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
The realities of Guyanese at the bottom It is clear that the brunt of the struggles in Guyana fall on the heads of those Guyanese, who are least able to cope with the challenges. Though our media channels are filled with the voices and postures of leaders promising the moon and stars, it is poor, weak, and vulnerable Guyanese who are at the mercy of the times, who most times are forced to fend for themselves too much of the time. We carried three news stories on Friday, September 3rd, which reveal and emphasise how this is so, and the results of their exposures. The first was of Bourda Market vendors, who are victimised from time to time, when their stalls are robbed at will. This happens at night, and has been so for months, and when the robbers are unhappy with their take, or for the sheer malice of it, they then vandalise the stalls on which these vendors depend for a living. It is not a princely living, but they make do with what they can eke out of this business of buying and selling for small mark-ups that add up to a little something by the end of the day and week. It is a hard and honest living, but one made harder by these robberies and the resulting losses that they can ill afford. The Bourda Market is not the only municipal market where these robberies and ongoing acts of vandalism are known to occur. And this is while there are market constables to watch over and serve as a block to aspiring robbers. Further, this is while Central Government (Ministry of Local Government) and Municipal Government (Mayor and City Council of Georgetown) are locked in ceaseless reciprocal and public blaming of who is not doing right, and who did wrong, as the public suffers the consequences. In this case, it is the stallholders first, and the extended shopping public at a wider expanse. For somewhere along the line, availability of items could decline, prices of items sold in the markets register an increase, and suffering stallholders decide to shut up shop and be done with the troubles that they face. This means that the competition that was there before decreases and the poorer consumers who shop at the local markets are the ones paying the price. Paying a stiff price, a sometimes lethal one, is what is confirmed by our second story on September 3, which is, that the Guyana Police Force was moving “to tackle high incidence of violence in Swan” which is on the LindenSoesdyke Highway. In an area with a mere 600 residents, three murders have been recorded. It is a poor community, with some alcohol consumption, fuelled in part by two underlying secondary offenses. The first is liquor being sold by unlicenced shops, and the COVID-19 curfew restrictions being recklessly ignored. One does not have to be an expert on anything to appreciate that poverty, youth, and alcohol don’t mix well. In fact, it is an explosive blend, which too often leads to violence and worst, that is, murder. Now, three lives are lost, three more are in jail, and six families struggle to cope with new nightmares, amidst their other worries. The hardworking at the bottom of the economic ladder (stallholders), and the poor (a depressed community) are just snapshots in what is the harsher aspect of another side of Guyana, rich Guyana. After all the quarreling and fighting at the political leadership level, this is what our people in too many lesserknown segments and communities face and have to deal with continually. It is a losing battle. Finally, there was the item where “Residents of the Circuit Area Timehri community appeal to government for improved roads.” We spend countless billions on roads, yet we seem to be stuck in the same old places. Broken areas, deep craters, impassable roads keep making the rounds after all this money has been spent, and after many such appeals to government before. This Government promises to do something. We wonder how long that will last. The same can be said for all the other people and places that need value for their money, and incorruptibility from government leaders and agents.
Monday September 13, 2021
We are in this together Dear Editor, I viewed a part of a video in which the President of Guyana was on the ground with the people of Essequibo. This is commendable! In fact, I liked the spirit of camaraderie that I sensed during a part of the question and answer segment. However, I noticed that social distancing of the crowd was not observed! Aren’t such crowded venues breeding grounds for the spread of Covid-19? At another place another time, I watched with a broken heart as senior citizens, huddled together, were denied entry into the NIS building to collect their paltry pension. I thought they would be far better off in the safe confines of the NIS compound, comfortably
seated, safe distance apart, as they awaited their turn. I feel very safe when I go to my bank, to church (among other places) where Covid protocols are strictly observed - social distancing, temperature checks, wearing of masks, sanitising of hands. In fact, at our church, several microphones are used, and each time one is used it is sanitised by whoever is on duty for that purpose that day. Now it has been gazetted that unvaccinated persons are forbidden to enter private and public buildings. Is this not a hasty and poorly thought-out move, when clusters of unmasked persons can be seen in various places having fun and imbibing? Let us not be too proud to adjust our
stance on these issues if we genuinely want a turnaround in our situation as it relates to the pandemic. Finally allow me to draw pertinent lessons from the ancient City of Nineveh. As recorded by Jonah in the third chapter of the book that bears His name, the prophet, sent by God, warned the Nation “...Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”. Note the response of the king/ political directorate. 7- And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8- But let man and beast be covered
with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9- Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? 10Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. (Jonah 3:7-10). I beseech His Excellence, the President of this beloved Republic, in consultation with faith- based leaders, to proclaim a National day of prayer and fasting as we call on God who alone has the final say! He can and will turn our situation around! Claudia Heywood
Conversation about roads - planning and city management Dear Editor, Road hierarchy is fundamental to city planning and traffic management. The road hierarchy controls access to property in a way that maximizes traffic flow and road safety. Generally, vehicles get off of highways and onto collector roads and then get off of collector roads and onto local roads. Properties like parking lots and homes interface directly with local roads. Higher density buildings and high
pedestrian traffic environments such as transit hubs, may interface with collector roads. Nothing interfaces with highways other than collector roads. There are slight variations to this hierarchy in some areas, where more road types may be allowed but the rules of road hierarchy remain the same the world over. The famous ‘conversation tree’ marks the spot where a tiny road connects with the Rupert Craig Highway directly. Needless to say, many road
users have lost their lives at that junction. A road should not be there under any circumstances whatsoever. In Guyana, it seems we disagree with good city planning. Sadly, ‘conversation tree’ may have more stories to tell. Editor, ambitious road works are underway. Roadways boost economies and improve lives. As a resident of the East Bank, I am excited and encouraged by the addition of new road links. On the other hand, as an admirer of cities and construction, I feel
concerned. Should the residents of newly built, soon-to-be-populated areas have to deal with dangerous, awkward junctions and strange ‘highways’ that permit commerce on their shoulders? Should more people die in accidents due to poorly thought-out road networks? Will the new blank canvas be smeared and blotched, or will a beautiful picture emerge? I, for one, sincerely hope for the latter. Yours sincerely, Emille Giddings
Arrival of Article 13 group Dear Editor, The announcement of the formation of the new Article 13 Group is well-received, much welcomed. Yet, I would be less than myself, not altogether candid, if I do not share publicly, some underlying thoughts, more in the form of skepticisms and misgivings. First, I ask myself if any new group would ever be trusted in Guyana again. As much as I want to, I can’t. I am wary. I am wary, because of what happened last elections season (and before). I focus on the 2020 one, because the record of the aftermath is more pronounced, insultingly in the face. Every single one of the groups that said it came out to be different and apart from the PPP and PNC, ended up with the victorious PPP. At least, the leaders did, as can be discerned from the spoils column and its beneficiaries. There is a Deputy Speaker in the National
Assembly, some cloth, some plum positions, some state directorships, some sweet deals, and so forth. So much for being different and standing apart. It is real politick; but one does not have to sell personal independence and integrityif not once reputable character-for such cheap fodder. This is where I fear this lovely sounding Article 13 group could end up, though it is not a bona fide political party in origin, maybe even in objective. At least, not yet. Regardless of whatever it is in conception, and the pathway it follows, the vital ingredient of confidence could be lacking, which translates to little traction, other than in the usual rhetorical sparring, which we love, live for, so much. Second, the thought stirring is this: the creation of what is sure to possess elements of the rollcall of Who’s Who in Guyana’s political crab dance, could
have come about because of disgruntlement over ending up without when the prizes were being shared. Stated otherwise, if what was desired was d e l i v e r e d b y t h e Vi c e President, my thinking is that there would be no Article 13 group today. Tantalising, isn’t it? The real Guyana, too. Third, and this builds on my second point, given the disbelief and contempt that reign for new and stirring sounding groupscivic, pressure, interest, constitutional, reform, and like-if they were to transform into a political parry, it is near absolutely certain that they will perform just as dismally as the last large handful of newcomers did in 2020. This is simply because Indians would still be voting PPP and African Guyanese PNC, with minimal exceptions only. Forget about the native vote, that is bought and sealed tighter than the Exxon contract.
Nevertheless, a civic cum political group, like Article 13 (it will be thought of as such), is capable of making enough noise, generating enough interest, attracting enough leadership watchfulness, to make things happen. This is the crux: for themselves. Meaning, not to be personally denied any longer, to get where they had ambitions to go, and to convey to angry citizens that they are about their welfare only, and not that of the country. Call this the cynical fallout from 2020 and before with the AFC, and that’s the bullseye. I think it is an encouraging development, which if managed wisely and utterly nobly (integrity, unselfishness, patriotic duty), this Article 13 group, and any other, could significantly benefit this country. But only if it, or any of them, turns out to be so. That is, doing well, by doing right. For citizens. They haven’t. None. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Monday September 13, 2021
The provisions of Article 13 have been denied in Guyana Dear Editor, Note is taken of the formation of a new group, named Article 13, with the declared intent to pursue an approach in giving meaning to Article 13 in the Constitution of Guyana, which is the principal objective of our political system. It has been almost 21 lonely years, of more than 40 years of struggle in this country, that I have been advocating for society to pay attention to and give meaning to Article 13. Today, it is encouraging to note that silent listeners who have been listening to me are coming out. The constitutional Article 13 speaks to, “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy, by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.” On 5th March 2019, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), of which yours truly is the General Secretary, laid before then President David Granger, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and the nation a 19-point Proposal to bring about deepening of the decisionmaking processes between and among the government, opposition, and relevant stakeholders. The proposal urged dialogue between and among groups, of which the trade union is a part as prescribed in Article 149C, to burning issues, namely: 1) The Establishment of an Industrial court; 2) Unemployment Benefit; 3) Health; 4) Education; 5) National Budget; 6) Women and Youth Representation; 7) Regional Members of Parliament; 8) Senior Citizens; 9) Judiciary; 10) Composition of State Boards; 11) Establishment of the
constitutional Human Rights Commission; 12) Establishment & continual function of all constitutional Commissions and Tribunal, and Boards; 13) Establishment of Economic Council; 14) Oil and Gas Industry; 15) Land Policy and Rights; 16) Amendment to Article 106(6) of the Guyana Constitution; 17) Legislation and convention; 18) State media; and 19) Campaign finance reform. This proposal is in the public domain. In the formation of the Civil Society Forum in 2020, Article 13 was presented by yours truly on behalf of the GTUC, as critical to forging conversations and actions for national development and strengthening democracy. Whereas I remain an advocate for Article 13, Rights and the Rule of Law, and consistently advocated inclusion not exclusion of the actors that form the pillars for decision making, and those social partners, as mandated in the Constitution to be in the decision making, I have too advocated to bring more into the tent. Consequently, I have also sought inclusion of other interest groups in efforts to ensure democracy filters through all layers of society. This nation has been deprived of meaningful strides to development based on destructive political, racist, partisan, and self-serving agendas, even by people and legal minds, who ought to have known better. Guyana has suffered major casualties over the years by those who sought to divide the nation, giving the impression the Constitution was not entrenched principles to forge a nation of One People, One Destiny. Those who have opposed the education, understanding and implementation of the Constitution, and not urged its strengthening, but trampling on, have been the greatest humbug to inclusion and equitable development in this country. No doubt society could
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
be better served with the formation of the Article 13 group, coming after the formation of the Civil Society Forum, and any subsequent group of similar nature. For wherever commonalities lie, should we focus more on what bind rather than divide us as Guyanese such augur well for achieving peace, harmony, personal and national development. Such involvement could also be the forum through which differences can be resolved. Recognition is given to the group’s desire to use Article 13 to ensure that our “election machinery can never be hijacked by a minority bent on subverting democracy.” The nation and world have seen, whereas election may rely on individual vote, a small cabalboth internal and external- of special interest people, criminal (narco and other) businesses, money, external interest, and those who manipulate election machinery, government and people, could compromise the electoral laws and processes and subvert the true will of the people. In “inclusionary democracy,” the rights of minority groups - which is different from nefarious minority forces - are of no lesser import than those of the majority. “Inclusionary democracy” respects the rights of all. Where this country continues to ignore this fundamental, or there is support for such transgression, in whatever form, we would not be living up to the spirit, intent and ideals of our political system, as prescribed in Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana. This Article should not be trifled with, but followed to the letter. Lincoln Lewis
Focus on the issue, and not the individual; also, do the right thing: get vaccinated Dear Editor, The current situation that involves the Guyana Teacher’s Union and the Ministry of Education is spiraling out of control. It is irresponsible for any one individual to place at risk the lives of thousands, due to a personal choice that clearly increases the level of risk in our schools. This is on par with an individual, who has unprotected sex during the height of an AIDS epidemic. Yes, it is a personal choice, but the risks are significant. Our Minister of Education and her Ministry do what is best for the entire educational system. Not everyone has to
agree with the approach, but adherence is necessary in the absence of the proposal of a better solution. The focus of any protest or discussion should always be the issue, and not the individual; unless the individual is the issue. In this case the vaccine and the protection of the children and staff is the issue being debated. Personal attacks on those that serve our country is uncalled for and should be frowned upon. If some individuals are opposed to taking the vaccine, then testing becomes necessary, for ensuring no breach of the containment and prevention
of the virus entering the school system. The other option is for all those parents and teachers, who are opposed to this process to put forward a solution that works for both perspectives, such as a dedicated school for the unvaccinated and those refusing to be vaccinated or 100 percent remote and online education. We must remember that everyone is trying to stay safe and do what is best for their families and those under their responsibility. Be safe and stay well. Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Restrictions on public due to Covid-19 Dear Editor, The restrictions announced by the Government on September 4, are nothing less than disaster for businesses and services providers across Guyana. Official statistics (September 2) show only 62 percent of adults are vaccinated. Under the new rules that means 38 percent cannot shop for food, cannot attend church, cannot attend university or schools, cannot go to work. Imagine if your grocery store were to lose 38 percent of your customers overnight. You would soon go out of business! Imagine if your hospital were to lose 38 percent of your patients,
and 38 percent of your staff. You would soon find yourself unable to manage the care and even the feeding of your hospitalised patients! There must be a law, or a clause in the Constitution, that prevents the Government from denying food, shelter and clothing for arbitrary reasons. The health of the c o m m u n ity was not endangered by masked yet unvaccinated people on September 3. Why should that change a day later? The Attorney General must publicly defend
his decision to starve unvaccinated citizens of Guyana who are willing and able to pay for food but are denied this basic human right on arbitrary grounds. “Bob” White
PAGE 6
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Guyana has always been involved in the re-settling of refugees and migrants Dear Editor, The U.S. and Guyana have enjoyed friendly and cordial relations spanning many decades. Recently, countries with which the US enjoy such relations have been asked to consider accepting refugees from Afghanistan. Letters have appeared in the press for and against Guyana’s acceptance of Afghani refugees. There is a history to our country’s role in this matter. In 1934, the League of Nations, at the invitation of the British Government appointed a Commission to report on the possibility of settling a group of Assyrians in British Guiana’s Rupununi District. The Assyrians are the direct descendants of the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Because of their support to the allied forces of Britain, France and Russia during the First World War, the Assyrians were deemed collaborators. At the end of the war, they were subjected to atrocities, massacres and even denied their existence as a distinct ethnic group by some Arab and Turkish rulers. They were subsequently chased from their homeland. The Commission
established by the League of Nations believed that Assyrians should be able to maintain themselves in the Rupununi District by subsistence farming in smallholdings coupled with stock grazing. However, the Commission pointed out the lack of accurate knowledge of the agricultural possibilities of the savannahs and recommended investigation of the problems involved. No developments followed on their report. · “Report of the Mission of Brigadier-General J. G. Browne and Doctor Guido Renzo Giglioli concerning the possibility of settling Assyrians in Britain Guiana (District of Rupununi).” February 1935. In 1939, following Nazi persecution of Jews, the British Government made a tentative offer of land for the establishment of a Jewish settlement in British Guiana. Consequently, in the same year a joint American-British Refugee Commission was appointed by President Roosevelt to investigate the possibilities of establishing Jewish settlements in two areas; one, in the North-West District, and the other, in the area between the Essequibo
and Courantyne rivers south of 5 degrees north of latitude. The Commission found that both areas had a climate to which people of Central Europe should be able to adapt themselves. They therefore recommended the founding of trial settlements of 3,000 - 5,000 persons in selected localities under properly equipped technical and advisory organisations; and added that research and experiment should be directed at soil surveys and cognate matters. Arrangements were being discussed to send out an advance party of 200 refugees to establish a trial settlement when the outbreak of the war put an end to further action. - “Report of the British Guiana Refugee Commission to the Advisory Committee on Political Refugees Appointed by the President of the United States of America.” In 1974, information leaked by the international press revealed that the Burnham government had agreed to establish a settlement for Hmong refugees in Guyana. The Hmong are an ethnic group of people, who migrated from the southern provinces of China to the mountainous
...Local Recruitment Company aspires to From page 3 require through selection and specialised training of local companies and individuals. Kerriexplains, “We had several clients who kept asking us if we had our services available in the Suriname market because they also were looking to operate or were already operating there and so, we took the opportunity to pivot to Suriname and we started a joint venture. We are doing business development with these clients so these will unfold be-
fore the end of the year.” She hinted that the company has plans to expand its operations further afield in the coming months. Asked what indelible footprint the company hopes to achieve as it grows and expands, Kerri says, “SRSGY wants to leave a footprint of a global, homegrown service brand that will someday become an IPOinitial public offering in the Guyanese and the international market. We look forward to growing the company exponentially so that we can achieve that par-
ticular milestone.” The company already has a range of local and international partners. These include the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCCI), the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Labour, Maritime Administration Department, University of Guyana, Caribbean Surgeries Inc/Partners with ISOS (ExxonMobil’s approved Medical Provider), FalckNutec Safety Centre, TOTALTEC, MatPal Marine Institute, among others.
area of Laos, where they settled and engaged in subsistence farming. Hmong tribesmen were recruited as collaborators with CIA operatives in their ‘Secret War’ in support of the Royal Lao Government and against the Pathet Lao or Laotian liberation forces. Following the victory by the Laotian liberation forces in 1975, the Hmong were forced to flee Laos. Thousands were accommodated in refugee camps in Canada, Australia and Europe. Approximately 260,000 were accepted by the US in recognition for the support they provided to the CIA against the Laotian people’s struggle for national and social liberation. The PPP opposed the settlement of Hmong refugees in Guyana on the ground that they would be used as they were in Laos as an anti-PPP force. The government’s plan was to establish Hmong settlements in the WainiYarakita area in the NorthWest District close to the Guyana-Venezuela border. The plan was to use the Hmong settlements as shields to prevent any encroachment by Venezuela on Guyana’s national territory. But the government’s plan was aborted in 1980 following a national outcry led by the PPP. In 1974, the Burnham administration secretly granted permission to the People’s Temple led by Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed leader of a religious sect - to establish a settlement of about 900 American citizens who were followers of Jones. The settlement was established on approximately 3,800 acres of forested land at Port Kaituma in the NorthWest District some 650 miles or 240 km from Georgetown. Once again, the Burnham administration chose, for what became known as Jonestown, a location near Guyana’s border with Venezuela, the area Venezuela describes as the ‘Zona de Reclamacion’ According to Burnham’s
calculations, the People’s Temple settlement would act as a deterrent to any territorial expansionist ambitions by Venezuela especially since it would be populated by hundreds of American citizens, who the Americans would seek to protect at any cost and who the Venezuelans would hardly want to cause any harm. But after four years of essentially slave labour along with cultist practices and sexual exploitation by Jones, pleas for help eventually reached the ears of a US congressman who flew to Guyana and to Jonestown only to confirm his worst fears. Jones unleashed his small private army on the US Congressman and others. Several persons were killed, including the congressman. Over 900 of Jones’ followers died. Jones shot and killed himself. Following the overthrow in 1991 of Jean Bertrand Aristide, the democratically elected President of Haiti, thousands of Haitians fled the country. Others who did not have the means to leave sought help from the U.S. administration to accept them as refugees. Apart from sanctions on the coup makers, the Clinton administration sought the support of Caricom member states to establish ‘Safe Havens’ in their respective jurisdictions where Haitian refugees would be accommodated on a temporary basis. Only one Caricom member state agreed to establish a ‘Safe Haven.’ During the APNU+AFC coalition administration an unexpected and unexplained number of Haitians began arriving in Guyana. No plausible explanation was offered by the Government of Guyana. According to Government of Guyana’s data, out of 42,000 Haitians who entered Guyana between 2015 to 2021, only 3,913 can be accounted for. Several hundred Haitians are spread across the country with many being employed in lowpaying jobs principally in
private security services. The new PPP/C Government has since backed away from visa free travel to Guyana for Haitian nationals and has imposed visa restrictions The political, economic and social crisis in Venezuela forced thousands of Venezuelans to leave their country and head to other countries including neighbouring Guyana for a better life. It is estimated that currently there are approximately 23,000 highly vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and refugees, who were granted stay permits across the 10 administrative regions of the country. Only recently, government announced the enrollment of 740 Venezuelan children in public schools across the country. The settlement of Haitians and Venezuelans in Guyana was not the same in the case of the Assyrians, the Jews, the Hmong nor the followers of Jim Jones. In those cases, it was a question of persecution, racial and political discrimination coupled with calculated, formal and conscious decisions by governments to transport and settle the Assyrians, the Jews and the Hmong in Guyana. In the case of the Venezuelan and Haitians, it was more a question of economic hardships that forced the Haitians to travel to Guyana and for the Venezuelans to cross the Guyana/Venezuela border to seek refuge more as economic rather than political refugees. From historical and contemporary experiences, all things being equal, it is clear that Guyana has always been considered a favourable location to house refugees and the settlement of migrants, notwithstanding the fact that we are not a state party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees nor its 1967 Protocol. Yours faithfully, Clement J.Rohee Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Taxpayers’ dollars gone waste? Dear Editor Ever so often a revelation rattles. None so other than the rusting, white elephants, multi-million dollars East Bank overpasses. This is a huge
disappointment that these structures, that were a good initiative, are now underutilised and unutilised and left to deteriorate and rot, (KN Sunday, Sept 12). Taxpayers dollars gone
waste? It behooves the administration to resuscitate these passes as quickly as possible, so they can serve their intended purpose. Shamshun Mohamed
Are we for real? Dear Editor, Are we for real living in Guyana? No commissioner, no id card. Take away the identity card issued from GECOM and let that body deal with election only. Create an
agency that deals with identity cards with an expiration date and let the citizens pay for the service. Are we going to use GECOM to maintain political control for the next 50 years as in the
past 50 years? It is a hassle to get an ID card. Investigate please. Give some consideration. Thank you. Sheik Deen Former Deputy Mayor N/A
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
The past haunts the present Watching the enthralling final in the US Women Open evoked comparisons with the quality of tennis in the USA and Guyana. It also aroused reflection on the state of the game in Guyana. It is not unexpected that the two finalists would come from countries where the structure of tennis is developed. Both Canada and the United States have wellstructured and managed amateur and professional circuits. Tennis is played at a high standard in the developed world. Even at the level of schools; there are top class coaches and most important of all some of the best courts in the world. Guyana has lagged behind the Caribbean when it comes to the organisation and management of the game. And in terms of facilities, there has been a woeful neglect of this area of the sport. It is therefore understandable why Guyana is not likely in the near future to produce the next Leylah and Emma. But the present state of the game of Guyana does not mean it has to remain that way. Locally, the game is referred to as “lawn tennis” even though there are more hard courts than grass courts in Guyana. Guyana’s grass courts could have been developed to make them become the Wimbledon of the Caribbean. Instead, they are fast giving way to concrete and asphalt. Tennis was traditionally seen as a bourgeois game, played primarily by the country’s elite. It was viewed as a game for the rich and famous, including those with some talent and those with pretensions to talent. Tennis was perceived by the masses as a rich-folks sport even though the children of upper lower class and lower middle-class athletes did play the sport. Lawn tennis had also big-shot stigma in the same way that football was seen as a lowerclass game.
But this has not remained so. With the attainment of Independence much of the class barriers came crashing down, as so too it would appear the development of the game. However, the past always stays around to haunt the present and the future. The continued perception of lawn tennis as a sport associated with the economic elite has remained. Despite the advent of television and a generation of Guyana witnessing the game of television, local tennis still carries its traditional stigma. But with more and more working-class individuals playing the sport that embedded perception can change and with it perhaps, Guyana can develop more facilities to encourage more persons to participate in tennis. The lack of proper facilities has long been identified as hindering the sports development. In the past, tennis courts were limited to the sugar estates and private clubs which were either restricted in their membership, or to which the poor people lacked easy access. During the colonial era, the child of a poor sugar worker could not gain access to the concrete courts on the sugar estates. And other clubs where access was better were not bound to attract many poor people in the same way as the cricket clubs. Despite this Guyana has produced some decent lawn tennis players many of whom were not from the upper classes. Ian McDonald, Kayume Naj and Kean Gibson were among the best players we ever produced. Ian MacDonald played at Wimbledon and was a member of the West Indies Davis Cup team. But Guyana has never produced any world-class players.
At present, the class barrier has been shattered in local tennis. But what has remained is the lack of adequate and suitable facilities for playing tennis. Facilities for lawn tennis are limited. Lawn tennis used to also be played on the perimeter of some cricket grounds, including the Georgetown Cricket Club. But you had to pay for court time and this restricted access to working class players. Many years ago, those without an appreciation of history had the brilliant idea of converting the limited space at Woolford Avenue into a National Racquet Centre which will host not only tennis but also squash and badminton courts. Many seem to forget that the same facility once used to have grass courts. Most of these facilities have been neglected. The cost of land and the cost of laying even a grass court are beyond the means of individuals interested in promoting tennis locally. This leaves the prime responsibility for establishing new facilities to the government. But those in authority have a penchant for concrete rather than grass courts. But there is a serious problem in the Sports Ministry: because of the pandemic it has now foolishly categorised sport into core and non-core disciplines. You do not need to ask in to which category tennis falls! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem Boys Seh…
De virus deh pun steroids De world nat going back to normal; it moving towards a ‘new normal’. Dat is what dem boys feel. Work is nat going to be de same again. More and more people gan continue to wuk from home rather dan gat to spend hours every day commuting to and from wuk, after getting up early fuh mek lunch and to turn up at office and spend lang hours gaffing with dem other staff members. De pandemic show how wukkin from home more effective and it cheaper for dem companies too wah nah gat to pay so much light bill and rent. So wukkin from home is de new normal. De new normal is also virtual education. Dem boys hope Aunty Priya understand dat. It force dem children fuh use multimedia fuh learn and de benefits of multimedia learning
well known. But dem boys know how at nursery and primary level dem children does learn best through play and contact with dem friends. So de new normal gan be face-toface learning at nursery and primary and virtual learning at secondary and university. So nah bother with dem billion dollar school wah bin plan fuh build. Spend de money on providing better internet service and loans fuh dem parents fuh buy tablet and computa fuh dem secondary school children. But even de new normal gan get delayed unless de unvaccinated go and get dem shot. Dem wah refusing fuh get vaccinated giving de virus steroids because de virus gan spread faster among de population. Talk half and leh we get to dis new normal quick!
PAGE 9
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
PAGE 16
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Living with PCOS VEHICLES FOR SALE Tractor Massey Ferguson 165-$1.7M,Massey Ferguson 135-$1.1M, Ford Ranger pick up $900,000, Ford F150 pick up $1.1M. 682-5230/615-4414.
SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110. Appliance repairs/service for Refrigerator,Washing Machine, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Pressure pump, Oven, Deep Fryer.Call:694-9733. Appliance/equipment repairs and service to Bakery, Restaurant,Hospital equipment, Remote gate, Backwash & filtration system. Call:694-9733.
WANTED Delivery, Lorry license driver. Tel:621-9356. Able body porters needed.Apply@Why Pay More Trading,7 Public RD Houston E.B.D with application. One female accounts clerk,knowledge in POS system would be an asset.For more info.Contact:227-3580. NB:Proof of vaccination card or a negative PCR test will be required before entering premises. 2 truck driver for interior, must have knowledge about Foden Trucks $200,000 monthly.Call:642-2359. One male able bodied clerk.Call:693-8462/231-2029. Laboureres to work at Ice House, $3500 per day. Tel:223-7165. Domestic,Operator,MechanicDoosan.Tel:223-5273/74. Salon assistant,female age 24-40, no experience required however would be a plus 500-6008 between Wed-Sat 9AM-4PM.
FOR SALE Sale! One Yacht merchandiser 140 single engine, works with gasoline. Price $3,000,000.Contact:676-6288.
For many women, being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) means their chances of becoming a mother is reduced by at least 50 percent. However, PCOS does not only affect the fertility rate of those living with the condition, it affects their physical and mental wellbeing as well. Some women who have PCOS complain of not just the physical manifestations of having the condition such as severe acne, irregular periods, sometimes excessive bleeding at that time of the month, increased pain in the lower abdominal region, exhaustion, hair loss or having facial hair. They also complain of experiencing heavy mood swings, depression, anxiety, and diminished sexual satisfaction. Given that September is dedicated to raising awareness about the disorder found in one in ten women globally, Kaieteur News caught up with a few women who shared their experience of living with PCOS. According to Iris Da silva, while the PCOS is not a life threatening medical condition, when she was told that there are cysts on her ovaries that can prevent or lessen her chances of being a mother in the future, she felt as though her life was ending. Da Silva recalled that it was a normal day that she was downtown in the city shopping when she started to experience severe pain in her lower back and abdomen. The young woman first visited the pharmacy and then the doctor. During the doctor’s visit
Kimberley Manbodh, Founder of Cysterhood Support Group Guyana an ultrasound revealed that one of ovaries was larger than the other. “When I first found out I cried hopelessly… I was depressed and I lost faith in life itself because how am I a woman and I couldn’t do one of the main things that only women can do?” she said recalling the moment she was diagnosed. Da Silva noted nevertheless, that the support and reassurance of her family members, boyfriend and friends were important in helping her feel confident again. The young woman now has regular checkups with her gynecologist and medical professionals. She follows their recommendations to help her better manage her PCOS symptoms and increase
Iris Da Silva her chances of overcoming complications that accompanies the disorder. She told Kaieteur News that social media also played a major role in her emotional support. “I did research and saw there are so many women with the same thing and it’s like okay… I read a lot about the symptoms and saw hair loss, facial hair, weight gain, weight loss, major aches and I realized that I had these symptoms for years and I never noticed something is wrong with my body…,” she explained. In the interim, Da silva noted that since her diagnosis, she has become emboldened to speak on behalf of women affected by PCOS.
VACANCY Cook/Baker,Pitmen & Porter for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250. Labourer carpenter & mason.Contact:602-9469/ 657-5800/666-2887.
FOR RENT Apartment for rent.Peters Hall & Albertown.Tel:6481391/698-5800. Fabrication Tel:690-5427.
workshop.
TO LET One top flat 3 bedroom apartment.60 Sandybabb St Kitty,$55,000 per month. Call between 8-5 616-2873.
Vacancy for 1 professional and experience hairdresser located on East Bank Demerara Grove Market Street. Call:652-5800. Caribbean Cinemas Providence seeks Managers, Customer Service, Cashiers. Great benefits, flexible h o u r s . E m a i l : hrmanagerguyana@gmail. com , 645-0944. Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 642-9823. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:615-9132.
- Women share their experiences
Crystal Stanton
“Being diagnosed with PCOS made me realize that I shouldn’t care how society sees me and other woman who have the same problem…Fertile or Infertile, pregnancy is a personal choice and should be respected by all. I don’t think they should care about society and the stigma they’ve pinned towards ‘infertile women’ but it’s their body, their choice,” she said. In that same vein, Kimberley Manbodh a medical student with PCOS is using her experience and diagnosis to help spread awareness about the condition and its effects. Manbodh is actually the Founder of the Cysterhood Support Group-Guyana—a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) that advocates for women with PCOS. She said that the organization was brought on stream two years after she found out she had the disorder. Manbodh was diagnosed with PCOS after a symptomatic flare in 2018. “I was experiencing prolonged bleeding, excessive acne and mood swings. Upon receiving a thorough doctor’s visit with sufficient history taking and physical examination couple with complimentary testing (ultra sound and hormonal level tests) it was concluded that I have PCOS,” she said. According to Manbodh having PCOS has a major impact on her life. She noted that “Some days I’m physically and mentally exhausted, regardless of how much rest I get or whether I’m highly functional doing the things I love the most. Mood swings are a big concept.” The PCOS advocate says that though she does not (Continued on page 17)
Monday September 13, 2021
PAGE 17
Kaieteur News
Man who confessed to killing soldier, who allegedly raped his relative for court today The 23-year-old carpenter who reportedly confessed last week that he was the one who murdered the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank and his Barbadian girlfriend, is slated to appear in court today on two counts of murder. In his confession to the police, the suspect stated that the motive behind his heinous act was due to the fact that the GDF rank was among three men who had allegedly raped his close relative. Dead is Lance Corporal, Daniel Fraser, 26, of Lot 598 ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and his girlfriend, Sheniqua Hodge, 23, a mother of one. Hodge had travelled from Barbados several months ago and was residing with her friend, Tashanna George, at Lot 633, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Prior to their deaths, both were dating for two weeks, and quickly stuck up an intimate relationship. According to Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, legal advice was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, as such the suspect will appear in court today for the murders of Fraser and Hodge.
From page 16 have a lot of the physical signs of PCOS, the one physical sign (hirsutism) facial hair growth which she tries her best to manage can be quite annoying, whenever she has to explain to persons the reason behind it. Manbodh says that she nevertheless empathizes with other women who have other symptoms, such as uncontrollable weight loss. “Symptoms like the weight gain has been the concern of so many and judgment for those who may not ask or fully understand why,” she said adding that that is reason that she started the Cysterhood- Support group. “Support is extremely important dealing with PCOS it’s one of the best care you can receive in additional to follow up by your physician to manage your symptom,” she said adding,” When there is a support system, you feel more accepted and you eventually grow strength not only for yourself but to help others living with PCOS and that is something I was able to do after I decided to open up about my PCOS. I get extreme pleasure when I’m able to help others. It’s still a learning process and everyone should be treated individually with this
This publication had reported that the couple was killed on the night of September 1, 2021 in ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Earlier, on the night in question the couple was at a shop in ‘C’ Field Sophia, imbibing when around 23:30hrs they left for home on motorcycle CK 9296 owned by Fraser. The police in an initial report stated that while the couple was heading west along Last Street in ‘B’ Field Sophia, they were confronted by the shooter who approached them from a northern direction on a bicycle, and discharged several rounds in their direction. Following the killing of Fraser and Hodge, the police had arrested Hodge’s child father. The Crime Chief had initially confirmed that one suspect was in custody and had even noted that a second suspect was being pursued. However, the woman’s child father was later released from custody after police were able to confirm his alibi on the night of the double murder. This led to a new development in the case and the carpenter was later arrested where he then confessed.
disorder.” And since PCOS is not curable and mentally disturbing, Manbodh says when dealing with persons who are uninformed or educated about PCOS, it can also add to the stresses of living with the condition. She still deals with regular symptoms such as prolonged bleeding or the absence of period from time to time. She noted that while it can affect her ability to work or function in a regular capacity, through support she has been learning ways to adequately manage her PCOS. But for Crystal Stanton, who was diagnosed with PCOS about a year ago, experiencing the symptoms of the condition means staying away from work for several days. She told this newspaper that for her, being diagnosed with PCOS is a learning curve. She is still learning ways to manage the condition. She recalled that before finding out that she was positive with PCOS, she bled for two weeks during the time of her menstrual cycle. The bleeding was accompanied by severe pain which made Stanton realize something was amiss since she had never experience that level of pain before. She recalled that it affected her ability to work
While in custody, the suspect reportedly told investigators that Fraser and two other identifiable males had raped a relative of his. He added that Fraser not only raped his relative but was also in the habit of disrespecting and threatening him. While giving his account of what happened on the night Fraser and Hodge were killed, the suspect told the police that around 20:30hrs, he left his mother’s home at Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, and went to one of his relative’s home. He related that around 23:00hrs, he left his relative home with his black BMX bicycle to visit a friend who lives between ‘B’ and ‘C’ Field Sophia. The carpenter stated that on his way there, he saw Fraser and Hodge at a shop in ‘C’ Field, Sophia imbibing. The suspect told the police that while at the shop Fraser disrespected him by telling him that he, “Does f%$#*” his relative [suspect’s relative], before threatening him. According to what the suspect told investigators, he then turned back and went back to his mother’s home where he armed himself with a handgun, which he claimed
or do any of her daily chores. She shared: “That month I was in severe pain but I figured it was just me experiencing the blunt force of period cramps. After seven days passed and I was still in pain and was still bleeding, I started consulting with some of my close friends. This led to them recommending a doctor for me to speak with, and the doctor who made some recommendations.” After undergoing a lower abdominal ultrasound, as recommended by the doctor, Stanton received her diagnosis. She has PCOS. She recalled she had never even heard about the condition before but as she became aware of the effects of it, it became worrying to her. Stanton explained that when the doctor explained to her that PCOS can lead to infertility, it sent her into a state of depression. But she soon did some research on the topic, changed her diet in a manner that would help her better manage the symptoms of PCOS. She said that reaching for support also helps through the process. “Listening to other’s story gave me hope but it didn’t take away the random pain I would experience unexpectedly,” Stanton added.
Dead, Sheniqua Hodge. that he had found some time back at the “Blacka Bridge.” After arming himself the suspect stated that he returned to Sophia, and while he was approaching a bridge that lead to ‘C’ Field Sophia, he saw Fraser and some other persons crossing the same bridge heading in his direction. This caused him to turn back and head to ‘B’ Field Sophia. He added, that shortly after that he saw the couple on a motor cycle, with an unidentifiable male on
Dead, Daniel Fraser.
another motorcycle riding behind them. However, the suspect alleged that when Fraser saw him, the rank reportedly shouted, ‘look he deh hey.’ This is when the suspect stated that he then pulled out his gun from his pants crotch and discharged several rounds at Fraser before he drop the gun and ran west along the street, into ‘A’ Field Sophia. Following the suspect’s confession, ranks were then able to confirm that the suspect’s relative did make a
report on May 27, 2021, that she was raped by Fraser and another member of the GDF. According to information, the woman alleged that she was raped in February 2021, but she had refused to seek medical attention. Moreover, a post-mortem examination by Sate Pathologist, Doctor Nehaul Singh, had given the cause of death for Fraser as gunshot injury to the chest, while the Hodge’s cause of death was given as multiple gunshot injuries.
President Ali to inform regional heads, UN about Venezuela’s latest accord on border controversy His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, plans to formally notify heads of government in the region about the accord made between the Government of Venezuela and its opposition last week in Mexico City. He told the media yesterday afternoon that he would also inform the mediators of the meeting about the “controversial” accord. The President is expected to brief CARICOM heads during a virtual Special Emergency Meeting today. He has also promised to update the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) during an upcoming meeting in Mexico and the United Nations, via its Secretary General António Guterres. During the meeting last Monday, the opposing Venezuelan politicians agreed to press their longstanding claim over Essequibo.
The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday, September 7, stating that the agreement “is an overt threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” and that “Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences” since the matter is with the pertinent authority. JURISDICTION The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled last December that it has jurisdiction to decide Guyana’s claim against Venezuela that the boundary between the two States was fixed in an 1899 Arbitral Award. Venezuela is opposed to the ICJ and its ruling. Guyana is however seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that will clearly state that the Essequibo region is indisputably part of this
country. President Ali yesterday said the ruling is the law, and that Guyana would see it through. “We have embraced that route, which is the ICJ and we’re committed to that route. That route is the rule of law and that is where the matter resides, not in any sideshow or any other engagement.” The President said the countries that arranged the meeting to resolve Venezuela’s internal issues, should understand that the controversial agreement is anything but internal. “The controversy that exists on the border has nothing to do with their internal issues and it has already been determined where that issue would be settled, and it’s the ICJ, what we can ask those countries (the mediators of last week’s meeting) to do, is to encourage Venezuela to participate and be active with the ICJ.”
PAGE 18
Kaieteur News
Monday September 13, 2021
Police Statistics reveal…
Fights responsible for more than 50 % of most murders this year According to a statistical report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), disorderly behaviour is responsible for most of the murders in Guyana for this year so far. The report in the form of a table showed that from January 1, to August 9, 2021, GPF recorded a total of 89 murders and at least 54 of them were caused by disorderly behaviour. Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum explained to this media house, that disorderly behaviour has to do with murders that were caused by fights or brawls. He added that these can take place at a party, drinking sessions or even a misunderstanding in the streets. The Deputy Director of the force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Stan Gouveia, expounded that these murders are classified as disorderly behaviour because it is not a premeditated act. Newspapers have published many of these deaths resulting from disorderly behaviour whether at home, on the streets or in a specific shop. Kaieteur News had reported on such deaths too. Some of the most recent ones this newspaper had reported, were the deaths of Ian Singh,
Killed after a Brawl erupted at a city nightclub, Ian Singh
Killed in a fight among patients at the Psychiatric Hospital, Ryan Suthgolam
Lopez Cardenas Yoesmarit , Ryan Suthgolam, and Paul Anthony. Ryan Suthgolam, 41, a resident of East Canje, Berbice Region Six, was killed on June 4, 2021, during a brawl that broke out at the Psychiatric hospital located in Forth Canje, Berbice. According to information received by this media house, a fight had erupted among patients there and one of them had ripped out a window and grillwork, and used it to inflict fatal injuries on Suthgolam. Another patient was also left severely injured as a result of the brawl. In the case of Paul
Anthony, 24, of Norton Street Lodge, he was allegedly stabbed to death around 08:00Hrs on Friday June, 25, by his elder brother, Quincy Reynolds, 27, after a fight broke out between them. Paul’s mother, Sonia Chase had told the media that her sons had a misunderstanding, which then got out of control. The woman had related that before the tragic incident, she had confronted Reynolds about something in which he denied he had any involvement. Chase had continued that after hearing that, she did not question him further but the young man still
Security guard chopped to face for bicycle, other valuables A security guard employed at the Enmore Estate, on the East Coast Demerara, (ECD) is nursing a chop wound to his forehead after he was robbed of his bicycle and other valuables by two bandits yesterday. The man had stopped at a location around 05:30Hrs on the way to the estate. It was
at this point the bandits pounced on him. According to information reaching this media house, the security guard was conversing with another individual when two bandits, one armed with a cutlass approached them. The security guard and the man he was conversing
with tried to fight off the bandits but were beaten. The security guard was chopped to his forehead during a brief scuffle, and the bandits reportedly relieved both him and the man of the little cash they had, and rode away with their bicycles. The matter was reported and investigations are ongoing.
Shopkeeper assaults girl, 9, for returning hard tennis rolls A nine-year-old girl was last Wednesday, punched several times by a shopkeeper for returning hard tennis rolls. According to a police report, the incident occurred in No.50 Village Corentyne, Berbice, around 12:00 hours. It was stated that the girl was sent to the grocery store by her grandmother to purchase a bag of tennis rolls. After returning home with the said item, she was told by her grand-mother to return it to the store because it was hard. The
shopkeeper then refused to refund the victim, after which the 9-year-old girl placed the tennis rolls on the counter and told the shopkeeper that she must take the $200 and buy her coffin with it. The shopkeeper in anger held onto the child and dealt her six blows to her back. The crying victim then returned home and told her grand-mother what had transpired, after which a police report was made. The shopkeeper was arrested as police investigations are in progress.
stabbed to death in a fight with his brother, Paul Anthony got upset and decided to call her husband who informed her to call the police. She had reportedly went into her bedroom and made the call, and as she was doing so, Reynolds followed her. While turning around, Reynolds dealt a cuff to her left eye before leaving the room. Chase had further stated that while in the room, she heard a woman shouting outside “Y’all stop”. When she got outside, she saw that Paul was bleeding, while the woman was shouting “murder, murder”. Police had reported that Reynolds used a knife to inflict the fatal injuries on Paul. Reynolds has since been remanded to prison for the act and had reportedly cried before the magistrate showing, supposedly remorse for the act he had
allegedly committed. As for Cuban national, 40year-old Lopez Cardenas Yoesmarit, Kaieteur News had reported that he was killed around 05:00hrs on Wednesday May 19, following a dispute between him and his wife. The incident took place at his Lot 203 Charlotte Street, Georgetown residence. According to reports the dispute came after Yoesmarit attempted to “put out” his wife that morning. Eyewitnesses had told this newspaper that during a heated argument, he had armed himself to attack the woman but she had reportedly relieved him of his own knife and stabbed him to his lower back killing him. It should be noted that one of the most recent murders stemmed from a brawl at the popular Rio Nightclub located in Queenstown. The victim killed was a Venezuelan national with Guyanese roots, Ian Singh, 32. He was reportedly found dead around 6:00Hrs on Sunday, August 1, 2021, in an alleyway located just behind the Sleepin International Hotel. A post mortem conducted on his remains revealed that he was killed from a blow to the head with a heavy object and manual strangulation. Although cops have not found his killer, his friends had told this media house that his death stemmed from a
brawl at the nightclub. According to their account of events, around 04:00Hrs that morning, a fight had broken out between a group of Guyanese men and one of Singh’s friends. They claimed that Singh had rushed to defend his friend in an attempt to resolve the issue but he was attacked as well. The friends said that it was a chaotic scene and the individual he had rushed to assist managed to escape but unfortunately, led to the men taking advantage of him. As the men pounded away at him, an eyewitness related that bottles could be heard breaking. One individual said it appeared as if they were “lashing” him to the head with the bottles. Singh had managed to free himself and reportedly ran away. But investigators believe that he might have collapsed in the alley and died. But there are other theories which suggest that his attackers might have followed him there and “murdered him.” These are just four of the murders for the year so far that were caused by fights or as GPF has classified it, disorderly behaviour. Kaieteur News has observed that murders c a u s e d b y disorderly behaviour are top of the list not only for this year but also for 2020 as well. Out of 143 murders that took place last year, 55 of those were as a result of fights (disorderly behaviours).
Biden to announce new COVID-19 steps ahead of U.N. meeting, surgeon general says WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will announce new steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 before the U.N. General Assembly meets, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said yesterday. Murthy did not specify what those steps would be. The next session of the General Assembly opens tomorrow; the first day of general debate will be the following week. Speaking to CNN yesterday, Murthy defended Biden’s efforts to expand vaccination in the United States. “There will be more actions that we continue to work on, especially in the global front,” he said. Biden on Thursday said he would require federal workers to be vaccinated
President Joe Biden against COVID-19 and mandate that large employers either require their workers to be vaccinated or regularly tested. Biden said the United
States had donated 140 million vaccine doses to other countries. “That’s American leadership on a global stage, and that’s just the beginning,” he said.
Monday September 06, 2021
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Monday September 13, 2021
Monday September 13, 2021
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Shepherd all-round show leads Guyana into semi-finals
Romario Shepherd also captured three wickets after his batting exploits. (CPL)
Monday September 13, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) An unexpected development could throw you into a tailspin, Aries. This could involve a new person in your life or the reappearance of someone from the past.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Too many demands upon you could have you feeling a bit on edge today. If possible, this is a good day to get away by yourself for a while, as you might feel a strong need to get your head together.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Group activities could escalate almost to a frenzy. New short-term goals could necessitate a lot of work. You might get caught in a rush of phone calls and errands.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A speech or lecture you hear or read could cause your way of thinking to be suddenly and drastically altered.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could receive a phone call from a friend or relative you haven't seen in a long time, Gemini. This person might announce a pending visit, and very soon!
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some rather shocking information could affect your current living situation and cause some upset in your household today. This might cause a lot of worry, although the situation probably isn't as dire as it seems.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) News about changes in your neighborhood could throw your community for a loop. This may involve new businesses, laws, or ordinances that don't sit well with everyone. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Technology could set a personal or job-related project back for you today. Computers, telephones, or other important equipment could malfunction and necessitate calling in a repairperson. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Large social gatherings, perhaps group events or festivals, could put you in the middle of an agitated crowd, Virgo. At first it could seem exhilarating, but after a while you could feel stifled.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A phone call from another state or country could bring some astounding information your way today, Capricorn, awakening you to events and ideas you've never considered before. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you're trying to get your finances together, today might not be the best day for it. Put it aside for now. Indulge in the lighter side of life. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A surprising phone call might come today from a close friend or business or romantic partner. This person might have encountered an unexpected upset and need to concentrate on getting it together again.
CPL - Guyana Amazon Warriors confirmed their place in the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) semifinals with a second consecutive win over the Jamaica Tallawahs. Just like the previous encounter between the two sides the Amazon Warriors won the toss and elected to bat first, and although they found the m s e l v e s i n a perilous position at 75/7 – a blistering Romario Shepherd 72 not out ensured they set a target the Tallawahs never looked likely to chase. In reply the Tallawahs once again succumbed to a heavy defeat as their innings never got going amidst a cluster of regular wickets. Only late hitting from Chris Green prevented them falling
to a heavy defeat. Guyana got their innings off to a slow start as Imad Wasim and Green made early inroads to leave the Amazon Warriors teetering on 36/3. It was to go from bad to worse when the set Chandrapaul Hemraj holed out in the deep before Shamarh Brooks took a fantastic running catch to remove the dangerous Nicholas Pooran for 9. Wasim then struck twice in his final over to leave the Amazon Warriors at risk of not making 100. However, Shepherd’s power hitting counterattack took the Amazon Warriors to a very healthy 142/7 to pile all the pressure back on the Tallawahs. The Tallawahs reply got off to a poor start when they lost the clean hitting Kennar Lewis and Kirk Mckenzie to a
double wicket maiden over from Imran Tahir. With the run rate rising Chadwick Walton offered brief respite with some boundary hitting before Hemraj got him to hole out to in the deep. Wickets continued to fall as Smith and Shepherd got in on the act and at 42/6 the Tallawahs were left to rely on Carlos Brathwaite and Andre Russell to pull off an unlikely victory. Some late heroics from Green gave them some hope but they ultimately fell to defeat and exited the tournament. Scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 142/7 (Shepherd 72*, Hemraj 21; Wasim 3/ 15, Green 2/19) b e a t J a m a i c a Tallawahs 128 (Green 31, Walton 20; Smith 3/20, Shepherd 3/31) by 14 runs.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
Monday September 13, 2021
Novak Djokovic denied calendar Grand Slam as Daniil Medvedev wins epic US Open final
M
etro UK N o v a k D j o k o v i c ’s dream of an historic calendar Grand Slam came crashing down at the final hurdle as Daniil Medvedev secured the US Open title. The world No.1 was aiming to become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors in the same year but Medvedev had other ideas. Medvedev, who suffered defeat in the Australian Open to the Serb at the start of the year, produced a dominant display to record a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to win his maiden Grand Slam. Whether it be fatigue or the pressure he has to live up to as the man who has held the world No.1 position for 337 consecutive weeks, Djokovic knows he missed the chance to go onto 21 career Grand Slam titles and one clear of rivals Rafael
Nadal and Roger Federer. Djokovic chose to serve first in order to get ahead but his decision proved futile as Medvedev secured an early break courtesy of his opponent’s unforced errors. Medvedev was not messing about as he held serve before finding himself on another break point to which Djokovic brutally denied with a fierce overhead shot, followed by two aces to get his first point on the board. The Russian made the most of his powerful serve in the early stages with a 40love service game but as Djokovic started to find his feet, he too recorded a hold of serve on the same scoreline. It was clear from the beginning that Djokovic would need to find a way to return the world No.2’s ferocious first serves but another 40-love service
game put the pressure on the Serb to hold to stay in the set. And how did Medvedev then go on to close out the first set in 36 minutes? You guessed it, an ace that whizzed past Djokovic like he wasn’t even there. This was familiar territory for Djokovic though, now the fifth match in a row he’d lost the opening set and any tennis fan would be foolish to write him off so early on. Djokovic would finally get three break points against Medvedev in the second game of the second set, but an unforced error coupled with his opponent’s big serve saw the world No.1’s opportunity go begging. Medvedev had spent five and half less hours on court in his matches than Djokovic going into the final and it was starting to show, the Serb stood rooted as Medvedev fired winners all
across the court. This was not following the calendar Grand Slam script. The 34-year-old had to serve a 124mph serve out wide to save break point in the third before eventually holding. It took until the fourth set for Djokovic to break his first racket in frustration. Having missed his chance at break point, Medvedev kept his cool and Djokovic slammed his racket to the floor several times as the crowd booed and he received a penalty point. Medvedev was channelling his aggression in the right way as he went a set and a break up and before long he had three set points. Djokovic needed to find a response but on the 90 minute mark his shot went wide and a stunned Arthur Ashe crowd rose to their feet to applaud Medvedev’s twoset lead.
Daniil Medvedev’s impressive service game saw him take the first set (Picture: Kena Betancur / AFP)
Kaieteur News
Monday September 13, 2021
PAGE 25
Verstappen Handed Grid Penalty for Hamilton Incident at Monza
R
oad and Track F o r m u l a 1 ’s stewards have announced a penalty in the clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in a battle halfway through yesterday’s Italian Grand Prix. As part of the ruling, Max Verstappen will be penalized three spots on the grid of the upcoming race at Sochi. Hamilton led into turn 1 just before the crash with Ve r s t a p p e n a l o n g h i s sidepod on the outside groove; Hamilton then took a standard racing line through turn 2, where Verstappen would have had just over a nose to
Hamilton’s inside. Rather than lift, Verstappen chose to dive to the runoff area inside of the corner. This led his Red Bull to leap over a sausage kerb, bounce into the air, and slam onto the top of Hamilton’s Mercedes. The penalty indicates that the stewards have determined this action, not the original block by Hamilton, was the moment that created the actual crash. It als o means that Ve r s t a p p e n h a s b e e n assigned blame in what some, including Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, saw as a racing incident. When these two crashed fighting for the lead
Lewis Hamilton was saved from serious injury by the protective Halo device on his Mercedes after the Red Bull of Max Verstappen flew off a banked curve and up over his car during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. (AFP via Getty Images)
in the British Grand Prix earlier in the season, the stewards ruled the other way in a higher-speed collision
The two drivers took each other out as they tussled for position in the latest dramatic twist in their championship tussle. (EPA)
Evin Lewis blasts unbeaten 102 as SKN Patriots seal playoff spot with 8-wicket win over TKR SportsMax - St Kitts & Nevis Patriots returned to winning ways with an eightwicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday night to seal a spot in the latter stages of the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League. The Patriots bowled brilliantly and then backed that up with a dominant batting display that saw them knock off the victory target with 32 balls to spare. It was Evin Lewis who was the star of the show, making 102 from just 52 balls. The Knight Riders got off to a slow start in the face of some excellent bowling from the Patriots. They reached the end of their PowerPlay at 28-2 with both Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin dismissed caught on the mid-wicket boundary. Ramdin could have gone an over earlier, but Ravi Bopara
put down a simple chance. Thankfully for the Patriots, this did not prove too costly. A 50-run stand between Darren Bravo and Colin Munro steadied the ship and brought the Knight Riders back into the contest. Munro would go on to top score with 47 but when Darren Bravo went for 22 the Knight Riders lost momentum once again. When Munro and Kieron Pollard went in successive balls bowled by Jon-Russ Jaggesar it looked as if the Knight Riders would set a sub-par total but some big hitting from Sunil Narine took his team to 159-7. The Patriots innings got off to a flying start thanks to Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle who was promoted to open as a result of an injury to Devon Thomas. They reached 67-1 from their PowerPlay overs with Gayle the wicket to fall for 35 from
18 balls. When Gayle went it was Lewis who took up the attack, passing his fifty from just 27 balls. While Narine was economical, returning figures of 0/10 from his four overs, the rest of the Knight Riders bowlers struggled for control in the face of the Lewis onslaught. Bopara and Lewis shared an 85-run stand, and Bopara contributed just seven runs as the Patriots opener smashed the ball to all parts. This win moves the Patriots back to the top of the table and guarantees them a space in the semi-finals on Tuesday 14 September. Scores: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 160-2 (Lewis 102*, Gayle 35; Pollard 1-20, Khan 1-54) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 159-7 (Munro 47, Narine 32*; Jaggesar 332, Drakes 3-32) by eight wickets.
and gave Lewis Hamilton an i n - r a c e t i m e p e n a l t y. Hamilton won anyway, so Red Bull team officials spent
the next two weeks lobbying for an additional penalty well after the final ruling. The penalty also comes
with two penalty points, the counters that determine total incident participation over the course of a calendar year. A driver is suspended after accruing 12 penalty points over that span, but Verstappen has no other active points and would need to collect a staggering 10 in the next 12 months for that total to matter. The points do, however, give him an interesting honor. The two extra penalty points are his first since 2019, but they push Verstappen to 23 over his career. That breaks a tie with Romain Grosjean for the most total since the system was introduced in 2014.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 26
Monday September 13, 2021
Ricciardo wins at Monza in McLaren one-two finish (Reuters) ustralian Daniel Ricciardo won the Italian Grand Prix in a stunning McLaren one-two at Monza yesterday while Formula One title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took each other out of the race. The victory was McLaren’s first since 2012, the last being Jenson Button’s victory in Brazil in November of that year, and Ricciardo’s first since he was at Red Bull in 2018. “About time,” smiled the happy Australian before performing his trademark ‘Shoey’ — glugging the podium champagne from his sweaty boot and sharing it with second-placed team mate Lando Norris and McLaren boss Zak Brown. “To lead literally from start to finish, I don’t think any of us expected that,” he said. “To not only win but to get a one-two, it’s insane. For McLaren to be on the podium is huge.” Ricciardo, whose other seven wins were all with Red Bull, had started on the front row and seized the lead from Verstappen at the start and he completed his day with a bonus point for fastest lap and voted Driver of the Day by fans. The result, on pace and
A
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium with after winning the race. (REUTERS/ Jennifer Lorenzini) merit, was a perfect reply from the Australian to his critics after struggling to get to grips with the McLaren since joining from Renault at the end of last year. “For anyone who thought I’d left, I never left,” he said over the radio after taking the chequered flag. “I just moved aside for a while.” Valtteri Bottas took third for Mercedes after winning the Saturday sprint race and then starting at the back of the grid due to engine penalties. The Finn finished fourth
on track but Red Bull’s Sergio Perez ahead of him had a five second penalty that dropped the Mexican down to fifth with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fourth. TITLE RIVALS COLLIDE While McLaren celebrated, Verstappen and Hamilton had nothing to smile about. The pair collided and crashed out after their pitstops, with Verstappen’s Red Bull lifting off the kerb and ending up on top of Hamilton’s Mercedes in the gravel, with the halo head protection device keeping the champion out of harm’s way. Both climbed out after the accident at the first chicane, with Verstappen’s five-point lead in the championship unchanged. “That’s what happens when you don’t give space,” said Verstappen on the team radio of what could be a defining image of the season and evoked memories of the famous late 1980s clashes between the late Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. “It (the car) landed on my head, but I’ll be OK,” said a sore Hamilton. “I was racing as hard as I could, finally got past Lando and was in the lead so they pitted me. The pitstop was
Olympic 100m champion Italy’s Marcell Jacobs waves the checkered flag as McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo wins the race. (REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini)
slow, I lost a couple of seconds and I came out. Daniel came past, Max was coming. “I made sure I left a car’s width on the outside for him, I went into turn one and I was ahead and going into turn two and then all of a sudden he was on top of me. “He just didn’t want to give way today and he knew when he was going into two what was going to
happen...but he still did it,” the Briton told Sky Sports television. The pair have collided before this season, notably at Hamilton’s own British Grand Prix, and Yesterday’s latest clash will keep fans talking for some time. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was sixth with Lance Stroll seventh for Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso eighth for Renault-owned Alpine. George Russell,
Hamilton’s team mate next year, took two points for Williams in ninth with Esteban Ocon 10th for Alpine. N e i t h e r A l p h a Ta u r i finished, car troubles sidelining last year’s Monza winner Pierre Gasly after three laps while Japanese rookie Yuki Tsunoda did not start. It was the first time this season that the team had failed to score.
Ronald Levy, Briana Williams, Jaheel Hyde make the podium at ISTAF Berlin
S
portsMax O l y m p i c medalists Ronald Levy and Briana Williams as well as Natasha Morrison and Jaheel Hyde enjoyed podium finishes at the ISTAF Berlin meeting in Germany yesterday. Levy, who lost out on the Diamond League title to Devon Allen by mere thousandths of a second in Zurich last week Friday, lost to the American again in another close race. Allen took the win in 13.10 to Levy’s 13.11. Brazil’s Rafael Pereira was third in 13.35 while Damion Thomas finished fourth in 13.44. Williams was part of a Jamaican 2-3 finish in the 100m that was on by Great Britain’s Daryll Neita. Neita, who was coming off a personal best of 10.93 in the Diamond League final in
Zurich clocked 11.04 for the victory, just ahead of Natasha Morrison who ran 11.09. Williams, who has not been at her best in her postOlympic races mainly because of injury, ran 11.16 for third. It was her best time since she ran 11.00 to finish fourth at the Jamaica national championships in June. “Last one best one,” she said on her Instagram page afterwards. “What a season it has been, many ups and downs dealing with injuries and the loss of my nana, but I still pushed through it with the amazing people around me. I am grateful to have finished my last meet of the season placing third at the @istaf_berlin and finally got to have touched the European circuit.” Meanwhile, Hyde was
Ronald Levy, Briana Williams, Natasha Morrison and Jaheel Hyde enjoyed podium finishes at the ISTAF Berlin meeting. also third in the 400m hurdles in 48.95. Olympic
champion and world-record holder Karsten Warholm
was an easy winner in 48.08 ahead of Estonia’s Rasmus
Magi who was second in 48.73.
Monday September 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Phillips 80*, Mayers 81* seals stunning Barbados Royals win ESPNcricinfo - An unbeaten 134-run third wicket partnership between Kyle Mayers and Glenn Phillips saw Barbados Royals close out a disappointing CPL campaign on a high, chasing down 190 and beating St Lucia Kings by eight wickets. Mayers smashed 81 off 62 balls while Phillips blitzed 80 off 39 as they cantered to what looked a stiff target with seven balls to spare. The defeat for the Kings means they will have wait for the outcome of tonight’s matches to learn their fate, with net run rate likely to come into play to determine qualification through to the playoffs. After being set 191, the Royals began shakily, shackled in the powerplay by Jeavor Royal, before a double-wicket maiden looked to have put them on the brink of defeat early. Johnson Charles holed out to coverpoint the first ball of Roston Chase’s spell, while Shai Hope was run out at the nonstriker’s end off the next one, dismissed without even getting the chance to get on strike. With Mayers struggling for fluency, it was Phillips who grabbed control of the game early on, setting the tone by smashing Chase for a six over cow corner in his next over. From that point onwards, the two continued to chip away at the runs, and as they began to draw closer, the asking rate always remained well under control. Even when Wahab Riaz bowled a tight 18th over to crank the pressure up slightly, Phillips released it emphatically in the penultimate one. Three of the next four balls
Kyle Mayers goes for the pull shot Sep 11, 2021 © CPL T20/ Getty Images
PAGE 27
Evander Holyfield, 58, beaten by ex-UFC star Vitor Belfort in first-round TKO Evander Holyfield was dropped to the canvas by an uppercut from Vitor Belfort. (AFP via Getty)
Glenn Phillips hit an unbeaten 80 © Randy Brooks CPL T20 / Getty
went for six as Alzarri Joseph’s horror day (049) came to an appropriately miserable end, and the side that will prop up the table finished with their most impressive batting display of all. It looked like it might have been a different story when the Kings shrugged off the absence of Faf du Plessis. Rakheem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher blitzed through the Powerplay. Cornwall struck a breezy 26ball 40 to set the tone before the irrepressible Chase top-scored with 56 as the Kings began to eye up a big finish. With no Mohammad Amir, the Royals lacked a bit of guile both at the top and tail of their bowling effort, and Raymon Reifer and Mayers came in for hefty punishment towards the death. At that stage, the Kings looked like they had seized control of their own destiny. Phillips, and the Royals, ensure they will have to wait for the night games instead. Scores: Barbados Royals 191 for 2 (Mayers 81*, Phillips 80*) beat St Lucia Kings 190 for 6 (Chase 56, Cornwall 40, Mayers 3-39) by eight wickets.
Metro UK - Evander Holyfield suffered a quick defeat to former MMA star Vitor Belfort in the first round of their PPV fight in Florida on Saturday evening. The 58-year-old, who is a five-time world champion, agreed to be a late replacement for Oscar De La Hoya, who pulled out of the fight against Belfort after testing positive for Covid-19. But Holyfield’s comeback lasted less than three minutes after he was knocked to the floor by Belfort before the fight was waved off by the referee. Holyfield looked off the pace from the start of the fight and fell to the canvas in the early stages after his wild left hook missed Belfort and threw him off balance. After getting to his feet, Holyfield was
then hit with a swift uppercut by Belfort which sent him crashing to the floor once again. Holyfield took a standing eight count but Belfort went on the offensive once again and after a flurry of punches the referee stepped in and called off the fight. ‘The thing is, there wasn’t a shot that hurt me real bad,’ Holyfield said after his defeat. ‘He was strong, and it was a shot that knocked me off balance. Then he went to close the show. No, I’m not hurt. ‘It’s kind of sad. I think it was a bad call. The referee shouldn’t have stopped the fight that quick. ‘The guy was strong, but when people have fast hands, I was trying to be on defence.’