Guyana Times Daily - August 4, 2015

Guyanese Doctor P10 returns after completing Harvard University Scholarship Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2575

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

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Startling revelations…

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Roopnaraine agreed to abruptly ending Rodney CoI Page 12

– admits succumbing to PNC-dominated Cabinet pressure

PM denies knowledge of “100%” pay hike Page 3

– fails to explain pay hike for Cabinet members, MPs

Trawler sinks in Pomeroon River P2 – man still missing, feared drowned 2nd Joint Commission Agreement….

Guyana, P8 Barbados to train six Guyanese in hospitality sector

Reparations claims against former P9 colonial powers – Caricom could move to ICJ

Goodbye Kalam!

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and former President Donald Ramotar sign the Book of Condolences for former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (See story on page 12)

PPP/C whips Ramnarine mum on Govt over anti- SWAT members’ poor policies safety concerns Page 13

Page 7

– moves being made to give laptops – says will only speak after to friends, cronies – PPP/C meeting team members

“Dangles” remanded for Tucville man’s P10 murder Emancipation Exhibition launched P10 as part of celebrations

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Foulis man robbed, Trawler sinks RZ minibus hijacked in Pomeroon River A Foulis, East Coast Demerara bus driver was on Sunday evening robbed of his cash and his minibus by two motorbike bandits in the vicinity of Coldigen Railway Line, ECD about 23:15h.

Balram Singh, of Lot 67 Foulis, was on his way home after dropping off a friend at Kitty, Georgetown when he was confronted by two men on a motorcycle and relieved of $20,000 and his RZ minibus bearing registration number BMM 31.

In a phone interview, Singh told the Guyana Times that he left home and went to Kitty and on his way back home, he saw the light of a vehicle in his rearview mirror. He noted that he continued to drive, but in the vicinity of Coldigen, the motorcycle overtook him and turned left into his path forcing him to stop.

The pillion rider, he

The missing minibus

added, came off the motorcycle and walked towards him as he sat in the driver’s seat. The bandit pulled out a knife, placed it to Singh’s neck and demanded that he hand over the money.

“I tell he that the money was in my pocket and that I had to get out of the bus

so that he can get the money… I come out, take out the $20,000 and give he it,” Singh stated.

Not too pleased, the man accused him of hiding money in the minibus and conducted a search. “They tell me that if it nah got money in the bus, they will

drive away with it and kill me,” he added.

He noted that as they were searching the bus for additional money, he ran in the opposite direction and hid in a clump of bushes.

One of the men reportedly jumped onto the motorcycle and the other into the driving seat of the minibus and drove away.

Singh explained that he walked from Coldigen to Vigilance Police Station where he made a report.

The Police and he made several checks along the East Coast Road and in some villages but there were no signs of the minibus.

A search party was established comprising friends and family as they continue to look for the vehicle. The vehicle is the main source of income for Singh to support his family. He purchased the minibus some six years ago.

– man still missing, feared drowned

O

ne man is now feared dead after a cargo-laden trawler that plied the Georgetown to North West District (NWD) route capsized and sank in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River between Saturday and Sunday.

This was confirmed by the Maritime A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Department (MARAD) on Monday. The man has been identified as Guy Roach, 54, of Kitty, Georgetown.

According to reports received, the vessel “Captain Saif” which was carrying millions of dollars in goods to Port

Kaituma and Mabaruma left the Giftland Wharf on Water Street about 07:00h on Saturday last.

Four persons, including the captain of the boat, Nishal (only name given) were on board.

The boat reportedly encountered some difficulties and ultimately went down.

The missing man reportedly made a decision to jump into the water thinking he would have been safer. but he disappeared. The others held on to the vessel as it submerged and were subsequently rescued.

Guyana Times understands that the boat was chartered by a wellknown businessman who was also on board. In addition, it is believed that after the boat started to tilt to one side, the captain instructed the businessman to dispose of at least 50 bags of rice in order to balance the boat, but he refused.

Meanwhile, Captain Stephen Thomas of MARAD during a phone interview told this newspaper that the Department was “coordinating efforts to search for the missing person and has also commenced its investigation into the mishap”.

He noted that up to late Monday afternoon, they were trying to ascertain the exact location where the vessel went down, and were working closely with the Coast Guard as they continue their search for the missing man.

Guyana Times understands that one of the men who were rescued gave a detailed statement to the Police.

Attempts to make contact with the owner of the vessel proved futile.

In January 2014, Stollie 1, a cargo vessel sank at the mouth of the Pomeroon River in the Atlantic Ocean. It was reported that the boat contained an estimated $80 million worth of goods, including goods amounting to $11 million belonging to the owner, Trevor Stoll. This publication reported that about 20 persons had goods on the vessel, which were destined for several areas in the NWD.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 4 – 08:30h-10:00h and Wednesday, August 5 – 09:00h-10:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 4 – 07:05h-08:35h and Wednesday, August 5 – 07:55h-09:25

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

PM denies knowledge of “100%” pay hike – fails to explain pay hike for Cabinet members, MPs me to speculate, I am not going to get 100 per cent increase…I cannot respond to you,” he said, just before referring the reporter to the Finance Minister.

Efforts to contact other key Government officials on the matter proved futile.

However, President

WEATHER TODAY

Light to heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the morning, with light rain showers giving way to suny weather in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East South-easterly between 2.68 metre and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:17h and 19:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.77 metres and 2.70 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:48h and 13:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

LOTTERY NUMBERS D 11 28 21 20 13 09 18 Bonus Ball

Friday, July 31, 2015 Daily Millions

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President David Granger

By Devina Samaroo

P

rime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo on Monday denied having any knowledge about Cabinet’s plans to dish out a 100 per cent pay hike for Government Ministers and other Members of Parliament (MPs), failing miserably in the process to justify any increase ahead of the presentation of the National Budget.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s pronouncement on the issue comes at a time when public outrage is growing after the Guyana Times broke a story last week which exposed a plan by the David Granger Government to approve a significant increase in the salaries and benefits of its serving Government Ministers and MPs even though it has only been in power for three months now.

When contacted by the Guyana Times about the

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issue, Nagamootoo was upset that this newspaper succeeded in breaking the story.

Asked for a justifiable reason for this increase, the Prime Minister feebly stated, “I think the Guyana Times needs to give an explanation to the Guyanese people why they would want to say that the PM will be paid some … increase in salary. I am not aware of 100 per cent increase…”

All efforts to get a reason as to why Government wanted to give it an increase in pay – given that on its campaign the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition spoke vigorously against the wastage of taxpayers’ monies and exuberance associated with occupying Executive Officer, proved futile as the Vice President kept avoiding the question.

“All I can tell you is that I am not getting 100 per cent increase…don’t ask

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

David Granger is quoted in other sections of the media as saying that the salary increases are being done to basically differentiate between the payments received by the various levels of officials.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan confirmed that Cabinet was actively considering a salary increase for not only Ministers of Government

but advisers as well as MPs. He would not confirm nor deny the figures that have been floated in the public over the past two days.

The proposed pay hike would see Nagamootoo earning approximately $2.2 million monthly, inclusive of benefits, while the three other Vice Presidents will earn a total of $5.4 million altogether monthly. Although, the Prime Minister has since denied these figures, he has failed to mention the percentage of increase being considered.

Additionally, the 15 Ministers in the new Government would earn $1.5 million each bringing their pay package to over $22.5 million altogether monthly.

Junior Ministers are expected to pocket $1.2 million each monthly inclusive of $500,000 in benefits.

This means that these 12 Ministers altogether will drain the treasury of $14.4 million.

That aside, all of the Ministers will receive duty allowance, entertainment allowance, a chauffeur and annual vacation allowance which amounts to over $13.5 million.

In short, over $58 million would be expended on a monthly basis to service the payout to Ministers of Government alone.

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Views 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

Ethnicity and Politics in Guyana

W

ith Guyanese coming out in their numbers on Emancipation Day - including the President and most of his Cabinet - the expressions of cultural pride in African food, clothing, music, story telling and dance has precipitated some comment about the “divisive” aspect of celebrating our “separate” cultural roots. But as the President pointed out, Emancipation was an inaugural event in the history of Guyana and it is incumbent on all people’s living in these lands to not only participate in the cultural expressions, but indeed to also see them as “theirs”.

As to why the British “emancipated the slaves has been argued over for a century and will continue to engender contestation in the foreseeable future. The British insisted they “freed the African slaves” because of “humanitarian” reasons. The latter’s naming of villages they founded, such as “Victoria” and “Buxton”, shows that some of them accepted that proposition. Later descendants of those same freed slaves, such as our own Eric Williams and Walter Rodney, showed however that there were much more pragmatic reasons for the seeming benevolence.

One argument that undermines the British humanitarian proposition is that even though planters were paid an astronomical sum of over US$100 billion in today’s money for the slaves they “lost”, they were yet allowed to import indentured laborers from Madeira, India, and China so as to undercut the wage bargaining right of the freed slaves for higher wages.

From the beginning of Guyana’s history, therefore, ethnicity was a factor in self-definition as the incoming indentured servants brought distinct cultures with them that helped to reinforce the original distinction between freemen and bondsmen. Stereotypes were formed early on as the original subversion of the meaning of “Emancipation” via indentured-induced wage deflation was compounded by the indentured labourers’ decision to remain in the colony after the expiration of their contracts and compete in the opportunities available to free labour. Interestingly, because of the distinction the whites had made between “coloureds” - the descendants of their offsprings with slaves - and “pure”Africans, and the advantages conferred onto them, they held themselves distinct from the latter. Even though anthropologically , they supposedly shared the same culture, the coloureds held themselves above the ordinary Africans, who had to “earn” accession into their circles through education and “proper behaviour”.

It would not be fair to blame the politicians of the modern era - “Jagan and Burnham” being the tropes - for introducing ethnic competition into our political realm.

As far back as the 1920’s - the decade following the end of indentureship - leaders of each ethnic community had formed associations that sought to further the interests of “their group”. The League of Coloured Peoples purported to lead represent both Coloureds and African Guyanese while the British Guiana East Indian Association did the same for the the Indian Guyanese.

The introduction of the universal franchise and the promise of gaining political power over the State through elections made it a “rational choice” decision to solicit voters along avenues they already identified with. It is often overlooked that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of 1950-1955 was a carefully constructed alliance structure that included leaders from all the ethnic groups in the colony.

In fact, Ashton Chase, the original “African” candidate was asked to step aside for Forbes Burnham, the Guyana Scholar, newly-minted lawyer and orator who had done “his people” proud.

The subsequent history of the PPP and the PNC that Burnham was to form with elements of the PPP and the LCP, had an air of inevitability to it once the colonial powers decided to “pick sides”. In electoral politics this meant picking “ethnic sides”. For too long the two major parties have attempted to deal with the underlying ethnic reality by denying it. It would appear that at long last there is a greater honesty in accepting our ethnic roots and consequently attempting to find mechanisms for dealing positively with them.

People cool off at a water park, in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, August 1, 2015 (Reuters/China Daily)

Urgent diversification of the rice and sugar industries

Dear Editor, I would like to commend all those involved in putting together the National Rice Industry Conference.

The feature address by the President and the presenters covered most of the concerns in the industry, except its sustainability.

The farming community was well represented and did air its concerns, mostly on timely payment by millers, ways of bringing down the cost of production and paddy price for the coming crop.

Unfortunately, no firm decision was made on any of the concerns, and no mention was made on sustainability of the industry.

It was highlighted that the number of farmers are getting smaller and holdings are getting larger, obviously for a reason.

Naturally, the bigger farmers are better equipped to have a greater return on investment, because of lower cost of production and higher yields.

Lots of numbers have been thrown around for cost of production; however, I have decided to consider the numbers presented

by Mr John Tracey, as they seem most realistic.

Consider $80,000 for cost of production of one acre and the farmer gets 30 bags per acre and is paid $3000 per bag.

Then his profit per acre per crop is $10,000. For two crops per year its $20,000 per acre.

The National minimum

wage per month is $50,000; that is $600,000 per year.

This shows that a farmer should cultivate a minimum of 30 acres of paddy before he can make the minimum wage, which is impossible for the farmer, wife and children to support.

There are many farmers who cultivate much less than this acreage, resulting in lots of dissatisfied farmers. A farmer cultivating five acres will only earn $100,000 per year.

The problem is compounded by the fact that there is not any other form of employment available on a regular basis.

Obviously, this is the root cause of the problem, but was still not addressed at the Conference.

Bottom line is that it’s not a rice industry issue, but a social issue.

It is important that this issue is addressed urgently and a solution found.

The best and only solution at this time is diversification, which will result in less acreage under paddy cultivation, resulting in less rice production, which might not be a bad idea, as we are very vulnerable, because of having to market about 75 per cent of our production, while only about five per cent of world’s production is traded.

Mr Kuldip gave a 32 per cent of cost for labour, which is way too high, as the industry is relatively mechanised, and the farmer is left with lots of spare

time, which can only be taken up by him doing another job.

A farmer cultivating five acres of paddy, earning $100,000 per year, which is just minimum wage for two months, lives way below the poverty line. With diversification, he can work wonders by earning lots more in a year, and keeping himself beneficially occupied year round.

An ADP (Export Agriculture Diversification Programme) should be introduced and involves three Clusters: Fruit and vegetables, livestock and aquaculture/ aquaponics.

This was implemented recently but failed miserably, mainly because of noninvolvement of stakeholders and the authority. This system can be implemented, both in the rice and sugar industries.

Consider a rice farmer or a Guyana sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) employee with five acres of land. There will be a mixture of livestock, fruits and vegetables and aquaculture/aquaponics. The mixture will be: Aquaculture/aquaponics – two acres to produce 5000 fish per acre livestock... A combination of two dairy cows and six goats... zero grazing.

Fruits and vegetables – a mixture of cassava, sweet potatoes, black eye, boulanger, tomato, pepper, sorrel, passion fruit, pumpkin, water melon,etc.

The layout is very im-

portant, as the aquaponic system will be used to allow the farmer to utilise the water from the fish pond as a fertiliser and a source of moisture, resulting in a high priced organic crop.

It is assumed that the farmer and his family (when available) will work six days per week at six hours per day, earning $5 000 per day; that is $30,000 per week equal $120,000 per month equal $1,440,000 per year against $100,000 per year if he were cultivating paddy and will also be occupied year round. At the end of the day, he will also have lots more available by sale of vegetables, milk, fish, and sale of live animals (goat and cattle).

Investment For the farmer to get started, the following will have to be done.

1. He will have to fence the five acres.

2. Dig two ponds a ton acre each. Acquire fingerlings and feed, infrastructure for drainage and irrigation already in place.

3. Acquire two dairy cows capable of producing two gallons milk each per day and six goats (ewes, capable of their off springs getting to 100 lbs at the end of one year and producing three births of two each in two years), utilising Artificial Insemination (AI) for both cattle and goats. continue on page 5

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Against Government Kissoon has no Assistance to students solutions, just Dear Editor, It’s a shame and disgrace to see a certain political party using a couple of parents to picket the Government and the Education Ministry for a mere pittance of $10,000.

The “Because We Care” voucher was invented for their own political gains, while some of these same people are being accused of stealing millions of dollars from the State treasury while they were in office.

I stopped and I saw two top officers belonging to the PPP, which is heading the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two, holding placards. These officers are being paid by taxpayers to conduct the Government’s business and should have been in their office to meet with members of the public to hear their complaints and address them. I was later made to understand that a number of rice farmers went to meet with the of-

ficers to fix their dams so they could bring out their paddy without much difficulty.

On arriving at the office, they were allegedly told that the two officers were not in office, they were on the road leading a picketing exercise with parents. The farmers and other members of the public came from as far as Charity and Supenaam and nearby communities only to be turned away without seeing them. As far as I can remember, the vouchers were implemented in 2014, coming near to the May 11 2015 elections.

Most of those persons who received this money did not buy uniforms or books for their children, some of these children do not even attend school – the money were spent on other things.

There was no monitoring of how the money was spent. As a little boy I had to help my parents in the rice field to plant and

reap the rice when school was closed so my parents could get money to feed my seven brothers and two sisters and buy school clothes, books and shoes. If our school uniforms were torn, my mother would patch them and we would attend school with them; sometimes we would go to school without shoes when they were damaged.

The only thing we received in our school days was two cups of milk and biscuits from the school feeding programme, and there was nothing like brand name pants, shirts and shoes. My mother after receiving money from my father’s paddy crops would go to the shop and buy cloth to take to the village tailor who then sewed our school clothes. Without help from Government, I managed to get a higher education. I first started out school at St Agnes Anglican in Danielstown, some two miles away from

home. Every morning and afternoon I would walk to school; life was no bed of roses. I later attended Rosignol Secondary School in Berbice very far from my home and later went to Berbice High School in New Amsterdam.

My parents made a lot of sacrifices to educate nine children without assistance from the Government. I also made that same sacrifice for my two sons without those vouchers and they are today educated young men pursuing Master’s Degrees overseas. So people should abstain from depending on handouts from any Government and should just make the sacrifice without allowing political parties to manipulate them. A parent’s duty is to look after and take care of their children from nursery to university.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Women should be able to walk the streets unoppressed Dear Editor, If I were to say that men in Guyana have no respect for women, I might be accused of being partial, exaggerated or worse, a misandrist. As such, I invite any man to take a walk in a woman’s shoes down the road, any road, at any given hour of the day, to experience what it feels like to be on the other side.

Street harassment is a daily plight in the lives of Guyanese women. Most women in this country are forced to walk or use public transportation in order to go about their daily businesses. However, walking a few meters without having to endure the obscenities hurled at us is purely fiction.

Without distinction in age or ethnicity, all women stand

to be harassed by Guyanese men on the streets.

Such harassment involve cat calls, yelling sexist comments, insisting on obtaining a response from the victim, making crude sexual remarks about her body or what can be done with it.

Sometimes this goes to the extreme of physical abuse which include touching, groping and rape. The age of these victims of street harassment seem to have no influence on men engaged in these nasty attacks that often target teenagers.

While we live in a crime drenched society, the insecurity felt by women is worsened by the relentless harsh street harassment we are subjected to. Being in a crowded place can sometimes reveal itself to be a

true nightmare. I myself have had the experience of being groped during the Mashramani celebrations by a young man who didn’t seem to be 18 yet.

The question is, what is society and the Government doing about this? It is clear that the repetition of what is being practised by elders influence the action of young people. However, there needs to be a mentality shift, and members of the civil society need to compensate for the Government’s failure in addressing such issues. Awareness needs to be raised so that the predicament of women is understood by all and that respectful behaviour by men becomes what it should be in Guyana – a norm.

Street harassment ex-

Urgent diversification...

4. Gardening tools 5. Planting materials 6. Finance (fixed and variable) The farmer will expect some initial help from the Government as it’s a new idea to be executed.

The five acres owned by the farmer, whether leased or transported has lots of value and can be held as security at a development bank, at an affordable interest rate.

Because of the nature of the different crops to be cultivated, after a couple months, the farmer can start receiving income providing the market is available.

Markets Very, very important that this is assured before the farmer goes into production.

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Technology The relevant agencies will have to become active.

These are: NAREI – National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute GLDA – Guyana Livestock Development Agency NGMC – New Guyana Marketing Corporation Respectfully, Beni Sankar, A A

ists in every society I have visited, but never have I actually felt harassed and unsafe as I have in Guyana with regard to the behaviour of men. Yet, it is these very women, mothers and sisters to all, who have birthed the men of this country, and will birth those leaders of the future. In this regard at least, we deserve to be able to walk the streets unoppressed.

Sincerely, Stacy Cheong

vile criticisms Dear Editor, Guyana is indeed a fascinating place.

Imagine more than half of the population had their legitimate choice of Government snatched from them by GECOM and more so, Surujbally.

PPP/C supporters protested in a peaceful and dignified manner. If the APNU/AFC coalition was in the place of the PPP/C, hell would have broken loose in Guyana.

There would have been riots and the stores, especially on Regent Street, would have been targeted. The PPP/C should refuse to take part in Local Government Elections if Surujbally is still at the helm of GECOM. I try my best to ignore Freddie Kissoon and his vile, scandalous daily attacks that he passes for intellectual writing. When someone has so much hatred as Kissoon has for the PPP/C, then it is obvious that his ramblings become poisonous, heavily biased writing severely lacking objectivity.

The latest, colossal blunder that Kissoon committed was in his column of August 1, 2015, “What about a Black Guyanese entrepreneurial class.”

In this malicious column, Kissoon claims, “That man, Jagan, had an employment bias towards East Indians during his presidency.”

This is a horrible attack on former President Dr Jagan who has an unblemished and clean track record where Guyanese,

irrespective of race, religion or creed, were allowed the freedom to pursue their dreams. African Guyanese love Dr Jagan and this was evident when Buxtonians blocked his funeral cortege (heading to Berbice) to pay their respects. Only Kissoon seems to think otherwise.

Ravi Dev has presented Kissoon with a very excellent response in his letter “We cannot escape marginalisation in Guyana” in which he presents three powerful remedies to the problem that Kissoon suggests, namely, “federalism, shared governance and alternating the presidencies”. The difference between Kissoon and Dev is huge. Dev offers solutions to problems while Kissoon attacks people, calling them (including Dev) “Indian supremacists”.

This is why I was disappointed when Dev stopped writing his feature column in the said newspaper Kissoon writes for. He offers an intellectually stimulating discussion along with viable solutions to various problems.

Kissoon ended his column with the following, “Will I be a jinxed human from now on? According to Clement Rohee when goat bite yuh, you can never be successful in life.” You be the judge, Kissoon!

Interesting enough when a goat literally took a bite at you in reality.

Yours faithfully, Rakesh Singh

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BY BELLE BETH COOPER

I

know exercise is good for me. I know it’s important for my health and happiness and that it’s necessary for general fitness. That part’s easy — we hear about how we should exercise more all the time.

What I didn’t realise was how being inactive is really detrimental to the brain and body. I didn’t understand all of the specific ways regular activity can be beneficial, either.

With a little digging around, I found some research that made me realise there’s much more to exercising than just getting fit.

Inactivity changes our brain structure – literally

Firstly, the bad news.

If you’re living a sedentary lifestyle, which more of us are prone to doing as technology takes away physical barriers for our work, you could be increasing your risk of heart disease. You may have even heard this before, since it’s fairly common knowledge that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease – what’s new in recent research are clues to exactly how this links might work.

Researchers at Wayne State University School of

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Foundation

Medicine recently found that rats that were mostly sedentary for almost three months actually had physical changes in their brains, as a result. Some of the rats’ neurons had extra branches – the parts that help them connect into the sympathetic nervous system, where a lot of our involuntary physical functions are regulated, like breathing. Having too many branches, as the brains of these rats did, could lead to overstimulation of the nervous system.

The researchers involved in this study looked at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) section of the brain. This is the part of our brain that runs the sympathetic nervous system and helps us to maintain a regular heart rate and avoid serious issues like hypertension.

One of the things regulated by the sympathetic nervous system is the constriction of blood vessels to maintain regular blood flow and keep our blood pressure from spiking. This is where the researchers see a potential insight from their study: if inactivity affects this function of the sympathetic nervous system, that could explain how it leads to high blood pressure and

higher risk of heart disease.

Of course, rats aren’t the same as humans, but the study does point out a possible direction for further research into the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle.

How exercise is beneficial – more so than ever

Supposing you’re as concerned

as I am

about sitt i n g around all day now, let’s have a look at some of the actual benefits of being active, besides simply avoiding the troubles of inactivity.

1. Exercise improves mental health. Exercise has been shown to improve mental health, especially in

those suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. So far, the most impressive results have occurred in people who are mostly sedentary and take up a regular exercise routine. Some studies have also found that a difference is more clear

in women and in people over the age of 40.

The results have included better mood, better overall well-being and fewer (or lower) symptoms of depression or anxiety.

2. Exercise decreases disease risk. Across several studies, evidence has piled together to prove that regular physical activity is effective in prevent-

ing several different chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity and osteoporosis.

3. Regular exercise can improve sleep. A study of people with insomnia showed that after four months of regular exercise, the participants were sleeping and average of 45 minutes longer per night. The results didn’t show that participants necessarily slept better the night after they exercised, but long-term, the study proved how effective regular activity can be in treating insomnia.

There have been quite a few studies into the benefits of exercise on sleep, many of them focusing on those with sleep complaints or disorders, who find regular exercise can improve overall sleep quality.

It’s also been found to help those without sleep troubles, though. Regular exercisers are more likely to self-report better sleep over the same amount of time as those who have mostly sedentary lifestyles.

High-intensity exercise

has also been found to improve sleep efficiency, so if you’re after a better night’s sleep you might want to try a tough gym session rather than a gentle stroll.

4. Exercise can reduce stress and improve mood. Vigorous activity isn’t just helpful for better sleep: it’s also been found to correlate with lower anxiety levels. That particular review says that exercise isn’t necessarily the cause of the lowered stress levels in participants, but it’s certainly correlated and based on the other benefits I’ve listed, I doubt regular activity would be a bad thing to try.

Another review showed that physical activity can not only reduce stress but improve overall mood, confidence and self-esteem.

Adding exercise to your daily routine

Convinced? Not sure where to start, though?

Don’t worry, I’m in the same boat.

To help us both get going with a little extra activity in our days, here are some easy ways to add regular bouts of exercise to your routine: Track your daily activity: Tracking how much you move every day can be sobering when you first start, but it’s a good way to understand how much you might overestimate your daily activity levels. Try an app like ‘Human’ or ‘Moves’ to help you understand how much time you spend up and about each day.

Set a reminder: Set up a reminder on your computer or phone to go off every hour or two if you need help getting away from the desk. Use the trigger to remind you to get up and walk around – down the street for a drink, around the block, or just around the room for a couple of minutes.

Build activity into your routine: Building a little bit of extra activity into your routine might be the most effective way to increase your exercise levels. Try getting off train one stop early, going out to your letterbox every day, or choosing a café for your morning coffee that requires a 10-minute walk.

Once you make something like this a habit, you’ll probably find it’s easier than you thought to get moving every day. (blog.bufferapp.com)

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tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ramnarine mum on SWAT G Division Police launch youth empowerment project members’ safety concerns

– says will only speak after meeting team members

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s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine has refused to address the allegations made by members of the Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that they are being sidelined by the top brass of the organisation, and said he would only do so after he met with team members.

Contacted on Monday, Ramnarine, who is reportedly in charge of the 25-member Unit, told the Guyana Times that he was made aware of the concerns of the team, through the press, but would not be commenting on anything until he first confirmed that it was the members indeed who raised those concerns.

On Sunday, members of the Unit told this publication that they have not been getting any responses from their chief and they feel undermined as no word has been forthcoming from any senior officer.

They claimed that their lives were being threatened and that Government had failed to honour the promises made to them during the period they were undergoing training.

Asked about this, Ramnarine maintained that he would not speak on the matter until he first spoke with the “elite unit”.

The Unit, which was established in 2014, had received additional crimefighting training to deal with serious crimes in the country, which the Police would not be able to handle competently.

Members, however, claim

Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

that they did not even have a personal weapon to take care of themselves.

Since the completion of the training, the Unit has been “dormant” and only had their “big break” during a shootout with bandits on the East Bank of Demerara, on July 15.

Members said since that operation, they, along with their family members have been receiving threats. They are fearful, particularly because they do not have any personal weapons to protect themselves.

“Everybody knows the SWAT team. We were in a shootout just the other day. They see our face.

The guy that was shot (SWAT member), his family got threatened,” one team member, who asked not to be named, had told the Guyana Times. He related that the information was passed on to Assistant Commissioner Ramnarine and a meeting was sought with him and relevant authorities, but so far nothing has happened.

“We have been asking for the Assistant Commissioner to come see

us. He or anybody in authority to come and speak to us, so we could at least know what is happening. Since we told them of these concerns, no one has come to see us, no one,” another team member told this publication.

“We have no firearm to take care of ourselves. A lot of us have our families to take care of. We at least want to know that if we go out on such an operation and something happens to us, that our families will be ok. We are not hearing anything, because no one comes to us.”

The team members said their routine, when not in operation, is to “eat, sleep, train and sit down and skin we teeth”. They said too that Government has failed to honour the promises made when the team began training in January 2014. According to the SWAT team, they were promised “proper equipment, proper vests and personal firearms to move around with”.

According to them, none of these promises have been honoured, which has plunged them into further distress. Their contention is that even if the Force did not want to give them the firearm, they could at least allow them to be licensed, so that they could themselves purchase their own weapon for their safety.

“They should be paying attention to us; they chose us, although we were already Police Officers. We did not have a choice.

They chose us,” another team member told the Guyana Times, continuing that “we are welltrained and are capable of using a personal firearm”.

Cuban couple fined for overstaying in Guyana

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Cuban couple was fined $30,000 each for overstaying their time in Guyana on Friday after making an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-seven-year-old Wilkor Poque Carreno and 25-year-old Marglys Moreno Ozuna paid $60,000 in fines for the offence.

The court heard that Carreno, between June 18 to June 30, failed to comply with the conditions of the Central Immigration Passport Office.

Permission was granted for him to stay in Guyana

from April 16 to June 18, but he overstayed his time.

The same went for his wife, who overstayed her time after being allowed to stay in Guyana from April 16 to June 18.

Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the duo was apprehended after a raid was conducted by the Social Protection Ministry. They were found at the Rosignol Butchery on Church Street, in Georgetown and were taken to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) where they were charged.

He said the Police learnt that the married couple arrived in Guyana through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where they gained entry into Guyana but did not request a work permit.

The couple pleaded guilty to the charges under the guidance of Attorney Nigel Hughes.

On their behalf, he explained to the court that both Carreno and Ozuna were brought to Guyana by the Managers of the Rosignol Butchery to work and did not intend to overstay their time.

G Division Commander Kevin Adonis with some participants of the youth empowerment project

By Indrawattie Natram

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he Police of G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) on Monday launched an empowerment project for youths living in Dartmouth at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

At the launch, G Division Commander Kevin Adonis said the project is geared at equipping single parents and school drop-outs with life skills. Adonis said that life skills will make the youths more marketable in society.

The Commander said that the project was a community-related one and Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had encouraged all Commanders from the various divisions to execute beneficial projects within the most depressed communities with-

in their catchment areas.

He said, as a result, children from Dartmouth were selected for the project by community leaders.

Commander Adonis related that the youth empowerment project would equip at least 23 youths from Dartmouth with home economic skills over a threeweek period. At the end of the project, participants will be presented with a certificate from the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

Adonis said the Police Force was trying to build stronger relationships with the community as part of its crime-fighting strategy.

The project was made possible with the partnership of various businesses and the ETI. Participants will be facilitated at the ETI for the training sessions.

ETI Principal Michael

Turner said he was indeed happy to partner with the Force on the initiative explaining that the programme – “commercial food preparation” was one that his institute was discussing with the Carnegie School of Home Economics with the aim of exposing more young women and young men to formal training in the hospitality sector.

Present at the launch also were the Community Relations Officer of the Force and other ranks from the Division.

As part of community works, G Division was able to form Police youths clubs in various communities and plans would be pursued for the resuscitation of the Lima Sands Community Ground and the installation of street lights at Devonshire Castle.

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tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

2nd Joint Commission Agreement…

Guyana, Barbados to train six Guyanese in hospitality sector

Eyew tness Where’s the beef...

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Tourism officials flanked by recently selected participates of hospitality programme

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nder the GuyanaBarbados 2nd Joint Commission Agreement, the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Tourism Ministry and Guyana’s Tourism and Hospitality Association have partnered with the Crane Resort and Hotel, Barbados to provide a three-month internship for six Guyanese in the tourism industry.

The aim of this exchange programme is to give Guyanese persons the much needed international exposure so that they will return home and improve the country’s tourism industry.

Speaking during a press meeting on Monday, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranaught Haralsingh expressed that this venture truly illustrates the type of partnerships needed between Private Sectors and Governments regionally.

He added that the main aim is to promote and improve the tourism industry, so that Guyana will be able to compete with other Caribbean territories.

Guyana’s tourism industry is unique in many ways as the country is known for providing income through entertainment tourism, community-based tourism, heritage tourism, sport tourism and heath tourism.

Also addressing the gathering was acting Crane Resort and Hotel General Manager Shawn Allen who briefly outlined the programme’s details.

He quickly pointed out that “this programme is not a vacation, it is 12 weeks of intense training” at the Crane Hotel.

He went on to say that the Crane Hotel is the oldest resort and hotel in the Eastern Caribbean and it has been in existence since

1887. Crane has been internationally grated AAA and four diamond statuses and they say it is fit to provide assistance to other Caribbean territories that may need help in their tourism sectors.

As a result of this, the hotel has been offering internships for hotel workers from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St Vincent and Guyana for the past six years.

Allen added that the participants will leave Guyana on August 17 and upon arrival to Crane Hotel, Barbados, the six Guyanese will attend an orientation exercise. Preceding the orientation, the participants will be trained to deal with customers for the first week and this training is accredited by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

After they would have completed the first week,

they will then be assigned to departments in which they will be trained for the remaining time on the island.

The President of Guyana’s Tourism and Hospitality Association Shaun McGrath and the Permanent Secretary to the Tourism Ministry also addressed the press briefly.

The Permanent Secretary said that Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes was unable to attend the event since she is currently overseas attending to business relative to her Ministry.

The six persons who will be representing Guyana are Balena Grenion and Marcelle Thomas – both instructors at the Carnegie School of Economics, Jasonia Hermonstine and Marcia Hohenkirk from Herdmanston Lodge, Sonia Khan from Roraima Group of Companies and Zeniobio Eleshia from Pegasus Hotel.

Caribbean Cosmetology School hosts Kenyan Trichologist

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nternationally-renowned Trichologist Muli Musyoka, visited Trinidad and Tobago last week for a whirlwind trip of activities planned by the Caribbean School of Cosmetology (CSOC). Musyoka is an IAT (International Association of Trichologists) holistic hair specialist, who focuses on hair and scalp health.

Among the guests at the reception was Guyanese Fashion Icon Sonia Noel who told Guyana Times she felt honoured to be invited to the event. She noted that the experience has been unforgettable since she was able to interact with various groups with the intention of flying Guyana’s flag on the international level.

She also noted that meeting Muli Musyoka was indeed a privilege, admitting that she would have learnt a few tips on hair styling.

This was Musyoka’s first visit to the Caribbean region, and his presence has generated a definitive buzz of excitement in the cosmetology community. As the first Kenyan to be certified as a Trichologist in East and Central Africa, Muli has made great strides in

Internationally-renowned Trichologist Muli Musyoka

the international hair community.

He was invited to visit Trinidad and Tobago by a new regional academic institution of higher learning, the Caribbean School of Cosmetology. Speaking on Musyoka’s visit to the twinisland republic at the welcome reception, Founder of CSOC, Essenese Sambury, highly praised the Kenyanborn hair guru. “Muli is well respected in his field of endeavour, and is adored and revered in Africa and throughout the world.

His years of experience

in the trichology field and his personable nature have given him a professional edge, and his level of expertise enriches the world of Cosmetology.”

Sambury hopes that the partnership with Musyoka will create a platform for enlightenment and education for the professionals and citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as it relates to hair loss and scalp health.

She praised the Programme Coordinator of CSOC, Sharon Browne, for assisting with making the initial connection with Musyoka. “Ms Browne has had an illustrious career, working on such Hollywood Blockbuster Productions as “Bad Boys” and sitting on advisory boards for some of the most well-known cosmetology institutions in the world.

As our Programme Coordinator, she is a great fit and remains an excellent asset to our academic institution.”

Over the weekend, Muli Musyoka hosted “A Hair Raising Event Series” last weekend at the Radisson Trinidad, which culminated with “Ponytails and Cocktails” on July 26, free

to the general public. The event was well attended by stylists and beauty enthusiasts from across Trinidad and Tobago.

His one-day Hair Loss Certification Course, took place on July 27, and was designed specifically for salon professionals who wished to expand their knowledge on how to treat hair loss among their clients.

Those in attendance got a taste of the trichology courses that the Caribbean School of Cosmetology will have to offer, when they open their doors in East Trinidad in October 2015.

Reaffirming his longterm commitment to the CSOC Team, Musyoka announced his intention to visit in the coming months with a team of experts, to continue spreading the word on the importance of hair and scalp health.

Together with the Caribbean School of Cosmetology, Muli also plans to open his first Hair Hub Clinic in Trinidad – the first of its kind outside the African Continent; which will include collaborations with senior and internationally certified Trichologists such as Germaine Williams.

...on growth?

t’s interesting how some phrases enter the language.

“Missing the mark” would’ve originated from back in the day when we all used to run around with Bows and Arrows trying to hit our targets - which could either be animals (for food) or fellow humans (for fun?).

Then it got a moral turn when it was to do a bad deed was considered to be “missing the mark” or virtuous behavior. Then, of course, it got tangled up with “sin”.

And we arrive at the phrase “Where’s the beef?”

We’d put away our bows and arrows by the middle of the last century and started getting our meat from groceries and restaurants. Enter the fast-food giant Mc Donald’s which convinced that the “burger” was synonymous with meat in general and beef in particular.

What was a competitor to do to break into the burger market? Well accuse Mc Donald’s of being the “Home of the Big Bun” rather than a big beef patty!

Wendy’s focused on their small bun and big patty by comparing it to the Mc Donald’s burger with the catch phrase, “Where’s the beef??” So with that bit of trivia out of the way, your Eyewitness trots out the recent ECLAC report about our “4.5% growth for 2015” that the Government’s been hocking to the populace and asks, “where’s the growth??”

OK...OK...It mightn’t have the ring of “where’s the beef?”... But that had time to grow on us, no? And trust this Eyewitness, the way the economy’s tanking and with the Government clueless in Georgetown ...the phrase, “where’s the growth?” unfortunately will be “growing on us”. First of all let’s not forget that last year, with the PPP Government in the hot seat, ECLAC predicted that the best we would do in 2015, would be the same 4.5%.

And these fellas want us to believe that since then they haven’t noticed what’s been going on in our economy? The price of our biggest earner - gold - has plummeted through the floor and with it production of the stuff that glitters - and obviously our earnings and its contribution to GDP. Where’s the growth?? We’ve lost our largest market in rice - and even some already on the wharves have to be pulled back to join what we’ll be harvesting this coming “big crop”. Where’s the growth?

The third plank of the economy, sugar, is still in the doldrums - and won’t make whatever target the new GuySuCo Boards decides to set. Where’s the growth? Even the ACDA African Business Expo had to be postponed because of the stagnant economy? So where’s the growth, pray tell?

Will the spin doctors stop blowing smoke up people’s behinds? And deliver the beef?

...on Cabinet productivity?

Well we all know that politicians will stretch the truth a bit on the hustings, don’t we? After all, that’s why we refer to elections campaigns, with a knowing smile, as “the hustings”! So when the APNU/AFC coalition promised to give all public servants, policeman, nurses and all the other workers who usually voted for them, a “significant” pay raise within the first 100 days, those folks took it with a grain of salt. Maybe it’ll take them 150 days?

So imagine after duly delivering their “X’s”’to the “hand and key” they were then told “Uh! Uh! What we really meant is that we can’t increase your pay unless you increase your productivity.” In case you missed it, “increased productivity” means the same number of people do more work.

So how does the Government explain the 100% increase for Cabinet Ministers and various “high officials”?

They’re raising Ministers salaries to create a “pay grade” for them!

Not because they’re more “productive”.

...on crime fighting

Enough with all the plans and the strategies!! When will the police start solving crimes?

Even to charge a fella literally caught with a smoking gun!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

news

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tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Reparations claims against former colonial powers – Caricom could move to ICJ

By Alexis Rodney

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here is a possibility that the ongoing feud between the Caricom Reparations Commission and the countries of its former colonial masters, if not resolved, could reach the ear of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Dr Eric Phillips has said.

The deal now, however, is for the parties to meet and decide on a settlement before any such action is taken.

The Caricom Reparations Commission said the effects of the slave trade which spread between the 16th and 19th Centuries, have contributed to the economic crisis currently experienced in Caribbean countries. For restitution, the Commission has set out a 10-point action plan for discussion with the former slave trading nations and owners and plans to send an official invite to these leaders for them to come to the bargaining table. If, after consultation, a favourable decision could not be made, the final move will be in the direction of the ICJ. The Caricom Reparations Commission has asserted that the European Governments have been owners and traders of enslaved Africans; instructed genocidal actions upon indigenous communi-

ties; created the legal, financial and fiscal policies necessary for the enslavement of Africans; defined and enforced African enslavement and native genocide as in their ‘national interests’; refused compensation to the enslaved with the ending of their enslavement; compensated slave owners at emancipation for the loss of legal property rights in enslaved Africans; imposed a further one hundred years of racial apartheid upon the emancipated; imposed for another one hundred years policies designed to perpetuate suffering upon the emancipated and survivors of genocide and refused to acknowledge such crimes or to compensate victims and their descendants.

According to Phillips, should there be a fruitful outcome and the money is released, a National Endowment Fund (NEF), much similar to a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), will be established, where a special committee will be set up to overlook its operations. It is hoped that the money will go toward the social, educational and economic development of the persons affected.

Guyanese economist Dr Clive Thomas had said while he opposed the idea of trading reparations for debt relief, he would endorse giving compensation to the descendants of African slaves.

Shot Essequibo businessman discharged from hospital – call for thorough Police investigations

Injured Businessman, Mark Warner

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orty-four-year-old Mark Warner who was shot during a robbery on Saturday night at his bar and restaurant premises has been discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital on Monday.

Warner was admitted after receiving three shots from three armed men to his head, forehead and left foot.

The businessman is now calling for a thorough Police

investigation into the matter.

The perpetrators reportedly took away $150,000 in cash, a quantity of phone cards and a laptop from the businessman who is the owner of Anil’s Cool Bar/ Barrat Rum Shop. The entire ordeal lasted for 15 minutes.

To date no one has been arrested and Police are continuing their investigation.

He stressed that no Government should become involved with the handling of compensation since it will definitely lead to a number of discrepancies.

He was positive that persons would make the best use of the compensation.

The Caricom Reparations Commission, which was launched in July 2013, had set a number of demands to the former European slave trading nations.

These include those countries providing diplomatic help to persuade countries such as Ghana and Ethiopia, to offer citizenship to the children of people from the Caribbean who “return” to Africa; devising a developmental strategy to help improve the lives of poor communities in the Caribbean still devastated by the after-effects of slavery; supporting cultural exchanges between

Guyana Reparations Committee Chairman Dr Eric Phillips

the Caribbean and West Africa to help Caribbean people of African descent rebuild their sense of history and identity; supporting literacy drives designed to improve educational levels that are still dire in

many Caribbean communities; and providing medical assistance to the Region, which is struggling with high levels of chronic diseases such as hypertension and Type Two Diabetes that the Caricom Reparations Commission links to the fallout from slavery.

Caricom Reparations Committee Chairman, Sir Hilary Beckles had said that the plan was also to set out areas of dialogue with former slavetrading nations including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

The claims are being channelled through the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and processed with the help of the London law firm Leigh Day. The economies of Caricom Member States reportedly total close to

US$78 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which would place the Region at 65th in the world if it were a single country.

Reports are that the Region cannot claim much in the way of the economic blow. However, after having suffered over 400 years of slavery and colonialism at the hands of European powers, its demands for reparations possess enormous moral authority.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade brought over 10 million captured Africans to work as chattel slaves in sugar and cotton plantations throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. It was the largest forced migration in human history.

Today, Caricom nations have a population of 16 million, and the Diaspora in the United States, Canada and Europe totals about five million people.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, august 3, 2015

News

Emancipation Exhibition launched as part of celebrations T

he Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Museum of African Heritage, on Monday launched its annual Emancipation Exhibition at the National Museum, under the theme “Recognition, Justice and Development”.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Hazel Woolford of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research shared that the Exhibition focused on the Village Movement 18381856, with about 40 posters that provide detailed information on at least 41 villages and their pioneers.

The photos reflect the organisational ability of the pioneers, and cover areas such as legislation, the church, the group’s entrepreneurial ability and the schools. The Village Movement exhibition includes artefacts from the period, such as the pressing comb, the coal pot, and the mortar stick. Woolford added that the Exhibition was an invaluable contribution to the people of Guyana and she was looking forward to the movement of the exhibit to all the regions.

The Exhibition will be showcased at the National Museum for the entire month of August.

Minister within the

cess of emancipation continued, much emphasis needed to be placed on self, community and country development, and it was important to note that the freedom of enslaved Africans was not given to them on a platter, but was fought for.

The Minister also stated that Guyanese as a people should strive continuously for the achievement of economic independence, which our foreparents sought since they were emancipated in 1838.

She added that persons should acknowledge the sacrifices made by the country’s

ancestors as they struggled for freedom, and they must remember that the journey of emancipation continued in many different forms. She mentioned that there were still many opportunities that were being missed with regard to the development of the nation, particularly in the area of education.

Henry noted that education has to become the primary mechanism for the development of this country, and the Education Ministry was currently strategising on improving the quality of education provided, particularly at

a tertiary level. Also, another priority of the Ministry is access to proper education and educational facility especially in rural areas.

In her closing remarks, the Minister urged all Guyanese to learn from the lessons of Emancipation and strive to make Guyana a better place for all Guyanese, as she wished that the hope, aspirations and desires of the nation’s forefathers for freedom, economic independence and liberty be realised as we advance Guyana’s development agenda post May 11, 2015.

Guyanese Doctor returns after completing Harvard University Scholarship

Minister within the Education Ministry with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry interacts with members of the audience at the launch

Education Ministry with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry, shared with attendees that this activity was one of several to observe 177 years of Emancipation, and there was much that Guyanese could learn from Emancipation.

“As we observe this year’s

Emancipation [anniversary], persons must remember that the true meaning of Emancipation was not just about the abolition of slavery but also marks the arrival of our country’s major ethnic groups as indentured labourers, which by extension, began the birth of our nation.”

She added that as the pro-

D

r Zulfikar Bux, of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), has successfully graduated from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health Global Health Delivery Intensive Programme which was held in Boston, USA. According to a release from the GPHC, Dr Bux, who is the head of GPHC’s Emergency Department, was one of the 42 graduates from the programme which saw health personnel from 17 different countries participating.

Bux was fortunate to be the only recipient of the Harvard Chan School of Public Health Abundance Scholarship.

The Global Health Intensive Delivery Programme is noted to be specially designed to train medical personnel in the development of global healthcare. The course teaches health leaders effective healthcare management and development in lowresource settings. Graduates are expected to apply their knowledge to ensure cost-effective but optimal healthcare delivery in local settings. The Programme also creates a link between the graduates so that they can share their knowledge and resources and further the development of global health initiatives.

This is the first time a Guyanese has participated in

Dr Zulfikar Bux receiving his honourable certificate upon completion of the programme

this prestigious course and Dr Bux is optimistic that he will utilise his acquired skills to continue the development of health care at a national level and at the local hospital. He expressed his gratitude to the faculty at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health who he stated were all amazed at the rate of development of Emergency Medicine in Guyana.

The release stated that Dr Bux was adamant that the success of emergency medical care in Guyana could not have been possible without the strong support of his lead-

ership team at the GPHC. He was also very thankful for their support in facilitating his participation in this course. Dr Bux stated that it was a challenging time for health care locally and urged all involved to work towards what was best for the patients and not their personal wants. Additionally, he stated that he was now even more equipped to assist in the evolution of emergency medical care in Guyana and would continue to be an advocate for effective, efficient and ethical patient care for all.

“Dangles” remanded for Tucville man’s murder L

ess than a week after “Pretty Boy” Edward Skeete was remanded for the murder of Tucville resident Ryan Clementson, his alleged partner in crime has been charged.

Hamlet DaSilva, “‘Dangles” to his friends, was refused bail in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday after being read the murder charge.

The charge states that between July 14 and July 24, in Georgetown he murdered Clementson. He was not re-

Murder accused, Hamlet DaSilva

quired to plead to the offence.

No further details were offered by the court as in Skeet’s case, since the Police were still unsure what led to the shootout that caused the death of the Clementson.

Clementson and another bystander were injured during the shooting incident near Arapaima and Jackson Streets, Tucville, Greater Georgetown.

They were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Clementson succumbed.

tuesday, august 4, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Police release photograph of PM claims State media boards to be free from Montrose murder suspect “political hacks”

T

he main suspect who was caught on camera in the home of murdered caretaker Carmen Ganesh is still on the run and the Police are soliciting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

Ganesh was found in a pool of blood on Saturday with a gash to her head and a cloth tied around her neck. The murder weapon, a knife was found close to the woman’s body.

The Police after conducting investigations released a photograph of the perpetrator, with the in-

P

The suspected murder accused in the home of the dead woman

Dead caretaker: Carmen Ganesh

tention of the public assisting in the Force locating him.

The body of Carmen Ganesh, age 75, of Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara, was found in the kitchen area of the house she was entrusted to care for. The owners of the house are reportedly overseas.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that her daughters did not see her for the entire Saturday morning; hence they went to the house and called out to the woman.

Their calls went unanswered and the gates were locked, therefore they could not get into the yard. Soon

after, a grandson of the now dead woman was summoned and decided to scale the fence.

As he entered the yard, he saw his grandmother lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen and immediately raised an alarm. The Police was summoned and have launched an investigation into the gruesome murder.

The still devastated young man told this publication that he could not tell where on the woman’s body she was bleeding from.

He explained that his grandmother worked with the owners of the house for

quite some time, and after they left the country, they entrusted her with the care of the house.

He added that the perpetrators probably thought that there was money on the property since the yard housed several vehicles, including a speed boat and an outboard engine.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 2258196, 225-2227, 229-2557, 229-2702, 911 or the nearest Police station.

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Monday claimed that his Government would soon move to reconstitute State Boards across the country that were free from what he referred to as “political hacks”.

Nagamootoo made this comment although he has approved and supported the appointment of Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member and Public Relations Officer Beverley Alert as the Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA).

He has also appointed several other persons within the National Communications Network (NCN), Guyana Chronicle and GINA. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in an address to the National Assembly months ago, had announced plans to have new boards installed at these state entities.

According to a GINA release, the Prime Minister on Monday revealed that the boards have not been appointed as yet.

He, however, assured that the process was ongoing. He said the boards will comprise persons who are qualified and “who have roots in broadcasting, information, journalism and technical training”.

“I am not going to be a Minister responsible for information and who puts party hacks into these boards, to just draw stipends for not

working, but to do party propaganda,” the Prime Minister said, adding that “those ghost writers and those ghost producers are things of the past”.

According to the Prime Minister, members of the Board of Directors for the state media entities will be professionals and they will bring to the fore, in Guyana, a new approach to information and communication. “It must be people driven, to do what it takes to serve the needs of the Guyanese people, and to serve social and development agendas, not a partisan political agenda,” he said.

The Prime Minister, in an earlier address to the National Assembly, had pledged the new Administration’s support for true press freedom. He had stated that while the new Administration will make no attempt to curb the constitutional right of freedom of any media, including that of the state, it would not turn a blind eye to irresponsible, partisan information that had characterised these media under the previous Administration Nagamootoo, however, urged that information must be disseminated in a responsible manner that will “help, not destroy Guyana”.

Moreover, the Prime Minister said that the ‘right of reply’ must be catered for, so persons who “come under assault and attack” would have the right to tell their side of the story.

12 news

tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Startling revelations…

Roopnaraine agreed to abruptly ending Rodney CoI – admits succumbing to PNC-dominated Cabinet pressure

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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eader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has confessed that he was a signatory to the precipitous decision to scrap the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), but said that he is still prepared to offer his statement to Commissioners who are yet to present their findings.

By making this admission, Roopnaraine, who was appointed Senior Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister in the new Government, has confirmed reports that the decision of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR)-dominated Cabinet to abruptly end the life of the Commission was unanimous.

The CoI, which was established under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), to probe the circumstances which led to the death of the founding leader of the WPA, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney, came to an abrupt end last week, with lawyers representing various interests pleading for the most, two weeks, to complete the investigation.

Minister of Governance

and Patrimony Raphael Trotman had told Journalists that the decision to scrap the Inquiry was a collective one made at the level of Cabinet; of which the Working People’s Alliance forms part. Questions were raised about the WPA’s real position on this move, particularly because it has for years been calling for an independent probe into the cause of death of its leader.

Speaking to Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Monday, Roopnaraine said “It was a Cabinet decision. We don’t break ranks at Cabinet on issues like that. We took a point of view and the consensus from Cabinet is inclined to take a particular position, that is it”.

Submission of his statement

He continued “My own feeling was that the Cabinet felt that the time had come for it to come to an end and that enough had been invested in the Commission and that it has had sufficient time to come to its conclusion”, Roopnaraine said, continuing that he will “compensate” by dispatching the statement he has prepared to the Commission, “so that they would not be

deprived of my own evidence, which to the investigation will definitely rob the Commission of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome”.

On another note, the WPA Leader told this publication that it would have been more satisfying for the party to have the opportunity to present its case to the Commission.

“We have been represented by counsel, who has done a good job, but had the Commission gone on for one or two more sessions, complete with all the witnesses, it would have been great”.

He said “I had a statement in readiness for the Commission, expecting at some point to be called. But what I will do, I will be submitting my statement to them; although it will not allow time for a cross examination but at least they would have my statement”, Roopnaraine said.

According to the WPA Leader, his statement has been “sitting there” and ready for months, noting that nothing that has transpired in the Commission could incline him to change it.

“It remains what it was two or three months ago.

I’m anticipating that I will

WPA leader and Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

send that statement during the course of the week”.

The Commission of inquiry met for its last two sittings last Monday and Tuesday, where lawyers representing various interests in the investigation made their final submissions, summarising the evidence that have been so far presented.

They too had a lot to say about Government’s decision to have the final session wrapped up in a mere two days. Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham said while Commissions of Inquiry were “creatures of the executive”, the move by the David Granger Administration will not speak well for the fairness of the final report which commissioners were expecting to present by November.

The CoI, which was convened in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar, has had some 66 sittings with a total of 29 witnesses giving evidence; three of whom are still to be cross-examined. The evidence of those witnesses – retired Major General Norman Mc Lean, former Police

Constable Allan Gates and Holland Yearwood were said to be crucial to the investigation. Further, the Commission was still to hear from witnesses such as former Crime Chief Cecil “Skip” Roberts, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress Leader (PNC) Robert Corbin – all of whom have been issued with Salmon letters to appear before the Commissioners.

Cheltenham said there was adverse evidence provided against many individuals who were alive, who have not been provided with an opportunity to come forward to confront that evidence and comment on it.

Meanwhile, Queens Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, the Attorney representing the interest of the widow and children of Dr Rodney had urged Commissioners to petition the new Administration to see if it could give some leverage to its decision to allow for at least two more weeks, so that the remaining pertinent witnesses could be heard.

Waiting 35 years for closure

He said the family members of the Dr Walter Rodney, the WPA co-founder, have waited some 35 years to find solace and closure. He urged the Administration to take into consideration the Salmon letters that were sent. He said there was still time for Government to make a decision in this regard, noting that he was willing to support any entreaty the Commission would make in that manner.

Lawyer for Donald Rodney, Dr Rodney’s brother and the only witness Keith Scotland said “history will be unkind to us”, as the Commission was very

Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman

close to the end of the hearing and the premature end would only open the new Government to criticism that it had “politicised” the CoI. He said the hearing, which has taken 34 years to commence, might very well be referred to a “pappy show”.

The Commission, including its Chairman Barbadian Attorney, Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham; Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel SeenathJairam, was set up to investigate who or what was responsible for the massive bomb blast that caused the instant death of the WPA Co-founder on the evening of June 13, 1980.

At the time, Ramotar had said that the establishment of the Inquiry was owing to the persistent request made by Rodney’s widow, Patricia, and their three children.

However, the People’s National Congress (PNC), the major partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, had maintained that the move was a political stunt taken to tarnish its reputation.

Prime Minister signs Book of Condolences for late Indian President

V

ice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Monday morning signed the Book of Condolences for former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The book was opened at the Indian High Commission at Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown.

Dr Kalam served as the 11th President of India from July 2002 to July 2007 and was widely acclaimed as the “People’s President”.

In his message, Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that “India has lost a great statesperson and also

a great scientist”.

The Prime Minister also expressed the view that India’s departure from an unscientific approach to development was influenced by the late President.

“I recalled the example of the President as one who had brought India to a state of respect as a country that is pursuing development on the basis of a knowledgedriven economy,” he said.

Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931 and raised there. He studied physics and aerospace engineering. He was one of

the most eminent scientists of the country and took the lead for the conduct of India’s nuclear tests in 1998.

He was awarded the coveted Indian civilian awards: Padma Bushan (1981); the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997).

He led many pioneering programmes such as the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satellite Launch Programme and the country’s Guided Missile Programme. He also served as scientific adviser to the Prime Minister of India from July 1992 to July 1997.

13 Clive Thomas as GuySuCo Chair news

tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C whips Govt over anti-poor policies …moves being made to give laptops to friends, cronies — PPP/C

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

By Kristen Macklingam

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Monday whipped the David Granger Administration for implementing anti-poor policies as it rejected the notion that when it was in power there was consideration for raising the salaries of its Ministers and Presidential Advisers at the expense of taxpayers and distributing laptop computers to its friends and cronies.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a media briefing, explained that his Party would never think about increasing monies for themselves against raising the salaries of public servants.

He emphasised that the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government should not be considering a raise in pay for its members since such a move would lead to repercussions that Government would be forced to face for many years.

Guyana Times was told that such talks or consideration should not be implemented under the Granger-led Administration especially because the performance of these Ministers cannot be evaluated as they have only been in office for about 10 weeks thus far.

Although Government has acknowledged that it is considering increasing salaries for its Ministers, Advisers and all Members of Parliament, there has been no official announcement about any figures which would represent these increases.

However, Rohee lashed out at the Government stating that when he was serving as Home Affairs Minister he earned $579,000 monthly and was “quite satisfied with that”.

Though his allowances were minimal, he was still satisfied, he said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Joseph Harmon had told the media that the move to pay officials a better salary would assist in stamping out corruption.

Rohee on the other hand refuted this notion, citing that a person’s character determines whether or not he can execute his duty honestly and with decency.

He further noted that the said belief has never been proven to “keep hands out of the cookie jar”.

Previously when APNU and the AFC were in Opposition, they had protested the ‘enormous’ and ‘unreasonable’ salary of the PPP/C’s Government officials. Ironically, the coalition may officially announce massive salary increases for its officials.

Laptops for families, teachers Meanwhile, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project which was started under the PPP/C Administration will most likely be renamed “One Laptop Per Teacher” as the APNU/AFC Government recently announced that the laptops would no longer be given to children and their families but to teachers.

Government is expecting a batch of 10,000 laptops shortly and has stated that they would be distributed to teachers nation-

wide to allow for the enhancement of teaching skills and delivery in the classrooms.

The PPP/C General Secretary stated that these laptops which were ordered by the then PPP/C Administration cost US$8 million.

Already 55,000 laptops have been distributed by the former Government to children throughout the country with the aim of enhancing research and learning approaches in academia and general social studies.

It was expected that such a move would allow the achievement gaps between children of poor or working class parents and those of high-income families to be narrowed.

Rohee stated that while Government would now be implementing changes in the programme, it needed to make public its “well thoughtarrangement” about the distribution process.

He added that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had stated that the PPP/ C’s OLPF programme was a ‘massive fraud’.

“Yet this initiative was not highlighted for a forensic audit.

Further, Harmon walked into a storeroom full of laptops suddenly and determined that 10,000 were no good.

Harmon is probably the best stand up auditor to determine which laptops were good and which were bad,” the PPP/C’s General Secretary said.

“These unsubstantiated declarations and unilateral moves by the Granger Administration are deeply suspicious and convey the impression that excuses are being made to secretly hand over laptops to friends and cronies of the APNU/AFC Coalition.”

He called on the APNU/AFC Government to explain the methodology it intended to use for distribution of the laptops to teachers, schools and communities and to also explain the nature of its “community-based” theme and the socio-economic criteria to be used for selecting communities.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the establishment and funding of the Office of the Opposition Leader, Rohee stated that he was not in a position to answer this.

However, he noted that he expected it to be around the same figure that the PPP/C had allotted to the then Opposition.

... Globe Trust should disqualify him – PPP

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he Opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is far from pleased with the David Granger-led Government’s decision to appoint Dr Clive Thomas as Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as it cited Thomas’ role at Globe Trust when it was closed down due to bankruptcy.

Clement Rohee, the General Secretary of the Party, on Monday stated that the new GuySuCo Chairman has “chalked up another peg in his CV” as he is also the Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development and heads the Asset Recovery Unit at the Ministry of the Presidency.

“This is the same Clive Thomas who was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Globe Trust at the time of its collapse as result of bankruptcy. Again, it is Clive Thomas who heads the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo. It is ironic to note that as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Globe Trust, Thomas presided over the collapse of a financial institution whose depositors, investors and creditors were principally Afro-Guyanese,” said Rohee.

He explained that in the Sunday, July 19, 2015 edition of the Kaieteur News, Dr Thomas was featured as “A Special Person” and in an interview for the said article, he (Dr Thomas) stated that he is most passionate about justice and fair play.

Dr Thomas noted in the said article that the inequities people have had to suffer really bother him and that he is concerned about the eradication of corruption because it “eats away at our society.”

“A high sounding statement indeed but placed in the context of his disastrous oversight, and nonstellar performance as Chairman of the Board of Globe Trust, one does not have to wonder too much about the future of the sugar industry with Clive Thomas as Chairman of GuySuCo,” the PPP/C General Secretary noted.

Globe Trust had opened its door for business in August 1991 and the company had recorded significant profits for the period December 1994 to December 1996.

Five years later on July 17, 2001, Globe Trust closed its doors to the public and later the same year the Bank of Guyana took possession of the company.

At the time of its collapse, Globe Trust had an estimated over 3000 depositors but by 2001, following a series of investigations by the Central Bank, Globe Trust was found in breach of the Financial Institutions Act. “One liquidator followed the other but the damage was so severe that the situation was irretrievable. Investigations revealed several cases of unusual loans, amounting to over $800 million and non-payments. Several debtors were hauled before the courts by the liquidator in a desperate attempt to retrieve huge outstanding loans owed to the company,” Rohee highlighted.

He said that many of those placed before the courts were the very Directors who owed over $100 million to Globe Trust.

“Several ignored the calls to repay and only a tiny portion of monies owed were repaid. One former PNC Member of Parliament, who is now

terrible was the shock and awe that one depositor who lost almost $4 million expressed his grief saying that Globe Trust was like a minefield to the PNCR and only a fool or one who is suicidal steps into a minefield unprotected, the PNCR was neither of the two,” Rohee also noted.

According to the PPP/ C’s General Secretary, in a desperate attempt to return the company to viability on July 25, 2002, the Chief Justice issued an Order for the reorganisation of Globe Trust.

“In his Order, the Chief Justice said that the Directors of Globe Trust must be criticised for allowing this sorry episode in the institution’s history by its failure to act decisively in the face of lax, loose and grossly incompetent management…”

The PPP/C is calling on Dr Thomas to reflect on his experience at Globe Trust to ensure he does not repeat the Globe Trust debacle at the Ministry of the Presidency and at GuySuCo.

Dr Clive Thomas

deceased, owed $44 million, enough to reimburse some 2000 depositors. A law firm with close connections to the hierarchy of the PNC owed $19.5 million.”

Meanwhile, a key decision-maker on the Board owed $35 million while another Director owed in excess of $20 million.

“Many of the former Directors of Globe Trust are currently in the leadership of the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government. The closure of Globe Trust came like a thunderbolt to many of its depositors who were Afro-Guyanese. So

“It is interesting to observe how this same Clive Thomas who presided over the demise of Globe Trust where several Directors, ‘top notch’ and prominent personalities still in the leadership of the PNC and the recently appointed State Boards escaped scotch free with millions belonging to their kith and kin and he and his fellow Directors and did nothing about it. Further, when the distinguished economist claims that the absence of control leads to financial abuse this begs the question – did he Thomas not know then that the same principle was applicable when he was Chairman of Globe Trust?”

14

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, august 4, 2015

Regional

Trinidad MP charged by US with Brazil Police arrest four fraud and bribery schemes Lula Minister in bribery scandal T B

he detailed extradition case from the United States now before the courts in Trinidad and Tobago reveals four schemes of fraud and bribery against local Politician Jack Warner, who was indicted in New York on May 27 on multiple counts of racketeering, corruption and money laundering.

The documentary evidence sent to the authorities in Port of Spain, which forms part of the US Department of Justice’s case against Warner, a former Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Vice President, details how he allegedly abused his position and power as an Executive of FIFA and other related bodies.

After being arrested in Trinidad at the request of the US, Warner is currently free on TT$2.5 million bail (US$397,000) pending extradition to the US to face charges in connection with the alleged US$150 million bribery scheme that spanned 24 years.

The 47-count indictment

Former FIFA vice president Jack Warner

alleges that, between 1991 and the present, the defendants and their co-conspirators corrupted football’s governing body by engaging in various criminal activities, including – fraud, bribery and money laundering.

US authorities allege that Warner committed violations of wire fraud, money laundering and Travel Act statutes in four separate schemes: Sale of CONCACAF television and marketing rights – (1) As part of his par-

ticipation in the racketeering conspiracy, Warner agreed that he/and/or others would commit violations of the wire fraud, money laundering and Travel Act statutes in connection with the sale of television and marketing rights to the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup tournament.

Sale of World Cup qualifier media and marketing rights – (2) As part of his participation in the

racketeering conspiracy, Warner agreed that he and/ or others would commit violations of the wire fraud, Travel Act and money laundering statutes in connection with the sale of the media and marketing rights to World Cup qualifier matches played by Caribbean Football Union (CFU) teams in advance of multiple editions of the World Cup. Award of 2010 World Cup – (3) As part of his participation in the racketeering conspiracy, Warner agreed that he and/or others would commit violations of the wire fraud, money laundering and Travel Act statutes in connection with the selection of the host nation for the 2010 World Cup. 2011 FIFA presidential election – (4) As part of his participation in the racketeering conspiracy, Warner agreed that he and/or others would commit violations of the wire fraud, money laundering and Travel Act statutes in connection with the 2011 FIFA presidential election. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

razilian Federal Police on Monday arrested former Government Minister Jose Dirceu, one of the most senior members of the ruling Workers’ Party to be detained so far in a corruption scandal engulfing state-run oil company Petrobras.

Dirceu, Chief-of-Staff under popular former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva between 2003 and 2005, was already under house arrest for running a vote-buying scheme. His involvement in an even larger scandal threatens to bring the investigation closer to Lula and further tarnish his legacy.

Federal Prosecutor Carlos Fernando dos Santos Lima called Dirceu a key instigator of the Petrobras scandal, saying he took bribes from contractors while in office and continued to receive payments even when he was jailed in 2014 for the vote-buying scandal in Lula’s first term.

Lima said Lula was not a target of the widening probe but added during a press conference: “No one is exempt from investigation.”

Federal Police were serving seven other arrest warrants, including one for Dirceu’s brother, and 26 search-and-seizure warrants in the latest phase of an investigation that has undermined the popularity of President Dilma Rousseff and led to calls for her impeachment.

Workers’ Party Treasurer Joao Vaccari was arrested in April and stepped down to focus on his defence.

At least one Government witness has said Rousseff’s 2014 re-election campaign was financed in part with money originating from a scheme to siphon funds from overpriced engineering and construction contracts with Petrobras, or Petroleo Brasileiro SA, to pay bribes to company executives and politicians. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean countries represented Brazil Police ‘killed hundreds’ at Codex meeting in Uruguay in Rio – Amnesty

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elegates from several Caribbean countries are gathering for a meeting of 22 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries to establish common positions on international food safety standards.

The Codex Alimentarius colloquium today is being attended by delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guyana and Jamaica.

The meeting will also be attended by representatives of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the President of the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay, Fernando Fontán.

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The Codex Alimentarius colloquium today is being attended by delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guyana and Jamaica

The event, organised by IICA and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), is an opportunity for the countries to identify regional positions of mutual interest and develop participation strategies for the forthcoming international Codex meetings on food hygiene, nutrition and foods

for special dietary uses, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Codex Alimentarius is the benchmark organisation for food safety standards, recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Its science-based standards contribute to safety, quality, and equity in international food trade. (Jamaica Observer)

Malaysian firm to market Cuban cancer vaccine

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alaysia’s biotechnology firm Bioven, which is conducting clinical Phase III trials of a promising Cuban vaccine against cancer, plans to list on the London stock market.

The relationship of the Caribbean country with Bioven, of which the Malaysian Government is one of its major shareholders, is an example of SouthSouth cooperation, according to Elnartd White, commercial manager of CIMAB, the

marketing entity of the of Molecular Immunology (CIM) that created the vaccine, the Granma newspaper reported.

Since 2008, through an agreement with CIM, Bioven has carried out the clinical development of the Cuban vaccine in Europe and part of Asia and Oceania, said Blanco.

Since then, Bioven placed the drug, which targets non-small lung cancer cells, in a larger posterior test, and Stephen Drew, Chief Executive, said that its

presence in the Alternative Investment Market, the junior stock market of London, can help speed up commercial thrust.

The vaccine is a kind of immunotherapy that targets proteins called EGF (epidermal growth factor), that are over-produced by cancer cells. The Phase III trial, the last one before regulatory approval, started in May with the participation of 419 patients from ten countries.

(Caribbean News Now)

ampaign group A m n e s t y International says Brazil’s military Police have been responsible for more than 1500 deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the last five years.

Amnesty says it has found evidence that Police killings were often illegal, with officers shooting suspects who had surrendered or had been wounded.

There has been no response so far from Brazil’s military Police. Police unions earlier said the number of officers killed was also very high. In Rio de Janeiro

alone, 114 Police were killed in 2014, according to the civilian Police Union Sindpol.

Police Officers have in the past denied being “trigger happy”, saying they act in self defence when they come under fire from drug dealers in Rio’s sprawling favelas.

In a report published a year before Rio is due to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Amnesty said Police were decimating a significant part of a generation of poor, young, black men.

According to statistics released by Amnesty, nearly 16% of the total homicides registered in the city in the

last five years took place at the hands of on-duty police officers.

In 2012, more than 50 per cent of homicide victims were aged between 15 and 29, and 77 per cent of them were black, the figures suggest. Amnesty also said that incidents of Police killings were rarely investigated and those responsible did not often face justice.

But the prosecutor’s office in Rio de Janeiro state told BBC Brasil that 587 Police officers were accused and brought to justice between 2010 and 2015. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Another one of Jack Warner’s former Cabinet colleagues sues him for defamation

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resh from losing a defamation lawsuit filed by a former Attorney General Jack Warner is facing another defamation suit. An Attorney representing Housing Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal sent a preaction protocol letter dated July 13 to the embattled politician who alleged he had asked a Brazilian firm for TT$50 million to fund election campaigning.

The correspondence, copies of which Moonilal distributed to the media, gave Warner 14 days in which to respond and give a “full and unequivocal retraction and apology” in the coun-

try’s daily newspapers and online, or the lawsuit would proceed.

The Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader alleged, while at a political meeting last month, that Moonilal sent an email to OAS Construtora, which is working on a highway extension project in the twin-island republic, seeking campaign funding.

The pre-action protocol letter stated that Moonilal was entitled to substantial compensation for injury caused to his reputation and feelings.

“I am noticing everybody is suing him and win-

ning and I am afraid that all the money finish and my time don’t come... I am sure there are people behind me too,” the Minister quipped to reporters on Sunday, after handing over 100 sets of house keys to new recipients.

Just last Thursday, a High Court judge ruled that Warner should pay almost TT$900,000 (US$141,748) in compensation to former Cabinet colleague Anand Ramlogan for defaming him. Warner had alleged on an ILP platform in October 2013 that Ramlogan had obtained 51 properties through corrupt means. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

tuesday, august 4, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Kerry holds talks with top Japan calls US Gulf leaders on Iran deal spying reports

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S Secretary of State John Kerry has held meetings with senior officials of Arab Gulf states to reassure them over last month’s nuclear deal between world powers and Iran.

Kerry met the emir of Qatar on Monday morning in advance of a separate meeting with The Foreign Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He later held a news conference with Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Khalid Al Attiyah.

At the start of Kerry’s meeting with GCC Foreign Ministers, Al Attiyah enumerated a number of other issues including the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the pursuit of an independent Palestinian state.

Before Kerry’s arrival, Foreign Ministers of the GCC held a preparatory meeting in Doha on Sunday.

The Gulf Arab states have publicly welcomed the deal reached last month in Vienna, but many have expressed private reservations.

‘deeply regrettable’

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US Secretary of State John Kerry met the Emir of Qatar before a separate meeting with GCC foreign ministers [Awad Joumaa/Al Jazeera]

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Doha, said that GCC officials are expected to “voice their concerns with the Iran deal”.

“This is quite a delicate moment for the Gulf coun-

tries,” he said. “They are worried that Iran might finally be able to foster ties with the West, get the sanctions lifted and pursue an active role in the region.”

Our correspondent said that there are concerns that

Iran continues to back the Assad regime in Syria and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Kerry is also expected to discuss the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Syria and Iraq. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

apan has described claims that the US spied on Japanese politicians and major firms as “deeply regrettable”, in its first official response to revelations by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks.

The latest WikiLeaks intercepts exposing US National Security Agency (NSA) activities follow other documents that revealed spying on allies including Germany and France, straining relations.

“I will withhold comment. But If this is true, as an ally, it’s deeply regrettable,” Yoshihide Suga, the Government’s top spokesperson, said on Monday.

He said Japan was checking with the US on the WikiLeaks report issued on Friday.

Japan is one of the key allies of the US in the AsiaPacific region and the two

countries regularly consult on defence, economic and trade issues.

“We have strongly requested Intelligence Director Clapper confirm the facts,” Suga said, referring to James Clapper, National Intelligence Director.

Claims that Washington spied on Japanese trade officials, among others, came just as delegates negotiating a vast free-trade agreement known as the TransPacific Partnership failed to reach a final deal after several days of intense talks in Hawaii.

The US and Japan are the two biggest economies in the 12-nation negotiations, but they have sparred over key issues including auto sector access and opening up Japan’s protected agricultural markets. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Malema corruption India orders adult websites blocked on moral grounds trial in S Africa I set to resume

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he trial of Julius Malema, the leader of the Opposition Economic Freedom Fighters and a former leader of the African National Congress (ANC) youth wing, has been delayed again after being adjourned last September.

The trial, which was supposed to begin on Monday, has been postponed until today because one of Malema’s four associates also on trial was too ill to appear at the court.

An outspoken critic of corruption, he is accused of receiving US$400,000 from involvement in corrupt road construction projects.

The charges include fraud, corruption, racketeering and money-laundering.

If convicted, Malema could spend a maximum of 15 years in prison, pay a

large fine and lose his seat in Parliament.

Malema and his supporters have repeatedly dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, saying his prosecution is a punishment for accusing President Jacob Zuma of corruption.

In August last year, Malema led “pay back the money” chants against Zuma, triggering scuffles in Parliament.

He has demanded that Zuma repay the US$24 million of taxpayers’ money spend on “security upgrades” at his extravagant private home.

Malema himself, along with four business associates, is accused of lying to win a public works construction contract in his home province of Limpopo, worth US$4.6 million. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

ndia has ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to more than 850 adult websites in what the Government has described as a way to protect social decency, media reports say.

NN Kaul, a spokesperson for India’s telecoms department, said on Monday that the Government was trying to control easy access to pornography following a directive from the country’s Supreme Court.

Kaul said that while ISPs in India will have to bar access, users may still view the sites through virtual private networks and proxy servers.

He said the move would protect children.

The leaked Government order, dated last Friday, asks ISPs to block access to the 857 sites on grounds of morality and decency.

While the Government initially denied any such decision, the Times of India newspaper, quoting

Syrian jet crashes into market in rebel-held area, 27 killed

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overnment air raids in a north-western town in Syria and a subsequent crash of a Government warplane have killed more than 20 people, according to a monitoring group.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately clear how many of the dead were from the crash at a residential area in Ariha, in Idlib prov-

ince, and how many from the prior bombardment.

“It was flying at a low altitude when it had a mechanical failure,” Rami Abdel Rahman, the Syrian Observatory’s head, said, citing medical officials and residents inside the town.

“At least 23 people, including two children, were killed. Five of them have not been identified.”

Abdel Rahman said at least 70 people were wound-

ed. “Six people are still under the rubble, and we don’t know if they are alive or dead,” he said.

Residents cited by the Syrian Observatory said the plane had crashed near a vegetable market, causing “a huge blast”.

The Syrian Observatory, which relies on a wide network of activists, medics, and fighters throughout Syria, said the fate of the pilot was unknown. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

The Indian government says it is trying to control easy access to pornography based on a court order [AP]

Government sources, report-

ed that the denial of access

was a temporary one, and more of a prelude to the creation of a regular regulatory oversight.

By Monday noon, however, the list of blocked sites was released. Kaul said more websites may be added to the list.

According to the Indian Express newspaper, those accessing the web through ISPs such as MTNL, BSNL, Hathway and Spectranet have complained of blank pages.

However, those using Vodafone, Airtel and cable broadband claimed to have faced no such issues. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Trader jailed for 14 years over Libor rate-rigging

F

ormer City trader Tom Hayes has been found guilty at a London court of rigging global Libor interest rates.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud.

The 35-year old is the first individual to face a jury trial for manipulating the rate, which is used as a benchmark for trillions of pounds of global borrowing and lending.

Many of the world’s leading banks have paid heavy financial penalties for tampering with the key benchmark.

The jury found Hayes guilty on all eight charges of conspiracy to defraud.

The case was brought by

Former trader Tom Hayes was found guilty on all eight conspiracy charges and jailed for 14 years

the Serious Fraud Office, which said Hayes set up a network of brokers and

traders spanning 10 financial institutions and cajoled or bribed them to help rig Libor rates for profit.

During the trial, jurors were told that Hayes promised to pay a broker up to US$100,000 to keep the Libor rate “as low as possible”.

It took the jury one week to arrive at the verdicts.

Defence barrister Neil Hawes asked the judge to take into account the prevalence of Libor manipulation at the time.

Hawes also said that managers and senior managers at Hayes’ bank knew of, and in some cases condoned, Libor manipulation.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

tuesday, august 4, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Decision on GuyExpo imminent – Gaskin

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usiness and I n v e s t m e n t Minister Dominic Gaskin said that the decision as it relates to GuyExpo for the year 2015 will be announced during the course of this week.

Though the Business Minister still did not state whether or not Guyana’s Biggest Trade Fair will be held, he shared that there are still some discussions to be held and fine-tuning to be made, but promised that the general public will become aware of the decisions for GuyExpo through a statement that will be released during this week.

Gaskin had recently mentioned that if there is a GuyExpo 2015, various changes have to be made to bring this event back to what it was truly meant to be. He shared that he would like the focus of the event to be the promotion of Guyanese businesses and not a crowd of foreigners making the works of Guyanese appear inferior. The Business Minister mentioned that

Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin

the Government would like to be sure that if it chose to carry on with this event, that the model and format used was aligned with its vision. He said he believed that GuyExpo was designed to be a trade fair to promote Guyanese businesses and the Government of Guyana would like to ensure that the priorities of the grand event were so aligned. He noted that he is aware that many businesses, both large and small, do rely on GuyExpo as a mon-

eymaking venture and it was, therefore, important to them. Gaskin added that if the event was only seen as a moneymaking venture or an entertainment event, while he has no problem with moneymaking or entertainment, these were not the priorities of the Business Ministry.

In a recent interview, the Business Minister had also mentioned that while he currently has no intentions of brining a halt to the national event, he has to make a decision on whether or not the trade fair is actually impactful to the local business community. Gaskin noted that if it is concluded that GuyExpo does not attract more clients or increase the sales of businesses, then the event may have to come to an end or transferred to another Ministry.

“If the purpose it is serving is entertainment, then it should be handled by another Ministry. My focus, my Ministry’s focus, is on business and not entertainment…,” he explained.

YAM to host first “safer sex party” for youths

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he youth arm of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM), will be hosting this Friday The #BodyBoss Safer Sex Party in an effort to provide sex education to young people in a fun, open and supportive environment through games, music and media.

YAM said it would like to address the issue surrounding the startling number of school age students being involved in sexual activities, especially those filmed and uploaded to social media, in school uniforms and on the schools’ premises. “We have seen over the years that an increasing number of these “incidents” have occurred and have been responded to with hastily called “press conferences” and promises of “immediate action”.

The advocacy group, which has been calling for comprehensive sex education in schools, said it saw fit to address the issue itself, since the relevant authorities were taking too long to do so.

The objectives of YAM are to offer more youth support, increase visibility and support of youth health issues and youth participation.

The event is expected to bring together at the Girls Guide Pavilion a diverse congregation of young people between the ages of 14 through 25 for discussions and education about sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), contraception and protection. Through this forum, YAM expects to provide youth with a safe, open and honest space to learn about these important topics, which they believe will empower

them to make more informed decisions that will contribute to their well-being.

Admission to the event is only $300 and the doors open at 18:00h.

This event takes place as the GRPA, a leading provider of affordable sexual and reproductive health services to women, men and youth across Guyana, gets ready to launch its #BodyBoss Campaign under the Forwarding a Healthier Generation (Choices) Project.

The #BodyBoss will be launched at the 2015 Youth Expo International Youth Day (August 12) organised by the Ministries of Education (Department of Youth) and Public Health (Adolescent Health and Wellness Unit) together with GRPA and other youth stakeholders.

YAM is dedicated to empowering youth on sexual and reproductive health issues. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the group, you can make contact via the group’s Facebook page “Youth Advocacy MovementYAM Guyana”.

YAM is also calling on persons willing to make donations such as beverages, snacks or prizes/gifts for games to make contact with any of the organisers. If there are persons desirous of acquiring more information about the Safer Sex Party, they can email the planners Brittany Brathwaite at babrathwaite@gmail.com or Kendra Warner warnerkendra@ yahoo.com . You may also contact them at 225-3286 with your questions.

Rohee explains acquisition of property – says his house built with NBS loan

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eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Clement Rohee, on Monday defended the acquisition of his house lot and the construction of a home on the said piece of land, as he reiterated the point that when he was a Government Minister, he was :quite satisfied” with the salary he earned on a monthly basis.

After making a disclosure at a press conference on Monday that he earned $579,000 each month as the Home Affairs Minister under the PPP/C Administration, he was subsequently questioned as to how he could have afforded to purchase land at “Pradoville 2” and build his house.

Rohee explained that this was made possible by acquiring a loan from the New Building Society (NBS).

“I got a loan from the Bank… go and check with the New Building Society… check with them and you will see… King Kong ain’t got sh*t on my head,” the

PPP/C General Secretary and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

PPP/C General Secretary stated.

When asked about whether he thought it was fair that the house lots acquired by members and purported supporters of the PPP/C Government were cheap in comparison to monies an average citizen would

have to pay for a plot of land, Rohee noted that he was not aware of the specifics of the situation, but that it was just an investment on his part.

“I can’t explain that because I don’t have those details… I never made that kind of investigations. If I am offered a piece of land for that kind of money then I will determine if I can afford it,” said Rohee.

“Pradoville 2” was developed during the last term of Former President Bharrat Jagdeo along the Sparendaam foreshore, East Coast Demerara, with properties being sold to persons for $1.5 million and up.

It was reported that former Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford; Compton Bourne, former Head of the Caribbean Development Bank and UG Chancellor Ghansham Singh along with Kamini Parag-Singh and Florrie Loretta Ramnauth were among those who received house lots in the ‘controversial’ housing scheme.

Govt will not directly market rice – Holder insists amid growing concerns

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griculture Minister Noel Holder made it clear that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will not get involved in the direct marketing of rice, insisting that it is a job for the millers themselves.

This is contrary to what the coalition had promised in its Elections Manifesto 2015.

Specifically, under Chapter Five: Production, Transformation and Economic Diversification, under the subheading relating to the rice industry, it is boldly printed that “The APNU/AFC coalition will… Immediately initiate a sustainable Rice Sector support programme which would include… the negotiation of additional new international markets for rice from Guyana”.

But during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Monday, Holder firmly stated, “This Administration is trying not to get involved in the direct marketing of rice. When you get involved in these things you cause a pile of confusion.”

“We will help to secure markets but we won’t go and negotiate the markets,” he added, noting that this responsibility will be left up to the millers.

Holder maintained, however, that this position was not a contradiction of the manifesto promise.

He said Government would be assisting in finding markets but when it came to negotiation and other aspects of marketing, the millers will have to pull their own strings.

According to the Minister, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, there will be a Foreign Trade Department which will be tasked with the responsibility of

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

initiating a forum for foreign purchasers to meet with Guyanese millers. From there, once the foreign purchaser agrees to have discussions with the Guyanese millers, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will coordinate meetings and then it will be up to the millers to convince the buyer to purchase from their company.

“We have a Department of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all the embassies a part of their jobs would be to secure markets for all commodities for Guyana. They should be selling Guyana, selling our product, our rice, whatever we have to sell, our sugar. So that is how the Government is getting involved in facilitating, opening new markets that people may not know about; that we have rice and we have sugar. So now the GRBD will put the millers with the purchasers overseas and then they will negotiate from there,” he explained.

Only recently, President David Granger announced that millers must find their own markets.

Some millers across Guyana have partially agreed with the President, but pointed out that Government simply cannot run away from the responsibilities it has to the rice industry.

However, many are still urging the Government to play a bigger role in helping them secure lucrative rice deals.

Currently, the rice industry is going through a challenging period, with limited available markets for the bumper crop and the virtual collapse of the Venezuelan market.

Farmers are concerned about the future of the industry.

But while stakeholders understand that the millers will have to pull their own weight, they believe the governing administration must play a bigger role than it is willing to play.

Jinnah Rahman, Chairman of the Rice Producers Action Committee of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, previously indicated that Government should be involved in the negotiating process.

Rahman told this newspaper that Government needed to establish grounds for better dialogue during negotiations. Additionally, he pointed out that Government will need to form a crucial part of these negotiations to offer free trade agreements and tax waivers so as to attract buyers to Guyana.

Similar views were also expressed by former GRDB Chairman Nigel Dharamlall; Guyana Millers and Exporters Marketing Association Chairman, Dr Peter De Groot and Head of the Alesie Group of Companies, Dr Turhane Doerga.

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tuesday, august 4, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Berbice Bridge Company celebrates Emancipation 2015 – presents staff with tokens of appreciation

Education Minister reexamining NGSA processes

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he Education Ministry has embarked on a number of outreach programmes aimed at developing a sound education policy that will cut across all regions, communities, and socio-economic standings. The policy will realise the eradication of illiteracy and allow students to realise their full potential, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, in ensuring that such a policy is properly designed, has em-

barked upon a series of community meetings where residents, parents and teachers can sit and discuss the issues affecting the current education system, and together formalise the way forward.

At one such meeting held recently at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, Minister Roopnaraine indicated that his intention was to do away with parts of the National Grade Six Assessment process. “The accumulation of points at Grades Two and Four I’m looking to elimi-

nate…it shouldn’t be,” the Minister said. He explained that the scores earned at those exams are there to serve only as a guide to teachers, so they have a fair idea of the areas they need to focus on with the students.

The previous Administration had, a few years ago, implemented the accumulation system which saw the results of National Grades Two and Four Assessments being included in the computation of students’ final National Grade Six results.

Momentum gathers for international agreement to combat rogue fishing

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Staff members of the BBCI celebrated Emancipation Day with a programme that saw employees receiving tokens of appreciation. Third from right is the Administrative Assistant of BBCI Bibi Alli, and seated at the head table is Trade Unionist Gillian Burton

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mancipation Day, which is celebrated on August 1 every year, commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1834.

In light of this occasion, on July 31, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) held an Emancipation Day programme with employees of the Company and prominent persons with great knowledge of the African Culture from Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Tokens of appreciation were presented to the Company’s long outstanding employees of African descent and a hamper was given to one of the oldest persons of African descent residing in

Rosignol Village.

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the Retractor opening and under the High Span but also, discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly played an integral part in the development of education, sports, supported national events and made donations to charitable and non – charitable organisations in close proximity of the Bridge or in Regions Five and Six. The Company had also sponsored events in other counties and as far as

the hinterland.

In the past, the Company has sponsored many events that benefited the communities, both on the eastern and western side of the Berbice River Bridge. Now, for the year 2015, the Company has so far received 113 Public Relation requests and managed to approve 97 of these requests comprising of sponsorships of Mashramani 2015 events, donations of trophies to various non-profit and educational institutions, facilitated tours of various schools and waivered toll charges for tour buses, sponsored cricket tournaments, together with others too numerous to mention.

Stipend for RDC Councillors to be examined – Minister Bulkan

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embers of the Regional D e m o c r a t i c Councils (RDCs) could possibly receive an increased stipend as the Administration sets the stage for reforming Local Government in Guyana, the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan thinks that adequate and meaningful compensation for local government councillors must be considered in the Administration’s drive to develop strong regions.

Addressing the regional elected representatives at a leadership forum at Arthur Chung International Convention Centre on July 31, the Minister pledged that the increases would be something that Central Government would address meaningfully. He stated that this was a step in the right direction, if at the end

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

of the day, the RDCs are expected to step up to the entrusted task of leading, managing and developing their regions.

Presently the RDC Councillors are in receipt of a monthly stipend which

amounts to $10,000.

The leadership forum, facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, was to inform the RDCs Chairmen and Councillors as to the new vision of the Administration as it relates to the relationship between Central Government and regional administration.

Going forward, the regional representatives were informed they are expected to see themselves differently and were tasked to begin to take more ownership of their regions. The regional representatives heard that Central Government is concerned with a move towards the empowerment of the regions, to autonomously deliver on local government services. They also heard that in this task, they will receive unequivocal support from Central Government.

growing number of countries are ratifying an international agreement to combat illegal fishing, fuelling interest in how best to implement the instrument.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is estimated to strip between US$10 billion and US$23 billion from the global economy, and their impacts undermine the way fish stocks are managed to make it a double concern around the world.

To help tackle the problem, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) brokered the adoption in 2009 by its Member Countries of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

The agreement comes into force when 25 countries have deposited their instrument of ratification, known as acceptance of accession; so far, 12 countries have done so, the latest being Iceland in June. Two more states will soon join them.

“Port state measures” generally refer to actions taken to detect illegal fishing when ships come to port.

The agreement promotes collaboration between fishermen, port authorities, coast guards and navies to strengthen inspections and control procedures at ports and on vessels. Importantly, it also allows states to prevent the landings of catches derived from IUU fishing by vessels regardless of the flag they fly.

“The agreement aims to harmonise port controls in order to prevent illegally caught fish from ever entering international markets through ports,” said Blaise Kuemlangan, Chief of FAO’s Development Law Service. “The ability to turn away vessels taking part in IUU fishing will greatly reduce opportunities for selling their catch, decreasing IUU fishing worldwide,” he added.

The agreement will enable better compliance with the 1995 FAO Code

Once operative, the ports agreement will bolster inspections and crack down on lawbreaking ships responsible for up to 15 percent of global seafood output

of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which seeks to promote the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Illicit fishing, which includes operating without authorisation, harvesting protected species, using outlawed fishing gear and violating quota limits, may account for up to 26 million tonnes of seafood a year, more than 15 per cent of the total global output. Besides economic damage, it poses risks to local biodiversity and food security in many countries.

Workshop for coastal African countries

To assist countries in building their capacity to implement the agreement, FAO has convened a series of workshops in all world regions.

The sixth in the series, funded by the Government of Norway and covering West Africa, ran this month in Praia, Cabo Verde.

Fifty participants from 16 African coastal countries took part, along with experts from the European Union, the International Maritime Organisation, the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, the COMHAFAT Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the Pew Charitable Trust and the

WWF. “Fighting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is a key priority along the Atlantic coast of Africa, where IUU fishing contributes to overfishing, creating negative effects for the economies of these countries,” said Remi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative in Cabo Verde.

Gabon, Mozambique and the Seychelles are the only countries in Africa to have ratified the Agreement, but several others are close to completing the process.

“Many countries in the region have the will to address IUU fishing, but require the most cost-effective tools and an understanding about how these can be implemented at the legal, policy and institutional level,” said Womdim.

Ratification of the treaty requires countries to designate ports that foreign vessels can use and to block entry to ships known or believed to have been involved in IUU, as well as share information with other Governments of vessels discovered to be carrying an IUU catch.

In total, signatories that have completed the ratification process are Chile, the European Union, Gabon, Iceland, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Uruguay.

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tuesday, August 4, 2015

ARCHIE

Don’t expect others to sing your praises. If you are forth(March 21April 19) right and progressive and take the lead, you will make others take note and provide steppingstones to your victory.

ARIES

No matter how alluring it TAURUS may be, don’t get talked into (April 20- doing something that has no May 20) value or meaning to you. Use good judgment and save your energy for something beneficial and rewarding.

dilbert

You will be extremely conGEMINI (May 21- vincing today. Your peers will June 20) be glad to participate and help you achieve your goals.

A romantic evening will provide the perfect ending to your day.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Your emotions will be difficult to control. Separate yourself from distressing situations and find a relaxing hobby or a way to escape from the turmoil.

Don’t make lofty promisLEO es. You may feel like taking (July 23on the world, but if you reAug. 22) nege on a deal, you will lose credibility. An unanticipated journey will yield surprising results.

Calvin and Hobbes

Before you sign on the dotVIRGO ted line, ask yourself what (Aug. 23your motivation is. If you are Sept. 22) trying to appease someone else, think twice. You need to take control and do what’s best for you.

Powerful allies are esLIBRA (Sept. 23- sential to fulfill one of your Oct. 23) dreams. Be bold and step into the spotlight. Once people see what you have to offer, they will be eager to come on board.

SUDOKU

Someone you considered SCORPIO trustworthy will disappoint (Oct. 24Nov. 22) you. By expressing your ideas to superiors instead of peers, you will eliminate the possibility of being overlooked or overshadowed.

Love connections can be SAGITTARIUS made. Do your best to use (Nov. 23your energy wisely. An old Dec. 21) idea will bring revolutionary results if presented to the right people in the right fashion.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Don’t expect to get immeCAPRICORN diate agreement with your (Dec. 22recommendations.

Make sure Jan. 19) that the information you offer is from a reliable source. You will be questioned.

AQUARIUS

Communication is key.

(Jan. 20- You will inspire confidence Feb. 19) in others if you are confident yourself. Put your best foot forward in order to get favorable results and make new allies.

Offer to go the extra mile PISCES (Feb. 20- and make a good impression.

March 20) If you leave it up to someone else, you will lose ground and give up a chance to advance.

tuesday, august 4, 2015

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battling history Bale and Benzema staying Clarke as well as form at Real Madrid I

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Gareth Bale (left) and Karim Benzema

eal Madrid manager Rafael Benitez does not expect forwards Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to leave the club.

Welsh international Bale, 26, has been linked with a move to Manchester United and France’s Benzema, 27, with Arsenal.

“I’m not going to talk about offers,” said Benitez. “Everything is well and he’s (Bale) going to have a good season with us, I’m sure.”

On Benzema, he added: “My an-

swer is that I think Benzema is going to stay with us. I’m very happy with him.”

Bale’s future has again come under question as Angel Di Maria is close to a £44.5m move from United to Paris St-Germain.

“Gareth is a huge player for us and I know that he’s happy,” added Benitez.

The Spaniard was speaking before Tuesday’s game against Bale’s former club Tottenham in a pre-

season tournament also involving AC Milan and hosts Bayern Munich.

However, Benitez would not comment on any potential move for Manchester United’s 24-year-old keeper David De Gea. “I’ve said in five previous press conferences that I don’t want to talk about players who are in other teams,” he said.

“We have three very good keepers. I can talk about them, not other goalkeepers.”

Schweinsteiger ‘never in good condition’ in last three years Manchester United signed midfielder Bastian Schwiensteiger, 31, from Bayern Munich this summer and the German club’s manager Pep Guardiola says he is a “top” player if he can stay fit.

“When he does not have injury problems, I am completely convinced he will do very well at Manchester United,” said Guardiola. “He is a top, top player.

“Unfortunately, during the last three years he was never in good condition. He is going to play really good there. I really hope that is going to happen.” (BBC Sport)

Leaked IAAF doping files: IOC will act with ‘zero tolerance’

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he International Olympic Committee will act with “zero tolerance” should allegations of widespread doping in athletics be proven, says president Thomas Bach.

The Sunday Times published data from 5,000 athletes, which it says reveals an “extraordinary extent of cheating”.

The data belongs to the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Bach said: “At this time we’ve nothing more than allegations and we have to respect the presumption of innocence.”

The blood-test data, covering the period between 2001 and 2012, was leaked by a whistle-blower to a German broadcaster and the Sunday Times. “If there should be cases involving results at Olympic Games, the IOC will act with zero tolerance with our usual policy,” said Bach.

What are the claims?

The Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD/WDR obtained access to the results of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes.

The files - seen by the BBC - show a third of all medals in endurance events (146, including 55 golds) at Olympics and World Championships were won by athletes who recorded suspicious tests, according to independent experts who have analysed the data.

Thomas Bach

More than 800 athletes - one in seven of those named in the files - recorded blood tests described by one of the experts as “highly suggestive of doping or at the very least abnormal”.

The data is not proof of doping but the revelations raise more serious questions over whether the sport is doing enough to combat cheating.

What is blood doping?

Sports nutritionist Eleanor Jones says blood doping can help endurance athletes by increasing their ability to transport oxygen around the body.

She told BBC Radio 5 live: “It works like giving blood, except that after you’ve replaced that donation naturally in your body, you then reinfuse the blood that you removed originally, so you might have 110%

of your normal blood volume.”

Who will investigate?

An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) will investigate the claims in the ARD/WDR documentary Doping - Top Secret: The Shadowy World of Athletics. Lord Coe, who is standing to become the next IAAF president, said the governing body would react with a “robust and detailed response” to the allegations.

Coe, who is the favourite to win the presidential election against fellow IAAF vice-president Sergey Bubka on 19 August, has made independent testing a key part of his manifesto.

The IAAF said the data had been obtained “without consent” and it reserved the right to take any followup action necessary. (BBC Sport)

f Michael Clarke is to revive Australia’s Ashes campaign and his own flagging fortunes, he will not only be overturning the form trends of the past six months, but geographical tendencies that span an entire career. Trent Bridge and The Oval are among Clarke’s unhappiest hunting grounds in all of Test cricket.

In his two visits to Nottingham, Clarke has managed just 115 runs at 28.75. His most significant contribution was a patient 56 in the second innings of the 2005 Test as Australia scrapped to set England a target after following on. However in both that innings and his first in 2013, Clarke was defeated by the late swinging ball, a notable trait of matches played at the ground.

At The Oval, things get bleaker still for Clarke. It is his worst Test ground among those where he has played more than one match, averaging a mere 15.75 in five innings and never bettering 28. He had a notably poor match there in 2009, when an otherwise outstanding series was soured by tallies of 3 and 0 in Australia’s 197-run defeat. They had entered the match needing only a draw to retain the Ashes, but went home defeated.

As further evidence of the task facing Clarke and his team, Australia have not won a single Test match at either Trent Bridge or The Oval in the time he has been playing. Both Trent Bridge matches were lost, while draws at The Oval in 2005 and 2013 fell either side of the aforementioned loss in 2009.

Happy memories of a town and cricket ground can often help a player to regain their touch, but Clarke must now forge success in places where he has very few such recollections to call upon. His technique will once again be tested by the lateral movement commonly available in Nottingham, albeit without the threat of James Anderson’s swing.

However Clarke chooses to approach the challenge that awaits him, he will not be short of advice.

His friend Shane Warne has advocated a move back down to No. 5 in the batting order, the spot where he has enjoyed by far his most productive days in Test matches, though the former captain Ricky Ponting would prefer Clarke to stay at No. 4.

Michael Vaughan, who faced his own battles in the final months of what had to that point been a highly successful captaincy career, believes Clarke looks caught between two minds at the crease, unsure of whether to attack or defend. Seemingly muddled footwork has provided evidence of this, as has his recent record of scoring rates.

Over 15 innings since the start of the series against Pakistan in the UAE last October, Clarke has

Michael Clarke’s run of poor form has continued throughout the Ashes

burst out of the blocks at a strike rate of better than 50 on six occasions, while the remaining nine he has scored at a far more sedate rate. The mixed approach has not reaped consistent success, a mediocre tally of 365 runs at 28.07 propped up largely by 128 against India in Adelaide - Clarke’s only score over 50 in that time.

“With the bat Clarke looks as if he is in two minds. Does he stick or twist? Does he occupy the crease and play attritionally or does he come out and attack?” Vaughan wrote in the Telegraph. “He is not in the right mindset to play either way so he is getting caught in between. He is such a good player and still a danger because top players are not out of form for long.

“If he makes the move to five at Trent Bridge it will give him more breathing space. I would advise him to come out and attack. It will help his feet move more and when you do that you end up leaving good balls and defending better.

It might be a risk and he could get out early but I think he is a better player when he is looking to score.”

Clarke’s former state and international team-mate Stuart Clark summed up the captain’s predicament, when a tail off in form occurs at an advanced age. No longer can Clarke be given time to come good.

His time is now or never.

“The biggest problem Michael’s got is when you’re 21 you can get away with it, people say ‘he’s a player of the future’,” Clark told Sky Sports Radio. “But when you’re 34, everyone starts asking are the eyes going, are the feet slowing, has he still got the want - all those other side issues start to come into play. There’s no question he’s still a good player, but you’ve got to get runs, and the only currency you’ve got when you’re a professional athlete is runs and wickets.”

Runs have been scarce for Clarke at the next two Test match venues. It is another obstacle that would make success all the more rewarding, but failure all the more disheartening. (Cricinfo)

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tuesday, august 4, 2015

Captain Kohli keen on 5-man attack

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Virat Kohli

ndia Test captain Virat Kohli has hinted that he will stick to a five-bowler strategy in Sri Lanka. Under Kohli, India had played five bowlers in the one-off Test against Bangladesh as well. Now, speaking ahead of his team’s departure for Sri Lanka, he once again stressed the importance of taking 20 wickets in a Test match, while also pointing out that such a strategy will require his bowlers to chip in with the bat too when required.

“That [playing with five bowlers] could be a big possibility. The idea is to take 20 wickets,” Kohli said. “That’s that only way you win a Test match and I strongly believe we need to have the best bowlers playing in the squad.”

R Ashwin is a competent batsman, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harbhajan Singh can also be handy. Ashwin has scored 1009 runs in 25 Tests, including two centuries and four fifties at an average of 36.03, while Bhuvneshwar finished as the fourth-highest run-getter for India on the tour of England in 2014, with 247 runs in five matches - 25 more than Cheteshwar Pujara and 113 more than Kohli himself.

Harbhajan also has the distinction of scoring two centuries of his own, consecutive ones against a New Zealand attack that included Chris Martin and Daniel Vettori.

Kohli has called for more from each of the three to pave the way for a successful sixbatsmen/five-bowler combination. “We have people like Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harbhajan Singh, who are very handy with the bat”, Kohli said.

“Ashwin averages about 40 in Test-match cricket. So, I don’t see any reason why he can’t be the allrounder for us. It is all about giving people goals and asking them to improve on certain aspects and provide that extra balance the team requires. I

strongly feel that you have to play a stronger bowling side to win Test matches. And your batsmen have to take more responsibility, which is challenging but at the same time it is exciting.”

Kohli also confirmed that there is a three-way tussle among M Vijay, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan for the opening spots. “It has been a spot that has been contested very strongly,” he said.

When Dhawan was jettisoned for the Sydney Test in January this year, following poor returns of 167 runs in six innings, Rahul made his maiden Test century. Rahul had shaken off his forgettable debut in Melbourne, where he had only four runs in two innings while staying in the middle for only 18 minutes. But then he missed the Test in Bangladesh due to dengue fever, and Dhawan marked his comeback with 173 off 195 balls in a 283run opening partnership with Vijay. Dhawan went on to be the leading run-scorer for India in the subsequent three-match ODI series, as the competition grew stiffer.

“We saw KL Rahul coming through Australia, batting really well,” Kohli said.

“That was a time where Shikhar was not performing consistently. So, KL stepped in beautifully and now Shikhar has got runs again. Vijay has got runs for us consistently. So, its just a matter of shift in the balance.”

Vijay has been the most consistent batsman for India in recent Tests: the opener had tallied 402 runs in five Tests in England before piling up 482 in four Tests in Australia. “I think he [Vijay] has been a guy who has been very solid for us at the top of the order,” Kohli said.

“He has really improved his game in the last one, oneand-a-half years. He has given us solid starts everywhere we have played Test matches over the past 12 months.”

There had been reports in

the Indian media that Vijay had some injury concerns but Kohli expected Vijay to be “match fit” well before the start of the only tour game, on August 6.

“No, I don’t see any issues with Vijay’s fitness,” Kohli said. “As far as I know, Vijay is almost 100% straightaway and I am sure he will be match fit even before the warm-up game.”

Kohli said that the opening combination would be picked on form after the three-day practice match: “Who is playing well at that particular stage. We have a warm-up game to see things in Sri Lanka as well.

Problem of plenty is never bad. Might as well having three guys playing well rather than two guys not playing well and one playing well. I am not really worried about that.”

With Rohit Sharma being a natural stroke-maker, Kohli felt that giving him more time at No. 3 would bolster the middle order.

“He is someone who, if he gets going, even in a Test match, he could take it away from the opposition. That could actually be the difference between winning a Test match and lagging behind throughout.

“So, I think that was the whole idea. He has done well in Australia when he has batted at three. I think he needs to get more opportunity there. Once he settles there, he could be the catalyst in the middle order. He can keep the scoring rate going. He is so naturally gifted that once he gets in, he has got massive scores for Mumbai. We want to give him that game time and give him ample opportunity to get that big score and in quick time.”

Rohit has scored only 98 runs in three innings at No. 3 at an average of 32.66. At No. 6 he averages 50.37.

Kohli had recently turned out for India A in the second unofficial Test, against Australia A, in Chennai, where he had looked in good touch despite managing only 61 across both innings.

He had worked with India A coach Rahul Dravid, he said. “I wanted to practice on pitches that are much more difficult as far as spinners are concerned. I got decent practice in the last one week.

“Sweeping is one aspect of the game I was always looking to improve upon. I played it a lot in Australia and I figured on turning wickets it is something you have to have as a batsman.

He [Dravid] was helping me from the sidelines [during the A game], if he saw something that had to be corrected while playing that particular shot. That was indeed helpful, to have him closely monitor what I was trying to do.” (Cricinfo)

Wet outfield forces early end to SA/Bangladesh Test

T

Not even additional covers could have saved the Test

he rain was not even there but it had the last say in this series.

The final day of the Dhaka Test was called off before the scheduled start of play, and despite clear skies, because the outfield was deemed too waterlogged to play on. That meant four of the five days in this match were washed out and six of the 10 in the series overall, and will lead to questions over the wisdom of scheduling a series in the midst of the monsoon.

South Africa will wonder most about that. The cost of the shared spoils is five points on the Test rankings, which does not rob them of their No. 1 spot but will close the gap between them and the chasing pack, irrespective of the final outcome of the Ashes. Bangladesh gain six points and no movement on the table but would have earned some respect for their plucky performance across both games.

Things were just threatening to go awry for the hosts when the weather intervened. After a solid show for most of day one - the only day when play was possible - steered by their captain Mushfiqur Rahim, they lost

4 for 31 in the last hour. By then, Dale Steyn had found substantial reverse swing after earlier becoming the 13th bowler, and second South African, to take 400 Test wickets.

Steyn was in his 17th over when play stopped.

He, and the rest of the two teams, spent the last four nights waiting for it to restart.

Heavy rain, some monsoonal, some caused by cyclone Komen, washed out days two, three and four and the aftermath made play impossible on day five. Despite the porous draining system, the outfield had taken too much rain. The umpires gauged it would take between four and five hours to dry before any action could begin, and it being the final day, decided that was impractical. Umpire Richard Kettleborough also said that the Chittagong ground drained well but Mirpur had not in the breaks between all the rain.

Some of the South Africa players, including captain Hashim Amla, stood around the pitch, bowling a bit on one of the side pitches. But curator Gamini de Silva

rushed to the middle, motioning them to leave the square. Later Amla joked that they were practicing their offspin ahead of their India tour.

The Bangladesh players put up stumps as goalposts for their final football match of the season. The coaching staff and manager also joined them and slowly, the presentation ceremony and the press conferences were held.

When they were heading out for their football match an hour after the call-off, one of the Bangladesh players pointed to a teammate that they were not playing the match when the sun was blazing down.

At exactly 1:23pm, however, it rained heavily in Mirpur. The early call-off started to make sense again, at the end of what has been an impressive series for Bangladesh against a South Africa still slowly stirring from a three-month break.

Bangladesh will now enjoy some time off while South Africa return home for a limited-overs series against New Zealand before a high-profile tour of India and a home series against England. (Cricinfo)

PCB considers hosting T20 league in Qatar

A

fter failed negotiations with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the PCB has formally approached Qatar to host its own Twenty20 league in Doha, in February 2016. ESPNcricinfo understands that a formal proposal is being sent to the Qatar Olympics Association, asking to upgrade the only cricket stadium in the country.

The PCB had initially planned to host the franchise-based T20 league in UAE, Pakistan’s virtual home since 2009. However, when the board approached the ECB to secure the venues during the third week of June, they learned that the organisers of the Masters Champions League - a tournament for retired international cricketers - had already booked the stadiums for the February window.

The MCL was unveiled at the Burj Al Arab on June 3, with former cricketers Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram all in attendance as icon players.

The ECB, which is the sole regulator of cricket in

the UAE, refused to lease out the three stadiums to Pakistan, given the MCL had already locked the deal.

Zafar Shah, the chairman of the MCL, independently tried to chalk out a way to accommodate both the leagues within the February window, but the dates could not be worked out.

It is likely the PCB will wait another month before going forward with Doha as the alternative venue for the inaugural version of the league. It is understood that Pakistan even see Doha as a potential venue to host their Under-19, Women and A games on a long-term basis.

The PCB has been floating the idea of hosting their own T20 league for the last five years, though the talks never really materialised into anything substantial.

Logistical issues led to an indefinite postponement of the league in 2013, and while there was an attempt to revive the tournament in 2014, with the PCB inviting various parties to acquire rights for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the quality of the bids meant

that the board put their plans on hold again.

The PCB’s chairman Shaharyar Khan and executive committee head Najam Sethi have both been at loggerheads in public over the tournament, but the board recently defused the situation by issuing a press release stating that both men were supporting each other.

The PCB is racing against time, but the board said it was “determined” to host its first league involving highprofile players from around the world.

During Zaka Ashraf’s regime, the PSL business model - unveiled in January 2013 - was expected to fetch the PCB “in excess of $100 million”. The PCB had also announced the base prices of players for a proposed auction, though they did not reveal the pool of players who had signed up for the tournament.

The current design of the league is based on the draft system, according to which the distribution of top players among the five franchises will be equally managed.

(Cricinfo)

sports

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21

Berbice basketball players receive sneakers from US Coach

F

ormer Guyana national basketball player Heinrod David and members of Hi Flyers Basketball Club, through representatives of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and the Berbice Amateur Basketball

Association (BABA), donated over 40 pairs of sneakers to clubs, and to male and female players at the Vrymens Erven Basketball Court in New Amsterdam on Sunday.

The presentation was facilitated by GABF President Nigel Hinds, while BABA President Keith Myers re-

ceived on behalf of the Berbice clubs.

Speaking on behalf of GABF, Hinds noted the importance of players giving back to the sport and thanked David in the presence of BABA’s executives Vibert Garret and Kirk Fraser.

David, who was part of the Guyana senior national basketball team between 1985 and 1995, currently resides in Maryland, USA and coaches a U11 basketball side which won the U11 USA National Championships in 2014.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Under-15 Coach Moore says vital talent exposed during campaign

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uyana Under-15 head coach, Julian Moore, says his side’s successful campaign in the Regional Under-15 Championship has unearthed important talent for the future.

The Guyanese played unbeaten in five games to tally 19.5 points and secure the title ahead of Windward Islands who finished on 18.2.

“It’s always nice to win, but as a coach it is important to look at the finer points, I saw some good talent emerging during the tournament,” the Guyana Chronicle quoted Moore as saying.

“While it is hard to single out one particular player, I think the three pacers – Qumar Torrington, Haifa Walters and Alphius Bookie

Julian Moore

– did a tremendous job for us, and if you look at the points standing, I thought the wickets they took made all the difference for us winning the tournament.”

He added: “The spinners – Kevlon Anderson, Ashmead Nedd and Kelvin Umroa – were also good talents throughout the tournament as well as Sachin Singh, Robin Williams and Junior Sinclair who performed exceptionally well with the bat.”

Guyana won the title despite suffering the disappointment of two washed out games – against key rivals Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

However, they made the most of their three other outings as they beat Leeward Islands by seven wickets at the Guyana National Stadium, crushed Jamaica by nine wickets at Albion Sports Complex before whipping the Windwards by 98

runs in their final game, also at the National Stadium.

“I am pleased with the performance of the team. I think the guys played good team cricket and they were confident throughout the tournament,” Moore said.

“The bowlers did a tremendous job as well as the batters. The fielding was a bit rusty upfront, but I think the guys bounced back quickly and took some decisive catches, which I think was the most pleasing part of our game – that we were able to improve tremendously as a fielding unit.”

Guyana’s Under-19 side followed up the success of their younger counterparts last Sunday when they beat hosts Jamaica in the final to claim that age group title.

(CMC)

Ronaldo ‘gives football agent Mendes Greek island’

T

he multi-millionaire Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has given his agent Jorge Mendes a Greek island as a wedding present, media reports say.

The island has not been named but the price tag could run into the millions, reports say.

Spain’s Mundo Deportivo website says Ronaldo knows the Greek islands well from holidays.

Mr Mendes married his partner Sandra in Portugal on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson was among the celebrities there.

The former Manchester United manager signed Ronaldo in 2003 and the Portuguese forward - one of the world’s best players -

stayed at the Old Trafford club until 2009.

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or world footballer of the year award three times.

He acted as best man for Mr Mendes, 49, who is one of football’s most successful agents and runs a business called Gestifute for developing top football talent.

At least a dozen Greek islands are up for sale. On the website Private Islands Online one island is going for just €3m.

The celebrity wedding took place in an exclusive residential area of Porto.

Mr Mendes and Sandra Barbosa have three children and they have been in a civil partnership since 2005.

Some top footballers

Jorge Mendes (left) is one of the world’s most successful agents

from Spain and Portugal were there, along with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira and Chelsea owner Roman

Abramovich.

According to Spain’s ABC news website, Mr Mendes is one of Portugal’s richest men, with a €100m fortune. (BBC Sport)

Caribbean can rebound, says CFU boss

C

aribbean Football Union President, Gordon Derrick, believes the Caribbean can rebound from the latest scandal to shake the region.

Last May, the Caribbean was plunged into turmoil when CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president, Caymanian Jeff Webb, was arrested and indicted by the United States, on corruption charges.

Former CONCACAF president, Trinidadian Jack Warner, who was also a FIFA vice-president, was also indicted by the US on similar charges, and is cur-

rently fighting extradition.

Derrick said despite this, Caribbean leaders still had a role to play in football governance.

“I don’t think there is a black eye on the Caribbean per se, or that because these two [cases] happened back to back and therefore no-one else can do it (lead).

I think that would be unfair,” Derrick told an international news agency.

“Yes the confidence (in the Caribbean) will be down, but we are a proud people from a proud area, who have ability; who can govern and who are intelligent. So if someone from

the Caribbean steps up, they will step up and do well.”

Warner was at the centre of the first CONCACAF cash-for-votes scandal in 2011 and was forced to resign amidst corruption allegations.

However, the US Department of Justice said it had continued to investigate Warner and subsequently named him – and Webb – as part of a 47-count indictment related to racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies.

Twelve other football officials were named in the

indictment and Derrick was careful to stress that the scandals did not only centre around regional figures.

“Not everybody in the Caribbean is tainted. If you look at this scandal, you look at who the big player is and what country did he come from?” the Antiguan reminded.

“It is not just the Caribbean, it is throughout. Regardless of where you are … there are people who are not on the straight and narrow, that doesn’t mean everybody in that country is the same way.”

(CMC)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, august 4, 2015

Junior hockey players Edghill secures table tennis scholarship C impress at Player Tournament in Trinidad

Aroydy Branford

Mark Sargeant

Parmanand Dindial

uyana’s national junior men’s hockey team got off to a slow start in their opening match at the Player Tournament against Malvern Sports Club in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend. The Guyanese struggled to adjust to the fast pace of the artificial turf and were given a master class in free-flowing, hightempo hockey by a Malvern side, which boasted five senior national players.

By the end of the first half, the Guyanese found themselves down 0-3. After making some tactical adjustments at half time, Guyana firmed up their defence and scored one goal in the third quarter through a Keon McKenzie ‘tomahawk’ shot.

The lead was then cut to one when Aroydy Branford latched onto a pass from Captain Mark Sargeant and sent a diving reverse shot under the advancing goalkeeper. Now within sight of tying up the score, Guyana employed a high press, but this tactic also left them vulnerable to counter attacks. Malvern went ahead 4-2 when a misdirected

clearance from goalkeeper Medroy Scotland rebounded favourably to a Malvern forward who made no mistake with the finish.

Senior national player Shaquille Daniels then put the Trinidadian side up 5-2, with a brilliant individual run which he finished powerfully past Scotland’s left post. The Guyanese didn’t flinch and scored less than a minute later with a Paramanand Dindial tap in on the last post off a Branford shot that was going wide of the upright.

Although Guyana continued to press, the Malvern defence held strong and maintained the advantage to end 5-3 victors.

In their second match of the day against Queens Park, Guyana found themselves down early in the first quarter once again. Despite creating several goalscoring opportunities over the next two quarters, the Guyanese forwards failed to convert.

It was not until late in the fourth quarter that Captain Sargeant drew his side level with a spectacular dive to finish a Hilton Chester through pass.

The goal seemed to breathe new energy into the Guyana attack. Playmaker Branford weaved his way through three defenders then sent a powerful tomahawk shot towards the last post which was put in by Ato Greene. Guyana then dropped to half court and played solid defence to preserve their lead for the final five minutes.

On day two, Guyana rested their captain Sargeant and midfielder Leon Bacchus for their match against the Under-21 training squad side. Although completely dominating the match, Guyana’s finishing was again poor, but they managed to keep a clean sheet and run out 2-0 victors, compliments of a Branford double.

Although Monday was a tournament rest day, Guyana took on Trinidad’s powerful national Under-21 team, which featured several senior national players who recently returned from the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. Both teams are preparing for the Pan American junior championship, which is scheduled for Canada next year.

G

Youth player receives helmet from overseas-based Guyanese Promising national junior wicketkeeper/batsman Ritesh Omroa was presented with a batting helmet to assist in his further development as a cricketer. The Albion and Berbice player was promised the helmet

by Dave Sookrah, formerly from Reliance Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, who now resides in the USA. Speaking on behalf of Sookrah was former national all-rounder Hubern Evans, who said that Omroa’s talent was recognised by the sponsor since he was an Under-15 player and his progress was closely followed over the years.

Sookrah is delighted with Omroa’s growth as a cricketer and is impressed with his work ethic and attitude, Evans said. As a result, he thought it fitting to assist the young man.

Sookrah will continue to

Hubern Evans (left) hands over the helmet to Ritesh Omroa on behalf of Dave Sookrah

help the young cricketer as the need arises, added Evans.

In response, Omroa thanked Sookrah and

promised to make full use of the helmet.

He also promised to stay focused, work hard and strive for more success.

aribbean, National Junior Champion and junior Olympian Chelsea Edghill has secured a partial scholarship to Lindenwood University, Missouri, USA commencing August 24 on account of her sport and academic exploits.

The scholarship is expected to last for five years and will allow the three-time Sportswoman of the Year to actively train, play and participate in high-level competitions against top-level players on a consistent basis with a view of achieving a 2020 Olympic qualification.

The college is fourth in the intercollegiate rankings and Edghill will play 13 collegiate tournaments from September 2015 to April 2016 before breaking for summer.

In addition, Edghill is paired with highly ranked world-class players from Poland, Brazil, and Ghana among others on the female team and will be under the tutelage of Coach Chance Key. The intercollegiate table tennis circuit is becoming a nurturing ground for some of the world’s best table tennis athletes/players.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)

in a press release noted that Edghill is a player of the future and a potential Olympic medallist.

Edghill is expected to pursue chemistry and physics as part of her academic studies and will benefit from a 75 per cent scholarship which will require support from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Corporate Guyana and possibly Government.

The GTTA also pointed out that typical scholarship opportunities in table tennis usual cover just 50 per cent of the athlete’s costs.

Meanwhile, Edghill is currently in the US preparing for the China Latin America Training Camp scheduled for August 11-17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico which brings the best junior players in Latin American together with players from Chinese national teams and elite coaches.

In a statement published on her Facebook Account, Chelsea expressed the following: “As most of you already know, I’ve been accepted to Lindenwood University. I’m extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity to pursue

Academic Excellence at this University.

I must say thank you to all the persons who were and still are influential and supportive in my journey to success. Firstly, I must thank my Parents for their moral support and guidance, my Coaches and mentors Idi Lewis and Ms Lisa Lewis and not forgetting my Teachers at The Bishops’ High School and my lessons Teachers especially Mrs Harris, Sir Carryl and Ms Shirley Elinor Jordan.

Without your undying support and guidance, this would not be possible.

I must also say thank you to my Sponsors : Continental Group of Companies – Sunburst and Mr Aaron Fraser Wartsila for ensuring my attendance at The Youth Olympics and other tournaments and also the Guyana Table Tennis Association for chartering my course to table tennis success. Mr Godfrey Munroe Thank You!!

To my friends, family, teammates, fans and well wishers, THANKS A MILLION!!! Thank you for teaching me the value of friendship and that giving up is never an option!

Once again THANK YOU!!”

Fruta Conquerors academy...

from back page

Representatives of the Fruta Conquerors Club, the GFF and sponsors display the footballs that have been donated by Namilco for the three-week camp

He lauded the Club’s executives on choosing pertinent topics, and for encouraging youth participation in football, which can only serve to enhance the development of the game.

The National Milling Company (Namilco), a major supporter of the Club’s programme, has thrown its support behind the threeweek academy, as well as Scotiabank, which is onboard with the Tucville-based Club for the first time.

Both sponsors’ representatives, Affeeze Khan and Jennifer Cipriani, were delighted to partner with the Club, and they both left strong words of advice for the youngsters.

Khan urged the youths to treat the camp as a form of schooling, adding that they should grasp every bit of knowledge that is disseminated by the presenters and coaches. He also spoke of Namilco’s ongoing partner-

ship with the Club.

“We [Namilco] have always been supportive of this Fruta Conquerors Club. On day one, they had approached us for help and from day one we have been not the backbone of the support, but we have been very supportive of the backbone,” Khan said during an animated presentation.

He added, “We want to wish you well. When ... [coming] to these classes walk with a pencil, walk with a book, walk with a little dictionary in your pocket…borrow one from somebody. When somebody says a word write it in your book because you may not understand what he or she is saying. When you get a chance, go to the dictionary and find out the meaning. That’s going to help you to become a good scholar at school.”

Cipriani, in her address to the participants, noted that the programme’s content is

one which “prepares you for life.”

“It’s life skills you will take away at the end of this camp,” she noted. “And there is one thing I want you to remember; you need to have a plan for yourself. You’re not too young to think what you want. ‘What do I want to be when I grow up? Where do I see myself when I grow up?

What do I want to do?’ And don’t let anyone distract you from your plans. Remember that, have a plan for yourself.”

Classroom sessions will be held from 09:00h to 12:00h and football training from 13:00h to 15:00h daily. The academy, which ends on August 21, has received tremendous support from corporate entities such as Namilco; Scotiabank; Guyana Beverage Company; Digicel; Farfan and Mendes; Food For The Poor (Guyana); the Education Ministry and the office of the Director of Sport.

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, august 4, 2015

23

Water Polo to be reintroduced GTTA to stage summer table tennis championships T to Guyana on Saturday he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) will stage an eight-category summer table tennis championships slated for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from August 21 to 23.

The categories to be contested are the Men’s Singles, B Class Open, C Class Open, 13 Years and Under Boys, 13 Years and Under Girls, 11 Years and Under Boys, 11 Years and Under Girls and the Novices Open.

The novices’ category is geared to attract the players participating at various training camps across Guyana.

The 11 Years and Under Boys and Girls category is geared towards the involvement as well as to assess the players earmarked for possible participation in the Caribbean Pre Cadet

Water Polo to bring added water sport and excitement to the National Aquatic Centre

F

orte Sport Management will reintroduce the sport of Water Polo to Guyana on Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Sharks and the Water Dogs will meet in an exhibition game at 15:00h before a presentation on the strategic plan for the development of the sport.

The match is made up of four quarters of 10 minutes each and is expected to last for 50 minutes.

Water Polo is a team water sport in which the two teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into their opponent’s goal; the team with the most goals at the end of the game is declared as the winners.

A team consist of six field players and one goalkeeper in the water at any one time. In addition to this, teams may have substitute field players and one substitute goalkeeper who are not in the water.

The game consists of swimming (with and without the ball), using a special form of treading water known as the eggbeater kick , throwing, catching, and shooting the ball. All this must be done using a single hand.

Special equipment for Water Polo includes a water polo ball, which floats on the water; numbered and coloured caps; and goals, which either float in the water or are attached to the side of the pool.

Regal Masters cop Emancipation Softball Cup

Man-of-the-Match Mahendra Hardyal (right) receives his prize from Rafman Ali

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superb bowling performance from Mahendra Hardyal and Khalid Zaman powered Regal Masters to a crushing nine-wicket win over Success Masters in the final of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) Emancipation Cup on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club.

The pair shared 10 wickets with Hardyal capturing 5-33 and Haslim claiming 5-6. Their magical effort sent Success packing for 78 in 11 overs. Shazim Mohamed (15), Vijay Baljit (14) and Robin Persaud (12) were the only batsmen that reached double figures.

Hardyal then showed his all-round prowess, smashing an authoritative, unbeaten 39 to guide Regal to 79-1 in 5.3 overs in reply.

His knock, which came off 18 balls and included six maximums, earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.

Mahendra Arjune supported with 26 not out, aided by four sixes.

Earlier in the day, Regal overcame Savage by two wickets in their semi-final encounter. Batting first, Savage scored 122-9 in 20 overs. Vicky Ramsawak cracked 32 (4x4s, 1x6), while Fazal Khayume made 20 not out (2x4s).

David Harper snared 3-12.

Regal responded with 123-8 in 13.5 overs.

Rudolph Baker slammed 35 (5x4s, 1x6), while Eric Thomas scored 25 and Shaheed Mohamed 22.

Arjune Persaud picked up 3-13 and Wallack Joseph 2-18.

In the second semi-final, Success beat Frontline Masters by one wicket.

Frontline took first knock and managed 161-7 in 20 overs. Dennis Mangru led with 57 and Danny Mohanram contributed 27.

Success replied with 1629 in 17 overs. Mark Wong stroked 65 as Rampersaud Sankar grabbed 4-20. Both finalists received trophies.

Kaysan Ninvalle

Championships scheduled for September 2-9 in the Dominican Republic.

The likes of Kaysan Ninvalle, Colin Wong, Kristian Sahadeo, Dhanesh Persaud, Aaron Persaud, Paul Bess and Alexander DeAbreu. Ciera Sukhu, Thuraia Thomas and Chelsea Hutson are expect-

ed to feature in the 11 years Boys and Girls category.

The 13 Years and Under category is expected to see the likes of Tyriq Saunders, Terrence Rausch, Niron Bissu, Shakiel Lewis, Jamal Nicholas, Navendra Persaud, Brandon Jaikarran and Yeudistir Persaud and on the girls’ side – Neveah Clarkston, Selenas Jackman and Abigail Martin.

Registration for the competition can be done through the General Secretary of the GTTA, Linden Johnson who can be reached on 621-7630 or any executive member of the GTTA. Registration closes on August 21 at 14:00h.

Trophies will be awarded to the first three finishers in the Pre Cadet, C Class and novices’ categories and monetary prizes for B Class and Men’s Categories.

Guyana’s women off to T&T...

Nevertheless, the GCB ensured they had practice sessions at the Guyana National Stadium and the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence Hostel during their encampment.

Drubahadur wished the players a safe and successful tournament, noting that they should feel happy and privileged to represent Guyana.

Senior Selection Panel Chairman Rayon Griffith wished the ladies a successful tournament and told them to go out and play competitive and professional cricket. He added that regardless of the situation, they must always be disciplined because when one person misbehaved, she

tarnished the entire team and their country. Griffith also called on the players to respect their coach and manager and adhere to their rules.

The Chairman reminded the experienced players that they have the task of guiding the newcomers and younger players and they have to be willing and proactive in that regard. He asked the young players not to hesitate to ask for help when they need it because they have to ask questions and pay keen attention to learn.

Six teams will be competing in the tournament: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, North

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Windward Islands, and South Windward Islands.

Each of the teams will play the other once in a roundrobin competition and the two teams accumulating the most points will contest the final on Sunday, August 16.

Guyana’s squad reads: Tremayne Smartt (Captain); Erva Giddings; Subrina Munroe; Melanie Henry; Shemaine Campbelle (Vice Captain); Katana Mentore; Mandy Mangru; Haseena Mohamed; Kavita Yadram; Akaze Thompson; Lashuna Toussaint; Heema Singh; Sheneta Grimmond, and Plaffiana Millington. The Manager is Carol Nurse and the Coach is Andre Percival.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

tuesday, august 4, 2015

Fruta Conquerors academy off to tremendous start – Classroom sessions to highlight social issues

By Avenash Ramzan

With the aim of educating young minds on social issues through football, the Fruta Conquerors Football Club on Monday morning commenced its eighth annual football academy in blazing sunshine at the Tucville Ground, Greater Georgetown.

The camp had initially catered for 40 young boys and girls from Tucville and surrounding areas, and on the first morning there was exactly that amount, much to the delight of the organisers.

Although the camp has been able to attract its intended quota, Secretary of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Daniel Thomas, pointed out that late signings would not be denied entry.

In giving a comprehensive overview of what has been crafted for the next three weeks, Thomas divulged that the camp will not just enlighten the young-

sters on the fundamentals of football, but also edify them on crucial life skills and social issues.

Among the topics to be delivered by experts in the respective fields are Drug and Substance Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Peer Pressure, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, HIV and STIs, environmental issues, and media relations.

Some of the presenters confirmed to conduct the classroom sessions are Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Senior Superintendent Angela Harding, University of Guyana lecturers Deon Frank and Dr Carolyn Walcott, former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Renuka Anandjit and USbased Guyanese Britney Brathwaite.

Football training will be spearheaded by the Club’s Head Coach, Calvin Allen, and a battery of coaches, who will deal with specific areas.

The participants strike a pose for photographers on first day of the academy on Monday (Avenash Ramzan photos)

“This camp is going to be fun, it will not be just about school work, but we’ve tried to ensure that we cover a wide range of topics. As you know, it’s from age seven to

17, so we wanted to do things that are going to help you and be beneficial to you later in life,” Thomas explained to the eager group of participants.

The Club has been hosting the camp with tremendous levels of success over the years, and Director of Marketing and Communications

at the Guyana Football Federation, Rawle Toney, was quick to point out the Club’s contribution to the game in Guyana. turn to page 22

Guyana’s women off to T&T Edghill secures Table Tennis scholarship for Regional Super50

President of the GCB, Drubahadur, with members of the Guyana team

T

he Guyana women’s team departed on Monday morning for

Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50 tournament, which begins on Thursday. Guyana had finished runner-up to Jamaica in the tournament last year in Dominica.

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Drubahadur had a meeting with the ladies on Sunday evening when he pointed out that they were not short on talent and he was looking forward to seeing

them bring home the title this year.

He added that they did an excellent job in the last two years reaching the semi-final and final respectively. He further noted that they may feel pressured, but they need to approach the tournament match by match, be disciplined, focused and also have fun.

He continued that they need not panic as there were seasoned players in the team who have represent-

ed West Indies. He called on these players to lead by example for the younger ones and to be available to assist them when the need arose. He reminded them that they were a team and they needed to remember that and put the team first at all times.

The GCB President recalled that the weather was not good for the past couple of months and as such, they could not get in practice matches. turn to page 23

Pg 22

Chelsea Edghill

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