4 drown after religious ritual
...at Philadelphia foreshore
Radhika Persaud
Twelve-year-old Billy Narine
Fifteen-year-old Ravin Persaud
Nine-year-old Annatina Persaud
wednesday, february 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
heights of 0.66 metre and 0.58 metre respectively.
PPP's Civic alliance remains strong
…amid Opposition’s scramble to form coalition
At a time when the Opposition parties are scrambling to put together a coalition to contest the upcoming elections, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is solidifying its long-standing alliance with the Civic – a group of professional individuals who were brought together by the party from various ideological, ethnic and other backgrounds.
Formed to contest the 1992 elections, which saw the PPP unseating the then Desmond Hoyte-led People’s National Congress, the Civic has been a consistent and strong partner for the ruling party for five unbroken terms in Government.
Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira recently underscored in a general way how significant the PPP/Civic alliance was, given the history of coalition politics in this country. She made specific reference to the pre-1992 attempt to form an alliance to contest the 1992 elections. “I know from my own experience that an attempt to do that (form a coalition) in the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy, in the best of times where we worked five years on this, wasn’t able to be achieved,” Teixeira said
on a programme aired on the National Communications Network.
With their varied backgrounds, members of the Civic have, over the years, held key ministerial posts in Government, including five terms as Prime Minister in the person of Samuel Hinds. Now as elections are nigh upon us questions are again being raised as to the viability of the Civic component and whether it has a formal structure.
Integral part of PPP 1992 United Republican Party (URP) Presidential Candidate Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who later joined the Civic in 1997, told the Guyana Times in an interview that the grouping continued to play an important role in Government policies today. While insisting that he could not speak on the Civic’s behalf, Ramsammy, as a member, was adamant that it remained an “integral part of the PPP’s elections architecture.”
“While other parties are deciding on whether they should form a coalition or not, while other parties are
talking to groups or other political parties, the PPP/ Civic is a true alliance of civic society members,” Dr Ramsammy stated during the interview.
selected current APNU Chairman David Granger as its Presidential Candidate. It stated that it was considering picking a young person to be the Prime Ministerial
His comments were an obvious reference to the almost failed attempt by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to form a pro-democracy coalition ahead of the May 11 polls. This newspaper was last told that the ‘secret talks’ have been bogged down by a tussle over who will lead the coalition. AFC’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has declared that his party must lead.
APNU sensing a possibility that the coalition may not come off has mobilised its constituencies to go it alone. Over the weekend, the People’s National Congress Reform, the main constituent party of the coalition,
Candidate, although last month APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon told this newspaper that Dr Rupert Roopnaraine would return as the PM candidate.
Active members Meanwhile, Dr Ramsammy pointed out that talk that the Civic was “dead” could not stand the test of scrutiny, noting that not only had the group been able to retain its members, but it had added a number of new persons over the years.
“The PM (Samuel Hinds) is still a Civic member. I am still a Civic member. Carolyn Rodrigues is still a Civic member.
TUESdaY, FEBRUaRY 3, 2015
Civic member, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Civic member, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Civic Chairman, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
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
Avoiding public scrutiny
The Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are both avoiding public scrutiny of the decisions and agreements that they are desperately trying to broker behind closed doors.
Despite commencing discussions on a pre-electoral alliance over six weeks ago, neither side has demonstrated genuine interest in sufficiently informing their own supporters and the general public about the real scope and focus of talks that are reportedly taking place away from the icy glares of the public.
By doing so, these political parties have denied thousands of voters the opportunity of being part of their internal negotiating process.
They have collectively locked out any critical or independent analysis of the spirit, mood, and tone of the ongoing negotiation process with the hope that the endresult of their talks will receive unanimous support from APNU/AFC members and those in the body politic.
While they continue to have discussions in the dark, the level of anticipation and worry continues to grow in the society. Guyanese are understandably concerned that if the talks fail, then the level of support and optimism that exists for the concept of shared governance and alliance politics will also diminish.
Guyanese want to know what is the methodology being used to create a balance of power within the would-be electoral alliance. They are interested in understanding what policies and ideological changes are to be jeopardized in order to make the alliance work, especially if it will affect the core principles on which both the APNU and AFC stood independently.
The continued secrecy, kept in place by a hurriedly put together MOU is undermining the talks that are taking place as a majority of citizens feel that the sole aim of the Opposition coalition is to unseat the still very popular Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
From the unhelpful pronouncements made by the General Secretaries of both parties, it is clear that the two sides still have not managed to settle on both the structure and bureaucracy of the alliance.
Both sides have not managed to compromise on the identity of the possible top office bearers for such an alliance, although there is a strong feeling that the APNU, given its history, will walk away if David Granger is not handed another Presidential Candidate post this year.
Neither Khemraj Ramjattan nor Granger has put forward any justifiable reason for the need for continued secrecy in the negotiating process. If the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations can negotiate before the public, why can’t the APNU and AFC do the same?
APNU and AFC must end their prolonged secrecy. They must practice the basic tenets of democracy and inclusivity, especially if they still hold the position that their supporters have the “right to know”. More so, the media must demand answers as it plays no insignificant role in protecting the rights, interests and concerns of the citizens.
It is not hard to believe that the coverage of the ongoing negotiations and talks by some sections of the local media would have been more sensational, tilted, skewed and prying, if the PPP/C had announced secrecy as a condition for talks.
It is now time for APNU and AFC to remove the masks of secrecy and to update the public on their talks in a meaningful way that would remove the speculation, worry and anxiety being displayed by the public.
The APNU and AFC can ill-afford to continue to discuss the recipe of forming a good pre-electoral pro-democracy alliance in the dark, after all they do not have a monopoly on good ideas and there is need for them to face the music. They would be well-advised to come clean now and to present their plan to the public before the elections fever consumes the public, and someone who is unhappy with the talks reveal all of the skeletons in their closet.
The Lusignan Massacre was not an isolated event
Dear Editor, The Stabroek News’ Editorial of February 2, titled, “What Minister Edghill said at Lusignan”, is a shameless attempt at creating hysteria in our country.
For the record, I have always worked privately and publicly for the creation of an environment where there is racial security and harmonious relations.
For that newspaper to take a few sentences of an entire presentation and to twist it to paint a picture of me fanning the flames of racism is not only disingenuous, but can best be described as yellow journalism.
This ‘holier than thou’ approach in sitting in judgment and questioning “what in Minister Edghill’s past would have given him
the certitude to pronounce on the killings at Lusignan seven years ago” seems to suggest that as a citizen or as a Minister of Government that I am incapable of analysing the facts and circumstances.
Be reminded that the killings at Lusignan were not an isolated event. It, like 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre and numerous other terrorist attacks around the world, must be remembered in its particular context and prevailing environment.
Is this a case of ‘it being so only if Stabroek News says it is so?’ This speaks to the mindset of the writer of this Editorial. I strongly reject the content, spirit, tone and intent of this Editorial.
At no time in my presentation at the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) event on
January 26, 2015 was I invoking the race card as alleged by Stabroek News. I don’t have a race card. It exists as a figment of the imagination of the author.
I was asked by the IAC as the former Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission who played no small role after this horrific event at Lusignan, like I would have done for the past seven years to address the gathering.
I was not “carefully chosen by his Government to deliver this toxic message” as alleged. Truth needs no clutches; if it does, it is a lie. Any responsible person who was present at Lusignan on the evening of the Night of Remembrance would clearly disagree with the Editorial.
Is the newspaper Potiphar’s wife? Having
created the mischief, now twisting the facts to make a case in defense? I don’t need to be lectured about how I should conduct myself. I live by guiding principles that were not determined yesterday. The agenda of attempting to paint me as someone who is racist, inciting racism or seeking to inflame racial insecurity is rejected in its totality. I remain entitled like all other citizens including letter writers and columnists to my opinion and I enjoy the right to freely express my views in this democratic country. I will not wear this suit tailored by Stabroek News. It will not fit. Try another candidate!
Bishop Juan Edghill Minister within the Ministry of Finance
Treatment I received as pensioner was unsatisfactory
Dear Editor,
The treatment meted out to me as an old age pensioner at a bank in Anna Regina was far from good and most unsatisfactory when better needs to be done especially to the elderly.
After discussing the purpose for being there with a male employee, he advised me that I would have to join the line and go to the teller
which was complied with.
Some 30-odd customers were already in front of me and I had to keep standing with excruciating pains to my legs during the long wait.
On reaching the teller, it was beyond my understanding to refer me back to the same section that sent me there and I expressed my disgust with the unbearable pushing around with a re-
quest to see the manager.
It so happened that the manager was nearby and with her intervention, she related to me that I was not advised to join the line, but to have a seat, which was an absolute fabrication and a very lame one as well.
The same person from whom the advice was given to join the line could have seen me standing and it
would have been only proper for him to indicate to me that I was at the wrong place.
The manager was very helpful for me to get through with my business and I have much appreciation for her kind action in dealing with the matter.
Baliram Persaud
357 animals impounded for January
Dear Editor
The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to report that a total of 357animals, comprising 150 cows, 71 goats, 94 sheep and 42 horses were caught and impounded at
the Police pounds in A, B, C and D Police Divisions during the month of January.
The Georgetown Unit accounted for 38 cows, 50 goats and 37 sheep, while the Berbice Unit accounted
for one hundred and twelve 112 cows, 21 goats, 57 sheep and 42 horses.
The Ministry continues its appeal to both cattle owners and all road users to make every positive effort
to ensure that our roads are safe.
Ministry of Home Affairs
The dance segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competition has gotten underway. In this photo taken on Tuesday, the St Pius
Primary dancers give their all to the moment (Carl Croker photo)
Govt slams UG shutdown
...urges students, staff to await outcome of negotiations
BY: ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON
The Labour Ministry said that Tuesday’s shutdown of the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus was an illegal act and urges that all sides work together to hammer out a sensible settlement of their issues.
The unions representing workers backed by students have launched a series of protests aimed at forcing the University’s Administration to pay increases in wages and allowances and also lift the standard of teaching and other services at the tertiary institution. Tuesday was billed as a day for a shutdown of the campus and the protesters lived up to their threats, closing the gates as early as 06:00h in a defiant move.
In the midst of the chaos, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Professor Jacob Opadeyi also showed up to hold a picket of his own, calling on lecturers to resume classes.
Dr Opadeyi, who was only a day ago a patient of the Caribbean Heart Institute, showed up with his daughter, who is also a medical student at the University, and a University official with placards protesting the sitin exercise being executed by members of the UG Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the UG Workers’ Union (UGWU).
Professor Opadeyi’s placard read: “UG staff, I beg you for the sake of my students. Please go back to class. Salaries will be increased. Just allow me to reduce expenses. You deserve more.”
He indicated that the students’ education is important and appealed to the lecturers for some patience while he tries to negotiate for higher fees from the Administration.
The VC showed tenacity as he pushed his way through the throng of students that had placed themselves as human barricades in front of the gates of the tertiary institution. Both entrances to the University were blocked, preventing students and staff alike
from entering the compound. Lecturers and students had joined together to say "no" to the resumption of classes until their demands for improved conditions and better salaries have been reached.
On behalf of Dr Opadeyi, Deputy Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Ramlall on Monday indicated that the University is in deficit for several years.
Due to the lack of funds,
ties,” he stated.
But he said lecturers have been working with students with the resources at their disposal. “We make sacrifices, tremendous sacrifices to ensure that the students get effective delivery and we do it under extreme constraints,” he said while alluding to statements made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Although students are being affected by the industrial
Ramlall said there is not much that can be done to improve the standards of the University and increase the salaries of lecturers and other staff. It was stated that increases will be considered when all expenses have been cleared.
Meanwhile, UGWU President Bruce Haynes told Guyana Times that the unions understand the University’s situation. He said that they are not asking for the 60 per cent increase in their salaries immediately but an increase “(they) can work with.”
According to him, increases should be gradually implemented but at an acceptable rate. However, he said that the Vice Chancellor is yet to set a date for negotiations to commence.
During the demonstration, he also condemned the conditions under which students are forced to study. Haynes said that the Administration is aware of the condition but is simply failing to rectify the situation. “A modern University has to have modern facili-
“At the end of the day when we return to campus the status quo would not remain the same and students will be proud to be a part of the University and those leaving will be proud to say they were a part of this University.”
Law student, Glenfield Dennison echoed similar sentiments. He said that although his studies are at risk, he strongly believes that the protest is for a good cause.
“It is not about what will happen now but what will happen in the next five years or the next ten years...Will we be back here with another set of students, will your children, my children, be back here protesting about the similar conditions. At that point it may be worse.”
Illegal protest
Meanwhile, contacted on the issue Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle said his Department has been monitoring the situation for some time now. He told this publication that the UG Council had informed him that it made provision for the negotiating team to meet with the unions to discuss their demands.
However, his office will not be intervening until there has been “a breakdown in talks between the unions and the Administration.”
Another top official of the Ministry called the protest illegal, noting that it is quite an “undesirable feature”.
The official indicated that the students and the unions’ actions of blocking the entrance to the University were illegal as they prevented staff and students from attending work or class. He stated that the Labour Ministry is giving the UG Administration a chance to quell the situation before it intervenes.
PPP’s ally Civic...
Bishop Juan Edghill is a new Civic member. Odinga Lumumba is still a Civic member. Robeson Benn is still a Civic member. So is Kwame Gilbert and there are many others,” Dr Ramsammy disclosed. Current Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul is also a member of the Civic.
Policy decisions
Dr Ramsammy explained too that the Civic grouping would make policy recommendations and was often able to influence ideas that emanated from the PPP directly.
He noted that there were regular consultations, some in the form of debates, where Civic members had equal status as PPP members.
“These debates and dialogues often find different views. In the end, the position adopted would have benefited from the views of all of us,” the current Agriculture Minister noted.
Dr Ramsammy recalled participating in countless meetings and noted that while there was no formal structure, PM Hinds was identified and recognised as the Chairman.
When the PPP/Civic Alliance emerged as the majority at the October 5, 1992 elections, at the start, six members of the Civic Group Dr Dale Bisnauth, Bernard de Santos, Vibert de Souza, Samuel Hinds, George Fung-On, and Dr Henry Jeffrey were appointed Ministers in Dr Cheddi Jagan’s first post-elections administration. There were about two dozen other such persons in the group at that time who did not hold public office.
Dr Jagan at the time had asserted that the alliance effectively institutionalised national unity, insisting that it represented all classes and strata in the Guyanese society, and its victory had instituted a Government of national unity.
action taken, Haynes is convinced that it will pay off in the end.
Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi marches for classes to resume at the Turkeyen Campus with his daughter and a UG official
Representatives of UGSSA, UGWU and the student society blocking the main entrance to the Turkeyen Campus in their attempt to enforce an all out shut down
Civic member, Minister within the Finance Ministry Bishop Juan Edghil
Civic member, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn
Presidential term limit motion:
Lawyer says action not politically motivated
One of the lawyers enlisted to challenge the constitutionality of the two-term limit on Presidents here said that the court action is not politically motivated and argued that the change of the Constitution should have been done by way of a referendum and not consultation.
The motion which was filed by the largely unknown Cedric Richardson has sent shockwaves in the local political sphere already and if successful could see the widely acclaimed former President Bharrat Jagdeo returning to the helm of Government, as well as President Donald Ramotar being given a third term or any future President.
Speaking during an interview, Attorney Emily Dodson said that the decision, which was made back in 2000 to have that reform inserted into the Constitution, should have been done by way of a referendum and since it has not been done in that matter, it is illegal and void in its current form.
The writ filed by Richardson names the defendants as Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman. Dodson said it only serves to have this issue highlighted.
According to the Attorney, for such a major constitutional reform to be undertaken without any consultation or input from the Guyanese population is wrong and the writ has been filed to have it judged as illegal. There was
countrywide consultation on the constitutional reform process.
However, Dodson contended that it is outrageous for the 65 members of the Parliament to sit and interfere with the Constitution without following the proper protocols; that is, having a referendum undertaken to insert the reform into the constitution.
“It is not politically motivated despite popular belief and there is no specific reason for it being filed at this time, so close to General Elections,” he said.
Nandall said that the motion could affect the other constitutional amendments made in 2001 following extensive national consultation.
He told Guyana Times on Tuesday that it would be an extraordinary task for any judge to “demolish” the institutions and structures put in place following the amendments 14 years ago.
On Monday, Richardson of Lot 4 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown filed a motion in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the limit which is imposed on Guyanese presidents since 2001.
“I am bewildered by its timing,” declared the Nandlall. “I am named because it is proceedings filed under the Constitution and in any legal proceedings in which the Constitution is invoked the Attorney General is required to be a respondent or a defendant,” he ex-
plained.
According to him, this particular constitutional change does not stand in isolation of the over 150 other amendments made years ago under a comprehensive constitutional reform process which included a wide cross section of civil society groups.
Among the amendments made then were relative to the establishment of the constitutional commissions such as Ethnic Relations Commission, Rights of the Child Commission, and Indigenous People’s Commission. “There were amendments which expanded the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual,” Nandlall added.
“The fate of all these amendments is likely or maybe affected if this challenge succeeds,” he declared, while recognising that these amendments have long been implemented. “The entire constitutional structure of the country has been altered as a result of these changes."
Considering the importance of these changes, the Attorney General said he has been instructed by the President and Cabinet to defend the integrity and spirit of the Constitution as it exists now.
In his writ Richardson claims that Act No 17 of 2001 passed by a two-thirds majority of members of the National Assembly that purportedly altered Article 90 of the Constitution “curtails and restricts the sovereign and democratic rights and
freedom as a qualified elector to elect the person of former President Jagdeo as the Executive President of Guyana".
He argues that Act No 17 of 2001 has the consequence (advertent or inadvertent) of restricting and curtailing the democratic rights and freedom of the electorate by purporting to eliminate from the executive presidential candidate a person who has been re-elected as Executive President, for example former President Jagdeo. Richardson again, contended that Act No 17 of 2001 has the effect of restricting or curtailing the democratic rights and freedom of the electorate providing for the non-eligibility of a person who has been re-elected as Executive President for presidential elections candidate, required for its legal validity the holding of a referendum of the people diminishes and reduces the level of democracy enjoyed by the electorate prior to the purported alteration and therefore required the holding of a referendum for such alteration.
Guyana's Constitution states that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once. The Constitution further states that a person who acceded to the presidency after 2000 and served therein for a single occasion for not less that such a period as may be determined by the National Assembly is eligible for election as President only once.
Lethem toddler killed after running into path of pick-up
Atwo-year-old girl of Lethem, Rupununi died on Tuesday after running into the path of a pick-up, police said in a release.
According to police about 18:00h the toddler- Vivianne Fortune of Tabatinga, Lethem, was walking along the roadway at Tabatinga in the company of her mother
when she is reported to have pulled away from her mother and ran into the path of a motor pick-up vehicle. She was struck down and was taken to the Lethem Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the motor vehicle is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
Mahaicony Creek man chopped to death
AMahaicony Creek, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was chopped to death on Tuesday by his neighbour following a High Court ruling on a land dispute matter between the two families.
The dead man was identified as Ravo Nandkishore of Handsome Tree, (left Bank) Mahaica River, ECD.
According to information reaching Guyana Times, the two families have had a long-time land dispute and the matter had even reached the courts.
Reports received disclosed that there was a ruling recently by a High Court judge, giving the Nandkishore family the right to the land. The judge had advised the winning family to remove the wooden fence from their newly acquired land but in the presence of the Police. However the Nandkishore family went ahead with the process on Tuesday without the presence of a law enforcement officer. Further information received stated sometime around 12:00h, the deceased, his older brother and father went to remove the wood when they were confronted by their neighbours, that is, the man called “Tony” and his two adult sons.
The six men reportedly got into an altercation during which the Nandkishores were attacked by their neighbours who were armed with cutlasses. The deceased was chopped several times about his body and died on the spot while his father was severely beaten. The elder Nandkishore was unconscious for several hours but was stablised after he was rushed to a medical facility and admitted. This newspaper was made to understand that during the episode, the other Nandkishore brother laid on the ground and pretended to be dead so he was not seriously injured. The dead man, said to be in his mid 20s, had recently returned from overseas where he spent several years studying. The young man was a certified Accountant/ Economist, this publication was told.
He was described as a quiet and intelligent individual. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the body of Ravo Nandkishore today. Guyana Times was unable to confirm whether anyone of the perpetrators was apprehended.
Sase Gunraj sworn in as new GECOM Commissioner
Attorney-at-Law Sase
Ravindranauth
Gunraj was on Tuesday sworn in by President Donald Ramotar as a new Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Gunraj was nominated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) following the resignation of its former Commissioner, Dr Keshav Bud Mangal, as a result of illness. Even as he expressed a high level of confidence in Gunraj, given his legal background, President Ramotar said it was critical
Elections 2015:
for the PPP/C to nominate a new Commissioner, given the holding of General and Regional Elections on May 11.
“He will make a good contribution to the Commission … in fact, I think he will make a major contribution at this point in time,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Gunraj said he was ready to fulfil his mandate. “I am aware that I am joining the Guyana Elections Commission, quite an important constitutional body, at a crucial time, in light of the fact that we have
elections just a few months away. With that in mind, I am prepared to hit the ground running and make my contribution in the best way possible.”
At this time, Gunraj said emphasis will be placed on the upcoming elections, noting that he would capitalise on his legal background in the Commission. “I believe that my legal background would allow me to have a better appreciation of the legal framework that governs the work of the Commission, including the preparation and the holding of elections.”
Asked whether he was adequately prepared to handle the affairs of the Commission at this critical period, given the short notice, Gunraj responded in the positive. “Since this appointment was signalled to me, a very short time ago, I have started preparation; in fact, I have just been informed by the Chairman that we will be meeting shortly,” he pointed out. According to him, he will
Political parties divided on need for ERC – trust voters to shun race-tainted campaigns
Contesting political parties in the upcoming Regional and General Elections have expressed differing views on the importance of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) during this period. Established in 2001, the controversial ERC was deemed unconstitutional and was consequently unable to carry out its mandate at the last General Elections.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee said it would be difficult to predict the election climate without a constituted ERC, since much of the racial tension was fuelled by political leaders.
He is hopeful that citizens would be wise enough not to allow such politics to influence their behaviour.
However, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary Joseph Harmon described the ERC as irrelevant, since, according to him, the Commission
was aligned to the Government. He has also questioned whether the ERC even fulfilled its mandate, as he believed that its judgments were usually biased. Harmon said he has faith in the younger generation to ignore the “ethnical drumbeat” and stay away from voting along racial lines.
Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Trevor Williams shared similar views, noting that racial tension was ongoing and was only intensified during this period. He said the ERC could not effectively address the magnitude of the problem given the new role of social media and labelled the body as insignificant.
Williams asserted that he was not at all worried about racial calamity during this period, as he trusted Guyanese society to act maturely.
Longstanding issue
The issue of race has long been a part of Guyanese politics and for years relations between the two main ethnic groups have deteriorated during election periods.
Jaipaul Sharma of the Justice For All Party (JFAP) believes that the absence of an ERC, especially during this crucial election period, was “going to make way for a nasty election.”
Sharma believes that the entire process was not properly thought-out, noting that it was an unwise decision to call a date for elections without making sure an ERC was in place.
Similarly, United Republican Party (URP)
General Secretary Rawle
Aaron also perceives that the “racial card” will be abused by other political parties. He said it was unfortunate that an ERC was not constituted, given historical racial tensions and confrontations. Nonetheless, Aaron believes that the majority of the Guyanese public will stay away from racial politics, as the practice has become archaic.
The genesis of the ERC lies in the Herdmanston Accord, which was signed on January 17, 1998 by then President Janet Jagan and Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte. It is a constitutional body whose mandate included the provision of equality of opportunity among ethnic groups and promoting harmony and good relations between such groups as well as to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity. The body, which was chaired by Bishop Juan Edghill, had taken up a ‘watchdog’ role
during elections since its establishment.
President Donald Ramotar, in an invited comment, had committed to naming a Chairperson and reconstituting the ERC.
do “what is necessary” in the available timeframe, in keeping with the oath of office.
Gunraj was swornin in the presence of GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; the Chief
Police seek DPP’s advice on alleged rape of ECD girl
Police on Tuesday said they have completed investigations into the alleged rape of a 14-year-old female on the East Coast of Demerara recently.
In a terse statement, Police said the file on the matter was submitted on Tuesday to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, in keeping with the Sexual Offences Act.
Reports are that the girl was allegedly raped on January 27 by the son of a top official of the Agriculture
Ministry. She had reportedly been offered a ‘drop’ by the accused, who took her to a location on the East Coast of Demerara and forced himself on her.
The matter was reported and the young man was briefly detained but later released. Subsequently, reports surfaced that a Policeman had been induced by relatives of the accused to drop the case. Police have since acknowledged receiving such a report, and have launched an investigation.
PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee
APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon
Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Bibi Shaddick and other high-ranking officials of the Government.
The newly-appointed GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj standing besides President Donald Ramotar; GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; and GECOM’s CEO, Keith Lowenfield
Attorney-at-Law Sase Ravindranauth Gunraj taking the oath of office in the presence of President Donald Ramotar
wednesday, february 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
US dumps 26 convicted criminals into Guyana
Around 26 depor-
tees from the United States arrived in Guyana on Tuesday after serving time for various crimes.
The convicted criminals came onboard a DC 9 World Atlantic flight, which touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport around 14:00h. After clearing immigration, the deportees were shuttled to Georgetown to the Criminal Investigation Department where they were processed before being released.
Only recently, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy here, Bryan Hunt told this newspaper that fewer convicted criminals have been deported from the US over the past five years –something Caribbean leaders had fought Washington on since 2002. Between 2008 and 2013, a total of 1035 persons were deport-
Fireman’s
ed here, 803 of whom were non-criminals. On a much broader scale, the US has deported thousands of convicted criminals to the Caribbean annually since 1996, when Congress mandated that every non-citizen sentenced to a year or more in prison must be kicked out of the country upon release. In all, the US is responsible for about three-quarters of the Region’s returning criminal deportees, with the United Kingdom and Canada accounting for most of the other ex-cons arriving in the Caribbean. It is a phenomenon that also afflicts many parts of Central America, where street gangs that grew out of Los Angeles spread to the Region through massive deportations. Brutal and powerful, one such gang, the “Maras” are blamed for rampant violent crime, extortion and, more recently,
acting as enforcers for drug cartels.
Exacerbating crime
Some years ago, Caribbean Governments had said that deportees were exacerbating crime in nations with high levels of violence. The US, in attempting to defuse tensions, had introduced a programme to help reintegrate deportees, but the programme, which was coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration, recorded moderate success and was scrapped. Some Caribbean countries such as Guyana had also enacted laws, which gave lawmen the power to monitor criminal deportees.
Hunt said that the number of Guyanese being deported from the US has been spiralling downwards over the past few years. He said that the numbers have
always been tremendously small. “A vast majority of Guyanese who leave the United States end up doing so voluntarily and are not deported,” he noted.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, there has been a decreasing trend from 2008 to 2013 in the number of persons who were deported from the US back to Guyana. Statistics on the US agency’s website revealed that in 2008 some 508 persons were sent back, while 492 were deported in 2009.
The following year saw 428 Guyanese deported back to Guyana and 411 in 2011. Approximately 360 persons returned home in 2012 and 292 the following year. The figure for the year 2014 was not yet available. These persons were deported on a criminal/non-criminal basis.
trial: Judge to rule today on no-case submission
Justice Brassington Reynolds is expected to rule today on a nocase submission entered by the defence in the Berbice Assizes in the murder trial of a fireman.
The defence had mitigated that the identification of the two accused was poor, week and tenuous. In a five-hour submission to the court in the absence of the jury, the defence argued that the State’s case was insufficient and the evidence put forward was punctuated with inconsistencies.
On trial for the December 24, 2011 murder of 22-year-old Delon Collins of Vrymen’s Erven, New Amsterdam Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are Hallman Hunte, 40, of Alness, Corentyne; and Sohan Busjit, 26, of Limlair Village, Corentyne. The incident allegedly took place at Alness Village, Corentyne. The State’s case is being presented by Prosecutor Judith Mursaline while the two accused are being defended by Attorneys Ramesh Rajkumar and
Horatio Edmonson.
In replying to the no-case submission, Prosecutor Mursaline on Tuesday argued that the identification parade was unchallenged by the defence while the defence did not dispute the evidence of all the witnesses.
Justice Brassington Reynolds is to make a ruling today.
During the trial, the State called 10 witnesses to prove its case.
The State’s case is that the two accused along with two others murdered Collins on Christmas Eve night, 2011.
Prosecutor Mursaline in her opening address to the 10-2 male majority jury stated that on December 24, 2011, shortly after 23:00h Nadine Crawford, a Probation Officer, was with her companion Delon Collins and her three minor children. She said they had just returned home from Christmas Eve shopping at Rose Hall Town.
“As they approached the main gate, Nadine was confronted by a man who had what appeared to be a gun which he places at her throat and told her not to scream.” She said the man removed her chain, earrings and was fighting to take off her finger ring but she gave it to him.
...by Thor
The Opposition APNU, AFC and WPA must feel like they've been bitchslapped by Thor and the rest of his Norse bad-ass posse of Gods. We all know it’s because of the Opposition we don't have the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHEP) under construction. And freeing us from fossil fuel dependency.
Even though all the elements were in place, Sithe Global walked away because they bluntly said the "national consensus" - meaning the Opposition's stopping its bitching and moaning - weren't in place.
Sithe, the main player in charge the Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) project didn't want the Opposition constantly yapping at their feet. Now while Sithe probably didn't give a damn - being part of one of the largest investment portfolio out there! - Guyanese were livid!! How long have we waited for cheaper, cleaner electricity?? That the days of “blackout" would finally be over.
Well, Norway's now put them in their place. Norway's involved because the Government was putting up its part of the equity for AFHEP from the US$80 million they were receiving from the Norse fellas. That was for keeping their excess carbon locked away in our trees.
So when Norway put its latest payment into the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) - which was also bankrolling AFHEP along with China Development Bankthe Opposition jumped up and down like a Jack in the box!! After all, they didn't believe Prezzie when he said Amaila was alive and well.
They actually accused Norway of "colluding" with the Government to "unlawfully spend public funds!!" They never expected that Norway would get back to them so bluntly.
Firstly, Norway said, its part owner of the IDB and where the hell does the Opposition get off doubting the IDB's track record on "due diligence"?? Ironically, before Sithe pulled out last year (after Site's Company Secretary was unfrocked as AFC's Chairman Nigel Hughes), APNU'd said they would go along with the IDB's about-to-be-released due diligence report!
Another bitchslap was administered to AFC's Ramjattan who must've been high as usual (remember that "large a day"?) when he claimed he didn't have "information on the social and environmental aspects" of AFHEP. The Norse fella asked if Ramjattan had even bothered to look at the IDB's website...where all the info anyone could want - and then some - had been put up?
As a final parting shot the Norse fella went out of his way to compliment the Guyana Forestry Commission on their "excellent" monitoring of our forests. The Opposition wankers, of course, claim our forests are being "raped". Ouch!!
The Opposition might now think twice of waking up the other gods at Vallhalla!!
...Ruel Johnson
Poor Ruel Johnson. He too received some bitchslaps from an unexpected quarter. His head must be spinning! This Eyewitness'd heard only the other day he hadn't paid one of his acolytes who'd been slaving away for him. The kid behaved real bad!! Forget all the fancy English she writes!!
Well, as your Eyewitness pointed out in this column time and again, Johnson has a plaster for every sore Guyana MIGHT have. But he can't put together two cents to take care of himself - much less his little helper. Now while he says your Eyewitness has an agenda, what's he gonna say about the bitchslap he just received from Ryhaan Shah - a (published) writer.
Shah points out that Johnson's bitching and moaning about not getting a job at the Guyana Press and carrying on in the same vein about the Guyana Prize for Literature is not befitting a person who wants to be called a "writer". If a person's gonna produce only for filthy lucre, then he really has nothing of value to say, does he??
The thing is, Johnson wants Government to foster writing but not "interfere"!! And this wanker wants to influence folks through his knowledge of human nature??
After clearing immigration, the deportees were shuttled to Georgetown to the Criminal Investigation Department where they were processed before being released
murder
Hallman Hunte Sohan Busjit
Roraima Tours issued second Tour Operator Licence
Attaining 100 per cent conformity with Tourism Regulations and being issued with an operating licence should be viewed as a privilege and not a right.
This pronouncement was made by the Director of Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerry Gouveia as he was presented with the operating licence for Roraima Tours, from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
“This is a privilege and not a right; it is a privilege that we have to earn every day that can be revoked. The Authority (GTA) must be able to impose sanctions on those businesses that are non-complaint,” he stated.
The Tourism Ministry and the GTA, in an effort to prepare local businesses to become more competitive, are striving to ensure that these establishments meet the necessary requirements expected by any tourist or visitor, both local and overseas, visiting any one of these facilities.
As he presented the certificate, GTA Director
Haralsingh, urged Captain Gouveia to use the opportunity to encourage other tourism businesses to do the same and to commit to the process. He said, “This is in no way a difficult process, but it is a process that requires commitment. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this achievement and for following through with the process. This is a significant
achievement and should set the precedent for other businesses.”
Haralsingh acknowledged that with growth of the tourism sector, conformity to set standards and regulations should be the focus of tourism establishments, even as they employ the best marketing and promotional strategies.
“It is an important gesture for all the operators in the industry. It is very
important that guests are made aware as we have issues with rogue operators. We have to be able to protect the unsuspecting consumers from people who would prey on tourists and smear the country and the industry. This is very important and we are very pleased to have complied,” Gouveia concurred.
Benefits of registration
The GTA Director made a special appeal to those businesses that have not yet registered, urging them to recognise the importance of the exercise and the many benefits of compliance.
“The first step is to be registered. You may have various reasons, but no business is too small to be registered especially if people are putting all their faith and trust in you,” he urged.
Alluding to the benefits to be derived from achieving 100 per cent compliance, Haralsingh explained that the GTA will be separating these businesses and will provide a listing on their website; this will determine who gets support in terms of both local and international exposure.
“The GTA’s Act and these regulations say that you need a licence to operate any one of these businesses, we will not want our visitors to have a tourism experience with an unregistered and unlicensed business,” the GTA Director explained.
Late last year, Wilderness Explorers achieved this important milestone, and only a few days ago, Rock View Lodge Eco Tourism Resort was presented with its licence under the Interior lodges and resort category.
The GTA will continue to monitor and evaluate hospitality institutions across the country in their effort to ensure that the Tourism Industry in Guyana continues to grow and expand.
Reject cubed
Satiricus felt very sorry for the Nagga Man. Here it was, the man was on his last lap and he had to beg fellas in the Pee-an-See he had cussed out his whole life - just for a squeeze on their ticket.
"Ahhh..how low has the mighty fallen!" thought Satiricus to himself. But then again, he realised, Nagga Man had never been that "mighty" to begin with.
Except in his own mind, of course. But Satiricus knew Nagga Man was prone to hallucinations. He remembered that time in the middle of a huge crowd in the Rupununi, Nagga Man swore he heard the Boss Man make him heir to the throne. No one else heard him. Of course, all his friends snickered that Nagga Man waited till the Boss Man passed away to make his claim!
But still, you would think they would have some respect for an old man who'd spent his whole life wanting to be the leader of something. Anything! But GrainJa was dead set against him.
Nagga Man realised that GrainJa thought he was low class and would never let him be his leader. "Wha de arse wrong wid picking me nose??" thought Nagga Man indignantly. "At least me na roll am between me finger like the Piss Doctor and dem bais in Whim."
Nagga Man shoulda known RumJhaat had set him up. His whole life Rum Jhaat had also wanted to become leader, just like he Nagga Man. When he joined the KFC party, Rum Jhaat told him he had to wait his turn...he couldn't be leader just like that.
Nagga Man had smelt something funny when suddenly - out of the blue - Rum Jhaat demanded that KFC had to be the leader of the APANU and KFC coalition. And that he, Nagga Man, had to be the Supreme Leader.
But Nagga Man didn't follow up the funny smell. He always became bassidy when his name and "leader" were in the same sentence. But now it dawned on him that Rum Jhaat knew how GrainJa looked down on him. It was confirmed when GrainJa told him he "could work with Rolf" but not he Nagga Man.
Rolf also used to look down on him when they were both in the PePCEE. Rolf told him that he Nagga Man was a Chamaar. It was because of Rolf's scorn that Nagga Man had gone to Law School with his daughter, when he was already drawing NIS pension.
Satiricus shook his head. It was a shaad, shaad shituation. Rejected by the PePCEE, KFC and now Pee-anSee, Nagga Man was "reject cubed".
8
Judge to rule today...
The Prosecutor added that Nadine saw another man enter the garage with what appeared to be a gun and placed it at her temple while both men demanded cash and jewellery. “Nadine heard the car door slam and saw Delon run out of the garage. She then heard what appeared to be a gunshot.”
She said the unmasked man who had taken her jewellery was demanding that she lie down while the masked man searched the car. “Being fearful for her life, Nadine shouted for her son Joshua and told him something. As a result, her son brought her purse which had $17,000 in it…” the Prosecutor told the court. The men left shortly after. Moments later, Mursaline related that Nadine saw Delon lying on the ground and she ran to him and spoke to him but got no response.
In an effort to prove that the two accused persons were
responsible for the death of Collins, the Prosecution called Nadine Crawford as its chief witness. In her evidence, Crawford who said she gave six statements to the Police, claimed she knew Hallman Hunte for several years and that they once attended the Alness Living Water Church. She said that she had seen Sohan Busjit on two occasions prior to that Christmas Eve night. The first occasion was when she was assigned to the New Amsterdam Prison as a Welfare Officer and he came in to the admission room and the second occasion was about two weeks before the night in question when he was in the prison yard. If today’s ruling is in favour of the prosecution, then the defence will be called on the to make a defence, but if it is in favour on the defence then the jury will be called on the return a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
Indranauth
Captains Gerry Gouveia and Debbie Gouveia receive the Operating Licence from GTA Director (right)
PSC urges political maturity ahead of May 11 E-Day
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is calling on all political parties to display political maturity in their election campaigns and to refrain from personal attacks on rival politicians.
The Commission said that politicians have displayed a general increase in maturity over the last two elections and must ensure that this trend continued.
According to a statement by the PSC, all Guyanese must have the nation’s interest as their priority and must be prepared to accept the winner as determined by the Guyana Elections
Commission (GECOM).
Regardless of which party wins, the leaders of all three major political parties must work together to ensure the stability of the nation and its development.
One of the key transformational projects that should be realised during the life of the next Parliament is the Amaila Falls Project and the Commission hopes that the next Government will make this a priority since electricity costs are of paramount importance to the Private Sector, which creates jobs and pays the most taxes. This project has the potential to facilitate the ex-
PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud
pansion of the manufacturing sector in Guyana, allowing our local manufacturers to compete at the regional and global levels.
The Commission believes that a measure of trust has to be developed between the parties in order to ensure greater inclusivity, which is essential for good governance. It will also be necessary for the new political Opposition to act responsibly and for the new Government to embrace the spirit of compromise.
The media is also being called upon by the Commission to report responsibly on the elections in
order to maintain peace and stability. The Commission is also calling for the resuscitation of the Media Monitoring Unit and for all media houses to act in accordance with the Media Code of Conduct. The Commission would also like to point out that it is important for the Opposition to be given some access to state media which will address the complaints of unequal access.
The PSC said it would be applying for Observer Status for the May 11 elections having served in this capacity at previous elections.
ICT sector key to Caricom’s growth – LaRocque
Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque on Monday underscored the critical role that the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) had to play in the integration architecture.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the CTU’s 25th anniversary Information Communication Technology (ICT) week, at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad and Tobago, the Secretary General pointed out that ICT was a “crucial element in not only resolving our present challenges, but also in building the platform for our growth and development”. “The CTU, therefore, has a critical role to play in the integration architecture”.
The Secretary General called attention to the five-year Caribbean Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019, approved by Heads of Government last July, which identifies the creation of a single ICT space as a high priority for the technological resilience of the Community. He noted that to fulfil its objectives, “there will have to be an adjustment in the Community’s methods of operation”.
Ambassador LaRocque emphasised that such adjustment called for increased coordination and collaboration among Member States, institutions and the Caricom Secretariat. “Working together with Member States and partner institutions, there is an opportunity to make a difference and substantially improve the lives of the people of the Community,” he stated.
In reiterating the Region’s confidence in the CTU’s ability to deliver, Ambassador LaRocque commended the institution for its achievements.
These included harmonised regional ICT policies and legislation, coordinated regional positions on telecoms in the global arena, spectrum management policy reform, a framework for regional Internet governance and minimum network speed for entry level broadband.
The Secretary General indicated that he looked forward to the development of the roadmap for the single ICT space.
Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the Caricom Quasi Cabinet, and Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining of Jamaica and President of the CTU, also addressed the opening ceremony.
The CTU was established in 1989 by Caricom Heads of Government and designated an institution of the Community under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. This 25th anniversary of ICT week is being held under the theme “Celebrating our Past; Committing to our Future”.
Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque
wednesday, february 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Missing ASL plane:
Families trying to understand mystery
By Devina Samaroo
The families of the pilot and cargo loader who disappeared with an Air Services Limited (ASL) plane a month ago are trying to pick up the pieces after the tragedy for which they may never find closure.
After 23 days of extensive aerial and ground searches for the Britten Norman Islander aircraft that went missing on December 28, 2014, both the Government and the airline the pilot, Nicky Persaud and cargo loader, David Bisnauth worked for have called off the search.
The grief of the families is understandable. They are uncertain whether the plane had crashed or whether it had been hijacked. Veteran Guyanese aviator, Captain Gerry Gouveia described the incident as “baffling” He could not understand how the plane disappeared,
given the extensive knowledge the pilot possessed about the terrain and his own skills. Today, the families with their limited resources still search in the dense forest surrounding Mahdia – their hope is still alive.
Gouveia disclosed to the Guyana Times that ASL had given up on the search the same time the Government of Guyana did, but applauded the company for its com-
mitted efforts in the search for the plane. He believes that the airline made the right call when it pulled out. Noting that ASL spared no effort and utilised an abundance of resources in its quest to find the plane and its occupants, Gouveia pointed out that ASL covered a vast tract of airspace and land in the search it extended for an “exceptionally long” period which demonstrated the airline’s unyielding dedication to finding the plane and the crew members.
Private search continues
Even though observers believe the chances of finding the two persons are slim to nonexistent, Gouveia revealed to this publication that he understands the family members of the missing men are conducting a private search for the bodies.
When contacted by the
Guyana gets Canadian funding to boost security sector
The Canadian High Commission on Monday handed over a cheque valued C$7296 (over $1.7 million) to the Home Affairs Ministry for the purchase of equipment to improve Guyana’s ability to fight crime.
The funding is being provided by the Canadian Government through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) for the purchasing of two-way radios and video cameras for Guyanese law enforcement to implement best practices in crime fighting.
This is according to the Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles during the singing of the CFLI 20142015 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Guyana through the Home Affairs Ministry at the Ministry on Monday.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee expressed gratitude to the Canadian Government for the donation and assured that Guyana’s law enforcement agencies would use the
equipment when purchased to its fullest capacity.
He said the gesture by the Canadian Government was another manifestation of international cooperation to fight against illegal activities.
He added that over the years, Guyana has been the recipient of support from Canada for law enforcement locally. The Minister stated for the fight against illegal activities to take place effectively, the necessary tools were needed and these Guyana could not provide alone.
The pieces of equipment to be purchased will complement a two-week training course held from November 25 to December 5, 2014, Giles said.
The course was facilitated by the Royal Canada Mounted Police (RCMP) and targeted members of the Guyana Police Force and the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU). It was the brainchild of the Government of Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programme (ACCBP).
Guyana Times, family members of Captain Persaud said they were not in a state to speak to the media.
At the time the search was called off, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority had disclosed that over 230 hours were flown by the helicopters and fixed wing aircraft over the Blackwater Creek basin; North Fork; Konawaruk River; Ebini; Eagle; Mowasi; Glendor mountains; and Kurungiku mountain range including “Toucan Face” “Twin Towers” and Toucan Valley in search for the missing aircraft. Locations where damaged trees and crows were observed were also surveyed.
In addition, ground searches complemented the aerial searches after day three and intensified thereafter with seven ground search parties totalling 47 persons from the Guyana Forestry Commission, St
Giles said the training course was the first-ever ACCBP-funded project in Guyana and was a demonstration of Canada’s security cooperation with Guyana. She reported excellent results from law enforcement officials who participated in the course.
She also cited the March 2014 Jetway programme conducted in Guyana for Guyana Police Force (GPF) and CANU officers, which focused on the interdicting the transport of contraband and illicit drugs from airports as well as detecting the other crimes being committed or were about to be committed.
For this programme, the participants also received the equipment necessary to carry out their duties, Giles stated.
This programme has been an immense success and as such, Giles said: “I am confident the radios and videos provided by CFLI will ensure the investigative skills learned in 2014 will continue to deliver results in 2015 and beyond.”
The High Commissioner also expressed hope that the knowledge gained by the trained officers would be passed on to their colleagues.
This investment by the Canadian Government into Guyana’s justice system follows the most recent visit of the Canadian Justice Society, which provided a six-day training programme for Police Officers, Judges and Magistrates.
This and other initiatives are being done with the aim of strengthening Guyana’s crime fighting and justice system.
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) Chief Executive Officer Radha Krishna Sharma, during an address to media operatives on Saturday evening, highlighted some of the successes of the company in the past year while reiterating that 2015 will be transformative.
He noted that among some of the transformative undertakings in 2014 was the launch of the company’s online billing service called MyAccount. This service, he explained, gave customers easy access to their telephone bills online using any Internet enabled device, including smartphones, iPads, tablets, and laptops.
The service is free and allows customers to view all their telephone details, including their current telephone charges, previous bills, payment history, account balances, due dates, and call details. Sharma stated that MyAccount is a very convenient service not only for residential customers but also corporate customers.
He explained that the introduction of this service was the first phase in GT&T’s move to offer a complete electronic Telephone Account Management Platform for customers as the company moved to introduce new technology and improve customer service.
“We have seen a positive response to this service and as we expand, we expect that more Guyanese will see the benefits of this service and further embrace it.”
“Shop n Go”
Also during the last year, the company expanded its
Cuthbert’s Mission, villagers from Mahdia and Chenapau, 20 Special Forces Officers, family members of Captain Persaud, and volunteers.
Canadian Twin Otter with the capability to pick up large metallic objects were also combed.
Approximately 20 insertions and extractions of ground search parties were done at nine landing areas to trek along the treacherous and densely forested terrain. Areas where images were captured by the
Surinamese aviation experts, as well as those from the United States Mission Coordination Centre, also joined the search and rescue mission with high tech detectors, with members of the Guyana Defence Force’s Special Forces trekking the dense jungle 23 days in vain.
The search for the missing aircraft and its occupants engaged substantial resources, including, personnel, aircraft, and specialised equipment and all leads have been exhausted without success.
Aircraft have previously vanished without a trace in Guyana.
In fact, in 2008, a Beechcraft King Aircraft went missing during a survey mission over the Guyana jungle and to this date, it has not been found.
Sharma talks up GT&T’s achievements
Mobile Money Service to include a merchant component branded “Shop n Go”, which is an easy way for GT&T Mobile Money customers to pay for goods using their GT&T mobile phones.
“It is a safe and secure way of conducting small commercial transactions. This service was launched with 10 major merchant stores and is now available at almost 100 merchants countrywide. E-commerce is gaining momentum in Guyana as is evident by various sectors moving to conduct business online.”
Sharma went on to say that, over the years, GT&T has been providing the enabling technological infrastructure for Guyana to adopt these changes, noting that society has recognised the benefits and convenience of using technology and has embraced this new way of doing business.
As the company attempts to improve customer service, it has also relaunched the automated voice response service, previously known as 093 providing prompt access to billing
information for landline, postpaid mobile and DSL services. As the company expands its services, it has launched a new look website www. gtt.co.gy, which is customer friendly and will feature promotions, the white and yellow pages of the 2015 directory, access to MyAccount sign in and chat, international roaming, service and other applications.
The year 2014 has also been a year when the company gave back to the community, hence fulfilling its public obligations and invested heavily in its corporate citizenship initiative.
“We have transformed the University of Guyana Centre for Information Technology, GT&T-UG Internet Resource Centre with new equipment, increased bandwidth and improvement to the general physical structure. This was made possible via a threeyear MoU between GT&T and the University of Guyana valued more than $60 million,” Sharma stated.
Earlier in 2014, the company partnered with the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on a three-year project to document in print and digital form the National Art Collection showcased in the National Art Gallery. This has already resulted in the first of three publications at the end of the year. Other corporate partnerships included a $9 million donation to assist the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana in an effort to promote the sector locally and internationally. Another $9 million was donated to CIOG as it strives to provide a better learning environment for orphans and vulnerable children.
Captain Gerry Gouveia
Missing Pilot Nicky Persaud
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Monday
GT&T CEO RK Sharma
wednesday, february 4, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
wednesday, february 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
4 drown after religious ritual
...at Philadelphia foreshore
By Vahnu Manikchand
Four persons are now dead after they drowned while taking a swim at the koker at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo following a religious ritual on Monday.
Dead are 56-yearold Radhika Persaud and
her 15-year-old son Ravin Persaud, a student of Leonora Secondary School, both of Lot 32 Vergenoegen Public Road. Also dead are Persaud’s great niece and nephew nine-year-old Annatina “Tina” Persaud, a student of Parfaite Harmonie Primary School and 12-year-old Billy “Amit” Narine, of Houston Secondary School, who lived at Lot 2402 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara.
According to information reaching the Guyana Times, Radhika had a religious function earlier that day and left home around 16:00h with the three children to go to the nearby seawall to perform a Hindu ritual, but never returned.
Guyana Times was told that the religious function was a “One year” memorial Puja/shraadh/ sacrament for a grandmother who died in March 2014.Typically after Pujas/sacraments the flowers and other materials
that were offered to the deities in worship are all collected and taken to be immersed in the Ocean, which represents Mother Ganga. Those who died were said to be doing the later task and then drowned at the koker.
Meanwhile, Dularie Bahagman, the sister-in-law of the dead woman, related to this newspaper that when she got to the house around 17:00h, she was told that they had not returned from the shore. The sister-in-law said after waiting for some time, she sent Radhika’s sister and other relatives to look for them, but they returned with the clothes the four were wearing, which were found lying on the shore.
“I keep insisting that they go back and they come
back again, saying them ain’t find no one. So I take the road and ask a old man to go with me, because this was like around 6 o’clock and the place getting dark,” she related. Bahagman said that she went to two relatives’ houses to check if the missing four were there, but they were not. She even checked a shop.
She recalled that they went back to the seawall and started to call out the names of the four missing per-
sons. They then saw another relative heading towards them from further up the shore and she had the bucket which Persaud had left home with. It had washed up on the shore some distance away.
The woman said that they got scared and continued
calling for the missing people and she noticed some bubbles in the water at the koker. “Is the lil’ boy bubble up in the corner and then is when everybody go down. A boy from Philadelphia (neighbouring village) went down and start feel for the rest. The first one they feel and find is the big boy, Ravin, then they find he mother, Radhika, and then they find Tina. That was the last of it,” she disclosed.
The sister of Radhika and grandmother of the two younger children, Dhanwatie Persaud, told the Guyana Times that they had gone to attend the function and the children went with her sister to go take a swim. The woman said that after an hour had passed, they became worried and she went to the shore, but found no one there. “All I see is me nephew jersey and me grandson clothes and a slippers. I say that they probably gone somewhere and gon come
home when they ready, so I pick up the clothes and take it home,” she recalled.
The grieving woman continued that after about 30 minutes, she got more worried and told her daughter to call around to see where the children were. She added that they then left to go back to the seawall and when they saw the bucket, she realised her worst fears had come true.
“I done know my sister would never leave the bucket like that, so we start scream and holler down. The neighbours and villagers come and enquire what happen, then the water start go down and we see Ravin. We call the Police and when
they come, them and the villagers start search and find the rest,” she cried.
Radhika and her son lived alone. Her husband died a few years ago. The two younger children were living with their grandmother and mother. The bodies of all four persons are currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour. The post-mortem examination of the four bodies is expected to be performed today.
Mackenzie High school teachers continue protest action
TKitty resident wanted for narco trafficking, fraud
The Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for a Kitty, Georgetown man in relation to an ongoing investigation.
In a release, the Police said that Kenroy Anthony Augustus Joseph of Lot 69 D’Andrade Street, Newtown, Kitty, was wanted for questioning in matters of trafficking in narcotics and forgery currently being investigated.
The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of 30-year-old Joseph to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-2870, 227-1149, 226-9941, 911 or at the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.
The Guyana Times was made to understand that the Police’s interest in Joseph
may be linked to a cocaine trafficking incident that occurred last week at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Mahendra Ramsuchit and his pregnant spouse, Guyana-born Canadian citizen Robhina Basdeoram were arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Monday after they were caught attempting to smuggle over 20 kilograms of cocaine.
On the day in question, Joseph, a former personal assistant to a Minister of Government, presented a forged document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Airport Duty Office indicating that he was carrying out protocol duties for Ramsuchit and Basdeoram, who claimed to be relatives of a Government official. Joseph claimed that he was authorised to use the VIP lounge. Reports are that Ramsuchit and Basdeoram were scheduled to depart from the CJIA for Toronto, Canada via a Fly Jamaica flight. The drug discovery was made at the scanning point during which a rank from the Police Narcotics Branch spotted the cocaine “bricks” that were concealed in the bags.
Reports are that the cocaine was found in all four pieces of luggage that were being carried by the Guyanese national and the pregnant Canadian citizen. The couple will make their next court appearance on February 13.
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar’s World Cancer Day 2015 message
Cancer is not a death sentence. While a cure has not yet been discovered for cancer, many types of cancer are treatable. A diagnosis of cancer need not lead to despair and desperation. Treatment options are available that allow for persons affected to lead productive lives.
For many, the discovery that they have developed cancer comes as a great shock. The revelation can be physically and emotionally devastating. Even however, in the absence of a cure, there remains hope especially when the disease is detected early and treatment options can be more effective. Everyone should know about cancer and what can be done to prevent and treat it.
A number of teachers began the protest action on Monday and staged a sit-in inside the Regional
eachers of the Mackenzie High School in Linden continued with protest action on Tuesday over deplorable working conditions at the school. The teachers who said that they were fed up with unsanitary washroom and water facilities took to the office of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) building.
Education Office in Linden. They had vowed to continue until their concerns are addressed by the relevant authorities. Tuesday’s protest action, however, prompted a meeting by officials of the two offices. On Monday the teachers had in-
dicated that they had lodged complaints over the situation to the two offices several times in the past, but nothing was being done to address the situation. They had vowed to continue protest action until their needs were met.
World Cancer Day 2015 is an opportunity to promote greater awareness of the disease, the many treatment options available, the vital importance of early screening and detection, and the overriding necessity for healthy choices and
lifestyles so as to minimise the factors that predispose towards the development of cancer. I take this opportunity, on behalf of myself and Foundation, to extend my heartfelt appreciation and support to the Government, many individuals, groups and organisations that are involved in helping to prevent, treat and sensitise the public about cancer. You are engaged in lifesaving and life- supporting roles through your advocacy and care. I urge that you continue your outstanding work in this area.
Wanted: Kenroy Anthony Augustus Joseph
Radhika Persaud
Fifteen-year-old Ravin Persaud
Twelve-year-old Billy Narine
The koker where the bodies of the four persons were found
Nine-year-old Annatina Persaud
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar
Family grieving after 19-year-old takes own life
An East Canje, Berbice, Region
Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) teen ended his life on Monday after ingesting a poisonous substance.
Dead is Chetram Baljit of Goed Banana Land, East Canje. The teen died on Monday evening leaving scores of friends and family shocked and his mother and father grieving.
His 18-year-old sister, Omawattie Baljit said the impact of his sudden demise has traumatised the entire family. “I am the only one that can stand up. I have to do everything because they can’t do anything for themselves,” the sister said, making Reference to her grieving parents.
According to the now dead boy’s mother Latchme Persaud, at about 19:00h on Monday, she was on her way to her sister’s house where a birthday celebration was being observed when her son grabbed on to her and stated that he had just consumed a poi-
Dead: Chetram Baljit
sonous substance. She said that he and earlier attended a celebration but left and went to his friends in the village before going to his grandmother and giving her a kiss. “The birthday was at the front house but I walking going to the back house and just as I passing the toilet, he push open the door an grab me and say that he just drink poison,” the visibly distraught mother related. She said at first she did not believe him, but her son who worked as a weedier at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Rosehall Estate, kept tell-
ing her that he loved her and his sister and father before collapsing. She said that other family members were alerted and soon he was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died minutes later. “All the time we going to the hospital he held on to me hand and saying how he love me.”
The grieving mother said that as they were on their way to the hospital, she was of the belief that her only son was going to be returning home soon, “Because he vomit a lot after he hold on to me.”
The mother related that Chetram did not have problems with anyone and she was unaware of any reason which would have caused him to commit the act. “Non problem he has. I ent know if he get girl outside. He tell me that he confused. I ent know what he confused about,” she said.
However, other family sources say that the teen was in love with a woman who is 11-years his senior.
According to a source it was a relationship that his mother did not approve of, mainly because the woman also had a relationship with one of his friends in the past.
Asked about the allegation that she did not approve of a female friend that he had, Persaud said it was not true. “Me tell them (referring to both of her children) who you want me gon give you, because me na pick fo alyu…. Is you got fo live with who you pick,” she said.
His sister said that earlier in the day Chetram and herself had a conversation after she got him to assist with one of her chores.
She said that he told her if he were to die, he wanted her to request three specific songs on television and dedicate them to him. “He tell me if I ent do it he gon come fo me. We did just joking but I did take him serous.” However she said that she will be making the request and dedication.
36 cases set for trial as February session of Berbice Assizes opens
The October Session of the 2014 Berbice Assizes was closed on Tuesday and moments later the February Session was opened. The session will be presided over by Justice Brassington Reynolds.
A total of 36 cases are listed to be heard during the Berbice Criminal Assizes February 2015 session. This was told to the court when Senior Superintendant of Prisons (ag) Linder Cornette presented the Goal delivery to the court on Tuesday.
He said that there were no females awaiting trial in the High Court but there were 31 men waiting to stand trial in the Berbice Assizes for the capital offence of murder. There are three cases for sexual penetration and one for carnal knowledge.
Senior Superintendant of Prisons Cornette noted that three persons have indicated their willingness in pleading guilty to the offence of which they were indicted. The three, all of whom are accused of murder are Omar Bacchus, 23; Navin Sugrim, 25; and Bheem Evans, 53.
The session was opened with the traditional parade and march pass outside the High Court on
session of the Berbice Assizes
Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The parade was led by Assistant Superintendant of Police Ronald Ail and included 14 other ranks from B Division Police.
As the session opened, State Prosecutor Judith Mursaline brought two persons into the dock to be tried for murder. A mixes jury was empanelled and the indictment was read to the defendants.
Dhairam Persaud also called “Prem” along with
Yugeshwar Dhaniram also called “Sham” and “Jo Jo” are on trial for the April 29, 2012 murder of Sasenarine Persaud also called “Sookraj”. Persaud is being represented by Attorney Kim Kite-John while Dhaniram ia being represented by Attorney Raymond Ali.
The jury however did not hear any facts for the case as the prosecution asked for an adjournment. The trial will commence on Tuesday. The persecution is expected to have the case completed in 12 work-
wednesday, february 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Visually impaired teen set to write CAPE
Eighteen-year-old
Asif Khan has been visually impaired all his life but despite the many challenges he faced while growing up, the teenager never gave up on his academic studies.
“They would say ‘you cannot do it. Why would you waste your time to study and write so many subjects?’ They would constantly try to bring you down,” Khan said.
But Khan believes he can do anything a person without disability can.
“Life motivates me, you know. I aim to live life to the fullest…the sky’s the limit. I’ve accepted that I am visually impaired and I have to find a way to live with that.”
Khan is currently preparing to write his Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) this year, but explained that the journey was always tough.
“The most challenging aspect of everyday life is getting an education. It is much easier now than when I wrote CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) because I used this software called Jaws that help me out.”
He explained that he used cassettes and tape recorders while studying for CSEC but now the software makes the learning process much easier.
“I would just scan the notes and it would read it for me. I could use Facebook because it would tell me what letters I’m typing, it would tell me when I’m at the ‘Start’ menu…it was designed for blind people.”
However, even though the software made the process simpler, Khan said it was still very difficult to get the notes that he would miss.
Asif Khan
tended that he has all the support he needs from his family and teachers who dedicate time, effort and resources to making his dreams a reality.
“I don’t know my parents...but I have a great grandmother and aunts and cousins who were always there for me, so it wasn’t a bad childhood.”
The young man noted that he has visited almost all the eye doctors in Guyana who told him that his blindness was a result of weak eye nerves. Khan is not completely blind, but sees shadows and outlines depending on the lighting.
“Of course, while I’ve accepted that I’m blind, I would love more than anything to wake up one day and see the world…they said it’s possible that I can see, so I’m hoping God would work a miracle,” he hopefully related to this publication.
Nonetheless, his disability does not hold him back from living life to the fullest.
In fact, Khan enjoys playing cricket: blind cricket.
ing days. According to Justice Brassington Reynolds, 12 working days will take the case to March 14. He explained that the court has commitments which include the Court of Appeal, training for Judges and training for staff of the Family Court. Justice Brassington Reynolds said that work days will also have to be taken away from trials for engagements with the personnel from the Human Services Ministry as it relates to judicial matters.
“I would usually retain what the teachers explain in class, and I would have to study a lot on my own, in order to get the notes, I’d have to wait until after that class so I’m always behind somewhat in that regard.”
The aspiring lawyer, who is in his final year at St Rose’s High School, will be writing six units of CAPE and thereafter plans to continue his studies at the University of Guyana.
“I always wanted to be a lawyer. The field fascinates me. I also love politics,” the ambitious lad stated.
Even after proving many wrong by excelling at his previous studies, Khan highlighted that many persons still throw negative comments in his direction.
Nevertheless, he con-
“Blind cricket is great, you get to travel for tournaments and surround yourself with other people who understand what you go through.”
Blind cricket is similar to normal cricket, just slightly modified for the visually impaired. The ball has beads which allow players to hear the direction in which it is travelling. The players are also classified into bowlers, batmen and fielders based on their level of blindness.
The young man aims to be an advocate for every disabled person in Guyana, especially those who are visually impaired.
He advised that the first step to living a full life involves accepting the disability then surrounding yourself with persons who support and encourage you to move forward.
Justice Brassington Reynolds inspects a guard of honour at the opening of the February
UG unions 'blocking' massive reforms
...VC tells PYO, outlines initiatives to address students' concerns
By Michael younge
Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi on Tuesday maintained that he was unwilling to jeopardise the massive reforms, upgrades and other initiatives planned for the tertiary institution in order to meet the demands being made by the two workers’ Unions for a steep salary increase.
His comments came on the heels of continued industrial action taken by the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana’s Workers Union (UGWU) for better working conditions and a 60 per cent across-the-board increase for their members.
On Tuesday, the workers’ Unions shut down the Turkeyen Campus and continued to press the UG Administration and Council to meet their demands. Spurred on by various Opposition personalities and activists, the Unions continued to decry the state of the University, its management and their need for the alleged long entitled and
forms and changes.
Opadeyi said he was unwilling to heed the calls for a salary increase and jeopardise the improving financial situation at the University at this point in time. He explained that much of the financial resources of the University is being spent on planned projects and ventures aimed at physical and academic upliftment.
“Over my two years at the University, I have reduced the deficit from $800 million to now $48 million. What this means is that over $700 million that was using for the deficit is now being used to upgrade the
overdue increases for workers.
But Professor Opadeyi, who responded positively to an invitation from the concerned Executive of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) to discuss the matter on Tuesday after the worrying development at the Turkeyen Campus, said the students are being misled and the public was also falling prey to misinformation from the Unions.
He argued that many of the concerns raised by the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) and the Unions were being actively addressed, but he needed the cooperation of all parties to embark on a programme of incremental re-
University and to pay debts that occurred long before I came here,” he said.
Dr Opadeyi reasoned that 76 per cent of UG’s income was used to pay salaries and of the remaining 24 per cent, payment for security and electricity was made.
“You barely have monies to pay for paper or to buy ink,” he noted.
Professor Opadeyi admitted to the PYO that “the salary of our lecturers is very low and very poor, but so also is their workload and I cannot go and fight for an increase in their salaries with the current workload … It’s like throwing water on the back of a duck, you won’t see anything out of it.”
He maintained his po-
sition that if he could get lecturers to spend nine hours per week engaged in actual teaching that the University’s expenses could be reduced by $100 million a year.
“If we put that $100 million a year back into the salaries of the workers as an increase, we will not have to borrow money from anybody to run the University,” he explained. “So when you see this demand for salary increase, it’s to me an attempt for us to go back into the days of deficit where we have no money and I am going to resist any attempt to go back to that state.”
Professor Opadeyi also admitted to the PYO that the students have played their part after he lobbied and got approval for an increase in their tuition fees and the introduction of new facilities fees. He highlighted the intention of the Unions to have him use that money to pay their demands for increases.
“I am not going to use that money to pay salaries.”
Upgrades
Opadeyi informed the gathering of youths from all across Guyana that so far, UG has invested $82 million to upgrade its facilities. He alluded to plans to have free Internet and WIFI services at the University by monthend.
“We have signed the contract, just waiting on the contractor to deliver the services. We have also signed the contract for a 300-room classroom that can be portioned into smaller classrooms. I am just waiting on the UGSS to agree on the design and we have the money and we do not need to go to Government to do that for us,” he insisted.
He lobbied for a self-sufficient University, informing the PYO that plans were already in train for “a smart classroom” which would see one teacher delivering lectures to students in Berbice and Turkeyen from one location. The timetable will be scrutinised, but the equipment has already been installed, the Professor noted.
“My effort is to work on how much savings we can get to improve the facilities,” he remarked while pouring cold water on the concerns raised about the toilet facilities and general environment.
The Professor maintained that severe challenges were being faced in this respect, but the University’s Administration was actively working to implement practical solutions to the problems being faced.
He admitted that the
Unions were not making it any easier as they continued to create unnecessary conflict at the institution. “The intention is to frustrate the situation and for me to resign,” he remarked, explaining the rationale behind the strike action.
As soon as the PYO became aware of the demands made by the UGSS and the VC’s position, it immediately gave an undertaking to make a donation of a quantity of teaching materials; assist with the initial clean-
ing of the UG’s compound which needed to be weeded and drainage woes addressed, the sourcing of material and construction of a four-foot walkway and pavement from the gate leading to the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) that could be used by students and other forms of general assistance to address the concerns of students there.
The UG VC said that he was willing to accept any assistance from any organisation that would see an improvement in the situation at UG.
PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali said that the body was more concerned about the students, their future and the need for an amicable decision to be arrived at in the interest of returning calm and normalcy to the operations of the tertiary institution.
Ali said that the students and their interests would remain the major concern for the PYO until the improvements promised materialised.
Seva Group hosts medical outreach
The Seva Group of the Guyana Pandits’ Council and Radha Krishna Mandir last Sunday completed their first medical outreach for 2015 at the Shree Satnarayan Mandir in Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara.
The free outreach, which targeted residents of Patentia and neighbouring villages, saw over 200 people, including infants and senior citizens. Patients were seen by Doctors Rupan
Singh, Anila Ramphal, Varun Budram, Michael Pereira and Carl Nematali. Those with illnesses were able to receive prescription drugs.
Additionally, 100 hampers valued at $5000 each were distributed among needy persons, including single parents and senior citizens.
Last year, the Seva group hosted seven rewarding medical outreaches, which served over 1200 people in
various parts of the country. The dynamic voluntary team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and assistants, the brainchild of Pandit Rudranauth Sharma will continue to serve communities countrywide, crossing racial, social, religious and cultural lines.
The group is aiming to increase the number of hampers to be distributed among the needy for future outreaches.
Scenes from the medical outreach
PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali thanks UG Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi for updating the PYO on the situation at UG after an encounter with concerned youths from the entity
PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali and UG Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi at the meeting on Tuesday
GABF to meet NSC for talks on Road to Mecca dates American football not an Olympic Sport, says IOC boss
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will meet with the National Sports Commission today in an effort to finalise the dates for the highly successful Road to Mecca National Club Championships.
The tournament, which will be in its second year, had a record turnout in the final and was the most successful venture of the GABF in 2014.
GABF President Nigel Hinds confirmed to Guyana Times Sport that the
event was scheduled for this month with a tentative starting date set for February 14 (Valentine’s Day).
However, the slow process to secure the venue has stalled preparation somewhat for the tournament.
The meeting today is expected to hammer out all the details pertaining to the dates with the NSC, so that the Federation will have a clearer direction on the way forward with the hosting of the tournament.
American football won’t get into the Summer Olympics anytime soon.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said at the world ski championships Tuesday that one condition for inclusion into the Olympics is a sport “must have a broad international representation. This I cannot see in football. It’s a very American sport.”
Still, he enjoyed being in Arizona for the Super
Bowl and watching Tom Brady lead the New England Patriots to the title Sunday. Bach tried to keep up but didn’t understand the rules. That’s not the reason Bach doesn’t see it as a sport in the Olympic program sometime. Soccer is more of a global sport than American football. Bach said he talked to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who didn’t try to push for football’s inclusion into the Olympics.
Williamson, Taylor power New Zealand to massive win
On a perfect batting strip at McLean Park, centuries from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor powered New Zealand to 369, a total that proved well out of Pakistan’s reach despite the platform laid by their openers. The asking rate kept climbing on Pakistan, and their middle and lower order fell away to give New Zealand a 115-run win with close to seven overs left to play.
Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez put on 111 for the first wicket, and while their scoring rate was below the required rate, they set Pakistan up for an all-ornothing effort in the last 20 overs. At the 30-over mark, they were two down and needed 203 with Hafeez still at the crease on 80.
Pakistan took the batting Powerplay at that point, and Hafeez swung the first ball from Grant Elliott over the square leg boundary. Looking for a repeat the next ball, however, he holed out off a slower ball. In came Shahid Afridi, promoted up the order, but he fell for 11 and Umar Akmal followed in the next over. There could only be one result thereafter.
Batting first after winning the toss, Brendon McCullum provided the innings thrust at the start, and Martin Guptill and Williamson kept that momentum going with a 128run second-wicket stand before Taylor added the final flourish. New Zealand scored 116 in their last 10 overs, during which time Taylor smashed 73 in 36 balls.
After swinging in vain at a couple of slower full-tosses outside off from Bilawal Bhatti in the final over, Taylor was on 92 with two balls remaining. He sent the penultimate ball of the innings soaring into the crowd beyond deep extra cover, and finished with a thick outside edge to the third man boundary. Taylor’s unbeaten 102 was New Zealand’s 100th ODI century.
While Taylor’s innings included plenty of his trademark clubs over the leg side, Williamson’s was full of nimble footwork and pretty strokes. For all that, it was
no less brutal in its pace, and his century came up in 80 balls. Guptill looked on course for a hundred as well, and was distraught after getting himself out, launching a full-toss from the parttime legspinner Ahmed Shehzad straight into longoff’s hands.
That fortuitous wicket apart, the bowlers who made up Pakistan’s fifth-bowler quota - a problem they are likely to grapple with right through the World Cup if Mohammad Hafeez doesn’t clear the tests on his bowling action - conceded 93 runs in 12 overs. That they bowled
that many overs was down to the fact that two of their frontline seamers, Bilawal Bhatti and Ehsan Adil, gave away more than eight an over. With Junaid Khan out of the World Cup, neither Bhatti nor Adil made any sort of case for their inclusion as his replacement.
Taking one of the two new balls, Bhatti went for 21 in his first two overs, bowling either too short or too full and conceding three fours and a six to McCullum. At the other end, Mohammad Irfan was bowling a tight line and generating plenty of bounce to keep the openers relatively quiet. Bhatti’s profligacy forced Pakistan to bring on Shahid Afridi as early as the sixth over, and he made the breakthrough in his second over, forcing McCullum to chop on while playing one cut shot too many. Afridi would have dismissed McCullum in his first over had Sarfraz Ahmed not muffed up a stumping.
Later, in the 38th over of New Zealand’s innings, Sarfraz missed another stumping off Afridi, when Taylor was on 25.
In between, Williamson and Guptill had put on a century stand at comfortably over a run-a-ball, without needing to play any outlandish shots. Pakistan’s bowlers - Irfan and Afridi apart - were giving them plenty of freebies, and the ball was coming on so well that Guptill could merely take a step forward and play pickup shots over the midwicket region and Williamson could skip down the track and chip
the seamers over wide midoff.
At the 30-over mark, New Zealand were 181 for 2. Doubling this, by the old logic of 50-over cricket, would give them 360, and this is precisely what they achieved.
Williamson waltzed past his hundred and fell in the fourth over of the batting Powerplay, trying to scoop Irfan over short fine leg but not quite managing the adequate elevation. If Pakistan thought they could apply the brakes at that point, they
were wrong. Grant Elliott and Taylor swatted Bhatti for sixes in the 43rd over, Taylor’s clearing the stadium roof. Bhatti went for 21 in his next over, the biggest of the innings, with Taylor smacking him for three fours and a six, two of those shots coming off full-tosses. Elliott holed out to Adil soon after, but Taylor carried on swinging, and dented Irfan’s figures with three successive fours at the start of his final over. Till that point, he had given away 37 runs in nine overs. (Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum)
MJ Guptill c Bilawal Bhatti
b Ahmed Shehzad 76
BB McCullum*
b Shahid Afridi 31
KS Williamson c Haris Sohail
b Mohammad Irfan 112
LRPL Taylor not out 102
GD Elliott c Haris Sohail
b Ehsan Adil 28
L Ronchi† c †Sarfraz Ahmed
b Mohammad Irfan 0
NL McCullum not out 9
Extras: (lb 6, w 5) 11
Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) 369
Did not bat: DL Vettori, TG Southee, AF Milne, TA Boult
Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-171, 3-250, 4-322, 5-340.
Pakistan Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-0-52-2, Bilawal Bhatti 10-0-93-0, Shahid Afridi 10-0-57-1, Ehsan Adil 8-068-1, Haris Sohail 6-0-470, Younis Khan 2-0-17-0, Ahmed Shehzad 4-0-29-1. Pakistan innings (target: 370 runs from 50 overs) Mohammad Hafeez c Milne
b Elliott 86 Ahmed Shehzad c Milne b NL McCullum 55
Younis Khan c Southee b NL McCullum 11 Misbah-ul-Haq* c Taylor b Southee 45
Shahid Afridi c Elliott b Vettori 11
Umar Akmal b Milne 4 Haris Sohail c BB McCullum b Milne 6 Sarfraz Ahmed† c BB
Kane Williamson
Thomas Bach GABF President Nigel Hinds
Mayweather, Pacquiao talks stall
Afight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao wasn’t announced during Sunday’s Super Bowl, nor is it a done deal, but the two sides are approaching a likely make-or-break next few days.
After six years of on-again, off-again talks in which negotiations have failed multiple times, the two camps have hit a wall as they attempt to make a May 2 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas happen.
“The thing that really concerns me is that we are running out of time for May 2,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, told ESPN.com on Monday. “If you want to drag this out a little longer then move the fight to later in May – May 30 is a good date – or go in June. We agreed to go on May 2 because that is the date Mayweather is hung up on, but if we’re going to go on May 2 we need to get this done.”
If a meeting between the two welterweight champions in Pacquiao’s Miami hotel suite last Tuesday night – after they met face-to-face earlier in the evening and exchanged cell phone numbers during a chance halftime meeting at the Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game they were coincidentally both attending – led to the fight talks taking two steps forward, they have taken one step back in recent days.
While many were led to believe that the fighter camps were on the same page following the hotel meeting, and that the deal hinged only on CBS/Showtime, which has Mayweather under contract, and Time Warner/HBO, Pacquiao’s exclusive network, finalizing a deal for a joint pay-perview telecast, there are still open deal points between the fighters.
“There are issues that should be solved in 10 minutes, but it’s a slow dance,” Arum
said. “We send one draft to their side and their lawyer sends back a draft with something else that’s an issue. And there doesn’t seem to be any urgency about it on their side. It’s terrible.”
Arum has negotiated many of the deal points for the bout through CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, who has acted as a go-between for Mayweather and his adviser, Al Haymon. Arum said he continues to remain in touch with Moonves and that they exchanged emails on Monday trying to work out the issues.
“I’ve asked Les to expeditiously handle the points there are issues with,” said Arum, who declined to go into the specific issues. “Moonves can handle it. The question is whether the Mayweather side will listen to him. If they’re sincere about trying to make the fight it shouldn’t be an issue, or are they playing a game? I don’t know. I go back and forth. I thought they were always playing a game, that Floyd didn’t want the fight.
“Then Manny and (adviser) Michael (Koncz) spent an hour or so with
Mayweather in the hotel suite and they read it that, no, Mayweather really wants the fight. But I don’t know. If people were really concentrating on this it could be done in no time.”
Many of the issues that come up in a fight negotiation have been agreed to as Pacquiao, who has agreed to extend his Jan. 31-imposed deadline, and Arum have given in to one Mayweather demand after another. They include the financial split (60-40 in
Mayweather’s favour), Mayweather’s preferred drug testing protocol (the one deal point that killed the initial negotiations in late 2009 and early 2010), the date, site, order of the ring walks and introductions and the name of the fight (MayweatherPacquiao). But there are still issues to work out.
“There are unresolved issues on both the fighter deal and the network deal. (The fighters are) on the same page regarding basic deal points but there are lot of meaningful items still unresolved,” said one source involved in the negotiations.
The networks have been working on the terms in recent weeks, dealing with such issues as how to blend their on-air talent for the telecast, who will actually produce and direct the telecast in addition to numerous other production issues and how to handle the delayed broadcast.
According to sources involved in the talks, Showtime has pushed for a similar scenario they agreed to in their landmark 2002 deal to do a joint pay-per-view for the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson heavyweight title fight when Lewis was signed to HBO and Tyson was with Showtime. For that deal, they agreed that the network whose fighter won the fight would get the replay rights and pay the other network $3 million. HBO, however, according to sources, is pushing for simultaneous network replays of Mayweather-Pacquiao.
Stung by recent media reports that it is holding up a deal, HBO, which has not even publicly acknowledged the negotiations in the first place, issued a surprising statement on Monday in which it essentially said that nobody should blame it if the deal doesn’t get done.
“We are not an impediment to this fight. We stand ready to go. The principals need to agree to terms and come to a deal,” HBO Sports said in the statement.
If the fighters and networks do not reach terms both sides need to make alternative plans. Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) has said he intends to fight on May 2 whether it’s against Pacquiao or somebody else, perhaps middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, or former unified junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan of England.
The main target for Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a backup plan to Mayweather is a May 30 fight against Khan, whom he met with and talked to about a possible deal during a trip to London two weeks ago. (ESPN)
Holder jumps to career best ranking
Newly installed West Indies one-day captain Jason Holder has been given a boost ahead of his first World Cup campaign, after jumping 18 places in the latest ICC OneDay International player rankings.
The lanky 23-year-old seamer snatched eight wickets in the recent five-match series against South Africa, and has risen to a careerbest 41st in the latest rankings announced Tuesday.
He finished with a best of four for 53 in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth which West Indies won by a wicket, with nine balls to spare. That victory was their only of the series as they lost 4-1.
Champion off-spinner Sunil Narine, who recently ruled himself out of the World Cup to continue re-
Jason Holder
medial work on his action, remains second in the bowlers’ rankings headed by Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
Narine is the only West Indies bowler in the top 20, with fast bowler Kemar Roach lying 23rd.
Meanwhile, all-rounder
Andre Russell has also made good movement in the bat-
ting rankings, jumping 18 spots to 54th. The big-hitting lower order batsman also came to the fore in the fourth ODI against South Africa with a brilliant unbeaten 64, which powered West Indies to their target.
Marlon Samuels is the highest ranked West Indies batsman at 40th. (WIndies Cricket)
Windies ranked 8th ahead of World
West Indies will enter the World Cup this month still stuck at number eight in the International Cricket Council one-day rankings.
In the latest rankings released on Monday, the Caribbean were still wallowing in the bottom end of the standings on 94 ratings points but just two behind Pakistan.
Their position comes on the backs of a heavy 4-1 hammering at the hands of South Africa in the re-
cent one-day series in South Africa.
Their last one-day series prior to the South African tour was the ill-fated campaign in India which was abandoned after four matches, after players quit because of an unresolved contracts dispute with their union, WIPA.
They were trailing 2-1 in that five matches series.
West Indies will hope for a turnaround in their fortunes when they open their World Cup cam-
Cup
paign against Ireland on February 16th in Group B, which comprises the likes of defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and United Arab Emirates.
They are currently in Sydney preparing for the showpiece that runs from February 14th to March 28th.
Meanwhile, Australia will start the tournament in top spot, six ratings points clear of India, with South Africa lying third. (Windies Cricket)
BCCI working committee to decide AGM date on Feb 8
The BCCI’s working committee will meet in Chennai on February 8 to finalise the date of its much-delayed annual general meeting. The election of the new set of office-bearers will be held at the AGM.
This will be the first working committee since a Supreme Court order on January 22 asked N Srinivasan to choose between his role in the board and his ownership of the Chennai Super Kings franchise. The working committee in its emergent meeting will formally discuss the Supreme Court directives and decide on the future course of action.
The focal point of the meeting would be to decide the AGM date and issue a notice for the meeting. The Court had ordered the BCCI to convene the AGM on or before March 5. Since the BCCI rules requires at least 21 days’ notice for the AGM, the notification needs to be issued by February 12.
The board members expect that a presidential candidate could be finalized by February 8. With the court virtually ruling out
Sanjay Patel, the current BCCI secretary, is one of the candidates likely to take over as BCCI president if N Srinivasan chooses not to contest © BCCI
Srinivasan’s continuation as the BCCI president, there is uncertainty over the next BCCI regime. It is expected that most BCCI members could discuss a way forward during an informal dinner on the eve of the meeting, although the issue of Srinivasan’s successor is unlikely to be brought up on February 8.
Some members believe that the Bharatiya Janata
Party, the principal ruling political party in India that controls one-third of the 30 votes in the BCCI, may not drift away from Srinivasan’s lobby. In such a case, a candidate from his group would be the most likely option for Srinivasan to continue controlling the BCCI indirectly. In such a case, Srinivasan loyalists Shivlal Yadav and Sanjay Patel are front-runners to take over. While Yadav has been in charge of the BCCI’s administrative affairs over the last year, after the courts forced Srinivasan to be sidelined, Patel is the secretary of the board. If the BJP prefers to have its own face as the BCCI chief, then joint secretary Anurag Thakur could be the main contender. Rajiv Shukla, a vice-president, is the dark horse in the race of a consensus candidate, as the former federal minister enjoys a healthy relationship with the BJP.
Some of Srinivasan’s opponents have been trying to convince former BCCI president Sharad Pawar to contest but he has been non-committal so far. (Cricinfo)
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Jorge Mendes said the Portugal captain was the “best sportsman ever”.
“He is the best player ever in the world. You can’t compare him with anybody else,” Mendes told sports editor Dan Roan.
Ronaldo, 29, was voted the world’s best player for a third time last month, beating Lionel Messi to the award.
Asked how much he was worth, Mendes said: “Cristano Ronaldo? One billion. His buyout clause one billion, so it is one billion. It is impossible to find someone like him.
“If for any reason the club decide to sell him tomorrow for £300 million, someone will pay.”
However, Mendes insisted his countryman, who cost Real Madrid a world record fee of £80 million in 2009, would stay at the Bernabeu, despite his “love” for supporters of former club Manchester United.
Asked if he will finish his career there, Mendes said “for sure”. “He will not leave Real Madrid,” he added.
Mendes, who is reported to have brokered more than £1 billion worth of transfers, has been described as the most powerful figure in the game.
“People have the wrong idea about agents. Being an agent means many different things. I’m someone normal, I’m working hard every single day. I have ambitions, determination and being honest, doing the right things - this is most important.
He described football as the “most important sport in the world” and defended players’ wages, saying they “deserve the maximum possible”.
Mendes compared working with his players on contracts as “like a family”.
“It is like when you talk with your son, with your family always to try to find the best way to support them.”
Mendes described the ban on third-party ownership of players as “illegal” and “catastrophic” for clubs. He said: “Fifa and Uefa are not the police. I think that’s it’s very important to establish rules, the right rules, but not to stop it. “I’m sure that very soon the courts will not accept [the ban].
Mendes, a former DJ and nightclub owner, also represents Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, James Rodriguez, David De Gea, Victor Valdes and Diego Costa. (BBC Sport)
McIlroy’s court case adjourned to today
Rory McIlroy’s court case against his former management agent in Dublin has now been adjourned until Wednesday.
The world’s number one golfer is suing Horizon Sports Management following a multi-million euros dispute over fees.
The period under dispute coincided with McIlroy’s sponsorship deal with Nike, said to be worth about $100 million (£66 million).
The golfer complained that fees charged by Horizon were excessive. The Dublin firm is counter-suing for outstanding fees, alleging breaches of contract.
Barristers told the judge at the start of High Court proceedings in Dublin on Tuesday that as the case was due to last eight weeks, the legal teams wished to narrow the issues at hand
and wanted to defer a start until the afternoon.
Later, counsel for McIlroy said that both parties “were making progress”. McIlroy was in court for the brief initial hearing on Tuesday morning.
A preliminary hearing, at the city’s Commercial Court in October, heard that attempts to resolve the situation by mediation had failed.
Contract
McIlroy has previously claimed that an agreement that he signed when he was 22 is invalid and unenforceable on a number of grounds.
He said he was inexperienced and did not have independent legal advice at the time.
In January 2013, about two years after he entered the Horizon contract, he was unveiled as Nike’s brand ambassador.
The Nike deal made him one of the highest paid sports stars in the world.
By September 2013, he had parted company with his agent and set up his own company, Rory McIlroy Incorporated, to manage his affairs.
At the time, a statement on the golfer’s website read: “Rory McIlroy confirms he has terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management and that the details of the termination are in the hands of a legal team.”
Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland last week, the golfer said he hoped the court case could be sorted out quickly so that “everyone can move on with their lives”.
“It’s not something you want hanging over your head and it’s not something I’d want anyone to go through, it’s not a nice process,” McIlroy said.
“It’s a shame it’s gone this far and that two sides see things completely differently. The only way to sort it out is to get a judge to come in and tell us what to do.”
The 25-year-old golfer, from Hollywood, County Down, won the Dubai Desert Classic at the weekend.
He has now achieved four wins and three runnerup finishes in his last seven European Tour events. (BBC Sport)
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Milo U-20 Secondary Schools football... Organisers enthused by level of talent
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
The level of talent on display during the first weekend of the annual Milo Under-20 Secondary Schools Football Tournament has satisfied the organisers of the Beepat’s Trading sponsored event for learning institutions in Georgetown.
Eight games were played over the weekend with a total of 39 goals scored by the 16 schools that opened the competition. Charlestown Secondary sent a strong signal to the other teams, recording the biggest margin of victory, a 6-1 drubbing of Freeburg Secondary.
Also on the opening day, Kingston comfortably outplayed St Rose’s 4-1, while Queen’s College edged School of the Nations 3-2. Lodge and Christ Church also earned 3-2 wins, with Queenstown and Houston being on the losing end.
There were also three drawn encounters, with North Ruimveldt and Richard Ishmael scoring a goal each, while Dolphin and Morgan Learning Centre played to a 2-2 stalemate, and North Georgetown and
Mae’s found the back of the nets three times each during their match-up.
The tournament is being coordinated by the Petra Organisation, whose Director, Troy Mendonca reflected on last weekend’s games with much enthusiasm.
“We were very satisfied with the level of play during the first weekend, compared to the standard of play we had last year,” he said on Tuesday.
Mendonca, a former
President of the Georgetown Football Association, said he was looking forward to greater things from the teams this weekend, which will see the remaining 16 teams in action to complete the first round of games.
On Saturday, the action will kick off at 11:00h with David Rose versus St Joseph, followed by Bishop’s High tackling East Ruimveldt, Carmel against New Campbellville and St George’s facing off against St Mary’s.
On Sunday, the first game will also commence at 11:00h with Cummings Lodge taking on Central High, Ascension playing Brickdam, Chase Academy battling St Stanislaus and South Ruimveldt tackling St John’s College.
A total of 32 schools are participating in the competition, which will last until March with a total of 48 games, all of which are slated for the Education Ministry Ground. The tournament is a collaborative effort of the Education Ministry, the Petra Organisation and main sponsor, Beepat’s Trading, the distributors of Milo.
Nedd to host coaching programme in Demerara
With the aim of nurturing the pool of talent in Demerara, cricket coach Garvin Nedd will be visiting several areas in the county to conduct coaching sessions for youth cricketers on a weekly basis.
According to a release from the Guyana Cricket Board, Nedd, a former national senior cricketer, will be at the Demerara Cricket Club on Mondays, in Farm on Tuesdays, Enmore on Wednesdays, Wales on Thursdays and back at the Demerara Cricket Club on Fridays.
“The programme includes fitness assessment, batting drills, bowling drills, fielding drills and game awareness,” the GCB release stated.
All Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 boys and girls who wish to be involved in the programme are asked to contact the following persons: Rohan Sarjoo/Johnny Azeez on 668-1565/6490243 (East Bank); Anil Persaud on 624-6098 (East Coast); Robin Khan/Sudesh Persaud on 616-2862/6587943 (West Demerara); and Garvin Nedd on 617-9381 (Georgetown).
Beckham mulling options of miami soccer stadium
More than a year after David Beckham swooped into Miami, the retired English soccer star has not secured a spot for his planned Major League Soccer team, but he and his partners are still searching, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
"The Miami Beckham United team is actively looking at four or five sites," Tadd Schwartz wrote in an emailed statement.
Beckham’s group has remained mostly quiet since local officials last year rebuffed
two attempts to secure land for a 25,000-seat bayfront arena in the city’s downtown.
A first push last year to build the stadium on an empty tract on a small island mostly occupied by the port of Miami was fought by a maritime group led by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. A second effort to tuck it in between the NBA Miami Heat's basketball arena and the city’s art museum also failed.
"You can't build a stadium overnight, so finding
the right site, finding the right place in Miami is important for us. But it will all start coming together pretty quickly and everything will start happening pretty soon,” Beckham told E! Online late last month.
Miami-Dade County lawmakers are to hold a Tuesday vote to allow the county to open negotiations with Florida International University to use its American football arena as a temporary home for Beckham’s team in south Miami. (Reuters)
Coach pleased with progress made ahead of IGG
National U-19 volleyballers impress in T&T −
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
The national Under-19 male volleyball team crowned a successful weekend in Trinidad and Tobago, beating the island’s national Under-21 unit in a best-of-three Goodwill series.
The tour of the twinisland republic, organised by Coach Levi Nedd, formed part of the national Under-19 team’s preparations for the defence of their Inter Guiana Games (IGG) title later this year.
The boys had won the IGG title last year in Suriname after several years in the wilderness, and Coach Nedd said he was determined to ensure the Guyanese lads stay on top, hence the trip to the land of steel pan music.
On the opening night of action last Friday in Tacarigua, Guyana won two-best-in-three series 2-1, before earning a similar result the following night in Chaguanas.
With a 2-0 advantage heading into the final night, Coach Nedd opted to expose some of the younger, inexperienced players to muchneeded competitive time on the court, while Trinidad and Tobago included a few senior players for the tour finale.
The action took place at the Jean Pierre Complex with a three-best-of-five series being won by the home country.
With nine of the players from the successful IGG squad participating in the series, Nedd said he was pleased with the progress made on the trip, noting that he was looking to intensify preparations in the coming weeks with the aim of successfully defending the IGG title.
“I’m very much satisfied with what I saw in Trinidad and Tobago. The standard was very high and our players rose to the oc-
casion. Those in Trinidad were very impressed by our level of play and I’m very pleased with that,” he said in an exclusive interview on Tuesday afternoon.
Nedd, who was the coach on the IGG trip last year, said he was particularly impressed with a few players, namely Devendra Latchman, Joshua Jagmohan, Yoganand Dhoray and Samuel Fraser.
The coach pointed out that in the lead-up to the selection of the IGG squad this year, he will work along with the various stakeholders of local volleyball to unearth new talent who can form part of a wide pool of players available for the Games.
“We’re still looking for new blood, some of whom we can have as part of the return trip the Trinidad and Tobago team has promised to make to Guyana before the IGG this year,” the coach said.
The trip to Trinidad and Tobago was made possible with support from the GuySuCo Training Centre, Guyana Volleyball Federation, Berbice Volleyball Association, National Sports Commission, the Sport Ministry and other wellwishers.
Britton, Wong, Lopes in top form after GTTA junior assessment
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) held a successful cadet and junior assessment tournament on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Shemar Britton, the national junior champ, looked the part as he tore through his competition to come out on top in the roundrobin format against the likes of Kyle Edghill, Alec Hopkinson and Elishaba Johnson. Edghill finished
second, Hopkinson third and Johnson fourth.
In the cadet (15 years and under) category, Miguel Wong was too strong for his competition and defeated Nicholus Romain in the final 3-0 at 11-6, 11-6, 11-7. In girl’s action, Kristie Lopes topped the cadet (15 years and under) category in a round-robin format.
and
finished second, third and fourth respectively.
Petra Organisation Director Troy Mendonca
Members of the national Under-19 team take time out for a photo opportunity while in Trinidad and Tobago
Levi Nedd
Aneka Phillips, Simran Bissu
Brittney Bunbury
Shemar Britton
Garvin Nedd
wednesday, February 4, 2015
YWCC dominate practice games
The Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) are keeping their players busy in preparation for the 2015 season with several practice games over the weekend.
On Saturday, YWCC won first innings points from Blairmont Cricket Club.
Batting first, the YWCC made 97 all out in 33.2 overs of their allotted 40 overs, with national Under-15 player Kevin Sinclair top scoring with 20.
Z Inshan (3-27) was the best bowler for Blairmont CC. He was supported by Seon Glasgow and A Shewahal with two wickets
apiece.
In reply, Blairmont CC were bundled out for 69, with C Verasammy offering the only resistance with 27.
Left-arm spinner Trevor Stanislaus was the chief destructive force, claiming
5-9. Sinclair supported with 2-15.
Batting a second time, the YWCC raced to 130-4 declared. Junior Williams hit a rapid unbeaten 50 (3x4, 3x6). Sinclair was again among the runs with 39.
Blairmont CC reached 80-6 in their second innings before the game ended.
On Sunday, the YWCC
also gained first innings points from D’Edwards Sports Club. Batted first, the YWCC scored a challenging 218-4 off their allotment of 40 overs, with Sinclair blasting 83. Stanislaus and Williams supported with 34 and 31 respectively.
D’Edwards were then bowled out for 39. Sinclair and Williams took four wickets each. In their second turn at the crease, the YWCC de-
clared at 53-3. D’Edwards were 44- 4 when the game ended. Jevon Schultz and Aaron Beharry took two wickets a piece.
Cricket Competition...
King bowls Central Corentyne Secondary to innings victory
Juwaan King bowled Central Corentyne Secondary School to a gripping innings and 74 runs victory over Black Bush Polder Secondary School in game one of the first round of the Parbattie Jaggai Memorial Inter Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition last Friday.
King claimed seven wickets in Black Bush Polder’s second innings and 10 overall. Batting first, Central Corentyne Secondary School were bowled out for 138 in 22 overs. Colwyne Lyte (28) and Filon Crandon (22) were the top scorers. Bowling for Black Bush Polder Secondary, D
Emrit optimistic ahead of Volcanoes clash
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force have been stepping up their preparations for the resumption of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday competition and despite not having a whole lot of experienced players in his side captain Rayad Emrit is still optimistic that they can turn around their fortunes in the second half of the season.
The Red Force will be up against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia for their fifth round PCL match starting on Friday.
Emrit’s men are coming off losses to Jamaica and current leaders Guyana in the four-day competition and will be without Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Kevon Cooper and Dwayne Bravo for their upcoming assignment.
Chairman of selectors Alec Burns confirmed that Pollard and Rampaul are recovering from injuries while Cooper and Narine have asked for more time to work on their bowling actions. He also noted that Bravo, who retired
from Test cricket last week, made himself unavailable for the first-class competition.
“We still have some experience players in the lineup,” said Emrit.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel is back in the side having been part of the West Indies team for the Test matches in South Africa in December. Legspinner Imran Khan is also in the mix along with batsman Jason Mohammed who slammed10 a century to lead T&T to the Nagico Super50 title last month.
Momentum is key for the Red Force and Emrit is hoping they can take their
winning momentum from the Super50 into the fourday.
“Winning the Super50 definitely boost our confidence. Yes we will be missing some experienced guys but it is an opportunity for the younger guys to stamp their authority. They will get an opportunity to showcase their talent,” said Emrit.
“Young (Jeremy) Solozano batted well in the Super50. Jason had a hundred in the final and (Steven) Katwaroo did well behind the stumps. A lot of these guys were part of the Super50 team and we are hoping to carry that momentum into the four-day,” the T&T skipper added.
T&T Red Force Squad: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards, Derone Davis. Roland Sampath (manager), Gus Logie (coach), Kelvin Williams (assistant coach), Oba Gulston (Physiotherapist). (WICB Media Release)
Parmanand took 6-47 and G Bhagrath 2-20 and were the chief destroyers. In reply, Black Bush Polder Secondary were sent packing for 37 all out in 10 overs. Filon Crandon returned with the ball and claimed 6-11, while King had 3-14. Faced with a first innings deficit of 101, Black Bush Polder batting a second time were rolled out for a paltry 27, with King ripping through the batting line-up, taking 7-3. Meanwhile, the other first-round match between Tagore Memorial Secondary School and Skeldon Line Path Secondary School was
rescheduled for today at the Tagore Ground.
Second-round fixtures for Friday will see Skeldon High taking on Skeldon Line Path Secondary at Scottsburg and Tagore Memorial Secondary playing Central Corentyne Secondary at Tagore.
The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) urges parents and those living in close proximity to the grounds to come out and support the emerging talents.
The tournament is organised by the UCCA and is sponsored by Steven Seeraj in memory of his late mother, Parbattie Jaggai, who was a big cricket fan.
Junior Williams Trevor Stanislaus
Kevin Sinclair
Rayad Emrit
Parbattie Jaggai Memorial U-17
Filon Crandon Juwaan King
Women’s rugby rolling again
The women’s national side are up and running again with the intention of winning their fourth North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) title after a long hi-
atus from the sport. The team had their first official practice session on Monday and will continue to train in an effort to arrive at the best possible team to represent Guyana at the event
slated for June. The 31-member squad received some rugby balls from Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President Peter Green on Monday in order for the women to train
effectively. Green noted his pleasure in seeing the women out in their numbers and hoped that they would continue in the same enthusiastic vein in order to make Guyana proud again.
The list of 31 ruggers are as follows: Carren
Natasha
Alicia Fortune, Shennel
Alicia Mentore, Carren Skeete, Sabola Gray, Andrea Lashley, Grace Jarvis, Princesa Wilkie, Vionette Profitt, Cloetta
Carter, Tricia Munroe, La Toya Hamilton-Cordis, Collette Hope, Nicole Nero,
Andrews,
Daniels,
Dublin, Theresa Torres, Cindy Fraser, Abassie Bobb, Marva Chase, Natoya Norville, Keaisha Erskine, Temika Thornman, Kateyka Jeremiah, Natyor Carbon, Sophia Vanderstoop, Kateja Hall, Delicia Harding, Nicketia Jonas, Fiona Ward and Alana Phillips.
GRFU President Peter Green hands over rugby balls to Women/Youth Development Officer Petal Adams
The women going through their paces on Monday