24 minute read
vendors against 2000 suffering.
ARCHIE
DILBERT
PEANUTS
CALVIN AND HOBBES
YESTERDAY'S WORD -- SOLITOUS
SUDOKU
SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE
DAILY HOROSCOPES
(March 21-April 19)
(April 20-May 20)
(May 21-June 20)
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Be careful what you wish for. Rethink your strategy to ensure you understand what’s involved. Keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself until you are ready to initiate your plans.
When in doubt, sit tight, look for signals and maintain your integrity. Educate yourself in areas where you lack knowledge, and you’ll soon discover what’s best for you.
Keep your money safe. Emotional spending or contributions to questionable organizations should be avoided. Turn your focus to something that benefits you. Strive to be cutting edge.
Emotions will surface quickly. Contain how you feel before you do or say something you will regret. Change can be beneficial. Give others a chance to voice their opinions.
Consider what’s happening and seek ways to benefit. It’s up to you to turn a negative into a positive. Take control of your life and adjust to whatever comes your way. Go with the flow.
Lending a helping hand will connect you to people who can make a difference in your life. Ask questions and implement suggestions into your daily routine. Use your charm to get ahead.
Pay more attention to your health and well-being. Educate yourself about nutrition, fitness and what your body needs to stay strong. Make changes at home. Romance is favored.
Set the record straight and be honest about what you want from others. Don’t expect everyone to honor your wishes. It’s up to you to follow through with your plans and make your dreams come true.
Draw on your emotions, and you’ll know what to do next. Evaluate relationships and the give-and-take factor that equality depends on before you agree to something.
Revisit your goals. Restructure whatever isn’t working for you and eliminate the cause of your anxiety or frustration. It’s up to you to make suitable changes that enhance your life.
Invest in yourself, your home and your meaningful relationships. Take the initiative and adapt your surroundings to meet your needs. A quiet space in which to work will pay off.
Stick to protocol and avoid emotional drama. A personal situation will escalate if you aren’t reasonable or you let someone goad you into an argument. Pace yourself and choose your words carefully.
International football…
Ronaldo should address Saudi issues, says Amnesty International
Cristiano Ronaldo has embarked on a stint with Saudi Club Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo should use his platform to speak about human rights’ issues in Saudi Arabia, says Amnesty International.
Ronaldo, 37, has signed a lucrative deal, reportedly worth more than £177m per year, with Saudi club Al Nassr until 2025.
Amnesty International has said Ronaldo's signing is part of a "wider pattern of sportswashing". The Portuguese striker called Saudi Arabia an "amazing country" as he was unveiled by Al Nassr on
Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sporting events, backing the breakaway LIV Golf series, hosting world title boxing fights and a Formula One Grand Prix, while the country's Public Investment Fund has backed a takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021.
However, Saudi Arabia has also been accused of human rights’ abuses, and women's rights’ campaigners have been imprisoned, despite some reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, such as an end to the ban on women driving.
Western intelligence agencies believe the Crown Prince ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, but he denies this. "Instead of offering uncritical praise of Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo should use his considerable public platform to draw attention to human rights’ issues in the country," Dana Ahmed, Amnesty's Middle East researcher, said. "Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape, and drug smuggling. On a single day last year, 81 people were put to death, many of whom were tried in grossly unfair trials. "The authorities are also continuing their crackdown on freedom of expression and association, with heavy prison sentences handed down to human rights’ defenders, women's rights’ activists and other political activists.
Cristiano Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi's sportswashing. He should use his time at Al Nassr to speak out about the myriad of human rights’ issues in the country." (BBC Sport)
Damar Hamlin's condition shows improvement - Buffalo Bills
American football player Damar Hamlin is still in critical condition, but is showing some improvement, his team has said.
The Buffalo Bills player suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a primetime Monday night US National Football League game in Cincinnati. On Wednesday, the Bills issued the brief update on his status.
Tributes for Hamlin have poured in from the Buffalo community, the NFL, and from across the sports world. The Bills said in a post on Twitter that Hamlin showed "signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight". "He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him."
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the game after tackling Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, whose helmet appeared to hit Hamlin in the chest. After initially getting to his feet, Hamlin fell on his back.
His injury during the game came as a shock to his family and loved ones, his uncle Dorrian Glenn has said. "I've never cried so hard in my life," Mr Glenn told CNN. "Just to know like my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life. I mean, it's just heartbreaking."
Mr Glenn told CNN that Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice, once on the field and again in the hospital, though
Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin
the player's friend and marketing agent Jordon Rooney later said the uncle misspoke. "Damar's only been resuscitated once," Mr Rooney clarified.
The BBC has reached out to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Hamlin is receiving treatment, for an update on his health, but has not yet received a response.
Mr Glenn said his nephew is showing encouraging signs of improvement, such as doctors lowering the level of oxygen he needs. But he added Hamlin is on a ventilator and is still sedated. "They just want him to have a better chance of recovering better," Mr Glenn said. "So, they feel that if he's sedated, his body can heal a lot faster."
In a separate interview with ESPN outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Mr Glenn said the family is grateful for the many tributes that Hamlin has received since his injury, including from players and fans - some of whom laid flowers, candles and signs, with well-wishes being outside the Cincinnati hospital. "It really means a difference for my family to see that, and I know it'll mean a difference to Damar when he sees that," Mr Glen has said. On Tuesday night, players from the city's ice hockey team, the Buffalo Sabres, wore "Love for 3" shirts - featuring Hamlin's jersey number - as they arrived for their game against the Washington Capitals. That same evening, Niagara Falls, located near Buffalo, was lit up blue in honour of Hamlin. And on Twitter, the Buffalo Bills changed their display picture to a blue backdrop with the words "Pray for Demar" and the number three. The league's 31 other teams soon followed suit. Hamlin, 24, was drafted to the NFL in 2021 out of the University of Pittsburgh, where he played college football. Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi posted a tribute to Hamlin on Twitter, writing that he is "far more than just a football player". "He's a loving son, brother and friend," Mr Narduzzi wrote. "Damar is a hero to thousands of Pittsburgh kids."
Tributes to Hamlin have hailed his extensive charity work, including annual toy drive fundraisers he has organised ahead of Christmas over the last three years.
An online GoFundMe page for one toy drive has since been reshared after Hamlin's cardiac arrest, and has surpassed $6m (£4.97m) in donations as of Wednesday morning.
Following Hamlin's injury, the NFL has indefinitely postponed the game between the Bills and the Bengals, with the league saying it has made "no decision" on whether the game will be resumed at a later date.
Hamlin's team, the Buffalo Bills, is scheduled to play the New England Patriots on Sunday. On Wednesday, the team said they will be holding meetings and a walk-through ahead of Sunday's game, but will not be providing further updates to the media.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame also postponed its planned Tuesday announcement of finalists for the Hall's Class of 2023 to Wednesday evening, out of respect for Hamlin. (BBC Sport)
British Horseracing Authority revises changes to whip rules
-after jockeys voice concerns
The British Horseracing Authority has revised the whipping rules
Jockeys will still be allowed to use the whip in the forehand posiImplementation date for the new rules remains 9 January, for a four-week tion under revised changes to riding rules of the British Horseracing Authority, but the number of times a rider may strike his mount would be further reduced, with effect from February.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) set out a raft of alterations to the rules in the summer, with jockeys allowed only to use the whip in the backhand position, and serious breaches of the regulations resulting in disqualification from races, and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.
However, a number of riders registered their disquiet over the proposed changes last month, particularly the implementation of the backhand-only position, and the BHA had announced further consultation to “explore options that address the concerns being raised”. further discussion has led to another set of revisions, with the backhand-only edict being rescinded, although that change has resulted in a reduction to permitted strikes in a race.
Flat jockeys had been allowed to use their whip a maximum of seven times, with jump jockeys allowed eight instances. Both numbers have been reduced by one under the new regulations.
Under the initial set of revisions, a jump jockey who used their whip 12 or more times – with 11 strikes or more for flat jockeys – in any race could be disqualified, and those numbers have also been reduced to 11 and 10 respectively.
Following further consultation, it was felt that jockeys who had suffered from shoulder or collarbone injuries may find use of the whip solely in the backhand position more challenging.
The removal of “discretion” by the stewards has also been announced; meaning that every use of the whip shall count towards the threshold, unless clearly used for safety purposes. Penalties for going above the new thresholds would also be further increased from those announced previously. bedding-in period. The rules would then come into full force for jump jockeys on 6 February. Flat counterparts begin with a bedding-in period on 27 February, with full implementation from 27 March. The BHA board insists the changes do not “reflect a dilution of the package of rule changes” in their view, but is “a method of achieving the same outcomes through a different approach”. BHA Chair Joe Saumarez Smith said: “The BHA board had previously endorsed the clear set of objectives set out by the Whip Consultation Steering Group in the summer. They included that the perception of whip use must be improved by ensuring that its use is more judicious and better controlled. “It became clear through the views raised in the last few weeks, and which were presented to the BHA board, that the backhand-only rule could potentially have caused difficulties for some riders. However, in considering making changes, it was essential that the BHA board were not doing anything to dilute the outcome of the whip report. “The BHA board has therefore agreed these further changes, which resolve the issues with the backhand-only rule, but retain the objective of making whip use visibly more palatable to the public, therefore helping to safeguard engagement with the sport amongst our fans, present and future. “We now hope and expect to see these new rules being respected, and a visible change in whip use to be brought about amongst our jockeys and those riding over here. “The board also expressed the view that the sport should try to avoid any situation arising again whereby, following the conclusion of an extensive consultation process, further pertinent information comes to light. This point has been strongly emphasised to the PJA, and we are pleased that the PJA has agreed to review its consultation processes in the light of this.” (Guardian Sport)
4 to represent Guyana at Golden Belt series in Morocco
This trio of Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis and Desmond Amsterdam will represent Guyana in Morocco
Four Guyanese boxers are slated to jet off later this month for Marrakech in Morocco, where they will compete in the International Boxing Association’s (IBA’s) World Boxing Tour Golden Belt series.
The Guyanese team consists of Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and female boxer Abiola Jackman. Accompanying the four-member Guyanese boxing team to Morocco are coaches Terrence Poole and Lennox Daniels.
While the team has been in constant preparation mode, with their last competitive outing being the Terrence Ali National Open Championships held in December 2022, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle has said a few more proverbial boxes need to be ticked before the team departs for Morocco.
“Right now, we’re dealing with the visa aspect of that (trip); we’ve already selected the team of 4 and two coaches,” Ninvalle told Guyana Times Sport.
The Golden Belt series is a fairly new competition; this is its third edition, after two successful events were held in Slovenia and Mexico in 2022. This time, the competition will run from January 31 to February 11, 2023, and according to the IBA, the competition has seen some 245 main boxers and 84 reserve boxers registering from 33 countries across the world. The likes of Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Mozambique and Chinese Taipei will be in action at this competition. The men’s and women’s categories would each have 13 weight classes.
According to the IBA, the World Boxing Tour (WBT) consists of a series of events that are classified into four categories: the Diamond Belt, Golden Belt, Silver Belt and Bronze Belt tournaments. The WBT tournaments will contribute to the new IBA ranking system, which would allow boxers to collect valuable points in each tournament. These points would help define not only the most successful boxers at the end of the year, but also the most successful National Federations, having generated the highest results throughout the season.
Cape Verde renames national stadium in honour of Pele
Cape Verde's National Stadium -- the 15,000-seater Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde, located just outside the capital Praia, is to be renamed after Brazilian football legend Pele, the country's Prime Minister has said, and will become the Pele Stadium.
News of this development has come after Fifa President Gianna Infantino, while speaking at Pele's memorial service in Brazil, said every country should name a stadium after the footballing legend, who died on 29 December 2022 at age 82. "As a tribute and recognition to this figure that makes us all great, I manAfter being airlifted from Dehradun early on Wednesday, January 4, Rishabh Pant has been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai, for immediate intervention on one of the two ligament tears in his knee. He was examined by doctors upon reaching the Mumbai hospital on Wednesday evening, and was in a stable condition. "Rishabh will undergo surgery and subsequent procedures for ligament tears, and will continue to be monitored by the BCCI Medical Team throughout his recovery and rehabilitation," the BCCI said in a statement on Wednesday. "The Board will make every effort to aid and expedite the recovery process of Rishabh, and will provide him with all the support he needs during this period."
In Mumbai, Pant will be under the care of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who has previously worked with Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as with other athletes. Pardiwala is Head of the Centre for Sports Medicine, and Director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at Kokilaben Hospital CLASSIFIED ADS in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai. SERVICES
Although appreciative Astrology and Spiritual Healer Pt. of the immediate treatment Mohan: +592-692-1009 If there given to Pant at the two is any problem in your life, he hospitals in Uttarakhand, the BCCI preferred to have will get the solution. Please contact spiritual healer, regarding health, love, business, husband his injuries treated by the and wife problems, etc. Address: board's own empanelled med- Georgetown, Guyana. ical team. Pant's medical insurance covers his treatment, and the cost of the air ambuContact PANDITH JAYA for all kinds of problems. You will get solutions 100% guarantee. Call lance was borne by the board. or WhatsApp +592 688-1569.
Pant has not yet had MRI Address Georgetown. scans for his leg injuries, but
Cape Verde's National Stadium was built in 2010, and the Blue Sharks have played there since 2014
ifest the intention of naming our national stadium as ‘Pele Stadium’ in an initiative that, I believe, will be followed by several countries around the world," Ulisses Correira e Silva wrote on Facebook. "With the physical disappearance of Edson Arantes de Nascimento, King Pele, who soon became a planetary figure, an icon of the masses, showing that sport has the power to unite the world, it is now our wish to pay tribute to him," added Mr Silva in a statement that stressed the importance of Pele to Portuguese-speaking countries like Cape Verde. "Cape Verde and Brazil have a history and culture that go hand in hand, conRishabh Pant airlifted to Mumbai for surgery sidering they are two sister countries, linked by language and very similar identities. Pele was, and always will be, a reference in Brazil, in our Portuguese-speaking countries, and in the rest of the world; being an idol that links several generations," he said. Pele is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career. This figure includes 77 goals in 92 matches for his country, and Pele was named Fifa's Player of the Century in 2000. At Monday's memorial to Pele in Santos, the city where he played club football, Infantino said Fifa would be asking "every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele". However, South Africa Football Association President Danny Jordaan has since raised concerns that after two or three rounds of meetings between the BCCI this could cause potential issues with stadium-naming panel doctors and the doctors rights. (BBC Sport) at Max Hospital in Dehradun, the assessment was that one of the tears needed urgent treatment. On December 30, Pant was on his way to see his mother in Roorkee, in Uttarakhand, when his car crashed into a road divider at around 5.30am. He miraculously got away without life-threatening injuries, even as his car went up in flames. After immediate emergency care at Saksham Hospital in Roorkee, Pant was moved to Max Hospital in Dehradun, where he had plastic surgery on the laceration wounds, facial injuries, and abrasions. MRI scans done on his brain and spine that evening re-
Pant survived a fiery crash last week
turned normal results, but scans of the knee and foot were postponed because of pain and swelling. It is too early to put a timeframe on Pant's return to athletic activity, and then top-flight cricket. He hasn't started walking yet. India's three big assignments in 2023 are the four Tests against Australia at home in February-March, a possible World Test Championship final in England in June, and the ODI World Cup in India in October-November. Pant's chances of playing the Test series against Australia appear to be slim, though it can't be ruled out. The other big event is the IPL in April-May, when Pant Indian batsman Rishabh Pant captains Delhi Capitals. (ESPNCricinfo)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2023 GUYANATIMESGY.COM
23 National Sports Awards to return on January 29
Guyana’s national athletes have been starved of proper recognition for a few years now. This will soon change, however, with the return of the National Sports Awards at the end of this month.
This highly-anticipated event which serves to recognize athletes, officials and organisations across Guyana for their stellar performances and contributions to sport will make a grand return on Sunday, January 29, at the National Cultural Center in Georgetown.
This disclosure was made on Wednesday afternoon, January 4, by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., who further disclosed that consideration for the awardees would span 2021 and 2022.
In explaining the urgency of hosting the awards, Ramson noted that Guyana’s steady post-pandemic progression in sport has played a huge role in this regard.
“It’s been two years since we’ve had the awards, mostly because of COVID; in fact, really because of COVID, and we had a pretty successful year coming out of COVID. We’ve been one of the countries that, I think, have really progressed our sport activity as early as possible. In fact, we recognise that as one of the ways in which we can combat COVID, and the Ministry has been doing a lot of aggressive work to get folks back into activity,” the Sport Minister divulged on Wednesday. He added, “With a successful year, everyone has to be recognized.”
The Sport Minister has detailed the importance of rewarding the country’s athletes. “It’s important that people are rec-
Flashback: The last National Sports Awards were held in 2019 for the year 2018
ognised, and it’s important that everybody that’s involved in sport, that they’re recognised. So, the Sports Awards (activity) is something that has existed for a long time, and there’s a reason why it existed for a long time: it always makes sense,” Ramson Jr has said. The National Sports Conference will be hosted one day before the Sport Awards activity is held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the same venue.
Guyana Harpy Eagles commence 'late' Regional Four-Day preparation
Guyana will be aiming to improve on their third-place finish last season
The Guyana Harpy Eagles are in preparation mode ahead of As compared to Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana is lagging in prepathe 2023 season of the West Indies Championships, the Regional Four-Day, which starts on February 1st in Antigua/Grenada.
On Tuesday, January 3, the Harpy Eagles men had the yoyo test at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, and the first of three practice matches was set for today, January 5, at ration, as the Jamaicans and Trinidadians have already been playing practice matches. With Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd set to play in the South Africa T20 league between January 10 and February 11, new players would be eager to be drafted into the Harpy Eagles set-up. With the West Indies
Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who had a breakthrough season in 2022, will be doing West Indies Test duties in Zimbabwe and South Africa
Championships.
Guyana has not won the last two seasons, which were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbados Pride are the defending champions.
In the 2022 season, Guyana Harpy Eagles finished third. The 2023 season will be a five-round affair, with the opening two rounds to be played in Antigua and Grenada. (Brandon Corlette)
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES
West Indies Championship 2023 (for Headley-Weekes Trophy) 1 to 4 February: 1st round in Grenada and Antigua 8 to 11 February: 2nd round in Grenada and Antigua. 15 to 18 March: 3rd round in Trinidad 22 to 25 March: 4th round in Trinidad
29 March to 1 April:
5th round in Trinidad
Providence but has been pushed back to January 11. And with the weather having to be factored into consideration, the Guyana Harpy Eagles are behind the eight-ball. After the practice matches are concluded, the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad will be selected for the Regional FourDay. touring Zimbabwe and South Africa starting late in January, Guyana Harpy Eagles would surely be without the services of opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul. Formerly known as the Guyana Jaguars, the Guyana Harpy Eagles are five-time winners of the Professional Cricket League Four-Day
Full fixtures to be announced soon.
Headley-Weekes TriSeries (to be played at CCG) 19 to 22 April: Team Headley vs West Indies Academy 26 to 29 April: Team Weekes vs West Indies Academy 3 to 6 May: Team Weekes vs Team Headley
Guyanese duo Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd will be heading to South Africa to play in the 2023 SA T20 League, which begins on January 10 and runs until February 11, with a break of one week between January 24 and February 2 in order for the bilateral ODI series between South Africa and England to take place.
Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Odean Smith, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Johnson Charles and Ramon Simmons would also be playing in this league.
This tournament has received a lot of media attention and scrutiny, with all six teams owned by IPL franchise owners. The opening fixture of the tournament will be played between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals.
This tournament has attracted many top players from around the world, including Jos Buttler of Paarl Royals and Rashid Khan of MI Cape Town. Jofra Archer is also among the big names to be featured in this tournament, the final of which would be played on February 11 at the Wanderers Stadium.
The six competing teams are: MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Joburg Super Kings, and Durban Super Giants. Below are the full squads:
Durban Super Giants
Kyle Abbott, Matthew Breetzke, Johnson Charles, Quinton de Kock, Akila Dhananjaya, Simon Harmer, Jason Holder, Christian Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Mayers, Wiaan Mulder, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Reece Topley, Prenelan Subrayen, Dilshan Madushanka and Junior Dala.
Johannesburg Super Kings
Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Faf du Plessis (c), Leus du Plooy, Donovan Ferreira, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Reeza Hendricks, Alzarri Joseph, Janneman Malan, Aaron Phangiso, Caleb Seleka, Romario Shepherd, Malusi Siboto, Maheesh Theekshana, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.
MI Cape Town
Ziyaad Abrahams, Jofra Archer, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Rashid Khan, George Linde, Liam Livingstone, Wesley Marshall, Delano Potgieter, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Grant Roelofsen, Waqar Salamkheil, Odean Smith, Olly Stone and Rassie van der Dussen. Wihan Lubbe, Obed McCoy, Imraan Manack, David Miller, Eoin Morgan, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jason Roy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ramon Simmonds, Mitchell van Buuren, Dane Vilas and Codi Yusuf.
Pretoria Capitals
Eathan Bosch, Theunis de Bruyn, Shane Dadswell, Cameron Delport, Daryn Dupavillon, Will Jacks, Josh Little, Marco Marais, Kusal Mendis, Senuran Muthusamy, Jimmy Neesham, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Migael Pretorius, Adil Rashid, Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt and Shaun von Berg.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Tom Abell, Marques Ackerman, Ottniel Baartman, Brydon Carse, Mason Crane, Jordan Cox, Junaid Dawood, Sarel Erwee, James Fuller, Aya Gqamane, Marco Jansen, Jordan Hermann, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Adam Rossington, Jon-Jon Smuts and Roelof van der Merwe.
