Guyana Times - December 20, 2018

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Countdown to Christmas LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3782

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, December 20, 2018

PRICE

No-confidence motion

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP/C writes Police Commissioner on safety of MPs

Brother-in-law confesses P7 to killing security guard

Page 3

… Party notes ominous plans to disrupt proceedings

3 prisoners get Detective who presidential pardon helped solve 6 Page 2

murders named 2018 Best Cop

Page 2

17 suicide P7 attempts recorded in 6 months – Top persons Cop …214 called helpline Guyanese man arrested in NY for killing daughter, P17 friend

Safe mail for Christmas PPP/C MP, APNU/AFC P7 supporter cross charged for assault

Wales Estate closure aftermath

Three lucky homeowners received the first of 100 free mailboxes as part of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) mailbox sensitisation campaign.The initiative aims to help reduce the high volume of returned mail to post offices across the country, owning to the absence of mailboxes

GuySuCo, NICIL/SPU conflict Page 9

Sports bar establishment “cynical” in midst of industry’s disaster – Ram

GPHC to tackle “bad attitude” of nurses, doctors – CEO

All-weather road remains a pipe dream – GAWU P10 USA added to list of most dangerous P17 countries for Journalists

2 news

thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Detective who helped solve 6 murders named 2018 Best Cop

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he Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) calendar of events for 2018 winded down on Wednesday with its annual Christmas Awards Ceremony, during which some $18.6 million was expended to reward ranks and other stakeholders for their outstanding performance throughout the year.

Taking the top prize of Best Cop this year was Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo, who led the team that tracked down and dismantled the infamous carjacking network earlier this year after the gang terrorised citizens across the country for more than a year.

He also led investigations into and solved six murders this year, apart from taking part in several other high-profile cases in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara).

Prior to his trans-

GPF 2018 Best Cop Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo with Police Commissioner Leslie James

fer to the Division’s CID Office in 2016, Sarabo was one of the leading detectives in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters. He has spent some 13 years in that Department.

In his remarks, Sergeant Sarabo noted that copping this award is a dream come through but not without sacrifices in the process.

“I won’t stand here and tell you that becoming the Force’s Best Cop is not one of my dreams; it was.

Not only did I work hard, I give up my time, my peace and my sleep for it… If you want something, you have to work very hard to get it and achieve it.

Not because you’re doing something means you’re getting something done ‘cause you can run in one place all day but not go anywhere so don’t confuse movements with prog-

ress,” he asserted.

Sarabo went on to urge his colleagues in the Force to continue to work hard so that one day, they too can receive such rewards.

“I believe that all of us were born with a purpose, something we’re supposed to do… So continue to work hard,” he stated. Moreover, to the citizens, Sarabo posited that some ranks often make mistakes that causes the public to lose trust in the Force. To this end, he reassured that they are officers who remain dedicated to their jobs and committed to serving the country.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, the Best Cop was rewarded with a trophy and $250,000 from the Police Force. Sarabo was also awarded a plaque and $100,000 for best rank in the Fore’s CID. In addition, he further received a free trip for two to Aruba and to Kaieteur Falls along with a trip

to Arrow Point Nature Resort for him and his family, compliments of Roraima Airways.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Keith Conway, also of A Division, was awarded runner-up Best Cop, receiving a trophy and $200,000 cash. Only last week, he was named Divisional Best Cop. Wednesday’s award ceremony also saw, in addition to Divisional Best Cops, ranks from the various Divisions being rewarded for excellent work done – whether in groups or individually. The Force also recognised ranks who performed exceptionally well over the past year in sporting activities locally, regionally and internationally.

Furthermore, Rural Constables and members of the various Community Policing Group (CPG) branches were also recognised for their contributions in helping to maintain law and order within communities.

3 prisoners get presidential pardon

P

Joanna Beckles

resident David Granger on Wednesday pardoned three female prisoners, thus allowing them to be home for Christmas.

The three women were pardoned pursuant to presidential powers under Article 188(2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The trio – Joanna Beckles, 26; Felicia Henry, 22 and Keysha Gibbs, 17 – who were all at the New Amsterdam Prison for various offences will be released today. The women have all served a portion of their respective sentences for larceny and forgery.

In 2015, 60 convicts were granted presidential pardons on Guyana’s 49th Independence anniversary by the President.

The release of prisoners in 2015 caused much controversy after Government had refused to release the names and offences of those pardoned.

The President had indicated intentions to release another 60 young men and

Keysha Gibbs

Felicia Henry

women in 2016, but this did not materialise.

In 2017, nine women prisoners were pardoned for Guyana’s 47th Republic Anniversary.

The prisoners, who were all inmates at the New Amsterdam penitentiary, were Kamla Bisram, 30; Malinda Beaton, 31; Charissazan Charles, 18; Sasha Christopher, 18; Jenny Davis, 26; Vanessa Frank, 26; Barbra Hunte, 51; Kamwattie Persaud, 23 and Dhanmattie Seenarine, 47.

news

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 20 – 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, December 21 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 20 – 14:15h-15:45h and Friday, December 21 – 15:00h-16:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with clear to cloudy skies expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 02:28h and 14:54h reaching maximum heights of 2.50 metres and 2.65 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:18h and 20:47h reaching maximum heights of 0.70 metre and 0.53 metre respectively.

WednesDAY, december 19, 2018

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No-confidence motion

PPP/C writes Police Commissioner on safety of MPs … Party notes ominous plans to disrupt proceedings

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eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has written Police Commissioner Leslie James about the safety of the Party’s Members of Parliament in light of threats to disrupt the proceedings.

In the letter sent to the Police Commissioner, the Chief Whip noted that the Party has received information that there would be an attempt to prevent the members of the parliamentary Opposition from entering the compound of the Parliament Building on Friday, December 21, 2018.

December 21 is the day set for the debate on the parliamentary Opposition’s motion of no confidence.

“I, on behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition, wish to bring to your attention a matter of serious proportions relating to public safety and the security of the National Assembly, the Parliament Buildings and all Guyanese citizens,” Teixeira said in the letter seen by Guyana Times.

She added that the Party’s information pointed to some very “ominous plans to physically disrupt the sitting by either invading the Chambers, and/or creating disruption within the Chambers. The intention is to interrupt the debate and the vote on the No Confidence Motion”.

Further, the Party stated that these plans included preventing members of the parliamentary Opposition from exiting the compound of the Parliament Building at the conclusion of the sitting as well as threatening the safety of citizens going about their business beyond the precincts of the Parliament Building.

“We, therefore, call on you to take the necessary interventions to ensure that the rule of law prevails and not only the sitting of the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 will be allowed to proceed peacefully, but also the safety of citizens beyond the precincts of the Parliament Buildings, and property, life and limb will be protected from any efforts to create violence and mayhem,” Teixeira said.

She added that the PPP/C remained confident that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would uphold the law and manage any threats to the safety of the members of the National Assembly, the Parliament Building, and the citizens.

Teixeira added that the information was also sent to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Police Commissioner Leslie James

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

Strategic political move On Tuesday, the PPP/C had accused the coalition Government of attempting to tamper with the process leading up to the vote on the no-confidence motion.

One of its MPs, Harry Gill, was summoned to appear before a Magistrate at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of assault allegedly committed against former Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Councillor and People’s National Congress (PNC) activist Carol Smith Joseph.

According to the Party, it believes this may be a deliberate act to detain one of its MPs in an attempt to reduce its numbers in Parliament on Friday to ensure the failure of the no-confidence vote. The arty in a statement added that this could be a strategic political move.

According to the PPP/C, Gill was allegedly viciously assaulted with a chain

by Joseph in the presence of a Police Inspector and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Supervisor Clearmont Mingo while he (Gill) was recording Joseph’s behaviour, which was hostile.

The Party said although this alleged assault was witnessed by a senior Police Officer who admitted on video that he “observed” the assault, Joseph was neither arrested nor charged.

“It is instructive to note that it is Harry Gill, who, a few minutes after, made a report of this assault to

the Fort Wellington Police Station upon the advice of the senior Police Officer, Inspector Rose and requested that the matter be investigated. It now turns out that the Complainant, MP Harry Gill, is the one being charged,” the Opposition Party observed.

While maintaining that the charge is completely without any basis, the PPP/C has since called upon the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to immediately intervene and terminate what it described as a “baseless charge” against Gill. turn to page 7

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Lest we forget

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he comment a few weeks ago by the Chairperson of the People’s National Congress (PNC) stating a preference of giving jobs only to supporters of the party, still resonates. An apology was issued and one can argue over its lack of immediacy given the impact such comments can have in a multifaceted and politically polarised society like Guyana.

Another argument can also be made that the chairperson was at the time speaking to party supporters and can be seen as appeasement over their concerns and without malice for wider society. Aside from the social impact, one lesson is the need for leaders to be extremely cognisant of their utterances mindful of national sensitivities and the ubiquitous presence of devices to capture video and audio.

For those who are offended by the statement, history can vindicate their sentiments which can be premised on fear. To understand this, it would be useful to revisit the period of Guyana’s history when party paramountcy consumed everything else. Then, when the PNC ruled, oppression was routine as the prevailing scarcity of basic food items, at least to the masses.

Long lines outside stores, believed to be stocked, were common across the country on a daily basis. Many spent days and were left empty-handed compounding their woes to feed their families. It was heart-wrenching to hear the stories of mothers and fathers, who, despite valiant efforts of queuing up for days in rain and sun, were unable to provide a basic meal.

That was a horrible time but some found it easier; those with PNC party cards. It was like a passport for those privileged ones to access and purchase whatever was available. In many cases, they had more choices than what was made available to those languishing in the long lines.

That reminds of the Knowledge Sharing Institute (KSI) establishments which were managed by the PNC and reportedly were intended, at least through the name, for party indoctrination, but doubled as distribution outlets for basic food items. Similar establishments were operated under the co-op system and again, having a PNC party card made for easy access.

What was also striking is that some who were in charge and who reigned supreme, especially from the co-op managed ones, chose among those without cards to be given access to make purchases. They were allegations of some females forced to offer sexual favours in exchange for such access. What that meant, is that many were forced into humiliation with some, desperate to ease their sufferings, joined the PNC to acquire a party card.

Hard choices had to be made propelled by the cries of hunger especially by children. Those who were known to be supportive of the then Opposition, were targeted and face the brunt of the oppressive power. The security forces were used as tools to carry out their wishes. In many instances, the end results were brutality and incarceration from trumped-up charges.

During that period, there was no ambiguity of the stranglehold the PNC as a party took on the country as jobs and access were primarily for their supporters. That naturally instilled a profound sense of fear in others and cowed many into submission. From a national standpoint, and more than likely to emphasise party supremacy, the PNC flag was hoisted and made to fly higher than the Golden Arrowhead at the Appeal Court in Kingston.

If there was any doubt that one action told the story as there was no longer a separation of powers of the Executive and the Judiciary.

That particular fluttering PNC flag epitomised the oppression the party inflicted on the nation. In the minds of many, that is still fresh as is the pain they were forced to bear. For them, that is the fear and pain the recent statement in question would have unearthed.

They may have good reason to still worry given some actions since May 2015, including the firing of professional staff mainly from one ethnic group and preferential hiring from another. There may also be no reason to doubt the genuineness of the apology offered and the explanation that what was unfortunately said is not policy.

However, the actions alluded to would be seen as counter to any effort to genuinely dispel fear as it relates to employment. One example is the current composition of Permanent Secretaries which does not reflect the diversity of the country. That strongly suggests that actions have to match the rhetoric especially when it is this Government that established the Social Cohesion Ministry which was groundbreaking and much needed and which raised expectations of all in the endeavour for national cohesion. Based upon what that Ministry has done so far, there is need to be convinced of the mandate as intended and what was sold to the public. That strongly implies that much more needs to be done and those entrusted with national responsibilities remain aware how they can contribute to the rupturing of the social fabric. While all have a role to play, the onus generally falls on the Government of the day to genuinely lead the process. Lest we forget, the past remains a harsh reminder.

A diver wearing a Santa Claus costume swims in a large fish tank during an underwater performance at Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo REUTERS/Issei Kato

New CCTV images show Saudi death squad on the day Khashoggi was killed

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ew security camera images have emerged showing a Saudi death squad on the day Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.

Frames from Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage show members of the 15-man execution team moving through Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before the writer was butchered at the city's Saudi Consulate.

They are also shown entering the Consulate and leaving the building before returning to the airport after the gruesome killing.

Jamal Khashoggi, a

Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi policies, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2 after entering to obtain documents for his marriage.

One image shows intelligence officer Maher Abdulaziz M Mutreb wearing a suit and white shirt at airport security ahead of flying out of the country.

Mutreb, part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's security team, was the lead negotiator inside the Consulate, according to a senior Saudi official.

Another shows Mustafa al-Madani entering the

Consulate building.

Last month, it was reported that his voice was thought to have been recorded from within the Consulate saying 'it is spooky to wear the clothes of a man whom we killed 20 minutes ago'.

Turkish officials say alMadani was captured on CCTV walking by Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque in what appears to be Khashoggi's clothes, a few hours later.

Saudi Arabia is seeking the death penalty against five out of 21 people under investigation in connection with the

Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before.

A senior Saudi official confirmed to Reuters they were among those under investigation, and last Thursday the US Treasury imposed sanctions on all of them under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, along with two other officials.

Most of the 15 worked in the Saudi military or security and intelligence services, in-

murder of Khashoggi. Five senior Government officials have also been dismissed.

Saudi Arabia initially denied knowledge of his fate, then offered contradictory explanations including that he was killed in a rogue operation and that the killing was premeditated. Those varying accounts drew international scepticism.

A Saudi Public Prosecutor said in November that Khashoggi was killed by lethal injection, then dismembered and handed over to an unidentified 'local cooperator'.

The whereabouts of his remains are still unknown.

cluding at the royal court, according to Saudi and Turkish officials and several sources with ties to the royal court.

Turkey's pro-Government Sabah newspaper published what it said were photographs of the men taken from surveillance footage at the airport, two hotels they briefly checked into, the Consulate and the Consul's residence.

The following profiles of some of those detained or dismissed are based on those photographs, Saudi media reports and information from Saudi officials and sources. turn to page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

PNC self serving No-confidence Motion political games should be debated next year Dear Editor, A parliamentary Constitution is characterised by the fusion of Executive and Legislative powers, achieved by the fact that the Government needs the confidence of a majority in the legislative assembly in order to remain in power. If one is to observe the state of our economy in 2018, it is hard not to conclude that this People’s National Congress (PNC)led Government is in massive trouble even if it holds their 33 votes in the upcoming vote. President David Granger has made a series of dire mistakes starting with the 50 per cent for some of his Ministers but the issue that has really destroyed his legacy is his intransigence to the massive amount of corruption occurring in his Government under his watch. This is compounded by the abysmal levels of incompetence at all levels of his Government. What is even worse is that he continues to speak of social cohesion and nation unity as if it is biblical gospel that only he can dispense but when you examine his record, his appointments are an experiment that illustrates massive act of racial oppression that Guyana has never witnessed before in its entire independent history.

But if we are to properly examine his mistakes,

the gravest of them all, is how he clumsily handled economic management and continue to marginalise Carl Greenidge, his brightest and most competent at these matters in the Cabinet.

Greenidge is one of the better Guyanese with real experience at strategic economic turnaround management but he is being wasted every day at Foreign Affairs; his forte is finance.

Every man with a modicum of self-respect should know his limitation.

Granger is clearly not in a position to offer the job what it deserves and thus his act of continuing to hold onto it is nothing but an act of desperation and extremely selfishness. It is absolutely delusional for any human being to think he is indispensable and he is more important than the State.

This job demands 20-hour shifts but instead it is getting a couple of hours here and there from Granger.

That is why political decision at the highest levels in the PNC ought to be made swiftly. What is happening today is nothing but a grave injustice on all the people of Guyana just because one man thinks he alone can do the job; he is the King Saul of Guyana. There is a reason why the State pays the President more than GY$20 million a year; it is certainly not to waste time and defi-

nitely not to work a couple of hours a day.

I wish this no-confidence is a success because anyone with any iota of conscience will know that the voters are being short changed every day by Granger, especially those people who voted for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition. It was no surprise to me that a place like Sophia, a PNC stronghold, did not elect a PNC Councillor to the Georgetown City Council but allowed the People’s Progressive Party to win that seat. It is a clear indication that the people wants the Government to focus on the things that really matter; such as better education, health-care and housing. What is also very clear to me is that the people want the rampant financial waste and corruption under President Granger to reduce. Instead the people are receiving strong doses of self-serving political games all focused at propping up the elites in the PNC rather than the people.

This aloft and elite cabal on top of the PNC must understand that if this Noconfidence Motion miss them in 2018, they will surely be hit by the results of the 2020 General Elections.

That is a promise.

Sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

Dear Editor, Reference is made to your editorial on the No-confidence Motion (Guyana Times, December 18). Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has rebuffed the Opposition Leader’s request for deferral of the debate on the No-Confidence Motion till the New Year.

The Opposition Leader wisely sought a delay of the debate so that peoples’ minds could be on the holiday season rather than on the performance of the Government.

Having a no-confidence debate on the eve of Christmas or end of the year is inappropriate. It is a Grinch that will steal the people’s Christmas. It is unheard of to have a no-confidence motion debate so late in the year. It is not ideal to have this very stressful debate at the holiday period. It just adds to the stress of the period.

Everyone will be on the edge focusing on the outcome rather than completing their plan for the season. In fact, the debate will ruin peoples’ holiday celebrations. So, the debate upsets the holiday plan, and it should be deferred.

I think the Government (PM) should reconsider the request of the Opposition Leader and put off the debate till mid-January. People are busy preparing for the holidays. Members of Parliament themselves and their families must also be preparing for end of year festivities and for travel abroad. In January, every-

one will be back to their normal routine and in a frame of mind to listen to the debate.

I do not think the Opposition has the numbers (33) to make the motion successful. So, the Government need not worry that it would lose the vote if it is delayed till mid-January.

However, it would be unwise for the Opposition Leader to withdraw the motion as suggested by the Prime Minister.

A debate is needed on the performance of the Government to hold it accountable and to suggest reorientation on policymaking. Besides, a no-confidence motion is routine when a Government loses a local election by a huge margin as happened on November 12, 2018, in Guyana.

The debate on the no-confidence motion should have occurred right after it was introduced in the house rather than being delayed till now. That is the norm in the Westminster system. No-confidence motion takes precedence over other matters. In England last week, Members of Parliament from the ruling conservative party called for a no-confidence vote against their Prime Minister. It was held immediately as no-confidence motions supersedes all other matters. The British PM won the no-confidence vote last week.

If the Government was /is so confident of defeating the motion, then it should have held the debate before the budget.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo chided Jagdeo for wanting to exclude him (Nagamootoo) from the Budget Debate because of language in the Constitution barring the Prime Minister from sitting in the House while acting as President. The fraudulent Burnham Constitution is very specific in articles 96, 103, and 178 in who can act as President and what happens thereafter.

The latter states that the acting President must temporarily vacate his or her seat in the Nation Assembly with someone replacing him or her until such time that the acting president ceases the duties.

It does not make sense to exclude the Prime Minister acting as President from sitting in the House; he has so much to offer. I am of the view that the Constitution should be amended to allow the Acting President to sit in the Assembly especially that he or she can contribute to a healthy debate.

Excluding the acting President from sitting in the House does not lessen the voting numbers of the Government in the House. The person acting as President can appoint a temporary Member of Parliament to fill his or her slot. The no-confidence debate should be deferred.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

New CCTV images show Saudi death squad...

form page 4

Saud al-Qahtani Saud al-Qahtani, seen as the right-hand man to Prince Mohammed, was removed as a royal court adviser and is the highest-profile figure implicated in the incident.

The senior Saudi official said Qahtani had authorised one of his subordinates, Maher Mutreb, to conduct what he said was meant to be a negotiation for Khashoggi’s return to the Kingdom.

Maher Mutreb General Maher Mutreb, an aide to Qahtani for information security, was the lead negotiator inside the consulate, according to the senior Saudi official. Without naming him, the public prosecutor said the lead negotiator was the person who decided to kill Khashoggi rather than repatriate him.

Mutreb is a senior intelligence officer and part of Prince Mohammed’s security team. He appeared in photographs with the crown prince on official visits this year to the United States and Europe.

According to the Saudi official, Mutreb was selected for the Istanbul operation because he already knew Khashoggi from their time working together at the Saudi embassy in London.

“He knew Jamal very well

and he was the best one to convince him to return,” the official said.

Mutreb received Khashoggi at the Saudi consul’s office around 13:25h. He began by urging him to come home and claimed he was wanted by Interpol, the official said.

The official said Khashoggi told Mutreb he was violating diplomatic norms and asked whether Mutreb planned to kidnap him. Mutreb said yes, the official said, in an apparent attempt to intimidate Khashoggi.

Sabah newspaper published stills from surveillance cameras that appear to show Mutreb entering the consulate three hours before Khashoggi, and later outside the Consul’s residence.

Salah Tubaigy Salah Tubaigy is a forensic expert at the Saudi interior ministry’s criminal evidence department, according to a biography posted online by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.

In the Istanbul operation, he was supposed to remove evidence such as fingerprints or proof of the use of force, according to the Saudi official.

Ahmed al-Asiri Ahmed al-Asiri, former deputy head of General

Intelligence, was among those sacked by King Salman.

The public prosecutor said he was the one who ordered the operation to repatriate – but not kill – Khashoggi.

Asiri joined the military in 2002, according to Saudi media reports, and was spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition which intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015. He was named deputy chief of foreign intelligence by royal decree in April 2017.

Moustafa al-Madani Moustafa al-Madani led the intelligence efforts for the 15-man team in Istanbul, the senior Saudi official said.

According to that official, Madani donned Khashoggi´s clothes, eyeglasses and Apple watch and left through the back door of the consulate in an attempt to make it look like the Journalist had walked out of the building.

Meshal Saad Albostani Meshal Saad Albostani is a lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force from the Red Sea port of Jeddah, according to a Facebook profile with multiple photographs resembling the suspect identified by Turkish media.

The senior Saudi official said he was responsible for the Istanbul team’s logistics.

Mohammad al-Otaibi Mohammad al-Otaibi is the Istanbul Consul General.

He gave Reuters a tour of the consulate four days after the murder, opening cupboards, filing cabinets and wooden panels covering air conditioning units in an effort to show that Khashoggi was not on the premises.

Otaibi left Istanbul 10 days later and has not been heard from since. He was sanctioned last Thursday by the US Treasury.

Other members of the team Abdulaziz Mohammed al-Hawsawi is a member of the security team that travels with the Saudi crown prince, according to a New York Times report that cited a French professional who has worked with the royal family.

General Rashad bin Hamed al-Hamadi was removed as director of the general directorate of security and protection in the General Intelligence Presidency.

General Abdullah bin Khaleef al-Shaya was removed as assistant head of General Intelligence for human resources.

General Mohammed Saleh al-Ramih was removed as assistant head of General Intelligence for intelligence affairs. None of the three generals were affected by the US

Treasury sanctions.

The suspects could not be reached for comment. The

Treasury also named 10 other Saudis. (Excerpt from dailymail.co.uk)

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e hear so much about holiday stress that it can be easy to lose sight of what the holidays really should be: fun, joyful, and a little bit magical.

So how can we capture the excitement? One way is to think of holiday preparation as fun – something to be enjoyed as much as the actual holidays themselves.

Preparation is about more than just planning and scheduling. It's also about getting our spirits ready and open to the joy that's possible, then creating that joy (for ourselves and others) through our actions.

Anticipate your holiday mood. . .

Looking forward to something fun – and getting caught up in preparing for it – is where good feelings begin. Expecting good things puts us in a happy, excited mood. And when we feel happy and excited, we can actually create the good experiences we want.

It's easy for positive emotions to build and grow. That's one

reason why the holiday spirit is so contagious. When one person is happy, it can lift the spirits of others. They in turn pass this happiness on, and it all keeps going like a game of happy tag. It's no surprise that people say they wish the holiday mood could continue all year.

Being in a spectacularly great mood doesn't mean there has to be a spectacular event to look forward to. In fact, it's often the simple things that are the most meaningful and create the most joy for people.

So what mood do you want to create this holiday? Is it one of joy and fun? Peace and love? Giving and sharing? It's time to think about what might make a special holiday season for you, your family, and friends. . . .Then make it happen!

Start preparing as the season approaches. Play your favou-

rite music to get in the holiday spirit. Decorate in some special way. Are there things you like to have in your room, your home, or maybe a piece of clothing that's become your own personal "holiday tradition"?

When you're in the spirit, start thinking about activities that get the people you know in a holiday mood. Plan to spread out these activities over the coming days.

To create feelings of joy or happiness, you might want to plan activities that make people laugh, such as a gift swap, or give them a chance to sing, like a carolling expedition.

Another feeling that captures the spirit of the holidays is love. Put some real love into your giving by making your own gifts. Holiday traditions of giving and sharing don't have to mean presents, of course.

Small kindnesses bring hope, comfort, and happiness to others, whether it's donating toys for less fortunate kids or being good company for elderly people.

Maybe you want to strengthen feelings of spirituality and peace. Attending services or observing religious customs at home can help you feel more connected to your spiritual side.

Taking part in traditions, visiting people, caring for others, creating surprises, and planning or attending parties and get-togethers are all ways to share the spirit and joy of the holidays. Happiness is contagious and it multiplies. The more joy you give to others, the more joy you feel.

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veryone can benefit from making an effort to practise gratitude every day. These three steps can help you start feeling more grateful, and appreciative of the good things in your life: Notice good things, look for them, appreciate them.

Savour, absorb, and really pay attention to those good things.

Express your gratitude to yourself, write it down, or thank someone.

Notice the good things in your life Start to notice and identify the things you are grateful for. Tune in to the small everyday details of your life and notice the good things you might sometimes take for granted.

Try these ideas: Each day, think of three things you are grateful for. Nature.

People. Community. Shelter. Creature comforts like a warm bed or a good meal. It's amazing what you notice when you focus on feeling grateful.

So how does it feel?

Preparing for the holidays can help you to learn about yourself. It's a chance to get in touch with what makes you feel happy and fulfilled; to learn which things put you in a great mood.

It's also an opportunity to see how a good mood affects your actions and outlook. Are you smiling more? Being just a little kinder to your kid brother or sister? Complaining less about homework and minor everyday hassles?

Make your mood contagious It's no fun if you're the only one expecting good things from the holidays – so get the people around you into the spirit too.

Is someone in your family prone to the holiday blues? What can you do to invite that person to join in your preparations in a sensitive, gentle way that lifts the person's spirits?

It doesn't matter which holiday you celebrate. Creating a positive mood for yourself and making good things happen as a result applies to any situation. So create your own holiday tradition: preparing to feel joyful and fulfilled. (kidshealth.org)

Start a gratitude journal. Making a commitment to writing down good things each day makes it more likely that we will notice good things as they happen.

Practise gratitude rituals. Some people say grace before a meal.

Pausing in gratitude before eating doesn't have to be religious. It's a simple habit that helps us notice and appreciate the blessing of food on the table.

Once you're aware of the blessings of everyday life, the next step is to savour them.

Savour the feeling of gratitude There are moments when you naturally, right then and there, feel filled with gratitude. These are moments when you say to yourself, "Oh, wow, this is amazing!" or "How great is this!"

Pause. Notice and absorb that feeling of true, genuine gratitude.

Let it sink in. Soak it up. Savour your blessings in the moment they happen.

Express gratitude Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It's about showing your heartfelt appreciation. When you thank someone, you're also practising the first two gratitude skills: you've noticed something good, and you've genuinely appreciated it.

Try this: Show your appreciation to someone who did something nice.

Say: "It was really kind of you to…," "It really helped me out when you…," "You did me a big favour when…," "Thank you for listening when…," "I really appreciated it when you taught me…," or "Thank you for being there when…." You also can write your gratitude in a letter.

Express gratitude by doing a kindness. Gratitude might inspire you to return a favour, or act with kindness or thoughtfulness. Or you might see a situation when you can "pay it forward". Hold the door open for the person behind you, even if it means waiting a little longer than you normally would. Do someone else's chores without letting the person find out it was you. Notice how you feel afterward!

Tell the people in your life how you feel, what they mean to you. You don't have to be mushy or over-the-top. We all have our own style. But if you say what you feel in the right tone at the right moment, even a simple, "Mom, good dinner. Thanks!" means a lot.

True gratitude doesn't leave you feeling like you owe other people something – after all, if you've done someone a favour, you probably don't want the person to feel like you expect something back in return. It's all about feeling good and creating a cycle of good. (kidshealth.org)

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

17 suicide attempts recorded PPP/C MP, APNU/AFC supporter cross in 6 months – Top Cop …214 persons called helpline charged for assault

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lthough the Guyana Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Helpline continues to play a critical role in tackling the societal scourge of suicide, there have been 17 attempts from the month of June to date.

This is according to Police Commissioner Leslie James.

Delivering the feature address at the Force’s annual Christmas Awards ceremony on Wednesday at Eve Leary, the Top Cop noted that thus far, the suicide helpline recorded 214 interactions with persons who were prone to committing the act.

He revealed that from June 2018 to date, there were a total of 59 interventions. This included 17 suicide attempts, 16 persons who thought of committing suicide, 14 expressing frustration, and 12 persons who were depressed.

The Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Helpline was launched back in August 2015 to aid in the fight against the societal scourge after it was recognised that suicide rates in Guyana are as significant to that of serious crimes, hence the same urgency and attention was needed to help persons who may feel the need to harm themselves.

During a meeting in

October led by the Top Cop, the European Union (EU) funded Inter-Agency Suicide Helpline came in for high praises for its professionalism and diligent work, especially when responding to clients. The meeting followed a successful 20-month collaboration between the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Inter-agency Suicide Helpline and Youth Challenge Guyana.

It was outlined that the Force manages and maintains the 24-hour suicide prevention hotline and Youth Challenge Guyana, through the EUfunded initiative and provides face-to-face counselling and follow-up for the persons referred by the hotline.

According to reports, suicide is said to be the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds globally, and in 2017, Guyana had a suicide rate of 29.9 deaths per 100,000 persons.

The Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) 2017 Adolescent and Youth Health Report stated that suicide is a leading cause of death amongst persons within the age range of 15 to 24 years, which accounts for more than half of the deaths in persons between 20 and 24.

Only in August, a 22-yearold male nursing student, Heathecliffe Allistare

Bobbsemple, of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, ended his life by consuming a quantity of carbon tablets. He reportedly suffered from mental illness and was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Days prior to the incident, he was reportedly seen acting in an abnormal manner.

His mother, Tracy Bobbsemple had told this publication that the now dead man was wrongfully implicated in a robbery in July and was placed in the lockups but the matter was later dropped after no evidence was found against him. However shortly after, the young man was rearrested and charged for robbery.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on its website said that between 2010 and 2012, Guyana had recorded 667 reported suicide attempts.

It recognised, however, that the Guyana Government has since launched the National Mental Health Action Plan for 2015– 2020 and a national suicide prevention plan.

However, these initiatives are said to be bearing fruit since it has been reported that the country’s suicide rate had reduced from 44.2 per cent per 100,000 people in 2012 to 24.6 per cent per 100,000 persons in recent years.

Brother-in-law confesses to killing security guard

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he Police in Berbice have arrested a man in connection with Tuesday’s stabbing of a security guard in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The man is said to be the brother-in-law of the now dead security guard and also shared the same home with him.

Acting on information, investigators went to a house at Lot 46 Stanleytown, and nabbed the suspect. The home is owned by a friend of the suspect.

According to a source close to the investigation, the suspect has been cooperating with the investigation and has since confessed to the crime.

The body of NKomo LaRose, called “Komo”, 29, of Lot 54 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam was discovered lying in a drain at Lot 41 Stanleytown at about 06:30h on Tuesday.

The body had one stab wound to the chest.

Meanwhile, the suspect was taken back to the scene on Wednesday afternoon where he provided investigators with details of how the alleged murder was committed.

However, the murder weapon was not found.

The brothers-in-law were allegedly involved in a heated argument on Monday afternoon which escalated later that evening.

The dead security guard’s wife, Asha Bailey, who is also the sister of the suspect, had reported that she had called

the Police after both men had armed themselves with a cutlass and a knife.

It was after she had left the home and went to her grandmother’s home about a quarter mile away, that her brother turned up carrying two knives claiming that he was there to kill her.

However, his grandmother Silvya Moolyneaux instructed him to leave the yard.

She told Guyana Times that at the time the gate was padlocked, and she was not sure whether her grandson jumped over the gate or the fence.

Meanwhile, at the scene on Wednesday, the suspect

told investigators that it was after he jumped out of his grandmother’s yard that he saw LaRose approaching.

He detailed that he ran at LaRose while holding the knife in his hand. LaRose made an attempt to run but this proved futile. The man confessed that he plunged the knife into LaRose’s stomach and fled the scene.

Blood stains on the road suggests that the injured man attempted to get to his grandmother-in-law’s yard.

Police are continuing their investigations. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted this week.

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eople’s Progressive P a r t y / C i v i c (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Harry Gill and A Partnership for National Unity supporter, Carol Smith Joseph were on Wednesday charged for assaulting each other.

Gill and Joseph both appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court where they denied the charges and were released on self-bail. The case will continue in February 2019.

It is alleged that on November 7, 2018, Gill and Smith assaulted each other at the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) office.

According to reports, the two were involved in a heated argument after Joseph attacked Gill in an attempt to stop him from taking a photo of GECOM’s schedule for the opening of containers in

PPP/C MP Harry Gill

Carol Smith Joseph

the area ahead of the Local Government Elections.

On Tuesday, the political Opposition said Gill was viciously assaulted with a chain by Joseph in the presence of a Police Inspector and the GECOM Supervisor, Clearmont Mingo, while he (Gill) was recording Joseph’s tantrum behaviour, which was hostile.

While maintaining that

the charge is completely without any basis, the PPP has since called upon the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to immediately intervene and terminate what they described as a “baseless charge” against Gill. “… lest that office continues to bear the public perception that it is infected by politics and politicians,” it added.

PPP/C writes Police...

Meanwhile, on Monday, Opposition Leader and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo called for the authorities and the National Assembly to implement measures that would protect MPs and ensure that Friday’s no-confidence vote could go forward unhindered.

The Opposition Leader expressed fears that there may be attempts to disrupt the vote by persons in the gallery. According to him, it only takes one crossover vote or two abstentions from the Government side for them to win. He said that because of this precarious margin and certain information his party has received, they were apprehensive.

Jagdeo expressed hope that the diplomatic community would bear witness to the proceedings, whichever way the vote turned out.

Jagdeo had first announced the no-confidence motion on November 15, 2018, on the heels of devastating losses in the Local Government Elections (LGE) for the coalition

from page 3

Government.

The next day, the scheduled sitting of the National Assembly was abruptly cancelled at Government’s request and the Opposition turned up to an empty chamber. In the half-empty Parliament Chambers, Jagdeo reiterated some of his expectations regarding the motion.

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Kitty shooting

No charges for reporter, shot victim to be charged instead

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ne day after the man who was shot by a local reporter accused the Police of trying to cover up the incident, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the victim be charged instead of his shooter.

Jimmy Ramgobin, 28, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was shot two weeks ago by reporter Travis Chase. The shooting allegedly occurred after the labourer reportedly pelted bottles at Chase.

Ramgobin spoke with Guyana Times on Tuesday and recounted the ordeal, revealing that at no time did he attack Chase by pelting bottles. According to the man, on the night of December 2, 2018, he went out with friends and became highly intoxicated.

On his way home, he claimed that owing to his drunken state, he fell on the parapet and lost conscious-

Reporter Travis Chase

ness. He later learnt that he fell unconscious in front of Chase’s girlfriend’s property, located along De Abreu Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

However, he was awakened by repeated kicks to his ribs and in a traumatised state, he got up and attempted to escape the beating.

“Between my sleep, I feel somebody kicking me in my ribs; when I look up, I see a

man with a gun in he hand, I look on the other side, I see a girl standing on the other side, so I get up and I decided to run,” Ramgobin related.

He further recounted that as he ran away, he heard several shots being fired behind him and suddenly felt a burning sensation on his right foot.

He related that he was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he received treatment, and was told by Police ranks that the matter would be investigated.

Meanwhile, the reporter allegedly told Police that he was attacked by the man who began to hurl bottles at him and in retaliation, he whipped out his licensed firearm and discharged several rounds. One of the bullets, he told Police, struck Ramgobin.

This publication was told that a .32 spent shell was re-

Jimmy Ramgobin

covered at the scene. As the news broke of the shooting incident, the Journalist held out that he was not involved in the shooting incident and he had no reason to be in De Abreu Street, Kitty, at that time in the morning, since he resides at Lot 1 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He also related that he was not the owner of a .32 weapon.

South Ruimveldt man confesses to unlawful wounding

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4 3 - y e a r - o l d South Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident on Wednesday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of unlawful wounding.

Quincy Thompson ad-

mitted that on November 3, 2018 at Humming Bird Street, North Ruimveldt, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Perciva Duncan.

The unrepresented man, in a plea of mitigation told the court, that he was willing to compensate the Virtual Complainant for the

injuries sustained.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne informed the court that on November 3, the VC and the defendant were involved in a heated argument over a pair of sunglasses, after which Thompson armed with a cutlass dealt the VC a chop to his right forearm.

The VC was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received medical treatment. Thompson has agreed to compensation of $10,000 to the VC. Failure to pay the compensation will result in him spending four weeks in prison.

“Whistle” slapped with more assault, robbery charges

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well-known character to the court, Leon Duncan, also known as “Whistle”, who was previously charged for multiple offences, including robbery and murder, on Wednesday made yet another appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on more charges of assault and robbery.

The 28-year-old, who hails from Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the first new charge, which stated that on November 14, 2018 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Ryan Carter.

Another charge, which Duncan also denied, stated that on December 15, 2018 at Bent Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, while

being in the company of others, he robbed Reyon Halley of two gold rings valued $180,000, a pair of gold earrings valued $30,000, a Samsung cellphone valued $35,000 and $25,000.

Duncan was represented by Attorney-at-Law Keoma Griffith, who made a bail application.

The Chief Magistrate released the defendant on self-bail for the assault charge while the robbery charge was dismissed against him, since the Virtual Complainant would not give any evidence in the matter.

Duncan is expected to make his next court appearance on January 7, 2019.

Defending…

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…the indefensible Govt record ith the spectre of the PPP’s no-confidence motion looming in front of the PNC-led Government, their desperation is ballooning into gargantuan proportions. One can just listen to the tone of the defences they’ve thrown up to the PPP’s charge that they’ve lost the confidence of the Guyanese people: they’re downright panic-stricken!! The first damp squib was tossed out by PM Nagamootoo, as described by your Eyewitness yesterday, when he exploited President Granger’s lymphoma in his Chronic Column as a sob story to deflect from the Government’s failures.

He claims the PPP’s motion is heartless since their motion would “negatively affect” the President’s health!!

Nagamootoo might just win the Nobel Prize for medicine since no one else has shown a connect between lymphoma and disappointment!! The PNC – of which Nagamootoo has to be now a card-carrying member since he still has his Chronic Govt job! – has to be scraping the barrel. They pulled out ERC Councillor and ACDA Executive, Barrington Braithwaite, to repeat the logical fallacy in yesterday’s Chronic!!

But let’s look a gander at the “accomplishments” the PNC trotted out in full page advertisements, to get a measure of their desperation. Right off the bat they boasted about CLOSING FOUR SUGAR ESTATES and firing 7000 workers – without providing any alternate means of earning a livelihood!! Note that they did this AGAINST the recommendations of their own CoI. But conceding that they felt the closure made “economic sense” – even though it’s a social disaster – why didn’t they do what the PPP did when the bauxite industry was downsized?

The PPP initiated talks with the EU and negotiated a 12 million Euro grant – equivalent to $2 billion – in 2002, which was plunked into a Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) to spur entrepreneurship in the bauxite town. LEAP was augmented by LEAF which was continued by the PNC as LEN with $155 million. This year, another $160 million was plunked in! Now, nobody begrudges Linden from getting all these funds to stimulate business creation – on top of $3 billion annual subsidies for electricity. But for the PNC to list the closure of sugar estates as an “accomplishment”, shouldn’t they at least show some compassion like the PPP did?

The PNC also asserted that they’ve restored Georgetown to being the “Garden City” – “cleaner, more beautiful and not cluttered with garbage”!!! It’s obvious when the PM and the other PNC Ministers tool around the city in their heavily tinted black SUVs with flashing lights, outriders and sirens, they can’t actually see the growing mountains of garbage at strategic locales!!

The PNC shot themselves so many times in the foot, we might as well stop here.

Christmas goodwill and all that!! …more Venezuelans into Guyana A week ago, when the Russians flew four long-range bombers into Venezuela, there was panic in some camps ,who ran out of their homes crying, “The Venezuelans are coming!! The Venezuelans are coming!!”. That was a false alarm…but not necessarily a false statement!

The Venezuelans are in fact coming – but at this time as refugees and not soldiers.

As of a month ago, there were some 2800+ OFFICIALLY acknowledged Venezuelans in Region One. But conservatively speaking, for every one of those you can bet there’s a corresponding Venezuelan not counted, but here.

Have you sauntered around Georgetown lately?? The UN just informed us that we can expect the influx to continue – and who knows, even intensify. They’re talking about some funding to assist in the expenses to house and feed these hapless souls.

But we have to look ahead to the future. If the demographic becomes significant – say, 10,000 which at least two seats worth – then we may have another set of swing votes!!

See? The political logjam is solved!! …professional T20 Hats off to young Hetmeyer, Rutherford and Paul for signing with IPL teams. No matter how much hand wringing the WICB engages in, professional T20 is here to stay and they’d better embrace it.

Can they match those figures to keep the youngsters home?

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

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo, NICIL/SPU conflict

GPO staff endure animal attacks to deliver mails

Sports bar establishment “cynical” in the midst of …persons urged to collect mailboxes industry’s disaster – Ram T

The Estate Lounge bar at LBI, East Coast Demerara is at the centre of much conflict (Guyana Times file photo)

T

hree months after the Estate Lounge at the defunct La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara sugar estate was described as an “air-conditioned rum shop”, Chartered Accountant and Attorney Christopher Ram has joined in the criticism of the converted facility LBI, telling Guyana Times that its establishment was “cynical”.

He made these comments in light of the fact that the sports bar was rehabilitated at a time when many ex-sugar workers continue to encounter challenges such as reduced earnings and joblessness.

“It is so petty, so cynical, how could you do this in the midst of the disaster that has befallen the industry,” Ram said in response to whether or not the sports bar’s establishment was appropriate.

The sports bar was established by the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) which manages the divested estates – this being all expect Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. The latter three are under the control of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) which in times past, was responsible for the industry when it was nationalised by the then Government in the 1970s.

The SPU falls under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which is under the Finance Ministry.

There has been much ten-

sion between GuySuCo and NICIL/SPU over the last several months with the two State entities, each making wide-ranging accusations against the other.

Ram, weighing in on the issue during an exclusive interview on Tuesday, told Guyana Times that at present there is “chaos, confusion and misdirection, particularly led by NICIL” which the outspoken political commentator feels has only added tensions.

“I think the relation between GuySuCo and NICIL is so bad that they are no longer working in the same interest. I am not sure where the SPU it gets hierarchy and policy from and it is really trying to achieve.

So far it has achieved zero and there is no real and immediate prospect of an early solution. If there is then the SPU is keeping that as a very well-kept secret,” Ram stressed.

The SPU manages the Estates of Wales, Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore. The agency was entrusted by Government with a $30 billion bond to be paid out it tranches as the State was eying private investors.

However, in recent days reports surfaced that “frustrated” staff and managers at GuySuCo had been gearing up to protest the SPU’s direction regarding its plans for revitalising the industry. Shortly after, GuySuCo’s Communications Director, Audreyanna

Thomas issued a response, noting that Corporation’s concerns were being “addressed at the highest levels of the Government, Board of Directors of GuySuCo and the Chief Executive.”

“The Corporation would like to assure managers and staff that these matters will be resolved and as such, individual staff members should not be persuaded to resort to any suggested protest action on 20 and 21 December, 2018. Employees of the Corporation will receive regular updates, on the progress of these engagements,” Thomas outlined in a published letter.

The dispute began with a battle over the ownership of the converted LBI Estate Lounge/sports bar which led officials at the GuySuCo to lock the gates prior to a launch ceremony opening the bar. SPU’s Lounge/bar was established even though dismissed sugar workers had to wait one year for their severance payment from GuySuCo, which had said that the bar’s overhaul was not in keeping with the Sugar Corporation’s values.

Guyana Times had interviewed several sugar workers who expressed that the wanted their severance as opposed to the sports bar which was concurred by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall when he said that the bar was a “well-appointed, air-conditioned rum shop for the elitists to wine and dine.”

o end the scourge of animal attacks on postmen and women of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), the Telecommunications Ministry now requires consumers to acquire a mailbox, especially during the holiday season.

At the Kitty Post Office on Wednesday, Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes announced that workers are put at risk when they venture into unknown yards to deliver mail.

In some cases, they are injured by animals of the proprietors and as such, efforts have been made to distribute mailboxes to some individuals.

“The volume of return mail is increasing, and we want to reduce that and we want to ensure the safety of our postmen and our postwomen who are committed to delivering mail on time.”

She noted that on many occasions, dozens of mails are returned to the post office and it is unfeasible to return those mails several times before it is collected.

“If they go to deliver and there is no mailbox, this piece of mail has to go right back to the GPOC and quite often, it has to be resorted…one letter or one bill could be resorted up to five times.”

She stressed that this may result in utility bills arriving

Postmaster General Karen Brown (left) handing over a mailbox to a Georgetown resident

at later dates which can cause serious issues with the respective agencies.

Hughes said, “We’re talking about all kinds of mail.

We’re talking about you regular mail… registered mail, NIS vouchers, and important tax messages. Sometimes it can be a death, birth or marriage certificate; TIN certificate and at this season, Christmas cards.”

Postmaster General Karen Brown explained the initiative, which would have commenced since last February, as a campaign to increase awareness on the importance of mailboxes. She noted that throughout this venture, the

GPOC would have assisted small entrepreneurs in selling over 1700 postboxes across Guyana.

“To date, we sold 570 boxes [on] the East Bank; LindenWismar area, 373 boxes; Berbice, New Amsterdam, Skeldon area was 215 boxes and the West Coast Demerara was 126 boxes…Nothing makes us happier that been able to serve you.”

From this week, over 100 mailboxes will be distributed to persons who are in need of one. GPOC workers would have carried out a survey in their communities to formulate a list of persons who are eligible to receive these boxes.

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Wales Estate closure aftermath

All-weather road remains a pipe dream – GAWU

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ecember 31, 2018, marks two years since the Wales Sugar Estate was officially closed, and to date, many West Bank Demerara (WBD) sugar cane farmers have abandoned their plots due to the non-construction of an all-weather road to transport their produce to the Uitvlugt Estate as was promised. This factory is located on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), some 22 miles away from Wales and when Government confirmed the Wales’s closure, the Agriculture Ministry gave all assurances that the all-weather road would have been constructed. At one point, tenders were published in the local press but since then, little has been heard about the construction of the project.

In fact, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), which was the Union for workers at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Wednesday said the issue of the non-existent road was highlighted.

GAWU reminded the public that as many as 774 farmers had aggregately cultivated 2674.4 hectares as outlined in the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry.

“Farmers were a significant feature of Wales contributing half and sometimes more of sugar production. In announcing the closure, the

Some of the abandoned cane lands at Belle Vue, WBD as seen on Sunday

Government said farmers’ canes would be processed at Uitvlugt and an appropriate road would be built. Today, that road remains a pipe dream and many farmers unable to transport their canes by public road have simply abandoned their plots,” the union body stressed.

In the interim, some of the farmers, including those from Canal Number One and La Retraite, WBD, crafted a makeshift route to transport their canes from Wales to Uitvlugt. This transport route was however said to be an expensive undertaking for farmers as Guyana Times reported in March.

At present, the current rainy weather patterns are causing the producers to encounter problems in accessing the backlands. Many of the farmers at Belle Vue, Good Intent, La Retraite and elsewhere have abandoned their plots while several others have ventured into planting alternative crops. For Belle Vue farmers, it was not until 2017

that they were granted the go-ahead by President David Granger owing their original 1956 lease outlining that they could have only cultivated sugarcane. However, they suffered losses when the dry weather patterns prevailed and access to irrigation channels proved difficult due to overgrown weeds.

When Guyana Times spoke the several farmers earlier this year, they complained of having to leave sugar cultivation over the expense of transporting canes to Uitvlugt.

GAWU has highlighted that some 7000 workers were dismissed while thousands more are being affected from estate closures, especially the closure of Wales. The Union added that the current Administration seems not too keen credibility by way inconsistence in polices versus campaign promises prior to its assumption to office in May 2015.

“The actions by the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change]

APNU/AFC Government are poles apart from what they said the coalition committed to do during the elections campaign. Moreover, the realities the workers and their families and their communities now confront are starkly different from what the Administration promised when it announced the closure of the estates. From all appearances, it seems that credibility is not something that is held in high esteem for the Administration taking into account its actions in other areas of national life as well,” the Union maintained.

GAWU feels that those affected by the closures are seeing a Christmas season that is “most depressing” as many are unable to afford many of the “niceties” of this season.

But even as GAWU, is now coming out criticising the Administration over the sugar industry, the sugar workers themselves earlier in the year had accused the Union of not having their best interest at heart. As a matter of fact, in January, hundreds of sugar workers and senior persons in the sugar industry who were dissatisfied with the way the GAWU had handled the sudden closure of sugar estates along with severance benefits and other issues relative to the sugar industry, had called for the Union’s President, Komal Chand, to resign.

GPHC to tackle “bad attitude” of nurses, doctors – CEO

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n admitting that some nurses and doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) have “bad attitudes”, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis during an interview with Guyana Times said the entity is working to tackle the issue through training.

The CEO explained to this newspaper that he received many complaints from patients when it comes to the attitude of nurses as well as some doctors.

“The behaviour of not only nurses but of healthcare workers in general has not been one that is acceptable,” he said.

Lewis was keen to note that while some healthcare workers may have unacceptable attitudes, there are a number of other dedicated and hardworking professionals who ought to be recognised for their service as well. “However, in every barrel there might be one and two bad apples and we are working to address that,” he said.

According to him, the Hospital hopes to address this issue through training for their health workers.

“When we address it through training we are looking at letting the persons understand what is the acceptable behaviour (and) what we expect from them and we think that by providing training, it will help to alleviate the situation,” the CEO noted.

He was sure to point out that the attitude of those healthcare providers will not change overnight but the Hospital will “over a period of

GPHC CEO Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis

time” reduce the amount of reports being received.

According to him, training has begun with those healthcare providers. He explained, “We are doing training with two fronts. In some cases it’s in-house, locally at Georgetown Public Hospital where we are doing customer care training. In some cases, we bring in facilitators from outside of the Hospital.”

In addition, he said that a number of other programmes are ongoing at the Accident and Emergency Department which is working along with a University by the name of Vanderbilt. These programmes are designed to help the Emergency nurses when it comes to professionalism, behaviour, attitude, knowledge and other areas the CEO said.

“We are hoping that over time and with training, we are going to eliminate this problem,” the optimistic head asserted.

Patients have often times complained about not getting quality service at the GPHC.

Benefits of allowing kids to play with toys

thursDAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

They help perfect their motor skills

As your child grows on a daily basis, they need to develop different motor skills which are important hink back to a time when you were younger. Do you for their development. Interactive toys allow children remember that one toy that you simply could not put down or part to develop their ability to master dexterity and handwith? We all had that one toy that meant the world to us. eye coordination. Examples of toys which help a child's The festive season is here, and if you're a parent reading this, you are motor skills include bead mazes, wooden touch-andprobably going to receive a long list that you need to send to Santa on behalf of your little one.

In addition to keeping your child entertained while you do grown-up things, there are also educational benefits of allowing your kids to play with toys.

Here are just three of them that we've found:

T

They help a child's imagination In some natural way, toys help to stimulate a child's imagination and allow them to think outside the box. While a blue and red truck may not look the most appealing to an adult, for a child playing with that truck, it allows them to escape to another world. Playing with toys of different shapes and sizes helps stimulate the mind, and helps unlock different parts of their imagination.

They help kids to be social When kids play, they love having someone else to join in on the fun and play with them. Toys have a way of allowing them to play and engage with other kids – a crucial skill to develop especially for those schooling years and beyond. Play dates are a good way to allow your child to have fun and develop their social skills with other little ones.

feel puzzles, and magnetic fishing games.

While you're out this festive season buying your child their favourite toy, spare a thought for the many underprivileged children who have never had the joy of playing with a toy. You can help ensure that they too have a toy story to tell by donating a toy to this year for those in need. (www.ecr.co.za)

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018 | gu

A

s Christmas Day draws closer, our meals become larger and larger, and our social calendar fills up with brunches, lunches, and dinners. While ostentatious dinner parties with copious amounts of food and wine are common this time of year, tables around the world are filled with different traditional feast dishes. While you are making calls to get that ham for your Christmas Eve dinners, get some ideas from these international traditions.

Denmark The centre of a Danish Christmas dinner would be flæskesteg (roast pork prepared with crackling), with a side of boiled potatoes and brunede kartofler (caramelised onions).

Greece The night before Christmas, Greeks bake a Christopsomo, a tradition over a thousand years old with hundreds of family variations, a round bread adorned with a cross made with love as an offering to Jesus Christ. It is eaten on Christmas, when the father of the house makes a sign of the cross to bless the bread before he cuts and shares it with his family.

Italy In St Peter’s Basilica, on Christmas Eve, crowds of Italians and visitors from around the world gather to hear the Pope’s evening mass.

Afterwards, they come home to Cenone della Vigilia, a big Christmas Eve feast, traditionally of fresh seafood and vegetables, like fritto misto. (asiatatler.com)

er 20, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

bake a d years a round ve as an ristmas, n of the d shares

as Eve, und the g mass. ne della nally of o misto.

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thursDAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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thursDAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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thursDAY, december 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

M

y name is Shanazz Embletion; I'm a young girl with lots of dreams.

Growing up wasn't always an easy task but yet I made it very far.

As a young girl growing up, I was inspired by my grandmother – a woman of class and ambition, a role model for the community

and an angel for me. My grandmother was a seamstress and my grandfather was a tailor; they had almost 50 years in the clothing industry, which they loved.

Growing up, my dream job was to become a judge, but after I got into law school, I had to quit. While attending law

school, I was also the owner of an Internet café, but after a year , I couldn't continue with my law studies and that was my biggest downfall. I left law school, and started to dream bigger and bigger every day.

With the help of my grandmother, I was able to open my own event planning business in the year 2012. My journey in event planning, particularly at the beginning, was never an easy road, but I never gave up. However, the hardest part of my life was yet to come – when my grandmother passed away. My whole little world came crashing down, but I continued my life journey with her memories and came all the way to 2018 with my own business showroom and event planning service.

I got into event planning owing to my liking of the cloth which my grandparents created, I never wanted that line of cloth to go out of my family line, and my only choice was to become an event planning. Beside my eventplanning job, I would also like to become a motivational speaker in the future and complete my five-year dreams

of owning my very own wedding banquet hall and a home for kids and elderly people. Being around persons who need our love and affection gives me real peace of mind and lots of happiness, seeing the joy on the faces of others is the best feeling I could ask for. For the past three years I've been going to the boys’ and girls’ orphanage in Kitty; I would also be spending my Christmas with the kids from the home this year. There isn't any other way I could ask for a better Christmas gift this year – helping others is my passion and I shall always help others no matter what: I will keep on spreading the love and joy with others always.

With the new year of 2019 about to soon start, we will be opening our new line of businesses, focusing on make-up and wedding outfits.

I keep on doing more and more to make my grandparents proud of me.

My favourite quote is “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start from where you are and change the ending !!”

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thursdAY, december 20, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Elderly persons left Rowan jackup to drill for abandoned at GPHC CGX offshore Guyana

A

s elderly persons continue to be abandoned at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) even after being discharged, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis has reminded the children and loved ones of those elderly persons that the Hospital is not a geriatric home.

In an almost annoyed tone, the CEO said, while responding to questions posted by the media at the sidelines of an event, that the loved ones of those persons should be there to collect them as it continues to affect other patients who may be in dire need of care and moreover, a bed at the Hospital.

“Another challenge that we had where patients are discharged but then the relatives and loved ones rate not coming quickly enough to take them home. It means the bed is occupied when we have a patient who can utilize that bed and at the same time in some cases particularly for the elderly, those patients being abandoned in the hospital,” Lewis pointed out that the Hospital’s policies does not permit the officials to just throw persons out of the Hospital so in those cases they are forced to contact the Social Services Department to find a placement for the individual, or in this case in-

GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis

dividuals.

“The Georgetown Public Hospital is an institution where we try to make people better its not a geriatric home,” he signaled.

In making that statement, the CEO further made an appeal for relatives to be more conscious of this grave inconvenience they are faced with and moreover that they would look after their love ones and not abandon them in the Hospital.

Over the years and specifically over the past few months, the Hospital has recorded an increase in the number of persons being abandoned at the Hospital.

In fact it was only back in March that this newspaper reported the increase while the CEO was appealing to family members to contact the Hospital.

Lewis made the appeal while speaking at a Social

Worker’s Day function. He said, “I would like to use this forum to ask relatives and family members of patients who have been abandoned at the Georgetown Hospital to please assist the administration by coming to the hospital and collecting your relatives and caring for them”.

The CEO further noted that while the GPHC primarily functions as a medium for patients to receive medical treatment, undue advantage is taken by persons who desert their family members that are suffering from a communicable disease.

“It is not fair to those children, who are abandoned in our wards. It is not fair to those aged persons.

So please, help the administration of the Georgetown Hospital by collecting your relatives,” he added.

C

anadian oil and gas exploration company CGX has awarded the Rowan jackup Ralph Coffman, a one-well contract offshore Guyana.

The contract has an estimated duration of 60 days.

According to Offshore, it is expected to start in second quarter of 2019.

The Ralph Coffman, a 240-C Class harsh environment jackup rig, is currently under contract with GulfSlope Energy in the Gulf of Mexico through its current well, which is estimated to conclude in mid-January 2019.

In August, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had announced that CGX was set to commence drilling on the Corentyne block as early as the end of this year.

The oil company has already appointed a drilling engineer, who will be in charge of designing its offshore exploration well on

Guyanese man arrested in NY for killing daughter, friend

the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana. According to Trotman, the Government is excited about the project.

Also in August, CGX announced its next exploration well with an Indigenous naming and blessing ceremony by the historic Aleluya Indigenous Group.

The well named “Utakwaaka” is expected to be drilled in November 2019 in the company’s Corentyne Block offshore Guyana.

CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine had said that giving the well an Indigenous name was a departure from the norm in the oil industry.

In late 2017, CGX had said that as part of the renegotiation of its contract with the Government of Guyana, it would relinquish to the Government 25 per cent of the acreage of both the Corentyne and Demerara blocks.

The new work commitments include drill-

USA added to list of most dangerous countries for Journalists

T

A

Vanessa Zaman (left) and Leona Samlall

Guyanese man is now in the custody of Police in New York after he is suspected of shooting and killing his 18-yearold daughter and her friend, also 18, in Henrico County, Virginia.

Thirty-nine-year-old Abdool Zaman, who migrated to the United States several years ago and who resides in Orlando, Florida, reportedly killed the duo – Vanessa Zaman and Leona Samlall – as they were walking near the Oakmeade Apartments on Airport Drive and East Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs, one block from where they lived.

Reports indicate that Zaman had reportedly been staying with Samlall’s family when the killings occurred.

Samlall has also been reportedly missing and listed on the Henrico County’s missing list since 2016 when she withdrew from the Highland Spring School reportedly escaping a rocky relationship.

A motive for the killings is yet to be determined; however, Zaman is expected to be charged with two counts of second degree murder.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Zaman’s mother, Saveeta Barnes took to her Instagram account to share

Abool Zaman (ABC8news photo)

her sorrow over her daughter’s demise.

“The loss of a child is like losing your inner soul,” Barnes posted on Instagram. “My daughter was my life and nothing will ever be the same. Always in my heart my baby girl…My heart is torn into a million pieces, I cannot bring myself to accept the reality of losing my love, my child, my firstborn, my everything. I wish I could rewind time my baby, I will see you soon.

Mommy loves you to infinity and beyond my “lilo,” my lovee. Rest in peace my love, rest in peace,” Barnes wrote.

ABC8news reported on Monday that Barnes said

that "Vanessa always wanted his love and for him to be a part of her life. When she turned 18 she got in contact with her father. Even after telling her countless times that he was not a good person, she still went ahead and moved in with him."

Barnes said Vanessa's life took a tragic turn when she tried to protect Samlall.

"Vanessa took Leona back to her mom in Virginia, not knowing that her father was following her," maintains Barnes.

Since last week, investigators had been chasing leads in Orlando, New York and Connecticut in their search for Zaman.

ing an exploration well on the Corentyne Block by November 27, 2019; acquiring additional seismic or conducting seismic reprocessing by November 27, 2020; drilling an exploration well

by November 27, 2022 in the Demerara Block; completing any additional data processing and planning, and securing all regulatory approvals for the drilling of an exploration well by February 12, 2020; drilling an exploration well by February 12, 2021, and another by February 12, 2023 in the Berbice Block; completing a geochemical survey of a minimum area of 120 square kilometres and commencing a seismic programme defined by the aforementioned geochemical survey by February 12, 2020; completing the seismic programme and completing all processing and interpretation of data by August 12, 2021; and drilling an exploration well by February 12, 2023.

he murder of the Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi — in a year when more than half of all journalists who were killed around the world were targeted deliberately — reflects a hatred of the media in many areas of society, a free-press advocacy group said Tuesday.

At least 63 professional journalists were killed doing their jobs in 2018, a 15 per cent increase over last year, said the group, Reporters Without Borders. The number of deaths rises to 80 when all media workers and people classified as citizen journalists are included, it said in its annual report.

The world's five deadliest countries for Journalists include three — India, Mexico and, for the first time, the United States — where Journalists were killed in cold blood, even though those countries were not at war or in conflict, the group said.

"The hatred of Journalists that is voiced ... by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground, and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against Journalists,"

Secretary General Christophe Deloire said in a statement.

Khashoggi, a royal insider who became a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and began writing for The Washington Post after moving to the United States last year, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in October.

His death sparked worldwide outrage. Saudi officials have rejected accusations that the Crown Prince ordered his death.

Reporters Without Borders said the three most dangerous countries for Journalists to work in were Afghanistan, Syria, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the shooting deaths of five employees of the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, in June propelled the United States into the ranks of the most dangerous countries for the first time.

Reporters Without Borders said 348 Journalists were being detained worldwide, compared with 326 at this time in 2017. China, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt hold more than half of the world's imprisoned Journalists, it said. (Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, december 20, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Push for what you want.

Don't stop until you are satisfied with your effort and the results you get. A gift, bonus or unexpected reward is heading your way.

Sign up for something you want to learn. Talk to an expert about the possibility of picking his or her brain or apprenticing. Opportunity is within reach.

Emotions will fester if someone is not being upfront with you. Check the facts before you agree to something that could end up being more trouble than it's worth.

If you share your unique ideas, you'll be surprised at the interest someone shows.

A makeover will give you the pick-me-up you need to help build your confidence and attract attention.

Have fun with children or volunteer to help out in your community. What you contribute will raise your profile and make you and your loved ones proud.

Don't give in to someone pestering you for something you can't afford or don't want to do. Make moderate choices and stick to them, regardless of what others do.

A change will do you LIBRA (Sept. 23- good and help you adjust to Oct. 23) an offer that you find tempting. Don't let anyone make you feel bad or guilty for the choices you make.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — TAMARIN (TAMARIN: TAM-uh-rin: A small South American monkey.)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Love is on the rise, and plans to romance someone special should be put into play. Sharing a quality moment will help cement an important relationship.

You'll have a change of SAGITTARIUS heart when it comes to per(Nov. 23- sonal matters. Look at the Dec. 21) past, learn from your mistakes and do what's required to turn a negative into a positive.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 22 or more words in TAMARIN? The list will be published tomorrow.

Get everyone at home inCAPRICORN volved in the preparations (Dec. 22- and changes you want to Jan. 19) make. Purging and donating things you no longer need is favored.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — MERCIES

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle mere mesic mice mire miser emir remise

rice rime rise cerise cire cries crime

scree scrim seem seer semi sere sire

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Say what's on your mind AQUARIUS and clear the air. You can(Jan. 20- not move forward unless you Feb. 19) take care of unfinished business. Changes at home will give you something to look forward to.

Choose your battles wisePISCES (Feb. 20- ly. Walk away from impossible March 20) situations. You will feel bet-

ter and accomplish more if you concentrate on your personal finances, contracts or on handling someone else's affairs.

thursdAY, december 20, 2018

Bartica Football Association has newly-elected President

Five-time Olympic champion Franklin retires at 23 M

New BFA President Alden Marslowe (centre) and his team

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lden Marslowe is the new President of the Bartica Football Association (BFA) following elections last Monday in the Region Seven mining community.

The elections, supervised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), saw the Marslowe-led slate defeating the slate headed by Michael Dos Santos.

In an invited comment, Marslowe was high in praise

for his team and supporters, and said he was humbled to be tasked with this great undertaking. “It is indeed an honour to assume this responsibility of leading the charge towards the revival of the sport at Bartica. With the many broad shoulders at the wheel, the Association can only go in the direction of ultimate success. Bartica will start scoring goals again, soon,” he said.

Following a lull in foot-

ball activities and the disintegration of the Executive Committee, a “Resuscitation Working Group” was established in May 2018 comprising nine members, including Marslowe and a few other members of the new executive. During their tenure, the group successfully executed the Independence Cup Championship from May 1326, 2018.

The winning team is as follows: Alden Marslowe

– President; Elwes Jones – First Vice President; Kenneth Edwards – Second Vice President; Carmel Williams – Third Vice President; Arita Embleton – Secretary; Kwesi Jacobs – Treasurer and Michelle Jeffery – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.

The Committee Members are Sherwin Da Silva, Curtis Joseph, Terrence Williams, Vince Hopkinson, and Randy Adams.

Petra lends a hand to assist MoE Ground maintenance T

he Petra Organisation, which has been in the forefront of organising football tournaments for a number of years, has taken it upon itself to contribute to the upkeep of the venue it has often utilised.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground as the name suggests is owned by the Ministry, but it is regularly used by the organising body to host football tournaments for the Under-11s to Under-14s, Under-18 and even senior leagues.

Speaking on the rationale behind Petra’s contribution, Co-Director Troy Mendonca explained that there was always a need for good sporting facilities.

“We understand the importance of a very good facility and also we understand the challenges that sports in general faces in this country with the limited resources, but our belief is that in order to move forward, we need baby steps,” Mendonca said.

As such, the Organisation revealed that

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca as he pledges the Organisation’s commitment to maintaining the facility

this venture was only a small part of the maintenance work that it has been participating in over the years.

“Over the past two years, we would have been active here and from time to time, we would have made several notable contributions to-

wards the development of this facility. We would have been maintaining the facility in terms of weeding and taking care of the drainage, etc.”

The donation includes 12 additional high-powered lamps, one Honda lawn mower and one Stihl brush

cutter which will assist in the timely upkeep of the playing field.

“We will continue to do what is best so that this facility can continue to be used by athletes and more so football,” Mendonca stated, in pledging his continued support to the facility.

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issy Franklin, the 2012 World Swimmer of the Year, announced her retirement on Wednesday at age 23, citing intense pain from shoulder injuries that have dogged her for nearly three years.

Franklin was a 17-yearold when she won the 100 and 200 meters backstroke events at the 2012 London Olympics, the latter in a world-record time that still stands more than six years later.

She also made the final in two other individual events in London, and was part of two victorious U.S. relay teams.

Franklin picked up six golds at the 2013 Barcelona World Championships, but never improved her personal best times from London.

She struggled to replicate her teenage performances after first experiencing bad shoulder pain in early 2016.

She still made the U.S. team for the Rio Olympics, however, where she picked up another relay gold after swimming in the heats, before having surgery on both shoulders last year.

“This was perhaps the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write ... Today, I announce my retirement from competitive swimming,” Franklin wrote on Twitter.

She explained her reasons for retiring in an article for ESPN.com.

“I’ve been in too much pain, for too long, to go through another surgery with a longer recovery time and no guarantee it would even help,” she wrote.

“It took me a long time to say the words, ‘I am retiring.’ A long, long time. But now I’m ready.” (Reuters) Missy Franklin

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, december 20, 2018

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Windies Test squad for England wide open …Carter among players to watch out for

By Brandon Corlette

T

he new year is just around the corner and a new Test series looms for the West Indies against a strong England unit.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, West Indies will host England in the first of three Test matches. The exhilarating Test series will bowl off at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, at 10:00h.

After recent humbling defeats in Test series against India and Bangladesh, a few Test players may be axed by the selectors. The ongoing 2018-2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day Tournament may determine who the next Test star is, or which player will cement their places in the upcoming home Test series.

With a dominant Barbadian selection panel, Jonathan

Alzari Joseph

Carter may be among the players in contention for Test selection. Carter has showed good signs of the improvement of his batting in the 2018-2019 Regional Super50, hitting the most runs. He finished the 50over domestic tournament with 351 runs at a formidable average of 50. In the longer format of the game, Carter has shown transitional signs thus far in the ongoing Regional 4-Day Tournament, hitting two half-centuries in as many matches for the Barbados Pride. He has certainly captured the selectors’ attention, but registering centuries will be his goal for the remaining eight rounds.

M i g u e l Cummings was handed the axe by t h e

Windies selectors when he was dropped in the home Test series against Bangladesh in July 2018.

Cummings has returned to the domestic circuit, and the fast bowler has looked threatening thus far, capturing nine wickets in the first two rounds of the 20182019 Regional 4-Day competition, playing for Barbados Pride.

Jomel Warrican has proved his worth in the FirstClass arena, and showed similar signs at the international level. Warrican, who has 21 wickets in his seven-match Test career, will be one of those players with intention of cementing their places in the Test squad. The left-arm spinner returned from the Test squad sent to Bangladesh and immediately caused trouble with his spectacular spin bowling. He has played in the second round and finished with 12 wickets averaging 9.69.

Solid Guyanese batsman Vishaul Singh may redeem himself in this 4-Day Tournament with heavy scores that may earn him Windies selection. Singh is one of those players who were given their opportunity at the Test level but failed miserably.

With the likes of Sunil Ambris, Kyle Hope and Devon Smith seen as regional dominators,

Miguel Cummings

the 29-year old batsman will hope to make a comeback in the Test squad. Having a good start to the tournament, the prolific Guyanese will want to capitalise and build on his starts and register centuries.

The Berbician duo, Clinton Pestano and Romario Shepherd have been brilliant for the Guyana Jaguars, scoring invaluable runs and grabbing wickets at timely intervals. Shepherd, who has been around the First-class circuit for some time, will be pressing for Windies selection. Shepherd, who was involved in the Windies A tour to England, has proved his worth against potential Test players of different na-

tions. Pestano is a lively fast bowler and a hard-hitting batsman, who has shown growth at the Regional Super50 Tournament, snaring an unforgettable hattrick. Shepherd and Pestano have eight and seven wickets respectively, and will be aiming to continue their rich vein of form.

Opening batsman John Campbell will be seeking to score massive runs in the Regional 4-Day Tournament. In his first match of the season, he got off to a good start, scoring 97 runs in two innings.

Jamaican middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood and Keacy Carty are also making themselves known.

Blackwood has not got off

to the best of starts, but the young Leeward Hurricanes batsman Carty stroked a commanding century, explaining after his player-ofthe-match performance that he was pushing for Windies Test selection.

Many may ask why Imran Khan has not played Test cricket and he is among the few leg-spinners in the Caribbean. Khan may be edging closer to Test selection and started the 4-Day Tournament on the right note, capturing 11 wickets, at 20.27 apiece. Sherman Lewis, who got his opportunity to play Test cricket recently, will aim to use the 4-Day Tournament to earn a recall to the Test squad.

Young Warriors Cricket Club receive support from US-based Flat Rate Realty

T

he recently-resuscitated Young Warriors Cricket Club are making rapid strides to return to their former glory.

In an effort to assist that development, Mahaish Ramoutar of Flat Rate Realty, Queens, New York, USA, provided cash to his former cricket club.

On a recent visit to Guyana, Ramoutar said that he was happy to give back to the Club he played for as a kid and has fond memories of those days. He noted that he was one of the first set of cricketers when the Club was formed under Orin Archer’s leadership, and was very happy to see their growth over the years, as they have produced many fine cricketers, with the latest being West Indies’ newest batting sensation, Shimron Hetmyer.

Mahaish Ramoutar (with white shirt and dark shades) hands over cash to Kwesi Maltay in the presence of Paul Wintz and Coach Hubern Evans

Ramoutar pledged to garner more help for the Club from former players and persons from the Cumberland area now residing in the USA. Former national player and Coach Hubern Evans thanked Ramoutar for his kind contribution and urged Guyanese in the New York area to support his business so that he could continue to give back to his place of birth.

Evans continued by saying that it was common that things that take many years to build could be destroyed easily with poor management and the YWCC were a good example, emphasising that the administrators who took over the Club, allowed it to go to ruins, with the tractor being destroyed, covers disappeared; and pavilion, fence and the entire

facility needing urgent repairs.

He said, however, that there was still hope and boasted that since the resuscitation, the Club have participated in three FirstDivision competitions run by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and booked a place in the finals of all three, a significant achievement.

The YWCC have also topped their zone in the NBS Second-Division cricket competition now in progress. He thanked the players for their commitment and the hunger they have displayed so far.

In closing, Evans called on former club members and other community minded citizens to come on board and support the YWCC. He also encouraged parents to come to the ground and bring along their kids to play cricket.

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Future of Caribbean women’s cricket in good hands

sports

21

– Ramnauth among bright Caribbean prospects

T

he year 2018 has been a revelation for women’s cricket; the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) female schools’ cricket exposed numerous talents. Ashley Ramnauth who is among these talents, announced herself in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female Under-17 secondary school T20 franchise cricket, with her magical off-spin bowling.

Born on March 7, 2004, Ashley Niveen Ramnauth, of New Area, Cane Field Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, is presently a student of the Canje Secondary School. She started playing cricket at the tender age of 11.

“It all started for me when my brother attended the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre; I told myself that I have to be on that field one day,” Ramnauth told this reporter in an interview.

Located opposite the Young Warriors Cricket Club, the Canje Secondary School is known for producing talented cricketers who are capable of reaching great heights. Kevin Sinclair, the Guyana Under-19 player, was a proud student of the Secondary School, captaining their team in many schools’ tournaments. Ramnauth, who is expected to add to this rich history, is motivated by her father.

The young off-spinner idolises the 25-year-old Bangladesh seam bowler Jahanara Alam. Ramnauth told this reporter

that in approximately five years she sees herself in the West Indies women’s team. The Rose Hall Canje club member believes that she is capable enough to play at the highest level. This daughter of Nemcharran Ramnauth and Lalita Devi Meghu has a career-best of 5-8 in her blooming cricket career.

With a number of ICC Stand-alone Women’s World T20 matches played at the National Stadium, Providence, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, Ramnauth was given the opportunity to witness the likes of Mithali Raj, Stafanie Taylor and Suzie Bates. These outstanding women cricketers have inspired not only Ramnauth but young girls across Guyana.

In the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Female Under-17 Franchise T20 cricket, Ramnauth looked the most technically correct bowler, giving the ball flight, turning and extracting bounce. With the year coming to an end, 2019 may be the most productive year for the young spinner, who has her eyes set on playing regional cricket. Ramnauth is only at the beginning of her career but she may be the future Anisa Mohammed who bowls off-spin. (Brandon Corlette)

Ashley Ramnauth poses after grabbing a fivewicket haul (Brandon Corlette photo)

Huntley reflects on GABA League as he seeks improvement

F

ollowing the recent conclusion of the 2018 Rainforest Water/ Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League, Eagles Under-23 player Shamar Huntley reflected on his performance over the basketball season.

He related to this Guyana Times Sport reporter, “It (the season) had its ups and downs; wasn't really the outcome I expected for my team, but I'm still proud of the effort my guys put out there for third place in Second Division and fourth in Under-23. Of course, I want complete victory, but we need to train a little harder to get there and this tournament helped us see our flaws and know exactly what each and every one has to work on individually and as a team so with that being said, I'd say the tournament was good for me and my team.”

Huntley went on to state that from the tournament he has gained

Shamar Huntley

experiences that he could not gain anywhere else and has grown as a player, thus seeing his emergence as one of the top three scorers in the tournament for the Under-23 divi-

sion.

According to Huntley, the tournament has helped him to realise the flaws in his game and has showed him what he needs to work

on to get better as a player and a teammate.

The point guard mentioned that he focused a lot on ball handling, stamina and finishing drills, which in turn have amplified his offensive ability.

When asked how instrumental his coach has been throughout the league, Huntley said, “My current coach, Courtney Taylor has actually been the person who first started coaching me back in my high school basketball days. He taught me a lot about basketball fundamentals and pushes me and all my teammates to get better at the game.”

In closing, Huntley took the opportunity to thank GABA President Adrian Hooper for his support of basketball in Guyana and the entire Eagles basketball club for their support, promising that his side would return with a larger impact in 2019.

(Timothy Jaikarran)

Bale hat-trick see Real Madrid to Cup World Cup final G

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areth Bale scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Kashima Antlers to set up a Club World Cup final against Al Ain, of the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.

Wales forward Bale scored the semi-final's opening goal in Abu Dhabi via the post after a one-two with Marcelo.

He tapped his second into an empty net after a defensive error and two minutes later blasted a third from a tight angle from another Marcelo pass.

Shoma Doi pulled one back for the Asian champions. Bale, who has now scored

Gareth Bale is the third player to score a hat-trick in the tournament’s history after Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez

six goals in five Club World Cup games, had been a doubt with an ankle injury, and was substituted by boss Santiago Solari just before the hour mark. Real Madrid are aiming to win the tournament for a third year in a row.

They face Abu Dhabi side Al Ain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday (16:30 GMT) - with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

Al Ain, who qualified as champions of the host country, shocked Copa Libertadores winners River Plate by winning on penalties in their semi-final. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, december 20, 2018

BCB/RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions…

Rose Hall Town, Young Warriors to clash for top honours

T

he small but colourful Cumberland Ground on Saturday will come alive when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosts its 23rd final in a record-breaking calendar year.

Starstudded Rose Hall Town Gizmos &

– Cumberland Ground to host finale Gadgets and the comeback kings, Young Warriors Cricket Club are expected to clash for the right to be called champion of the 2018 edition of the BCB/RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions Tournament.

It will be the first BCB final to be played a t the Cumberland Ground, East Canje, since former BCB

Clinton Pestano

President Anil Beharry spearheaded the rebirth of the once-dormant Young Warriors Cricket Club.

It is the second final for Young Warriors since their return, having lost the Pepsi 50-Overs FirstDivision title to Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets by 202 runs in November.

The Club will start as underdogs to the dominant Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets team and will aim to capitalise on home advantage.

Young Warriors’ strength is playing as a collective unit under the inspirational leadership of Seon Hetmyer, the older brother of West Indies Test player Shimron Hetmyer. He will receive support in the batting line-up from national Under-19 player Alex Algoo, Vishal Mohabir, Trevlon Stanislaus, Ishwar Singh, Ricardo Ramdihal, Linden Austin, and Mortimer Fraser. In-form pacers Devendra Ramoutar and Suresh Dhanai will lead the bowling attack with support from Hetmyer, a medium pacer,

and spinners Stanislaus, Singh, Austin, and Ricardo Ramdihal.

RHT Gizmos & Gadgets have dominated the 2018 First Division and would be looking for their fifth successive title. Along the way under the leadership of former Guyana Under-19 Captain Shawn Pereira, they have lost only one match, a one-wicket defeat against Albion Community Centre. National player Clinton Pestano would lead a strong batting line-up which includes Kevin Sinclair; Kevlon Anderson; Jason Sinclair; Junior Sinclair; Jonathan Rampersaud; Vidal Crandon; Eon Hooper and the Captain, Shawn Pereira.

The RHT Gizmos & Gadgets batsmen especially Anderson, Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair have been in good form, and the Young Warriors Cricket Club bowling attack will have to be in good tune to stop them. Their bowling will be led by pacers Pestano and former national Under-19 player

Sylus Tyndall. They will be supported by off-spinners Hooper, Junior and Kevin Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, left-arm spinner Keith Simpson and inform leg-spinner Pereira.

The winning team will take home $100,000 and the Busta Trophy while the runner-up will pocket $50,000 and a trophy.

BCB President Hilbert Foster and representatives of the Guyana B e v e r a g e Company will lead the presentation ceremony after the match.

The Busta Cup would be the fifth First-Division tournament to be successfully completed in 2018 by the vibrant BCB, with the Ivan Madray 100 Balls Final scheduled to be completed on Sunday.

Alex Algoo

KFC Goodwill Tournament…

Annai regain confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash played a better second half, increasing their ball possession. However, their Region 9 counterparts were too quick for their tactics. In addition, the Annai goalkeeper kept his eyes open, scooping up every Linden attempt which resulted in their inability to muster a goal, paving way for Annai’s 3-0 win.

The last encounter of the evening saw Annandale Secondary coming up against a strong Shiva Boys squad. Minutes into the game, the rain began pouring and Annandale were clearly more acquainted with the slushy condi-

tions than the Trinidadian visitors. Playing to their strengths, the East Coast team took control of the game in a brief moment of brilliance, but when the time came to score, a neat pass by Omari Glasgow was squandered just inches outside the goal.

When the rain ceased, the Shiva Boys showed their skill as they picked up the pace. Adika Ash was the first to secure a goal when he found the back of the net in the 17th minute after which the half passed quietly. Glasgow was the one to reply for Annandale

in the 55th minute. The local team looked promising as their defence held off the Trinidadian boys, but their hopes of a win were crushed

by Jason Bristol four minutes before regulation time.

The final day of the Petraorganised KFC Goodwill Tournament will be staged on Saturday, December 22.

At the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Annai Secondary will come up against Annandale Secondary at 17:00h (5pm) and Christianburg-Wismar will take on the Shiva Boys Hindu College at 19:00h (7pm).

A glimpse of the action between Annai and Christianburg-Wismar Secondary

A

fter a stumble in their first game, Annai Secondary returned on day two to thump the Christianburg-Wismar side as Shiva Boys registered their second win.

Annai and Annandale Secondary were the ones battling for a win on Wednesday evening after registering losses on the first night of play. However, Annai Secondary were the only one of the two teams to get their redemption.

The Rupununi-based

team made an excellent display of the skills that were expected to surface since their first 2-0 loss to Shiva Boys, putting their ever-dominant Linden opponents in a tight spot within minutes of the beginning of the game.

Annai got their work started early as Captain Orville Daniels stepped up to the plate to deliver an early goal in the fifth minute.

Needless to say, the Christianburg-Wismar side

was stunned by Daniels’ flying kick at the net. Caught off guard, the Linden goalkeeper could not regain his composure which led to yet another brilliant goal, this time from Niazz Mohammed in the 12th minute. Visibly having a tough night at this point, Christianburg’s goalkeeper could not help but miss his mark for a third time, allowing Mohammed to net his second goal in the 35th minute.

Down by three goals, Christianburg-Wismar

The fight between Annandale Secondary and Shiva Boys went down to the wire

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, december 20, 2018

23

High on Hope and IPL riches, West Indies eye series win T

wo days ago, West Indies crushed Bangladesh by eight wickets after chasing down t h e i r 130-run target in 10.5 overs.

The next day, six of their players walked away with deals worth a total of USD 2.4 million (INR 17 crores) in the coveted IPL auction.

It should put a s m i l e on the face

of the visitors who have had it rough in the last four weeks in Bangladesh.

And it is not just the IPL boys who will happy.

Sheldon Cottrell, the leftarm quick, got career-best figures in Sylhet before Shai Hope struck six sixes in his 23-ball 55. Keemo Paul then struck three sixes in his unbeaten 14-ball 28 to take West Indies home.

The Sylhet crowd, like Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders, were stunned into silence.

The home side's road to recovery will have to be through a more disciplined showing. The bowlers will be aided by the Dhaka pitch offering less bounce and pace.

Bangladesh's batsmen must also use the pace on the ball from the West Indies fast bowlers. Neil McKenzie, the

batting coach, said after the first game that there are better ways to go toe-to-toe with a pace attack. Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan all got caught trying to pull the ball. Shakib, however, looked more comfortable, and that was because he was patient.

Bangladesh's bowlers would hope that they get a larger total to defend and if they are bowling first, they must find ways to stop West Indies' big hitters from getting away to a rampant start again.

While batting, Shakib Al Hasan had great judgment of deliveries that were beyond his control, and then off the bad balls, he cashed in.

H i s

pragmatism during his 43ball 61 should have been copied by many of his teammates in the first game.

Sheldon Cottrell created an awkward angle with his pace and bounce to get 4 for 28. It will be a bit of a challenge to do so in Dhaka, so Cottrell may have to dip his hands into his bag of tricks to do something different.

Shakib Al Hasan has a bit of fever but he is unlikely to miss out. Bangladesh are likely to give their eight batsmen another opportunity but it might not be so for left-arm paceman Abu Hider. Rubel Hossain could replace him. Mohammad Mithun and Nazmul Islam are the other options in the squad.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Ariful Haque, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Mustafizur Rahman West Indies will be tempted to not change their XI after their overwhelming

win in the first T20I. They also have Kesrick Williams, Khary Pierre, Denesh Ramdin and Sherfane Rutherford in reserve.

West Indies (probable): 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Shai Hope (wk), 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Carlos Brathwaite (capt), 8 Keemo Paul, 9 Fabian Allen, 10 Oshane Thomas, 11 Sheldon Cottrell Pitch and conditions Weather is likely to clear up by Thursday but dew will be a factor for both sides as it is a 5pm start in Dhaka.

It might just end up being a high-scoring game because of the dew.

Stats and trivia

Mehidy Hasan has been struck for three sixes in an over twice this year, first against Sri Lanka in the January ODI tri-nation series final, and the second time against West Indies in the first T20I. The Shere Bangla National Stadium has hosted 37 T20Is, the second-most behind Dubai International Cricket Stadium's 47. (ESPN Cricinfo)

RHTY&SC cricket teams make donation to Achievers Cricket Club of West Berbice Mohammed’s Enterprise T joins list of sponsors A GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival…

s the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival slowly approaches, long-standing football sponsor Mohammed’s Enterprise has made a donation of trophies and an undisclosed monetary sum to the Federation.

The donation was presented by proprietor Nazar Mohammed to GFF Executive Committee Member Dion Inniss in the presence of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major of tournament organiser K&S, at the business’s L o m b a r d Street location.

Following the presen-

tation, Mohammed said his company has been a football partner for almost 30 years and he was happy to be a sponsor of the tournament.

In expressing appreciation for the donation, Inniss said Mohammed’s was a “reliable and consistent partner” and the donation was showing “that they are investing in the youth of Guyana to ensure that they stay out of trouble and that they have something productive to do. What you’re doing is ensuring that they channel their energies in a productive way and we’re thankful for that.”

The four-day festival will commence on December 27, 2018 with six matches that will be played between 18:00h and 00:00h with each match being played on the hour, culminating with the final match at 23:00h.

The teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo select team from Brazil, will be placed into two groups. The local participating teams are East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars. The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. The third and fourth-place finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively. Admission to the event will be $1000.

Nazar Mohammed

he 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last weekend closed off their community development programme for 2018 with a donation to the Achievers Cricket Club of West Berbice.

The teams – King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division – were actively involved in over 250 activities with the main objective of making positive differences in the lives of youths, the elderly, and less fortunate.

RHTY&SC Assistant

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Naidu disclosed that the West Berbice-based Cricket Club’s President, David Black had written a letter to Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster requesting a bicycle and three trophies for an award ceremony.

The Secretary immediately approved the donation and the 10 teams were mandated to fulfil the request. Naidu and national Under-15 player Mahendra Gopilall handed over the bicycle and trophies to Black.

The 19-year-old Naidu has taken over the daily operation of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation as Foster fulfils his duties as President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The RHTY&SC teams in 2018 handed out over

$3 million worth of cricket bats, balls, stumps and other gear; trophies; cycles; scorebooks; medals and special gifts to numerous cricket clubs, schools and young cricketers. Naidu stated that one of the most cherished projects was to assist over 25 youths across Berbice with their own personal bat. These donations were made to assist the Club Secretary/CEO in his efforts to return Berbice cricket to its former glory.

The RHTY&SC, he states, assists all clubs whether or not they supported Foster’s presidency at the Cricket Board, because the main objective is to offer sports as an alternative to a life on the road. The Assistant Secretary/CEO congratulated Achievers on the good job the Club were doing in developing the cricketing skills of youths in West Berbice and committed the RHTY&SC to doing even more in 2019. Black expressed gratitude to the Sports Club and its teams.

The RHTY&SC were founded in 1990 and over the period have won over 60 major tournaments, including 12 in 2018, at all levels. The Club have received the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Club of the Year award five times – 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016 and have produced numerous players at all levels RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu and Under-15 cricketer Mahendra Gopilall presenting the donation to Achievers Cricket Club President David Black

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival….

Mohammed’s Enterprise joins list of sponsors

Page 23 Nazar Mohammed presents the cheque and trophies to Dion Inniss and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major

High on Hope and IPL riches, West Indies eye series win Windies Test

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Page 23

squad for England wide open

Page 20

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