Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 20, 2017

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

QUALITY TEACHERS NEEDED

As a people, we should make it our foremost task to leave Guyana better than we found it, but in order to do so, we must make changes to the education system. We are in a terrible place where if the country’s GDP does not increase, borrowing is not reduced, unemployment continues to rise, and imports continue to exceed exports, we would be staring at a bleak future. It is time to take stock of how the existing system has helped to create some of the problems we are currently facing as a society. Education should be the cornerstone for the development of the country but it is in poor shape and is failing our children. Despite the improvements made by previous governments, students are still failing Maths and English in huge numbers. Despite some improvements in the educational system which was bequeathed to us from Britain, it remains a replica of the traditional British education model. We have an elitist educational system that caters to the rich and powerful and not to the poor and powerless. It is based on the conventional wisdom that the older schools such as Queen’s College and Bishops High School are somewhat better than the other schools. There is the firm belief that Mathematics and the other Science subjects are superior to Home Economics, Wood Work or Agriculture farming; that being a doctor or a lawyer is for those who are bright while being a farmer, a carpenter or an artist is for the not so-bright. We need a new education system that is not based on class or the status quo to ensure that all students have a fair chance at a quality education in order to realize their full potential and become productive and decent citizens. But there is a bigger problem at the crux of the current education system. The nation must change its mindset. We need to change our attitudes toward teachers and the teaching profession. Perhaps we should look at Finland which has one of the best education systems in the world. Finland’s education system is different from our education system and those of most other countries due to the fact that it has the most talented and brilliant minds in the teaching profession. Teachers and the profession of teaching are revered by the Finnish people. In fact, being a teacher is just as prestigious as being a lawyer or a doctor in Finland. In this country, there are far too many people who use the teaching profession as a stepping stone to the job they truly crave. Teaching, like the medical profession, must be held in high esteem by all. And we ought to realize that even though teachers do not hold a dagger over the heads of students, or make life or death decisions for them the way doctors do, nonetheless, they can alter their quality of life based on their teaching methods and their interactions with them. If we truly aspire to become a prosperous nation, then we need to select the top graduates as teachers with at least a Bachelor’s Degree in education. This may raise a few eyebrows, but in order to improve our education system, we must have the best quality teachers in classrooms. Those who lack the passion for teaching should not be in the classrooms.We must not allow students to be shortchanged by the current colonial patch-work education system, which has failed many of them. We need an education system that is tailored to the needs of students and to the long term development of the country. This would mean that teachers must engage students in all educational activities and immersing them into the technology-rich environment in which literacy and numeracy skills are developed.

Can the Indian Guyanese speak for justice? DEAR EDITOR, In a recent letter to the press, Eric Philips, Executive of ACDA but now Advisor to the President of Guyana and SARA and Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Commission accused me and four other “feature writers” of the Guyana Times of using “weekly and daily use of propaganda, lies and racial incitement to brainwash Indians that Africans have never accomplished.” My first reaction was “Oh Dear! Here we go again!” The reason was back in 2009 when Mr Philips was just an Executive of ACDA, he responded in an identical fashion to an article of mine in the KN, “Ballots not Bullets” where I advised that street protests and violence was counterproductive to the opposition’s cause. I had been emphasizing a theme developed over the last few years: “with Guyana now a nation of minorities, no one group could depend on a single ethnic group to catapult them into office. Consequently, the political fluidity that had been missing when Indians comprised an absolute manner and could lock out Africans (just below them in size) from executive office was now a possibility.” Mr Phillips disagreed most vehemently with this

assessment.”He asserted categorically: “Neither the PNCR nor AFC or any combined opposition will defeat the PPP electorally - at least not in 2011.” This is because, “The sad reality is that the vast majority of PPP supporters will not allow themselves to vote for any other Party... If Indians did not vote for Desmond Hoyte who was very pro-Indian and who engaged the REFORM to bring about fundamental change in the PNC….why would they vote for the PNC or AFC now.” Mr Philips concluded that I had joined those (named Indians) “who want to destroy Africans in Guyana using the anti-human rights Westminster (West Monster) system.” Well, I answered; “for one, time and circumstances have changed and the opposition could have changed their tactics and strategy to exploit those changes. The fact of the matter is that the opposition do not need “the vast majority of PPP supporters” to vote for them to create seismic changes in 2011. If, as is now most likely, Indians are at most 43% of the population (and the PPP are getting all their votes from that community as Mr. Phillips seems to assume) then theoretically the opposition does not need a single Indian

vote to defeat them.” (end of quote) But after I was proven right and the “West monster” System stymied the PPP in 2011 and ejected them in 2015 in favour of the PNC (now named APNU), Mr Philips has become noticeably more reticent about its shortcomings in delivering equity to minorities. But I leave that for another day.This time my transgression, evidently, was to advise against him opposing the land claims of our Indigenous Peoples, (“unjust, unfair and pernicious “) in a recent article “Land Contretempts”. Noting Philips had asserted, “…Our Amerindian leaders, if they’re honest, know that the Amerindian Act of 2006 was an act that gave them reparations,” I pointed out, “First of all, the Indigenous peoples were not given lands on any “reparatory” basis. Land for the Indigenous Peoples was part and parcel of the Articles of our Independence from Britain. ”Indigenous Peoples’ MP, Stephen Campbell, attended the 1965 Independence Conference in London and ensured the official Agreement for the Independence of Guyana, (Annex C) required the independent government

provide legal ownership or rights of occupancy for Amerindians over: “areas and reservations or parts thereof where any tribe or community of Amerindians is now ordinarily resident or settled and other legal rights, such as the rights of passage, in respect of any other lands they now by tradition or custom de facto enjoy freedoms and permissions corresponding to rights of that nature. In this context, it is intended that legal ownership shall comprise all rights normally attaching to such ownership.” (end of quote) I had also taken issue with Mr Philips and ACDA which persistently claimed, most recently to the sitting Land COI, that Indians were “given” free land in Guyana. Just as the miserly wages that freed Africans refused to accept were part of their indentureship contract, so was a return passage to India. Of the 163,964 Indian immigrants that remained in Guyana a mere 2,653 (1.6%) exchanged their return passage worth $60/each for land worth an average of $30,45 each. But somehow, this is denying African accomplishment? Can the Indian Guyanese speak for justice? Ravi Dev

AN ANALYSIS OF BULLYING IN THE MAINSTREAM SCHOOL SYSTEM DEAR EDITOR, Inclusive Education is overcoming many barriers to accessing education that previous existed for the learner with Special Education Needs and/or disability. The inclusion of learners with Special Education Needs and/ or disability into mainstream education will create many social challenges. These social challenges can affect all learners in an inclusive school environment. One of the major social challenges the learners in an inclusive learning environment will face is the bullying phenomenon. Bullying in schools is a major problem in many countries and Guyana is no exception. Recent studies have shown that one in every four students which is equivalent to 22 percent report being bullied during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015). 64 percent of children who were bullied did not report it; only 36 percent reported the bullying Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others. It is also defined as a

form of low-intensity violence which occurs in schools and which may be labeled as a subtype of the aggression aimed at proving that the victim is psychologically weaker than the aggressor; the act of transgression is intentional and takes place at regular intervals over time. In order for a behaviour or act to be considered bulling, it must meet some criteria judging the impact of the act or behaviour. These criteria state: · The act/behaviour must involve a real or perceived power imbalance. The perceived power imbalance means that the bully is seen as having an advantage, edge, superior strength/force. The power imbalance is also created by wealth, family status and in this case having a Special Education Needs and or disability. In education, this power balance is often seen between the extreme academics and extreme athlete who are nonacademics. With the onset of inclusive education, which gather all learners in a mainstream classroom, has led to the creation of new groups with a unique power

imbalance. These two groups now include: learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and learners considered normal. · The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. An isolated occurrence or behaviour cannot be considered bullying. The repetition does not always occur in an identical pattern. However, there are similarities to the original act/ behaviour. This may simply be the environment in which it occurs. · The behaviour is intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally; cause discomfort, humiliate. · The behaviour is often aimed at certain groups, eg because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation and now in schools at children with Special Education Needs and/or disabilities. In order to fully understand the dynamics of bullying and organized support and solutions, mainstream teachers in Guyana need a comprehensive view and

analysis of each unique occurrence and the environment it occurred in. In order to acquire that full understanding, we need to approach the analysis from a constructivist and socialecological perspective. Many studies of bullying, while providing important information, also tend to generalize about the components of the bullying dynamic, to make judgements about the individuals involved, and to deal more with the components than with the whole system. There is a tendency to make causal links between individuals and events, and to lock people into roles, adopting the deficit perspective. Using the deficit model, educators link cultural deprivation or other deficit like financial resources and poor academic performances to victims of bullying. As one analyzes the phenomenon of bullying from recently conducted studies, there are two very salient findings. First, there was no difference in the rate of bullying between students in special education and those in regular mainstream Continued on page 6

Wednesday September 20, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Union laid out a plan for sugar to Minister Ramjattan and others

After two years of APNU+AFC, there isn’t much job creation

DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) finds it incumbent to respond to Mr Gobin Harbhajan’s letter titled ”Not doom and gloom for sugar workers” which appeared in the press September 16, 2017. Mr Harbhajan seemed very upset by the GAWUorganised march and public meeting which was held at Corriverton, Berbice on September 12, 2017. Like Mr Harbhajan says “action speaks louder than words” and quite clearly the workers by their actions have demonstrated that they are opposed to plans by the APNU/AFC Government to sellout Skeldon and to close Rose Hall and Enmore/LBI Estates. It seems that the erstwhile gentleman is failing, for some odd reason, to recognize that the people have staunchly rejected his Government’s anti-people plans. It would have been thought that given the wide condemnation that the sugar plans have attracted Mr Harbhajan and colleagues would have returned to the drawing board rather than rigidly and wrongly holding on to their misplaced plans. Governments the world over, even some dictatorial-type ones, have gone down such paths but seems the APNU/ AFC Government, which professed its love for the sugar workers, has chosen to break the mold.

DEAR EDITOR, Does the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger have an economic plan on how to develop Guyana or do they believe that their blaming the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, et al. will propel Guyana’s development? It is nearly two and a half years yet we haven’t seen much job creation or business development other than coconut biscuit business. Will this be enough to propel Guyana’s development? I seriously hope that the APNU+AFC government have an economic plan on how to develop Guyana or Guyanese are in for a rough ride. It is obvious that the APNU+AFC government are awaiting the oil money. Yet

We must admit that we find it laughable that Mr Harbhajan, like an errant driver going up the wrong side of a one way street, maintains that our Union hasn’t offered “sensible and workable solutions” regarding the situation in the sugar industry when probably all of Guyana and many beyond Guyana’s shores are fully aware that the Union on February 17, this year shared our thoughts with the Government at a meeting led by none other than his colleague, Vice President Ramjattan. We urge Mr Harbhajan, as we have done before, to check with his colleagues before making clearly misleading assertions. Also, Mr Harbhajhan just to tell you, the Government has never said to us that what we have proposed is unmeritorious. Despite the very active debate on sugar that has been playing out in the press for some time now, Mr Harbhajan calls to attention the strike data from GuySuCo. It seems that the Regional Councilor and former SEI Director is not aware that the vast majority of those strikes relate to price disputes which concern just a few workers and are legitimized by the agreement between GAWU and GuySuCo. While the author speaks about the decline in sugar production, he, conveniently or otherwise, fails to explain how despite the industry

receiving $32B from the State, in the era of his Government, is on track to deliver its worst performance since 1990. Mr Harbhajan just to let you know strikes have fallen by 44 per cent between last year’s first crop and this year’s and rainfall, though a bit unusual, was just 15 per cent above the average. Certainly, the usual scapegoats aren’t the culprits. Then what is Mr Harbhajan? The parading of the industry’s employment cost is most disingenuous and obviously meant to convey that sugar workers earn boatloads of money. But we recall the sugar workers being told during the 2015 elections campaign that they were underpaid and they deserved a 20 per cent increase in pay. It is intriguing all of a sudden that the workers are earning too much. Mr Harbhajan’s clear duplicity stands nakedly exposed. Mr Harbhajan then goes on to say that workers will not lose their jobs should the industry be privatized. Maybe it is that the author has a crystal ball or performing some kind of ‘voodoo’. Experience has taught us otherwise and as Jamaica has shown us there is no guarantee all workers would be retained and they would receive similar benefits. Such a situation is certainly not in the interest of Guyanese and Guyana. We urge Mr Harbhajan to become acquainted with the facts. Seepaul Narine, GAWU

MY TAKE ON THE SCHOOL CLEANERS’ COMPLAINTS DEAR EDITOR, The media has recently been reporting on complaints from school cleaners about their conditions of work and pay. While I am not in a position to comment specifically on the pros and cons of the issues that concern the cleaners, I wish to assert that no employee should be paid below the legal minimum wage nor below what their contract of employment provides for. Furthermore, I do think that we as concerned citizens might usefully engage in some public discussion on the educational, moral, civic and character-building aspects of the inherent responsibilities for a clean, ambient school environment. For example: is

there a case for some return to the ‘good old days’ when teachers and students accepted and were held accountable for the cleanliness of the schools and the school yards? Isn’t there some genuine, long-lasting, character-development benefit that can flow from inculcating among our students their inherent responsibility for their immediate and extended environment? Let us think of all the positive ripple effects such a shift in our thinking might have on the larger issues of civic and community responsibilities. I do believe that such paradigm shifts can truly redound to all our collective good. Nowrang Persaud

they have no plans on how to utilise this oil money to propel Guyana’s development. In case the APNU+AFC government have missed what is happening in Guyana let me take this opportunity to remind them that Guyanese are suffering because of lack of job creation and because of numerous redundancies from the sugar industry. Clearly, Guyana needs an economic stimulus to propel its development which the oil money will provide. In the mean time, it is hard guava season for Guyanese meaning that Guyanese should be preparing for a rough ride in the next couple of years under the APNU+AFC Government. Sean Ori

Mistreatment of customers at this commercial bank DEAR EDITOR, It is not often that I choose to go public with things that affect me personally but I think that I should bring this issue to the fore as it seems to be the only way the powers that be would pay attention to persons affected. So please permit me some space in your paper in the interest of all concerned. I had a master card account closed with Scotia Bank 2 months ago and I find myself still receiving statements showing interest charges. I visited the bank after receiving the first statement and the officer assured me that the company that manages the MasterCard account in Barbados will be notified to revert the charges. The following month I received another statement for the said account this time the charges were increased. I am in the bank as I pen this letter as I have had to leave work to attend to this matter for 2 days in two months and the wait time in

the bank is 1 hour minimum. I requested assistance from one of the “express” staff who just casually told me that you have to join the line and wait as “there must have been a justifiable reason for the charges to be made to my account”. I was not happy with this answer and I let him know it. When one hour after I spoke to one of the officers I was again assured that I received the statement in error. I am beginning to wonder if the bank is benefiting in some way by having people wait in line or if it is a power play by some members of staff. I have seen the management of the bank making efforts to reduce the time customers spend at the bank but I don’t think the staff has gotten the memo. While I have been banking at that institution for decades of late I am being made to rethink my relationship because of the attitude of some of its staff. Further while in the line I

am advised that other persons had similar issues where errors by the bank/staff has resulted in them having to be wasting hours and cash traveling back and forth. Someone needs to remind the staff that the reason for the staff being there is the customers without which there will be no bank. Customers should not be made to feel insulted when enquiries are made about their account. I am therefore appealing to the powers that be to assist customers. Rev’d Fr Raymon E Cummings

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

The country did well under the leadership of the PPP DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to the Kaieteur News editorial of September 14, “A Broken Party.” This editorial reflects such bias views and arrogant contempt for the PPP, that it is most likely written by someone with the mindset of a Freddie Kissoon, although Freddie is not that naïve. The editorial begins, “History has shown that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has descended into an abyss of a mere vote-getting machine based on race politics bent on dividing the country.” Surly, the writer should have done some research before putting his pen into gear. With all the irregularities that took part during the 2015 General Election, the PPP/C secured 202,694 votes to the APNU+AFC 207,200 votes, a difference of 4,506 votes. In 2011, the APNU and the AFC contested separately, but secured a total of 175,011

votes, compared to 166,340 for the PPP/C (source: GECOM). Then at the Local Government Elections in March 2016, the PPP/C won 24,894 MORE VOTES than the governing APNU+AFC, securing 48 NDCs in the seventy (70) Local Authority Areas contested. These results clearly demonstrate that the PPP is still the largest political party in the country. This, dear editor, is our history as documented by GECOM, and no rational person would describe this as a “broken party”. But it gets even more absurd. The writer propagates, “The PPP is distinctive from other political parties in Guyana because it is corrupt and crooked. It does not have a vision and the challenge its members face today is new leadership. The party is at a critical crossroad, it is a broken party, and its members are asking

serious questions about its future, its leadership and what role it can exercise in the future governance of the country.” Well now, this diatribe is beginning to sound more like an Abel Seetaram. So before I respond to the faults in the editorial, let me once again for transparency and self-disclosure, admit that I was once a fierce critic of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his PPP Administration. While living in New York, my hunger for news out of Guyana caused me to be negatively influenced by the onslaught of news critical to the PPP government, propagated by the local online press and Mark Benschop on his hate radio. Without facts or evidence, I too joined the misinformation campaign, and maliciously accused the Jagdeo Administration of corruption in much the same way as this administration is

doing now. But then, after returning regularly on vacations, I was able to see firsthand, the metamorphosis that had taken place from the hopelessness I had left behind when I migrated during the reign of the PNC. Despite the allegations of corruption prosperity was evident everywhere. Guyanese owned more cars and beautiful homes that ever before. There were new schools and hospitals and a network of beautifully paved roads. Guyanese had jobs and money in their pockets. Blackouts were rapidly diminishing. The crime rate was still too high and there were pockets of problems of course, but in general, people were mostly happy. The political landscape in Guyana is a vicious one, and it is very easy to peddle lies and misinformation and slander ones character for political gains.

THE SCANDALS ARE OCCURRING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY DEAR EDITOR, Hardly a week passes without this Government not finding itself in the throes of a scandal. In fact, on most occasions, one scandal erupts even before the previous one subsides. At his Press Conference held on the 13th day of September 2017, the Opposition Leader disclosed two massive scandals brewing without divulging much of their details. The first one relates to family, relatives, cronies and friends of a strategically positioned Minister of this Government forming themselves into a syndicate to acquire mining blocks in the rich petroleum zone of Guyana, by utilizing their ministerial connection. From the information received, it has been already decided that these mining blocks, when acquired, would be disposed

to one of the established oil companies, at a whopping profit of $100M USD, to be distributed among the architects of this syndicate. It is expected that the crusaders against corruption both in the media and in civilsociety organisations will diligently and persistently pursue this nefarious plot and will make public, the gory details of this intended skullduggery. The second scandal to which the Leader of the Opposition alluded relates to the construction and location of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. It is public knowledge that $150M was already sourced directly from the Treasury to conduct a feasibility examination for the best possible location for the bridge. No one knows whether these scientific enquiries where actually conducted; if they were, who

did them; at what cost and by what process of procurement were the services of these contractors procured. The shocking disclosure made by the Leader of the Opposition at his Press Conference was that the West Demerara end of the bridge will terminate upon a plot of land in Versailles owned by a longtime financier and leader of the PNC/Reform, who has been very emphatic in his advocacy for a new Demerara Harbour Bridge, in a proposal titled ‘Vision 2030’. In Hollywood, this may be described as serendipity. In Guyana, this presents fertile ground for compelling inferences to be drawn of corruption and nepotism. Again, it is my expectation that these vulgarities will be exposed fully by the persons to whom I made reference above. However, the real scandal upon which I wish to focus in this piece is a Cabinet Decision. It ought to be clear that this Cabinet Decision relates to the controversial and unlawful procurement of drugs, contrary to and in breach of the Procurement Act, by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) from Ansa McAl to the tune of $515,178,268, upon the directions of Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence. It is imperative that this document be scrutinized to appreciate its various levels of deception and sophistry. 1. Based upon the content of the document, it is clear

that this matter was first considered by Cabinet on a previous occasion and transmitted to a Cabinet Sub-Committee for consideration; 2. that it was considered by that Sub-Committee and returned to Cabinet for Cabinet to stamp it with some form of imprimatur/ legitimacy; 3. it is clear that Cabinet did so, using remarkably and extraordinarily vague and obtuse language; 4. it should be observed that Cabinet scrupulously avoided the use of the word ‘APPROVED’, in respect of the report which emanated from its Sub-Committee, which is the normal parlance used by Cabinet in such circumstances; 5. it should also be observed that the Minister of Finance, indeed, and, I think deliberately so, did not seek Cabinet’s approval; again, this is deliberate; instead, he brought it for Cabinet to “note”; so it was brought for Cabinet’s “notification” and not “approval.” It is public knowledge that the total value of the contract for drugs unlawfully procured from Ansa McAl is $605,962,200. My information is that $90,783,932 was already paid to Ansa McAl by a previous Cabinet Decision. This was clearly done when the controversy did not reach the gigantic proportions to which it eventually exploded. I will have more to say shortly Anil Nandlall

The APNU+AFC has a strategy to retain power in 2020. It is ruthless, and relies on the unscrupulous tactics the PNC had been using effectively for years against the PPP. Tactics that have resonated well with their political base. The APNU+AFC re-election campaign strategy is now known. The strategy has been leaked and focused of three main areas: 1. They will, “Keep propagandizing on the issue of having inherited an empty treasury” from the PPP in 2015. 2. They will “continue to restate that the economy was surviving on drug money.” And 3. They will “continue to prod favorable media houses

and social media operatives so that they further fuel the perception that the PPP is racist.” With all the scandals; lack of performance and broken promises, the APNU+AFC is getting more desperate now. They can no longer play the “anti-corruption” card because they are now corrupt. They can no longer play the “economic development” card because the economy is struggling and there are no investors lining up to come to Guyana. Neither can they play the “increase social welfare” card because with the lack of jobs, increased taxes and 14% VAT on water and electricity, more poverty and criminals are being created. Harry Gill (MP- PPP)

Our politicians need to act with more maturity on national issues DEAR EDITOR, The recent harangues between personnel of the Government and the Opposition must cause us to ask whether these officials realise that they first of all need to satisfy and inform the general populace in our country of the various issues that are affecting our lives. Some of these are the proposed Demerara river bridge, the oil block concessions, the appointment of Chairman to the Elections Commission, and more. It seems that both parties feel that they need to just keep us occupied with their daily wranglings, and are unaware of their primary obligation of fulfilling their obligations to the Guyanese public of informing and acting responsibly in relation to any intended projects. I have always expressed that the continual struggle to win favour with the electorate by both sides of this great divide is only contributing to more and more hampering our national progress, and I hope that we can somehow see the need to act in a more mature and responsible manner, and work with some amount of unity and harmony when they have to deal with issues that affect our country’s welfare. Roy Paul

An analysis of bullying... From page 4 education. This is a bit surprising as past studies have shown that kids with special needs (for example learning disabilities) are at higher risk for being victimized Why the discrepancy in the results of these recent studies as against the previous studies? One possibility is that the rates of bullying may be changing. Specifically, most data on special education and bullying comes from studies conducted in the 90s. It is possible that the rates of bullying (or at least the selfreport of bullying) in general education classrooms is increasing and now stands equal (about 10-15%) than among students in special education. Another possibility is that previous studies were conducted with very small sample sizes and that these recent studies more accurately reflect the rates of bullying in general population. A second surprising finding is that both bullies and victims in special education seem to perform better overtime than bullies and victims in regular education. Why? This effect may reflect the effectiveness of the special education program. That is, it is likely that kids in special education receive more targeted interventions that help them modulate the harmful effects of bullying. The final thought is that there is no significant variation of the act of bullying for regular education and special education. The occurrences and impact disrupt education and the social well- being of both the victim and the bully in both educational settings. Guyanese mainstream teachers especially those in inclusive education settings or even learning environments that practice integration need to reflect upon this. Lidon Lashley B.Ed., M.Ed., M.A.SEN

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Reducing damage to public property The government’s desire to reduce damage to public property as a result of road accidents deserves our support and commendation. However, road accidents usually result in more damage to private third party property than to the destruction of public property and any legislation that the government intends to pass to deal with the latter problem, should equally address the more pervasive issue of damage to private property. This column has long pointed to the inadequacy of the insurance coverage of many road users. The limits of liability on most of these insurance policies are of such that they do not adequately compensate a victim who has suffered material losses or personal injury as a consequence of a road accident. The law mandates that all motor vehicles must have a policy of insurance. However, the minimum limits of liability have become unrealistic and this has resulted in many a case in which someone suffers losses as a result of the actions of an insured vehicle, but when the time comes for compensation, the victim finds that the insurance coverage is grossly inadequate and is thus forced to seek compensation from the person responsible for the accident, a recourse that is not always fruitful and which may involve lengthy court proceed-

ings. It is thus necessary that the laws be amended to ensure that the minimum limits of liability are raised so as to safeguard the victims of property damage – be this public or private – and personal injury, resulting from road accidents. No private vehicle should be allowed to use the roadways in Guyana unless that vehicle has coverage that would secure at the minimum third party property damage claims of two million dollars per accident and personal injury of five million per accident. No public transportation vehicle should be allowed on our roadways unless there is in force a policy of insurance that allows for three million in property damage and ten million in personal injury claims. It is hoped now that the State itself has become conscious of the need to reduce the damage to public property that it would seek to move more expeditiously towards amending the mandatory limits of liability for those who use our roadways. Guyanese motorists will equally need to become more conscious about the dangers of having only nominal insurance ceilings. They stand to lose a great deal because should they be involved in an accident they would hardly be able to repair their own vehicles much less to compensate the persons they may

have wronged. The government also proposes to examine the physical layout of some intersections to see how modifications can assist. This is to be commended, because many intersections are extremely dangerous and the same applies to most of our public roadways. It would have been so much easier if all of our public roadways did not have residential businesses running alongside them, as is the case with the major highways in developed countries. We have in Guyana a most amazing situation, whereby public roadways are seen as opening new lands for development with the consequence that no sooner is a roadway open, than houses are built alongside the new roadway. When the Railway Embankment was being constructed, the government actually paid compensation to persons living on the embankment to remove so as to facilitate the construction of the new roadway. Today, you can drive along that embankment and hardly find a vacant plot of land. It was also proposed that no household would have been allowed to have a bridge leading from the embankment. Yet today there are hundreds of bridges connecting the roadway to private residences on the embankment. To compound the situation, businesses have been

DEM BOYS SEH

Anybody can fool demself One bareface thief terrorise a whole community in a week that dem boys couldn’t believe de story when dem hear it. This man riding a bicycle whole night and he going wid a gun and sticking up people. He meet one group and mek dem put dem phone pun de ground and go away. Last week this man alone rob three households. He behave like if he live in dem house. De other night he tek de cake. He rob six people one time. Then he wait fuh a gyal going home from wuk. This gyal get a drop wid a car. Up come this bad man and he try to stick up de car but de driver do wha turtle does do good. Turtle does pull in he shell. This man jump in he car and drive but de bad man shoot up de car and he knock de driver. Dem have a saying that de longest rope have an end. He get ketch and is fuh de police to put him away till Noah flood come back. Is de same thing wid who lie and who telling de truth. Dem boys seh wid this opposition you can’t mek one mistake. Since you slip is lie you lying and you getting a call to resign. Some start de talk bout de oil blocks and who

give away to whom. Well is one back and forth. Jagdeo pull out heself because he seh he had nutten to do wid it. But de man seh dem still had blocks and couple deh right pun de seawall. Dem boys propose to file fuh one and start drilling just pun de seawall. But who know, know. Dem might still have oil blocks but just land ain’t deh. Dem boys seh that all de land along dem river done gone. But who give away is another story. Jagdeo seh people does blame him fuh everything. People even accuse de man of corruption but de man would tell everybody that he don’t know wha people talking about. That mek dem boys remember de man who was walking home wid a goat pun he shoulder. When de police stop him and ask him wheh he going wid de goat, he ask de policeman, “Which goat?” De policeman tell him de one pun he shoulder. De man express surprise and when he look at de goat he seh, “How you get up hay?” Then he tun to de police and seh, “Is true wha people seh. Goat really like high place.” Talk half and don’t fool youself.

allowed to be opened on the embankment, which is supposed to be an important road linking the East Coast to the city. The problem with traffic management is also another area, which the government needs to address, and address urgently. Each morning during peak hours, traffic backs up in the approaches and within some of the main roadways in the city. The government needs to urgently address this. The problem is that too many business activities are centralized within the city and

action needs to be taken to reduce the approval of businesses, especially in residential areas in the city. It is appalling what the city has come to, with businesses now popping up all over. This should not be happening and especially since the city is unable to take off its own vehicular traffic. It is no longer a question of when the government will have to limit industrial and commercial activity in the city. These limits need to be introduced immediately and the government must seriously consider introducing special

business and entertainment zones outside of the confines of the city, so as to reduce the number of vehicles and persons which have to come to the city each day. The laws of probability dictate that the more vehicles that enter the city will yield greater accidents and the more accidents means greater property losses which we are told amounts to billions of dollars each year.

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

Jagdeo corrects Patterson...

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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 HEALTH PROSTATECANCER,HEART DISEASE,GALL & KIDNEY STONES,MENSTRUAL DISORDERETC.ARECUREDBY HERBALREMEDIES.Tel:6765924,611-5586

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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

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1 GPX 4800 Gold detectorContact Andre- 602-2104, 618-1447

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Live in domestic must know to cook Indian dishes & clean. Live in experienced waitress 1825yrs $20,000 weeklycall: 610-5043 Female Farm Supervisor for Plant Nursery @Soesdyke. Must be literate and knows how manage staff extremely well. Tel: 648-1821

Part time handymanCall: 695-0007

Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy assistant to work at a reputable pharmacy in Diamond, EBD- Call: 696-5098

Bartender & waitress @ 50/ 50 Sports Bar. V/Hoop- Ally 622-5587

One Cashier on the East Coast Demerara Call: 6529941

We pay up to $10M for land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Covent Garden- Call: 656-0701,6511969

Able-bodied Driver/ salesman for Leyland DAF l o r r y. I n v o l v e s l i f t i n g . Telles Steel 226-6771

Accounts/Office Clerk Please Call: 629-9450

LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M, Tuschen $2.5M, Zeelugt $2.5M, Uitvlugt $2.3M- Tel: 642-1252 Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M, $3.5 main road, Uitvlugt $2.2M, Herstelling $2.5M, Farm $3.5M, Tuschen $2.2M- Call: 604-6724, 6869608 Parfaite Harmonie $1.3M, $1.6M, house & land $2M, Herstelling $3.5M, Tuschen $2.5M, $5M- Call: 666-2326 One double plot of form land for sale at Naamryck Backdam, E.B.E (27.8 acres) Call: 612-5441, 658-5128 10 & 30 ACRES OF LAND AT YARROWKABRA, LINDEN SOESDYKE HIGHWAY. CREEKAVAILABLE-TEL:6635524, 264-2967 Parfaite Harmonie $500,000, Uitvlugt (100ftx 50ft) $300,000, Herstelling (100ftx 50ft) $600,000. Zeelugt $1.2M- Call: 656-0701,6511969

Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 6182020 2 Experienced Pastry makers apply @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Ltd. 38 Ketley & Sussex St. Charlestown- Tel:2257864, 227-8607 One Office Clerk, one live in maid- Tel:233-2725/ 2439 Driver with mini bus license living in G/Town to work with companyCall:664-0802

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3 bedroom 1 flat house @ Blankenburg $11 M ( $3M downpayment) also house lots available contact #6500402\603-1402

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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Hair & barber station for rent @ New Market Street. Call: 638-1106 One bedroom apartment well secured for working couple or single person $35,000 monthly, light & water included-Call: 638-8858

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C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages

(From page 3) blocks given out in the PPP period were not given out by me.” Jagdeo said that while he is proud of the PPP history and the fact that the Party gave out the blocks he just wanted to note that he did not give out any, “They were given out in the period when Jagan was there and during the post 2013 period so that is another lie.” The “third lie” that Jagdeo pointed out was that some of the companies that were granted licences cannot be verified or recognized by the Government of Guyana. Jagdeo said that the licences were granted to MidAtlantic, Tallow Oil, CGX, Repsol, Ratio Guyana, Anadarko and ExxonMobil. “And you can know exactly who the people are…Patterson said that government doesn’t know who they are. Well he could have easily asked the GGMC. So that is another lie to create the shroud of secrecy that somehow the PPP gave people that the country is not aware of or somebody does not know who they are,” said Jagdeo. Jagdeo noted that in 2016 even after oil was found, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, granted a block to Tallow Oil, a United Kingdom (UK) based company. Jagdeo said that the government is lying profusely. “Remember they said that Jagdeo amended the laws for disclosures? Another lie. Jagdeo noted that Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin claimed that he, Jagdeo, amended the law in 2008. “That was a lie. And then Ramjattan said I amended it in 2011; another lie. Then Trotman said I amended in 1997; yet another lie, I never amended it.” The Opposition Leader maintained that he started this back and forth which is that there is corruption afoot in the oil industry. He maintained that members of the AFC are actively trying to access oil blocks but refused to name those members. He said, “These blocks that were lying there before (oil discovery), which in many cases people did not even want, suddenly became valuable because Guyana became a country that has discovered oil…Only through a competitive system will we accrue the benefits to the state rather than to individuals.” Jagdeo said that it is therefore imperative that Guyana adopt a competitive bidding process for the acquisition of oil blocks. TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

Wednesday September 20, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Merciless Maria leaves death, destruction in Dominica Trinidad Express - With telecommunications destroyed on the hurricaneravaged island of Dominica, one of the only means of getting word out to the world is from amateur Ham radio operators. And families desperate for news on their loved ones, the information being shared is bad - people are feared dead. On a scale of one to ten, the damage was put at nine. Almost all the homes with damaged, with many completely destroyed, the Ham operators reported. “Everything is down. Roads are block. The power lines have fallen. Some concrete homes are standing but the windows are blown out. 100 per cent of house have suffered damage” one Ham operator reported. Particularly hard hit by the Category 5 hurricane Maria overnight is the northern part of the island where the university is located and where many international students reside. A full assessment of the scope of the damage done to the island overnight is being undertaken by emergency management authorities. Images of the damage were not available up to yesterday afternoon. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who had to be rescued from his collapsing residence

...this is T&T’s response

Hurricane Maria-ravaged island during the worst of the storm, has called for international aid. “So far we have lost all what money can buy and replace. My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains. “So, far the winds have swept away the roofs of almost every person I have spoken to or otherwise made contact with. The roof to my own official residence was among the first to go and this apparently triggered an avalanche of torn away roofs in the city and the countryside” he said. This is how T&T is

responding The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has initiated the mobilisation of various emergency support agencies to render assistance to Dominica following the passage of Hurricane Maria. A meeting was convened at the Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister the Stuart Young to coordinate this country’s relief response to Dominica. Participating in the meeting were the following: the Ministry of National Security’s Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, the Office of Disaster

Jamaica ready to assist Dominica after #Maria devastation — Holness KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica stands ready to assist Dominica after Hurricane Maria, as a category 5 storm devastated the island late Monday night into early yesterday morning. Holness, who was on a morning programme with Nation Wide 90 FM, said that he has not been able to get through to Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit but has made contact with other prime ministers in the eastern Caribbean. “Jamaica stands ready and the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF), in particular, Officer of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and members of our private sector will individually and collectively assist,” stated Holness, however pointing out that the assistance will be limited. He explained that Jamaica currently does not own an aircraft that could be mobilised to provide assistance immediately like counterpart Trinidad and Tobago. “…so we have to work with our partners in the region to provide assistance,” said

Holness. At the same time he said it’s a part of his duty to citizens of Jamaica to assist wherever they are. “It’s not a duty that we can carry out to the fullest and I want Jamaicans to appreciate that but we still try and I believe we’ve done as best as we can,” Holness noted, while also stating the business of climate change is real. Dominica’s premier Roosevelt Skerrit said “we have lost all what money can

buy and replace” in a facebook post, as the island was being hit with winds of up to 160 miles (257 kilometres) per hour, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Hours later, a company that tracks the status of the internet around the world said most of Dominica’s internet service appears to be down with many report of difficulties reaching people on the island by telephone. (Jamaica Observer)

Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division; as well as the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs; Caribbean Airlines Limited; and National Helicopter Services Limited. Discussions focused on

Trinidad and Tobago’s supporting role within the regional response mechanism and the conduct of initial damage assessment. The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force along with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), as partners within the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), has identified six persons to form part of a Rapid Needs Assessment Team and Operational Support Team. The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard have also readied personnel and maritime assets to transport emergency relief supplies to Dominica. Further, it is anticipated that a National Helicopter Services Limited helicopter will be sent to Dominica accompanied by Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Personnel.

The ODPM, as the official information coordinating agency in Trinidad and Tobago will continue to communicate with CDEMA with respect to the provision of assistance and establishing critical needs items. In the interim, persons wishing to provide assistance to Dominica can contact the Office of the Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the coordinating agency, via telephone at emergency number 511 or via email at publicinfo.odpm@gmail.com The Ministry of National Security wishes to reiterate that Trinidad and Tobago remains willing to assist our CARICOM neighbours affected by severe weather systems and will respond accordingly in consideration of our present economic realities, while ensuring that our ability to respond to any eventuality at home remains a priority.

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Wednesday September 20, 2017 Investments fisheries complex at McDoom. However, Lievense CSO warned that to reduce the current traffic congestion, the new bridge is only a part of the problem. “The city road network has to be improved and extended to serve the present and future traffic demand. The existing bank roads need to be relieved. New links from the bridge to town as well as from the bridge to the west bypassing Vreed-en-Hoop to relieve the East and West Bank Public Roads from traffic are required. In addition, the East Bank Public Road shall be relieved from the traffic from Diamond and more south by realizing the by-pass road now under preparation between Diamond and Ogle.” But the problems of congestion will surface again in 2030 in a big way. “At that time the road system is expected to become saturated again. New investments will be required, like a second bridge as well as extension of the city road network. It is recommended to shift this moment backwards in time by promoting alternative transport modalities (speed-boats and public movable section to transit seagoing transport) in order to reduce the vessels would be the best solution. traffic demand for the road system.” The project costs of the new With regards to the current Demerara Harbour Bridge at Peters bridge will be in the vicinity of Hall, the report made it clear it is US$170M including interest for preunreliable and lacks the capacity to financing cost during construction. An alternative structure is to serve the traffic demand hence a new bridge is required. At least 10,000 seek private parties willing to engage vehicles are heading one direction themselves in a BOOT Project (built, daily, making it difficult for the operate, own and transfer). The administration in recent bridge to function. Explaining the Houston– days has been insisting that the Versailles location, the consultant bridge is a top priority. It will come as commuters noted that there is much lower urban and environmental impact than other complain daily of congestion. On Monday, a breakdown of a truck on locations. Some issues to be resolved are the bridge led to a backup for hours. The Opposition has questioned the resettlement of some houses, and efforts to minimize the impact to the feasibility and accused project, the Muneshwer terminal at Houston even before construction is start, of as well as to the Pritipaul Singh being mired in corruption.

New Dem bridge pegged at US$170M; old one to be demolished

- 4 Houston homes, lands be acquired - vehicle tolls to increase 250 percent; Govt. should subsidise (MPI photo) The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), amidst questions over a mega-project to build a new bridge across the Demerara River, has released the feasibility study which recommended a low-level, threelane, 1.5km structure between Houston, East Bank Demerara, and Versailles, West Bank Demerara. According to the study, that bridge could cost up to US$170M, inclusive of financing costs and acquisition of properties along the alignment. At least four houses in Houston along with lands will have to be acquired. On the West Bank junction at Versailles, river side lands along with a timber shed will also have to be

acquired. When the new bridge becomes operational, the old one at Peters Hall is to be closed and demolished. Dutch engineers, Lievense CSO, which completed the feasibility study and design for the new crossing was hired for $146M. It advised in the documents that toll tariff rates be increased 250 percent of the present rates. Along with this would be a 700 percent increase in tolls for river vessels. The latter, the report noted, has not been increased for a while. Lievense CSO explained that the design structure for the new bridge has been kept as light and simple as possible. It was disclosed that a prefeasibility study carried out in 2013

proposed three main alternatives for the location of the new connectionfrom Houston to Versailles, from Peters Hall to Meer Zorgen (the location of the present bridge), and from New Hope (further up the East Bank) to Laurentia Catherina. The consultant said its job includes site investigations, traffic and river studies, designs, environmental impact study, socio economic cost benefit analysis, financial analysis and financing and funding plan. “The aim of the study is to support the decision making by the government on the location and configuration of the river crossing.” In the main conclusions, it was determined that a low bridge at Houston with three lanes and a

Psychiatric Hospital staffers “sit out” after inmate attacks nurse Staff of the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital yesterday staged a two-hour “sit out” in an effort to have their concerns heard. This decision was taken jointly by the staff after an inmate at the institution broke a wall and escaped from his holding area, causing chaos in the compound. The inmate, after running loose in the compound, attacked a male nurse on duty at the time. According to a source, the two guards who were on duty when the incident took place were scared to intervene, hence the other nurses refused to continue working. The source explained that prisoners from Georgetown are brought to the institution shackled; however the security available is not adequate enough to deal with such inmates. “One of the patients in the single room break the wall of the entire room and attacked the staff with a big wood”, the source revealed. The staff

Regional 6 Chairman, David Armogan who was attacked reportedly suffered a minor injury. He was examined by a doctor and eventually left for home. The inmate used a piece of wood to break the wall and eventually caused the escape of other inmates running loose in the compound. It was also disclosed that after word got out that the staff refused to continue working the Regional

Executive Officer, Kim Stephens, paid a visit to the institution and reportedly spoke with the staff. It was promised once again that security would be beefed up. However, with this being one of the many incidents that took place at the institution, some of the staff have grown weary of the “promises” made to have increased security. It was also revealed to this publication by an official that there is a severe shortage of drugs “to restrain patients. There is also a shortage on vitamins.” Regional Chairman David Armogan stressed that the security at the institution and in the Region leaves much to be desired. “The guard became scared after the inmate broke out from the wall and as a result the staff there felt threatened by the behavior of this person. Then the others were also shouting to come out.” The Chairman stated that after the situation seemed uncontrollable the staff requested an immediate

The wall which the inmate broke. meeting with the REO. “The union and everything I think got involved and the REO

A broken toilet seat used by staff

and the staff came to some sort of agreement. There is gonna be extra security

provided there to make sure this incident doesn’t reoccur”.

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

Social Protection Ministry tenders for new Drop-in Centre The tender board saw the Ministry of Social Protection having the most bidders for a project to impact the Sophia Community usefully. The Ministry of social protection received 14 bids for the construction of a Drop-in centre, at block C Sophia.

The Guyana Energy Agency retendered for the installation and supply of 22kWp GridConnected Solar Photovoltaic System, 45 kW Hybrid Inverter and 160 kWh Energy Storage System. Three bidders were interested in this project.

They also invited bids for the supply and installation of 130kWp grid-connected solar Photovoltaic system. The supervision of the Ebini agriculture centre in Region 10 attracted three organizations.

There was one bid for the purchase of Maths kits for the project department.

Ministry of the Presidency opened bids for three projects with one being the rehabilitation of Vila, Castellani House compound. There were two bids for the project.

There were two bids for the procurement of network equipment. They also opened bids for the procurement for two 30 seat buses as seen below: The Ministry of Telecommunications attracted three bids for the supply of 60 laptops.

Further, bids were open for the construction of New Hallow Concrete Blocks (HCB) Walls and Gate, State House, Carmichael Street. The Guyana National Printer LTD had one bid for the acquisition of six used printing and packaging equipment.

Ministry of Legal affairs received two bids for the establishment of the project implementation unit (PIU).

The Region Ten Democratic Council received bids for the construction of a Regional Administration building in Region 10.

The Ministry of Business also received bids for three projects. Design and Production of Promotional Package for Operation and Management of Industrial Estates project received several bids for the project.

The rehabilitation and Extension of Ministry of Business Head Office also received bids.

Bids were additionally opened for the supply and delivery of one reconditioned minibus by the Ministry of Business as well.

Meanwhile, bids were also open by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for the maintenance of roads in Bartica, Region Seven.

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

India regulator orders sharp cut in mobile interconnection fees MUMBAI (Reuters) - India’s telecoms regulator has more than halved a fee mobile operators pay each other for calls from one network to another in a move that could hurt leading operators including Bharti Airtel (BRTI.NS) and Vodafone’s (VOD.L) Indian business. Operators in India do not charge customers for incoming calls, but the carrier from whose network a call originates pays the network that receives the call. The top players with the highest number of subscribers tend to gain from the fees. Vodafone India, the market’s second-biggest carrier, described the move as “retrograde” and said it could affect investment in network coverage in rural areas. “We are disappointed with this decision and are now considering our options,” Vodafone India said in a statement. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) late yesterday said that interconnect usage charges (IUC) for mobile calls will be cut to 0.06 rupees (0.0007 pounds) a minute from 0.14 rupees, effective from Oct. 1. It then plans to abolish the fee entirely from the start of 2020. Market newcomer Reliance Jio Infocomm, which has shaken up the sector by offering free calls and cut-price data, is likely to gain from the move. During the consultation process, Jio had questioned the interconnect charges, saying that incumbents had already recovered their investments. Jio, Bharti Airtel and No.3 operator Idea Cellular (IDEA.NS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Cellular Operators Association of India, which counts Bharti, Vodafone and Idea among its members, said that incumbent carriers would take a severe hit from the reduction to interconnect fees. “It’s going to exacerbate the financial condition of the industry,” said the association’s Director General, Rajan Mathews, referring to falling profits and high debt resulting from costly airwave auctions and a brutal price war.

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

Hurricane Maria bears down on St. Croix, Puerto Rico

People in Christiansted, St. Croix carry supplies onto a ferry taking them to St. Thomas yesterday, ahead of Maria’s scheduled landfall SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) Hurricane Maria, the second maximumstrength storm to hit the Caribbean this month, killed at least one person in Guadeloupe and bore down menacingly on the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico yesterday after devastating the tiny island nation of Dominica. Maria, a rare Category 5 storm at the top end of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, churned in the eastern Caribbean about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. forecasters said. Maria was carrying maximum sustained winds of 165 miles per hour (270 km per hour), the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The “potentially catastrophic” storm was expected to pass near or over the U.S. Virgin Islands last night and over Puerto Rico today. The storm plowed into Dominica, a mountainous country of 72,000 people, late on Monday causing what Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit called “mind-boggling” destruction. “The winds have swept away the roofs of almost every person I have spoken to or otherwise made contact with,” Skerrit said on Facebook, noting that his own residence had been hit too. He added that his focus was now on rescuing people who might be trapped, and getting medical help for the injured. North of Dominica, the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe appeared to have been hit hard. The Guadeloupe prefecture said one person was killed by a falling tree and at

least two people were missing in a shipwreck. Some roofs had been ripped off, roads were blocked by fallen trees, 80,000 households were without power and there was flooding in some southern coastal areas, the prefecture said in Twitter posts. Video footage released by the prefecture showed tree-bending winds whipping ferociously through deserted streets and shaking lamp posts when the storm first hit. The region was punched just days ago by Hurricane Irma, which ranked as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. Irma devastated several small islands, including Barbuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and caused heavy damage in Cuba and Florida, killing at least 84 people in the Caribbean and the U.S. mainland. Maria was expected to remain an extremely dangerous Category 4 or 5 hurricane as it moved near or over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the NHC said. It was expected to pass near St. Croix, which is the part of the U.S. Virgin Islands that escaped the brunt of Irma on Sept. 6. St. Croix is home to about 55,000 year-round residents, roughly half of the entire territory’s population. U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp said he expected to see widespread damage on St. Croix, where a storm surge ocean water pushed inland by the storm could cause major damage on the low-lying south side.

People board up windows of a business in preparation for the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico Monday night.

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

Venezuela FM rejects ‘racist’ Trump threats

Delegates from Venezuela listen as US President Donald Trump addresses the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski) United Nations (United States) (AFP) Venezuela yesterday accused Donald Trump of racism and seeking a new Cold War after the US president told the United Nations he was ready to act to “restore their democracy.” “This racist and supremacist theory which he’s exposing, this return to the Cold War, for a moment we didn’t know if we were listening to president Reagan in 1982 or President Trump in 2017,” Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said. “We do not accept threats from President Trump or whoever in the world. We are people of peace — peaceful people — and we want relations of mutual respect,” Arreaza told reporters at the United Nations. He called Trump’s first speech at the United Nations “sad for the world,” saying he “talked as a general of the army, to invade

other countries.” Venezuela has been rocked by months of economic chaos and deadly protests as President Nicolas Maduro consolidates control, including through a new Constituent Assembly that wrests power from the opposition-dominated legislature. In his speech, Trump called the situation in Venezuela “completely unacceptable” and called for help so the country’s people can “regain their freedom, recover their country and restore their democracy.” “The United States has taken important steps to hold the regime accountable. We are prepared to take further action if the government of Venezuela persists on its path to impose authoritarian rule on the Venezuelan people,” Trump said.

Brazil warns ‘no alternatives’ to democracy in Venezuela United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Brazil’s leader yesterday warned that there were “no alternatives to democracy” in Venezuela as he voiced solidarity with the people of the crisisconsumed nation. President Michel Temer, addressing the UN General Assembly where Brazil is the customary first nation in the annual marathon of leaders’ speeches, noted that his country has taken in thousands of Venezuelans. “The human rights situation in Venezuela has regrettably deteriorated continuously,” Temer said. “We stand by and support the Venezuelan people with whom we are linked by brotherly connections,” he said. “There is no longer room for alternatives to democracy and that is precisely what we have asserted in Mercosur and that is what we will keep advocating,” Temer said, referring to the South American trading bloc. The right-leaning Temer has himself faced questions of legitimacy, with the president and one third of his cabinet under investigation in

Brazilian President Michel Temer, speaking during the the General Assembly at the United Nations (AFP Photo/Jewel SAMAD) myriad corruption probes. Temer took over last year after his left-wing predecessor, Brazil’s first woman president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached and removed from office. Venezuela has been going through months of deadly protests, with critics accusing leftist President Nicolas Maduro of a naked power

grab in July with the formation of a Constituent Assembly packed with his allies, wresting power from the opposition-dominated legislature. The unrest comes as Venezuela suffers an intense economic crisis as falling oil prices whittle down the country’s main source of revenue.

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Central African president pleads to U.N. - Don’t forget us UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The president of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera, yesterday pleaded with the world to not forget his country and urged the U.N. to bolster its peace-keeping force amid growing violence that threatens to spin the country out of control. Thousands have died and a fifth of Central Africans have fled a conflict that broke out after mainly Muslim Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize in 2013, provoking a backlash from Christian anti-balaka (antimachete) militias. Although unrest has since subsided, fighting has spiked this year and the United Nations warned this month that ethnic fighting could descend again into a much larger conflict if combatants are not disarmed. “Central Africa is at a critical moment in its history. We need the support of our friends; there are risks that we’ll be forgotten,” Touadera told a news conference ahead of a high-level meeting at the U.N. General Assembly. Violence has escalated since former colonial power France last year ended its peacekeeping mission in the country, which once had as many as 2,000 soldiers. France has grown concerned by events, although officials say Paris is unlikely to return to Central Africa unless the capital were under threat. The violence continues despite a peace deal signed between the government and rival factions in Rome last month and a 13,000strong U.N. mission (MINUSCA), which will see its mandate renewed in November. “The only force capable of ensuring

Faustin-Archange Touadera security is the United Nations,” Touadera said. “The capacities of MINUSCA in terms of men and equipment have to be strengthened.” National security forces are too weak to tackle a multitude of armed groups and counter the spillover from conflicts in neighbouring countries. Diplomats have also said that Touadera does not have the political strength to impose central government rule. Touadera bemoaned the departure of France’s Operation Sangaris, but also the withdrawal of about 2,000 American and Uganda forces that were fighting the Ugandan rebel group The Lord’s Resistance Army and the withdrawal of MINUSCA’s Congolese battalion in the west. “All of this has created a vacuum that the MINUSCA must fill,” he said.

Britain, Saudi Arabia sign military cooperation deal - state media

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks with British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia yesterday. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS RIYADH (Reuters) - Britain and Saudi Arabia signed a framework deal on military and security cooperation, Saudi state news agency SPA said yesterday, redoubling efforts to counter Iran in the Gulf region and defeat Islamic State. Prime Minister Theresa May said in December that Britain would invest over 3 billion pounds ($4.05 billion) in defence in Gulf Arab states over the next decade as it seeks to build on traditionally strong ties with the conservative, oil-wealthy monarchies before its planned departure from the European Union. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon discussed military cooperation with Crown

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Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who serves as the kingdom’s defence minister and deputy prime minister, the SPA report said without providing details of the agreement. Gulf Arab states say Iran is trying to expand its influence in Arab countries, including Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and Arab allies have been waging war against Iran-aligned Houthi forces that seized control of much of Yemen. Britain’s close relationship with Gulf states has drawn concern from human rights groups, including criticism of Saudi air strikes in Yemen’s war that have killed hundreds of civilians. British military personnel have been working with the Saudi forces.

If threatened, U.S. will ‘totally destroy’ North Korea, Trump vows UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his standoff with North Korea over its nuclear challenge yesterday, threatening to “totally destroy” the country of 26 million people and mocking its leader, Kim Jong Un, as a “rocket man.”In a hard-edged speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump offered a grim portrait of a world in peril, adopted a more confrontational approach to solving global challenges from Iran to Venezuela, and gave an unabashed defense of U.S. sovereignty. “The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea,” Trump told the 193-member world body, sticking closely to a script. As loud, startled murmurs filled the hall, Trump described Kim in an acid tone, saying, “Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime.” His remarks rattled world leaders gathered in the greenmarbled U.N. General Assembly hall, where minutes earlier U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for statesmanship, saying: “We must not sleepwalk our way into war.” Trump’s most direct military threat to attack North Korea, in his debut appearance at the General Assembly, was his latest expression of concern about Pyongyang’s repeated launching of ballistic missiles over Japan and underground nuclear tests. His advisers say he is concerned about North Korea’s advances in missile technology and the few means available for a peaceful response without China’s help. Inside the hall, one man in the audience covered his face with his hands shortly after Trump made his “totally destroy” comment. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom crossed her arms. “It was the wrong speech, at the wrong time, to the wrong audience,” Wallstrom later told the BBC. Trump did not back down, instead later tweeting out the line in his speech vowing to destroy North Korea if needed. A junior North Korean diplomat sat in the delegation’s front-row seat for Trump’s speech, the North Korean U.N. mission said. The mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would do everything in her power to ensure a diplomatic solution. “Anything else would lead to disaster,” she said. Trump’s saber-rattling rhetoric, with the bareknuckled style he used to win election last November, was in contrast to the comments of some of his own Cabinet members who have stated a preference for a diplomatic solution. But Democrat Ed Markey of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee denounced Trump’s remarks, telling CNN the president had yet to exhaust his other options in encouraging Pyongyang to negotiate. In a thunderous 41-minute speech, Trump took aim at Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence, Venezuela’s collapsing

democracy and the threat of Islamist extremists. Turning to Iran, Trump called the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, an embarrassment and hinted that he may not recertify the agreement when it comes up for a mid-October deadline. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted a withering response: “Trump’s ignorant hate speech belongs in medieval times - not the 21st Century UN - unworthy of a reply. Fake empathy for Iranians fools no one.” French President Emmanuel Macron, in his U.N. speech, said his country would not close the door to negotiations over North Korea and staunchly defended the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. “Renouncing it would be a grave error,” Macron said.

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

Strong 7.1 quake hits Mexico, people trapped in collapsed buildings …More than 100 dead building in the city’s busy Condesa neighbourhood, and another person was rescued from a six-story apartment building nearby. In Cuernavaca, a city in Morelos that is a popular destination for weekend visitors from Mexico City, there were reports on local radio of people trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Mexican TV and social media showed cars crushed by debris.

“We got out really fast, leaving everything as it was and just left,” said Rosaura Suarez, as she stood with a crowd on the street in Mexico City. Mexican stocks and the peso currency dropped on news of the earthquake, and Mexico’s stock exchange suspended trading. The epicenter of yesterday’s quake was located in the central state of Puebla, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Brazil ex-president Lula accused of corruption in auto industry decree People look through debris of a building that collapsed in a powerful earthquake that shook Mexico City (AFP Photo/Ronaldo SCHEMIDT) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A major earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck central Mexico yesterday, killing at least 119 people in several states and toppling buildings in the heavily populated capital where rescuers searched frantically for survivors under the rubble. Thousands of people ran out into the streets in panic, and millions lost electricity when the quake struck around lunchtime. Sirens blared as first responders rushed through the streets of Mexico City. President Enrique Pena Nieto said 27 buildings had

collapsed or partially collapsed there. “People are really scared right now,” said dentist Claudia Meneses who was in her clinic in Mexico City’s Lindavista neighbourhood when the earthquake struck in the afternoon. “We’re going to go to a building that fell to see if we can help.” Earthquakes of magnitude 7 or above are regarded as major and are capable of causing widespread heavy damage. Initial reports showed the worst-hit area was the state of Morelos, just south of Mexico City. At least 54

people died there, according to a state official. Authorities reported other deaths in Mexico City, and in neighbouring Puebla and the State of Mexico. Power was cut to 3.8 million customers, the national electricity company CFE said. It was the second powerful earthquake to hit Mexico this month. Another quake on Sept. 7 in southern Mexico killed at least 98 people. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter: “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will

be there for you.” The city, one of the world’s most populous, and surrounding area are home to about 20 million people. The quake hit 32 years to the day since a devastating earthquake killed thousands in Mexico City in 1985. Many Mexicans had participated in earthquake drills around the nation yesterday as is customary every Sept. 19. Dozens of police, rescue workers and neighbours dug through the wreckage of collapsed buildings in Mexico City. At least one survivor was pulled from a collapsed

Luiz Inacio Lula de Silv BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva faced a new corruption charge yesterday for allegedly accepting 6 million reais ($1.9 million) in exchange for issuing a decree extending incentives for the automobile industry. Federal Judge Vallisney de Sousa Oliveira accepted the charges of passive corruption from public prosecutors, who also named one of his former minister and five others for related crimes, according to court documents. Lula stands accused in at least five cases of corruption and has been convicted in another which threatens to bar him from standing for office in next year’s election as planned. A lawyer representing Lula said in a statement that he was innocent and the charges amounted to political persecution.

Police arrest third man in London tube attack investigation (Reuters) - British police said yesterday they made a third arrest linked to Friday’s tube attack in Parsons Green, London, that injured 30 people. The arrest, of a 25-year-old man, was made in Newport, Wales, they said in a statement. A search was taking place at an address in the town.

Patients are looked after by their relatives after they were evacuated from a hospital following an earthquake in Acapulco, in Guerrero state. (Jesus Solano/REUTERS)

Wednesday September 20, 2017

FIFA says bans Caribbean soccer official Gordon Derrick

Gordon Derrick (ESPNFC)

ZURICH (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA said yesterday that it had banned Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick for six years from all soccerrelated activities for violating several articles of its code of ethics. Neither Derrick, who has denied wrongdoing, nor the CFU could immediately be reached for comment. FIFA said the case against Derrick focused on “alleged conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, mismanagement of funds, abuse of position and disloyalty.” It did not give further details of the case. Derrick, who is also General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), was also ordered to pay a fine totaling 30,000 Swiss francs ($31,170), FIFA said.

Wednesday September 20, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Youre not as eager to tackle a task today, because youre more concerned with perfection than with production. The Virgo New Moon activates your 6th House of Employment, compelling you to be as meticulous in your methods as possible. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your charm works wonders as people hang on your every word today. The Virgo New Moon falls in your 5th House of SelfExpression, motivating you to share your thoughts. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You prefer to set aside your preconceived plan and improvise as you go today. Remaining flexible when scheduling activities opens up a variety of possibilities. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might become so obsessed with a cause that you lose your objectivity and forget about the people around you today. You sound extremely intelligent when you passionately describe the global predicament from your perspective.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Carving out some much-needed alone time helps you to balance your own needs with those of others. The analytical Virgo New Moon reflects your 12th House of Privacy, providing you with room to think without too many distractions other than your own mental chatter. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Unreasonable expectations from colleagues and friends can place you in a difficult position today, so be direct about expressing what you can and cannot do to avoid any misunderstandings. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) The littlest things seem to matter the most today when it comes to your career. The hardworking Virgo New Moons presence in your 10th House of Public Status encourages you to develop skills that can further your professional growth. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Its tempting to seek security in what you know, rather than to face the unknown. There are significant choices to make when the Virgo New Moon appears in your 9th House of Big Ideas.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You feel the need to reaffirm your value to yourself and others now. Its crucial to carefully examine your current investments while the discerning Virgo New Moon clarifies the energy of your 2nd House of Personal Resources.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Resolving unsettled relationship dynamics should be your main priority now, especially if you mistakenly believe personal and professional partners are on the same page as you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The tension you may be feeling today likely stems from strained relationship dynamics. The fussy Virgo New Moon lands in your 1st House of Self, triggering rebellious Uranus and waking people up from their complacency.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Opportunities to cultivate the quality of your relationships pull you away from the meanderings of your imagination. The Virgo New Moon refreshes your 7th House of Partners, bringing reason and good judgment to your alliances.

Haye all set for rematch with Bellew LONDON (Reuters) - Former heavyweight world champion David Haye said yesterday he was all set for a rematch with fellow-Briton Tony Bellew after losing their first meeting in March. “It’s taken months of negotiating but teams have finally agreed ALL terms for #HayeBellew2,” Haye said on Twitter. “Will Bellew put pen to paper?” Promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports television that he hoped to confirm soon that the fight was on. “Nothing is signed yet but I‘m catching up with Tony later this week and you can cross your fingers for an announcement in the next week or so,” he said. Haye, 36, was fined 25,000 pounds ($32,000) for his conduct in the build-up to the previous fight, with intense news

David Haye

conferences and heated trash-talk between the big men. Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Bellew stopped the former WBA heavyweight belt holder, who had suffered an Achilles tendon injury, in the 11th round.

Electronic calls to replace line judges at Next Gen Finals

LONDON (Reuters) - Line judges face an uncertain future after the ATP announced that they will be replaced by “electronic line calls” at this year’s inaugural Next Gen Tennis Finals in Milan. For the first time at an ATP event, the chair umpire will be the only official on court, with ‘Hawk-Eye Live’ technology used to judge whether shots are in or out. Decisions will be final with players unable to challenge calls as they do at most tournaments via HawkEye playback. Marginal calls will, however, still be accompanied by a visualization on video screens around the stadium. Foot-faults, usually called by judges positioned in line with the baseline, will be determined by a ‘review official’ who will monitor the feet of servers via cameras. The Next Gen ATP Finals in November, which will be contested by the top eight players aged 21 and under, will feature a range of new innovations including a shot clock and short sets. Electronic line calling, however, raises the possibility of judges being phased out for good — ending the ritual of players scowling at officials when decision go against them. “This could be a landmark moment for officiating in our sport,” Gayle David Bradshaw, executive vice president of the ATP’s Rules and Competition department, said. “Our athletes work incredibly hard and they deserve the very best and most accurate officiating we can offer. The technology is now in a place where we feel comfortable trialling this new system in a real tournament environment. “The Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan is the perfect place to do this, and we look

forward to monitoring the results and assessing the merits of this new system.” Hawk-Eye Live technology has been tested for 18 months and Sam Green, Director of Tennis at HawkEye, believes it will become

“the future of tennis officiating”. “Working with the ATP has allowed us to refine the system to not only improve the quality of line calling, but the overall fan experience,” he said in a statement.

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Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank FA

Campbell, Cariah named in Grove Hi Tech continue strong side to face Sri Lankans flawless, unbeaten form

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Selectors have named a strong 13-man West Indies A to face Sri Lanka A in the first two four-day “Tests” of the three-match series set to bowl off in Jamaica next month. The squad will be again led by Shamarh Brooks and include left-handed batsman Vishal Singh and left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell, both of whom have represented West Indies in Tests. Prolific Windward Islands batsman batsman, Sunil Ambris, currently on tour with the Windies one-day side in England, has been named in the unit. Chief selector Courtney Browne said the series represented another opportunity for fringe players to press their claim for a place in the international side. “Our A-Team is the feeding ground for our senior men’s team and so we are looking to continue the development of our second-tier players,” Browne said. “With a strong focus on consistency in selection, this series is another opportunity for them to continue to press their claims for a place in the senior side, thus placing selection pressure on incumbents, ensuring there is healthy competition for spots and growing our talent pool.” Also making a return to the squad is untested Jamaican speedster Reynard Leveridge who limped out of the first “Test” of the last A-tour of Sri Lanka last October while on debut, and was sidelined for the remainder of the series with injury. John Campbell, also from Jamaica, has gained a call-up after scoring 495 runs in the last first class season, and is joined by fellow left-hander Yannic Cariah of Trinidad and

Trinidad and Tobago’s Yannic Cariah. Tobago who was also among the runs with 691, including two centuries. The opening match of the series is set for the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium from October 11-14, with the second match carded for the same venue five days later. Sabina Park in the capital Kingston will host the third and final match from October 26-29. SQUAD – Shamarh Brooks (captain), Vishal Singh (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, John Campbell, Yannic Cariah, Rahkeem Cornwall, Sheldon Cottrell, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Damion Jacobs, Keon Joseph, Reynard Leveridge, Oshane Thomas.

Rubel denied immigration clearance to fly to South Africa

Rubel Hossain’s double-strike jolted the hosts. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - Fast bowler Rubel Hossain could not travel with the Bangladesh Test squad to Johannesburg on Saturday after he was denied a boarding pass by the airlines. Rubel remained in Dhaka and, while his availability for Bangladesh’s three-day warm-up match against SA Invitations XI - from September 21 - is in doubt, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is confident he will be available for the Test series, which starts from September 28. Even though Rubel had a valid visa like his team-mates,

the South Africa immigration authorities have a new provision in which, despite anyone having a visa, they issue “Okay to board” assurances to the airlines, specifying who can fly. Rubel’s name was missing from that list. Akram Khan, the BCB’s cricket committee chairman, attributed the situation to a mistake in the visa issued to Rubel. “The South Africa visa office made a mistake in his visa,” Akram said. “It has to do with his date of birth. It will take a day or two to correct everything. He can go

before the Test series. He is an important player, so we cannot deprive him because of miscommunication.” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, too, said that the board was communicating with Cricket South Africa while the airlines were also aiding them to quickly resolve the issue. “There is a new provision that the passenger needs to have an ‘Okay to Board’ clearance from the ultimate destination. It is the responsibility of the concerned airlines before issuing the boarding pass to any individual,” Chowdhury explained. “We are in touch with Cricket South Africa and hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon. He will fly to South Africa with the first available flight once the matter is resolved.” Rubel was one of three players - alongside Subhasis Roy and Mahmudullah - to have earned a recall in the Bangladesh Test side. There are, however, four other fast bowlers in the touring party, including Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam and Subashis, that Bangladesh can rely on.

Grove Hi Tech has brought over their form from the first round into the second and is still the team to beat when play in the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under17 Intra Association League continued at the Grove Playfield on Sunday last. They were gifted a second walk over in as many matches from Herstelling Raiders the previous Sunday and then Highway United on Sunday last. But the eagerness of the lads to play saw them still donning their uniforms to take on Mocha Champs and they again pocketed full points with a 20 win. Paul Fields in the 42nd minute and Kashif Tinnee in the 54th minute were the players on target for the Grove side. Kuru Kururu Warriors have maintained their second position on the table with a close 3-2 triumph over Diamond Upsetters. The Linden Soesdyke Highway based side raced to a comfortable 3-0 lead but were surprised by a late burst from the Diamond Latest Points Table Team P Grove Hi Tech 11 K.K Warriors 9 Highway United 10 Soesdyke Falcons 9 Agricola 10 Diamond United 10 Herstelling Raiders9 Friendship 11 Mocha Champs 10

Denver Stoll (right) and Michael Moses – Friendship FC side which fired back twice but hadn’t enough to draw level. The Warriors’ goal scorers were Anthony Roberts in the 22nd minute, Sharmar Gillis in the 26th and Joshua Paul in the 40th minute. Diamond Upsetters came close to upsetting the Warriors through a brace of goals off the boot of Jaleel Thomas in the 61st and 68th minute. And Friendship recorded W 11 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 1

L 0 2 4 4 5 5 5 8 9

D 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0

GF 24 28 19 21 15 9 11 2 2

their third win of the league when they defeated Diamond United, 2-1, thanks to goals from Denvor Stoll and Michael Moses in the 19th and 70th minute. The week before, Agricola Red Triangle and Diamond United also won via the walk over route from Highway United and Soesdyke Falcons. Three matches will be contested on Sunday at the same venue. GA 2 12 9 8 15 22 29 17 16

GD +24 +16 +10 +13 0 -13 -13 -15 -14

Points 33 19 16 15 15 13 10 9 3

Joshua Paul (right), Sharmar Gillis and Anthony Roberts – Kuru Kururu Warriors FC

Christ Church, Charlestown triumph Christ Church and Charlestown recorded victories when the PKF Barcellos Narine and Company Inter Ward School Boys round robin Tapeball competition commenced recently at the National Cultural Centre tarmac. Christ Church defeated Queen’s College. Queen’s College batted first and scored 31 off their allocation of six overs. Christ Church responded with 32 in 3.2 overs.

South took first strike and made 55-4, while Charlestown replied with 56. Cummings Lodge scored 41, batting first and Queenstown responded with 43-6. Christ Church took first knock and managed 38 against Tucville who made 30 in reply. The competition which is being organised by Royal Tapeball Cricket Academy will continue on Saturday.

Wednesday September 20, 2017

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Old Trafford defeat sends Windies into World Cup qualifiers MANCHESTER, England, CMC – West Indies’ dismal One-Day International form continued with a sevenwicket defeat to England in the critical opener at Old Trafford here yesterday, a result that condemned the Caribbean side to a 10-team qualifying tournament in order to reach the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Needing to sweep the five-match series in order to achieve direction qualification for the showpiece, West Indies put themselves under pressure when they could muster 203 for nine in the contest reduced to 42 overs per side following a two-hour delayed start due to a wet outfield. Captain Jason Holder topscored with an unbeaten 41 off 33 deliveries while opener Chris Gayle, in his first ODI in two years, belted a typically aggressive 37 off 27 balls. Stylish right-hander Shai Hope carved out an attractive 35 while Rovman Powell got 23, but no other Windies batsman passed 20. As expected, England

Moeen Ali struck early to remove Evin Lewis ©Getty Images made light work of the target, coasting home in the 31st over with Jonny Bairstow celebrating his promotion the top of the order with 100 not out – his maiden ODI century.

Test captain Joe Root chipped in with a polished 54 while all-rounder Ben Stokes arrived at the end to help formalise the result with a cameo unbeaten 23 off 15 balls. The defeat was the 16th in

the last 21 ODIs for West Indies and their 12th loss in their last 17 outings to England. West Indies, two-time former World champions, will now battle minnows Ireland,

Max Verstappen blames Sebastian Vettel for crash

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, along with four teams from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and another two from the ICC World Cricket League Division Two, in a tournament next year in order to reach the World Cup. Opting to bat first, West Indies were given a rousing start by Gayle and Evin Lewis (11) who put on 45 off 33 deliveries. The left-handed Gayle, dropped at second slip by Root off the third ball of the innings from pacer Chris Woakes before he had scored, looked in great touch, smashing two fours and three straight sixes to dominate the stand. However, Lewis pulled a long hop from Moeen Ali to Alex Hales at square leg in the off-spinner’s first over, and Gayle followed 20 balls later with 10 runs added when he holed out to deep mid-off to a brilliant running catch by Root off Woakes. Hope stroked five boundaries as he consolidated in a 50-run, third wicket partnership with Marlon Samuels before he too perished softly, whipping an ordinary delivery from seamer Stokes off his hip to be caught at square leg by Bairstow in the 24th over. Samuels, who consumed 46 balls in making a boundaryless 17, departed 12 balls later at 107 for four in the 26th over brushing a leg-side catch behind off Stokes. Powell and Jason Mohammed (18) then propped up the innings by adding a run-a-ball 42 for the fifth wicket but once they were separated, West Indies lost five wickets for 53 runs to decline. It was left to Holder to wag

the tail, the right-hander thumping five fours to push his side beyond the 200-run mark. Stokes finished with three for 43 while leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2-31) and Woakes (241) picked up two wickets apiece. Requiring a strong opening burst, the Windies claimed Alex Hales cheaply for 19 when Lewis held a juggling catch at point off seamer Jerome Taylor with the score on 31 for one in the fifth over. However, the joy was short-lived as Bairstow and Root came together in a 125run, second wicket stand which killed off the Windies hopes of a victory. All told, Bairstow faced 97 balls and counted 11 fours in a well-paced knock, reaching his landmark in the last over of the game with a punch to deep over off off-spinner Ashley Nurse for three runs. Root meanwhile, struck four boundaries off 53 balls before chopping on to seamer Kesrick Williams (2-50) in the 24th over and captain Eoin Morgan’s lean run continued when he nicked one behind off the same bowler three overs later, to perish for 10. But Stokes provided a swift end to the encounter, lashing a four and a pair of sixes – the last of which sealed the rout for the hosts. Scores: WEST INDIES 204 for nine off 42 overs (Jason Holder 41 not out, Chris Gayle 37, Shai Hope 35, Rovman Powell 23; Ben Stokes 3-43, Adil Rashid 2-31, Chris Woakes 2-41) ENGLAND 210 for three off 30.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 100 not out, Joe Root 54, Ben Stokes 23 not out; Kesrick Williams 2-50)

The crash cost Vettel valuable points in the title race. (Rex Features) BBC Sport - Red Bull’s Max Verstappen blamed Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel for the first-lap crash which took three cars out of the Singapore Grand Prix. The Dutchman and the German came together with Vettel’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen off the start line. Verstappen said: “Mainly Sebastian started squeezing me. Maybe he did not see Kimi on the left but that is not an excuse. He shouldn’t take those risks.” The crash gave winner Lewis Hamilton a 28-point lead in the title race. Verstappen, talking during

the race, said: “Lewis is leading the race and the three of us are out. I don’t think it was a racing incident. Three cars were taken out and I was in the middle not doing anything wrong.” Ferrari blamed Verstappen, saying on the team’s Twitter account: “Verstappen took Kimi out and then he went into Seb.” After widespread criticism of the statement, Ferrari added: “What we tweeted was a factual description of events. No need to speculate on this.” The stewards investigated the incident but decided to take

no further action, ruling that: “No driver was wholly or predominantly to blame.” Vettel played down the effect of the incident on his title chances. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “We have races to go. Nothing we can do now. For sure it is bitter, but it is done. “It doesn’t change much. I’m sure there will be other opportunities.” On the incident, he said: “I had an average start and moved slightly to the left trying to fend off Max and the next thing I know I felt a bump on the side. I’m not sure what happened.

“I saw Max and the next thing I see is Kimi hitting the side of me and Max somewhere there. It was obviously bad for all three of us. We move on.” While Raikkonen and Verstappen were out immediately, Vettel was able to continue in the lead, until he spun coming out of Turn Three, probably on fluids coming out of the back of his car. Vettel said: “I spun after Turn Three but there was damage on the car already, the cooler was broken, massively bent, so we lost water pressure and had to stop anyway.”

Chris Woakes bagged the key wicket of Gayle, courtesy of Joe Root’s stunning catch in the deep. ©Getty Images

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Kaieteur News

GCC, MSC grab first innings honours before rain stops play

Marcus Watkins

Shaquille Moseley

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) grabbed first innings points in their respective matches before rain prevented further play when the latest round of matches in the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods second

division two-day tournament concluded on Sunday. At Bourda, Transport SC batted f i r s t a n d w e r e bowled out for 85 in 23.1 overs. Mark Ramsammy made 20 and Oslyn Batson 19; Marlon Persaud claimed 3-1, Dickwan Murray and Stephon Wilson 2-12 each

and Joshua Wade 2-20. At stumps on Saturday, GCC were 261-4. Kennard Moonsammy struck 71, Persaud made 62, Timothy Mc Almont 55 and Wade 52 not out. Batson, Azeez and Shawn Massiah had one wicket each. At Gandhi Youth Organisation, Ace Warriors were sent packing for 129, batting first. Afzal Gafoor made 48 and Roger Aaron 23. Shaquille Moseley picked up 4-28 and Marcus Watkins 315. Malteenoes SC declared on 281-9 in reply. Watkins stroked 88 and added 117 for the fourthwicket with Clearance Baird who made 24. Alex Rodrigues slammed 66 as S. Coolier snared 3-40 and A. Graham 346. Ace Warriors were 32-1 batting a second time at the close of play on Saturday. No play was possible on Sunday in both matches. (Zaheer Mohamed)

France to play Davis Cup final against Belgium in Lille PARIS (Reuters) - The Davis Cup final between France and Belgium will be played at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Nov. 24-26, the French tennis federation announced yesterday. The tie will be played on a hard court indoor surface with the roof closed. The stadium is home to Ligue 1 soccer club Lille with a capacity of more than 50,000 but that is reduced for the tennis, with a court set at one end, to seat 27,500. France beat Serbia 3-1 at the weekend at

the same stadium, on a clay surface, to secure their place in the final. The Lille stadium was also the venue last time France played in the final, with the hosts losing to Roger Federer’s Switzerland in 2014 on clay. Nine-time champions France last won the Davis Cup in 2001. Twice runners-up Belgium, who secured their place in the final by beating Australia 32 in Brussels, are chasing their first title after being losing finalists in 2015 and 1904.

Giro d’Italia to open 2018 race with three stages in Israel JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israel will host the three opening stages of next year’s Giro d‘Italia, the first time a cycling classic race will be held o u t s i d e E u r o p e , organizers said yesterday. The 101st edition of the Giro will open with a 10.1 kilometer individual time trial on May 4 in Jerusalem, followed by road races on the next two days, between Haifa and Tel Aviv (167-km) and Beersheba and Eilat (226-km). The Giro, along with the Tour de France and Spain’s Vuelta comprise the world’s three major cycling tours. “For us, who for years have spoken about internationalization of the Giro, to come to Israel is a unique opportunity to talk about Italy in this country,” Giro administrator Mauro Vegni said at the launch.

The event has also been embraced by Israeli authorities aiming to boost tourism and is set to be one of the largest international sports events ever staged in the country, as it celebrates 70 years since its founding in 1948. “It’s a great honor for us to host the Giro d‘Italia, it shows the world has confidence in the ability of the state of Israel to organize a very big sports event,” Tourism Minister Yariv Levin told Reuters. He said he did not expect political pressures to disrupt the race, and maps provided by the organizers show that the stages will be run in territory held by Israel before the 1967 Middle East war. Although Israel is situated on the western edge of Asia, its sports organizations are affiliated with Europe. Around 200

riders are expected to compete. Israel hopes to enter a wild-card team, said Canadian-born Israeli Sylvan Adams, one of the organizers, who added that it was he who persuaded Giro officials to bring the race to the country. Former Giro winners Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso, who attended the launch, said the course in a new, untested environment would require careful tactical consideration by teams looking to gain an early advantage. “All the bunch is fresh and each team will want their leader to take the pink jersey,” Basso said. “The first time trial is not easy with a lot of turns and up and down and the second stage along the coast, and the third in the desert, possibly with a lot of wind - it will not be an easy start for the race.”

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Albert Smith elected President of GCCC Qualis Winter to head KCC

Former Guyana Senior Cricket Team Coach Albert Smith-Clements was elected to serve as the new President of the Guymine Community Cricket Club (GCCC) at its Annual General Meeting held

at the Overwinning Primary School on August 16, last. A total of 32 members were present and discussed the required aims and goals of the club. Also discussed were measures that would be put in place to reignite activities within the community. A motion was proposed to elect an executive body and committee. The new executive members were elected unanimously by show of raised hands. The Executive Body reads: President (Albert Smith-Clements), First Vice President (Malcolm Peters), Second Vice President (Ronald Mars), Secretary (Angela Haniff), Treasurer (Moses Jaipaul), Public Relations Officer (Luke

Latiff), Patron (Lennox Cush), Returning Officer (Ulric Cummings). The seven committee members are Bridgesh Jaipaul, Charles Shepherd, Desmond Weeks, Ashley Jones, Takerdeen, Nigel Vyphius and Seon Profit. Meanwhile, the Kildonan Cricket Club (KCC) also had its first AGM which was held at the Kildonan Community Centre on July 23. The elected members to serve are as follows: President (Qualis Winter), Vice President (Carlos Leitch), Secretary (Colin Bynoe), Treasurer (Quaicy Henry). The President and Secretary of both the GCCC and KCC will be its representative to the Berbice Cricket Board.

The Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee is taking a step toward improving thoroughbred racing in Guyana, by enforcing the current rules, in addition to some new and generally improve the system. The Committee has also put systems in place to help the Guyana Horse Racing Authority better its record keeping for horses, jockeys, trainers, grooms and owners. The new systems and requirements will be enforced from the upcoming President’s Cup 2017 @Rising Sun Turf Club which is slated for October 1st. These will only be in forced for ALL of The Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Promotions. The major promotions that are well known throughout the Caribbean for the Jumbo-Jet Racing Committee are: The Guyana Cup FEVER, which is usually held on Easter weekend every year; The biggest of them all, The Guyana Cup which is held mid-August of every year; Then followed by the Guyana Cup RE-MATCH that’s usually in December of every year. They usually have a few other meets in the year depending on weather conditions. With the new requirements and systems put into place by the Racing Committee, there are benefits for everyone in the racing fraternity. -Every jockey must be

registered and uplift a valid Identification Card from the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. With this, jockeys will ensure their riding mount fee of $3,000 GYD for each ride, which will be paid by the horse owners to the JumboJet Racing Committee before jockeys weigh to ride. At the end of the event the jockeys will be paid their total amount. Also the 10% earnings that jockeys ride for on a day’s event will also be paid directly to them from the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. Reason for this system is that many jockeys are being bullied and robbed of their hard earned money the committee informed. -All grooms must also register and uplift a valid Identification Card. This will help the promoter to identify grooms at the entrance gate, also give them a free pass on race day. Registered grooms will also be Paid 2% of the earning of their horses for 1st &2nd position. This will encourage grooms to work harder and work for success. - All trainers must register and uplift a valid Identification Card from the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. Same reason as the grooms and also trainers 10% earnings will also be paid directly from the Jumbo-Jet Racing Committee. - All horse owners must be registered and uplift a valid

Identification Card from the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. This will also give them access to uplift there horse earnings from the above committee. - All horses from classes H2 to I3 must be Microchip in order to race for the upcoming President’s Cup @ Rising Sun Turf Club on October 1st 2017. - Two year old horses of 2018 and 2019 which were born 2016 and 2017 that plan on taking part in the 12th and 13th Annual Guyana Cup 2yrs Old event Must be Microchip before December 31st 2017. If not, horses will perform in their respective class races. Special Notes: - Owners, trainers and grooms who are not registered with the JJTRC will not benefit from all proposed benefits that were discussed at out last meeting (17/09/ 2017). - All late entries will be charged 15 % entrance fee per animal (all entries should be made before the week of Racing). It was noted that these new systems will only grow the sport that’s known as the “Sports of Kings” throughout the World. Once all are in place, the Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee will have funds available for injuries to Jockeys, grooms and trainers on a race day. It must also be noted that these benefits will only be in place for all of Jumbo-Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee Promotions.

Albert Smith-Clements

Efforts made to improve local horseracing

Wednesday September 20, 2017

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

President Granger attends RHTY&SC organised Rose Hall 175th Anniversary Parade

President David Granger receives gift from two RHTYSC members. The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club on Thursday last hosted a colourful Parade and Grand Ceremony for the 175th Anniversary of Rose Hall Village. Over 800 persons participated in the event which commenced at the Dr. Tulsi Square in Williamsburg and ended at the Area ‘H’

ground, Rose Hall Town. RHTYSC Patron, His Excellency President David Granger took the salute at the March Past just outside the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School and was elated at the huge turnout of participants which included members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Guyana

Prison Service, Guyana Fire Service, Rose Hall Town Constabulary, Guysuco Training Centre, Felix Austin Memorial Training College, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and students of the Lower Corentyne, J.C. Chandisingh, Port Mourant and Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary

Moses siblings lift SS Jaguars to 40-run victory, Cheong 50 boosts NSC Nokta Moses struck and fine century while Beesham Moses picked a five-wicket haul to guide Sans Souci Jaguars SC to a 40-run victory over G Square Cavaliers when the V Net T20 Blast continued on Sunday last in Wakenaam. Moses struck an unbeaten 102 and got support from Beesham Moses 32 and Zameer Zaman 18 as Sans Souci Jaguars posted 181-4, batting first at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Dayawant Shiwnandan claimed 2-23 off four overs. G Square Cavaliers responded with 141-9. Chandrika Ragnauth hit 44, while Jaggernauth Manbodh made 29 and Satnarine Sahadeo 22. Off-spinner Beesham Moses grabbed 5-28 and pacer Derwin Daniels 3-20. Noitgedacht SC beat Sans Souci by four runs in their encounter at the said venue. Noitgedacht SC took first strike and scored 144 all out in 19.3 overs. Matthew Cheong stroked an even half century, while Neal Ramalho made 17; Off-spinner Devon Rambarran snared 3-23, Cleon Venture 2-17 and Seon Venture 2-26. Sans Souci threatened before they fell for 137 in reply. Cleon Venture struck 44, Varounie Sasepaul 26 and Heera Sukram 23. Ramalho

Nokta Moses

Beesham Moses

Chandrika Ragnauth

Matthew Cheong

captured 3-27 and Matthew Chung 2-20. The competition continues on Sunday at the same venue with defending

champions Good Success playing Marias Pleasure at 09:30hrs and Sans Souci Jaguars facing Sans Souci at 13:30hrs.

Members of the Guyana Defence Force at the Parade. Schools as well as Rose Hall, Tain, Port Mourant and Belvedre Primary Schools and the Rose Hall Town Nursery School. It was the best organised Parade to ever be held in the county of Berbice. President David Granger, in a well received feature address, noted that the 57 founders of Rose Hall would be very proud of the Village they purchased. The President described Rose Hall Town as an economic powerhouse and one which is a place on the move. He noted that Rose Hall Village was built of homes, education, churches and farms and he urged the present generation to follow in the footsteps of the founders. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club during the ceremony presented over twelve wheelchairs to handicapped persons, honoured four outstanding females, commissioned the 175th

Anniversary Monument and Unveiled a Cricket Scoreboard in honour of President Granger 72nd birthday. Club Secretary/CEO and Chief Organiser of the event, Hilbert Foster described the Parade as a fitting tribute to the 57 Founding Fathers who purchased the Village of Rose Hall, 175 years ago from European Planter John Henry Baird. The club, he stated was proud to be associated with the Township which he described as a small town with a big heart. The club’s nine cricket teams have organised a series of activities to mark the anniversary which include a Cross Country Race, Fitness Walk, Dominos competition, Diabetes Clinic, Health Fair, Evening of Music, Dancing competition, Patron’s Green Economy tournament, Football tournament, Pensioners Project, Career and Business Fair, Unveiling

of 175th Monument, Commissioning of Scoreboard, Tourist Poster, Inter School Cricket, Education Competitions and Teachers of the Year Programme, among others. Regional Chairman of Region 6 Mr. David Armogan hailed Rose Hall Town as a community on the move and praised the membership of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for its outstanding work in Berbice. Special mention was made of the RHTYSC Secretary/ CEO who was described as a Role Model for his work among youths, elderly and less fortunate. The nine teams behind organising the events are Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-19 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division.

Cowboys extend reign as most valuable NFL team: Forbes (Reuters) - The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable National Football League team for an 11th consecutive year, valued at nearly twice the league average, according to the annual list published by business magazine Forbes on Monday. The Cowboys, who have reached the playoffs only nine times since winning their last Super Bowl in 1995, are worth $4.8 billion, up 14 percent rise from last year, Forbes said. Reigning Super Bowl champions New England Patriots ($3.7 billion) were joined by New York Giants ($3.3 billion), Washington Redskins ($3.1 billion) and San Francisco 49ers ($3.05 billion) in the top five. Forbes calculated the average value of the NFL’s 32 teams at $2.52 billion, an 8 percent jump that was driven by hefty TV contracts and new stadiums and stadium renovations that help to generate more revenue from premium seating and amenities. The 10 most valuable NFL teams: 1. Dallas Cowboys ($4.8 billion)

2. New England Patriots ($3.7 billion) 3. New York Giants ($3.3 billion) 4. Washington Redskins ($3.1 billion) 5. San Francisco 49ers ($3.05 billion) 6. Los Angeles Rams ($3 billion) 7. Chicago Bears ($2.85 billion) 8. Houston Texans ($2.80 billion) 9. New York Jets ($2.75 billion) 10. Philadelphia Eagles ($2.65 billion) For the complete list visit (Forbes.com/ NFL)

PAGE 38

Wednesday September 20, 2017

Kaieteur News

Corona Invitational Football Tournament; A success filled with surprises

Inaugural Corona Beer champions! Police FC.

The Corona Invitational Football tournament for teams in Georgetown that concluded on Sunday night, in its inaugural year, was a major success with many surprises. The best surprise was the way in which the tournament was capped off in emphatic fashion as Police destroyed GFC 4-0 in the final. It included surprise performances like Dwain Jacobs’ in the champions’ final match, surprise runs like Northern Rangers unbeaten streak to the semifinal and last but not least, surprisingly good conditions during match-days from the bi-polar weather in Guyana. In addition, the tournament was well organized by Petra with all matches starting on time while the officiating was excellent throughout with little to none issues with the referees. Best Surprise Police Football club had lost to Western Tigers and GFC during

round-robin action in group B and they managed to qualify for the playoffs despite those losses. Police FC, which had won the Mayor’s Cup last year, knew what it took to win a major title and they proved their worth by reaching the semifinals and defeating Western Tigers 1-0. Tigers were pegged as the favourites to win the tournament, but in a very aggressive encounter in which 4 players were sent off (two from each team), Police FC overcame all the odds and needled Tigers to reach the final. In the final, all bets were on GFC that had the advantage of playing at home, added with the psychological advantage after defeating Police during the roundrobin stage, along with the fact that two starters from Police were suspended after receiving red cards during their semifinal clash, yet Police prevailed. Police were also without starter, midfielder Philbert

Moffat who sustained an injury in the fiery semifinal against Tigers and against all these odds Police didn’t only win the match but they completely dominated GFC with an empathic 4-0 victory. No one could’ve predicted that score line. Surprise Performance Often times pre-game, players speak about elaborate performances that their fans can expect and most times they don’t deliver immensely, if they do managed to deliver at all. Captain of the Police FC, 30-yearold Dwain Jacobs, a former Golden Jaguars forward and two time Kashif and Shanghai MVP, expressed disgust in losing matches despite his team’s ascension to the final of the Corona Invitational tournament and promised better chance conversion in the final. And Jacobs did exactly that as he exercised his clinical ability to ruthlessly bag a first half hat-trick which singlehandedly brought GFC

to their knees. Jacobs’ first goal which he hit with finesse to the bottom right of GFC’s goal in the 8th minute on Sunday would’ve been enough for victory as the opposition didn’t manage a reply with a solitary but tame shot on goal during the second half. With the Golden Jaguars encamping 28 locally based players for the international friendly away at Grenada on October 7th in which 3 are forwards including the 35-yearold Gregory Richardson, it’s was surprising that 30-year-old Jacobs was not considered for the camp but the Striker shared with Kaieteur Sport that we wasn’t available for national selection. Surprise Run Even more surprising than Police FC’s triumph in this tournament was the miraculous run by Northern Rangers football club who played unbeaten almost unnoticed to their semi-final berth.

Semifinal action between Camptown FC (Stripes) and the Northern Rangers.

The youthful squad comprising of full-time cricketer Steven Sankar, although in the weaker of the two groups during the round robin stage, still had to get the job done and they did so with convincing wins against Eastveldt 2-0, Pele 3-0, Santos 3-1 and Flamingo 2-0. Rangers continued to ride their luck in the quarterfinal against Camptown when striker Sunil Logan continued his goal scoring form from his previous match against Flamingo and opened the scoring in the 19th minute. However, Camptown equalized within the first half and the match eventually expired to penalties with the score deadlocked at 1-all and Rangers squeezed past them 4-3 from the spot. In the first semi final of the Corona tournament, all of Northern Rangers luck ran out in a 3-0 loss when they faced a stumbling block in GFC that was a class above them in all departments. Rangers had a good chance of finishing third in the competition but their striker Sunil Logan wasn’t on song in the playoff against Western Tigers in Sunday night’s opener and he failed to convert no less than 3 very good opportunities. Nevertheless, Northern Rangers run in this tournament was surprising and commendable with their 4th place finish. Good Weather Georgetown is known to have very unpredictable weather and this tournament which ran for over two months was not affected by rain. This was enjoyed as early as the 3rd set of round robin matches following a pause for the CONCACAF Under-17 Women World cup qualifiers, until the business end of the tournament, the knockouts. Although it did rain on some match days, the ground staff of the Georgetown Football Club, where all the matches of the Corona football tournament were played, did well to get the venue match-ready.