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guyanatimesgy.com
MonDAY, December 16, 2013
Sports briefs
A
new cycling club last month officially opened its doors to members of the public, specifically youths in various parts of Berbice. The club, which is based at 142 Baljeet Street, Corriverton, Berbice, is operating under the name “CorrSkeld Trackers” and will cater for youths between ages 12 to 17 years old, but will allow younger and older persons interested in being a member of the club. During an interview with Berbice Times, club President Zaman Djameir noted that he is pleased to be a part of such an initiative which is aimed at keeping youths off the streets and from getting involved in criminal activities. He posited that the
youths will be gainfully occupied in cycling, a sport which is beneficial but not properly promoted in the Upper Corentyne district. “The cycling club currently has 16 strong cyclists and anyone can be a member of the club… we have only male riders at this time, but will be happy if female riders can come forward and join the club, ” Djameir added The president of CorrSkeld Trackers is also asking members of the public, especially the business community to support the club in any way possible. Djameir said although he is willing to provide the riders with the basic materials for the sport; he will still need contributions from the public in
By Alexis Rodney
T
Errol John
Some of the members of CorrSkeld Trackers pose for Berbice Times
order to maintain the club and provide other equipment necessary for the riders. The CorrSkeld
Trackers presently has one coach and is being run under the Motto “Live life, ride on”.
wenty-seven-yearold Errol John was among the best in his engineering battalion. He was so well-disciplined that when Grenada was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, he was among the first to be chosen by the Guyana Defence Force to provide aid. He was a tower of strength for his family, especially his younger brother, Phillip, who was dependent on his financial assistance for school. But the changes came rapidly, and everyone was saddened. Two days after his birthday on October 8, 2004, the community of Sandvoort Village, West Canje Berbice was plunged into shock when news of his sudden death spread.
Lonely road
It was around 05:30h on October 10, when John, along with two females, was walking along the “lonely road”, to separate destinations. John was hurrying on his way to catch the 06:30h ferry which would take him to Rosignol. There he would join the force’s bus to take him to Base Camp Ayanganna. The two females suddenly realised that they had forgotten something at home and so they turned back, leaving him to continue on. John was approaching the Sandvoort Bridge when he was cornered by an assailant. Two persons who were standing on the bridge said they heard screams coming from a clump of bushes near the cane field. It was very dark at that time, so it was impossible for them to see what was actually happening. After a while, the noise ceased and someone was seen running from the area. The two females, who had resumed their journey, saw fellow villager Allan Joe running past them. They then saw John sprawled on the ground near the cane field. He was trying to say something, but the words never left his bloodied lips. It was later revealed that the lance corporal had suffered
three stab wounds, including one which pierced his heart. From all indications, he was attacked from behind. John’s younger brother, Phillip, recalling the incident, said Joe had been accusing his sibling of being in a relationship with his wife. According to the younger brother, after committing the act, Joe ran home in haste and also attacked his wife. Luckily, the woman’s parents were there and warded off the accused, getting physically assaulted in the process. Joe fled to the backdam, but was later captured by police. Villagers said Joe was very outspoken and had, on numerous occasions, threatened to kill the deceased. But according to Phillip John, his brother was not the kind of person to be involved in such a lifestyle. He said rumours were carried by some villagers and accepted by the accused, who worked mostly outside the village. The accused was taken into police custody. At the preliminary inquiry in 2004, it is recorded that Joe confessed to killing the soldier. He was also charged with attempted murder, and assault, causing grievous bodily harm for the attacks on his wife and her family. He was committed by the magistrate to stand trial in the high Court; however, that case never left the magistrate’s court.
Case discharged
In 2009, after spending five years behind bars, Joe walked out of the New Amsterdam Prison – as his case was discharged. John’s family members were distraught over this new development. When they contacted the police, they were told that the case jacket had been misplaced, and there was no evidence to see the case through The younger John brother said his father and sisters were gravely upset, as the accused walked out a free man and they were left to suffer the angst of losing one they loved so dearly. Phillip wondered about the possibility of the case being reopened, since, according to him, it was not properly solved. “My brother and mentor was brutally murdered and no one is paying for it,” the younger John said, even as he professed to have forgiven the accused. He has even spoken to him on several occasions. However, “while he may have gotten a free pass by man, God is the final judge”, he said.