Guyana Times Daily

Glenn Lall covering Lexus fraud paper trail

tuesday, february 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 24 , 2015 |

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Glenn Lall covering Lexus fraud paper trail

...to stave off IRS jail time

The absence of the owner of Kaieteur News, Mohan “Glenn” Lall was quite noticeable at the court hearing in Georgetown

fled the jurisdiction and was hiding out in the US, the Guyana Times has received credible information that Lall is actually trying

on February 6 in which his $100 million tax fraud case was settled “amicably” with the Guyanese tax authorities. His attorneys advised the court that he, along with his co-defendants ― wife

desperately to clean up the paper trail of the financial fraud in the US. He is desperately trying to avoid the inevitable investigation by the US Internal Revenue Services (IRS) about the un-

Bhena, and “friends” in the fraud, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan were in the United States, where the fraud originated. While it was widely reported that Glenn Lall had

reported transfers of large sums of money along with several discrepancies in the records of the purchase of the two Lexuses in the US, without mandatory filings on them. This has prevented

his return to Guyana at this time.

The first discrepancy to be cleared up is the two luxury Lexus LX570 SUVs that were shipped as per Bill of Lading 112932 to Guyana from the US supposedly had VIN# JTJHY7AX6D4096745 and VIN# JTJHY7AX6D4094851.

But before a vehicle can be shipped from the US, it must satisfy the US Customs and Border Protection that any and all liens on the vehicles have been resolved to the satisfaction of the lienholder.

According to Regulation 19CFR part 192, “the provisional owner must provide to Customs a separate writing from the third-party-in interest which expressly provides that the subject vehi-

Publisher

same company Invoice # L33913X126 dated three days later (12-6-2012) purported to have sold “Used Lexus LX570 SUV 2013” VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745” for the identical US$ 44,158.00.

cle may be exported.

According to our information, Invoice # L33913X123 of 12-3-2012 from Lexus of Rockville Centre, 700 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, details that one used LEXUS LX570 SUV 2013 VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4094851 was sold for US$44,158.00.

Interestingly from the

Because this amazing coincidence in prices for two supposedly different vehicles, and the fact that two Lexuses were purchased three days apart by two individuals who did not have driving licences, has been raised in Guyana, Lall is attempting to have the records altered.

turn to page 9

Kaieteur News

Glenn Lall

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 I

Stars and black holes

t had to take a certain amount of stamina for Guyanese movie lovers to sit through the entire 2015 Oscars on TVG Channel 28/12 Sunday night, knowing that they had to be out the next morning through the streets of Georgetown "mashing".

But for "silver screen" aficionados, there was really no choice: how else would they witness the spectacle of those who create spectacles for the rest of the world letting their hair down?

After all, how could the movie overlords of Hollywood really justify snubbing Ava DuVernay and David Oyelowo from "Selma", the film about Martin Luther King? Not a single Black person in the 20 personal nominations. To their credit, activists outside the event did not let them forget, nor did the otherwise insipid host, for whom it was all down hill after his tongue-in-cheek opening line: "Tonight we honour Hollywood’s best and whitest.” Then correcting it with a wink to “brightest”.

But "American Sniper" did not take any of the earlypredicted awards. The story of the Navy Seal with the greatest number of kills in the history of American warfare was heavily criticised after the murder of three Muslims in North Carolina.

Even though Director Clint Eastwood tried to make the movie a bit more nuanced than the autobiographical novel, the depiction of Iraqis as "savages" still riled up anti-Arab sentiments in its viewers. This exacerbated the growing Islamophobia in that society and provided a background to the killings.

Two movies that did hit it big, copping the best actor and best actress awards, portrayed individuals with disabilities and this must be seen as a positive sign. Eddie Redmayne won the best actor Oscar for portrayal of the ALS afflicted physicist Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything", while Julianne Moore’s powerful portrayal of an Alzheimer’s sufferer in "Still Alice".

Inhabited by high percentage of persons who are seen a "different", Hollywood does sometimes rise above the box office jingling to treat serious stories seriously.

Stephen Hawkins' tale in quite extraordinary and should teach Guyanese a thing or two about "determination". Diagnosed when he was still at Oxford with ALS and given two years to live, Hawkins goes on to graduate with honours, completes his PhD at Cambridge and is still alive at the age of 72, having become the most famous physicist since Albert Einstein.

While the movie thankfully goes light with notions of "singularities", "black holes" and "multiverses", it does bring to the fore the rigour that is needed in application to one's tasks if anything significant can be achieved. Moreso, by an individual who is so handicapped that he has only been able to communicate with the aid of a computer operated by a single cheek muscle.

At places like the University of Guyana, where the constant whine is "lack of facilities", what is evidently more crucially missing is lack of imagination and hard work.

Movies are very powerful shapers of popular culture, with American movies taking the top honours since the beginning of the art form. It is no use complaining that American films are heavily skewed towards the point of view of the dominant demographic of that countrywhite,middle-aged males.

Those who desire an alternative view have to follow the pattern of that other form of narratives - the novel. For decades now, individuals from the "empire" have been "writing back" - that is placing themselves and their concerns at the centre of their work. Whether it is dubbed "post colonial" or "post modern", the narrative gaze has been widened.

One positive sign in this direction was Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Inarritu winning the Oscar for best director for "Birdman", his funny satirical take on American show business. It was not the usual infinite regression since Inarritu is an outsider.

In his acceptance speech, he asked urged Americans to treat immigrants "with respect". He has written back.

The political situation in Guyana is one of gross shortsightedness

Dear Editor,

The political situation in Guyana today is a situation of gross shortsightedness. I make mention of the politician Moses Nagamootoo. In his over ambitious quest for power he has forgotten a lot of things when he formed that coalition with the PNC/ APNU, chief of which is the human factor.

Never did he for one moment taken into consideration that human beings, people will have a major say in any deal, agreement or the likes of anything in the political game he has entered into.

So here's their dilemma. An in-depth look at the coalition clearly shows that Moses was working under the mathematical assumption that if 10 people do a job in two days, then 20 persons can do that same job in one day.

Well, that is as far as it goes on paper, but in real life you must take into consideration the variables one of which is the human factor. Should I put it this way the people were unlikely partners "non advisors" in the consultations.

Their views, opinions or suggestions were never

featured anywhere in that agreement; it was as if they never existed. This whole coalition thing was between two power hungry entities done in the name of the people. But before I get carried away in that line of argument let me get back to my main discourse.

Variable number one, 1964 (not that he is not knowledgeable of this glaring variable), but power hunger and selfishness drove him to the brink so that this glaring aspect was wiped out of his mind completely.

In Moses' present state of mind, 1964 never existed as he rushed headlong into a coalition. A neglect of such magnitude is bound to have serious consequences. The AFC bandwagon forgot that the PNC is not a party to play around with in any alliance they are the quintessential party when it comes to reneging on unity arrangements.

By 1967 their coalition partner, the United Force, was wiped out, Burnham and his thiefing rigging party was in total control, and there was no need for the UF. This is what is going to happen should they win an

election here.

So my advice to Moses and crew members, don't you fool yourselves with the bright idea that you are a "partner" in anything. This is not a partnership, it is a situation where you are helping the PNC/APNU to reach for stardom.

Second variable and the heart of the whole discussion is the people, that is, those members within and without the party, would they be comfortable with a union with PNC/APNU? People are important, they are the ones who will have to vote for you.

To make an agreement without their permission then now to turn again and ask them to vote for you is a grave insult to their intelligence. Talk about corruption then look no further than the AFC, they are riddled with under the table, backstreet deals.

Payrolls that cannot be audited this is truly a cowboy party. Their finances are a reflection of the way the party is. You see, dear readers, this party was formed with the blessings of a rich elite group here in Guyana.

And if my memory serves

me right they have the firm backing of a superpower as well as the wealthy in the diaspora. So the dough is great. The point is, whenever money is in plentiful supply opportunists abound and the present AFC cabal is a prime example.

Where is the money? How is the money spent, give us an audit of your income and expenditure? Those are the questions that the inner circle AFC cannot and will not give. Isn't this a foretaste of what will happen should these people get into power?

To think of it these are the people who want to rule over us. Interesting! These are the very same individuals who are castigating the PPP/C of corruption when they themselves are an epitome of corruption.

The bottom-line is can they be trusted? And the answer is a resounding no! I have laid out the facts before you my dear readers, this is it. So, come May 11, I would like you to make that intelligent decision to put the party that has the capacity to govern this country impartially.

Neil Adams

Sam Hinds could serve as Vice President

Dear Editor,

In Guyana’s existing democracy, a cat may look at a king without reprimand. Now that professional diplomat Elisabeth Harper is the PPP/C’s Government surprise Prime Ministerial candidate, the AFC-APNU alliance is in disarray.

So what’s next? Unable to attack her because she is clean, black, beautiful, a woman of impeccable character, and most of all a consummate professional, she is a knockout in comparison

to the competing ticket.

For the Opposition to accuse the PPP/C of improving its record is very lame and most specious.

Accusing the PPP/C Government for being corrupt (without stepping forward and providing the evidence for prosecution) cannot make the PPP/C Government more corrupt because it is proactive.

Incorruptible current Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who has served Guyana with distinction, all without dam-

aging his integrity, is still available to serve Guyana.

In fact, President Donald Ramotar cannot be unmindful that the PPP/C Ggovernment must redeploy all its resources for the benefit of all Guyanese. The baby must not be thrown out after the bath.

With all due respect, Hinds should be retained as a Vice President with special responsibility for the electricity, transportation and, if possible, continue serving as leader of

House of Assembly given his experience.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, on being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and second Vice President, will be a most reassuring and beneficial appointment for stability.

A Cabinet reshuffle must become an urgent necessity after the elections to also include Opposition supporters and other technocrats.

Sultan Mohamed

the

Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Acting Tourism Minister/Chairman of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) Irfaan Ali; People's Progressive Party/Civic General Secretary/Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, former Local Government Minister Harripersaud Nokta, Press Officer Kwame McCoy, and Culture Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred King posing with colleagues on Mash Day

Whole may not equal sum of the parts

Dear Editor,

With regards to recent commentaries on the arranged marriage between the AFC and PNC pertaining to the upcoming General and Regional elections, in my analysis of Guyana’s politics and voting behavior, contrary to what analysts say, the whole may not necessarily equal the total sum of its parts.

In several other societies, “unity” politics (the parts added together to make the whole) worked and the sum did equal to or was even greater than its individual parts, leading to political victories for such convenient alliances.

Coalitions could lead to lost support instead of greater support, or it could lead to landslide victory. But it is not certain a coalition would work in Guyana, especially when it emerges out of political opportunism and convenience to unseat an incumbent from office.

Some analysts argue it worked in 1964 to topple Dr Jagan’s PPP, when the

US and Britain brought together the PNC and UF. But the conditions were completely different then and the marriage did not last long resulting in the PNC jettisoning the UF followed by an ethno-dictatorship.

People are constantly reminded of that marriage of convenience and do not wish for its repeat.

To support their position that the whole is equal to the sum of its parts, commentators pointed to recent test cases in Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, and in Trinidad and Tobago a few years back where coalitions (or unity politics) were successful in unseating the ruling party.

Conditions were and are completely different in those countries from Guyana. In Sri Lanka, for example, the incumbent Rajapaksa was viewed as a greater evil than the Opposition candidate Sirisena. It was a vote for survival for the minority Tamils and others and they agreed to back Sirisena to defeat Rajapaksa. Thus,

Tamils voted to get rid of the greater evil.

In St Kitts, people had enough of the incumbent Denzil Douglas Administration and wanted change and new faces. And, as such, they voted him out.

In Mauritius, ethnic unity between the Opposition Creoles and the governing Indian party did not work as the multi-ethnic alliance was rolled over by another ethno-nationalist Indian party.

Indians were fearful of being governed by Creoles like what happened a dozen years earlier and voted out the alliance between the Creoles and the Indian party that (ironically) just won the election; that Indian party learned its lesson not to foist a Creole arty unto Indians.

In Fiji, Indians felt safer under the military strongman than the alternative racists who had persecuted them. Thus, last September, Indians voted for General Bainimarama who promised protection from the racists, although

many Indians now express regrets because many Indians in prominent positions have been replaced by ethnic loyalists.

In Trinidad, unity worked in May 2010 because people got fed up of Patrick Manning’s eccentric policies, kidnapping (of Indians in particular) and corruption. The Indian leader Basdeo Panday was an obstacle to multi-party unity and having been swept aside by Kamla Persad Bissessar as political leader of the Indian party, UNC, and with Jack Warner’s financial muscle, the Opposition parties coalesced and went on to defeat the African PNM party.

But the multi-party coalition (called PP) in Trinidad has been falling apart making re-election tough, though not impossible.

In Guyana, Indians are fearful of the return to power of the PNC which has been reluctant to apologize for its past excesses to make Indians feel relaxed willing to trust that par-

ty. They see the ghosts of Burnham everywhere even 30 years after his death.

And this is the major challenge facing the emerging alliance (engagement and proposed marriage) of the PNC (APNU) and AFC. Somehow the leadership of PNC and AFC feel simply adding up 41 per cent plus 10 per cent equals 51 per cent.

My friend Moses Nagamootoo was reported in the papers as saying Indians are not afraid of the PNC and that the AFC will not lose any support by entering into an arranged marriage with the PNC. That is yet to be seen and is not based on hard evidence. We will know on May 12 or even earlier from psephologists (pollsters).

But so far, I have not found evidence of Moses’s prognosis even though an alliance victory cannot be ruled out because the PPP/C also faces its challenges. Field work by NACTA pollsters is ongoing to determine a winner or support base of the various alliances and political

parties. Under ordinary circumstances, the sum of the parts would equal the whole. But the AFC was not going into the alliance with 10 per cent. It had lost significant support for its romance with the PNC over the last three years.

Admittedly, while the AFC lost ground in some areas on the Corentyne, West Berbice and on the East Coast, where it had snatched disenchanted votes from PPP/C in 2011, it had gained support in other areas that almost balanced off its total support.

But the gains AFC made recently may whittle away because Indians were/are not supporting AFC to enter into a secret arranged marriage with PNC. The alliance may help instead of hurt the PPP/C.

Many traditional PPP supporters who backed AFC in 2011 and continue doing so thru January are having second thoughts, and have begun returning home.

Vishnu Bisram

A PPP/C giant, Albert Boodhoo, has fallen

Dear Editor,

A PPP/C giant, Albert Boodhoo has fallen, and I am somewhat surprised that his passing was not reported in any of the newspapers in Guyana.

Albert, formerly of Sheet Anchor, Canje, Berbice, passed away in a New York Hospital on Friday afternoon . He was 72.

He did a fantastic job for the PPP in the early days and championed the cause of the sugar workers. He was so dedicated and honest that he rose to be President of the powerful Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), the bargaining agent of the sugar workers in Guyana.

He represented the sugar workers steadfastly with his heart and head at all times and never wanted personal gains.

His brother, Sam, wrote on his Facebook page: "Albert left school at an early age hardly reached fifth standard. He was an avid reader always reading about the political struggles of the working class people all over the world.

His conversations on Super-Surplus and Super Profits will leave his audience spellbound and resolute to action. His several visits to Leningrad and Moscow in Russia and oth-

er Eastern Bloc countries enabled him to network with leaders around the world.

On Many occasions he accompanied Dr Cheddi Jagan to International Conference of Working Class people in the Eastern Block countries.

I believed Albert's life in the 1960s signaled a turning point. His voice, his protests and his ideas embarrassed the governing party. And they wanted to muzzle him - to shut him up to make an example of him to deter the rise of other young protestants.

The Government falsely accused Albert, Balchand Persaud and Arnold Rampersaud for the shooting death of a young man named Clifford. All the accused were freed from the charge.

Albert Boodhoo's purpose was always to serve the people to find a political solution for every issue and to find an economic solution for every downtrodden person with dreams of a better life.

He migrated to the US in 1990 - before the PPP/C went into power. Unfortunately, he fell while watching President Obama swearing in ceremony in January 2009. He never recovered after that and developed health prob-

lems. He had a triple bypass recently, and died last Saturday.

Dozens of persons posted messages of condolence on Facebook, including Senior diplomat Odeen

Ishmael, who was his favourite. He was also a friend of mine.

In fact his sister, Mavis, was married to my brother (both of them died two years ago. He assisted me

with valuable information when I was compiling my book which is now in print and will soon go into circulation.

Albert is survived by his wife (now widow) Leila and four grown children. Condolences to the bereaved family. Mayhis soul rest in peace.

Oscar Ramjeet

Page Foundation

Kids and petting zoos

– simple steps can prevent infections at petting zoos

By Michele BlooMquist

Five cases of life-threatening kidney failure highlight the needs for parents to take special precautions when their child visits a petting zoo.

According to published reports, five children in Florida have developed a condition that likely stems from contact with animals infected with a strain of E-coli bacteria called 0157:H7. Usually this infection comes from eating undercooked beef or contaminated food. These children may have been exposed to E-coli through animal faeces, according to health officials.

The five children have developed a complication of E-coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. Four of the children had visited a local fair in Orlando, Florida. The fifth child developed the infection after visiting a petting zoo in Plant City, Florida.

E-coli symptoms

Infection with this strain of E-coli can cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhoea, which may become bloody by the second or third day, according to the medical experts at MedicineNet. com, a WebMD company. Nausea and vomiting are present in approximately half of the patients. Most patients recover in seven to 10 days, but some (six per cent) go on to have HUS.

This is most likely to happen in children and the elderly. Some patients develop brain problems, such as seizures. Many patients require dialysis and blood transfusions. About three per cent to five per cent of people with HUS die.

This is not the first time that an outbreak of E-coli has occurred from visiting a petting zoo. In 2001, 16 children who had visited a petting zoo at Merrymead Farm in Worcester, Pensylvania, developed E-coli and another 45 people were suspected to have become ill from the bacteria. Such outbreaks are rare, says Elichia A Venso, PhD, Director and Associate Professor of environmental health science at Salisbury State University in Maryland. But incidents like these put the spotlight on petting zoo safety. But parents don’t need to avoid such zoos altogether, says Venso. They just need to know how to keep E-coli and other animal-borne organisms from infecting their children.

touching an animal or area contaminated with it doesn’t pose a threat. However, touching the eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucus membranes after touching a contaminated surface is a major route of infection. So is in-

PhD, MPH, an extension veterinarian with the department of veterinary science at Pennsylvania State University.

Nor is wide-scale testing for the bacteria always effective or feasible. “Most

gesting E-coli contaminated food. For young children –whose immune systems can be hit hard by this bacteria, and who tend to put everything in their mouths – the potential for illness is clear.

E-coli is one of the most common bacteria around. E-coli bacteria cannot penetrate the skin, so simply

Because animals carrying E-coli 0157:H7 – typically cattle – generally don’t show any signs of illness, it is impossible for parents to tell if an animal is infected just by looking at it, says Bhushan Jayarao, MVSc,

of these petting zoos are small, family-run operations. Testing is expensive and not always available,” says Jayarao.

Besides, an animal that tests clean one week may become infected the next, giving a false sense of security. “No petting zoo or farm can guarantee the bacteria isn’t there. Parents should assume that there is a risk and follow safety precautions,” he says.

While the E-coli outbreak has justifiably concerned parents, it needn’t scare them away, Jayarao says. Protecting your children from E-coli 0157:H7, or any other organism found in a farm environment – such as Salmonella, Cryptosporidia, and Listeria – is largely a matter of following some simple safety rules, he says: Wash hands

One of the simplest precautions parents can take is to be sure children wash their hands with hot, soapy water after touching the animals or animal enclosures. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, paying extra attention to crevices and under fingernails, then rinse. If hand-washing facilities are not immediately available, antibacterial gel hand sanitisers can do the trick.

Keep hands out of mouths. If a child is too young to understand this –younger than six years old – parents should accompany the child at all times while at the zoo. Very young children should probably be carried as an extra precaution, says Jayarao. Older children can be instructed not to kiss the

animals or touch their own eyes, noses, or mouths after petting the animals. And don’t forget to warn against nail-biting and thumb-sucking, two other possible ways to become infected.

Keep food and animals separate. Jayarao recommends stopping to eat and drink before going to the petting zoo rather than doing so during or after.

“Children should definitely not wander around in the pens with ice cream or crackers,” he says. And if the children are feeding the animals, make sure they are old enough to understand they should not share the treats.

Bring a change of clothes. It’s easy to forget that a jacket can become contaminated when a child leans on a railing, or that shoelaces dragging in the mud can transport bacteria back home, says Venso. The safest bet is to have the children change their clothes after petting the animals, not to be worn again until they have been washed in hot, soapy water.

Don’t be a poo-bearer. It’s obvious, but not to be overlooked. Make sure children understand the importance of avoiding animal manure. Because E-coli and other dangerous organisms can be shed in animal faeces – where they can remain active for long periods of time – it is especially important to avoid contact with these substances, says Venso.

Ask about hygiene Make sure the animals and the petting areas are clean and well kept. If there are a lot of animal droppings in the petting area, or if the animals appear excessively dirty, it’s best not to visit. “Even with the best hygiene practices, these organisms may still be present,” says Jayarao. But if the situation looks unsafe, don’t take chances.

Watch for symptoms If your child does become ill soon after visiting a petting zoo or farm, call a doctor, says Jayarao. This can save valuable time in making a diagnosis. Pay close attention to any possible signs of infection for a week or so after your trip.

Playing with animals still OK None of this is to say that children should be kept from animals. There are a lot of benefits to be gained by children interacting with animals, says Linda J Lyons, MSW, LICSW, a therapist who uses animals when she works with troubled children – such as decreased anxiety, increased confidence, and the chance to connect with another living being in a nonthreatening way. (WebMd)

No need for “Civil Society” Speaker

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran says the proposal by the Alliance For Change/A Partnership For National Unity (AFC/APNU) coalition to nominate a speaker from civil society is unnecessary since the rules of operation at Parliament dictate neutrality.

The parties in the recently signed Cummingburg Accord indicated that if they are elected they will allow for the Speaker to be nominated from Civil Society. “I don’t think it matters one way or the other,” Ramkarran told Guyana Times in an invited comment. “If the alliance wins, they can find an acceptable person from within their ranks to be speaker.”

According to him, while the perception that Speaker tends to favour the political

party that has nominated him/her is true in some cases, most speakers have tried to maintain an even balance. Ramkarran who presided over the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments said for

him maintaining neutrality was not a difficult task.

“It is not difficult; the rules are there and you just implement them,” he pointed out while acknowledging that in many instances the members of the party from which he came would be upset at rulings that were not in their favour. In many instances the rulings were on minor issues, Ramkarran said.

“They (the People's Progressive Party/Civic Members of Parliament) were very hostile to any kind of negative ruling… once or twice I would receive objection from the opposition but the majority of the time it came from my own colleagues.”

He has acknowledged that the coalition is attempting to send a message to the public that it is not in-

terested in dominating the Parliament, but maintained that the once the rules are followed there should be no problem with the Speaker’s ruling, irrespective of which sides of the House he was nominated or whether that person is “non-partisan”

Asked whether he would accept the challenge if nominated by the opposition to be the Speaker, Ramkarran, who maintains that he is not interested in political office said, “I have no expectation that I would be asked to be Speaker or anything else.”

Current Speaker Raphael Trotman at a recent press conference explained that the move vindicates a long held position by the AFC that the speaker should be impartial at all times. This he explained is an important part in the process of healing a divided society.

Despite this position, Trotman said on several occasions his rulings created tension. “The speaker must at all times try to be impartial and that is

what I sought to do when I was speaker; I know that it caused great concern among my colleagues in the AFC and I’m sure as it did too at times with the APNU,” he explained.

“It is important in the context that of our divided and fractured Guyana that if we want to have healing we must have a Speaker who is Speaker for all and individual partisan positions will not enter his or her decision making and neither would any political party expect or demand that the speaker rules or makes decision in their favour,” Trotman posited.

He believes that this best for Guyana. In an earlier interview with this publication, Trotman had made it clear that he would not be Speaker with or without a win by the coalition.

Unity resonates through Mash bands

As Guyanese assembled along the route of the National Mashramani and Costume Float parade on Monday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony took time to emphasize on the importance of unity to Guyana and its people.

Guyana Times found the illustrious Education Minister in the middle of the Mashramani celebra-

tions Monday, celebrating with her staff after their many achievements within the last year.

Manickchand said she was quite happy to participate in the celebrations, commenting on the colourful bands and energy of the people as they too mashed along with the many bands in this year’s float parade.

Themed “education is a beacon for cultural unity”, the minister explained that the band illustrated that

like the sun shines on all Guyanese, “education too will touch all to make us a united people.”

The band of the Culture Ministry also stressed unity, according to the Subject Minister. Dr Anthony explained that his ministry used colours to depict the variety of cultures in Guyana, stating that it depicts the varying cultures in a kaleidoscope of colours to indicate how it is practiced in Guyana.

He said all the mash bands appear to be highlighting the same as individual bands portray togetherness through their costumes, individual themes and floats. He expressed that it is being stressed quite “strongly” this year.

The Culture Minister opined that this is very important for the Guyanese people because “regardless of where we came from or where our ancestors came from we all struggle for a better Guyana.” He elaborated that it is given more preeminence on Republic Day as “it is a time when the people recognize how far we have come as a people.”

One father with his daughter high on his shoulders to see the floats past shouted over a passing float that “it’s for all of us, every Guyanese together.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman

Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran

Education Minister Priya Manickchand celebrates her Ministry’s many achievements within the last year at the 2015 Mash Float Parade

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Mash Band as they portray cultural unity through a kaleidoscope of colours

2 held for big ganja bust at Canje

Two men are now in custody, assisting with investigations after Police discovered 15.45 kilograms of cannabis sativa on Sunday at a house in East Canje, Berbice.

Police in a release said that a search was conducted at the house at Sheet Anchor, East Canje (next to the Canje Bridge) and the compressed marijuana was found in the living room.

A source close to the Police said that the drug was found at the home of the son of an East Canje businessman who was recently murdered. The source said that the dead businessman’s son and another man who has been before the court on narcotics-related matters were also in the house when a party of Police officers surrounded the building.

In recent times, Police have uncovered several kilograms of the illegal drug.

cultivation.

Joseph has promised that it would not be easy for persons involved in the illegal cultivation. Ranks from the Division have led operations to both areas and have destroyed several fields of the illegal plant.

Barakara along the Canje River has been one community where much of the marijuana traded locally is cultivated, it is believed.

Growers along the Berbice River have close links with Surinamese traffickers and there are reports that the drug grown along the Berbice River areas is traded there.

Eyew tness

Prostituting...

...Cheddi's legacy

Ralph Ramkarran's most recent betrayal of Dr Cheddi Jagan's legacy is even more ironic in the face of his rejection by Moses Nagamootoo as the "consensus candidate" of the APNU/AFC coalition. But it's possible he doesn't know Nagamootoo only stepped aside for Granger...when the alternative became Ramkarran as the Presidential Candidate.

Ramkarran claims the coalition's right out of Cheddi's playbook based on PPP's efforts to form "National Front" Governments in 1977 and 1985. This is a standing libel on all that Dr Jagan ever stood for.

Jagan never attempted to equate "national unity" with the crass horse trading for positions that characterized the recent "secret negotiations" between APNU and AFC. Jagan insisted on ideological consistence guiding a programme of action before positions were discussed.

The car driver was arrested, and later a man and a woman were arrested at Cotton Tree Village. The trio is currently before the court on a charge of trafficking in narcotics.

On January 27, Police intercepted a car with 41.69 kgs of the illegal plant at Number Nine Village, West Coast Berbice, and were later led to a house at Cotton Tree Village where a further 225 grams of the plant was found.

B Division (Berbice) Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph has promised to weed out the cultivation of the illegal plant in Berbice. He has pinpointed the Canje River and Berbice River areas as the two main areas of focus as he declared war on ganja

Police have, however, not been able to arrest persons from these areas in recent times. Sources close to the Police have indicated that those involved in the illegal cultivation have placed lookouts at various points along the Berbice River and Cane Creek to inform them when law enforcement officers are approaching by boat.

On most occasions, Police only find the fields being cultivated and destroy them.

Man shot several times in failed execution bid on Mash Day

The Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Regent Street, Georgetown on Monday morning about 05:15h which left one man hospitalised.

Otis Grant, 39, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was reportedly shot several times about the body by two men while he was sitting in a parked car on what was normally one of the busiest streets in Georgetown. There were few persons around at the time owing to

the early hour and the fact that it was a holiday.

Based on reports received, the man was waiting on a relative when two men approached and discharged several rounds at him. According to reports, robbery might be ruled out

by investigators as a motive, since the men fled in a waiting motor vehicle which sped away from the scene. Grant was taken to the hospital where he was admitted. An investigation was launched by the Police.

Clonbrook man shot during robbery

A27-year-old man is now nursing a gunshot injury to his back which he sustained during a robbery on Sunday evening while at the Clonbrook bus shed, East

Coast Demerara.

The man has been identified as Otis Thompson of Clonbrook. According to information received, three men rode up on motorcycles and demanded that

Thompson hand over his gold jewellery.

The young man attempted to run from the men and was shot in the back. The three men reportedly relieved him of the gold jewel-

lery and fled the scene.

Thompson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted. Police have launched an investigation into the shooting incident.

For instance in 1977, he elaborated 17 points that undergirded his proposal for a National Patriotic Front Government (NPFG)...all based on a Marxist analysis of the situation. He'd determined that faced with pressures from the "imperialist West", the PNC was being forced to take an "anti-imperialist" stance that the PPP could support.

Jagan insisted, for instance: "The NFPG must include all parties and groups which are progressive, antiimperialist and wish to see Guyana take a socialistoriented or non-capitalist path of development."

It was Forbes Burnham who rejected the proposal by making the ridiculous equation with Russia's historical development: "If the Bolsheviks had sought unity with the Mensheviks on coalition terms, the history of the Soviet Union would have been differently written."

Becoming President was never on Jagan's agenda and this Eyewitness dares Ramkarran, who was around at the time, to produce evidence to the contrary.

On the 1985 talks on "unity", again this has to be seen against the ideological ratcheting up of hostilities against "global communism" by Ronald Reagan, who'd invaded tiny Grenada in 1983. Burnham was convinced he was next on Reagan's list - whether through invasion or tightening of the screws by the IMF.

Much of the background was recounted by former PYO Chairman Halim Majeed, who defected to the PNC and became a personal assistant to Burnham. In case Ramkarran's memory's fading, he should read Majeed's booklet - Forbes Burnham: National Reconciliation and National Unity 1984-1985.

What's sickening is that when they were both in the PPP Ex-Co, Ramkarran was always scathing of Nagamootoo's drive for "leader or nothing" approach.

What does he gain by now absolving Nagamootoo through traducing Jagan's legacy?

...his words – Ramjattan

Doing an absolute about face from his warning that the AFC'd be "dead meat" if they coalesce with PNC/ APNU – Khemraj Ramjattan made what he called a "nonnegotiable" demand that his party MUST be given the Presidential Candidacy. His rationale wasn’t hard to see. It was clear the AFC'd picked up its 2011 votes in Berbice (the majority of their total overall) through an out-andout racial campaign.

Why else would they feel their Berbice Indian supporters would desert them en masse (and leave them as "dead meat") if they hitched up with APNU? The latter had accepted it had a predominantly African Guyanese base, through its leader David Granger.

So the "Presidential demand" was to assuage their supporters' fears of whatever they'd warned them about APNU. The Indian "President" - and this was why Ramjattan abandoned the AFC's "ethnic rotation principle" and handpicked his buddy Nagamootoo over Nigel Hughes - would "protect" them.

Their Berbice base has evaporated now that the "nonnegotiable" demand has been negotiated away.

With Granger retaining the Presidential spot, if APNU were to win by some miracle, as President Donald Ramotar had told him, Nagamootoo will get "larwah"!!

...the "dregs"

A PNC supporter wrote that "the dregs of the PNC are within the ranks of the PPP/C". This Eyewitness doesn't know about that. But what do you call ex-PPPites Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who're within the ranks of the PNC?? "Dutty dregs"??

The bags of compressed marijuana found by Police

Lucrative rice markets drying up – President Ramotar

more quickly than we had

Even as the rice industry in the country is said to be quickly developing, President Donald Ramotar has said that the country is facing a major challenge in sourcing markets for the product.

According to President Ramotar, during a conversation on the challenges of the industry, the rice sector despite its many successes over the past years, is facing monumental difficulties finding regional and international markets, especially at a price that will be acceptable.

He noted that this was a major disappointment and hindrance since the farmers were producing at a fast rate and were meeting targets and deadlines.

“Sourcing rice markets is a challenge. The production has gone much, much more quickly than we had expected and the

From the paperwork submitted to the GRA by the Brijnanans, they supplied a New York State Certificate of Title for VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4094851, which showed a mileage of 9580 miles as of 3-1413. It indicated a lien from Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

However, there was no letter from the lienholder showing that the debt had been satisfied and that it could be shipped out of the country.

The US IRS will eventually investigate who paid off the lien, which was very substantial, and the source of the funds.

It is suspected that Glenn Lall might have been the payer since he used the vehicle once it was cleared in Guyana, under registration PRR 8399.

On the second vehicle shipped in as “VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745”, at

problem now is to source the markets. Not only to find the markets, but to find the best markets that pay the most so that our farmers can benefit from their hard work,” the President expressed.

to source the markets....” ers abandoned their Caribbean and European markets when Venezuela started to tap into Guyana’s rice industry. Venezuela’s economy is now in trouble and it no longer has such a large share of Guyana’s rice exports.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh noted that while the Ministry was constantly working for the development of the sector, it was an uphill battle, since when the Ministry managed to locate markets for the product, often times the prices were not satisfactory.

“We have many, many markets, but most of the time, the prices offered by the various countries are not satisfactory,” he shared.

Farmers’ payment woes

He also shared that another major challenge to the industry was the non-payment and delayed

no time did the Brijnanans provide a Certificate of Title for this vehicle to the GRA, which accepted on its documentation that it did not inspect the chassis. (See scanned pic on page 3)

However, the Brijnanans did submit a NY State Certificate of Title for a completely different LEXUS LX570 2013, VIN # JTJH7AD7D4100270 with only 15 miles as of 9-25-12. This would have been a NEW vehicle.

The IRS and the US Customs eventually will also have to investigate the Lexus of Rockville Centre car dealer for the evident fraud in creating an invoice for one used vehicle with a particular VIN # JTJHY7AX6D4096745 when actually a new vehicle was sold to the Brijnanans three months earlier.

This new vehicle which

payment by millers to rice farmers. He said that despite stipulations by law that rice farmers be paid 50 per cent of their money within two weeks of the sale of paddy and the remaining 50 per cent within three months, the millers continue to ignore the law.

Baksh reassured citizens, however, that the Ministry would be implementing stricter measures to ensure that the law was adhered to.

Prior to 2010, Europe was the largest importer of Guyana’s rice, but subsequent to an agreement between former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, 70 per cent of the country’s rice and paddy went to Venezuela. At the time, Venezuela was buying the rice at better prices.

The Minister recalled that back in 2010, many rice farmers and mill -

would have cost at least US$40,000 more than the invoiced used one, and was actually shipped to Guyana, had a lien from JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, which would have had to be completely paid off. In this case also, there was no letter from the lienholder indicating that the lien was paid off.

This letter would have indicated the trail of the funds that took care of this requirement before the vehicle was shipped.

Glenn Lall will not leave the US until he clears up all these criminal discrepancies which sought to defraud both the US and Guyana Governments.

If he does not, criminal charges are certain to be laid against him, the car dealer and the Brijnanans by the IRS and the US Customs.

2 female judges to be sworn in soon

Two more female judges are expected to be sworn in soon as the Judicial Service Commission is trying to meet the increased complement of Puisne judges.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Jo-Ann Barlow are the two most recent additions to Guyana’s complement of Puisne judges. Guyana Times understands that the two have already been appointed but are waiting to be sworn in.

Information reaching this newspaper has revealed that Sewnarine-Beharry and Barlow received their confirmation letter last year. This publication was told that because of limited space available in the courts, the judges are yet to be assigned to the relevant areas.

In an effort to cushion the impact, over the past year, Guyana was forced to recover some of those abandoned markets while expanding its markets. Haiti, Panama and Belize are among the new importers of Guyana’s rice and paddy, while negotiations continue with Guatemala and several African countries.

In 2013, the country produced approximately 535,000 tonnes of rice, of which 395,000 tonnes were exported, raking in approximately US$240 million in revenues.

By the end of 2014, it was projected that the industry would produce approximately 614,000 tonnes of rice. Based on the current market share, it is also anticipated that Guyana would export approximately 461,000 tonnes of rice while selling 120,000 tonnes locally.

However, the Chief Magistrate has been rumoured to be the judge that will preside over the Family Court – which is yet to be operationalised as a result of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry that is being held at the premises. It is unclear whether Barlow will also be placed to preside at the Family Court.

The High Court in Demerara only has eight Court rooms a few of which are shared between judges. While the Berbice High Court has two court rooms that are served by two separate judges, a civil and a criminal judge. However, in Essequibo, there is only one judge who preside over both criminal and civil cases.

In February 2014, President Donald Ramotar had increased the number of Puisne judges from 12 to 20. This change to the 50-odd year old High Court Act was done following consultations with the judiciary sector.

The President signed the order under Section Three of the High Court Act, Chapter 3:02 and it was published in the Official Gazette last February 8. It was felt that the previous complement of Puisne judges was inadequate to deal with the increasing number of cases engaging the justice system.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had stated at the

time that this is another demonstration of the Executive’s commitment to provide adequate resources to the Judiciary and supporting its institutional strengthening in order to ensure that in the end, justice is delivered to the people efficiently and competently.

He said it is the administration’s hope that this new measure will assist in bringing much needed alacrity to the rate at which cases are heard and determined in the judicial system. At a special sitting of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Guyana on February 19, last year, Justice Desiree Bernard in her farewell presentation echoed a call for an increase complement of Puisne Judges.

“We are pleased to note that the administration had already acted on the matter,” Nandlall had stated. Since the Judicial Service Commission was re-established last year, it has been addressing a number of judicial issues that has been pending, including the appointment of judges.

On another note, in November last year, two Attorneys Priscilla ChandraHaniff and Nicola Pierre were sworn in as Commissioners of Title (Land Court judges) by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. They will be involved in granting of prescriptive titles.

The Commissioners of Title fall under a different category of judges than puisne judges.

President Donald Ramotar: “Sourcing rice markets is a challenge. The production has gone much, much

expected and the problem now is

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

Golden Arrowhead hoisted to mark Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary

The traditional flag raising ceremony to mark another Republic Anniversary began with a short march along Brickdam to the forecourt of the Parliament Building Monday.

After taking up their positions, the combined Joint Services ranks and dignitaries – who included President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, his wife Yvonne Hinds; Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony; other Government officials, diplomats and other specially invited guests – were led in prayers by representatives of the three major faiths.

The representatives of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths prayed for the continuity of peace,

love, success and prosperity of Guyana and its citizens. A call was also made for the continued embrace of the national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. The conclusion of prayers saw the 21-gun salute, then the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s national flag. This was followed by the reciting of the national pledge, led by a Queen’s College student, then the national anthem, and finally the “Song of the Republic” performed by the Guyana Police Force Band.

The theme for this year’s Republic Anniversary celebrations is “One People, One Culture, One Celebration”. Four and a-half decades ago, Guyana became a cooperative republic, cutting all governing ties with the British monarchy.

Health Ministry to set up poison control centres – CMO

AA Minister spoil Freedie Mash

Accordin to a song, memories don’t leave like people do. What that mean is that people does forgive, but dem don’t ever forget. Fuh some people, only when tings convenient, then dem does suffer from memory loss. Especially like when some body owe some body some money. Mash Day come and gone and this morning, as in every year, de mess up and de mash up was every where. Is just like whah de Pee-and-See do to de country back then. Mash up de whole country and mess up de whole country. So up to now, 23 years after, it still got memories. Dem is memories which gone never leave people. It gon pass from generation to generation, and even from pickney to pickney who mekkin pickney

And in this case, de people ain’t can't forget much less forgive. That is why in this case a man like Green Bridge is better off shuttin he mouth when it come to de economy. And Freedie de man kisser better off not watchin whah other people doin pun Mash Day and every other day of de year.

De other day Freedie de man kisser had want to know who gon be back-ballin on Mash Day. Freedie even bad talk de Rowley man from Trindad fuh back-ballin in de Carnival. Why Freedie want to be in Rowley business is any body’s guess. But some body seh Freedie wish Rowley coulda come to Guyana Mash and back-ball pun he by de sea wall.

And as usual, Freedie had to watch whah poll man Bisram was doin wid he polls, and had want to know if de Prezzie or any former Prezzie would be back-ballin fuh Mash.

“Any respectful health ser-

s a part of a strategic plan to address the issue of suicide in Guyana, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud has revealed that the Health Ministry will set up Poison Control Centers throughout the country.

vice should have a service centre. They are established in other countries and we have good models we can build on,” Dr Persaud told this publica-

tion during an interview on Thursday.

A Poison Control Center is a medical facility that is able to provide immediate, free and expert treatment, advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances.

Considering Guyana’s high rate of suicide, the CMO explained that the operations of such centers across the country can help curb the is-

So it ain’t got no doubt that Freedie had want some body to back-ball pun he back fuh Mash, and it look like he woulda tek one from de poll man Bisram.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Don’t know why Minister Anthony had to spoil Freedie Mash by stoppin all vulgarity. Poor Freedie had to hide and kiss pun de sea wall.

nificant percentage of intentional overdoses and tend to utilise more Poison Control Center resources than any other type of call.

Additionally, a Poison Control Center also provides life-saving information for medication errors, chemical spills, occupational exposures, product misuse, drug interactions and pet poisoning.

“Besides suicide, people still get poisoned accidently through occupation or unfortunate incident,” Dr Persaud explained.

He noted that discussions have already commenced about setting up at least one Center in Georgetown, one in Berbice and one in Essequibo.

“There is now more capaci-

course it requires human resources, equipment supplies secure and extensive database with all the chemicals. Stock up the PC, all the information to guide someone, what measure they can take, where to take the persons.”

According to reports, Poison Control Centers provide excellent service and savings. Recent research shows that every dollar invested in the poison center system saves US $13.39 in health care costs and productivity.

In fact, more than72 per cent of poison exposure cases are managed simply by phone, greatly reducing the need for costly emergency room and doctor visits.

In addition, the establish-

sue, or at least, reduce the amount of successful suicides by providing immediate lifesaving information for suicide attempts.

Reports indicated that suicide attempts make up a sig-

ty within the health sector with more doctors available,” the CMO said.

However, he acknowledged that the venture will be a challenging one.

“That’s something that we are working towards but of

ment of Poison Control Centers in Guyana could create job opportunities for many persons. The American Association of Poison Control Centers manages a 24-hour hotline which is continuously staffed by pharmacists, physicians, nurses and poison information specialists.

President Donald Ramotar looks on as these two Guyana Defence Force officers hoist the Golden Arrowhead

Poison Control Centres spread out across the USA

CMO Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Region 3 holds flag raising ceremony

Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford called for the building of a legacy that promotes unity as Region Three ushered in Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary with a flag raising ceremony, on February 20 at the Regional Democratic Council’s building at Vreed-en-Hoop.

“I am very optimist that in the very near future that is what we would have in Guyana; a blending of minds, of activities, ethnicity, political persuasion, because we would all understand that Guyana comes first,” the Minister said. She pointed out that only by coming together can the country continue to prosper. “If we do not come together, we would all be doomed, each and every one of us. All of the progress that we stand and we speak about will be lost. We would lose everything that we would have gained,” she said.

Just as the country joined together to gain Guyana’s Republic and Independence, so too, must the citizens today come together for the future of the country and youth that will lead it, the Minister said. “The legacy that we need to leave for them (youth) is one of unity, pride and togetherness, not one of strife and discord,” she said.

The Minister also noted that Guyana has ‘much to be proud of’ after only 45years as a Republic. “Even though we are young in the scheme of all republics around the world we have made tremendous strides, and we must be proud of those developments that we have made,” she said.

She pointed out that over the years, Guyana has seen improvement in its infrastructure, its health, education and all other sectors. “We can boast that we have a housing sector that is second to none in this hemisphere and even afar.” And with regards to water, “I can recall last year that I was

at a UN (United Nations) forum where Guyana was listed as one of the countries with the highest listed potable water percentage,” the Minister said. “We may quarrel and yes, persons must make their voices heard when they feel that they are not having services that they think that they deserve, but we now have water in most of our homes, we may not have it at the third or fourth floor…” she said.

She acknowledged too the strides that were made in the social services, to improve the status of the elderly and in having better and more decent minimum wage for workers. “This government has over the years from 1992, without any exception, been annually trying to increase and improve the standards of its workers,” the Minister said “…we would like to give more money, but we would have to make that money to give it, you cannot give what you do not have, and for us to be able to give more money we have to ensure that our developmental process is maximum, that we have more industries,” she added. The Minister however pointed out that for the country to have more industries, it needs cheaper electricity. Noting that everyone is aware of the political fallout, behind why the country does not have hydro project on stream, she said that she was optimistic that such a project is going to be on the drawing board, and very soon.

Minister Westford also used the occasion to call for ‘soberness of head’ during the upcoming elections. “We are entering into this period …let us look objectively at Guyana, let us see the progress that we have made and think of where and who will continue to take us and continue the progress that we have had.”

“Let us go on May 11 to the poll, early, sober headed and cast our vote

Fisherman found dead in Tuschen

Awell known fisherman was on Monday afternoon found dead in a clump of bushes at Tiger Bay Street, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. The man’s identity was not immediately available but according to information received, he served the entire community with fish and is commonly referred to as “Fishman”.

He is said to be in his late fifties and at the time of discovery, he was clad in a grey jersey and a pair of denim three-quarter pants. According to information received, the discovery was made at about 15:30h by a group of persons who were walking along the roadway.

and let us vow to let progress continue,” she said. Reiterating this call was People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Region Three, Member of Parliament

Bibi Shaddick. “Let us get through this silly season without incident, without drama, fights, conflict…” she said. Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Julius

Faerber in addition to recounting Guyana’s journey to its Republic status also noted the progress since. He also disclosed that of the region’s 2014 capital work programme, 99.5 percent has been completed and 99.6 percent of its current work, for which it received $2.9B. Its capital work allocation was $326.7M.

Additionally, Guyana Times was told that the man was seen late last evening walking into the street where he normally buys marijuana.

An anonymous caller told this publication that ‘Fishman’ is a known drug addict and would spend all his hard earn money to purchase the illicit drug.

The man’s body was found lying face-up and there were no visible marks of violence. The police were summoned to the area and an investigation was launched. The man’s body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post mortem.

Students performing a cultural item to usher in Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary

Costumes, music, – Guyanese commemorate

Photos by Carl Croker and

Guyanese turned out in their thousands, showers to celebrate 45 years of Guyana Thousands picnicked at prominent Botanical Gardens and seawalls to enjoy a splendid families as they lived out the true meaning of work. Others assembled at convenient sections Georgetown to witness the annual costume and

This year, the floats were brilliantly decorated, creativity of local designers, adding to the pulsating

The revellers that accompanied the floats costumes, some of which were extremely revealing, streets something to look at.

Some of the spectators were especially wowed Band while others were amazed by the creativity Wellness Warriors’ float.

“I love Digicel! I’m sure they will win,” a group its way down Vlissengen Road.

Another spectator, an eight-year-old student School was elated to be on the streets after having celebrations. “I love it. My mummy always brings the taste of her cotton candy. Even foreigners were amazed by the unity displayed trotted down the roads to the beat of the energetic “I love it. I find it very relaxed. This is my national told Guyana Times as he and his family the grand parade.

Belizean Otto Bevis said he was enjoying Guyana and was having a blast, given the friendly and creative designs that have blown him away.

President Donald Ramotar, members of Opposition also took to the streets to join in upcoming General and Regional Elections, slated Rallying opportunity

When Guyana Times fought through the Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, were seizing with Mash Day celebrants.

The Opposition’s mash band was a fusion AFC, with green being the dominant colour. Granger acknowledged the vibrant atmosphere, was now a great rallying opportunity for political

“It is more than just a national celebration. coalition…,” the Opposition Leader said. And indeed so it was, as the Progressive Youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) massive float decorated with signs and slogans PPP/C.

President Ramotar had a spectacular time crowds of spectators, waving his Golden Arrowhead When this publication met up with the Head see the love and togetherness being exuded by publication spoke to urged the parties to likewise Guyana. Julian Duncan stated that unity was important people agree and disagree on a range of topics, developing Guyana. Shanta Sukhandan commented quite fitting with elections just months away.

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and PYO Chairman Housing and Water Minister as well as the Acting of the impressive PYO float.

This publication also caught up with Culture, Anthony who was quite thrilled about the success Bigger and better

He disclosed that only 27 Mash bands signed parade, but, nonetheless, registered his utmost were much bigger and more elaborately put together. Many spectators agreed with Minister Anthony on the improvements made to this year’s celebrations.

“I think – I don’t know how – but every year same old thing, but this year just better, it’s everything is just perfect,” Trevor Daniels said.

The elderly Monty Gaskin was busy clicking charged by his family overseas to get good shots

But not everyone felt the same way.

“I think they should have made it more organised, music properly. Like, for example, when one able to hear the music they are playing so you I mean?” another spectator suggested.

The floats and revellers were not the only

Regular spectators got all dressed up in their rivalling the skimpy outfits worn by some band the steaming sun to have a good time.

Others could be seen sprawled on the sidewalks just to catch a glimpse of the parade.

“I feel it’s a bit slow. The floats were just hope they are more snappy,” said a woman who the trench on Vlissengen Road.

Mashramani, commonly abbreviated to celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in derived from the Arawak language and means

It is one of the most colourful of all the country's costume competitions, float parades, masquerade streets.

Mashramani 2015 was celebrated under the One Celebration”.

The Culture Ministry's Costume Band on Church Street, Georgetown

Even the differently abled came out to join in the celebrations

Brazilian nationals posing for a photo with the Housing Ministry’s float

Some of the spectators at Laluni and Irving Streets, Georgetown viewing the floats

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; the Prime Minister’s wife, Yvonne Hinds; People's Progressive Party/Civic Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper and her husband, Mark Harper; and Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the flag raising ceremony

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony along with the heads of the various Disciplined Services at the flag raising ceremony

The Melody Makers Brass Band from Suriname was part of the Culture Ministry’s Mash Band and entertained spectators with their music Leader of the Opposition David Granger takes a selfie with this young lady

music, Mashramani! commemorate 45th Republic Anniversary

thousands, braving the fleeting early morning of Guyana being a republic.

prominent locations, such as the National Park, enjoy a splendid day with their friends and meaning of Mashramani – celebration after hard convenient sections along the Mash tramp route in costume and float parade.

brilliantly decorated, displaying the amazing talent and to the pulsating carnival-like atmosphere. the floats were also decked out in elaborate extremely revealing, definitely giving those lining the especially wowed by Digicel’s flamboyant Mash the creativity displayed in the Health Ministry’s win,” a group of girls declared as the float made eight-year-old student of East La Penitence Primary streets after having missed her school’s Mashramani always brings me out,” she said as she savoured the unity displayed among all Guyanese as they of the energetic Soca music.

This is my tenth Mashramani,” an American and his family stood on the parapet to witness enjoying the festivities for the first time in given the friendly people and the colourful floats him away. members of the Cabinet and members of the to join in the fun as they campaigned for the Elections, slated for May 11.

Rallying opportunity through the crowd to greet the Leader of the A (APNU), David Granger, he and Leader of the Alliance Ramjattan, were seizing the opportunity to take pictures a fusion of the signature looks of APNU and colour. vibrant atmosphere, as he noted that Mashramani for political parties. celebration. It became a political rally in favour of said.

Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) – the youth Party/Civic (PPP/C) – was well represented with a and slogans urging all Guyanese to vote for the spectacular time as he made his way through the Golden Arrowhead flag in the air. with the Head of State, he was very elated to exuded by all Guyanese. Several persons this parties to likewise unite for the overall betterment of unity was important for development and though range of topics, they should be “one mind” towards Sukhandan commented that the emphasis on unity was months away. and PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali, who was also the as the Acting Tourism Minister, were also part with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank about the success of Mashramani 2015.

Bigger and better bands signed up to participate in this year’s registered his utmost satisfaction because the floats elaborately put together.

Minister Anthony as they voiced their opinions year’s celebrations. every year gets better. Some may say it’s the better, it’s more organised and the layout and Daniels said. busy clicking away with his camera, sternly get good shots of all the bands. way. it more organised, because you can’t hear the when one float passing, you should only be playing so you can actually enjoy, you know what suggested. the only attention-grabbers on the roads. dressed up in their finest party clothing, with some some band members, to parade the roads in time. on the sidewalks in uncomfortable positions parade. were just taking too long to pass. Next year I woman who was balancing on some rocks near abbreviated to Mash, is an annual festival that Republic in 1970. The word "Mashramani" is and means "celebration after hard work". all the country's festivals. There are spectacular parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the celebrated under the theme “One People, One Culture,

roker and MarCeano narine

President Donald Ramotar takes time out to pose with these two beauties

Wellness Warriors: Part of the Ministry of Health contingent on the Mash route

Guyana’s National Flag being hoisted in the compound of Parliament Building on Monday morning to commemorate Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary

Local icon Slingshot’s unique Mash Float led by a horse

These children huddled under an umbrella as they watched in awe the passing parade

This float creatively showcases Guyana’s diverse agricultural products

One of the Culture Ministry's floats winding through the crowd

This young lady did a great job in leading the Digicel Band during Monday’s Mashramani Costume and Float parade

tuesDAY, februArY 24, 2015| guYAnAtimesgY.com

Republic celebration, a time to unite – PM Hinds

The celebration of Guyana’s Republic Anniversary was a time to reflect on Guyana’s past and what the country has achieved since it attained republican status. So says Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

He made the comments at a flag raising ceremony in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sunday night, to usher in Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.

The Prime Minister said the celebration gave Guyanese an opportunity to come together and reflect on how well we are doing as a country and the many challenges that we may discern in the year ahead. He added that it should also be a time, to plot a course for future development.

“My fellow Guyanese, let us celebrate the fact that as we meet here this evening we are coming from nine successful years of economic growth which started with our recovery from the heavy rainfall and floods of 2005.” Hinds said it was through unity that the country was able to see such a rapid turnaround.

The Prime Minister said that Guyana showed economic growth despite one of the worst periods of economic growth worldwide between 2007 and 2009.

Nation-building

As he reflected on the past 44 years, he said there were good and bad times, but we needed to learn from the past. He noted that any government would be faced with two challenges: getting citizens to feel that they were one family and building the country’s physical and social infrastructure. “These two challenges of nation-building are mutually supported … These two challenges are particularly demanding on us Guyanese.” He said this was so on account of our ethnic makeup.

Prime Minister Hinds

said that while much has been done, there was still much more to be done. He highlighted some of the progress that Guyana has experienced under the current administration – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). That Party, which was launched in 1950, was able to bring together people from all walks of life and had the late President Linden Forbes Burnham as one of its leaders.

“It was truly a party for national unity and national development,” Hinds said.

He highlighted achievements in education, tourism, infrastructure and security for the several hundred in attendance at the ceremony, which was punctuated with cultural items that reflected unity and the cultural diversity of the Guyanese people.

Explaining that Government was not saying that all was well, Prime Minister Hinds added that there were some problems facing the sugar industry, which Government planned to reform. He called on all workers in the sugar industry to support the industry.

In his remarks, Region Six Chairman David Armogan noted that 45 years was by no means old age, adding that over that past 44 years, Guyana has shown growth. He told his fellow Berbicians that they might not have gotten all that they wanted, but they still have a lot to be proud of. “In the 1970s, we were considered one of the poorest countries in this part of the world, now we are considered a middle developing country,” Armogan said.

The flag raising ceremony started with a torchlight parade by the military and para-military through the town, which ended at State House on Strand where the rest of the programme was held.

The flag was hoisted at 22:15h, after which there were fireworks and the parade left marching to the drums of the COFONA Band.

Security guard beaten by ‘mad man’ in New Amsterdam

Police in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) are looking for a man believed to be of unsound mind who allegedly assaulted a security guard.

On Sunday at approximately 20:00h, 29-year-old James Ramlochan, who was attached to a store in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam, was attacked by the man.

The attack left Ramlochan, called “Broke Up”, with several fractures to the face and a broken jaw. He also sustained injuries to his right eye. He was picked up in an unconscious

Colombian gang sold kidnapped victims to ELN guerrillas

PAll six victims were handed over by the gang to the ELN rebel group, he added. Among them was the Mayor of the town of Alto Baudo, Freddy Palacios Ramirez, who was seized in December and is still believed to be in the hands of the ELN.

state and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The injured man was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.

Reports are that several persons witnessed the attack, but were afraid to confront the attacker. One eyewitness said that after the attack the alleged ‘mad man’ walked away as though nothing had happened, but kept the stick which was used in the brutal attack in his hand.

Several persons are now aiding in the hunt for the attacker.

rosecutors in Colombia say they have dismantled a gang which allegedly kidnapped people and sold them on to the Marxist ELN rebel group. Twelve people have been arrested on suspicion of belonging to the gang, which operated in the North-western province of Choco. Among them is a local Councillor, prosecutors said.

second largest rebel group and partly funds itself through extortion and ransom payments. The gang is believed to have been behind at least six kidnappings, Prosecutor Luis Gonzalez Leon said.

The ELN rebels are thought to have paid the gang up to US$125,000 (£81,500) per kidnap victim, the Prosecutor said. The rebel group announced last year that it was willing to enter into peace talks with the Colombian Government. But the Government demanded that the group free all of its captives first.The ELN was founded in 1964 to fight Colombia’s unequal distribution of land and riches. It is estimated to have some 1500 active fighters. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The ELN is Colombia’s

Haiti buries 17 killed in Carnival parade accident

Haiti’s highest authorities attended on Saturday the official funeral of the 17 revellers killed following an electrical accident on the carnival parade road earlier last week, prompting the Caribbean country’s Government to end prematurely the three-day yearly cultural event.

Haitian President Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Evans Paul and members of the cabinet attended the funeral of those who died in an accident after a carnival float hit a high-voltage power line shortly before 03:00h last Tuesday as the second of the three-day carnival was coming to a close.

“We thank the first lady [Sophia Martelly]for the initiative she took to set up the

health facility that helped save lives,” said Paul. “The death toll could have been heavier,” he stated.

Paul – who also congratulated the police and other first aid and rescue agents for their good work – assured that the Government is doing all it can to improve the general situation in the country and to make sure such misfortune does not happen again.

“We are fighting to build a better Haiti where such misfortune can be avoided,” he said. “It is question today of a national tragedy, it is not a political event,” stated Paul, urging all Haitians to transform into action the carnival slogan this year which was “We are all Haiti” (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Trinidadian Police expected to charge 6 with prominent lawyer’s murder

Aman in prison is now assisting Police in Trinidad with details into last year’s murder of Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal.

Police investigators have now been given “key information” concerning the details of her murder. This, the Sunday Express understands, means that the Trinidad and Tobago Police (TTPS) will approach Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC short-

Jamaican

Despite the fact that overall funding for the education sector has been reduced, the Government has increased the allocation to early-childhood development. Included in the 2015-2016 Estimates of Expenditure tabled in Parliament on Thursday last by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Peter Phillips, J$2.9 billion is expected to

ly for advice on charging six men with conspiracy to murder and the murder of Seetahal.

However, while the Police have been able to identify the shooter based on information, they have yet to determine a motive for the murder.

The Sunday Express was told that the man, who has been behind bars since last December and is linked to a mosque in East Trinidad, has been willingly assisting offic-

be spent on early-childhood development, up from J$2.7 billion spent in the last fiscal year.

However, overall the Government is proposing to reduce its spend in the education sector to J$81.3 billion, down from J$83.8 billion in the last financial year. This represents a J$2.5 billion reduction.

Stakeholders in the edu-

ers as they move closer to completing their file to present to Gaspard.

The man, the Sunday Express was told, has given information to lawmen on an individual, who was said to reside in Cumuto, among other places, and who is believed to be a “contract killer” who would have been one of the people involved in Seetahal’s death.

The suspect was also charged last year, along with

cation sector have long been advocating for more funds to be allocated to early-childhood development.

Under the new Budget, the Government is proposing to increase infant school places through the renovation of infant schools and the creation of infant departments in primary schools. J$68.7 million is budgeted to be spent on construction of early-child-

two others, with possession of wild meat. He was also a participant of Government’s now defunct LifeSport programme where he earned TT$1500 a month to participate in sportrelated activities.

The prison informant has also assisted Police with information on the “contract killer” regarding his other professions and items which would be “prominent” to the ongoing enquiry. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

hood institutions. Meanwhile, under the J$26.6 million Early Childhood Development Project, the Government is proposing to improve the monitoring of children’s development, and the screening of household-level risks affecting development and early intervention systems in order to promote development.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Gleaner)

The ELN is estimated to have some 1500 active fighters

Haitian President Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Evans Paul and members of the cabinet attended the funeral of those who died in an accident after a carnival float hit a high-voltage power line

Around the World

Mossad contradicted Netanyahu on Iran nuclear programme

ess than a month

Lafter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2012 warning to the United Nations General Assembly that Iran was 70 per cent of the way to completing its “plans to

build a nuclear weapon”, Israel’s intelligence service believed that Iran was “not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons”.

A secret cable obtained by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit reveals that Mossad

sent a top-secret cable to South Africa on October 22, 2012 that laid out a “bottomline” assessment of Iran’s nuclear work.

It appears to contradict the picture painted by Netanyahu of Tehran racing towards acquisition of a nuclear bomb.

Writing that Iran had not begun the work needed to build any kind of nuclear weapon, the Mossad cable said the Islamic Republic’s scientists are “working to close gaps in areas that appear legitimate such as enrichment reactors”.

Such activities, however, “will reduce the time required to produce weapons from the time the instruction is actually given”.

That view tracks with

the 2012 US National Intelligence estimate, which found no evidence that Iran had thus far taken a decision to use its nuclear infrastructure to build a weapon, or that it had revived efforts to research warhead design that the US said had been shelved in 2003.

Netanyahu plans to address the US Congress on March 3 and warn against the nuclear compromise currently being negotiated between Tehran and world powers.

Media reports and public comments by senior current and former officials have frequently indicated dissent from within Israel’s security services over Netanyahu’s alarmist messaging on Iran.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Kiev says cannot withdraw heavy weapons as attacks persist

Kiev accused pro-Russian rebels of opening fire with rockets and artillery at villages in south-eastern Ukraine on Monday, all but burying a week-old Europeanbrokered ceasefire deal.

The Ukrainian military said it could not pull weapons from the front as required under the tenuous truce, as long as its troops were still under attack.

Ukraine’s currency,

nearly in freefall this month, fell a further 10 per cent on Monday on fears that the truce could collapse. The central bank said it would tighten currency rules to sustain the hryvnia. The value of Ukrainian debt also fell, with bonds now trading at 40 cents in the dollar.

The reported shooting came closer to killing off the truce, intended to end fighting that has killed more than 5600 people, which re-

Bangladesh launches probe into deadly ferry sinking

The Bangladesh Government has ordered an investigation a day after a passenger ferry collided with a cargo ship in the Padma River, northwest of the capital Dhaka, killing at least 70 people.

Speaking at the scene in Manikganj, Shajahan Khan, the Shipping Minister, said on Monday that an investigation had been launched into the sinking of the twindeck MV Mostofa, which was carrying at least 140 people.

Police have seized the cargo ship that hit the ferry and arrested the captain and his two crew, Police said.

More than half the 70 bodies retrieved from the river were women and chil-

dren. At least 50 people survived the accident.

Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Manikganj, said at least five people are still missing. Rescuers told Al Jazeera that it is unlikely that they will be found alive.

Chowdhury said that survivors of the accident blamed overcrowding as the major cause of the high death toll.

Nanu Shiekh, one of the survivors, told Al Jazeera that he, along with four others, escaped through a narrow hole in the boat when it flipped upside down. Some of the victims were trapped in the lower deck of the boat.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

bels ignored last week to capture the strategic town of Debaltseve in a punishing defeat for Kiev.

Kiev and its Western allies say they fear the rebels, backed by reinforcements of Russian troops, are planning to advance deeper into territory the Kremlin calls “New Russia”. Moscow denies aiding the rebels.

Fighting has diminished since Kiev’s forces abandoned Debaltseve in defeat

last Wednesday, and there were hopeful signs for the truce over the weekend, with an overnight exchange of around 200 prisoners late on Saturday and an agreement on Sunday to begin pulling back artillery from the front.

But Kiev said on Monday that two of its soldiers had been killed and 10 wounded in overnight fighting. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Killer swine flu strikes India

Swine flu has killed an estimated 750 people with more than 11,000 testing positive since the beginning of January, according to health officials. Most of these cases were reported in the last three weeks, and the numbers are especially high in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, in central India.

The Indian Government has been vocal, but measured, about the growing number of cases and deaths: The Health Ministry announced it will take action against pharmacies that don’t stock Oseltamivir, the common swine flu drug, and has sent teams of doctors to highly infected regions.

In a recent statement, Health Minister JP Nadda said the situation was already getting under control, and cited ample access to the necessary drugs across the country.

But doctors, patients and

UN envoy heads to Syria in bid to contain fighting

The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria is travelling to Damascus to try to reduce the fighting which has intensified in Aleppo, where rebels claim to have killed 300 Government soldiers in the past week.

Staffan de Mistura, who is on his fourth trip to the country since July and is expected to arrive in the capital shortly, says he has received some assurances from the Government that it will stop its aerial bombardment of Aleppo for six weeks.

Mistura has not yet received agreement from Opposition groups and, in a recent interview with Al Jazeera’s Diplomatic Editor James Bays, said he knew many believed the odds were against the success of his initiative.

He is expected to trav-

el to Istanbul following his visit to Syria to talk to Opposition groups.

“My chances, I hope are not super slim, because that would in a way would also reflect the chances of the Syrian people to see hope at the end of this tunnel,” Mistura said.

“The one thing I can tell them is that the UN will never give up.”

Mistura’s plans involve a halt to the aerial bombardment and attacks using heavy weapons across the city of Aleppo, our correspondent reported. He also aims to completely freeze all fighting on the ground in one district of Aleppo – Salaheddine in the southwest of the city.

UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said she was hoping Mistura’s plan would allow access for humanitarian aid workers in Aleppo.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Kenyan court strikes down media restrictions

The High Court of Kenya has made a major ruling against the country’s proposed antiterror laws, overturning the state restrictions on the media to report on security operations.

The court first suspended parts of the anti-terror law in January.

Kenya’s Government argues the measures are needed to confront a wave of attacks by the armed group al-Shabab, the armed organisation in control of parts of territory in neighbouring Somalia.

public health advocates say the situation on the ground is much different – a reflection of India’s bureaucratic and unregulated health system.

“They’ve made it very hard for people to get the prescription filled,” said Dr Hemant Thacker, a physician at Jaslok Hospital, a pristine private hospital in south Mumbai. He said getting the Oseltamivir treatment, a generic drug also known as Tamiflu, requires three pages of paperwork, and that’s when people can find it.

While numerous patients have reported trouble accessing the medication, it’s not because there’s a shortage of drugs. Nadda said India has enough adult doses of Oseltamivir to treat 70,000 patients, and national manufacturing companies such as Cipla can make generic versions of the drugs on demand. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from the courtroom, said that the section of the security law that called for more control on the media has been struck off by the judges. They said it ?limited the right of freedom of expression and is a violation of the Constitution, Mutasa said. The law prohibits reporting in matters under investigation or reporting on security operations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the bill into law in December 2014. (Al Jazeera)

Germany measles: Toddler death fuels compulsory vaccination debate

An 18-month-old boy has died of measles in an outbreak of the disease that has seen authorities in Berlin register more than 500 cases since October.

The boy died in hospital and it was not clear how he contracted the disease, Berlin’s health senator Mario Czaja said on Monday.

The outbreak has sparked a debate over whether vaccinations against the disease should be made compulsory.

US authorities are also reporting more than 120 new cases in California.

Authorities in Berlin also confirmed that a secondary school was closed on Monday after a measles case was reported there.

Since October, the authorities have registered 574 cases, the worst outbreak in more than a decade. The federal Health Ministry recommends vaccinations but has not made them compulsory. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The death of the young boy showed that measles continued to be a serious disease, Czaja said. The disease is treatable, but can weaken the immune system and cause lung and brain infections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2012 warning to the United Nations General Assembly

President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the bill into law in December 2014 [Reuters]

The passenger ferry was carrying at least 140 people when it sank [AP]

tuesday, february 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 2 celebrates Mashramani in fine style

By IndrawattIe natram

Acolourful, joyous and united atmosphere was created in the township of Anna Regina, on Monday, February 23, as hundreds of persons participated in the Mashramani road parade and thousands more viewed their feisty antics.

Not only were the revellers clad in colourful, creative costumes but spectators were a kaleidoscope of colours themselves complete with the Guyana Flags in their hands, waving and gyrating as Soca music from the Mash bands hit their eardrums. Persons converged at various points –shops, under trees, and on bridges to witness the beautiful floats and revellers passing by.

It was indeed a glorious and energetic day despite

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman Parmanand Persaud started off the float parade from Three Friends Village in the south of the Essequibo Coast

the rain.

The large contingents of ecstatic revellers eagerly competed with each other dishing out spontaneous dancing moves to popular Soca music blaring from the huge boom boxes mounted on trucks wending their way slowly to the commercial centre of Anna Regina.

just after 13:00h. There were 14 floats in the parade.

Persaud said that he was most impressed with the participation of the Private Sector, which showcased its cooperative relationship with the Mash Committee.

Leading the way in the Large Mash Band cat-

egory was the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) followed by the New Opportunity Corps (NOC); Suddie Public Hospital;

Pooran Man Man; G and P Jaigobin; Ramlakhan Rice Mill; Fashion and Beyond; Cosmopolitan Beats; and International Link. In the small category, it was Celeste and Annie Boutique, RDC Region Two, Oscar Joseph District Hospital, and Cotton Anna Regina Contractors and Suppliers.

It was a sight to behold from a distance; the atmosphere was euphoric as floats entered the Anna Regina Car Park area. By then, hundreds of persons had gathered at the High Bridge seeking an advantageous view of the floats. Some of them started to act as competition judges, attempting to guess who would be the “Champion of the Road”.

The G and P Jaigobin Costume Band, which

moved to tassa and African drumming, was impressive, catching the eyes of many.

At the Community Centre Ground, the terminus of the parade, all the floats came together and competed for top prizes in

a final dance-off and showcase before the judges. It was indeed carnival in the county of Essequibo as Guyanese from all walks of life joined in celebrating Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.

New Uruguayan envoy accredited

Newly-appointed NonResident Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Ana Maria Bombau Zappettini, presented her Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar last week, and vowed to continue the good relationship that exists between the two governments.

Receiving the Ambassador, President Ramotar offered his best wishes to Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, who is soon to demit office, and noted how grateful he was for his contribution to regional development. He also offered his congratulations to the incoming President Tabare Vazquez. The Head of State added that the two countries share common interests such as democracy, the fight against climate change and sustainable development, adding that “this commonality of interests has provided

the solid foundation for the relationship which we enjoy”. President Ramotar also said with the establishment of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC); and Guyana’s associate membership in Mercado Común del Sur –Southern Common Market

Govt to ramp up coffee production in

Pomeroon

The Agriculture Ministry is looking increase the production of coffee in the Pomeroon River for export purposes.

This was revealed by the Minister Ali Baksh during ‘Political Scope’ a televised show on the state owned, National Communications Network (NCN).

According to Baksh, the Ministry has realised that more focus needs to be placed on the other sectors in the Agriculture industry.

He disclosed that the Ministry has already been contacted by several overseas based investors who have expressed an interest.

To this end he noted that the systems are being put in place to ensure that the project becomes a reality.

“We have received the interest of several overseas based investors for the project and so we have already

set up a plant there for the farmers to go back to coffee production,” Baksh said. While he did not disclose when full operations at the plant will commence, he alluded that it can be expected before this year ends. Meanwhile, the Minister

noted that while the ministry has always placed rice and sugar on its priority list, emphasis will now be placed on coconut cultivation on a larger scale. He said the aim is to create a successful agricultural sector; allowing Guyana to regain recognition as the ‘food basket of the Caribbean.’

Guyana is one of the earliest territories to plant coffee in South America, with the Dutch introducing it before the French and later British. According to some accounts, the Guianas were the first territories in the New World to cultivate and export coffee.

Eventually, for a period, both coffee and sugar plantations would dot the colony’s coastland before sugar became the main export, and coffee estates were sold, abandoned or converted to sugar plantations.

At present, coffee production is being undertaken by the Blue Flame Women’s Group of Bunbury /Hosororo in Region One (Barima/ Waini) which targets regional markets for export.

The commodity, which was subjected to limited consumer testing, has been touted as having a distinct flavour, probably attributable to the fertile lateritic soil and unique environmental conditions of the North West District, a locale which is also commonly referred to as the organic region of Guyana.

The Industry operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), and the British High Commission Cocoa Research Unit of Trinidad and Tobago.

(MERCOSUR), cooperation between the two countries has intensified at the regional level, “Uruguay’s pro-tempore chairmanship of MERCOSUR will provide even more impetus as we move forward with our regional agenda”. He added that the diplomat’s appointment was an excellent opportunity to have an even closer relationship.

In brief remarks, Ambassador Zappettini thanked the President for receiving and accepting her credentials. She expressed the intention of her Government to strengthen the bonds of friendship, “whether political, economical or cultural issues of cooperation”. She also wished for the best result for the people of Guyana, in light of the upcoming elections. The new Ambassador will be based in Panama, where she was appointed as her country’s official representative in August of 2014, having served as the Chief Directorate of State Protocol and Ceremonies of Uruguay, previously. With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometres (68,000 square miles), Uruguay is geographically the second-smallest nation in South America after Suriname.

Aformer employee of Footsteps was brought before the court on Friday, charged with stealing $293,400 from the business. She was released on $100,000 bail.

Twenty-eight-year-old Latoya McDonald made her mother cry on Friday morning when she was brought into Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of stealing from the Virtual Complainant (VC) Sabita Narine, proprietress of Footsteps.

Presiding Magistrate Ann McLennan stated that between January 20 and January 30, the defendant stole $293,400 from the Footsteps Mega Store, on Camp and Regent Streets, Georgetown.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her. However,

her defence Attorney stated that she is willing to pay back the money to Narine. He continued by telling the court that the defendant had $200,000 to give to the VC. However, the VC was not present in court nor was there any representative from the mega store.

The defence Attorney continued that the defendant has never done anything of the sort before and her family is quite upset by the entire incident, indicating that all had showed up to support the defendant. He said that she lives at 12 Norton Street, Lodge and has three children.

The Prosecution told the court that they had no objection to bail. Thus, bail was set at $100,000 with the conditions that McDonald report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday until the end of her trial.

Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Ali Baksh

Non-Resident Ambassador of Uruguay, Ana Maria Bombau Zappettini presenting her Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar

Tassa drummers accompanying the G and P Jaigobin Band

New Opportunity Corps revellers

The G and P Jaigobin Costume Band

Guyana represented at sanitation management workshop in Antigua

The Global Environment Facility-fundedCaribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF-CReW) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is collaborating with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association Inc. (CAWASA) in hosting a one-week workshop on Governance and Sanitation in Antigua and Barbuda.

The workshop is being held at the Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort from 23rd – 27th February, 2015. It is a follow-up to an eight-week online course in Governance and Urban Sanitation which was run by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and successfully completed by thirty-eight professionals from water and sewerage companies and health ministries, from 17 of the CDB’s

borrowing member countries, Guyana being one. Their participation was funded by the CDB in keeping with its poverty reduction goal and its Climate Resilience Strategy. The online course focused on enhancing the capacity of sanitation professionals in relation to decision-making and investments in the area of urban sanitation. It provided analytical tools to help participants understand the financial and institutional frameworks of the sanitation sector, taking into account the needs of urban poor communities.

This Workshop aims to build additional capacity in areas such as gender; climate change; use of wastewater as a resource; and monitoring and evaluation. Presenters will include experienced wastewater sector specialists who have worked in the areas of gender mainstreaming, climate change, financing, and technology development.

The issue of sanitation and wastewater management in the Caribbean is a very neglected one. The CDB, CAWASA, UNEP and the GEF CReW Project in organizing this workshop, place up front the need to deal with the institutional and financial challenges, gender and climate change issues that affect the sector. Sanitation professionals will be provided with a current overview of the state of the sector in their respective countries as well as with information on the skills and tools used for planning investments and decision-making to help them to identify actions that could contribute to improvements in the sector.

Under GEF CReW’s Component 2, Reforms for Wastewater Management, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP CAR/RCU) based in Kingston, is executing ac-

Region 10 Children’s Mash lights up Linden

The staging of the annual children’s costume and float parade held in Linden on Friday brought the curtains down on the school’s Mashramani competitions in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Decked out in colourful costumes, hundreds of students from various schools across the Region, accompanied by their teachers, pranced through the streets along Republic Avenue and Greenheart Street, Mackenzie. Scores lined the streets to get a glimpse of the fun and excitement, as the Nursery and Primary School students, led by banners and costumes made their way through.

The mini revellers did not fall short of display-

ing the coming together of Guyana’s six races and unity under the theme of this year’s Mashramani theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration.”

Participating in the float parade were students of the Regma, One Mile, Watooka Day, and Christianburg Primary Schools, along with the Wisroc, Watooka Day, West Watooka Day and Pine Street Nursery schools, among others. The activities culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground where the schools participated in calypso. A number of schools within the Region were also awarded trophies for their participation in the Children’s costume competition held earlier this month.

In commemoration of

this year’s Mashramani observances, a number of activities were organized by the Regional Department of Education. T

he Region 10 Children’s costume competition saw two exciting days of intense competition between students of the Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels. The students took to the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC) in Linden on February 3 and 4, where they entertained the audiences in the areas of dance, including masquerade and physical display and costume display. Despite constant showers of rain, hundreds of Lindeners braved the weather over the course of the two days to show support.

tivities to address the limited capacity of water and wastewater utilities and environmental health agencies in the region for effective water and wastewater management. This training will help improve skills and knowledge amongst professionals for water and wastewater management, in turn helping them to improve their countries’ compliance with obligations of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocol on LandBased Sources of Pollution for which UNEP CAR/RCU is the Secretariat.

The CDB stresses that although nearly all of its borrowing member countries have met, or for the most part are on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals sanitation target, the Caribbean Region needs to pay close attention to the United Nation’s related campaign, launched in May 2014, which seeks to end open defecation at the end of

2015. Data from the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2014 Update revealed that open defecation occurred in seven of its borrowing member countries in 2012 compared with ten in 1990.

Wastewater management is considered a critical issue at the global level, as is the need to have a shared vision that can be used as the framework for developing national and regional wastewater management policies. This global recognition is led by the United Nations Secretary General Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) and UN-Water. At Rio+20 it was stressed that there is an urgent “need to adopt measures to significantly reduce water pollution and increase water quality, significantly improve wastewater treatment and water efficiency and reduce water

losses” and “reuse of treated wastewater”. UN Water and its partners further defined a global water goal as “securing sustainable water for all.” The post-2015 agenda can only be achieved if countries are approaching the management of water collaboratively with other sustainable development goals.

Increasing population, insufficiently planned development and poorly functioning sewage treatment facilities, result in the continued discharge of untreated domestic wastewater into drains, rivers and coastal areas. This negatively impacts both human health and the environment. Changing this situation will require Caribbean countries to make the issue of sanitation and wastewater management a greater priority. Training professionals in the sector, the goal of this Workshop, is both necessary and of increasing urgency.

US says Guyana can be example of peaceful elections

United States said that Guyana has the opportunity to lead the Caribbean in the holding of free and peaceful elections come May 11.

In a congratulatory message to Guyana on achieving 45 years as a Republic, US Secretary of State, John Kerry said: “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana as you celebrate 45 years of independence on February 23. “

Kerry said “Your nation will hold national elections this year. I am confident that it will serve as an example of the peaceful exercise of the right to vote. Your actions will strengthen the entire region’s commitment to democratic institutions.”

Kerry noted that Guyana participates positively in the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, the Caribbean Community, and the Union of South American Nations. “The United States stands with you as a partner and friend in the Inter-American System and in continuing to strengthen and revitalize the Organization of American States. We will continue to work together to achieve energy and environmental sustainability, as agreed upon during the recent Caribbean Energy Security Summit. I wish you all a joyful Mashramani and

Guyanese Republic Day.”

Only recently Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that international observers are critical to the credibility of the upcoming election, noting that she is heartened that some of the top organisations have already indicated their willingness to work here. The Minister explained that international observation is very important for the up-coming election and noted that since 1992, “there have always been observer missions in Guyana, and 2015 will be no different.”

Minister RodriguesBirkett asserted this stance, indicating that President Donald Ramotar has already informed the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caribbean

Community (Caricom), and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) that Guyana will be requesting their overseeing roles. She added that this message came from the very time Parliament was prorogued on November 14, 2014.

Touching on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted that the entity did the usual, that is, it requested the United Nations (UN) to come in and look at the systems, and to see if the country is prepared for the May 11 General and Regional Elections, as it is important to have the body give a vote of confidence to the systems in place.

According to RodriguesBirkett, the UN mission is important in assisting Guyana, as it moves towards Election Day. She stated that she is sure that the visiting members would have already conveyed their observations to GECOM, as they did meet with her in her capacity as Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, President Ramotar, and other major players within the fraternity of the election framework.

It should be noted that the UN does not necessarily observe elections, as in the case of the Commonwealth or Caricom, but can do so “in circumstances when the General Assembly or the Security Council so approves.

john Kerry

One of the floats during the Region 10 parade

England star Edwards to skipper country for 200th time

Charlotte Edwards says it will be a “huge honour” to captain England for the 200th time and hopes to still be in charge for the 2017 World Cup.

The 35-year-old batter was slated to lead her side out in a Twenty20 match against New Zealand later on Monday.

“It’s something I am hugely proud of,” said Edwards, who took over the captaincy from Clare Connor in 2005.

“To captain England was the ultimate honour. To be on the verge of doing it for the 200th time is unbelievable.”

Edwards, from

Cambridgeshire, becomes the first England playerman or woman - to have been skipper for 200 international games.

She has led the team in nine Tests, 109 one-day games and 81 T20s.

She said she had always been “pretty determined” to captain her country.

“I watched my dad from an early age captain his club team and I’d sit down and criticise his moves, so I thought I had an eye for captaincy,” Edwards told BBC Sport.

The right-handed batter made her England debut in 1996 at 16.

She was voted Women’s Cricketer of the Year in

2008, led her country to World Cup and World Twenty20 success in 2009, and has been appointed both an MBE and CBE for her services to cricket.

“I’ve still got huge ambitions in the game personally and as a team,” said Edwards. “I’m not saying I’m going to retire in 2017, but playing in that World Cup is a huge goal for me.”

That tournament will be staged in England, with Australia the defending champions.

The Twenty20 series between England and hosts New Zealand is level at 1-1. The deciding contest in Lincoln will be followed by two further one-day internationals, with the home side 2-1 up in that format.

As Edwards prepares for her own personal milestone, she continues to push the women’s game in general.

She hopes a number of England players will feature in a new Women’s Big Bash Twenty20 competition in Australia, starting next year, and hopes there will be a T20 league for women in the United Kingdom soon.

“It would be great to get all the world-class players over to England throughout our summer and really show off the game,” she said. (BBC Sport)

Murray climbs above Nadal in world rankings

Andy Murray has swapped places with Rafael Nadal to move to third in the ATP world rankings.

The Scot, 27, climbed to his highest ranking since occupying second place after beating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the 2013 Wimbledon final.

He had dropped to 12th in September 2014 after missing three months following back surgery on a long-standing disc injury the previous year.

Djokovic maintains top spot with Switzerland’s Roger Federer second.

The only other change in the top 10 is Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov moving one place above Marin Cilic of Croatia, who drops to 11th.

Murray is in the draw for this week’s Dubai Duty Free Championships where he he is seeded third and

takes on Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in the first round.

His last outing was a quarter-final defeat to Frenchman Gilles Simon in the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, but his form over the past few months has been impressive.

Murray won back-toback ATP tour events in

Vienna and Valencia towards the end of last season and started this season by reaching the final of the Australian Open, where he lost in four sets to Djokovic.

Nadal lost his first semi-final on clay for 12 years as he was beaten by Fabio Fognini 1-6 6-2 7-5 at the Rio Open. (BBC Sport)

"I can easily play for another 2-3 years" – Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan believes he has a role to play in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs teams after Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara retire at the end of the ongoing World Cup. With form on his side and no fitness concerns, Dilshan hoped to last another two to three years in international cricket.

“My ambition is to continue playing ODI and T20 cricket,” Dilshan said. “After the World Cup I will have to discuss with my captain and the team management what my future role in the team will be. If they think that I have a role to play I will continue to represent my country. With my present form and fitness I guess I can easily play for another 2-3 years, even till the next World Cup in 2019.

“I retired from Test cricket two years ago to give an opportunity to another youngster,” he said. “I will do the same in the other two for-

the Sri Lanka team. An excellent fielder, an aggressive batsmen and a useful offspinner, Dilshan continues to be an asset for the team.

Asked how he has been able to maintain the fitness standards, he said, “I don’t do any special training other than what I do with the team. When I am not playing cricket for my country I keep myself occupied playing cricket elsewhere.

“I try to be involved either batting, bowling or fielding. I believe it is these habits that have kept me physically fit from injuries other than getting hit by a cricket ball. I like to enjoy life so I don’t restrict myself from what I eat. I eat everything except that I eat them in small quantity.”

Dilshan said the team wants to win the World Cup for Jayawardene and Sangakkara, but added, “We cannot achieve that if we keep thinking of it. We will only put ourselves under a lot of pressure.

he conducts himself not only on the field but also off it, the way he dresses, speaks, eating habits, he is a very good example for the younger cricketers to emulate.”

Dilshan said comparisons between him and the two were difficult although their careers ran parallel and they are among the three senior-most players in the team today.

“It was from 2009 that I really made progress in my career (when he was promoted to open batting) that was the turning point of my career,” Dilshan said.

“Since 2009, I have scored 19 centuries and over 6000 runs in ODI cricket, he said. “Of the 20 ODI centuries I have scored we have won 16 matches and I am proud of that. As captain, I have scored centuries in all three formats, a feat which no captain has achieved.”

Dilshan is 575 runs and three wickets shy of reach-

mats also if I think I am not good enough to be in the side. I haven’t taken that decision yet because two key players are retiring from ODI cricket and I believe my experience will be valuable to the captain and the team in the two formats. We have problems with openers. If I can help them fill that void using my experience I will quit.”

Talking of his chances of stretching his career till the next World Cup Dishan said, “I will be 42 by then and if I can keep my fitness levels with that of the younger players I am capable of playing. Pakistan captain Misbah-ulHaq is still playing at the age of 40. It is not the age that is important but your contribution to the team.”

At 38, Dilshan is still among the fitter players in

“Our first goal is to get to the quarter-finals,” he said. “If we can go and win the World Cup it will not only be good only for them but for the entire team and Sri Lanka cricket overall. That is how we won the World T20 in Bangladesh last year. Although it was the final appearance in T20 cricket for Mahela and Sanga our focus was not on them but as a team to perform well.”

“I have played under Mahela’s captaincy and learnt a lot, the way he speaks to the younger players, the way he gives them words of encouragement when they are struggling for form. Mahela is a great motivator to uplift the spirits of a cricketer when he is down. As a captain the way

ing 10,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. “If I can get to 10,000 runs during the World Cup that would mean I have to score over 500 runs which would be of immense benefit to the team and makes our chances of winning great,” he said.

“Every youngster needs to have a goal to achieve something in the sport and know when to quit. It is better to have goals and achieve something than just play without any goals. We still talk of the achievements of Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga. For the next generation also we must leave something for them to attain. I am happy with what I have accomplished so far. There is a stroke named after me as well - Dilscoop.” (Cricinfo)

Charlotte Edwards has been in charge of England team since 2005

Tillakaratne Dilshan, young and sprightly at 38

Andy Murray has swapped places with Rafael Nadal

Khan inspires Red Force with big win

Leg-spinner Imran Khan emerged the hero as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force halted a four-game losing slump by crushing Jamaica Franchise by 179 runs inside three days here Sunday.

Set 357 for victory at Sabina Park, Jamaica tumbled from a position of 128 for one to 177 all out, losing their last nine wickets for a mere 49 runs.

The hosts looked to be in control of the WICB PCL seventh round encounter when opener John Campbell, who struck 83, and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood, 52, were carving out attractive half-centuries in a 77-run, second wicket stand.

Khan intervened, however, snatching six for 24 to destroy the innings, as the last five Jamaica wickets fell for no addi-

tion of runs at 177. The right-armer, voted Manof-the-Match, sparked the collapse by taking four wickets in one over to leave Jamaica in disarray.

The result gave Red Force their first taste of victory since last November when they defeated Leeward Islands Hurricanes by six wickets at Warner Park.

Kjorn Ottley had earlier fallen agonisingly short

of his maiden first class hundred when he was dismissed for 99 as Red Force, resuming on 184 for four, were bowled out for 246 in their second innings.

The left-handed Ottley, unbeaten on 87 overnight, added just 12 before he became fast bowler Jason Dawes’ only wicket of the innings, seventh out with the score on 220.

All told, he faced 173 balls in 230 minutes and counted 15 fours and two sixes. He was part of a slide that saw the last six Red Force wickets fall for just 50 runs.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown (3-37) and seamer David Bernard Jr (3-49) picked up three wickets apiece.

Jamaica were then given a rousing start from Campbell who put on 51 off 44 balls with Horace Miller (8) for the first wicket.

When Miller was bowled by pacer Marlon Richards in the eighth over of the innings, it paved the way for another enterprising stand between Campbell and Blackwood.

The left-handed Campbell faced just 70

balls and thumped 12 fours and two sixes while Blackwood, a right-hander, counted five fours and a six off 75 deliveries.

Jason Mohammed, bowling his part-time off-spin, got the crucial breakthrough when he claimed Campbell lbw. His scalp proved decisive as three wickets fell quickly for 17 runs.

Blackwood and Brandon King, who hit 20, revived the innings in a 27-run, fifth wicket partnership but once Blackwood departed bowled by Khan, a shocking collapse ensued.

SCOREBOARD

2-47,

5-196,

Mayweather says timing right for fight with Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

said he never had any doubts he would one day share a ring with archrival Manny Pacquiao, despite many stops and starts and numerous obstacles preventing a deal.

But not long after Mayweather made official what is expected to be the richest fight in the sport’s history by signing a contract to meet the Filipino superstar May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, he told Yahoo Sports on Friday it got done because the timing is right.

“I knew eventually it would happen, but everything takes time,” said Mayweather, who first entered into talks to fight Pacquiao in late 2009 for what was supposed to be an early 2010 bout.

“Everything in life is about timing. I have a good team and I waited until the time was right. He waited until the time was right, and the two teams came together and we made the fight happen.”

Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz told Yahoo Sports that he felt the turning point was the chance meeting the two had at an NBA game in Miami last month. Later, Mayweather went to visit Pacquiao in his hotel room to discuss the fight. Koncz said, and Mayweather agreed, that it was the difference-maker.

“No doubt, that was a turning point,” Koncz said.

“I’d met Floyd many times, but that was the first time Floyd and Manny met face to face and got a chance to look eye to eye. I think it was a motivator for both sides to bend a bit more. I take my hat off and tip it to Floyd for stepping up to the plate.

“It could have been a lot worse of a negotiation. I’m not saying it was easy, but it could have been a lot more difficult. But once that meeting took place, the demeanor changed. Everything changed to the positive, and I give Floyd a lot of credit for that, I really do.”

Mayweather said he felt the timing is best now because his reputation and celebrity have grown since the fight was first talked about. Now, there is speculation the fight will exceed 3 million in pay-per-view sales and an online sports book has the over-under at 3.15 million.

Mayweather said Pacquiao has grown as well and that makes for an even bigger event.

Right time

“I think the timing is right now because I’m a lot bigger status-wise than I was,” he said. “Statuswise, I’m still growing, but I’m bigger than I was. And I’m pretty sure that Manny Pacquiao, he is bigger, too. I have a lot of fans and he

has a lot of fans and the fans around the world have been anticipating the fight for a long time.

“Everybody was talking about it and it didn’t happen, and then it started up again and it didn’t happen again. They say three strikes and you’re out, and I guess the third time is a charm.”

Mayweather is about

of Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Pacquiao seemed on the verge of finishing Marquez when he was hit square on the chin with a perfect counter right hand.

Mayweather, though, said he didn’t think Marquez was necessarily about to be stopped and said he felt the Mexican star deserved more credit than he received.

Mayweather routed

a 2½-to-1 favorite in Las Vegas sports books. He’s 47-0 and few of his fights have even been close, and Pacquiao has long been viewed as the man with the best chance to spoil that perfect record.

Pacquiao is 57-5-2 with 38 knockouts, but one of those five losses was a brutal knockout at the hands

Marquez in a 2009 fight; Pacquiao and Marquez have fought four times, with three of them being exceptionally close. Though Mayweather, who turns 38 on Tuesday, understands that styles make fights, he said it’s hard for him to accurately assess Pacquiao’s abilities at this point.

“I can’t tell you if he’s my greatest challenge, to be honest with you, because I haven’t fought him before,” Mayweather said.

Interesting match-up

“He’s a solid guy, a very good fighter, no question a tough competitor. He wouldn’t be where he’s at if he weren’t, and that’s what makes this such an interesting matchup.

“I don’t want to say he was on the verge of knocking Marquez out, though. I don’t want to say that. Marquez is a very, very good counterpuncher and he came up with a great one.

“That’s what he [does]. What I didn’t like about that fight was that everyone was pointing the finger at Marquez and said he was juicing. That was unfair. Things happen in boxing and what happened, happened.”

Mayweather, who was very gracious toward Pacquiao in the telephone interview with Yahoo Sports, said the loss didn’t diminish Pacquiao in his eyes.

Getting knocked out is a risk both men take when they step in the ring. But he applauded Pacquiao for rebuilding himself after that defeat.

“A true champion knows how to take a loss and bounce back and overcome, and that’s what Pacquiao has done,” Mayweather

said. “I give him full credit for that. He deserves it. He’s come back and gotten some solid victories. He has his supporters, who I’m pretty sure believe he’s going to beat me, and I have my supporters, who I know believe I’m going to beat him. Let’s get in the ring and see who wins, who the better man is. That’s what boxing is all about, and we’re going to give the fans the chance to find out on May 2.”

Mayweather said he is proud of his team and pointed out that he patched up his relationship with Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. He said in September they might be growing apart, but said they talked and resolved their differences. As a result, he said his team has a unified front going into the biggest fight of them all.

“I’ll be 38 in a few days, and it’s truly a blessing to be in this position and to have had a 19-year career,” Mayweather said.

“I really want to thank my fans. They’ve been with me every step of the way in these 19 years, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of the fans, Leonard, [CBS Corp. CEO] Les Moonves, Showtime and everyone on my team.

“I’m all about giving the people what they want and bringing interest and excitement back to boxing.” (Yahoo Sports)

Leg-spinner Imran Khan was destructive on day three

Floyd Mayweather is confident the time is right for the mega fight

England v Scotland, World Cup 2015, Group A, Christchurch...

Moeen ton gives England opening win

The timely appearance of the Auld Enemy proved to be a WorldCup blessing for England. Scotland rarely pass muster these days even in their most culturally-ingrained team sports of football and rugby union and, as far as cricket is concerned, their fortunes have yet to cause much impassioned debate on Sauchiehall Street. England, easy victors by 119 runs, were grateful for that as they began to restore their World Cup reputation.

For all the belligerent pre-match cries of Paul Collingwood, a proud Englishman finding himself reading from the Braveheart script, Scotland have never beaten a Full Member nation in a one-day international. Repelled by Moeen Ali’s confident century, 128 from 107 balls, they managed little more than a skirmish in Christchurch, although all remains far from right for England because while Moeen oiled the England innings, there was the sound of clanking and grinding all around him.

There is no more modest bowling attack in this World Cup than Scotland’s and the immediate consequence for England was a first-wicket record in World Cups: 172 in 30.1 overs by Moeen and Ian Bell, surpassing the 158 gathered by Dennis Amiss and Barry Wood against East Africa at Edgbaston in the first World Cup in 1975. England’s approach, their critics have been sniping, has not changed all that much in the intervening 40 years.

Expectations that they

might pass 350-plus for only the third time in ODIs departed with Moeen. In the end, England’s captain Eoin Morgan would be grateful for lesser mercies: a total beyond 300, the fact they batted their full quota of overs, a semblance of form for himself - 46 until he fell in the final over, one of four wickets for Josh Davey - which ensured those minimum targets were met.

As for England’s bowling, it did what it had to do; dismissing Scotland within 42.2 overs the bowlers began to remedy what had been the worst net run rate in the group in a manner the batsmen, Moeen apart, had found beyond them.

Kyle Coetzer drove vigorously in making 71 before Moeen again underlined his all-round attributes by having him caught at longon - Coetzer coming down the pitch to loft the ball on the full. But the dangerous Calum MacLeod fell making room to James Anderson’s outswinger and the captain Preston Mommsen, so productive in the qualifiers, fell on the sweep to Joe Root just as he was threatening to lead a second wave.

England will seek value in Steven Finn’s display, coming so soon after his two overs were savaged for 49 by Brendon McCullum in Wellington. He settled his nerves with three cheap wickets, including the important one of Matt Machan, caught at the wicket. He upped his speeds as the day wore on, but while his pace remains so irregular - more, it seems, by accident than design - he will not altogeth-

er convince.

The World Cup had briefly turned its attention to a very British rivalry on a very British sort of day: England v Scotland under initially grouchy Hagley Park skies, with the discordant chants of the Barmy Army combated by the screech of the pipes and a brandished flag bearing the word “freedom”, a vestige of Scotland’s failed independence referendum. For the tournament proper, it all seemed a bit inconsequential, but for England, bereft of form and reputation, a bit of parochialism was just what they needed.

If Moeen was England’s assailant, moving fluently to his second ODI hundred, Bell pottered around for 54 from 85 balls, a half-century that looked as if it was the product of a meetings culture: Bell’s “strategic staircase” had the need for responsibility bullet pointed on every step.

After the heavy defeats suffered against Australia

UAE coach criticises World Cup plans

UAE coach Aaqib

Javed, a World Cup winner with Pakistan in 1992, has become the latest figure to voice dissent at ICC plans to reduce future tournaments to ten teams.

The 2019 World Cup is expected to feature the eight top-ranked nations - almost certainly Full Membersalong with two other teams who will come through a qualifying tournament in Bangladesh. Ireland and Afghanistan have been given a theoretical pathway to an automatic spot by being included in the rankings system but there are doubts as to whether they will play enough ODIs to reach the

top eight.

The current tournament features four Associate nations in UAE, Ireland, Afghanistan and Scotland, following the same format as 2011. Four years ago, the ICC decided to trim the numbers but was met with a wave of resistance and ultimately reversed the decision.

Earlier this month, ICC chief executive David Richardson said World Cups should feature “evenly matched teams”. So far in Australia and New Zealand, while there have been several mismatches between Full Members, Ireland have beaten West Indies, Scotland gave New

Zealand a scare on the way to a three-wicket win, UAE ran Zimbabwe close and Afghanistan threatened a victory over Sri Lanka.

“I think the gap is narrowing now and every Associate is pushing the Full Members,” Javed told UAE newspaper the National. “I am really surprised by the decision the ICC already made that the next World Cup would be 10 teams.

“Which 10 teams? If you look at the performances from some teams, their graph has been going down, like West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. I am not just talking about in this World Cup. Overall,

and New Zealand, by 111 runs and eight wicket respectively, Bell’s innings put short-term stability above long-term needs - the imperative that England’s batting order must stamp its mark on the tournament. He was restrained throughout, disappointed to drive the first ball of Richie Berrington’s second spell to short extra just as he imagined he might accelerate.

When England did try to stamp their mark, the stamp was hopelessly underweight and the innings was lost somewhere in the sorting office. Moeen, Gary Ballance and Root fell in the space of 10 balls and, at 203 for 4 in the 37th over and England committed to a comparatively reserved finale on a slowing surface, the sound of the pipes had a more unnerving feel.

The failure could count most heavily for Ballance, whose introduction at No. 3 on the eve of the tournament has not been productive, his latest demise coming when he chopped Alasdair Evans on to his stumps, seeking to run the ball and suffering for a lack of pace.

From England’s perspective, at least there was Moeen. He was characteristically unafraid to go aerial over the off side - almost suffering for the habit on 7 when he drove Davey to Freddie Coleman in the covers on the half volley - and when Scotland’s bowlers did test him against the short ball, at barely 130kph it was inferior stuff and Moeen pulled with ease. He had an ambition that England will hope proves contagious.

what have they achieved in the past 10 years? Why can’t there be pressure on them to improve, or go down?”

He echoed comments made before the tournament by Ireland’s Ed Joyce,

Scotland’s attack was make-do. It comprised three seamers - Evans replaced the left-armer Rob Taylor who had been expensive against New Zealand - a fifth bowler fiddled through as best they might, and the redoubtable rotundity of Majid Haq, who turned in 10 overs of offspin for 51 runs and took the prize wicket of Moeen who dragged him to deep midwicket.

Haq is Scotland’s leading wicket-taker in one-day cricket: a genial purveyor of lobs. He has no like in international cricket, bowling as slowly as 65kph (40mph), inviting an insecure batsman to run through an infinite list of potential dismissals while the ball is still in the air and ensuring that, by the time it arrives, all sense

of life’s purpose has been lost. He would be regarded as a confidence-trickster on the village green. It was Davey who finished with four wickets. Root was unpinned by a decent delivery; he beat James Taylor’s advance with a full, wide one, enabling Matthew Cross to pull off a neat stumping; and added Morgan and Chris Woakes in the final over to finish with four wickets. It was a commendable effort from a bowler who failed to make the grade at Middlesex and is making a second attempt at county level with Somerset. He had bowled nine of Scotland’s 15 wides, but by the end he had emphatically put those nerves behind him. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

England Innings

Moeen c Coleman b Haq 128

Bell c Coetzer b Berrington 54

Ballance b Evans 10

Root c Cross b Davey 1 Morgan c Mommsen b Davey 46

Taylor st Cross b Davey 17 Buttler c Davey b Wardlaw 24 Woakes c Mommsen b Davey 1

Broad not out 0 Finn not out 1

Extras (1-nb, 15-w, 1-b, 4-lb) 21

Total (for 8 wickets; 50 overs) 303

Bowling: Wardlaw 10-1-601, Davey 10-0-68-4, Evans 10-1-46-1, Haq 10-0-51-1, Berrington 5-0-43-1, Machan 2-0-11-0, Coetzer 3-0-19-0 Fall of wickets: 172 (Bell), 201 (Moeen), 203 (Balance), 203 (Root), 252 (Taylor), 297 (Buttler), 300 (Morgan), 300 (Woakes)

are looking to expand theirs.

“It is very unusual if you compare it to other sports,” Javed said. “Sports need competition and opportunities for every one. What is there for us in Associate

UAE celebrate qualification for the 2015 World Cup, but ICC proposals make it unlikely that they will be at the next one

who questioned why cricket was trying to shrink participation in its marquee event, while other sports

cricket? Ireland have been doing so well for the past 10 years, but haven’t gained anything. When it comes to

Scotland Innings Coetzer c Woakes b Moeen 71 MacLeod c Buttler b Anderson 4 Coleman c Morgan b Woakes 7 Machan c Buttler b Finn 5 Mommsen c Broad b Root 26 Berrington c Morgan b Moeen 8 Cross c Root b Finn 23 Davey c Buttler b Finn 9 Haq c Ballance b Woakes 15 Evans c Buttler b Anderson 9 Wardlaw not out 0

Extras (2-w, 5-lb)

Total (all out; 42.2 overs)

Bowling: Anderson 6-0-30-2, Broad 7-0-24-0, Woakes 5.20-25-2, Finn 9-3-26-3, Moeen 10-0-47-2, Root 5-0-27-1 Fall of wickets: 17 (MacLeod), 47 (Coleman), 54 (Machan), 114 (Mommsen), 122 (Coetzer), 128 (Berrington), 150 (Davey), 160 (Cross), 184 (Evans),

open series, nobody wants to play them. Nobody wants to play Associate teams.” Due to the nature of bilateral agreements and cricket’s crowded schedule, Associate nations have found fixtures against the big teams hard to come by. Javed said there should be “an actual punishment” for underperforming Full Members and suggested two ODI divisions of eight teams, with promotion and relegation.

“If after two years there was promotion and relegation, how much interest would be created? This is not rocket science,” he said. “Who are the ICC protecting and why are they protecting them? Forget about audience, it is about competition. Once you are a Test nation, you are a Test nation forever, whatever you do. There is no pressure on them.” (Cricinfo)

Moeen Ali made his first World Cup hundred

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guyana Jaguars complete 4-wicket

victor y over Barbados Pride

Half-centuries from Narsingh Deonarine, veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Rajendra Chandrika propel Guyana to a comfortable four-wicket win over Barbados Pride on the fourth day of their WICB Professional Cricket League seventh round match at Kensington Oval on Monday.

Deonarine hit an entertaining 90, while Chanderpaul made 64 and Chandrika grabbed his share of the spotlight

with a special 60, as the Jaguars reached 335-6, chasing a winning target of 333.

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The 31-year-old Deonarine, cracked seven fours and four sixes off 130 balls. Chanderpaul, at age 40 and in his 338 First-class matches, faced 92 balls and struck five fours and a six, while Chandrika faced 105 balls.

Chanderpaul and Deonarine, at contrasting stages of their careers, added 144 for the fourthwicket after the Jaguars were 103-3 moments before lunch.

Resuming on 41 without loss, the hosts’ bowlers had got some early assistance from the wicket, capturing openers Chandrika, while Vishual Singh was dismissed for 14. They also removed the Guyanese skipper, Leon Johnson for 14.

the Jaguars floundering but the experience pair of Deonarine and Chanderpaul joined forces and settled the innings.

Pride’s attack was then blunted after the interval as Chanderpaul and Deonarine combined to put the visitors in charge.

Despite two rains interruption, the left handed duo took the home side through to 223-3 at tea.

Playing with equal authority, Deonarine showed little signs of rustiness, while Chanderpaul busily gathered his runs in typically workman-like fashion.

However, three quick wickets, including the pair and Christopher Barnwell for 12 put the visitors run chase in some danger with 57 runs still adrift for victory.

But the level headed Raymond Reifer and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble saw the Jaguars through without further dent.

Reifer was left unbeaten on 41 while Bramble finished on 27. Jomel Warrican (2-74) was the

The triple-strike left

best bowler for the hosts. With the victory, the Jaguars moved to 107 points while the Pride moved to 82 points.

Guyana Jaguars will play Jamaica Franchise in round eight from March 6 at the Guyana National Stadium.

Barbados Pride opposes the Leewards Franchise while T&T Red Force plays the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the other two games in round eight.

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Rajendra

Narsingh Deonarine

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Hinds wins Burnham memorial cycling

− John, Fernandes cop other categories

Orville Hinds of Team Evolution emerged the new champion of the annual Forbes Burnham memorial twostage cycle road race on Sunday.

Although he didn’t win any stage, Hinds had the best time of three hours, 45 minutes, 54 seconds, leaving Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s Shaquelle Agard (3h: 45m: 57s) to settle for second.

Paul De Nobrega (3h: 46m) of Team Alanis, Michael Anthony (3h: 46m: 1sec) of Club Evolution, Akeem Arthur (3h: 46m:

40s) of Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club and Robin Persaud (3h: 46m: 41s) of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club rounded off the top six finishers.

Team Coco’s Jamal John (3h: 47m: 44s) took the Junior division ahead of United Cycle Club’s Raphael Leung (3h: 48m: 40s) and Linden Bauxite Flyers CC’s Jornel Yearwood (3h: 50m: 2s).

Stephen Fernandes of Team Evolution was the top veteran, clocking three hours, 47 minutes, 44 seconds.

Carlton Wheelers CC’s

Jaikarran Sukhai (3h: 48m: 39s) and Team Coco’s Junior Niles (3h: 48m; 43s) were second and third respectively.

The first stage from Linden to Georgetown was won by Agard in a time of two hours, 45 minutes, 32 seconds, followed by Hinds, De Nobrega and Anthony. Stage two from Ocean View International Hotel to Belfield and back to the start point was won by Roraima Bikers Club’s Alanzo Greaves in just under an hour, followed by Hinds, Christopher Holder, Arthur and Warren McKay.

The respective stage winners were all rewarded by the Burnham Foundation Committee for their sterling efforts and were complimented by Vincent Alexander of the Burnham Foundation for making the race another success.

Before the riders were sent on their way in Linden they observed a minute’s silence in memory of the late George Emerson, a former GCF and RBC VicePresident, who made an indelible mark in the sport in Guyana and Linden.

Phagwah horse-race meet will go ahead, says Kennard

By Rajiv Bisnauth

President of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), Cecil Kennard, said on Monday that the club’s Phagwah horse race meet will go ahead as planned, since preparations are already on stream for the oneday event.

The meet is slated for March 8 at the club’s race track, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

However, Guyana Times Sport understands that the one-day event was expected to be cancelled to facilitate the People’s Progressive Party’s annual ceremony to celebrate the lives of PPP cofounders and late Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan.

“As far I am aware, the race meet will go ahead. We can’t push it back because Port Mourant has a meet on the 22nd and I understand that Budhan has a small meet on the 15th, so there is nothing we can do,” Kennard said.

Meanwhile, Kennard said that preparations are moving apace. He noted that most of the top horses in the country have already indicated their interest.

The KMTC boss pointed out that since limited spaces are available, the deadline for registration, which closes on March 1, will not be extended.

Competitors will be vying for over $6 million,

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Silver Jubilee sponsored GBTI Inter-Secondary School tapeball competition concluded last Friday with Port Mourant Secondary School (PMSS) and Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary (CCS) came out winners in the female and male categories.

PMSS defeated the Central Corentyne Secondary School by nine wickets to win the female title, while CCS got the better of Lower Corentyne Secondary in a thrilling male final, which went down to a

Super Over.

Winning the toss and batting first in the female final, the girls from Central Corentyne were restricted to 87-8 in their allotted 10 overs. Shennetta Grimmond topscored with 32, with four boundaries and a massive six, while Rushanna Lynch supported with 16, which included two boundaries. Bowling for PMSS, the 2014 champions, Kavita Ramsammy claimed 3-3 and Erica Lashley 2-20. In reply, PMSS raced to their second consecutive title, reaching 90-1 in seven overs, with Ramsammy returning with the bat to score

an unbeaten 40, while Erica Lashley was unbeaten on 20.

Aleema Arokium was the only batter to be dismissed for 10, bowled by Rushana Leitch. Ramsammy, for the second successive year, was named Player-of-the-Final. She was also named best batter and bowler of the final.

In the male final, Lower Corentyne batting first reached 83-8 off fifteen overs with Keith Simpson 18, Ramesh Kashinauth 11 and Ezekiel Kempadoo 19, being the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Hemchand Sukhai claimed 2-17, while Jermaine Pollard, Emmanuel

Seecharran and Keon Hooper claimed one wicket each.

CCS, needing to score 84 in fifteen overs to secure the title for the first time, was restricted to 83-9 with Emmanuel Seecharran topscoring with 22 not out, while extras contributed a healthy 32 runs.

Needing to score six runs in the last over bowled by Justin Gobin, Corentyne Comprehensive only got five runs as Emmanuel Seecharran only scored a single off the last ball with two runs required.

With the tie, a Super Over was played with CCS making 12 runs.

Lower Corentyne Secondary School could only managed 11 runs.

Emmanuel Seecharran was named best batsman, while Ezekiel Kempadoo was named best bowler and Manof-the-Final.

The two winners, runners-up and players of the finals received trophies, while the best batter and bowler received medallions and special prizes.

Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, praised the teams for providing a high-class performance to entertain the large crowd and also praised the committed and passion of the young

which will be available in tractive prizes. The feature attraction will be the A1 and Lower Class over a distance

The top prize is $700,000,isher will receive half that amount. Horses that place third and fourth will receive

The other seven furlongs race is the G1 and Lower for -

es will all run over five furlongs. The K1 and Lower and the K and Lower handicap races will see the owner of the winning horses taking home $120,000 each. The D3 Maiden and E and F Lower have a winning tag of $400,000 each, while the final race for J1 and Lower has a top prize of $180,000.

Race time is 12:30h. Admission into the venue is $1,200, while children will pay half that amount. Access to the car park is $500, while programmes cost $300 each. Horse owners can register their animals with Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192, Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316, Cecil Kennard on 226-1399, 225-4818 or 623-7609, Isabella Beaton on 693-7812, Dennis Deroop on 609-9143 or Compton Sancho on 690-0569.

Corentyne Comprehensive victorious

cricketers.

He urged the attentive school children to always Say No to Drugs and Suicide and to stay in school and obtain an educational background. Foster also expressed gratitude to the Management of GBTI for their sponsorship of the tournament and for their continued confidence in the work of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mark Lyte, spoke at the opening ceremony and touched on the importance of education and the need to mix sports and education.

Jamal John copped the Junior category

Orville Hinds collects his prize after topping Sunday’s race

Cecil Kennard

The successful Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary team

The victorious Port Mourant Secondary School team

Cheddi Jagan cycling trilogy pedals off Sunday

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

After weeks of planning, the organisers of the annual Cheddi Jagan memorial cycling road races will pedal off this year’s activity, which will once again span the month of March.

One of the chief coordinators of the highly anticipated trilogy, Hassan Mohamed, informed this publication that the races will once again be held in the three counties, as has been the case over the years.

The opening leg will be held on Sunday on the West Demerara roadways, with the riders competing from the Wales Police Station. They will proceed to Bushy

Park, Parika, before returning to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish, covering a distance of 50 miles.

The ever-improving Michael Anthony of Linden won this leg last year, completing the course in a time of one hour, 54 minutes, 32.05 seconds (01h: 54m: 32.05s).

On March 8, the second leg will take place in the Ancient County of Berbice. It will commence in New Amsterdam, proceed to Number 63 Village and return to Jagan’s resting place at Babu John, Port Mourant, for the finish.

Roraima Bikers Club’s

rider Alanzo Greaves emerged as champion of this leg in 2014, pipping his competitors in a photo finish. He clocked two hours, 17 minutes, 08 seconds (02h: 17m: 08s).

The third and final stage is set for March 22 in Essequibo, where villagers usually lined the roadways to catch a glimpse of the country’s cyclists locked in fierce battle. Seasoned campaigner Godfrey Pollydore was the top rider on that leg last year, copping the top podium spot in a time of two hours, 10 minutes, 24.41 seconds

spit Fire wins...

(02h: 10m: 24.41s). The race will ride off at Supenaam, head to Charity and return to Anna Regina for the finish.

Mohamed said, “Once again we are expecting three competitive races, and another large turnout of riders. As we have done in the past, we’re covering all three counties and we want to urge persons to come out and witness the races as they pass the hundreds of villages along the way.”

Dr Jagan, one of the founders of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, was an avid supporter and follower of sports. The former Head-of-State passed away in March 1997.

Connections of Jumbo

BCB congratulates U-15 team for Inter-County triumph

The President and Executive Members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have extended congratulations to the management and members of the Berbice Under-15 team, which won the Inter-County Championship when they defeated defending champions Demerara by 31 runs in their final on Saturday.

A release from the board stated that all Berbicians are proud of the young cricketers, the coach Andre Percival and manager Kwesi Maltay.

Special mention was made of the experienced Chairman of the junior selection panel Leslie Solomon and his team for a job well done.

The release further stated that it is never easy to select any junior team as in the case of the senior team which almost picks itself.

The board has endorsed the work of the panel and gives its full support. The panel has already started preparations for the Under-17 team with trials fixed for next weekend at the Albion Sports Complex and the Young Warriors Cricket Club ground. Under-13 and Under-19 trials will follow soon after, according to the BCB.

The BCB also expressed gratitude to the major sponsors of Under-15 cricket in Berbice, Tenelec Inc. of the USA, and National Communication Network.

The release further stated that despite the board’s limited financial resources, it will continue to work to develop cricket at levels in the ancient county with particular interest at the youth level.

The board calls on all cricket lovers to come on board and support the BCB, as the board strives for help in the form of sponsorship for the three-day first division cricket competition, a competition that is missing for the longest while and one that is so important for the further development of the game.

A ceremony will be held soon to honour the players, coach, manager, the junior selectors and parents.

The top jockey on show was Paul Delph, with the

and

Results from the other six races as follows: Threeyears-old Guyana Bred- Slim Shady, Amazon Warrior and Secret Escape; E3 and Lower- Release the Beast, Goodwill Boy, Swing Easy and Settle in Seattle; J3 and Lower– Affinity, Miss Regina, Trigger and Dance For Gold; G1 and Lower- Sent From Above, Joyful Victory, Settling Jet and Shooting Star; Three-year-old West Indian Bred- It’s My Choice, Storm Bird, Midnight Blue and Miss Lewinsky; and I3 and Lower- Mary Ann, Red Jet, De Gump and Little.

Jumbo Jet

Lenny Singh Stables the top stables on show.

Jet racing stable receiving the trophy for the victory by Release the Beast

Hassan Mohamed

Alanzo Greaves

Dr Cheddi Jagan

Michael Anthony

Godfrey Pollydore

The Berbice Under-15 players pose after their win on Saturday

Zimbabwe v

West Indies,

Group B, Canberra... Zimbabwe hope to trip up vulnerable West Indies

After tripping up against Ireland, West Indies picked themselves up with an emphatic win over Pakistan, but they will have to maintain that level of performance to make sure there are no more stumbling blocks in their path to the quarter-finals. Zimbabwe have shown enough quality over their two games and have designs of reaching the knockouts themselves, not to mention adding further intrigue to a group that has been blown open by Ireland’s heroics in Nelson.

Zimbabwe have assembled a pretty solid batting line-up on paper, with quality in the middle-order and a couple of good finishers lower down. But while that stood out against both South Africa and UAE, the bowling is inconsistent, particularly in the death overs. They gave up 146 runs in the last 10 overs against South Africa, and 81 against UAE. This is potentially their biggest worry going into the game against a West Indies side that has twice made 300-plus totals despite Chris Gayle not firing.

While West Indies will be delighted with the form of their lower-middle order, where Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy, Denesh Ramdin and Andre Russell have all scored vital runs, they can’t afford to keep making poor starts. Gayle has made only one halfcentury in his last 19 innings, a run stretching back to June 2013, and Dwayne Smith has looked unconvincing as an opener, particularly when the new ball moves around. If Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara make inroads early on, they might just catch the West Indies middle order on an off day.

In the spotlight

After 101 ODIs, Dwayne Smith has a batting average of 18.85. He hasn’t bowled an over in his last five ODIs. He has thrown away starts in both his matches at the World Cup so far, and will need to do a whole lot better over West Indies’ upcoming games to justify his place at the top of the order.

Tafadzwa Kamungozi’s quickish leg-spin has been a valuable addition to Zimbabwe’s attack, and he showed excellent control against both South Africa and UAE. He has only picked up one wicket so far

in the World Cup, and his ODI bowling average, after 13 matches, is 42.58. Zimbabwe will hope he can add incision to his economy and give them a bit of middle-overs bite.

Team news

Darren Bravo hasn’t recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him to retire hurt against Pakistan, and Jonathan Carter will take his place.

West Indies (possible) 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Jonathan Carter, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Lendl Simmons, 7 Darren Sammy,

Connections of Shariff racing stable collecting the winner’s trophy for Spit Fire victory

Ablistering run down the homestretch was all that it took for Spit Fire of the Shariff Racing stable to create one of the biggest upset in Sunday’s Jumbo Jet Sprint Classic.

8 Andre Russell, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Sulieman Benn. Chamu Chibhabha made a half-century against South Africa with an injured knee and missed Zimbabwe’s next game, against UAE. He has failed a couple of fitness tests since then, but the team management will only take a call on him on the morning of the match, and choose between Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva in case he can’t play. Solomon Mire also has a small niggle, and could make way for Prosper Utseya if ruled out.

Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Sikandar Raza, 2 Chamu Chibhabha/ Regis Chakabva/ Stuart Matsikenyeri, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Craig Ervine, 7 Solomon Mire/ Prosper Utseya, 8 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 9 Tinashe Panyangara, 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Tafadzwa Kamungozi. (Cricinfo)

The racehorse steamed to front on a wet and slippery day to outshine its opponents and take the feature D and Lower event. The one-day race meeting was held at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

Despite the inclement

saw a number of exciting and close finishes. It was a stunning performance by Spit Fire, which was a rank outsider in the event. The horses were out of the box with a level break as they jostled for positions and into the back stretch the race was still open. However as the horses hit the far turn for home, Spit Fire, guided by jockey Rodrigues (only name given), began to take orders. The animal then picked up speed to come through on the outside with a thunder-

Release the Beast won ahead of Goodwill Boy in the E3 and Lower race

Thursday:

weather, a fair-sized crowd was on hand to witness the animals go through their paces as seven races were held during the day which

ous gallop to won by about five lengths ahead of Right to Rule, Release the Beast and Appealing Harvest.

continued on page 23

Darren Sammy and Denesh Ramdin have been among the key performers for the Windies in the World Cup

By Rajiv Bisnauth