Guyanatimes

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2890 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

June 19, 2016

PRICE

Specialty Hospital Project

$120 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fedders Lloyd sanctioned over fraud, corrupt practices

Mr Topper’s P5 snacks launched in Guyana

Shopkeeper stabbed to death by brother

Life changing story of P15 Guyanese Boxing Champ Clive Atwell

– Govt criticised for contracting company Page 7

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Father of 2 electrocuted Page 8

Guyana urged to develop IT, other emerging sectors P10

Region 2 rice farmers still owed P11

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger share a photo moment with the children of Surama Village, Region Nine during a tour of Iwokrama on Saturday

UG medical school will soon regain accreditation – Dr Cummings Page 5

Bandits invades Corentyne home Page 12

– cart off cash, jewllery

Husband sets Crabwood Creek home P7 on fire

Expulsion of Cove and John Swami

Members of new Trust P12 register their claims of “conspiracy”

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, June 12 – 10:30h-12:00h and Monday, June 13 – 11:30h-13:00h.

Fedders Lloyd sanctioned over fraud, corrupt practices

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, June 12 – 09:20h-10:50h and Monday, June 13 – 10:30h-12:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning and throughout the afternoon, with light rain showers expected in the later afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Wind: Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 09:57h and 22:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.21 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:29h and 16:00h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.97 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS c

06 13 19 22 25 26 17 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

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Specialty Hospital Project

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

– Govt criticised for contracting company

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n light of Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited being pulled from the Specialty Hospital Project (SHP) after it was blacklisted over fraud and corruption practices by the World Bank, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition has come under fire for bypassing the transparent process to handpick the India-based company to complete the project.

In November last, Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fedders Lloyd – one of the original bidders in 2012 – to construct the facility. The coalition had explained that in the interest of time and without any tendering process, it approached Fedders Lloyd, which was willing to complete and fully equip the medical facility with the remaining US$13.8 million of the US$18 million Line of Credit from the India Exim (Export-Import) Bank.

However, in April last the New Delhi-based company was blacklisted by the World Bank under its fraud and corruption policy as set forth in the Bank’s Procurement Guidelines or the Consultant Guidelines.

According to the World Bank’s website, the company has been sanctioned from April 6, 2016 to April 5, 2020 for breaches of the institution’s procurement guidelines in 2004 and in 2010.

The guideline, 1.14(a)(ii), under the heading ‘Fraud and Corruption’ states “fraudulent practice is any act or omission, including a misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation.”

Further examination of

the World Bank’s notes on the debarred firms and individuals, it explained the company will have to adhere to certain conditions during the period of sanctioning before it can be allowed to work on projects financed by the institution.

“The period of ineligibility of Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited extends to any legal entity that they directly or in-

In fact, the party had disclosed that the company was disqualified because of certain inconsistencies in its submission to the local Tender Board, a report which the current government contended was a lie.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, an inside source of the PPP/C pointed out that had government considered the advice and warn-

directly control. The company is ineligible to be awarded Bank-financed contracts for a period of four years.

At the end of the Period of Debarment, the Respondent and the Sanctioned Affiliates may be released from debarment, provided that they have met corporate compliance conditions, cooperated with the WBG (World Bank Group) and fully complied with the terms of the NRA,” the report on the Bank’s website details.

This situation has opened the floor for mounting criticisms against the Guyana Government over its selection of the company despite objections from various sections of society. Leading those protestations of the contract being awarded to Fedders Lloyd, was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition which had contended that the company was never the second best bidder in the tendering process in 2012, as claimed by the coalition.

ings from the Opposition, this situation would not have arisen and the project would have avoided further delays.

The party source explained that there were attempts by government to use a PPP evaluation, that they had always claimed was corrupt, and misrepresent that evaluation to justify the award of this contract.

The PPP official further noted that in effect, the coalition administration had single-sourced the contractor. The Opposition party source further alleged that government’s decision may

have been influenced by the fact that the company had financed the party as well as individuals.

Fedders Lloyd is said to have close ties with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who had legally represented the company back in 2012 when it claimed that it was cheated out of the contract to build the Specialty Hospital.

At the time when the contract was awarded to the India-based company, political commentators Ramon Gaskin and Dr Henry Jeffery were vocal over the lack of transparency surrounding the new arrangements for the construction of the controversial Specialty Hospital.

When contacted on Saturday, they noted they are not surprised at the fact that the contracting firm has been sanctioned by the World Bank especially since there was complete lack of transparency in the award of the contract to it.

Gaskin told this newspaper that Fedders Lloyd is no good in the interest of Guyana; just as the first India-based company, Surendra Engineering, was not.

“Surendra was no good – we had a lot of problems with them in terms of money – and Fedders Lloyd is no better…

These foreign contractors are bad news,” he asserted.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

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

Editorial

Socialist utopia

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uyana has just finished celebrating the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of its independence and quite a number of citizens, while appreciating the symbols of national sovereignty, seriously questioned what was there to “celebrate” about the experience. At a minimum, they were perturbed by the aenemic material progress achieved in those 50 years in the face of the converse promised by the “independence leaders”.

While there can be no monocausal explanation for any social phenomena, much less one so complex as “economic development”, the economic model chosen by the leaders have to be given great weight. If for no other reason that such models are based on fundamental premises of human “nature”, behaviours and motivations while launching institutions based on those premises to deliver the good life on a foundation of economic security.

At the time of our independence, there were two competing macro models of development in front of our leaders – capitalism and socialism, in the parlance of the times. There were several variances of these models that purported to address critiques of the ideological and particular implementation contradictions. In Guyana, Cheddi Jagan was enamoured of the socialist model exemplified by the Soviet Union, and as a matter of fact, this was the proximate cause for his removal from office by the US. The latter promoted the capitalist model, as exemplified by WW Rostow’s “Stages of Economic Growth”.

While Forbes Burnham, tactically accepted the latter path, this was quickly seen and a tactical feint on his part so as to gain American help to oust the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government. In 1974, in his “Declaration of Sophia”, Burnham announced that he and the People’s National Congress (PNC) had always been, and remained, “socialist” and that henceforth the model of development would be “cooperative socialism”. Within a decade, the country had become an economic and social disaster plummeting by all UN indicators of development to just above Haiti in this hemisphere.

While the economy imploded, the PPP insisted that the particular model of socialism of the PNC, not socialism itself, was responsible for the disaster and offered “critical support” to the PNC in several of its socialist thrust including nationalisation of “the commanding heights (80 per cent) of the economy”. This defence of the failure of socialism (“it’s the application of the ideology, not the ideology itself that is at fault”) has been a constant feature of leftist hagiography even though it has been totally rejected by the empirical evidence from each of the five continents.

So it was somewhat disconcerting that as the socialist experiment in Venezuela, launched by Hugo Chávez and continued by his successor Nicolás Maduro, collapsing in a remarkable resemblance to the PNC’s version of three decades earlier here, the argument would be regurgitated in Guyana.

Until recently, Hydar Ally was an Executive of the PPP and the Permanent Secretary to the public service. Responding to a criticism in the press of the failure of socialist model as exemplified by Venezuela, he had this to say: “There is a fundamental difference between capitalism and socialism as models of economic development. Capitalism is essentially based on the exploitation of the majority for the benefit of the few. By contrast, socialism, as a theoretical construct, is a system of production and distribution in which the fruits of human labour are intended to be distributed in a fair and equitable manner and where there is no exploitation of man by man. It is clear from the above that socialism as a mode of production and distribution is inherently superior to that of capitalism, or for that matter any other socio-economic system which existed hitherto.”

Note the disingenuousness of Ally in describing capitalism categorically, but “socialism, as a theoretical construct.” While he is not a PPP Executive any longer, it might be useful in the lead up to their Congress scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, for other PPP leaders to give their take on their model for Guyana’s economic growth.

This day is not about ordinary people, it is about special people, special people like fathers: Happy Father’s Day to the fathers of Guyana Times/TVG/Radio Guyana!

Corrupt Tender Board in Region 6 Dear Editor, I could still hear the reverberations in my ear about the massive corrupt practices of the then PPP/C Government.

The then Opposition was relentless in their pursuit of highlighting these practices in the media and along the Elections Campaign trail.

I could still recall vividly the ‘we gonna jail them’ mantra. It was sung with so much gusto and enthusiasm that the electorate was swayed in their direction. The ‘change’ was done and those from the electorate who voted for that change is now extremely disillusioned and bitter.

After one year, having spent millions of taxpayers’ monies on numerous forensic audits, the government has literally come up empty-handed. These audits have come with administrative breaches rather than the stealing of monies. Even the outgoing US Deputy Chief of Mission has to now conclude that the gov-

ernment is wise in not rushing to prosecute the matters in a court of law. This would suggest that more evidences are needed to do so. These findings just make spicy readings in the media. The debatable question is: Will these evidences ever be secured by SOCU? I doubt it since I do feel that the dual purpose of these audits has been served: to reward the cronies and to create the red herring to divert the attention of the public from the incompetence of the government while the economic downslide is in progress. It was maybe hoped that they will learn while this diversion is taking place.

However, what is apparent after one year in government is that the corruption level keeps climbing so that corrupt practices within the various regions are trying to keep abreast with the Central Government.

Region 6 seems to be heading the list with allegations

of corruption taking its toll in the health sector as well as in the Tender Board.

There have been allegations of corruption at the Tender Board where contracts are given out to a few selected individuals while a leading and experienced contractor in the Region has been blown into oblivion. He seemed to have lost favour among certain members of the board.

It is alleged that Tender Board members, at least three of them are given ‘kick backs’ in order to secure contracts and these members are said to be from both the Government side and the Opposition’s.

There are five members on the Tender Board.

What is most disturbing as well is the fact that some contracts are given outside of the tender process to cronies of some officials concerned.

While some were done under the pretext of ‘emergency’, others were simply given as ‘consultations’ to projects

which are yet to be budgeted for. It will not be too long from now when the Region 6 Budget 2016 will be completely exhausted and supplementary budget sums have to be sought from Central Government.

It is time that the Coalition Government does a timely intervention in these corrupt practices in Region 6. Trying to shut up the people who are exposing these corrupt practices will only serve to reinforce them and make them worse.

There needs to be a concerted political will to fight corruption and not merely trying to deflect it from the Opposition to the Government and vice-versa. Corruption is eating our resources which should be used for social and economic development while only a few are being enriched!

Dear Editor, This is being written to clear the misinformation that has been in the news this past week, which is purported to come from the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA); the statement that “children in institutional care dropped by 25 percent.” This is a misrepresentation and not from CPA. What was presented is that the number of children in state residential care institutions - the Drop-inCenter, Mahaica Children’s Home and the Sophia Care Center is now approximately 165 children which signify a reduction since towards the end of 2015 there were over 200 children in these three (3) institutions.

At the beginning of 2016, with the presentation of the CPA statistical information, the figure of the total number of children in residential care was given as approximately 700. This figure is the sum total of the children in all the residential care institutions in the country. The number of child residential care institutions in the country is twenty-three (23) of which twenty (20) are privately owned and managed and the three (3) being state care centers as mentioned above.

There was a mix-up in the presentation of the news information relayed and the CPA had asked the news agency to correct after the first airing of the news.

However, this was not done and the misinformation continues to be published.

Further, I wish to state that the reduction of the children in the state care centers is due to the renewed effort of reunification of children to biological families and the development of the foster care programme.

The policy of the agency is the promotion of family based care and institutional care as a last resort. If there is an alternative other than admission to an institution that option will be taken since children are better served in a family and the agency has a programme of the deinstitutionalization of children.

The agency is appealing

to persons to come and register to be foster parents.

There is a screening process and initial training followed by ongoing training and support to ensure the children continued wellbeing.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor - Region 6

Misinformation in the news

Yours faithfully, Ann Greene Director of Children Services & Head of Childcare & Protection Agency

Editor’s note: The information was disseminated by the Government Information Agency (GINA) to all media houses in Guyana

5 Govt to review Constitution Mr Topper’s snacks Reform Report launched in Guyana S S NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ome one month after the Constitution Reform Report was handed over to Government, talks are yet to commence.

However, President David Granger has stated that this will soon change as Cabinet is expected to start full discussions on the recommendations made.

The report was handed over to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on April 30 by Convener and Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC), Attorney Nigel Hughes. The Committee was established last August by Government.

Speaking on his week-

fore any such reforms is undertaken.

“If it involves ‘taming’ the powers of the Executive, then so be it but let the people speak and don’t let us try to tell the people what to think.

Let us find out what they need,” he posited.

According to the President, in light of the many controversies that surrounded Constitution reforms over the last 40 years, it is imperative to go to the people and find out what they think.

“We need to have consultations and we need to listen to them. Some people seemed to have jump to conclusions

“If it involves ‘taming’ the powers of the executive, then so it be but let the people speak and don’t let us don’t try to tell the people what to think. Let us find out what they need,” President Granger said. ly televised programme – The Public Interest – on Friday, the Head of State noted that Constitution reform is part of the agenda of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration.

“Nigel Hughes has already presented a preliminary report and we will be proceeding with discussing that report more fully,” he declared.

As part of the reform process, Government had touted major changes to the governance structure, including separate elections to elect a President and National Assembly members; the capping of presidential powers; and changes to the composition of service commissions, among others.

Government had promised that they will have consultations with civil society and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) before making any Constitutional reforms; something, which the Guyanese Leader said on Friday that his Administration is committed to. He pointed out that widespread consultation with all stakeholders is needed be-

and they have their own ideas about the form that reforms should take. My view is that the people know best and it’s better to consult them,” the Head of State remarked.

He went on to say that consultations will span the lengthen and breath of the country so that there is consensus about what Guyanese need in the their Constitution.

“I don’t want a boardroom constitutional reform, I want a public discussion. I want people in their communities to meet and express their views. I don’t want a group of people sitting in a room saying what must be done,” he stated.

Constitutional reform has been a very hot campaign issue. In its elections manifesto, the APNU/AFC coalition touted a number of constitutional reforms including presidential powers, sexual orientation and the electoral system.

“The Constitution, in its current form, does not serve the best interest of Guyana or its people. Within three months of taking up office, APNU/AFC will appoint a commission to amend the Constitution with the full participation of the people.

The new Constitution will put the necessary checks and balances in place to consolidate our ethos of liberal democracy. Freedom of speech, reduction of the power of the President and the Bill of Rights will be enshrined in the document,” read an excerpt from the manifesto.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had also declared during an elections campaign over a year ago in Vreed-en-Hoop that too much power is concentrated on one person’s hands.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Reform Steering Committee will be responsible for effecting the changes to the Constitution when Government finalises its decision.

The Committee which comprises of former Director of Transparency International and Attorney Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magsitrate Geeta ChandanEdmond, and is chaired by Attorney and AFC Executive Member Nigel Hughes was established by the subcommittee on Parliamentary Affairs reportedly without consultation from the parliamentary Opposition.

General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee had explained at the time last year that his party was not invited to field any representative to the Committee, while noting that at the moment, the Party has no interest in those matters as it is focused on preparing for Parliament.

Rohee said that the Party views the persons appointed as “APNU/AFC hacks” and “residents of Office of the President”.

“None of those persons are independent. They are all hacks and employees of the Office of the President in some shape or form. You do not have to even guess about which road they will venture down as it clear what their mandate is,” he stated.

Moreover, he maintained that the PPP was proud of its accomplishments as far as constitutional reforms piloted back in the 2000s were concerned.

outhland International launched the “Mr Topper’s” snacks in Guyana on Saturday at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Distributed by Southland International, some of Mr Topper’s tasty treats will now be in the snack aisle and shelves of all retail and wholesale outlets in Guyana.

Some of these snacks include caramel popcorn, a blend of sweet, crunchy caramel wrapped around kernels of freshly popped corn, frosted popcorn with fruity flavours to tickle every sweet taste bud, wigleez with a tangy taste of the ever popu-

lar ketchup and fries, cheese balls, and cheese curls.

Having been in operation for over three years, Southland International, a locally based company has in its capacity the excess of 40 employees who all contribute in the business’ large scale importation of quality and affordable products that are distributed in Guyana.

Caribbean entrepreneur Alain Laquis explained that this brain child – Mr Topper – came into existence through his passion for enjoying tasty, high quality snacks. He stressed that he had no expectations of the brand becoming so popular.

UG medical school will soon regain accreditation – Dr Cummings

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he University of Guyana is set to regain its medical accreditation beginning from the academic year 2016/2017.

This is according to Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emmanuel Cummings, who told Guyana Times on Saturday that the school of medicine is working assiduously to correct the deficiencies of the past.

“We are looking at October when they will visit for evaluation of the evidence we have and I am certain that the kind of evidence that we have and what we are doing, accreditation to the medical school will be restored in the new academic year 2016-2017.”

The University Of Guyana’s School Of Medicine lost its accreditation in April 2014 and was served with provisional accreditation until 2015 by Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine (CAAEM). The medical school was offered accreditation for the periods 2008 to 2009, 2009 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015. The medical school lost its full accreditation after a visit from the CAAEM revealed that

a number of recommendations to improve the institution were not adhered to.

“The School of Medicine was given $33 million from the Government through the Education Ministry that is being used to upgrade the medical laboratories because that was one of the deficiencies that was highlighted by CAAEM,” said Dr Cummings.

In efforts to regain accreditation, the upcoming academic year 2016-2017 for the Medical School will be featuring refurbished laboratories and upgraded classrooms for the students.

According to Dr Cummings, “so far as I know the Ministry is at the stage of procuring equipment that we will definitely have in place for September and we are currently evaluating the physical facilities.”

Dr Cummings noted that all relevant documents have

been submitted and the curriculum is being currently reviewed.

Meanwhile, Dr Cummings pointed out that the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, who took office only four days ago, has already engaged the Health Science faculty in two meetings.

“Restoring accreditation to the medical school is one of his main agendas. He is very concerned and supportive of all of the steps we are taking to ensure we are on the right path.”

“Definitely, we are getting everything in place. I am more than certain accreditation will be restored.

Once CAAEM would have looked at the documents, the site date will be determined three months minimum and from then we can move on,” Dr Cummings reiterated.

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Foundation “It’s about time we make the well-being of our young people more important than ideology and politics. As a country, we benefit from investing in their future by investing in teen pregnancy prevention.” – Jane Fonda

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Anu Dev

uring the past three weeks in my Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation, I’ve seen a lot of pregnant women. Some, first time mothers, excitedly asking us to record the sound of their baby’s heartbeat and others, mothers many times over, sighing to us, “This is the fifth one.”

I’ve also seen some very young mothers – teenagers - still in school. Some of them with their family supporting them, others very much alone. In Guyana, it was clear that I possibly lived a sheltered life since I remember being surprised when a few years ago (2013), I’d read that according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Guyana had the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in both the Caribbean and

South America: 97 out of every 1000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 were giving birth. I hadn’t seen this either in my village or at QC. Recently, I read of a 17-year-old Guyanese girl giving birth to her third child!

But here at Port of Spain General Hospital, at least the teen age mother-to-be’s I was seeing were those that made it to clinic for their antenatal checkups. Going by the figures of teenage pregnancies, it would seem like there are so many more pregnant teens that never get to go to those checkups. Trinidad reported that they had 2500 teenage pregnancies in 2014, compared with our 3000 (with half of Trinidad’s population!) for 2013.

And missing those checkups is dangerous for both the mother and her baby. As I’d mentioned before, it’s incredibly important for pregnant women to have regular antenatal checkups so that the doctors will be able to deal with any of the myriad complications that can arise during pregnancy. And it’s doubly im-

portant for teenage mothers to get those checkups because there are so many extra complications that can happen due to their age.

Pregnant teenagers are at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a condition with high blood pressure, kidney damage, liver damage and a host of other complications that can progress to eclamptic seizures. They are also more likely to go into pre-term labour and deliver premature babies. Since teens often become pregnant before their bones are finished growing, their pelvises (‘hips’) aren’t usually wide enough, and a c-section often becomes necessary.

One of the requirements for this rotation was for us to accompany a patient to the Medical Social Worker.

And after our visit, it was patently obvious why it was necessary. It was eyeopening and it certainly put things into perspective for us: suddenly complaining about the trials and travails of medical school seemed petty compared to those of several of our patients. We were forced to

confront the harsh reality of abuse and incest that some young women have to face. And according to the social worker, those aren’t rare cases.

She explained to us that as doctors, we’re not just supposed to treat the patient and move on - we’re supposed to be advocates for our patients. And in cases where the patient is a pregnant minor, we’re expected to call the Child Protective Unit right away. The state and nation must move away from the “blame the girl” syndrome and recognise its duty to protect its girls.

They are people too.

The report cited above has some good advice for us in the Caribbean: it called for a “...new approach (which) must target the circumstances, conditions, norms, values, and structural forces that perpetuate adolescent pregnancies on the one hand and isolate and marginalise pregnant girls on the other. Girls need to have access to both sexual and reproductive health services and to information.”

(The HSS Guyana (Male and female branches) will be hosting its observation of Yoga today at the Leonora Secondary School, West Coast Demerara, at 13:00hrs. There will be five groups participating. All are invited)

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oday we take the pleasure in bringing you one of the most common positions in yoga; Padmasana (lotus pose). In Sanskrit, Padmasana is derived from the words padma (lotus) and sana (seat or throne). As simple as it may seem, Padmasana is considered to be an intermediate to advance pose and may not be comfortable for beginners. In simple terms, Padmasana (lotus pose) is sitting cross-legged with the spine vertically straight, making it ideal for meditation and concentration Interestingly, the lotus, a sacred aquatic plant, is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Padmasana is significantly related to Buddhism in the religious arena. Buddha himself has even been shown standing with each foot on a separate lotus. Traditional Hindu texts claim that Padmasana destroys all disease and awakens kundalini (a dormant

energy residing at the base of the spine that can be awakened through meditation and yoga).

Getting into Padmasana

With palms down, sit on the floor with legs stretched straight out in front of you. Bend the right knee and bring the lower leg up into a cradle. The outer side of the foot should settle in the crook of the left elbow, while the knee should settle in the crook of the right elbow. Clasp hands outside the shin and hold this posture for a few moments.

To lengthen the spine, lift the front torso towards the inner right leg, but try not to round the lower back. Explore the full range of motion of the hip joint by gently rocking the leg back and forth.

Repeat this process with the opposite leg.

Come back to sitting with the legs stretched out in front of you.

Now, bend the right knee and bring the right ankle to the left hip crease, allowing the right foot to face upwards. Settle the foot into the hip crease. Repeat this process with the left leg and right hip crease. Remember not to cross your legs the same way every time you try this pose. Make sure to alternate bringing your right and left legs in first.

Padmasana is a position which is said to have many benefits.

Some of these benefits are: Opening up of the hips I. II. Stretching of the ankles and knees III. Calms the brain IV. Increasing of awareness and attentiveness V. Helping to develop good posture VI. Keeping the spine straight VII. Helping to keep joints and ligaments flexible VIII. Stimulating the spine, pelvis, abdomen, and bladder IX. Restoring energy levels X. Easing menstrual discomfort Consistent practice of this pose throughout pregnancy is said to help ease the pains of childbirth.

Now, we are assuming that you would be getting on the floor within the next few minutes to practice Padmasana (lotus pose).

Once practiced, you would be able to enjoy the aforementioned benefits which would help you to lead a healthier lifestyle. We trust that you enjoy this tip while awaiting another.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Guyana (HSS- Hindus for Selfless Service) will be observing International Day of Yoga on the Sunday 19th June, 2016 at Leonora Secondary School at 13:00h (1pm).Southland International is the official beverage sponsor. Their Moussy Malt Beverage packed with B vitamins and natural flavors of strawberry and peach is extremely refreshing after a yoga session. Sponsorship is also provided by M&M Snackette & Fastfood, home of a variety of healthy Guyanese food. All are invited to our HSS program.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Shopkeeper stabbed Husband sets Crabwood to death by brother Creek home on fire

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shopkeeper was on Saturday morning stabbed to death by his brother during an argument at their residence.

Dead is Dexter Jules, 23, of Lot 634 D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

He was reportedly stabbed several times by his brother Orin Jules, 32, who tried to escape but was apprehended by public-spirited citizens. He is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

According to information, the stabbing stemmed from an argument among three brothers at about 09:30h at the shop operated by the now dead man.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, Police were conducting their investigation but soon after another brother Wayne Jules, explained that the brother who lives in the same yard is always in the habit of threatening him and his other siblings, including the now dead man.

He related that his eldest brother started with his threats since Friday evening and reportedly threatened to set the house and shop on fire and more so, to stab his young brother. However, they retired to bed and as they awoke on Saturday morning, they opened the shop as normal.

Wayne, who was still trying to come to grips with what occurred, stated that the dead brother was leaving for the city to purchase stocks for the shop when Dexter and the elder brother crossed paths.

“Orin was standing in the shop so Dexter ask he to leave, that that he can’t be in the shop… he tell he this because of the treats

Dead: Dexter Jules

he make… anyhow, Dexter come and tell me that Orin in the shop so I went out and also tell he to get out but he de lil stubborn,” the man recalled.

After sometime, they managed to get Orin out of the shop. While on the roadway, an argument ensued

tressed man noted that he later learnt that Orin was arrested while hiding in a clump of bushes.

Andre Blake, a resident who went in search of the suspect after the incident, recalled being at home when he heard people in the area saying “is kill Orin go kill he.” By the time he rushed out, he saw the injured man lying on the roadway and the suspect running from the scene.

Several other men in the area give chase but the man disappeared. After sometime, he was found hiding in a clump of bushes, Blake stated. He was brought to the scene, and was handed over to Police. Blake also confirmed that the man was nuisance in the community and would always threaten to harm residents.

Meanwhile a knife suspected to be the murder weapon was found lying in the grass a short distance

The shop where the stabbing took place

and it was at this time that Orin whipped out a knife and dealt Dexter several stabs to the abdomen.

“I tell Dexter run, but he run and collapse not far away… when I see that I loose Orin and run and collect Dexter and take him to the hospital. By the time we reach the hospital, he dead,” Wayne stated. The dis-

from where the stabbing took place.

Guyana Times understands that the suspect recently served a prison sentence for threatening his relatives, among other offenses.

The dead man leaves to mourn his mother, and four siblings. (Bhisham Mohamed)

A

man is now in Police custody after allegedly setting his Crabwood Creek, East Berbice, Corentyne, home ablaze. The Lot 146 Grant 2767, Crabwood Creek two-storied house was set ablaze on Thursday morning following an argument between the perpetrator, Sookraj Seepaul and his wife, Nalinie Seepaul.

According to reports, the couple were involved in an argument which became violent, forcing Nalini to seek refuge in a bedroom to avoid further confrontation.

Upon seeing this, Sookraj left the home for a nearby rum shop where he consumed alcohol.

This publication was told that upon his return to the premises, he enquired about his wife’s whereabouts as the woman had fled the home during his absence.

An eyewitness related that after noticing that his wife was not at home, he took her clothing and set them on fire on the street in front of the home.

“He start screaming out

What is left of the Crabwood Creek house

she name and he run inside and he bring out more clothes and go back inside an bring out a set of thing an throw dem in the fire: the chair set, mattress, TV, the music set that she did buy, and bun all up. We call she son and when he come, the man chase he with a cutlass,” the eyewitness informed.

Sookraj was seen by neighbours in the house moments before smoke began emanating from the building.

The fire service was alerted while neighbours formed a bucket brigade in an effort to extinguish the fire which, according to one eyewitness, was apparently being fuelled by a chemical.

Upon receipt of the news of what was occurring at her home, Nalini fell unconscious.

The husband was later arrested and taken into custody.

An investigation into the matter has been launched.

8

NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father of 2 electrocuted Eyew tness A poultry farmer was on Saturday morning electrocuted a short distance from his Garden of Eden home while pumping water into several tanks leading to his chicken pens.

Dead is Majayid

Dead: Majayid Muhammed

Muhammed of Lot 50 Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was found dead at about 05:30h by his father-in-law, Hassan Insanally. This newspaper was told that the 30-year-old

man was found in a trench with the electrical cable in his hands. Immediately after the discovery, the Police were summoned and in turn, rushed the man to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD, where he was pronounced dead.

His wife, Sarika Insanally-Muhammed told Guyana Times that she and her husband woke up early on Saturday to start prayers since they are observing Ramadan. After prayers, she recalled going back to bed with one of her daughters since she was not feeling well.

After sometime and she did not hear her husband’s voice or any movements so she called out to her father and they started to look for the man. During their search they found him in the trench and from all indications it appeared as though he was electrocuted.

She noted that her father phoned the Police and within minutes they arrived and launched an investigation.

They then took her husband

...nailed!!

The area where the man met his demise

to hospital.

When Guyana Times visited the home of the dead man, several relatives were expressing condolences to the family. As the mourning wife sat on the chair with her baby in hand, she related that her husband’s death is a major blow to her and the two children, ages six years, and seven months old.

Her husband, the woman stated is a chef by profession but at the time of his demise he worked with Mohamed’s Poultry Establishment in the village.

Guyana Times was told

that the dead man was originally from Jamaica but moved permanently to Guyana four years ago.

The wife noted that although they were married eight years now, they travelled to and from Jamaica for four years before settling here. His parents and siblings who reside in Jamaica have been notified of the incident.

She described her husband as a hardworking individual who was family oriented. His body is at Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting post mortem.

(Bhisham Mohamed)

Fedders Lloyd sanctioned...

The political commentator posited that Ramjattan had pushed for government to use the Fedders Lloyd because it is “his people” and so they went ahead without undergoing the proper pro-

cedure.

“Fedders Lloyd should not have been allowed to go ahead even after Surendra pulled out because that whole tendering should have been done all over again,”

Corruption...

T

Gaskin stated.

On the other hand, Dr Jeffery outlined that it was unfortunate that foreigners had to become involved in the matter for the right thing to happen. “People have been saying that the contract should have gone to open tender but government failed to do so,” he said.

Nevertheless, Dr Jeffery

FROM PAGE 3

noted that Guyana wins in that the project will now rightfully go to tendering and this should be a lesson learned for the coalition government.

Both political commentators also underscored the need for the APNU/AFC administration to take steps to have the Public Procurement Commission established.

hey say, “what goes around, comes around”. And the corruption the AFC biggies used to carry on about when they were in the Opposition, has come around to bite them on their bamsees with a vengeance! What say they now about corruption in housing with CH&PA Chairman Hamilton Green caught with his pants down giving out goodies to former PNC MP Ivor Allen?

What say they about all the “advisors” hired as “contract employees” and gypping all those Public Servants out of a raise because of their multimillion-dollar salaries? What say they about “fertiliser gate”...which stinks to high heaven??

And hot off the press...what say they - especially the Vice President and Minister of Public Security Ramjattan - about the sole-sourced Specialty Hospital contract they handed on a platter to Fedders Lloyd?

Right from the beginning when India provided a soft loan of US$20 million for a Specialty Hospital to jumpstart the PPP’s “medical tourism” plan for Guyana, Ramjattan had plugged Fedders Lloyd for the project. They weren’t his client, Ramjattan claimed, with his hand over his heart... and was only representing their interests in the press, Parliament - and every which place he found himself because he wanted to do right for Guyana! He was going to be the first lawyer in the history of the world, to represent a US$200M company pro-bono. For free!

The PPP government had chosen Surendra Engineering after a bid, but later had to cancel the contract for nonperformance. Incredibly, the new APNU/AFC government insisted on giving the contract to Fedders Lloyd - without any bidding process!! Under the PPP/C, Fedders Lloyd had been disqualified for not complying with material demands of the bid. Transparency International - and even GhoulSarran, their pet auditor - condemned the decision.

But then it always pays to have friends in high places, nuh?

Well it all came crashing down when the Indian High Commissioner announced the World Bank had blacklisted Fedders Lloyd from ANY contract for five years!! Why? Well, the Indian Ambassador was pretty coy about it - but the World Bank’s web site had no such compunction. It declared that Fedders Lloyd fatal flaw was ....drum roll, please!....

CORRUPTION!! As described by its Fraud and Corruption Procurement Guideline 1.14 (a) (ii) “fraudulent practice”: any act or omission, including a misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation.

Fedders Lloyd “knowingly or recklessly” bribed to get a contract but never gave a penny to Ramjattan to lobby for years for the Specialty Hospital.

After all, he’s an Honourable man, nuh?

...and investment

As your Eyewitness predicted, no investment came out of the Harvard Club event in mid-Manhattan. It was supposed to haul in the big fishes from Wall Street. The President himself confirmed this. But it wasn’t the horrific traffic from lower to mid-Manhattan that kept them away it was the overseas Guyanese con men crowding the posh locale.

It was a repetition of what happened to the PPP at the flag raising ceremony at the D’Urban Park Stadium. Imagine people with armless “singlets” given seats and none could be found for the representatives of half the country’s population! The fella hocking laser-beam parking meters is only the tip of a very large iceberg of corrupt hustlers courting the new government.

Pressie gave his own pitch to Guyanese at other locales and promised them “concessions” if they make local investments. That’s a welcome departure from the stance of his Ministers THEY seem to think investors are elbowing each other in line to invest in Guyana!

...in City

But Pressie isn’t oblivious to the corruption dangers.

He’s promised to stamp it out. So could he remind his Local Government Minister’s Town Clerk it’s not that the city doesn’t need parking metres.

It’s the how, they’re being procured Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

10

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Guyana urged to develop IT, other emerging sectors

BY VAHNU MANICKCHAND

W

ith the David G r a n g e r Administration looking to divert from the traditional ‘six economic sisters’, the country is being urge to capitalise on sectors that will aid the impending transformation that is expected over the coming years.

This call was made by outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt, during a recent interview with Guyana Times. Hunt pointed out that new and emerging industries are needed in Guyana to absorb the workforce that will be coming out of the traditional sectors that are declining, as well as this huge youth bulge that will be coming into productive life over the next five to 10 years.

The US envoy explained that with the country already embarking on an oil and gas sector, it is set to receive an influx of revenues from the emerging petroleum sector and all eyes will be on Guyana on how it manages the monies that will flow into the State’s coffers. He noted that the possibilities for exploring new sectors in Guyana are great.

According to Hunt, Government needs to sit with the Private Sector, particularly those looking to enter into the new industries, and really understand what are the barriers to entry, what

is holding the country back, what are the tax policies needed, the fiscal policies and the regulatory environment.

He added too that the country should look at why it has such a consistently low ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index and remove such barriers so that there can be an influx of

look at how it structures its education system to provide the professionals that are necessary to do that,” he posited.

Even as this is being called for by Hunt, the Government has already signed a US$1 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Government via

revenue coming in that will be used to offset the cost of creating alternative employment generating industries.

On such sectors, the US Diplomat believes Guyana should develop is the Information Technology industry, especially since the country is on the verge of liberalising telecommunications and has already introduced 3G and 4G technology at the cell level.

“I think looking at all of the information technologydriven possibilities – call centres, software designs, hardware designs, services that can be provided offshore, it is a sector that Guyana should look at and it should begin to

its High Commissioner in Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam for the setup of an information communication and Technology (ICT) Centre of Excellence in Guyana.

This centre will provide training for Public Sector ICT professionals to ensure the availability of a highly skilled ICT workforce, equipped with the requisite expertise to meet the increasingly complex demands of the public and Private Sectors.

Moreover, Hunt believes that the country’s tourism sector has vast and untapped potential that is unmatched in the region. He noted that while there is a long way to

go, Guyana has a tremendous natural product to offer with locations such as the Rupununi, Iwokarama, the Kaieteur and Orinduik waterfalls are unparallel in other parts of the world.

“I think that you would be a new destination on the tourism map and there are ways if you are to offer a high end product that people will be willing to pay for it… I think that Guyana could be on the tourism map, not like Barbados where tourism is 90 per cent of the economy, but it can be a productive sector,” he stressed.

However, the US envoy outlined that in order for the country to benefit from such potential, it requires investment in infrastructure as well as changes in the duties and importation policies that holds the sector back.

“If Government is serious about tourism development then there should not be a “ridiculously high import rate on four wheel drive vehicles, which are essential to the tourism economy that is going to be created here,” he cautioned.

Additionally, Hunt noted that with such fertile soils, there is the possibility of going into the agriculture and agro-processing sectors – not the tradition sectors but crops that are of high values such as chilli peppers. He said that there are valued added products in the agricultural and agro-processing sphere that ought to be looked at more aggressively, disclosing that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had done some work a few years ago on such products and so there are materials out there to look at.

Furthermore, with low energy cost, which Guyana is yet to explore, the country can also look at light manufacturing, the US Diplomat stated. On the other hand, he opined that Guyana does not have to be the end developer of products, noting that sometimes it is better to be the designer.

“Sometimes being the folks that are doing the offshore initial design of whatever is going to be produced is far more lucrative than being the ones that actually screws the parts together and given your (currently) energy cost, I think doing some of that beginning of the value addition chain work has possibilities here in Guyana. But again, that like software and IT development, it requires looking at the education system

Bush Medicine S

atiricus was sweating. He and his friend Cappo were in their native habitat - the Back Street Bar - a little bit earlier than usual. In fact it was quite a bit earlier being just a bit past midday. It was the two friends’ custom not to drink until the afternoon. And they’d virtuously held out till the hands of the clock moved past 12. They polished off their first bottle of beer in a single long gurgle.

“I’m so damned hot!” fretted Satiricus, “I wonder why June is the month for weddings, when the sun is right overhead because it’s moving north.”

“Mussee because dem marri’d couple gat fuh tear aff dem clothes de marri’d night!!!” Cappo gave one of his famous chuckles. “An’ sometime de gyaal shy!” They ordered another round and settled down.

“So what’s going on in the estate, Cappo?” was Satificus’ opening gambit to Cappo.

“Well Building start fuh grind but dem na get nuff cane,” Cappo reported with a rueful shake of the head. “Dis a rain mumma man!!’”

“I heard you went to town,” said Satiricus. “What for?”

“Budday! Na mek me get mo’ vex!” Cappo looked at Satiricus suspiciously. “Yuh hear?”

“Hear what?” Satiricus replied with a puzzled look.

“Well me bin fuh me bush medicine, na?” Cappo lowered his voice.

Satiricus gave him a wide grin. “Oh! THE bush medicine?

The one you does add to the Steel Drops?”

“Yes...yes...Yuh na gat fuh tell de whole bar,” Cappo replied. “And de Bush Medicine lady na deh in front a Stabroek Market, na mo. She gaan!’”

“Well you hear they moved the vendors away from Stabroek Market front, didn’t you?” Satiricus tried to sound sympathetic. “So how you making out at home, with all the rain.”

Cappo gave his friend a bleak look and tried to change the subject. “Why dem na find a prappa place fuh dem Venda, like me bush medicine lady?”

“Budday! Town crowded all over, you know,” Satiricus pointed out. “Where you will put them?”

“Sato, wha kinda question da?” Cappo asked in annoyance, “Na me an’ you bin a de Jubilee March? Tu’n de Durban Park Stadium to wan market fuh de Venda dem!”

“But that is a brand new Green Heart stadium, to be used for Big Events,” replied Satiricus.

“Green Heart?” said Cappo incredulously. “Dat wood na green heart...dat is Puckadee Wood! Wood ants guh eat out dat Stadium in six months! Buy a nex’ round Sato. Me cyaan guh home early.”

and really giving people the skills they need to look into those industries,” he underscored.

He went on to say that more economic chains like this will be in the future where products are designed in one country, put to together in a next country and finish off in another.

Hunt further highlighted that with the vast potential in the Guyanese economy, the country needs the adequate infrastructure. To this end, he pointed out that given the geography, Manaus and Boa Vista in neighbouring Brazil should be sending their products North to Guyana and then up to Miami.

This is where a deepwater harbour is needed, he outlined. “If you had a deep water harbour, you can have a tremendous shipping industry just from those products being produced from NorthWest Brazil. I think this is something Government needs to look seriously at,” he remarked, adding that the Lethem border should be linked to a road that runs to a deepwater harbour.

“It is something Guyana needs to seriously look at and give yourself that shipping industry and all the associated things that goes with it such as insurance and banking services,” he remarked.

NEWS

11

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 2 rice farmers still owed By: Indrawattie Natram

S

cores of rice farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) are still owed and according to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) RDC councillors the industry is not being given the kind of attention it requires, hence the region’s economy is declining.

At the recent June statutory meeting opposition councillor Showkat Ali related that to date scores of rice farmers are still owed by prominent rice millers within the region, and government keeps saying that rice were shipped to the Panama market.

Ali deliberated that government said it has sought new markets but questioned where are those markets and why is the negotiations process still ongoing.

He said the livelihood of persons are significantly disaffected due to the negative effects of the industry.

Ali said he is not sure where the future of the rice industry is headed and who are there to actually represent rice farmers.

Another PPP/C councillor Brian Persaud called for a urgent meeting to be held with key stakeholders including GRDB and RPA on the way forward.

On that note opposition councillor Vilma Da Silva called on government to put the rice cereal factory into

PPP/C Councillor Vilma Da Silva

operation so that employment can be created for persons, and farmers can get market for their rice.

The councillors then called on the APNU+AFC RDC councillor Naithram to enlighten the council on the rice industry as he is a representative of rice farmers and also a board member of GRDB. Naithram was the one who had staged several protests against the PPP/C Government agitating for better prices for rice farmers in the past.

In responding, Naithram said indeed farmers are still owed by rice millers in Region Two and alleged that the Guyana Rice Miller’s Association has a few millers who control most of the markets. He said that is unfair.

He said there are instances where rice contracts are only going to certain mill-

ers and described the situation as biased. Naithram said several rice farmers have also complained to him about non-payments and advised that those farmer take the millers to court.

Naithram also accepted that due to the negative effects of the rice industry persons spending power has been restricted and thus it’s hampering the economy.

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt told fellow councillors that he has forwarded several correspondence to Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and to date none of his emails were answered.

He said too that during the El ñino crisis he also assessed the situation and sent a full report to the Minister yet no response was given.

The chairman added that on several occasion he called on the Minister of Agriculture to meet with the commercial banks to discuss the rescheduling of loans as many farmers owe the bank.

Suggestion was also made for a consultation process to be undertaken among the ministry, millers, and farmers.

When contact were made with the rice millers who owe farmers, this newspaper was told that payments will begin in two weeks’ time and that the shipment of paddy had not yet reached Panama and other the other countries which purchased the rice.

NGSA results set for release in next 2 weeks A

s emotions run high over the release of the much anticipated results for the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the Education Ministry has pronounced that the results should be disseminated within the next two weeks.

Initially, parents, student and teachers were expecting the results last week or early this week, with even Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine relating that the Ministry was anticipating the results last Friday.

However, according to Chief Education Officer

(CEO) Olato Sam, the results will be made available at schools within the next two weeks. It however did not indicate specifically which day the results are expected.

Since the beginning of June which marked a little over a month since the examinations were sat, over 14,500 Grade Six students from across Guyana were on the ‘look out’ for the results.

These results are usually sent to the Ministry and distributed across schools a little over a month after the exams are written.

This is usually the period between every year that students from across the

country look forward for the release of their results from the NGSA which is written in the latter part of April.

On April 27 and 28, Grade Six students from across Guyana set out to their respective schools with hopes running high as they sat the two-day examinations.

The results of these exams would determine their entry into secondary schools across the country as the new school term begins in September.

These students were tested on the four main curriculum subjects – Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and English.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Expulsion of Cove and John Swami

Members of new Trust register their claims of “conspiracy”

S

w a m i Shivashankarananda and several lay members of the Guyana Bharatiya Sevashram Sangha on Saturday met with Guyana Times to speak on the recent controversy where the executive members of the Ashram accused the Swami of being abusive and inexperienced in his appointed position.

However, they did not address the expulsion of the Swami from the monastic order by three senior swamis of the Bharatiya Sevashram Sangha - from India/Los Angeles, New York, and Canada.

At the gathering with Shivashankarananda, and the executives of the Sangha, it was expressed that for unfavourable allegations to befall the Swami, it can prove to be detrimental to the image of the Ashram. They highlighted that their intention was not to defend the swami, since they do not have the authority to pronounce on monastic matters, but they aim to protect the Ashram from being painted unkindly.

According to the members, the head office for all ashrams is the Bharratiya Sevashram Sangha in India. They explained that the Guyana Sevashram Sangha was established by the Statute Ordinance No 21 of 1956 at the instance of the founder of the ashram, Swami Purnananda and it was under this statute that the Ashram incorporated a Board of Trustees.

These original trustees, Guyana Times had been informed, were all deceased and did not, in accordance to

the bylaws, appoint successor trustees, as such the original trusteeship lapsed.

The members asserted that the ashram is governed by a board of trustees as in accordance with the Legal Document of the Registered Trust Deed 90/2016 in keeping with Ordinance 21 of 56.

However, as is evident by the date above, this trust deed was only registered this year.

The senior swamis who expelled Shivashankarananda by authority of the Bharitita Sevashram Sangha in India, registered the Guyana Ashram under the friendly societies act which complied with all legal requirements.

The individuals who registered trust deed 90/2016 have no authority from the parent body in India.

It was claimed by the members that Swami Vidyananda, before his demise, appointed Swami Shivashankarananda his position as President and Spiritual Leader by virtue of the Trust Deed, after the Executive Members Swami Bhajanananda of Canada and Swami Shiveshwarananda of the United States of America failed to respond to the plea

by Swami Vidyananda and countless devotees of the ashram to return and serve in Guyana.

“Swami Vidyananda said he made an offer to both of them, and they refused. Because the two of them are senior to Swami Shivashankarananda, it was only fair that he offer them the position first. They refused. But when Swami Shivashankarananda was

Swami Shivashankarananda

asked, he gave up everything he was doing in America and came to serve. He gave up the opportunity of a green card and citizenship, of which the Swami in America, he did not.

He was here, waiting for the green card and even after he got the green card, he failed to come back to Guyana.”

According to the members, the intention of the two senior Swamis was to take over the Ashram since they, along with other persons, some of whom they claim are strangers, have registered with the ashram through the Friendly Society’s Act, without their knowledge and approval.

They relayed that all allegations of the Swami being inexperienced, and “running down the Ashram” is untrue highlighting that since Swami Shivashankarananda have been appointed his position, the Hindu College was reopened and has become even more recognised and the Ashram has developed to such a stage that in 2015, during Shivratree, it saw an attendance of close to 20,000 devo-

tees for the first time since it has been in existence.

“During Swami Shivashankarananda’s tenure, we have seen the Hindu College was reopened and in a few short years, the Hindu College has been able to make its name heard around the country in terms of performance, not only the academic success but of course the discipline and everything else.

With the many successful outreach programmes, some are covered in the media, some are not. Many charitable undertakings, exchange visits to organisations, building relationships and generally reaching out to the masses particularly to people who are in need. He negotiated a steady supply of food items and whatever else in the Ashram, from donors and whatever. He single-handedly managed the preparation, he guided the devotees of the ashram, for

Maha Shivratree,” said one of the trustees.

This publication was told that in regards to accusations that the Swami has been abusive to children within the Hindu College, this was untrue since nothing pertaining to this has ever surfaced. This was not claimed by the senior monks.

The members highlighted that much is left to be answered pertaining to the knowledge of the happenings around the Ashram since the persons that have been making the accusations against Swami Shivashankarananda are not members of the Ashram. One of which, they voiced, has a year of serving in the capacity and was subsequently relieved of his duties, being replaced by Swami Shivashankarananda and so his presence at the Ashram has been non-existent except on rare occasions.

They also noted that Swami Shivashankarananda’s letter which he received on 6 June, 2016 at 16:15h requesting that he travel to Los Angeles for training was dated 27 May, 2016. Upon receipt of the letter, Swami requested 24 hours to make his decision. However at 08:05h he received an email informing him of his expulsion from the post he held.

The trustees indicated scepticism about the authenticity of the expulsion letter which was sent by the Head Office, since it is considered strange that the Bharratiya Sevashram Sangha would issue an expulsion without giving Swami a chance to defend himself.

The senior swamis had indicated that their offer to Shivashankarananda to spend some time in Los Angeles or in India for counselling was still open.

Bandits invade Corentyne home – cart off cash, jewellery

F

our armed gunmen on Saturday morning invaded the home of a Corentyne family, carting off in excess of $500,000 in cash and an undisclosed amount of jewellery.

Reports are at about 03:45h, the men entered the house at Hog Style Village Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) after climbing onto a veranda at the back of the house. At the time, Abid Ally and his parents were in the house and preparing for their Ramadan fast.

Ally told Guyana Times that as his father opened the veranda door, two men who were waiting immediately pounced on him. The older Ally was gun butted and later had to seek medical attention.

According to the son, the men broke a fence in the back yard to gain access and then climbed onto the veranda. He said of the four, one remained under the house as a lookout.

The home the gunmen invaded

The elder Ally is the supervisor at a petrol service station in the village while his 21-year-old son is a student. It is believed that the intruders were after money which it is believed Ally keeps for the gas station.

According to the son, after the men entered the house, they ordered his father to lie on the floor and then went into his parents’ bedroom and ransacked it. It was there that they found cash and jewellery

along with an iPod. The ordeal lasted between three to five minutes. Ally related that the men all had handkerchiefs on their faces and were unrecognisable.

Divisional Commander Ina Amsterdam who visited the scene said the perpetrators were familiar with the area and Ally’s timing. He said two persons are in custody as Police continue to investigate the incident.

NEWS

13

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Politicising our classrooms

P

arents and guardians across the country need to be seriously concerned about the Granger Government’s move to use The Guyana Learning Channel (TGLC) for the promotion of Government and, possibly, party propaganda.

This marks a serious breach of trust between the Government and the nation’s parents and children whereby a television channel established with the sole mandate of educating our children is now being misused to disseminate Government “information”.

It is a new low for the Ryhaan Shah Granger Government to take advantage of impressionable young minds and to use TGLC to push their propaganda. There can be no countering argument that the material is unbiased since all governments have agendas and policies that are subject to opposing views.

Since fostering debate and critical thinking are important to a well-rounded education, as they are to the very notion of democracy, it is very dangerous for children to be given the idea that only one viewpoint exists – the Government’s - and that a government comprises only the ruling party with no oppositional voice.

The learning channel is not the place for the broadcasting of Government propaganda and Sahadeo Bates alerted the public to this new direction of TGLC in a letter to the press, as did a subsequent report in Guyana Times.

It has always been imperative that educational material be carefully worded and selected in order that the lessons presented are sensitive to and sensible about the world of diverse values and belief systems that obtain in Guyana including the democratic values of fairness and justness.

Unlike most countries that have homogenous populations with pockets of minorities, Guyana is somewhat unique in having a population of six ethnic minorities. The idea of a national identity is, however, promoted as Afrocentric with token elements of Indian, Amerindian, Chinese, etc, thrown in for good measure, if at all.

The recent jubilee celebrations affirmed this prejudiced view of our nationhood and parents would be concerned that this idea will find its way on TGLC as “educational”.

Bates also wrote about his locally produced 3D animations being rejected by TGLC because of budgetary constraints. This is unfortunate since a vital part of any education is that the child gains a sense of self-worth by seeing themselves and their environment reflected in the words and pictures in their school books and programmes.

Even a basic mathematics programme that counts mangoes instead of apples would present a child with images that are familiar and make them see their world as meritorious. The impact of VS Naipaul’s work on my generation was immeasurable.

Miguel Street gave us a new sense of ourselves by placing us on par with Dickens’ characters, for instance. Naipaul reshaped world literature with our presence, language and humour.

Dave Martins’ song about the Caribbean alphabet falls into this category by refashioning the alphabet with images with which we readily identify.

While TGLC broadcasts many pre-packaged educational programmes on science and mathematics that would not necessarily demand local sensitivities, it makes little sense to have the hardware of the broadcast technology at our disposal if it is only used to transmit outdated programming produced for other countries’ classrooms.

Surely there should be a budget for locally produced programmes to supplement these especially since Government can find funds for low-priority projects like refashioning Durban Park and Carifesta Avenue?

How much better for those funds to have been invested in our nation’s future, our children? How much would it take to have our children recite poems, tell a story, play games, and show off their talent? How much would it take for the significance of our national holidays – Diwali, Easter, Eid – to be explained even by the children themselves and to be appreciated by their friends?

Government talks incessantly about building social cohesion and there is no better place to start creating feelings of nationalism and pride based on mutual respect than in the classroom.

The learning channel can be an effective medium to promote social cohesion if the programmes are done correctly and with the right sensibilities towards the values, cultures and religions that make up the Guyanese nation.

It appears that the channel has fallen into the rut of mediocrity that is the standard for everything in Guyana including local television programming which, mostly, lacks imagination, creativity and even good production quality.

Now that the Granger Administration has chosen to air its political propaganda on a channel established for our children’s education, the innocence of our nation’s children is being seriously compromised along with any vision for their future possibilities.

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

Region 5 flooding

Communities along Mahaicony River still under water

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

T

he lives and sustenance of many residents and farmers in areas along the Mahaicony River, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) continue to be threatened as flood waters are yet to recede. These communities include Mora Point, Pine Ground and Gordon Table where many farmers in these villages have lost cash crops, while livestock remains under threat.

According to reports, other communities, especially in West Berbice have breathed sighs of relief since much of the floodwaters have receded.

Region Five Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal told Guyana Times that water in Trafalgar, Union and Lovely Lass had almost completely receded while pointing out that riverine communities in Mahaicony still have high floodwater levels.

Ramphal had also explained that it was “very dif-

A scene of flooding in Mahaicony, ECD earlier this month

ficult” for the regional administration to intervene in the Mahaicony locations since the entire drainage network falls under the control of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA). He however expressed that the region was still monitoring the situation.

Ramphal had further expressed that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Agriculture Ministry were informed about the situation and that there was need for relief to the af-

fected communities. One of these communities was in the Amerindian settlement of Moraikobai which he explained can take some three hours by boat to reach.

“I spoke to the Toshao there and he said that the water has receded but not to the fullest but the damage was already done and they still are affected because they can’t go back to the farm as yet,” the Regional Chairman told this newspaper on Tuesday last.

On Saturday, the affected residents in Moraikobai

received food hampers from the CDC. These food hampers were given to 160 flood affected families and distribution will continue today. It was pointed out that the installation of the radios in the village is part of the CDC’s efforts to establish early warning systems in the community. These radios will be used for warnings and forecasting as part of future monitoring of flood conditions.

The flood situation in Region Five has been occurring at intervals for the last several weeks. On Monday last that this newspaper highlighted that the mobility of residents at Blairmont was hindered as their bridges were still under water.

Over the last few weeks, Guyana Times has been highlighting the challenges which communities in Region Five have been facing as a result of flooding. A breached dam along the Perth Canal in Branch Road, Mahaicony, led to significant acreages of rice lands being inundated last month.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Deadly Camp Street Prison riot

CoI recommends Law Revision Commission resuscitation

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

hroughout the execution of its mandate, the Camp Street Prison Commission of Inquiry (CoI) observed the need for continuous revision and updating of the nation’s laws. To this end, the CoI report has given recommendation for the revival of the Law Revision Commission (LRC). Established in 2014, the LRC, a body within the Legal Affairs Ministry, was tasked with ensuring that there was continuous revision of the Laws of Guyana.

“The work of the [Camp Street Prison] Commission in a number of instances revealed a need for the constant updating of our legislation. Formerly this problem was addressed by a Law Commission whose job it was to look at the body of legislation that is current and tailor it for the exigencies of the future… the Commission is, therefore, recommending resuscitation of a standing Law Revision Commission,” an excerpt from the report stated.

According to the Law Revision Act, Chapter 2:02, the Law Revision Commission is meant to

The Camp Street Prison where the deadly riots occurred in March

have a chairman and no more than four other members whose functions shall be to: “prepare, publish, and maintain in accordance with this Act an edition of the laws of Guyana…”

The CoI report suggested that unsystematic partial measures must not be employed when the Statues are being amended.

“Piecemeal patching up of the Statutes of the State is to be discouraged,” the CoI added.

The Prison CoI also stated that Sentencing guidelines must be formally approved, publicised, disseminated before being enforced.

“Judges and Magistrates must be trained in applica-

tion of sentencing guidelines,” Commissioners further observed.

It was also recommended that judges and magistrates see visitation rights of prisoners as part of their obligation, adding that visits to prisons by the judges and magistrates must be viewed as a constitutive and obligatory aspect of their duties.

The Commission also pointed out that there must be a minimum number of visits per year and that the Chancellor and Chief Justice should establish, implement and monitor these stipulations.

It was also noted that the release of prisoners, who are on remand should be automatically released

once the time served equals the sentence which the offence would have attracted. Further, maximum limits for the time in which inmates are on remand should be taken into consideration.

It has been suggested that the high number of prisoners on remand is responsible for overcrowding in the Prison system.

Figures released by the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) demonstrate that 258 prisoners were remanded by magistrates at the end of February 2016.

Other recommendations to ensure reduction of overcrowding included the resolution of legal issues required, the abolishing of Preliminary Inquiries (PIs) as an urgent priority of the judiciary; a robust programme of community-based sentencing alternatives and a piloting of alternative and community-based sentences should be undertaken with women and juvenile offenders.

The CoI came as a result of the deadly Camp Street prison riot in which it is believed inmates lit several fires which resulted in the death of 17 of their fellow prisoners.

Younge’s Take Ratchet City Council politics

T

he years 2011 and 2015 saw residents of Georgetown and core stakeholders demand a change in the political leadership and directorship of the Georgetown City Council.

This change was demanded in part because of the need to end mass corruption at the council which had reached unimaginable levels since the last council took office back in 1994.

Michael Younge The change was also lobbied for because citizens and the private sector had become weary of the poor levels of service they received from the council despite the fact that they paid their rates and taxes.

Also, support for a change in political culture of the council also increased over the past 20 years because of the lack of progress made in creating a more cohesive and modern capital that could stand on the pillars of social and economic justice, transparency and accountability.

It should be noted that whilst in opposition, the current A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change parties supported this hunger for change in the way business is done at the city council. They mounted a strong campaign against the PPP and in defence of the then Hamilton Green council as they explained that the council was handicapped because of continued ministerial interference, a lack and drought of resources from central Govt to the council and weak political and formative support from the PPP/C. The coalition also turned City Hall into a battle field taking on the then Town Clerk Carol Sooba who was a Government appointee while undermining her efforts at straightening the council and exposing corruption there. Most times, Sooba was left emotionally wounded and frustrated because even though there were bright spots and several successes during her stint at City Council, the culture of incompetence, political mismanagement and corruption continued as it was now permanently part of the psyche of the council.

As history would have it. Sooba was forced out when the coalition secured Government and long overdue local Government elections were held. New faces and civil-political groups took council seats with a majority joining to the coalition.

Patricia Chase-Green, who served the old council, now became Mayor and Sherod Duncan was placed as Deputy Mayor as if to be a poster boy in order to pander to youths.

Royston King, a crass coalition supporter got his lifelong dream and became Town Clerk.

Along with the other councillors, they delivered an unexpected brand of change. This change so far has proven to be ineffective management of the city’s resources, continued corruption, controversial policy positions and an increased polarisation of the Council’s work in favour of coalition businesses and supporters.

This is not the change residents of Georgetown demanded but nobody seems to care at the council or central Govt.

There are alarming reports of new instances of nepotism, corruption and cronyism at the council with large and small contracts being handed to business and political interests in the city in breach of the bylaws and tendering process.

There are reports of misuse of funds at the council by the Town Clerk and other officers in many instances but when the media seek clarifications on these matters, they are met with arrogance and resentment from office holders.

Also, the workers’ lives have not improved and their unions seem incapable of fighting for their rights. Nothing positive has happened at the council despite their efforts at cleaning select parts of the city and the reorganisation of the vendors at Stabroek and Merriman Mall.

In fact, the new council must account for the millions spent on its clean-up drive and other projects since it came to power. An audit that is forensic in nature would expose all of the financial shortcomings of the council and political misdemeanours thus far.

In order for real positive change to occur, the Town Clerk’s office must become de-politicised and obedient to the council. It cannot function as an extension of the APNU/AFC Government nor an arm of King’s personal monarchy.

Additionally, new councillors must have their say and must be allowed to pursue all contracts and agreements entered into in the past and future by the council. No more unnecessary trips abroad and demolition exercises must not take place without full council agreement.

The Central Government must heap criticism on the Council when it is out of place and when the council’s policies appear to be anti-poor, anti-modern and lacking imagination.

All of the hard fought for reforms to Local Government laws and the elections are meaningless unless the ratchet political culture at the Council changes.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Life changing story of Guyanese Boxing Champ Clive Atwell

By Alexis Rodney

By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Father’s Day reflections

H

ow many times do we sit down and read about the terrible effects absent fathers have on their children and families? Despite this being a harsh reality, this Father’s Day I think it’s about time we look at the other side of the coin and reflect on all those dads that work hard to be good fathers.

Today let’s think about the young man, terrified about the prospect of becoming a father, but excited at the new feelings springing up inside him and determined to go the extra mile to ensure his child is secure when they come into the world. The one who works two jobs, one of which tests his patience to the limit, but during which time he keeps calm and thinks of earning enough money to send his child to school.

The man who holds on to the back of the bike as he steadies his cautious child while they wobble their way to learning to ride. Who then has to force himself to stand still when the child falls so they learn how to pick themselves up; a lesson he knows is important in life.

For today, let’s picture the father standing beside his child’s bed as they sleep, feeling sad that they didn’t make it home in time to kiss them goodnight but was out working late to make a little extra for a special birthday treat or to take them on a day trip.

The man who has to watch his daughter fall in love and have her heart broken or see his son be duped by a trickster, then though happy to see his children grow into independent young adults, has to give up the protective hand that he used to shield them as they go out into the big wide world. The broad shoulder still waits to be leant upon when necessary, cried upon when needed and embraced in happiness once lives are perused away from home.

He commands respect not through fear but from love. His discipline comes from love and best wishes so it is accepted with understanding. He doesn’t judge and doesn’t pretend to be without fault and so as a child grows and understands, they are not betrayed by hypocrisy. Admiration and trust ensues.

Without realising the enormity of his actions, he evokes feelings of love, safety, security and wellbeing; feelings that only a father can provide in such a way. The type of feeling that lets a child know with one phone call he will be there. No matter what the need, he will find a way to provide. No matter what the problem he will support you through it. No matter what mistake you have made, he will understand. Always.

Irrespective of how old we become, when a father has loved, protected, guided and supported you and continues to do so long after his responsibilities have passed, a part of you always feel safe, no matter how difficult life may become and no matter how scared we may be. He really is the rock in a storm and the harbour to return home to.

The pressures of breadwinner, protector and adviser can be a heavy burden. Those of you who have embraced fatherhood and those of you who will do so in the future; those of you who will raise fathers and those of you who will marry them, remember the power of that position. Know the great gifts a father can give to his children with words of wisdom, comfort, critical reprimand, guidance and love. Know the ability to offer strength and softness in the same breath. The ties you have with your children should last your lifetime, the legacy you leave way beyond that of your grandchildren and great children.

A heartfelt thank you and an enormous amount of love go out to so many fathers today.

Happy Father’s Day.

G

uyanese boxing champ Clive Atwell, 27, could not have been more grateful to God for his life, since, had it not been for the quick and skilful hands of local neurosurgeon Dr Amarnauth Dukhi, he would not have been alive today.

The life of the National Featherweight and Lightweight title holder took a radical turn on the evening of October 24, 2015, when, during a match, he suddenly fainted.

He was rushed to hospital and found to have a subdural hematomas haemorrhaging, a condition that is the result of a serious head injury. Emergency surgery was was performed by Dr Dukhi.

“I was placed on six months bed rest with medications. I was required to do another surgery in six months. That time has already passed,” Atwell told Guyana Times on Thursday, but he has not been able to garner the $5 million needed for the surgery in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I am still looking to raise some funds; Dr Dukhi indicated to me that the surgery cannot be done in Guyana, so I went to Trinidad.”

He related that since October last year, he and his wife returned from Trinidad and have been trying to secure the money through the Ministry of Sport and other government ministries.

“We were still to have a response, but it was until this story was picked up by a sports journalist that we started to see some positive light in this regard,” Atwell remarked.

He said after his story came to light, he was able to sit with the Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, where he re-presented his documents. He said he was informed that a statement has been prepared to take to Cabinet.

Government, he said is expected to provide at least $2

Former Guyana Flyweight boxing champion Clive Atwell on RGI’s “Sports Vybz” with Sports Editor John Ramsingh raising funds for his surgery

million.

Atwell noted that since his plight was public, the country has “been gracious to me, they have been responding well”. His church family also came in for much praise as it made the first donation of $500,000.

So far the boxer has about $700,000.

Life changing ordeal

“There is no way to butter it up, it has messed my life up”, Atwell said, speaking about the life-changing ordeal. He said however that as a believer he has been grappling with the fact that God is in the midst of everything and that “He is always working out the plan for one’s life”.

He admitted that it has not been easy, as he and his wife had to give up all they had worked for to return to Guyana from Dominica, since his situation requires constant evaluation and Dominica does not have the facilities to accommodate him.

“I have had to come back to the next best place, which is home.” He said his mother-in-law has been assisting the young family, providing them with a place to stay while the prayers and emotional support have been overwhelming.

According to the father of one, the situation has been “horrible”.

“I left the hospital partially blind. I had to be rushed to the hospital the following night of my discharge. I couldn’t sleep no matter what they do, there was this severe thing going on in my head and they realised that blood was still

lodged in some part of my head. My feet were numb, I could not do anything for myself, my gracious wife had to do all for me.

Because God is so good, I have been able to take back some control,” he told this publication.

Asked if he has any regrets, given the fact that his profession might have been the cause of his condition, Atwell said he dose not. He said the only regret he has is not refusing to take up opportunities that were afforded him.

“I was given beautiful opportunities… I believe that when God gives you something, you do it. I can’t

regret that I have been boxing; it is something I have been blessed with. I have travelled the globe, to see life on a different side”. If I had taken up opportunities and things like this overcame me, I think I would have been in a better economic position to take care of things”.

Asked about his plans after his next successful surgery, Atwell said he has always been a fighter and lives for what he does. He said it is part of life that sometimes, “all good things must come to an end”, indicating that if that is the advice of his doctors, then, “I will just have to find the strength to accept that. “I’m a fighter and I would like to continue fighting.”

He is father of a twoyear-old son and a local minister in the Methodist Clergy.

Persons wishing to make a contribution to the success of this surgery can do so by calling 642-9961, 672-9215 or have the funds placed into his Republic Bank Account # 2429702.

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ANNA’S

Source of dissent in the NTC should be investigated

T

he National Toshaos Council (NTC) ought to be the most powerful, democratically organised representation of indigenous peoples in Guyana. Comprised of the elected Toshaos of each Amerindian community and village, it is mandated by the Amerindian Act 6-2006 to oversee and contribute to the strategic development of Amerindian peoples.

An elected Executive body of twenty Toshaos presided by Anna Correia a Chairman, are responsible for the direction of the NTC. Ideally, this Executive body should work harmoniously toward optimal results, reflected in annual reports presented at each NTC annual conference.

Since its re-election in 2015 however, the NTC Executive is reportedly no longer a united body. Dissent and fight for power are distracting the attention of the Executive from its duties.

It appears that the number of NTC Executives who are members or close associates of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), has increased after the Council’s last election. As a result, there seems to be a significant lack of consensus among the leadership, cobbled with a certain level of disregard for the authority if the NTC Chair.

A recent letter – controversial in the position it defended – published by Executive member and APA friendly, Toshao Lennox Schuman, purported to represent the views of the NTC on the irregularities surrounding the disbursement of funds by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under a Forest and Carbon Partnership Facilitation (FCPF) project.

Interestingly, Shuman claimed that the views defended in the letter represented the position of the NTC, despite the troubling number of inconsistencies with which it is riddled. For instance, Shuman’s position on the delays in the disbursement of the funds, was radically different less than two months ago, when he participated at a stakeholder meeting hosted by the Norwegian delegation responsible for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

But the questions which have summoned interrogation, is whether Shuman was authorised to defend the position of the IDB on behalf of the NTC in the public sphere. Shouldn’t the letter have been signed by NTC Chair Joel Fredericks or its Secretary Eyon Boyal?

Reports circulating also suggest that Lennox Shuman is the instigator of the idea that a no-confidence motion should be pressed against the NTC Chair. If this is true then support might be gathered from the Toshaos who are close to the APA, however sterile the entire initiative might reveal itself to be. What has eventually become public knowledge is the certitude that Shuman is running a parallel agenda aimed at undermining the NTC and its Chair; an agenda which lobbies on behalf of the APA. This increasingly dangerous situation is bordering on a crisis, and begs the question as to the possibility of sanctions against Executives who deliberately obstruct the work of the NTC and by extent the development of Amerindians.

It is also to be determined, in light of the nature of Shuman’s letter, whether or not the IDB has a hand in contributing to the destabilisation of the NTC and the manipulation of public opinion, in a desperate attempt to cover up its presumed negligence regarding the FCPF project in question. Interference in matters of strictly national interest is not alien to international organisations present in Guyana.

More importantly however, is to examine the implication of the APA in encouraging the dissent which now reigns among the NTC Executives, and to publicise the extent of the damage and the responsibility that the APA and acolytes have in stymieing Amerindian development. Amerindians must know what transpires within the NTC. The NTC through the Indigenous Affairs Ministry should also launch an investigation into the conflict of interest, as well as the parties involved in disrupting its work and misrepresenting its position. This includes centring attention on the IDB and the possibility of it scheming against the interest of the NTC and Amerindians.

If the NTC cannot yield the power with which it was bestowed by Law, then it would fail miserably in representing Amerindians both nationally and in the international arena.

The NTC is an excellent means of self-representation for Amerindians, and consequently should not crumble at the hands of selfish elements blinded by self-pursuit, opportunism and bias.

Send questions & comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com

Repair division, ensure societal equality – outgoing US DCM

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aving served in Guyana for the past three years, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy Bryan Hunt urges the eradication of division within society and wants to see genuine equality of opportunity for all Guyanese.

These were the sentiments expressed by the US Diplomat at a farewell reception held in his honour on Friday evening at the US Ambassador’s residence. His tour here comes to an end on July 8.

Delivering what may be his last public address here, Hunt implored the gathering, filled with government ministers and other state officials, politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector and many other dignitaries, to make the right decisions that will see Guyana undergoing the impending transformation in a positive light.

According to the outgoing DCM, there is no doubt that Guyana is a divided society whether it’s classified as racial, ethnic, or political. He

pointed out that regardless of who sits in central government, there will always be half of the population that feels excluded.

“This has to change. And bringing about that change requires going beyond conferences and workshops on social cohesion. Significant constitutional reform is essential. Power must be decentralised. The winner-takesall system must be abolished.

Communities must be given greater political control at the local level,” he remarked.

Moreover, he underscored the importance of bringing an end to this social exclusion, noting that besides it being the right thing to do, it guarantees that Guyana has the full availability of all productive members of society.

“Indigenous communities must receive the support that they need to see genuine socio-economic development and this has to go well beyond hand-outs of goodies during election years. Violence against women and children must not only be criminally prosecuted but must become

Outgoing DCM Bryan Hunt

socially and politically unacceptable,” he stressed.

Hunt went on to outline that “anti-discrimination legislation must be expanded to protect the human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and societal attitudes must change to embrace all people as equal, regardless of who they love or how they express their gender.”

This was among several issues he raised, noting that he has all confidence that the

Guyanese leaders have the skills to address them.

The outgoing diplomat also took the opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to his colleagues, new friends and associates here.

On the other hand, Hunt was sent off with best wishes from US Ambassador Perry Holloway who remarked that they he could not have gone through the past nine months without the assistance and guidance the DCM. “I’ve never met anyone in Guyana who is not impressed with Bryan’s intellect or integrity. He is a great man who not only did things right but more importantly, he did the right things. On a personal level, I don’t know what I’ll do when I have to fly solo without Bryan… he is truly an expert on all things Guyana,” the Ambassador stated.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in reflecting on the stint of the DCM here, commented that the US official has seen Guyana through some difficult but rollicking political times.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Education Ministry resolves teachers, REOs controversy

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s the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) continue to bargain for the rights of its teachers where they were reportedly ill-treated by the Regional Education Officers (REOs) from various districts, the Education Ministry has intervened in a bid to resolve the issue.

The union had highlighted that teachers specifically in Regions Three and Ten were being subjected to blatant disrespect by the REOs in aspects that were affecting their full production.

The accusations were laid during one of the union’s regular conferences where teachers protested the quandary they were forced to endure.

However, after the matter was highlighted by this newspaper, the Education Ministry has taken requisite actions to resolve the issue.

This is according to general secretary of the union Coretta McDonald, who told Guyana Times that the ministry wasted no time in addressing the issue which had begun to spiral out of control.

When the matter was brought to the ministry, officials reportedly took immediate action in consulting with the REOs. Stemming from this, warnings had been given and thus far have been effective as teachers reported being more comfortable at the re-

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam

spective schools.

McDonald remarked that the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam had met with them and the solutions were agreed on.

Nonetheless, GTU continues to keep its ears out for any recurrence which would hinder the efficiency of the teachers.

The REOs were accused of verbally abusing teachers as well as hindering their leave processes and spontaneously transferring them to other schools.

In addition, reports were made that communication between the two bodies had depleted.

When the matter was first highlighted, the union had contended that this would not only affect the teacher but will also have a lasting

impact on the students of the schools.

The union believed that if these teachers were being put under undue pressure, this negative energy would then pass on to the students. As a result, classroom learning would not be fulfilling.

When the REOs were contacted, they had refuted the allegations, stating that they were unaware of the incident as the teachers and regional education administration maintained its close relationship.

GTU continues to stand firm in its commitment to teachers across Guyana so that the education sector can be advanced as well as the educators’ rights could be respected and upheld.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

19

Aliann Pompey Invitational

Thompson shatters 30-year-old record Chantoba Bright.

Sponsors of the event included Digicel 4G, Fly Jamaica, Quality Plus

Brenessa Thompson crosses the line first in the Women’s 200m (Marceano Narine Photos)

T

he much anticipated Aliann Pompey Invitational lived up to and exceeded expectations as personal records (PR) were achieved and qualifying standards were met and records were broken in front of thousands of vocal fans at the National Track & Field Facility, Leonora West Coast Demerara.

Contrary to popular belief the crowd was at their loudest for their very own Devaun “Scooby” Barrington who won the Men’s 800m in 1:52.48. The running brave

previous national record was 11.26 ran by Jennifer Innis in 1984. The Olympic qualifying mark for the event is 11.32.

Sprinting in second was Reyare Thomas in 11.22 followed by Tawanna Meadows of the United States (US) in 11.37.

Thompson would return to complete the double by claiming the Digicel 4G 200m in a very fast time of 23.08.

Guyanese, Kadecia Baird finished second in 23.38 while Tawanna Meadows had the third fastest time of 23.45.

women’s 400 m in a very fast time of 52.26, missing out on Olympic qualification by 0.6 of a second. Ashley Kelly of the BVI was second in 53.24 followed by Guyanese Olympic qualifier Aliyah Abrams in 53.53.

The Digicel 4G Men’s 100m was won by Phil DeRosier in 10.25 followed

by Kyle Greaux (10.28) and Tre Houston of Bermuda also in 10.28. Guyanese Rupert Perry just out on a podium finish placing fourth in 10.29.

Cleveland Ford returned to form by winning the Men’s 5000m in 15m 53. 62 ahead of the inform Winston Missigher (15:57.93) in a exciting last 200m sprint finish.

In other results

A section of the colourful and vocal crowd at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Saturday

athlete recovering from a season plagued with injuries ran a very passionate race with the full support of the crowd to hold off the challenge of Paul Sterlen (1:53.30) of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T).

Guyana’s Olympic Games qualifier (100 and 200m) Brenessa Thompson was at her ruthless best, smashing the 30 year national record in the Fly Jamaica Women’s 100m in a time of 11.14. The

Winston George, who is set to represent Guyana at the Rio Games in the 400m, had to settle for a very close second (45.84) in his favoured event which was won by (US) Bryce Spratlin in 45.84.

George would return to avenge and make amends by winning the Quality Plus 200m in 20.76 ahead of Bryce Spratlin (20.88) and the impressive Guyanese Davin Fraser (21.26).

Kadecia Baird won the

Women 800m – First – Andrea Foster (2:22.94), Second – Kezra Murray (2:22.94) Third – Assata Eastman (2:38.46) Women 1,500m – First – Claudrice McKoy (4:53.68), Second – Assata Eastman (5:12.81) Third – Ashanti Scott (5:18.96) Women 400m hurdles – First - Janiel Bellille - TT (58.02), Second Jenea Mc Cammon – Guyana (58.59) Third Jaivairia Bacote – Bahamas (1:01.10) Mens’s 400m hurdles First - Jojo Petit-Homme Haiti (51.04), Second –Kelto Cumberbatch (52.41) Men’s Triple Jump First Donald Scott - US (17.02m), Second – Damon McLean – Jamaica (16.42) Third – Alante Dowell - Suriname (15.66) Women’s Triple Jump First – Natricia Hooper (12.69), Second – Natrena Hooper (12.70) Third –

Fast Foods and Bakery, Ramada Princess Hotel, GUYSUCO, Banks DIH under their Rainforest wa-

ter and Powerade sports drink brands and Star Party Rentals. (Rene Stoby)

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GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

Copa America Centenario, USA 2016

Peru 0-0 Colombia (2-4 on penalties): Shoot-out heartbreak for Cueva and Co

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olombia advanced to the semifinals of the Copa America Centenario courtesy of a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Peru on Friday. With the score 0-0 following regulation time, penalties were needed to decide who moved into the last four at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, Dayro Moreno and Sebastian Perez all converted their spot kicks for Colombia in the shootout win, as goalkeeper David Ospina produced a stunning save with his foot to deny Peru’s Miguel Trauco, before Christian Cueva put his penalty over the bar, sealing elimination.

The win means Colombia moves into the semifinals of the Copa for the first time since 2004 following consecutive exits at the quarterfinal stage, with a finalfour showdown with either Mexico or Chile looming.

After resting several of his stars for the final group game against Costa Rica, Colombia coach Jose Pekerman named his strongest lineup, with the likes of James, Cuadrado, Carlos Bacca and Ospina all returning.

Peru coach Ricardo Gareca, meanwhile, only made the one change, with Renato Tapia coming in for Adan Balbin.

A bright start for Colombia led to an early chance for Bacca, but the AC Milan forward was dragged too wide, eventually letting off a shot that was just off target.

David Ospina (in green) was the hero for Colombia

It was a fiery opening with several passionate challenges however Colombia continued to edge the game, creating the better of the chances.

The next opportunity fell to James in the 22nd minute, with the Real Madrid attacker seeing his shot cannon off the post.

Neither side was able to craft any clear-cut chances on goal for the rest of the half, with the scores deservedly locked at 0-0 going into the break.

Both sides were awarded early free kicks in the second half, but poor deliveries let them down.

It was the story of the half, with Colombia and Peru failing to find that decisive last pass, seeing a number of promising attacks come to nothing.

Bacca had the best chance of the half approaching the 80th-minute mark

after being played in by a ball over the top of Peru’s defense, but he failed to make contact on the shot.

Colombia defender Farid Diaz, already on a yellow, escaped seeing red after a foul on substitute Cristian Benavente just outside the area, which the referee waved away.

But the 32-year-old was later carried off on a stretcher after falling awkwardly, replaced by Fabian Fabra in stoppage time.

Peru won a late corner through captain Paolo Guerrero but Ospina produced a stunning save to deny the leaping Christian Ramos, as the game went to a penalty shootout.

With Colombia scoring all four of its penalties, the pressure was on Cueva after Trueco’s spot kick was saved, but the 24-yearold skied his effort as Peru bowed out.

YELLOW PAGES SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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From lef: Managing Director of El Dorado Trading Tamesh Jagmohan and Pavasky Jagmohan hand over sponsorship funds to GSSF President Vidushi Persaud. Second right is Asstistant Secretary/ Treasurer, Ryan McKinnon and GSSF’s Steel Challenge Chairman, Dr Pravesh Harry

T

he Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) in commemoration of its 2nd Anniversary will be hosting its Anniversary Tier 1 Steel Challenge Match on June 25 at the Yarrowkabra Ranges, Linden-Soesdyke Highway. The match which has once again been exclusively sponsored by El Dorado Trading is expected to be eagerly contested by all of the GSSF’s top steel challenge shooters.

During a simple ceremony at the El Dorado Trading Headquarters in Kingston where the sponsorship cheque was handed over to the Federation, President of the GSSF, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, conveyed thanks to both Tamesh and Pavasky Jagmohan.

Persaud expressed her de-

light at the usual unhesitating support El Dorado Trading continues to give towards building sport shooting in Guyana.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Tamesh Jagmohan, reiterated his support to the Federation and said he is happy to be a part of making this an annual match. He noted that as before this is a much anticipated handgun shooting event amongst both veteran and new pistol shooters alike.

One of the attractions of this particular competition is that the competitors shooting fullpower handguns in the Limited Division will be competing for the privilege of lifting the El Dorado Trading Steel Challenge Cup. The event challenges the shooters ability to

focus on accuracy but speed is also equally balanced to come out with good scores.

Chair of the Steel Challenge Committee, Dr. Pravesh Harry noted that the El Dorado Trading Cup is a Challenge Trophy which will be on the prize table at this annual match held in the month of June to commemorate the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation’s anniversary.

After every match the winner’s name together with the year will be inscribed on a plaque attached to the Cup. In 2015 Ryan McKinnon emerged victorious and as such will have his name etched into the trophy as winner in that year. He will no doubt be seeking back to back wins and isone to watch out for in the 2016 event.

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale

Historic thriller at Leonora today – as Alpha, Slingerz clash for big cash and bragging rights

F

ootball fans can expect a thriller at Leonora Stadium as top local clubs and arch rivals Alpha “The Hammer” United and Slingerz Footbal Club clash this evening to bring the curtains down on the first ever national football league to be staged in Guyana. The Guyana Football Federation/Stag Elite League which was started in 2015 with of eight of the country’s leading teams was divided into two phases; the Genesis and the Finale.

Both teams have put in the goods in the earlier phase of the league to book final berths.

However, Slingerz who finished atop the table will enter tonight’s battle as favourites. In 14 preliminary matches they had an unbeaten run within the 90 minutes of play, with their only loss coming by forfeiture. The semifinal was no difference for the very strong West side team as they recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over Pele FC. Meanwhile, Alpha has dominated every other team during the round stages except for Slingerz and Fruta Conquerors. They made it to the final after a commanding win against Fruta Conquerors in the semis.

Prior to this highly anticipated clash, Slingerz has emerged as champions of the GENESIS phase after defeating Alpha 3-2 in the finals.

Slingerz also bettered Alpha in the 2015 Kashif and Shanghai finals. Meanwhile, Alpha has won three finals against the young but effective West Side team. Slingerz Goal for Goal Cup, the 2013 Mayor’s Cup and Vision Sounds Goodwill Series.

In head to head battle the teams have met nine times with Slingerz holding the advantage with four (4) wins, Alpha three (3), while two games ended in draws.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport via telephone yesterday, coach of Alpha United Wayne Dover said his only expectation is for his team to win the finals. “The players are very confident at the moment and as a group we believe that we will complete our task of winning the Finale,” stated Dover.

Although there were some odds in the group stages against Slingerz, Dover believe his side would have learnt from those demises. “We can’t view our chances as a spectator would, in our most recent encounters we were lacking concentration and had some poor finishes, however, we have worked on those areas and are looking to be more clinical”, said Dover.

Meanwhile, Joseph Wilson said in order for his team to be successful they play every game with the same commitment and showcase matching discipline. “All games are important to us so we approach

all games seriously….same commitment and discipline is always applied to keep us focus on winning”, said Wilson.

The encounter will feature the League’s leading scorer Julian Wade who will turn out for Slingerz alongside exhilarating teammates Devon Millington, Quincy Adams, Kester Jacobs and Trayon Babb among others while Alpha is expected to field Andrew Murray, Anthony Abrahams and Daniel Wilson to name a few.

In the night’s opening match scheduled to start at 19:00 Hrs Pele and a resurgent Fruta Conquerors will battle for third place.

Winner of the League Finale round will pocket $4,000,000 while the second, third and fourth place teams will collect $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000 respectively.

Similarly, the point’s leader prior to the knockout stage in the League Finale round will pocket an additional $1,000,000.

The winners of the Finale round final will be assured of a spot in the 2017 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship.

If two different teams win the Genesis and Finale championships, they will face each other in a match to decide the overall champion. Both teams will advance to the Club Championship.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 , 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016...

Lynn confident of Amazon Warriors winning title

By Akeem Greene

D

ynamic Australian batsman Chris Lynn has expressed confidence in the Guyana Amazon Warriors ending the title drought by copping the coveted trophy at this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Amazon Warriors would have made the play-offs trice, of which they went unto play the finals twice but unfortunately could not add the icing to the cake after three good seasons.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Lynn posited that despite the “underdog” status some persons have tagged his team; they have players who are more than capable of taking them all the way.

“Guyana is more than capable of winning the CPL; you get a couple of players inform and peak at the right time then we will have every chance to dominate the tournament. The underdog status will suit us perfect,” the attacking batsman said.

Lynn, who was racked in by the Warriors’ at the players’ draft in February for US$90,000, is no stranger to titles, having captained the Brisbane Heat to the title in this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) where he also voted the player of the tournament.

During the BBL, he amassed 378 runs off 218 balls, smacking 27 sixes and 23 fours, with a highest score of 101. The

Queenslander was quizzed on if he feels anyway pressured to replicate those performances for the Amazon Warriors.

“I don’t really feel any pressure to do well. I’ve always said whatever will be, will be! I give myself the best advantage at training to do well. So I will have a crack and see what happens,” he responded.

The right-hander, will be knowledgeable of the electric atmosphere at the “Biggest Party in Sport”, having played for the Jamaica Tallawahs last year where he was able to produce his top score of 52 in the tournament. His numbers are quite decent, having a strike rate of 125 from ten CPL matches while scoring 167 runs.

This year, the player explains that he has much more to offer since it is time he makes a bigger impact.

He stated “Chris Lynn will offer plenty of fun internally within the squad but also a sense of leadership to really stand up. I’ve had the experience of playing in the CPL already so it’s now time to really press the button.”

The Warriors play four home matches in what are expected to be spin-friendly conditions and player believes winning those matches are of great importance since it allows for the broadening the fan base.

“Winning home games is massive not only for us as players but for our fans. Good teams do well but great teams do well

Chris Lynn

and also have a great following and the best way to do that is win the fans over.”

Lynn rates CPL with the best Having played 68 Twenty20 matches in his developing career, the player can be considered one of the young globe-trotting cricketers, with appearances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders, is of the view that the Caribbean league is just as exciting as other world tournaments.

“CPL is an exciting and fairly new competition; it brings a variety of players from around the world together to compete in the Caribbean, not just for high quality cricket but an amazing atmosphere and lifestyle,” Lynn opined.

A momentous feature of this year’s tournament is that it moves to state of Florida in

the United States of America and the cricketer who is widely known for his stunning exploits in the outfield, is excited of the over the expansion of the CPL. “[It’s] great that the CPL has gone to Florida; we as players are about expanding the game of cricket and for us to experience cricket in America is fantastic, Imagine if it takes off!!! Party in the USA,” Expressed Lynn.

The Australian is expected to arrive in Guyana ahead of the Warriors’ training camp which commences on Monday June 20.

The Amazon Warriors will begin their campaign on the road when they play the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park on June 30.

Their home matches begin on July 7 with a clash against the Jamaica Tallawahs then the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on July 9. The highly anticipated match against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders will occur on July 10; the final home match is against the St. Lucia Zouks on July 12.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: martin Guptil (Captain) Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Futsal Tournament…

New East Coast champions to be crowned tonight

Quarter final action in the East Coast Demerara leg of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Futsal Tournament at the Haslington Market Tarmac

A

new champion will be crowned for the East Coast Demerara leg of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Futsal tournament after last year’s winner Beterverwagting (BV) “A” were knocked out of the competition on Friday at the Haslington Market Tarmac.

At the end of the quarterfinals, Plaisance “B”, Haslington, Beterverwagting (BV) “B” and Melanie “A” are the teams marching on with an eye on the prize. They will all have an equal chance of walking away as champions when the finals kick-off tonight at the same venue.

In the quarterfinals, Plaisance “B” defeated Nabaclis 2-0 to book the first semi-final spot with Vincent Thomas in the 9th and Chris Coz in the 20th hitting the target.

Beterverwagting (BV) “B” entry into the semi-finals came as a result of the lone goal off the foot of Thereon Petri in the 3rd minute to seal the win over

Paradise.

Similarly, a late goal by Shemar Fraser (22nd) sealed the 1-0 victory for Melanie “A” over Golden Grove South.

The final quarter final game for the night was deemed to be the shocker as North Haslington’s Theon Carr in the 10th slipped the ball inside box which proved the difference between Haslington and defending champions Beterverwagting (BV) A. The first semi-final between BV “B” and Plaisance “B” will kick-off at 21:45 hrs, followed by the second match between Melanie “A” and North Haslington at 22:15 hrs.

The third place play-off and final will commence at 23:00hrs and 23:30 hrs respectively.

The winning team will take away $250,000 and the championship trophy along with a place in the national playoffs, while the runners-up, third and fourth placed teams will take home $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

23 CPL tickets on sale Raul Leal dreams of riding on Essequibo Coast A GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 , 2016

By: Rene Stoby

C

Guyana Amazon Warriors fans

ricket fans on the Essequibo Coast desirous of purchasing tickets for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Guyana home matches can now do so right on the coast at Jenny’s Hair Studio at lot 24 Evergreen and at lot 3 Affiance.

This follows the opening of the central ticket office at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets in Georgetown and the Berbice ticket outlet at Vijai (Paresh) Ramdhan’s office at lot 19 Princess Elizabeth Road Queenstown, New Amsterdam.

Patrons wishing to purchase tickets will be allowed ten (10) tickets per person for each game and where possible they may be allowed to purchase tickets with the seats of their choice in their preferred Stand depending on availability.

The costs of tickets remain the same as last year and are as follows: • RED AND GREEN STANDS - $4,000 GY OR $20 US EACH • ORANGE STAND - $3,000 GY OR $15 US EACH • THE MOUND $2000 GY OR $10 US EACH This year the organizers have put in place many security features to prevent counterfeiting and unlike some other venues, tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat number which will eliminate the possibility of overcrowding.

Patrons are asked to make early purchases so as to avoid the rush as we get close to match days.

Four (4) exciting and high quality games are to be played in Guyana as follows: • Thursday 7th July – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs at 19:00 Hrs • Saturday 9th July – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts Patriots at 12:00 Hrs • Sunday 10th July – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders

at 19:00 Hrs • Tuesday 12th July – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Lucia Zouks at 19:00 Hrs For further information on obtaining tickets on the Essequibo coast patrons are encouraged to call Francis Darchiville on telephone numbers 628-1548 or 6275114.

The central ticket office also houses the Guyana Amazon Warriors merchandise shop where official team replica uniforms, cricket gears and memorabilia are available. The central ticket location opens Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 Hrs and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00 Hrs. The opening match of this year’s tournament is just 10 days away when defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders take on the St. Lucia Zouks at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday June 29 from 20:00 Hrs. The Guyana Amazon Warriors will open their campaign the next day (Thursday June 30) in St. Kitts and Nevis against the Patriots at Warner Park.

The Warriors missed out in two finals while they were knocked out at the play-off phase last year in Trinidad & Tobago.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad reads: Martin Guptil (captain), Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Stephen Katwaroo, Devendra Bishoo, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan and Shimron Hetmyer.

The head coach is Roger Harper, assistant coach is Esuan Crandon and Omar Khan is the Manager.

The warriors will begin their period of encampment tomorrow with their first session at the Guyana National Stadium where all players are expected to be present except captain Guptil and Adam Zampa

who are wrapping up assignments elsewhere but will be available to play in the Warriors opening match.

s a youngster, Raul Leal loved riding, whether it be racing in the streets or doing all sorts of stunts that only children do. In an exclusive interview, the 19-yearold who’ll be competing today in the Annual GUYOIL/ Castrol 50 mile road race told Guyana Times Sport that at about the age of 11 his uncle, Ray Leal a former cyclist asked him if he was serious about cycling. Raul answered in the affirmative and as the saying goes “the rest is history.”

Leal spoke of his many achievements in cycling including representing Guyana at the Caribbean Junior Championships in Dominica and spending a month in Colombia under some very intense training but stated that his most notable accomplishment would however be his victory at last year’s Tour of Guyana 5-stage race where he prevailed among a very competitive field.

The team Evolution rider

Raul Leal

says he’s currently training without a coach but tailors his training based on the upcoming race’s course. He said he would use today’s race as a viewing to observe who’s fit and who’s more aggressive as he looks forward to the Guyana Cycling Federation’s National Championships Time Trial and Road Race on June 25th and 26th respectively. He revealed that he’s not the strongest at time trial and regards himself as a complete cyclist but thinks his true strength lies with

his endurance.

Raul also shared similar sentiments as others in the local cycling fraternity with the lack of races especially competitive ones and welcomed the return of Raynauth Jeffery as he looks forward to challenging the competition.

The former Team Coco rider also spoke of the many opportunities presented to him that he gave up for various reasons. These opportunities would’ve afforded him to be more exposed to competition especially on the international scene but says he does not regret them.

Raul has a real passion for cycling and seeing his bike is all the motivation he needs.

The South Georgetown resident, Raul Leal would also speak of his horrific accident in 2013 where whilst on his way to train he was hit head on by a minibus. The accident would cause him to be hospitalized for almost a month and during that time he would only “dream of riding.”

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

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

guyana-times.com

Aliann Pompey Invitational

Thompson shatters 30-year-old record Page 19

Athletes, officials, sponsors and organisers pose for a photo after the successful Inaugural Aliann Pompey Invitational at Leonora (photo by: Marceano Narine)

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series...

South Africa, Australia looking to ease ahead at Kensington

Australia or South Africa will jump ahead on the points table and give themselves a strong chance of qualifying for the final when they meet today at the Kensington Oval in Barbados in the first ODI of the final leg of the Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016...

Page 22

Lynn confident of Amazon Warriors winning title The Australian with his big-hitting and stupendous fielding ability could be the man to steer the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a maiden title

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