Berbice Times by Gytimes

Monday, December 2, 2013

GUYANA

Berbice Issue No. 001

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Better days ahead if govt, business community work together – Berbice chamber P4

Growing rice as a family business – Nand Persaud & Co making it big with its Karibee brand

WHAT'S INSIDE: Page 4 Beleaguered businesses hope for crime-free Christmas

Changing the Page 6 HIV/AIDS conversation: Comforting Hearts

Page 7 Have an “Epic Wednesday” at Sher’s Night Club

Peru boxing Page 8 medallists beaten at “Fight Night” in Berbice

MonDAY, December 2, 2013

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MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Private cane farmers bash GuySuCo – but remain optimistic industry will get better

rivate cane farmers producing for the Skeldon Sugar Factory remain optimistic of the survival of the industry, but say for a turnaround of the ailing fortunes of GuySuCo, the current status quo cannot remain. According to the farmers, almost all the estates are run by poor managers, who seem unable to comprehend their tasks at hand, forge a mutually beneficially relationship with workers, and transform concepts of prudent management into real practical solutions. David Subnauth, who was once the largest supplier to the Skeldon Estate, said even at Skeldon, things are far from well, pointing out that the estate can do without people who are there only for the money, for people who genuinely want to make a difference. On that note, he said the estate needs to be managed by a board, and “local people should be on the board, not foreigners”. He added: “Let the people who are planting cane for the estate be part of management.” Subnauth told Guyana Times that he was drawn to the business as he sees a promising future in the sugar industry. Shift “The returns were more, as against putting the land into rice cultivation,” he said, but noted that due to the inept management and dwindling fortunes of the industry, he was forced to shift back to rice cultivation. The businessman, who had invested in excess of $60 million in the sugar industry, currently has 100 acres of land under rice cultivation. “It is our investment, our labour, our money and then no proper management,” he lamented, noting that this slide cannot continue. GuySuCo has not been able to get the required amount of cane for the factory because of a cane shortage, but Subnauth said, all is not lost as he still has faith in sugar. Would return He said if there is a turnaround in the industry, he might again get sweet with sugar. “The only way we can get a turnaround is if

Skeldon has its own management. Skeldon has to come off of GuySuCo. Right now, the people at GuySuCo are not real farmers, they are just workers.” Referring to what he called bad management on the part of GuySuCo, Subnauth explained that initially when he got into the industry, it took the corporation 10 years before they plowed the land and replanted cane. During that time, he said all they did was to cut the cane when it was ripe and allow it to regrow by itself. Bad management “Now because of bad management, GuySuCo is plowing every two years. This, he says increases the overhead cost of producing sugar. The land preparation is an expensive operation. You have to make sure that you have proper tillage and you do good husbandry so that you can go seven, eight years. That is why I am saying that if you have local people involved, things will go better.” Subnauth made reference to the SWR Co-op at Skeldon, which reaped cane 21 times before they replanted. He also said that bad management at the estate allows persons to be paid for days they did not go to work. “For too many years, sugar was king. How all of a sudden now it would turn nothing?” Subnauth asked, noting that its downfall is caused by “bad management”. Meanwhile, another cane farmer, Annan Mohan Singh, who has 8000 acres of cane cultivation, said manual labour is needed in the production of sugar. According to Singh, machinery though beneficial, has destroyed the access roads to the cane fields. This, he said is one of his main concerns in the Skeldon area. Import labourers Singh also suggested that given the shortage, GuySuCo should consider importing cane harvesters. “I have never made a profit but I have millions of dollars invested so it is difficult to pull out,” Singh said, noting that the old sugar factory at Skeldon took nine tonnes of cane to produce one tonne of sugar but now takes 20 tonnes of

cane for a tonne of sugar. “How can it pay us? It can’t,” he said Given the technical problems at the Skeldon Sugar Factory, Skeldon farmers have been reluctant to continue their investments. But like a few other farmers, Singh remains optimistic that fortunes in the industry will change, but the estates need strong but people-oriented managers. Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the ministry has been working with the cane farmers in the best interest of the corporation.

Cane harvesting in progress

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MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Crime in Berbice

rime has perennially been a major concern of the residents of Berbice and during the previous three months, with four murder/robberies committed, nothing has been done to lessen that concern. During the middle of November, Brian Joseph, the commander of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) B Division, which covers the entire Region Six geographical span, announced figures that purported to show serious crime in the region had actually decreased in absolute numbers. He also outlined the strategy the police would execute to deal with the expected upsurge of crimes in the Christmas season. The quoted statistics might very well be correct, but they have done very little to allay the fears of Berbicians who are still on edge. In addition to the acknowledgement that crimes will increase in the near term, it has been said, with a great deal of truth, that “there are lies, damned lies and statistics”. In the case of Berbice, the statistics on crime hide a crucial element in the citizens’ evaluation of the effectiveness of the police in fighting crime: the number of serious crimes that are solved versus the ones that become “cold cases”. The people of Berbice are, in the main, convinced that the police are not vigilant or aggressive enough in pursuing the perpetrators of serious crimes – even when they are given ample warning during the commission of the said crimes. The responses are invariably late and lax and result in the just-as-invariable escape of criminals. But what compounds the problem of police slackness in the minds of the populace is the subsequent dealings of police with the victims of crimes or their relatives. As if in a defensive manoeuvre to cover up their slow or tardy or nonexistent response, when the police eventually arrive at the crime scene, they adopt a hostile and aggressive attitude to the people there. Very short shrift, if any, is given to the grief and fears of the victims or their survivors. They are harassed and bullied to provide information to buttress preconceived theories the police might have conjured up. In two recent instances, the son of one of the murder victims was made to appear as a suspect and humiliated, without a shred of evidence. In another, a prominent businessman had his gun seized by the police after he was shot in his right hand and right leg. In the meantime the perpetrators of both crimes walk free – and in a position to repeat their depradations on a hapless populace. The Berbice police commander has also asserted, in the police’s defence, that his division is seriously undermanned. This is an indictment of the police force in general and the Berbice division in particular. Why was this shortage of manpower not highlighted and made a central feature of the police’s budgetary requisition? It confirms the perception of the populace that to the Berbice police hierarchy, they are simpletons who are taken for granted by that institution . The government of Guyana has, over the years, increased the funding for the police by a factor that has to have reached double digits. How much was allocated to Berbice and where has all this money gone? We believe that the police administration must do some serious introspection on their approach to policing in Berbice, both substantively and procedurally. More locals ought to be recruited, so that there will less temptation to see Berbicians as victims to be fleeced and harassed and for those who are brought in from outside the region, they ought to be better trained in community relations.

Beleaguered businesses hope for crime-free Christmas C

rime in Berbice which had skyrocketed in recent months seems to have subsided radically and residents, especially those in the business community, are quite optimistic that the festive season will be a happy and relatively crime-free one. However, persons are still being urged to take all precautions to ensure that they do not fall prey to criminals. Proprietor of the popular A Ally and Sons in New Amsterdam, Ahmad Ally believes that there are individuals that are criminally-minded and bent on committing acts of violence. He cautioned, “When you’re going to the bank you need to ensure you be precise about what you are doing, that you could get through and move to your location without stopping.” In noting the heightened police presence in the streets, which has contributed to the reduction in criminal activities, the business owner says he is thankful. Nonetheless, shoplifting continues to be the

norm at many businesses in the Ancient County. Many of the perpetrators are caught as a result of the cameras on the premises.

Security measures Ally said security guards, cameras, and alarm systems are the measures he has taken to help reduce criminal activities within his business places. For him, the incidence of crime has been fluctuating over the years, and as such, one can never tell when bandits will strike. While many businesses are able to afford security guards and other security measures, there are others that depend on the quick response of the police in the event of theft or other crimes. A female business owner said she and her staff have, on numerous occasions, witnessed “pick pocketing”,

right outside and sometimes within her business place. She is among the many who as a consequence of the slow pace of business are unable to employ security guards. It is her hope that the police will ‘raise their game’ so that businesses like hers could be safe. Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce President Leekha Rambrich echoed the sentiments shared by the business community. He also thanked the police force for its initiative to tighten security especially during this time, recalling the killings of three businessmen on the Corentyne earlier this year. Rambrich noted that since those brutal incidents, police have intensified their campaign against violent crime in t h e area.

He also urged residents to keep their fingers crossed and be on the alert since one can never be certain where and when criminal elements will attack. The chamber president cautioned business owners to be extra careful during this season, and said he hoped that it will be incident free. (Alexis Rodney)

Better days ahead if govt, business community work together – Berbice chamber

here is much that can be accomplished in the Ancient County of Berbice if businesses and government work together. This is the view of Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association President Mark Roopnarine, who is also the manager of Ainlim’s Berbice branch. He said the county’s current economic state is satisfactory, but if other stakeholders and the government joined together, there would be brighter days. In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Roopnarine said the non-

profit organisation is seeking to build bridges and strengthen relationships with the regional government and other stakeholders, including the Guyana Police Force. This will see major advancement towards further economic and social development. There are a number of key projects that could be undertaken by the government. Among them is the deepwater harbour, a project that has long been on the cards for Berbice, to develop the shipping industry in the county and boost the economy. Interest in building the harbour was revived after CGX Energy Inc, the Canadian gas and

oil exploration company began drilling for oil in the Corentyne River basin in 2004. Since 1931, the Berbice chamber of commerce has had, at the core of its objectives, the economic stability of the county. Today, the chamber, the second to be established in Guyana, serves the business communities of New Amsterdam and its environs. Its member companies hail from the financial services, insurance, retail, hotel, restaurant, telecommunication and other industries. The chamber supports social services through participation in community and social activities and donations to educational institutions and non-governmental organisations. At its inception, the chamber was directly responsible for the affairs of all businesses across Regions Five and Six. However, owing to the establishment of more businesses across the regions, stakeholders on the

Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association President Mark Roopnarine

Corentyne and the West Coast of Berbice have established the Upper and Central Corentyne and the West Coast of Berbice Chambers of Commerce. (Alexis Rodney)

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MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Growing rice as a family business

– Nand Persaud & Co making it big with its Karibee brand

ot often some who dropped out of school is viewed in high esteem, but there are quite a few, driven by a vision grounded in astute entrepreneurship, the ethics of hard work, and a will to transform, who through their outstanding achievements, have commanded the respect of all. Bill Gates is one quick example that comes to mind, others or many will know that renowned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is also in this category, but here in Guyana, there is an entrepreneurial hero in his own right. Mohindra Persaud, is not in the fold of the two earlier mentioned icons, but has evolved from a simple beginning to today heading the operations of a state-ofart entity, Nand Persaud & Company Limited, the home of Karibee Rice.

Family Coming from a family involved in cattle rearing, cash crop and rice farming, it was not big surprise when Persaud left school at third form in 1979 to join his family in their small but promising business. Around that time, his brother Rajendra, had just completed his secondary school, and he too, more or less as a matter of tradition, began to assist his family on the farm. But after one year on the farm, he quitted to further his studies at the University of Guyana (UG), and upon graduation in 1984, he returned to help his family ramp up their operations. In the meanwhile, Mohindra continued to toil relentlessly with his father, especially in rice fields, and in cattle rearing since he never really liked cash crop farming as he considered the income generated from this is too small. Cash crop “I was really encouraging my father at that time to drop the cash crop,” Persaud told Berbice Times in a recent interview. And in 1980, his family decided to abandon cash crop farming and embark on large scale rice cultivation and cattle farming. “It was a

Mohindra Persaud has evolved from humble beginnings

success despite the hardship of getting input like fertilisers, spares and a few other commodities needed for the cultivation, but all in all, it was a success because rice was very profitable. We work on the cattle business a lot since we loved it and it was so much fun,” beaming Persaud said. He related that his love for cattle rearing is deeply rooted, pointing out that it was handed down to his family by his grandfather Chandika Persaud, who was a cattle farmer by profession. Persaud said his father Nand Persaud, who died about six years ago, was equally fond of the cattle business, and himself being of no exception. Back burner “I really enjoyed spending time with cattle,” he said, but noted as everyone became fully occupied with rice cultivation and the spare parts store, the time for cattle rearing was placed on the back burner, and eventually his family parted company with the business when it sold its ranches in 1997. With the cattle business gone, emphasis was placed on rice cultivation, the spare parts trade and the idea of building a modern parboiled factory. The ground work for the modern factory commenced in 1995, and since then, there was no turning back. “Definitely, we knew it would be a challenge to do something that we know almost nothing about, we never saw how

it was operated, we never had one in Guyana, so it was a challenge for us.” In 1996, despite some challenges, the new factory was birthed, and began production in March, with a one tonne per hour mill, located at the bottom of their house at Number 36 Village, a spot envisioned by his father, the late Nand Persaud, who was alive at the time. At the beginning, there was no smooth sailing, as the market for parboiled rice was not immediately forthcoming. In fact, parboil rice was prohibited from exportation since it was deemed unfit for human consumption. Undaunted This reality was a mountain to overcome as the Persaud family had to fulfil their loan obligation to a well known bank, but they remained resolute and unfettered in their drive to make their plan work. “In the latter part of 1997, we had to build market for this product, we went to Haiti where we managed to obtain a market and it was only then we managed to get some grip into this,” Persaud reminisced. At that time, the factory was only manufacturing unfinished rice with a market in Trinidad, Barbados and St Vincent. “We realised that in order to come off the stress in those days and move forward, we had to go back to the bank and request additional funding

to purchase a colour sorting machine to remove all the discoloured grains and a polisher to polish the rice; and this new investment allowed us to sell to dozens of people in the Caricom and even supermarket since it is all finished rice.” This move proved to be the trump car, said Persaud, pointing out that it spring boarded the company on a plateau, where it no longer it had to approach three or four persons to purchase their products as dozens were rushing for it. When the burgeoning success, and the challenges of the factory, rice cultivation remain an important but not necessary operation, and eventually when it came to an end, there was no great mourning. “This allowed many willing farmers to take up land available and cultivate rice and we thought it best to give it to them,” Persaud said. Informed strategies With no attention on rice and more focus on the factory, extensive focus was placed on manufacturing and marketing, and this was done with an air of precision, through a series of well informed strategies. The company, today, boasts large market shares in the Caricom region for both white and parboiled rice, and according to Persaud, this was made possible as the company has been at the forefront in the quest to secure and maintain markets for Guyana’s rice. And because of a superior finished product, Nand Persaud and Company Limited was able to secure markets throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe as well as in Panama and Brazil. Persaud said the company’s goal is to deliver a quality product at competitive price and at the same time meeting the demands of consumers. “From then to now, we have moved the parboiled rice manufacture to a higher level, a totally different bar,” he proudly said.

Improving health delivery with diabetic foot centre, ENT department

ore than $25 million has been spent to improve health care delivery in West Berbice. The money was used to provide better facilities at the Fort Wellington Hospital Complex and enhance the capacity of the Bush Lot Health Centre. On Thursday, Local Government Minister Ganga commissioned three projects at the hospital totalling $17.6 million: a new diabetic foot centre, a new water treatment plant, and a new ear, nose and throat (ENT) department, as well as a waiting room. Speaking of the new $7.4 million new diabetic foot centre, Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Hamilton explained that it was part of the plan to offer specialised care. He said although the Fort Wellington Hospital Complex has been offering diabetic foot care, it has not been able to maximise the benefits of the programme, giving that amputation has decreased by only 50 per cent since the advent of the project. “… persons who at the end of the day have to amputate their legs, now they don’t have to do that with the intervention of the diabetic foot care.” Minister Ganga noted that diabetic foot care was previously offered at the administration building of the hospital and that proved a serious challenge for caregivers as well as patients. “We will now be able to offer the same type of care, but in an environment which is far more conducive, less challenging.”

He urged all those who will be utilising the facility to care for it as it is a “gift from the taxpayers”. The equipment for the plant was supplied by Farfan and Mendes. The ENT department, which cost $5.7 million, will be similar to the ENT centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital. That is according to acting Regional Health Officer, Dr Govind Singh. According to Minister Ganga, the new facility will eliminate the need for persons living on West Berbice to travel to the city to get specialised treatment. “Our government will continue to look at ways how we can decentralise health care and not only decentralise and operationalise so that citizens can benefit. So we cut down commuting cost, commuting time, and we offer health in a less frustrating environment.” However, the regional health officer noted that the institution is still in need of an ENT specialist and will initially be run by other doctors. The Bush Lot Health Centre was upgraded at a cost of $5.5 million. The annex of the structure, Dr Singh explained, will be used to provide training to regional personnel as the need arises. “This is a building where we will seek to brainstorm the current issues in the health department in the region and how we can address it. We will, from time to time, invite persons who are specially trained to provide needed knowledge in a specific area.”

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MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Regatta

What the people say

he initiative undertaken by the Guyana Times newspaper to launch a Berbice supplement was received with generally positive views. We took to the streets of Berbice to hear the comments of the persons on this issue… this is what they had to say:

“

Denzil Crawford – Health-care giver Gagendra Shamsundar, one of the regatta’s stars, with his two trophies

Regatta Coordinator Winston Miller

w o u l d definitely support something like this, because I read the Guyana Times and if I am correct it’s not only in Guyana. So, the fact that Berbice will get an opportunity to be in the spotlight, I would definitely support that initiative.”

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Ahmad Ally – Businessman

Photos by Andrew Carmichael

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Nikita Elgin – Typist clerk

The Number 63 Beach regatta, one of Berbice’s many tourism offerings, was held on Sunday

don’t think it is a bad idea. Apart from that, I think that persons from other parts of Guyana like Essequibo will get to know what is happening in Berbice. We would not be shut back. Another thing is that job opportunities will be created. Obviously, they will need people to work, right?”

uyana Times is one of the newspapers I buy every day and our ads are in there too. That’s good. There should always be a supplementary in the paper. It should be in Essequibo also. It is something when you pick up you can see what is happening in Berbice. Even though it might not be every day. Maybe three times per week. But we are living in Berbice, and we would want to know what is happening in our county.”

Erron Rose – Newspaper vendor

ell, I normally s e l l the Guyana Times newspaper daily. On Sundays, I would increase the amount I sell. I think that the supplementary will be very nice. I am glad that the publication is now focusing on Berbice. Normally, the Guyana Times newspaper would sell out very fast. And now that it is focusing on Berbice, it will sell out even faster.”

Changing the HIV/ AIDS conversation:

Comforting Hearts

he fight against HIV/AIDS in Berbice is not as daunting as it used to be. In fact, persons are so aware of the debilitating illness and preventative steps that testing sites are flocked on a daily basis. So says Denzil Crawford, a caregiver and counsellor/tester attached to Comforting Hearts, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on numerous social maladies, including HIV/AIDS. ‘’A few years to now, we would have seen great change in people in the community’s response towards it. One example would be, let’s say on an average, 60, 40 and sometimes even 30 persons coming on a monthly basis in the early 2000s. Now, the numbers per month getting tested is always over 100 and. So people are more open about being tested.” Generally, the populace are ready to accept testing and counselling for HIV. However, there are still people who are afraid of being tested. An empathetic Crawford said although the decision to get tested is a difficult one, the benefits are priceless. “Firstly, you get to know your status. No matter who you are, the only way you can know your status is if you get tested. You get the chance to ask questions. You get to know about the

prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. You can even learn about family planning.” In the event someone turns out to be HIV positive, support is given to that individual, including immediate referral to the nearest treatment site along with home-based care if necessary. Comforting Hearts, located at 6-18 Coburg Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice (please confirm), offers its services nominally to residents of Regions Five and Six, but persons come from as far as Lethem to its services, Crawford disclosed. It offers counselling, care and support to persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS and promote specific HIV/AIDS educational programmes for targeted groups. Comforting Hearts was formed on September 23, 1998 when 19 persons who were trained as HIV/AIDS counsellors by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat decided that they would like to do much more for Berbicians in the area of HIV/ AIDS. It was officially launched December 10, 1998. Contact information: Tel: 3334722; fax: 333-6997; and email: comfortinghearts@hotmail.com.

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MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Berbice Arts & Entertainment

Berbice, the Have an “Epic Wednesday” at Sher’s Nightclub music capital of Guyana? T he fun continues this Wednesday at the Sher’s Nightclub with “Epic Wednesday”. Patrons will be allowed free entry into the hot spot where local artistes will take to the stage, providing nonstop entertainment. On Friday evening, party lovers can brace themselves for the usual after-work Friday ‘hang’, with bev-

Young entrepreneurs Kevin McCammon (left) and Andy Henry

it.

hat’s a yes, if Syckamoh Entertainment has anything to say about

The quest to place Berbice in the spotlight is being feverishly pursued by this group of young, talented entrepreneurs. Andy Henry, Burt Joseph, Kevin McCammon, and Shemroy Hinds comprise the team at Syckamoh Entertainment and Production, a recording studio and music production operation in New Amsterdam which seeks to assist young aspiring artistes to realise their dreams. A visit to the studio recently found two of the members doing what they love best. Henry was glued to his computer monitor. He is solely responsible for video editing and photography. McCammon is tasked with recording the sound and producing the graphics for all productions. Absent at the time were Joseph who is the man behind the PC repairs and Kemroy Hinds who is in charge of all software upgrades. McCammon, who started the business out of his home in Stanleytown, said the idea came to him some 10 years ago. He, along with another friend, now overseas, started off the burning of CDs, which they sold to local businesses. They also mixed music and deejayed at many events, becoming increasingly popular.

Computer genius

When his friend migrated, McCammon met Henry, a computer genius, who also had knowledge of cinematography. They then began producing advertisements for television. The business grew and moved to its current location. It was his love for music that saw McCammon allowing young persons to visit the studio and have their songs recorded and edited. McCammon said they went as far as to produce

videos to accompany those songs, free of cost. The objective at that time was to promote his business, while lending support to youths, whom he described as extremely talented. With his wide knowledge of music, McCammon even offered voice training to those who required such. A weekly television programme called SMZ was the platform used to highlight the young artistes. The programme was shelved last year due to lack of sponsorship. McCammon said persons who are interested in using the studio are now offered a small affordable package. More than 30 artistes, including a pensioner, performing various genres of music, utilise the services of the studio.

Multitalented

The studio also has an online radio station, Syckamoh Sound Station, run by the multitalented Henry. He said although it has not been officially launched, the response has been overwhelming. All he wants to do is help out in whatever way he can. He has an innate desire to see copyright laws drafted for the well-deserving artistes. S y c k a m o h Entertainment’s vision is to be the go-to-place for music production – both audio and video. It is hoped that in a year’s time, the studio could be, according to McCammon, “the media front for the country in terms of providing exposure for Guyana’s music.” McCammon represents the studio at the Guyana Music Network which was recently re-established in the capital city of Georgetown. An executive producer of the network, McCammon says the members are optimistic that this would be the entity to bring together and protect artistes’ rights in Berbice and to a wider extent, Guyana. (Alexis Rodney)

erages at specially reduced prices. For those not into parties, a moment of relaxation and fun can be had at the Penguin International Hotel as it hosts its dub poetry and ganga time, an opportunity for reflection and intense laughter. The amateur hour will see school-aged children showcasing their talent. The hours after that will make way for the more se-

nior performances. On the evening of Saturday, December 7, party-goers can join in a grand celebration with Paragon Sound System founder, Father Pat at Club Castle in New Amsterdam. Supporters might be fortunate to grab the numerous door prizes and other giveaways. This event is sponsored by Mackeson.

MonDAY, December 2, 2013

Sport

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Peru boxing medallists beaten at “Fight Night” in Berbice

ecent Junior South American Games medallists Joel Williamson and Michael April lost their bouts in the Jeff Roberts Promotion “Fight Night” amateur card in New Amsterdam on Saturday night. Williamson, fighting in the bantamweight division, lost a controversial decision to Delon Charles of Forgotten Youth

Foundation (FYF) while April lost his 110-114lb fight to Shaka Moore of Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG). The evening showcased Berbice’s top amateur boxers from the Roberts Champions Boxing Gym (RCBG) against the other gyms in the county. RCBG’s three; April, Williamson and junior middleweight fighter

Travis Fraser all medalled when they represented Guyana in Peru at the Junior South American Games in August. Welterweight Travis Fraser got a decision over Glenroy Smith, much to the disapproval of the crowd. On Saturday, Williamson, fighting against Charles, seemed as if he was trying to im-

press the New Amsterdam crowd in his first outing since winning his Junior South American Games medal. This allowed Charles to get the better of several of the exchanges they had in the opening round. However, as the fight progressed, Williamson fought with purpose and spent more time picking his punches while Charles tried putting together combinations. Earlier, Shaka Moore wasted no time with Michael April, picking his punches and landing with pinpoint accuracy, as April bull-rushed, a tactic that failed to work. The 15-year-old Moore won the best boxer prize. Meanwhile, Fraser, fighting in the last bout of the evening, was looking for redemption. He started slowly and used his superior size to bully Smith into the corner and took advantage. However, Smith was equal to the task and fought out the challenge, delivering some stunningly quick left jabs despite both boxers showing signs of tiring. In other decisions, Colin Hinds of RCBG got the better of Devon Wright of EBG in their 132lb lightweight fight. It was the final bell that saved Wright, as one of Guyana’s more experienced amateur referees Romaine Agard was about to step in to signal a close to the bout. Albert Thomas Jr of RCBG outboxed Christopher Moore of EBG in their 105-108lb encounter while Jamal Eastman of RCBG won over Odemi Moore of EBG in their 100104lb fight. Tasham Jack won his fight with Devon Armstrong in an all-EBG affair in the 95-99lb category, while in another allEBG affair, Delroy El Cock took care of business when he met Shaka Wright in an 80-84lb contest. New Amsterdam Mayor Claude Henry, who was at ringside, expressed disappointment at the poor turnout. He said residents of the town needed to support their own and be more sport-conscious. This, he said, could go a far way in their personal development. He also chided the organisers for not properly advertising the event, saying “I want to see fliers and banners around the town. You need to pre-sell tickets.” (Andrew Carmichael)