administrative Act was restored to its original state paving the way for the GCB and DCB Elections, visited the construction sites of the Stadiums in East Berbice and Linden in addition to touring the GFF facility at Providence.

The Minister, who played as a left-arm spinner at Division One level for Everest, made the West Indies Lawyers team and played a bit of Basketball, pledged his

support to work with the residents of Agricola.

Minister Ramson promised to erect two Bleachers to overlook the Football ground and to aid in the rehabilitation of the water service to the ground. In an invited comment Darren T Lord, Secretary of the Agricola Sports Committee, posited that he is ‘taken back’

by Guyana’s politics.

“I wonder if at times we are just being used for political mileage by both sides of the divide.

So I ponder what is real nucleus of the Honourable Minister’s visit to my community. Is he and his administration really ready to deliver on their promise to work with us? As he paced with his high level team, did he realise how narrow our Streets are, did he realise that there is only one way in and one way out of Agricola?

I am passionate about Sports hence my availability to serve but I am fully aware that as a citizen we have to work with the Government of the day. The numbers that availed themselves today (Saturday) is an indication of Agricola’s readiness to work for the development of the community and Country.

My only hope is for all of

us to play our roles in making Guyana a better, unified nation for all Guyanese” Lord concluded. Ramson said Government decided to contribute sports gear to Agricola after he was informed by Community leaders that the previous Government failed to respond in a favourable manner when asked for some sports gear for a Village that produced one of Guyana’s better Boxing Coaches, Donald Allison who worked with the youths at the Ricola Boxing Gym and pacer Chris Lewis, who played 32 Tests and 53 ODIs for England. During his visit Ramson also visited the Anglican Church which is being refurbished and was told of the lack of adequate funding for the work in progress in addition to the poor drainage around God’s House. Former Boxing and World Title contender Clive Atwell is one of the Pastors there spearheading the fund raising activities. Atwell, who was informed of the event late, was unavoidably absent.

The youngest ever Sports Minister in Guyana then walked to visit the Basketball Court to Northern side of the Village before rejoining his convoy as the visit concluded.

Rahul, Bumrah, Shami star as Kings XI beat Mumbai after TWO Super Overs ESPNcricinfo - About three inches. That’s all that stood between the Kings XI Punjab and an outright victory over the Mumbai Indians.

But they eventually got there. After two Super Overs.

A see-sawing game came down to the last ball.

Chris Jordan dug out a yorker to long-on and sensed the opportunity to get the two runs he needed to end the game. But he turned in a giant circle, adding to the distance he needed to cover. Distance on which this entire game was riding on. In the end, he was about three inches short.

Jasprit Bumrah allowed only five runs off his bowling to set up a seemingly straightforward Super-Over chase, but Mohammed Shami had other ideas. With a nothing target behind him, he nailed yorker after yorker after yorker, to push this obscene match into a second Super Over; and three for the day in total. A piece of KL Rahul brilliance kept Quinton de Kock from completing the match-

winning run.

Then it was Mayank A g a r w a l ’s t u r n i n t h e spotlight, leaping high on the edge of the midwicket b o u n d a r y, h e s a v e d a definite six to bring down the Kings XI’s target from 16 to 12 in the second Super Over. As if he had massive FOMO, he even walked out and helped chase it down - poor Trent Boult, these tie-breakers never seem to work out for him - as one of the most memorable nights in the IPL came to a close. No one - at least from the Kings XI’s camp - is gonna’ be sleeping much though.

Powerplay and counter Kings XI’s fast bowlers found the tiniest bit of movement off the pitch and stayed disciplined enough made it count. Arshdeep Singh had Rohit Sharma playing onto his stumps and Ishan Kishan caught at third man. Shami took care of Suryakumar Yadav. For the first time this IPL, Mumbai lost three wickets inside the powerplay (43 for 3).

So Quinton de Kock, the set batsman, throttled down. His job now was to

last the 20 overs. The new batsman, Krunal Pandya, had a trickier role. He couldn’t get out, but he also had keep the scoreboard moving, and he did that while exhibiting some glorious off-side strokeplay, including an onthe-up cover drive for six to a Chris Jordan short ball.

Big wickets and counter - That handy 58-run partnership was broken in the 14th over, which seemed like a good thing for Mumbai, especially when Hardik Pandya walked in and thumped a six off his first ball.

They were 102 for 4 with 36 balls left for their big-hitters to impose themselves on the game.

The only problem was, one of those balls was too short, too fast, and too good for Hardik.

The wicket-taker, Shami, had established a fine blueprint for his team-mates to follow in the death. Do NOT land it in their half.

But Arshdeep did and not not only was he hit for 22 runs in the 18th over, he got Kieron Pollard going. With the West Indian in full flow, Mumbai amassed 54 runs off the last

18 balls to finish with 176 for 6.

Hard-hitting goodness Rahul was a little different today. After losing the toss, he said it didn’t matter at this stage of the tournament. It looked like he was a man standing on the edge and capable of doing anything.

And it showed in his batting.

He did away with his inhibitions and started hitting from the get-go.

At the end of the powerplay, he was 32 off 17 with four fours and two sixes.

Kings XI were 51 for 1.

Mumbai were nervous at least.

Chris Gayle (24 off 21) offered support. Nicholas Pooran (24 off 12) offered relief. But in the end, it was simply Rahul vs Mumbai.

Kings XI needed 52 off their last five overs. He brought it down to 24 off 16. And then it happened.

A 149 kph yorker. It was too quick for Rahul. A set Rahul. A Rahul determined to do anything to win this game.

Bumrah found a way through that resolve and gave his team hope. But for once, Kings XI chose not to settle for second best and succeeded (with help

KL Rahul and Chris Gayle had a strong stand for the second wicket ©BCCI from two dropped catches and an inside edge for four in the last two overs, and some spectacular Super-Over heroics).

Mumbai Indians 176 for 6 (de Kock 53, Pollard 34*, Krunal 34, Shami 2-30) tied with Kings XI Punjab 176 for

6 (Rahul 77, Bumrah 3-24).

Kings XI won the second of two Super Overs.

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Monday October 19, 2020

Simeon Adams balancing Academic and Sports - Nine one’s & three two’s at CXC, another West Ruimveldt success story

By Sean Devers Born on January 11, 2003 to Bob Hetmyer and Sarah Adams, National Junior Athlete Simeon Samuel Amos Adams who grew up in the Village of Calcutta, Mahaicony, Upper East Coast Demerara and knows the importance of striking a balance between Academics and Sports. The talented 17year-old, who competes for Guyana in 200, 400 and 800 meters events in addition to the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, was very successful in the twelve (12) CXC subjects he wrote and his aim is to attend the University of Guyana (UG) in the near future.

He obtained nine (9) Grade one’s –Chemistry, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, English A, English B, Industrial Technology Building, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physical Education and Sport, Physics and three (3) Grade two’s Additional Mathematics, Geography, Technical Drawing.

Simion’s best time in the 400 meters’ event is 49.77 while he crossed the finish line in the 800 meters’ in 1.59.91. A senior athlete at the Super Upcoming Running Club which usually conducts training at the National Park, Adams has one sister and attended the Calcutta Nursery school as a toddler.

He them moved to West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme in Georgetown and attended the Smyth Street Nursery, West

Ruimveldt Primary and then the East Ruimveldt Secondary, which produced former West Indies Test Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Simion, who now resides in Campbellville, presently attends Global Technology and wants to become a Doctor and a professional Athlete. Simion was the best 800 and 400 meters’ runner during 2019 and started his athletics career at the Police Progressive Youth Club before he left there when his Coach (Seon Burry) passed away.

“He would have easily qualified for this year’s Carifta Games that was scheduled for Guyana. Unfortunately for Simion and the others who would have qualified, the covid-19 Pandemic caused the shutting down of all sports.

But in the case of Simion, he still has next year when the Games, which has been rescheduled for 2021, could be held” said Police and National Athletics Coach Linden Wilson when asked how good was the youngster.

Sport runs in Simion’s blood; his father is the first cousin of young West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer while his mom was an athlete in her younger days but surprisingly did not participate in other sports at school.

Simion became interested in Athletics at Primary school and explained how important it is to balance both Academics and Sports.

“Getting a sound education and being involved in Sports

Simeon Adams

is very important to me because of where I come from and seeing what was going on in my life. Without a proper education you can’t enroll anywhere especially with my skin colour” Simion stated.

The Olympic hopeful says to be successful in both areas of your life is sometimes not easy and revealed that he attended after school lessons.

“It was very challenging because sometimes I would forget to revise and complete projects but when you have a mother like mine, you have to

make the commitment. I had a schedule to balance my academic career and my education process” continued Simion, whose favorite subjects are Mathematics and Biology because they were the most challenging subjects to him.

Simion made his debut at Nationals in 2019.

“Well my mom was an exAthlete and she said to me ‘if you want to follow-up Athletics you have to be multitalented’ meaning that I had to focus on both sides. My mother supported my Athletic career but

only if I focused on both.

My biggest challenge was to attend school all day, then go to train and finish in time to reach lessons in the evenings. To be honest I wasn’t sure that I would have even completed school, but I am grateful that I did” explained Simion.

His favorite Athletes are Aliyah Abrams, a Guyanese sprinter who competed in the 2016 in the 400 meters and South African Wayde Van Niekerk, the current 400 meters World and Olympic record holder, when not studying or training, he enjoys sleeping, reading, electronics and spending time with his family.

“My most memorable moment was when I made my debut for Guyana in the Bahamas in 2018. My advice to local athletes is to stay focused, let God be your friend and demonstrate a lot of determination, dedication and sacrifice for yourself.

I agree that the local athletes would benefit from scholarships because some athletes don’t have the standard of life, facilities, nutriments and equipment to reach where they are heading in Guyana” lamented Simion, whose favorite event is the 400 meters. Simion spoke about the global pandemic and how it affected him both physically and mentally.

“It affected me physically since although we had some

training sessions in the mornings at Durban Park, I was not able to get the full potential of my training and it also affected my studies.

Mentally I was very disappointed when the AAG called off all events for the rest of the year because I was prepared to showcase my talent for Guyana…but next year God spare life …. Hopefully, I am prepared for my hurdles that are coming” stated Simion who knew he wanted to make athletics a career since he was nine years old.

Simion said he was not too surprised that he is doing so well academically and in his sporting career since he claimed that he had put in the work and time in both areas, adding that his mother and Coaches were his main supporters in school and on the track “My most challenging moment on the track happened in my 400 meters’ race when I badly injured my leg but I still went and run and completed my task proving my motto of never giving up” said Simion, who informed that his favorite dish is veggie-bora.

The multitalented teenager who also played hockey for his school said he encourages fighting for what you desire and believe in and doing it through God because nothing comes easy and everything is possible with God.

Grovdal clocks 30:32 Norwegian 10km record in Hole WorldAthletics Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal broke her own national 10km record at the Hytteplanmila 10km in Hole, Norway, on Saturday (17). The 30-yearold clocked 30:32 to smash the previous mark of 31:25 she set at this race in 2017.

The performance lifted the continental cross country standout to fourth on the 2020 world list and third alltime among Europeans, trailing just Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (30:05) and Paula Radcliffe (30:21).

Grovdal has raced little this season but she was on a tear from the gun to make this appearance count, reaching three kilometres in 9:10 and the midway point in 15:17 to finish 31st in the race overall among the 90 competitors.

Vienna Søyland Dahle was a distant second in 33:18.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who made his debut at the distance with a 27:54 course record in this race last year,

wasn’t really a factor in his return. Opening with a modest 2:59 first kilometre, he worked his way back to the leaders after two kilometres and briefly took the lead at the four kilometre point.

Zerei Mezngi then upped the pace after five kilometres with Ingebrigtsen and his brother Filip struggling to maintain contact.

Mezngi extended his lead to six seconds at six kilometres and forged on largely unchallenged to win in 28:20. Narve Gilje Nordas was second in 28:28, while Filip Ingebrigtsen drifted back to finish sixth in 29:03.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who remained in contact through seven kilometres, slowed to a jog over the waning stages and eventually finished in 35:05. Spanish mountain, trail and ultramarathon runner and ski mountaineer Kilian Jornet ran with the leaders early on, and finished 18th in 29:59.

Monday October 19, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Egyptian grandfather becomes world’s oldest soccer pro C a i ro ( R e u t e r s ) Egyptian grandfather Ezzeldin Bahader has been recognised as the world’s oldest professional soccer player after completing a second full match just short of his 75th birthday.

Bahader was awarded the title by Guinness World Records on Saturday evening after missing a penalty kick as his team, 6th October, lost 3-2 to El Ayat Sports club in the Egyptian third division.

The former amateur player, who turns 75 on Nov. 3, scored a goal from the penalty spot in his debut match on March. He planned to play a second 90-minute match the same month to claim his record, but the suspension of sports activities to contain the spread of the coronavirus put his plans on hold.

Bahader had previously told media he was 75, which he attributed to “rounding up”. Having him on the team had allowed 6th October to gain sponsors and publicity, he said. Some of Bahader’s six grandchildren attended

Saturday’s match, chanting “Come on, Grandpa” from the touchline.

“I dream of being able to

break my own record one more time, just to make the competition a little harder,” Bahader said, though he is

now out of contract. The record was previously held by 73-year-old Israeli Isaak Hayik.

Egyptian grandfather Ezzeldin Bahader

‘Government plans to stay connected to rt Spo Guyanese despite Political loyalties’ - Minister Charles Ramson

Minister Ramson holds up one of the footballs with Colin John in the presence of happy villagers.

Lockie Ferguson takes the ball at the boundary as he’s about to step over, before flicking it back for a relay catch ©BCCI

KL Rahul runs Quinton de Kock out ©BCCI

Fantastic Ferguson sets up Super-Over win for KKR

Rahul, Bumrah, Shami star as Kings XI beat Mumbai after TWO Super Overs Simeon Adams - Nine one’s & balancing three two’s at CXC, another Academic West Ruimveldt and Sports success story

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.