2014 09 03 by Guyana Chronicle

guyana No. 103939 wednesday september 3, 2014

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

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NTC Chair urges fellow Amerindians ...

Let’s work together for betterment of Guyana Page

NTC Chair, Mr Derrick John

Mahaica farmer killed with own cutlass by drug 8 addict

––irrespective of political persuasion

Bandits snatch $5M from Lamaha Street Post Office

Page

–heist affects old age, NIS and public assistance payments

Page

Former murder accused among 12 quartet in custody Page

––after $3M heist at Port Mourant

The GPOC Training Centre which was robbed yesterday morning

An unmasked Stabroek News shows its political hands: No more pretence at independence!

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

NTC Chair urges fellow Amerindians ...

Let’s work together for betterment of Guyana ––irrespective of political persuasion miles, enduring various climatic conditions and other challenges -can stand proudly as the first people of this land whilst maintaining their diverse culture, social and economic traditions.

Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, Mr Derrick John addressing the gathering at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month Monday at the Amerindian Village, at Sophia DELIVERING an impassioned speech at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2014 on Monday, National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairperson, Derrick John called on fellow Indigenous Peoples to support the present administration, since it is the one that has spearheaded the development of their communities.

Noting that whatever developments there are today within hinterland communities did not come cheap, John said, “We have experienced a lot of struggles and challenges; and we continue to face challenges.” But, he said, Amerindians are a strong people, who -- having walked across the Bering Straits and travelled thousands of

Budget cuts On the issue of the recent Opposition-led Budget cuts, which slashed just over $1B from the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, John questioned the supposed “unity” of Guyanese, as reflected by the motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” “Where are the ones; where is the unity; the working together to continue to move this country forward?” he said in obvious reference to the many empty promises made Amerindians by the combined opposition whenever it took their fancy, adding that the time has come to look at those things which they promote. Recalling the mobilisation of hundreds of Amerindians to protest the budget cuts outside the Public Buildings some months ago, John said it was a stand against prejudice, of which many were critical. Condemnation “When we took to the streets to defend what rightly is ours, there were some of our ‘so-called’ Amerindian brothers who condemned us instead of coming and support us,” he said, adding: “These are the people who say they are representing we the Amerindian people. Where is our representation? When we needed you most, you condemned us; that is not good for the future of our people.” Calling for a return to tradition,

John made the point that the Amerindians were never a divided people, and that having stood against various challenges, they are still here. He also felt the time was ripe to implement the dreams of their ancestors and continue that fight. “I’m appealing to you,” he said, “let us use this month to reflect on our lives; reflect on our progress; reflect on our country. Where do you want to see Guyana in the future? Where do you want us to go? In which direction?” He said that as a patriotic Guyanese, he wants to see Guyana move forward “with sustainable use of the resources we are so rich of, but this can only happen if we respect one another, and if we work together.” John explained that when he attended an international forum, he was amazed at how Guyana was described by representatives of other indigenous groups in attendance. This, he deplored and said, “We should not speak of Guyana as if it is alien to us, or if Guyana is the worst country in this hemisphere.” He added that as Guyanese, they should be proud of their nation, achievements and dreams, and, “This can only take place if we respect one another and work together.” He closed by calling on all Guyanese regardless of which political party or organisation to put their differences aside and work together for the sake and betterment of Guyana, “Do you want this beautiful land of ours to fall to pieces, or do you want to promote and bring this country to be the best country in this hemisphere? I’m appealing to you; I’m calling on you; be Guyanese. Let us go back to our motto:, One Nation, one people, one destiny.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Bandits snatch $5M from Lamaha –heist affects old age, NIS and Street Post Office public assistance payments

The GPOC Training Centre which was robbed yesterday morning. Out front is the police vehicle which responded to the robbery report

By Leroy Smith A security guard was injured as two bandits reportedly carrying firearms robbed the Guyana Post Office Cooperation Training Centre yesterday morning shortly after the facility was opened to members of the public. Information reaching the Guyana Chronicle suggested that one of the men earlier visited the post office located at Lamaha and Carmichael Streets and later returned

with an accomplice to carry out the act. When this publication visited the scene yesterday, the doors and gate of the facility were locked as investigators carried out their investigation; security officers from the main branch of the post office were also sent over to the facility. There was blood on a window which confirmed that someone had been injured. Persons close to the investigation stated that a security officer was pistol-whipped by one of the

bandits. While the post office public relations department did not get into the details of the robbery , this newspaper was reliably informed that the monies which amounted to an initial five million based on an auditors ‘ report, represented payment for old- age pensions, public assistance and National Insurance Scheme pensions. During our visit yesterday, a pensioner who said that she visited the facility on Monday to transact business reported

that the way the monies at the facility are kept leaves much to be desired. The woman who spoke with media operatives said that when she walked into the post office she noticed brand new currency just lying on the counter at the post office. She then jokingly remarked: “ I myself wanted to snatch some and run out the place.” Another gentleman who also visited the same post office the very day that the pensioner visited and spoke to this publication later in

the day, also had a story similar to that of the senior citizen. The man said that he had presented a voucher to the cashier at the facility and when she collected the voucher, she turned her back to whatever needed to be done with the voucher leaving the money exposed and easy to access by any one on the other side of the counter. The facility is not equipped with close circuit television cameras. Contacted late yesterday afternoon, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster related that she was very disturbed at the frequency with which post offices are being robbed of public funds and called for there to be better security arrangements that will bolster security for public funds and for the persons who

visit the post offices to uplift the various payments. The minister added that with what is happening in the society today, greater attention to security should always be a primary objective. She said that such actions of criminal minds deny persons who are genuinely in need of the monies their assistance and reiterated that the practice which is worrisome must stop. Meanwhile as usual, the post office corporation said that it would revisit the security arrangements to prevent a recurrence of yesterday’s unfortunate development. Yesterday’s robbery takes the number of reported post office robberies for the year to three. Earlier this year there were robberies at the Soesdyke and Campbellville post offices.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Islamic State issues video of beheading of U.S. hostage (Reuters) - The Islamic State released a video purporting to show the beheading of American hostage Steven Sotloff, a monitoring service said on Tuesday, raised the stakes in its confrontation with Washington over U.S. air strikes on its fighters in Iraq. A masked figure in the video also issued a threat against a British hostage, a man the group named as David Haines, and warned governments to back off “this evil alliance of America against the Islamic State”, the SITE monitoring service said. The purported execu-

Ukraine conflict: UN says million people have fled

Many of those leaving Ukraine have crossed the border into Russia

(BBC News) MORE than a million people have left their homes because of the escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine, a UN official says. In the past three weeks alone, the number of people displaced inside Ukraine itself has doubled to at least 260,000, according to the

The masked executioner and hostage Sotloff

tioner appeared to be the same British-accented man who appeared in an Aug. 19 video showing the killing of American journalist James Foley, and it showed a similar desert setting. In both videos, the captives wore orange jumpsuits.

“I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State, because of your insistence on continuing your bombings and ... on Mosul Dam, despite our serious warnings,” the man said.

Liberian doctors strike, food prices spike as West Africa struggles to contain Ebola outbreak (Reuters) - DOCTORS in Liberia were out on strike on Tuesday as they struggled to cope with the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, while the United Nations warned the spread of the disease in West Africa was causing food shortages in one of the world’s poorest regions. Governments and aid organizations are scrambling to contain the disease, which has killed more than 1,500 since March. Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said 800 more beds for Ebola patients were urgently needed in the Liberian capital Monrovia alone, while in Sierra Leone highly infectious bod-

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UN’s Vincent Cochetel in Geneva. Another 814,000 people have crossed the border into Russia this year, he says. Pro-Russian rebels have been fighting Ukrainian forces since April. Separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declared indepen-

dence after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Since the violence erupted, some 2,600 people have been killed and thousands more wounded. The city of Luhansk has been under siege by government forces for the past month and is without proper supplies of food and water. But the Ukrainian army has been forced to retreat as pro-Russian rebels gain ground, and said they had withdrawn from the city’s airport after coming under attack from “Russian tanks”. Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said sappers had blown up the airport’s runway so that it could not be used by rebel forces. Rebels have also advanced in Donetsk region, around the city of Donetsk and further south near the port of Mariupol.

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ies were rotting in the streets. MSF called for rich nations to send military medical teams to support buckling healthcare systems in West Africa. U.S. missionary organization SIM USA said on Tuesday that an American doctor treating obstetrics patients at the ELWA hospital in Monrovia had tested positive for Ebola. The doctor, who was not working in the hospital’s Ebola treatment center, was in an isolation ward at the hospital and was responding well so far, SIM said on its Web site. Scores of staff went on strike at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK) in Monrovia in a protest over unpaid bonuses and working conditions. More than 120 healthworkers have died in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak amid shortages of equipment and trained staff. “Health workers have died

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(fighting Ebola), including medical doctors at ... JFK and to have them come to work without food on their table, we think that is pathetic,” George Williams, secretary general of the Health Workers Association of Liberia, told Reuters. Williams said healthcare workers at JFK, the country’s largest referral hospital, had gone unpaid for two months. The strike followed a oneday protest over pay and conditions at the Connaught hospital in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown on Monday. Staff at the main Ebola clinic at Kenema in eastern Sierra Leone also walked off the job last week, in protest at conditions. The World Health Organization and other international bodies are rushing to support fragile healthcare systems in affected countries, but additional staff and resources have been slow to arrive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

US pathologist concerned SIDS must approach negotiations as a group about deaths in police custody (Trinidad Observer) MONTEGO BAY, St James — Internationally renowned pathologist Dr Michael Baden says that he is concerned about the death of people in police custody. Baden, who is based in the United States, made the declaration Monday as he arrived at the Sangster International Airport for yesterday’s autopsy on the body of 31-year-old Mario Deane, who died while in the custody of the Barnett Street Police early August. The autopsy was postponed to allow relatives to secure the services of an independent pathologist to oversee the examination. Monday Dr Baden told reporters that he became concerned after learning Deane’s demise and offered his assistance. “I am concerned. I have done a lot of work in the United States. I am concerned about deaths in police custody,” Dr Baden noted. “We have had a serious problem in the United States, and I have been involved for 35 years in investigating deaths through actions in police custody. And the [relatives] here are very concerned about the death of their son, and I think that’s a legitimate concern, and [I am going to] try and see if I can provide any answers as to what happened,” he commented. Meanwhile, co-convenor

BADEN... I am going to try and see if I can provide any answers as to what happened (PHOTO: PHILLIP LEMONTE)

of Citizens Action for Principles and Integrity (CAPI), Dennis Meadows -- who was on hand to meet Dr Baden at the airport -- expressed his pleasure at the arrival of the pathologist. “The findings of the autopsy report are critical to the evidence gathering and the investigating process. And, therefore, we anxiously await the findings of Dr Baden to ensure that the truth comes out and those who are so culpable be held accountable,” Meadows said. Deane was beaten, allegedly by fellow inmates, after he was arrested on August 3 for possession of a small amount of ganja. He was allegedly denied bail after he voiced his dislike for the police and later taken to hospital after suffering severe injuries. He died three days later.

The police initially told doctors at the Cornwall Regional Hospital that Deane fell off a bunk, which led his relatives and friends to stage a massive protest in Montego Bay to demand the truth. Other demonstrations were led by civil society groups. Deane’s death has not only sparked outrage locally but has attracted international attention, with two prominent US-based attorneys joining forces with local attorney Miguel Lorne in representing the grieving family. Jasmine Rand, a civil rights attorney and human rights activist, and Benjamin Crump, president-elect of the National Bar Association and who represents the family of Michael Brown who was killed under controversial circumstances by police in Ferguson, Missouri, have opted to lend their support to the legal team.

(Barbados Advocate) LEADERS of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been reminded that they must approach their negotiations in international fora as a group and not necessarily as separate entities such as the Caribbean, AIMS or Pacific SIDS. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart issued this reminder yesterday in Samoa while addressing the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders Conference of the Third International Conference on SIDS. Describing the meeting as timely, Mr. Stuart said leaders have to seriously look ahead and determine the type of representation SIDS required at the international level. He told the gathering: “Constituting approximately 24 per cent of the UN membership, we have enough strength when we act collectively, to influence decisions in this august body. It is a latent influence yet to be fully actualised in promoting and defending our interests. The new

architecture outlined in the Rio Plus 20 Future We Want, underscores the need for us to act collectively.” According to him, the stark reality was driven home to their representatives recently at the first session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. He pointed out that since only few SIDS countries have missions at the UN Headquarters at Nairobi, the headquarters of UNEP, their input and impact on the preparatory process and outcomes of that historic meeting were limited. “This, in the view of Barbados, undermines the notion of

‘universality’, the same concept which is being promoted by the new governance architecture for global sustainable development. It is therefore important that we SIDS leaders take stock on all aspects of the Rio+20 Structures – such as United Nations Environment Assembly and the High Level Political Forum. This reflection is vital as we prepare to operationalise the SAMOA Pathway and, equally important, as we begin the framing of the Post 2015 Development Agenda in the context of the next General Assembly,” he stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Government’s continuum of interventions in Agriculture sector DURING the height of the global food crisis, when people in even developed countries were rioting for food, Guyana was intensifying its agricultural drive and this was heightened when, in the 2008 budget, Government catered for more than $2.8B for drainage and irrigation to address the issues of widening and rehabilitation of drainage relief canals, effective management of the water retention system of the conservancies, construction of additional pumping stations, dredging of outfall channels and related activities. The objective was to create the infrastructure that would foster increased agriculture production, increased yields and promote agricultural diversification. Under the PRCSSP programme, in excess of 8000 acres of new farm lands were opened up in Regions 2 and 3. Areas including Aliki, Lanaballi, Berri, Bissiballi, Morashi, Pomeroon and Bethany Supenaam Creek have benefited from capital injection to an excess of $950M. Diversification and in-

troduction of various crops have been facilitated through various mechanisms to ensure food security and job and wealth-creation activities and opportunities in hitherto unproductive hinterland communities, while boosting the productive capacity of communities that had laggardly produced minimum output for mainly personal consumption to include a financial factor. In addition, under this programme, a revolving fund was developed with an excess of $350M being disbursed to protect beneficiaries, primarily farmers. In order to improve the quality and marketability of our produce to meet Regional and international specification, a state-of-theart packaging and storage facility was constructed at the approximate cost of $90M. Transportation cost has always been an issue for farmers in determining cost of production and eventual retail prices to consumers. Recognising this, Government has expended approximately $1B dollars in farm to market access roads under this programme alone. The development of our

dairy and meat industry is also crucial in approaching the issue of food production holistically; therefore the capital injection in an excess of $100M in the development and expansion of cattle pastures is also laudable. The PPP administration has also initiated the ‘Grow More Food’ campaign, which is aimed at encouraging farmers, urban communities, producers of fisheries and livestock, present and potential investors to increase food production to satisfy local and international demands. To this end, the Government established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on food and prices, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture. As part of this campaign, packets of seeds and units of planting material are periodically distributed. In addition, hinterland communities have had free distribution of acoushi ants control chemicals and baits to support their agriculture drive. Other initiatives include the launching of countrywide consultations on food prices, continued engagement and interaction of stakeholders

and sectors to build national support for all interventions. In Parliament, there was a motion on food prices to build national consensus on the way forward for food production. Government is focusing on food security for food deficit regions, particularly the mining communities in Region 10. Resources are being provided to the Region 10 Farmers Association which is dedicated to making the region self- sufficient in food production. Government is accelerating support for land leases in areas like Dallawalla and West Watooka, where large areas of fertile land are available for cultivation. The LEAP programme will provide additional support, particularly financing from LEAF for the farming community. Guyana is self-sufficient with poultry products, which is a tribute to producers in this sector. Government has facilitated the production of corn,

BaiShanLin recognises it has a responsibility to the Guyanese people at large BAISHANLIN International Forest Development Inc. has issued several responses regarding concerns that have been recently raised in the media about the company’s operations. On August 13, a detailed press release was sent out by the company outlining its operations and the various activities that have been undertaken since the company came to Guyana in 2007. This statement was carried by at least three of the four daily newspapers and several online and television news services. Since that time, the company has responded on multiple occasions with ad-

ditional press releases, full page advertisements and television commercials. As recent as August 31, the company dispatched an update to the media on its collaborative work with Region Ten loggers on road repairs in Kwakwani. The Company’s Chairman, Chu Wenze, in that letter also reiterated BaiShanLin’s commitment to logging communities and to Guyana. It is also noteworthy that the media outlet that has led the reports questioning the company’s operations has neglected to carry many of our press statements such as the one issued on August 31, outlining the ongoing roadwork in Kwawani of which

BaiShanLin is playing an integral role. The company has therefore found it even more necessary to highlight such information by way of paid full page advertisements and television commercials. BaiShanLin recognises it has a responsibility to the Guyanese people at large, and believes it has an even greater responsibility to those who live in the communities in which it operates. As such, BaiShanLin, at the highest level of management has been meeting with members of the various Region Ten Logging Associations and the newly constituted Linden Kwakwani Road Users Association over the last several

weeks. These meetings have been extremely productive and have helped to craft new ways in which the company can further assist in community development. BaiShanLin would like to restate that all of its operations are in keeping with the regulations of the forestry sector and laws of Guyana and the company looks forward to making further investments in the country that would help to create even more jobs and contribute to the Guyanese economy. CHU WENZE Chairman, BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc.

sorghum and cassava as local inputs for stock feed for birds and animals. The increased price of poultry is a reflection of the price of raw materials which has increased significantly. Guyana has the opportunity to be a major supplier of poultry products to Barbados and Trinidad, since there are well established shipping arrangements to these destinations. One of the major factors that has an impact on food security is the price of diesel and gasoline. The Government made successive reductions of taxes on fuel. Since 2007, Government made several interventions which have contributed to cushion the rise in the cost of living and the price of food items. There is zero rating of basic food items when VAT was implemented. Government is currently spending hundreds of millions to minimise the increase in the price of flour

and free importation of this product. Government has entered into the distribution of flour and rice at various centres at about 30% less than vendors’ prices. Billions of dollars are spent on absorbing the escalating cost of water from GWI and electricity from GPL, thus allowing more disposable income for the vulnerable and poor, especially our pensioners. Guyana’s self-sufficiency from local food production is therefore assured, with Government’s continuity of requisite interventions and efficient management systems. Through the Jagdeo Initiative, Guyana is also poised to be the bread basket of CARICOM. Government’s enlightened policy for the agriculture sector will advance the growth of the entire economy and ensure sustained food security for Guyana for generations to come.

The Pope is absolutely correct AN article caught my attention. It is about a billionaire in the United States who threatened to discontinue charity donations if the Pope continues his support for the poor. According to the article, billionaire Ken Langone, the founder of Home Depot, issued a warning to Pope Francis during an interview with CNBC in which he said that wealthy people are feeling ostracised by the Pope’s messages in support of the poor and he may stop giving charity if the Pope continues to make statements criticising capitalism and income inequality. The Pope is absolutely correct when he called for a new global dispensation in which people are placed ahead of profits. The truth is that there is a widening gap

between the rich and the poor which is fuelled by a culture of greed and accumulation in which a person is judged not by the quality of his contribution to society but by the size of his bank account. Because of the stance taken by the Pope in favour of the poor and the oppressed he has been accused in some quarters of promoting a ‘marxist’ or ‘communist’ agenda. History will record that the PPP during the 1960’s was also accused of being communistic for advocating a pro-working-class approach to development. People are poor not because they are lazy or choose to remain poor but because of a system of production and distribution which continues to favour the rich at the expense of the poor. HYDAR ALLY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Eighty-nine successful at GoG/GuySuCo I.T. training programme in Berbice

The first batch of Class of 2014 pose with officials after receiving their certificates

By Michael Khan COLLABORATIVE effort between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and GuySuCo’s Albion/ Port Mourant Estate realised the dream of 89 persons who underwent a rigorous six-month Information Technology (IT) training programme that concluded on June 26 at the Albion Community Centre in Corentyne, Berbice. On Friday, August 29, a graduation exercise was held at the facility, and Chandrapaul Nathoo was declared valedictorian, with Tavish Suedass copping the second best prize.

One hundred and twenty-four (124) persons of various ages started the class of 2014, but 35 dropped out because of the intense nature of the training programme. East Berbice/Corentyne (Region 6) Chairman Permaul Armogan, who represented the Government of Guyana, delivered the feature address to the graduands, wherein he said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration acknowledged the need for implementation of training in the area of Information Technology, and decided to join forces with GuySuCo to edify persons who sought to pursue

studies in six subject areas of I.T. Not so long ago, Armogan said, Guyana was considered a backward country in relation to Information Technology; but this is not the case today because the Government has invested heavily in ensuring that computer literacy is accessible by the masses through the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative, Armogan informed. Armogan also highlighted the fact that many Berbicians have benefited from the generosity of the State through training and donation of computers via the OLPF programme, under which the first batch

of the Class of 2014 was trained. “Up to the 5th of August, 43,943, families (located) throughout Guyana received laptops under the OLPF; and in Berbice, alone 9,581 persons were recipients,” he revealed.

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE The Regional Chairman advised the graduands to use education as a ‘tool’ to remodel their behavioural pattern and professional approach. “Wherever you go in this life, you should use your education to become better people…. If you don’t, then you have learnt absolutely nothing… …”, he warned, adding: “When you go out into the world of work, your attitude will determine status; and if your attitude is bad, then you will not be able to get along with people, and you will continue being ‘job seekers”…. “Remember, it is your attitude that will determine your altitude,” he advised. Meanwhile, manager of the Albion/Port Mourant Estate, Threbhowan Shiwprasad, called on the graduating class to use their knowledge positively

and desist from the ills that occur on the social media. “In this technological age, almost everything that happens globally is known in every community through the social media. I would like to urge you to use your newly-acquired skills to bring about positive change and contribute to the development of your country. “It is very easy for people to be trapped in the ‘negative web’ by abusing computer knowledge… I want you to be the agents of change,” he charged. Acting Community Development Officer Orvin Mangru also addressed the gathering, wherein he gave an overview of the programme which was conducted by Ms. Serojnie Permaul from Mondays to Thursdays. Each participant received a certificate and is expected to commence training in an advance level of Information Technology.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Mahaica farmer killed with own cutlass by drug addict By Leroy Smith

BALKISSOON, age 52, a cash crop farmer of Helena, Mahaica No.2 East Coast Demerara bled to death after he was attacked and chopped to the neck by a known drug addict in the area. The man has since been arrested. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper, the dead man’s eldest son said that he was at home when the incident occurred. The 29- year-old man said that his father had just left home to head back into the backdam at approximately midday yesterday when he reportedly crossed paths with his killer. The farmer was heading to water his crops and had in his possession a water pump and motor blower, according to his son, along with his cutlass on the bicycle. The man had seconds before leaving home sharpened his cutlass. Balkissoon’s son said that he did not know if his father and the man had any form of talking while they had crossed paths, but related that he was informed that the man pulled out the

cutlass from the farmer’s bicycle and dealt him one chop to the neck. Balkissoon’s young son, age 15, who was proceeding behind him in the company of a friend saw the attack on his father and when the man dropped to the ground. The young man then rushed to his father’s assistance and placed his jersey on the wound to stop the bleeding, while the friend rushed to inform the family, by which time the assailant had fled the scene. The eldest son in his interview with this newspaper related that when they rushed to the scene the man was already dead, suggesting that he bled to death. They then went to inform the police of the development and the police responded promptly. The police after being informed of where the suspect resided visited the man’s home and found him there. He was taken into custody and investigations into the matter continue. Persons in the Mahaica area said that the suspect is a known thief in the area and would steal people’s cattle and other property and resell them to feed his drug addiction.

Mahaica farmer, Balkissoon

Grove/Diamond youth group raises funds ––for children’s Xmas Party THE Grove/Diamond Youth in Development, which is based on the East Bank of Demerara, recently pooled their resources and held a one-day food sale outside Mattai’s Supermarket on Water Street, in an effort to raise funds for their annual Christmas party for children. Spokesman for the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Tony Chatter-

goon Jadoopati, told this publication that the 25 members came together and prepared several dishes and pastries for the sale. Chattergoon Jadoopati stated that last year they had feted 300 children who also received gifts and this year it will be no different, but they are aiming higher in terms of catering for even more children.

Guyana to co-host Nereid’s Yachting Rally THE second Nereid’s Yachting Rally will be hosted by Guyana, Suriname and Saint Laurent, French Guiana, according to a media release from Public Communications Consultants Limited (PCCL). According to PCCL,the Rally yachts will depart Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) to arrive in the Essequibo River on Friday,September 5 and will anchor off the Hurakabra River Resort in the Essequibo River, where a welcoming reception will be hosted by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag.),Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, September 11.The yachts will depart for Suriname on Wednesday, September 17. Eleven yachts are expected to participate in the Rally.The first two, Wind Whisper and Whistler departred T&T on Monday and are expected to arrive and clear Customs and Immigration at Bartica on Friday. The others will sail from T&T later this week and should all be anchored by Wednesday,Sep-

tember 10. Persons interested in tracking the progress of the yachts as they sail,may do so through the following link: http:// share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/ viewspots.jsp?gIId=0oBXDDOFiqQBS61uiDTykydxiflnHY9AM A number of hospitality events have been organised for the Rally. These include a Beach Party on Sunday,September 14, which will be hosted by the Hurakabra River Resort in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority(GTA) and visits to Marshall Falls and to Karao Village, hosted by the regional administration. Additionally, the yacht crews will be afforded opportunities to visit Kaieteur Falls and other tourist destinations. Finally, the media have been invited to a press conference hosted by the Minister of Tourism (ag) in the Ministry’s boardroom, at 2:00 pm today.

The food sale organised by members of the Grove/Diamond Youth in Development group recently (Photo by Michel Outridge)

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

President Ramotar again exposes the AFC’s nefarious agenda

(Continued)

THE Opposition had voted against the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the Amaila Hydro project, but are now extolling the virtues of the sustainable management of our forestry resources and the dangers of climate change. Old Kai is pleased that the AFC and APNU have apparently come around to recognising the importance of protecting our forestry resources and providing sustainable livelihoods for those who are dependent on this sector. It is heartening that they have recognised the dangers of climate change. Sadly however, it appears that this concern of theirs is quite convenient. It started when they jumped on the bandwagon of misinformation, regarding the Chinese logging firm Bai Shan Lin, only for the stakeholders to reveal the truth. But that is not Old Kai’s focus today; rather we will put to the test exactly how committed the Opposition has been on the issue of climate change and the sustainable use of our forestry resources. Three years on from the 2011, regional and

general elections, our energy sector still depends almost 100% on fossil fuel which is one of the main contributors to climate change. Therefore, when the Amaila falls hydro project was conceived, it was to tackle this particular issue and ensure most of our energy needs were through sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. It was the APNU and AFC which teamed up to cut funding for this project in the national budgets, and publicly launched a vilification campaign with their friend, the Kaieteur News, as they are seeking to do from the other side of their mouths today. What a way for them to show they are concerned about the environment! This fatal decision of theirs must also be contrasted with their recent statement of banning the export of logs if they are elected to government, and ensure that the processing of lumber for value added production is done to create more jobs in Guyana. How can this be when this is the very Opposition that sought to kill the Hydro project which would have provided cheaper electricity to spur productivity in our local manufacturing sector?

It has long been recognised that the number one hindrance to value added production in all sectors of our country is the cost of energy; so having butchered the Hydro project in the budget; they have now turned around like angels preaching the virtues of assisting the manufacturing sector. Can the Opposition possibly get more hypocritical? President Donald Ramotar’s recent statement that his Government is still committed towards realising the hydro project is heartening; however, by now it is obvious that this will not be possible under the present dispensation of the combined Opposition having a one seat majority over the PPP/C in the National Assembly. Old Kai is now convinced that the only way citizens can benefit from the Hydro project is through elections. Our people will have to decide if they will settle for the AFC/APNU brand of development, which entails cutting and derailing every single project, or support the plans and programmes of the PPP/C Government of President Ramotar which is intended to advance the interests of all Guyanese.

THAG Work Programme 2014- Woman’s associates 2019 complete, in circulation thrash ‘baby father’

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG) Mr Kit Nascimento has announced that the association has circulated its Work Programme for 2014 – 2019. In the President’s Report issued by THAG to the media, Nascimento outlined “The most immediate projects on which we have advanced planning, hopefully, for implementation this year, are our Arts & Craft Show and an El Dorado Rum Pan and Swizzle Event, which we look forward to being sponsored by DDL.” He highlighted that THAG launched an exciting and imaginative project, a Guyana Coconut Festival 2015, on August 5 at a meeting with agro- processors, tourism stakeholders and coconut industries and manufacturers and on August 7 with the diplomatic community and corporate interests. The response was positive and encouraging. Nascimento pointed out that the festival is an initiative and is being driven by Mrs. Gemma Wenner, a tourism professional and wife of a senior official at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),who has volunteered her support to THAG and, in addition, to taking the lead in the Festival, is giving two days of her time to work with the Secretariat. “We have now begun giving serious attention to THAG actively supporting our members through the means of social media marketing and, with Gemma Wenner’s assistance, the Secretariat has begun revamping our website and, on July 31, has opened a THAG Facebook Page. A great deal more work, however, now needs to be done with this medium,” he said. He outlined that the government, over the

past year, has engaged some 4 Consultancies aimed at developing Guyana as a tourism destination. Two of these Consultancies, An Investment Guide for Guyana’s Tourism submitted by Cecil Miller (Consultant), which I have already mentioned, and, more recently and very importantly, the Guyana Tourism Brand and Marketing Strategy by the ACORN Group, about to be concluded, are extremely valuable to THAG. He continued that the findings of the ACORN Group Study will be presented at a Workshop to be held tomorrow (Thursday August 4) at the Regency Suites Hotel before the final report to the government, noting that THAG has fully participated in all of the meetings and has been a major contributor to the findings. “We look forward now to the government financing and implementing the recommendations of this Study and we need to ensure that our own marketing tools, our website and Facebook page are consistent with the strategy.” Nascimento also took the opportunity to announce that the Ministry of Tourism and Hurakabra River Resort will be jointly holding a Grand Beach Party at Hurakabra on Sunday 14th September as one of the events for the Rally. River transportation will be provided and I encourage you all to participate and purchase tickets. Hinting at Guyana hosting the International Yacht Rally, Nascimento said THAG and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have encouraged the massive yachting community in Trinidad to participate in the event.

––after argument over baby’s name-change By Leroy Smith

EION Henry of Craig Street, Campbellville, on Monday was lucky not to be injured by a gunshot, but a man with whom he was involved in a scuffle, did inflict injuries to his neck. The Guyana Chronicle has been informed that the man and his former lover who has children for him, had an argument on Monday night at his Craig Street address. The woman reportedly wanted the man to assent to a name-change for their daughter,who is just under three years old. However, the man would have none of it and that obviously angered the woman. She then quickly took out her mobile phone and made a telephone call. Shortly after a white car HC 3231 showed up at the location with two men inside. One of the men then exited the vehicle, joined the argument and a fight ensued between the woman’s ex-lover and the occupant who had exited the car. Sources close to the devel-

opment related that the “child father” seemed to have been getting the upper hand in the scuffle when the other combatant whipped out a sharp object and inflected a wound to his neck. That would still not deter the man, who would continue to fight with the woman’s associate when the other occupant of the vehicle discharged a loaded firearm in the direction of the woman’s ex-lover, which missed him and forced him to retreat. After firing the shot, the two men fled the scene in the vehicle they had arrived in, while the injured “baby father” was rushed to a city hospital where he was treated for his injury and sent away. A report was then made to the Kitty Police Station and ranks there are said to be investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the woman whose name was given as Shola Sanschulotte has been arrested and was in police custody up to late last evening. This publication was informed that the woman is based in Canada.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Chinese Govt. donates $15M worth of –in bid to strengthen medical equipment to GPHC ties with Guyana

CEO of the GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan, receives a certificate of donation from The Head of the Chinese medical team, DR. Wang Yangxiang

By Navendra Seoraj THE Ministry of Health yesterday handed over to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) medical equipment worth $15 million, received from the National Health Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China. In a simple ceremony, the equipment was handed over in the presence of the 11th brigade of Chinese medical students and the Chinese Ambassador to Guy-

ana, His Excellency Mr Zhang Limin. This donation is part of an integral effort to develop friendly relations between the Chinese medical brigade and the GPHC. According to the GPHC Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Sheik Amir, the GPHC began receiving donations from the People’s Republic of China a few years ago, and although it wasn’t much then, it was still helpful. But as the years went by, the donations started developing, be-

coming enhanced from the year 2006 and continuing to improve to this day. Dr. Amir commended the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, H.E Zhang Limin, for carrying on this feat in face of some idiosyncrasies. In his closing remarks, he stated that an important Chinese delegation is due to visit Guyana later this m o n t h , a n d C h i n a ’s Minister of Health would be included in that delegation. CEO of the GPHC, M r. M i c h a e l K h a n , in remarks, said that

some of the equipment received were really needed by the hospital, and now that the

equipment has been received, the hospital can advance its services offered to the public in terms of medical attention. According to Ambassador Zhang Limin, China and Guyana share a very long history of friendship, and China has been donating equipment to Guyana since in the 1960s. He said China intends to continue in this vein in order to develop and maintain a better relationship with Guyana. Mr Zhang Limin said the team of medical practitioners from China which is currently in Guyana would employ its best efforts to serve the Guyanese citizenry.

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said, in his remarks, that the handing over event symbolizes the growing relationship between China and Guyana, and that the Ministry of Health is looking to expand and widen its relationship with China, so that more youths would have the opportunity to further their education in China. All parties present showed gratitude to the National Health Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China almost in the same way, and stressed that this donation is another step in developing a stronger bond between Guyana and China.

From left, Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Sheik Amir; and Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, along with the Chinese Ambassador and head of the Chinese Medical team, display some of the medical equipment received

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran poses with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin and members of the 11th medical brigade

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

PNCR congratulates Indigenous peoples on Heritage Month 2014 IN a release sent to this publication, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) congratulated “our Amerindian sisters and brothers as they celebrate their Heritage during the month of September, and wishes them a happy Heritage Month 2014. “We have reached that point in the national calendar when Amerindian Heritage Month is once again being celebrated,” that party’s release said, and “the People’s National Congress Reform believes that this event is of particular significance, because it presents the opportunity for our Amerindian brothers and sisters to showcase their outstanding historical and cultural contributions to the development of this nation. “On each occasion that this is done, it reminds the Guyanese population, as a whole, that Guyana is a nation of multi-culturalism, ethnic diversity, and social pluralism. “The PNCR, which has played a well-known role in the development of the various Amerindian communities, including the hosting of the first Amerindian Conference in 1969 and the demarcation and distribution of Amerindian land titles, on this occasion must give voice to its firmly held view that not enough is being done to protect these communities from being challenged by such dark issues as trafficking in persons, as outlined in several international reports.” The party’s missive continued: “According to a recent World Bank Report, the levels of poverty are highest in the Indigenous communities in Guyana. The PNCR calls upon the PPP/C Administration to implement sustainable programmes to reduce the levels of poverty in these communities, including programmes which empower (community residents) to become self-sufficient; rather than those that are now prevalent, which perpetuate their dependency and reliance on handouts from Government and other agencies. “The PNCR wishes our Indigenous sisters and brothers Happy Heritage Month celebrations, and assures them that our Party continues to be irrevocably committed to the implementation of programmes for the empowerment of the Indigenous communities, while respecting their way of life,” the missive concluded.

Main suspect in Black Bush wedding house murder released ––DPP requests further probe

By Jeune Vankeric THE main suspect in the Black Bush Polder wedding house murder was released from police custody and placed on $100,000 station bail. Additionally, Navendra Basdeo, known as ‘Pone’, of Lot 14 Johanna North Black Bush Polder has to report daily to the Mibicuri Police Station. According to information reaching this newspaper, the police file which was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice, has since been returned with instructions for further investigations. Consequently, police are appealing to the residents and guests at the wedding celebrations to come forward with the necessary information so that justice can be served. Karan Sukdeo, called Vishal, a medium built six footer died as a result of two stab wounds to his heart. The autopsy report confirmed that the man was dealt five incised wounds, resulting in shock and haemorrhage. The findings were m a d e b y D r. Vi vikanand Brijmohan,

Karan Sukhdeo following a post-mortem examination at the Skeldon Hospital mortuary. Sukdeo, 30, was killed outside a wedding house at Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, at about 23:45hrs on Saturday, August 23rd. Investigations had revealed that the main suspect, who claimed

to be seventeen years old, alleged that he was pulled from the wedding house by the deceased, who lashed him about his body with a piece of wood. A scuffle ensued between them before he left for home, leaving the injured man behind on a dam. Invitees to the wedding celebrations claimed that the suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol was behaving inappropriately toward a female guest, prompting Sukdeo to usher him from the celebrations. However, the younger sibling of the deceased, Ramesh Sukhdeo, recounted that he too was at the celebrations and had just served his sister-in-law Devi with a bottle of the non-alcoholic drink Smalta, when he heard screams.

“After hearing the screams, I ran outside, just to see my brother collapsing on the dam. Some men were hitting at him. I asked them what they were doing to my brother, and they ran away. Initially I thought my brother was just unconscious due to what I thought was a beating, but then I saw blood oozing … then I realised that he was stabbed.” Recounting the incident in tears, the deceased’s brother said he tried desperately to revive his sibling, but after he failed he rushed home and awakened his father who used his car to transport his son to the Mibicuri Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are continuing their investigations.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

President Obama addresses West Africa on Ebola via Facebook

THE United States Embassy in Guyana yesterday uploaded a video of President Barack Obama addressing the people of West Africa, where the Ebola virus has been having a negative impact on the population of three nations in that part of the world. In a 2.25-minute-long address, President Obama told the people of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria that they would forever have a friend in him and the United States of America. He said this while assuring them that the prayers of the United States are with the affected countries and persons, who would have lost loved ones and friends to the ravages of the Ebola virus. President Obama as-

sured the bereaved that the United States Government is working along with the governments of the affected countries to help fight and stop the disease. He, however, cautioned that for this to happen, persons need to know the facts about Ebola in relation to how it is transmitted. The United States President said the reason the disease is being spread so rapidly has to do with patients being cared for at home, or during burials, when family members and friends lay their loved ones to rest. He admonished that persons who are infected should get the right and proper treatment in a medical centre. Almost half of the persons who immediately seek

health care after experiencing the symptoms of Ebola recover from the disease, the United States President assured his audience. Ebola is more commonly spread through contact with body fluids like sweat, or by touching the body of someone who is sick or has died of the virus. President Obama advised people to be alert against this lapse, and to ensure that their loved ones are taken to a medical facility once they exhibit the symptoms of the disease, and not attempt to treat them at home. President Obama assured that persons can respect their traditions and still honour their loved ones without risking the lives of the living. Ebola is not spread

Former murder accused among quartet in custody

––after $3M heist at Port Mourant By Jeune Vankeric

President Barack Obama through the air, like the flu, but through body fluids and contaminated items, such as needles. President Obama said that stopping the disease would not be easy, but he assured that the know-how to stop it is available. He also assured that lives can be saved if countries can work together to improve public health, so that outbreaks similar to this Ebola outbreak do not happen again.

FOUR men, including former murder accused Devindra Harrichand, known as ‘Bara’, remain in custody as police intensify the investigations into the $3M robbery at a Port Mourant grocery early Monday morning. A 7.62x32 spent shell, which investigators said could have been fired from either an M-70 or an AK-47 was retrieved from the crime scene. Meanwhile, during the wee hours Monday morning, three masked bandits armed with high powered rifles and a chainsaw sawed their way into the two-flat wooden house belonging to Michael Ramjan, before robbing the occupants of $3M. Ramjajan and his wife Basmati Gobin left their residence at 170 Well Street, Miss Phoebe Port Mourant about two weeks ago for an overseas vacation. The couple left Ramjan’s stepson, Leon Verasammy, to manage the grocery shop which

was housed on the lower flat of the building. Along with Verasammy, a nephew of the owner and a handyman were also sleeping at the home. Last Sunday the men retired to bed just after 21:00 hrs but about 01:00hrs they were awakened by a knocking from an adjoining aluminum shed. Masked men were demanding that they open the door but instead of complying, the victims shouted for the police, even as shots were fired at the house. Seconds later, one of the bandits armed with a chainsaw, proceeded to cut a hole in the wall where they gained access into the house. The three occupants were questioned about the whereabouts of the money, after which Leon Verasammy, who had a gun pointed at him, was taken to the lower flat where $3M in cash was retrieved from behind a television set. The ordeal lasted for approximately fifteen minutes before police responded but by then the men had escaped. Investigations are continuing

Tappin murder trial ...

‘I am not sure’ witness tells court

A WELL-dressed Leonard Allicock went on trial yesterday for the murder of Wendell Tappin, who was fatally stabbed in Albouystown on December 31st 2009. But prosecution witness Detective Corporal Osmond Semple, who it is said had charged the accused, said under cross-examination that sometimes he was doubtful whether the accused was the person he instituted the charge against. Q u e s t i o n e d f u r t h e r, Semple, who admitted assisting with the investigation while he was attached to the Ruimveldt Police Station, said that what caused the doubt in his mind was the resemblance. The other witness to testify yesterday was policeman Adrian Jeffrey of the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary.

According to Jeffrey, he was on duty on the day in question when as a result of a report of murder, he and a party of policemen proceeded to James and Hill Streets, Albouystown, where they saw what appeared to be bloodstains on the road. As a result of further information received, four other persons were arrested in connection with the crime. In answer to cross-examination, Jeffrey said that the four men were taken to the police station where the allegation was put to them, but they remained silent. The prosecution conducted by Miss Natasha Backer and Miss M. Thompson is hoping to call 12 witnesses. Attorney-at-law, Mr. Euclin Gomes, is defending the accused. The hearing will continue.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Education Month to pay strict attention to early childhood education

SEPTEMBER is Education Month, and this time around it is being celebrated under the theme “Literate by Grade Four Through Consistent Home, School and Community Involvement.” On this occasion, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in her message said, “We begin another promising and exciting year of teaching and learning and progressive growth in an education system that has shown remarkable improvements over the last two decades.” The Minister, quoting late actress Audrey Hepburn, said, “A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation; provide children with the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labour exploitation, and disease; and give them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential.” Minister Manickchand added that the local education system today has arisen from a deficient and decrepit state - where it teetered on the brink of destruction, with very meagre investments being made in it, and with pass rates of approximately 22 percent. The promising structure it has become, she said, is as a result of unmatched investment being made by Government, resulting in a pass rate of 60 percent. “Education Month 2014 comes at a time when, amidst all that it has done and continues to do for education, the Government is on the brink of a no-confidence vote by the political Opposition,” she stated. Notwithstanding the $38B allocated to the education sector in Budget 2014 being the most money ever invested by a government in education in the history of Guyana, the politics

of the Opposition is trying to undermine this investment by asking the PPP/C Government to resign, the Minister said. According to Minister Manickchand, Guyana, under this Government, is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to grant each child in the public school system $10,000, an approximation of US$50, and the profoundly immoral politics of the Opposition is trying to derail the progress being made by this Government. Quoting words from the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, the Minister said: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” She said Guyana is currently witnessing unprecedented growth in its education sector, with the achievement of universal primary education. Hence, every child in Guyana of the primary age cohort has access to a primary school and this achievement is as a result of strategic government investment with a view to bolstering the primary sector of the education system. “And should the Government be allowed to serve its constitutional five-year term, then Guyana would have achieved universal secondary education.” Approximately 85 percent of the country’s children attend nursery school and Guyana now has the most trained teachers ever had in its history, with about 70 percent of teachers being trained. In 1991, Guyana had a mere 58 percent trained teachers in the education system. “While we have much to be proud of, and to celebrate and give thanks for, we, as a ministry, are very cognisant of the fact that we have much work to do in order to bring our education

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

system to its optimal standard.” Further, the Minister noted that the Government of Guyana continues to do its part to provide adequate resources to service the education sector, so as to ensure the nation’s future leaders are afforded the best education they can get. “As the Education Month 2014 theme this year suggests, the Ministry is paying strict attention to early childhood education. The focus is on establishing literacy at an early age,

ensuring that our young children grasp the concepts of literacy that are intrinsic to their further development in academia and life.” According to Minister Manickchand, achieving literacy by Grade Four requires a strong partnership among the Ministry of Education, schools, parents and children. “We have to work together assiduously to ensure we positively change the literacy level of our children.”

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Haiti launches cholera vaccination campaign

––effort targets 200,000 people PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (PAHO/ WHO) – Haiti launched a cholera vaccination campaign last week that seeks to reach 200,000 people in three departments. The campaign is being led by the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) with support from the United Nations and a coalition of strategic partners, including the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The campaign has financing from the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and is using vaccines from a global stockpile created at the request of the 2011 World Health Assembly as

a tool to help control cholera outbreaks worldwide. WHO serves as secretariat for the global stockpile, which is also supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Doctors without Borders, and UNICEF. Last week’s campaign was carried out in Artibonite (Gonaives and Ennery), Central (Lascahobas, Saut d’Eau, Savanette and Mirebalais), and West (Arcahaie) departments, which are considered high-risk zones. A second phase is planned for mid-September to deliver a second dose of the vaccine. “Preventing and controlling cholera transmission is a priority and requires

sanitation and hygiene measures,” said PAHO/WHO Representative in Haiti Jean-Luc Poncelet. “Vaccination is one more tool in the fight against this disease.” The vaccination campaign complements efforts by Haitian health authorities to improve access to safe water and sanitation, promote hand washing, and encourage community participation in cholera prevention. “The long-term goal is to eliminate cholera from Haiti,” said Poncelet. From January to August of this year, Haiti reported 7,718 cholera cases, a significant decline from the same period in 2013. For the current campaign, PAHO/ WHO provided strategic support for Haiti

to purchase, warehouse and distribute cholera vaccines and to finance, train and equip 370 vaccination teams made up of 1,222 health workers and community agents led by 145 departmental supervisors. PAHO/WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Haitian Institute for Statistics and Information will undertake an evaluation of the campaign. PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Vector control fogging begins today THE Ministry of Health, Vector Control Services will commence fogging for vector control today in identified communities. These fogging exercises will kill the adult mosquitoes which carry mosquito borne diseases. To ensure that the exercise is most effective, residents in the targeted communities are reminded to open their windows to allow the fog mist into the buildings to kill the adult mosquitoes. To avoid any health problems, residents are reminded to cover all drinking water and secure all food stuff (uncooked and cooked) to prevent possible contamination, secure all domestic animals and poultry, and to keep persons who suffer from asthmatic conditions, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of fog. The fogging exercise will commence at 5:30 p.m. daily from today in the following areas, and will be completed on Friday 5th September. *Kingston *Cummingsburg *Lacytown

*Bourda * Alberttown * Queenstown *Bel-Air Park * Lamaha Gardens *Newtown Kitty *Campbellville *Kitty * Subryanville *Bel-Air Gardens *Prashad Nagar *Bel-Air, and *Bel-Air Springs While the Ministry of Health will conduct this fogging exercise, residents are encouraged to keep their yards clean by removing all empty containers that can breed mosquitoes and to always sleep under mosquito nets so as to prevent mosquito borne diseases.

Lorry driver placed on $1M bail ––on ‘causing-death’ charge

TWENTY-seven-year-old, Ravin Singh, a driver of the Guyana Beverage Inc. and of Lot 46 North East Grove, East Bank Demerara, appeared Monday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Represented by attorney-at-law, Ms. Debra Kumar, Singh was not required to plead to the indictable charge, particulars

of which detail that, on July 14 at Avenue of Republic in Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle GNN 3876 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Rajmattie Ram. In a bail application, defence counsel informed the court that the accused does not pose a flight risk, and has been reporting to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday although

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

AROUND THE COURTS

With Geeta Rampersaud it is six weeks since the alleged incident has been committed. The attorney said the defence has eyewitness who said the deceased was struck by a minibus instead of the vehicle the accused was driving. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, did not oppose bail, and Singh was placed on $1M bail. The matter will call again before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 9.

Father of five put on $200,000 bail ––for fuel theft allegation

THIRTY-five-year-old, Nkhamo King, aka ‘Bun up’ (no address given), appeared Monday before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, accused of stealing fuel. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which detailed that, on July 25 at Turn Basin, Port Kaituma, North West District, he stole 11 drums of diesel and one drum of gasoline, together valued at $470,000, property of Ameer Ali.

Attorney-at-law, Mr. Paul Braam, entering appearance for the defendant, requested bail in a reasonable sum for the father of five, who has no prior convictions. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not object to bail; and the defendant was placed on $200,000 bail. The case was also put off to September 9 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Two labourers remanded for break and enter, larceny of shop TWENTY-two-year-old, Ronald Samuels and twenty-year-old Marvin Cort allegedly broke and entered the shop of Jewel Leacock at Kwakwani Park, Berbice River between August 23 and 25, and stole from there from five jerseys, eight pants, eight trousers, 20 boxers, eight long foot shorts, six pairs of slippers, six caps, one umbrella, one haversack and two tops, together valued at $132,000. The duo pleaded not guilty to the charge before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on

Monday; and attorney for both men, Mr. Paul Fung-a-fat, made a failed effort at securing bail in a reasonable sum for his clients. He noted that the items were recovered and a gun was not used in the alleged commission of the offence. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, did not oppose bail being granted to the labourers, but the duo was remanded to prison, and the case was put off for September 9 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Shopper on larceny-from-the-person charge granted $20,000 bail FORTY-year-old, John Lynch of Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara appeared Monday before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged with larceny from the person, and was eventually placed on $20,000 bail. Initially, Lynch pleaded guilty to the charge, which detailed that on Friday, August 29, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he stole $4,500 cash from Latifa Squires. The unrepresented man explained that he was shopping along Regent Street on the day in question when he found the cash on the ground and he continued to shop. He said

that, about an hour later, he was approached by the virtual complainant (VC) along with a police officer. The defendant said Squires told him she did not know that the money was hers at that time, but he questioned the VC how she did not knew it was hers. Based on his explanation, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not object to bail. The matter was put off to September 9 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

Health Minister ...

NCDs responsible for 78% of Guyana’s mortality

––Wellness Warriors undergoing training to make an impact on situation WITH non-communicable diseases (NCDs) being identified as an emerging public health threat issue, the Government of Guyana is working vigorously to battle this, and the Ministry of Health’s Wellness Warriors is one aspect to aid in the fight. Speaking at the launch of a five-day training exercise for the Wellness Warriors, which commenced Monday at Ramphal House, Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran said, “A few years ago we celebrated the anniversary of the Medex Training programme. At that celebration, we had a fun day, and I decided that there is too much work and no exercise. I challenged the medex who were gathered there to have a Health and Wellness club, thus the Wellness Warriors.” Cardiovascular diseases account worldwide for most NCD deaths or 17.3 million people annually, followed by cancers (7.6 million), respiratory diseases (4.2 million), and dia-

betes (1.3 million1). These four groups of diseases account for around 80% of all NCD deaths. Minister Ramsaran said, “Over the past seven years, many countries and international organisations have identified the epidemic of NCDs as the most serious emerging public health threat.” He added that international organisations recognise that the four categories of NCDs are re-enforced by certain things people do or don’t do in their daily lives. “In other words, they are saying that these four categories are difficult for us to change because of factors such as age and ethnicity.” Cigarette smoking and second hand smoking, alcohol abuse, wrong foods (poor diet), too much salt (which the Minister referred to as white death) and lack of see page 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Aries - March 21 - April 19 People may see you as the personification of drama, especially this morning. This is a good time to express your emotions and get things out of your system. Be sure to release whatever pent-up emotion you have inside. By afternoon, it might be a good idea to settle down and lay low. Turn your energy inward, come to your centre, and plan what needs to get done. Taurus - April 20 - May 20 There may be a damper on your mood today, especially in the morning. It could seem as if everyone is having fun but you. Having a good time is more a state of mind than anything else. Try not to get trapped in a lousy mindset. Late afternoon is a good time to ground your emotions. Operate from a point of stability instead of jealousy. Gemini - May 21 - June 21 There may be some conflict today, especially in the morning. Your general mood is quite good, but there's a strong force asking you to be more realistic in your approach. The last thing you want is for someone else to throw a bucket of water on your raging fire of fun, but this is likely to happen unless you address the reality of the situation. Cancer - June 22 - July 22 Your mind may be a little cloudy most of the day, and you could find it hard to ground yourself. It may be that you're trying to navigate by the stars, but unfortunately, the clouds have moved in and there are no reference points to be seen. The good news is that the skies should clear later, and you'll find there's nothing but smooth sailing for the rest of the night. Leo - July 23 - August 22 Praise you may receive this morning could make you feel on top of the world, but try not to let this feeling go to your head. Stay modest despite the lavish praise that may be showered on you. By evening, you won't be able to get by on just talk alone. Actions will speak much louder than words and it's important that you have some sort of plan. Virgo - August 23 - September 22 Things should improve for you as the day progresses, The key is to stay loose and not be concerned with the situation's outcome. The future is uncertain. You shouldn't depend on something that may or may not pan out the way you want. There could be some conflict between you and someone with a strong ego in the morning, but this should resolve itself by evening. Libra - September 23 - October 22 Your emotions could feel restricted today, a feeling that may be difficult to shake. Take this opportunity to calm down and relax. You'll enjoy the good times more when you give your body the rest it needs. Always pushing for bigger and better adventures may be fun, but it can leave you too tired to fully appreciate them. Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 It could be hard to find your footing early in the day. You may be better off sleeping in. Have a good breakfast and relax in the morning. By evening, you'll be refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the town. Your emotions may feel restricted, which could make it difficult to fully express yourself. You'd be better off turning this energy inward now. Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20 Use the morning to take care of yourself. You could be so concerned with the world and the shared environment that you forget to take care of you. Use the early afternoon to reflect and meditate. Gather facts from your inner state and use the information to create a plan for the future. Be flexible in your approach. Capricorn - December 21 - January 19 Get to some water today and reconnect with this element. Like lapping waves against the shore, you may be gently changing the landscape around you with each word or action. Don't underestimate your inner strength. It could be that you seem overpowered by the things going on around you, but don't let them keep you from being the person you truly are. Aquarius - January 20 - February 18 Emotionally speaking, you should be doing quite well today, especially in the morning. This is a good time to take charge of projects that require definite leadership. Don't think that you're inferior to the people around you. Act like you belong in a leadership role and you'll find that others will automatically support you in that position. You have what it takes to lead. Pisces - February 19 - March 20 You may get frustrated today, especially in the morning when other people's egos seem to be strong. It could be difficult to relate to people who simply refuse to accept any opinion but their own. Things should mellow out by afternoon. You'll find people start to see things from your perspective. Remain confident in your position despite the vacillation of others.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

NCDs responsible for 78% of Guyana’s ... from page 17

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; Dr. Kavita Singh, Coordinator, Chronic Diseases (right); and Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Principal Health Coordinator at the launch of the five-day Wellness Warriors training module exercise are the factors accountable for the rapid increase in NCDs. He said as civilisation further advances, these diseases are becoming more prevalent. With education, social support groups and other aspects, the Minister said health and wellness can be promoted by addressing these modifiable practices. The first advanced groups of Wellness Warriors will be walked through the theory of

would have died from the virus are now living and may be suffering from chronic diseases. He explained that a coordinator of NCDs has been appointed and a small NCD unit will be established in the Ministry of Health. Also, the issue of teenage pregnancy will be targeted, along with promoting healthy choices and health literacy in schools by the Wellness Warriors. On September 13, a Wellness Camp will be held at the Square of

Participants at the launch of the five-day Wellness Warriors training module these four categories of risk factors for NCDs. He also addressed the reshaping of the market to address healthy foods. He looked at the possibility of intervening in school canteens to determine a stricter and more regulated diet for children and to add an environmental component, with foods placed in a recyclable and bi-degradable box. “We hope to get a massive army of people who know to perform basic tasks, such as pressure and sugar testing in every part of the society. Also, they will have a strong health literacy component,” the Minister explained. He reiterated the recognised need for the creation of a national or presidential commission on NCDs. He said it was proposed that the commission be patterned after the same module used to fight the epidemic of HIV/ AIDS, which is now almost a chronic disease. He added that with the conquest or suppression of HIV/AIDS, many more people that

the Revolution. Dr Kavita Singh, Coordinator, Chronic Diseases Department, said participants in the Wellness Warriors programme are expected to take up a charge for society. She said NCDs can be prevented and controlled even though some of them are not curable. “It so happens that most of the population is unaware that they are at risk of developing these diseases, and this is where the Wellness Warriors come in. Your job is to be able to go out in the communities in which you live after you would have completed training, and impart the knowledge and experience you would have gained,” Singh told the participants. Caribbean Wellness Day will be celebrated on September 12, with the launch of the Presidential Commission on NCDs, at which Dr. Carissa Etienne of the Pan American Health Organisation will be present. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

24 prisoners get cracking on contracted works at Le Repentir Cemetery By Derwayne Wills YET another component of the $1B ‘Clean-up My Country’ programme got underway yesterday when the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) began works to debush Block 7 of Le Repentir Cemetery. The area at reference is bordered to the north by Broad Street, to the south by Sussex Street, and to the east by St.

Stephen Street. In brief comments while chainsaws were buzzing in the background, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Olive Gopaul said that a full team was on site, comprising 24 inmates with five supervising officers to manage the operation. She explained that “the idea is to clear out all the over-

grown vegetation, so at least persons can access the cemetery and visit the tombs of their loved ones without having to go through the hassle.” However, there still remains some risk from bees in hives that are housed in tombs for years. The Ministry is dealing with this and contracted the Guyana Apiculturalist Society (GAS) to remove the hives of Africanised bees. Gopaul assured us that the

beekeepers are on standby in the event that their services are needed while the inmates are working. She also said that their contract is expected to run until October 15. Recently there had been some concern expressed publicly about the use of prison labour for the de-bushing of Block 7. However, Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker debunked claims of prison labour abuse by dis-

Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Olive Gopaul briefs the media on the works being conducted

Inmates make progress de-bushing the first section of Le Repentir’s Block 7

After works to de-silt the internal drains, these drains are now functioning to transfer and store storm water (Photos by Derwayne Wills)

closing that he had sought the advice of Labour Minister Dr. Nankishore Gopaul, in keeping with Guyana’s obligations under domestic and international labour laws. Subsequently, this publication received a comment from a senior prison official who reaffirmed that the use of prison labour has been ongoing for years. The official also commented that “it is unfortunate because the reality is that there is so much stigma [attached to prisoners] and if the society is not simultaneously accepting the fact that the prisoners would be given a chance, then we would be back to square one.” The source also expressed concern regarding the many cases of a double negative where families not only reject these prisoners after they have been released into society, but the stigmatised rejects find themselves offending again and go back into the prison system. The official lauded the collaboration between the Government and the Prison Service as “essential for rehabilitation

and reintegration.” As it relates to payment, the monies are divided threefold: one portion goes directly to the Prison Service, a second part goes to the prisoner and a third will be lodged in a Prison Welfare Fund. And regarding the criteria established for the inmates engaged in public works, it was disclosed that they are assessed by the Sentence Management Board and the Sentence Management Unit, facilitated through the Home Affairs Ministry, to determine their eligibility based on behaviour, duration of sentence and conduct. The Local Government Minister had said previously that the clean-up works in the cemetery “will be designed into four lots.” Three of the four lots of the cemetery will be contracted to interested members of the public through organised Community Development Councils (CDCs) and the fourth lot will be contracted to the Prison Service “as part of their rehabilitation [efforts].”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

‘A’ Division police unveil comprehensive plan –to cater for new school term

By Leroy Smith ‘A’ DIVISION Police have unveiled a detailed and comprehensive plan of action to superintend the area under their charge. This plan includes methods to be employed to engage school children from nursery to secondary for this new school term. During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle last week Saturday, the plan was outlined by the various senior police officers at the Brickdam Police Station, among whom were Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commander, Superintendent Dion Moore; Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Ramesh Ashram; Acting Divisional Head of the CID, Deputy Superintendent Michael Kingston; Acting Impact Base Commander, Cadet Officer Anthony Austin; and Operations Room Coordinator, Inspector Karen Kilkenny. In his opening remarks, Hicken said the leadership has done its analysis of the entire division, and has already arrived at a workable solution in regard to the modus operandi of ranks, as part of the broader focus of general policing. He said there would be an overwhelming police presence in the areas of traffic, general policing, and patrolling duties. The commander stressed that

From left to right are: Cadet Officer Austin, Deputy Superintendent Kingston, Commander Hicken, Deputy Commander Moore, Assistant Superintendent Ashram and, Inspector Kilkenny

the arrangement is being adopted even as the police have already begun their initial assessment of the situation ahead of the upcoming Christmas season. He said that ranks would be deployed based on limitations, and pointed out that, based on initial assessment, the division is equipped and ready to police the division. He called on parents to ensure they fulfill their responsibilities by giving their children safety and traffic tips when necessary. Deputy Commander, Superintendent Dion Moore, said the approach to policing during the new school term and into the Christmas pe-

riod is community-oriented, as the Force tries to build partnerships. He said the division has adopted an arrangement to deal with the traffic situation and combat crime, which, according to him, thus far seems to be the ideal approach, even as the division has not closed the door to employing new measures. He said the three-lane system of traffic on the East Bank of Demerara during peak hours is working very well, and that would continue. With respect to children who are in the habit of liming and engaged in truancy, the police would be on the look-

out for them, and once they are caught the police would take the necessary actions in addressing that particular practice. The acting head of ‘A’ Division CID, Michael Kingston, related that ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department and other ranks would be visiting schools to lecture children on the dangers associated with the use of drugs and being involved in criminal activities. The ranks, he added, would be working along with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on the issue of addressing the issue of school dropouts. For those individuals, the focus

would be on encouraging them to ensure that they are not lured into becoming persons of questionable character. Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Ramesh Ashram, said the division has a traffic road safety programme with which it is working. Already, several pedestrian crossings have been repainted within the parameters of the division. The Traffic Department plans to engage schools through road safety lectures, while facilitating the re-commissioning of several road safety groups in school. Already, he added, the police force has donated gear to some school for this purpose. Asked why the school road safety patrols would be resuscitated, Ashram said the police cannot be at every location every time to monitor the traffic situation. Accordingly, the patrols would be resuscitated in the secondary schools while police would be present at nursery and primary schools from 7am to 9 am, and again from 14hr to 18 hours. Those children would, however, still receive some amount of training in becoming road safety patrols. On the issue of anti-crime patrols, Cadet Officer Anthony Austin, who is supervising the Impact Base, explained that the department has already done its surveying of the division, and an immediately increased police

presence would be visible in places like Rasville, North and South Georgetown, Diamond, Agricola and Albuoystown. He said there is not much worry in the areas of Albuoystown and Agricola, but maintained that the police still need to be alert and prepared. He also added that frequently footed areas would be patrolled, as such areas are usually prone to the presence of motor cycles, pedal cycles and foot bandits, who pounce on unsuspecting persons. Inspector Karen Kilkenny, who heads the Operations Room of the Brickdam Police Station, said her focus would also be to visit schools and conduct lectures with the children on the use of emergency numbers. She said the department would enlighten children on the issue of violence, since this does not only occur in the home, but at schools also. Children would be encouraged to use their cell phones in cases of emergency to contact the police via its four emergency numbers, or 911, or the Blackberry Messaging Pin, which is also used by the division to connect with members of the public. Kilkenny said the move is to assist teachers and parents in places where the police do not have a ready presence, but where children are often the ears and eyes of the police.

Route 44 minibus drivers signal intent to strike –in push for 100% fare hike By Savitri Laikram ROUTE 44 minibus drivers yesterday confirmed that they are preparing to strike in an effort to obtain a desirable fare hike. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday at the Route 44 bus park, drivers and conductors explained that they gathered last week to discuss the issue of raising the bus fare from $100 to $200. Drivers said that while some minibuses work directly to Mahaica from Georgetown, the standard fare is $200, but those working shorter distances, for example Georgetown to Buxton/Strathspey, are

asking for an increase in the fare because the present fare is considered “cheap” and it is “unfair” for them to be working the road for such little money. The minibus workers are blaming current economic conditions for their fare hike demands. They contended that everyone has a family to take care of and the present fare is not enough to pay both driver and conductor and in some cases minibus owners. Drivers and conductors claim that they will not settle for anything less than double the present fare, as an increase by just $20 or $40 will make no difference.

Meanwhile, most consumers are bluntly refusing to pay higher minibus fares, as many expressed concern at the recklessness and rudeness of the drivers and conductors. Passengers are asserting that doubling the fare will make things extremely hard on them, as it will be financially difficult to travel to and from Georgetown on a daily basis. They explained that these are the same minibus drivers and conductors who are soliciting $200 fares after 16:00hrs on weekdays. Commuters are also pleading with the government to introduce a bus service which can be controlled, unlike the present private minibus arrangement.

Route 44 minibus drivers on the ‘Park’ yesterday (Photo by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

Travellers have also questioned whether gas prices have been raised or not as they do not see any valid reason for fares to be hiked to that extent. Representatives of the

minibus union were unavailable for comment on the matter. However, when contacted, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,

M r. W i l l e t H a m i l t o n claimed that the Ministry was unaware of this situation but assured that the matter will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

140 students gain work-study experience with the GDF in 2014

The students are happy, having completed their stint of work-study with the GDF THE final 66 of the 140 students who participated in the 2014 work-study programme with the Guyana Defence Force were presented with certificates of participation at a simple closing ceremony at Base Camp Ayanganna on Friday last. Seventy-four other students had completed their attachments earlier.

Staff Officer One General Five, Major Lorraine Foster, congratulated the students on their success at the 2014 CSEC examinations, and encouraged them to continue working hard to achieve future goals. “On behalf of the Chief of Staff and all the officers and ranks of the GDF, I congratulate you all. To those who realised their dreams,

you have gained the fruits of your labour; however, those of you who may have fallen short of the mark, know that this is not the end of the road,” she said. “ Yo u c a n r e t u r n t o school and re-sit those subjects in which you did not fare well. You have the opportunity to enhance your performance by being a bit more disciplined and ded-

icated. “Those of you, who are continuing on to university, understand that you cannot take the high school mentality there with you. You are going to have to mature very quickly, and continue to work hard to be successful,” she added. “Those of you who are going on to the world of work, it is our hope that you have learned from us much that you can take to your places of employment that will make you excellent employees and assets to the various firms. You, too, will have to dedicate yourselves

and work hard. “And to those returning to school to resit exams, be diligent, study harder, and commit yourselves to excellence. The Guyana Defence Force wishes you all well in whatever future undertakings you pursue!” Major Foster concluded. The Work-Study programme is an annual activity that sees the GDF providing on-the-job learning experience for students graduating from various educational institutions across the country. The students who participate each year are drawn from the Ministry of Educa-

tion, the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College, the Government Technical Institute, GRECO, and a few private educational institutions. The GDF’s partnership with these educational institutions is in keeping with the Force’s remit to contribute to national development by aiding youths to gain the much-needed experiences of the workplace, which are vital for developing appreciation for the world of work. During Friday’s closing ceremony, some students performed a poetry recital. (Asif Hakim)

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday september 3, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

BCB plans monthlong... From back page

Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo, Brendon Bess, Veeresammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Candace Atkins. Milton Pydanna and Royston Crandon have played limited overs matches for the West Indies, while Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt and Subrina Munroe have represented the West Indies female team, with Campbelle, Smartt and Munroe being regular members of that unit. Numerous Berbicians have played for the Rest of the World, West Indies ‘A’, Under-19, Under-15 and Sixes teams including Deryck Kallicharran, Sudesh Dhaniram, Leslaine Lambert, Randolph Ramnaresh, national coach Esaun Crandon and Hemnarine Chattergoon. According to the burly Foster, the BCB has over the past 75 years of its existence produced many major achievements, including the hosting of the Pakistan International Airline team in 1973 and 1975 and the overseas tours by Berbice teams in 1974, 1978 and 1984. They also hosted the MCC team in 1974 and three years later created history in Guyana and the Caribbean, when they hosted the first One Day International match in the Caribbean which was played between the West Indies and Pakistan at the historic Albion Sports Club ground. “Over the last six years, the BCB has organised cricket at all levels for both males and females while special emphasis was placed in the West Berbice area and among some of the activities planned for this month is the renaming of pavilions after our Test players, across the county,”

said Foster. He told his audience that the BCB also has plans to unveil a portrait in honour of Kanhai, hold a musical evening with the Guyana Police Force Band, donate cricket balls to four clubs, host a quiz competition and make a presentation to the winners of the essay competition. Foster expressed gratitude to Anil Beharry, Angela Haniff, Alisa Moonsee, the Media, Bobby Deonarine, Mortimer George for his research on Berbice cricket, Deonarine Shane, Jameel Mohamed, Mr Motie, Ansa McAl, Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana Beverage Company, Banks DIH, Guyoil and Metro. He also said thanks to Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall, Bissoondyal Singh, D. Arjune and Sons, Impressions Printery, St Francis Community Developer, Berbice Chamber of Commerce, The Government of Guyana, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Public Service for their support over the years. During his remarks, President Ramotar said that the game has changed tremendously, making reference to the T20 format, while adding that the recent installation of lights at Albion, is to ensure Berbice produces top class T20 players, who will not only entertain at home, but across the world. President Ramotar got a loud round of applause when he informed that the Government will upgrade 73 grounds in Regions 5 and 6 and they will continue to work for the development of cricket. Both Dr Anthony and Dr Ramsammy, along with Regional Chairmen of Regions 5 and 6, offered best wishes. BCB president Keith Foster, during his brief remarks said that cricketers from Berbice have made the county and all of Guyana proud, adding that Berbice has contributed tremendously to West Indies cricket at the female level and he one day hopes the males can do the same and be permanent figures.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

India crush feeble England to win ODI series (REUTERS) India’s Shikhar Dhawan smashed a six to seal a crushing ninewicket victory over hapless England in the fourth one-day international in Birmingham yesterday. The tourists cruised to a win that gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series after another feeble England batting display in which the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 206 at

Edgbaston. India’s Mohammed Shami took three for 28 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja two wickets each, with Moeen Ali’s fluent 67 the only positive for England. The Indian batsmen made light work of their chase with Ajinkya Rahane (106) and Dhawan sharing a 183-run opening partnership and the latter smashing the last ball

over the ropes to reach the target with more than 19 overs remaining. “It’s really special and I’m really happy for the team,” batsman Rahane, who scored his 106 off 100 balls, told Sky Sports. “The bowlers did really well.” “Initially it (the pitch) was doing a bit but I was determined to stay there and focus on the target. The way Shikhar batted today was

Scoreboard ENGLAND innings A. Cook c Raina b B. Kumar 9 A. Hales b B. Kumar 6 G. Ballance c Rahane b Shami 7 J. Root c Kulkarni b Raina 44 E. Morgan c Raina b Jadeja 32 J. Buttler lbw b Shami 11 M. Ali b Ashwin 67 C. Woakes run-out (Raina) 0 S. Finn b Jadeja 2 J. Anderson not out 1 H. Gurney b Shami 3 Extras: (lb-5, w-9) 14 Total: (all out, 49.3 overs) 206 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-16, 3-23, 4-103 , 5-114, 6-164, 7-194, 8-201, 9-202. Bowling: B. Kumar 8-3-14-2 (w-1), D. Kulkarni 7-0-35-0 (w1), M. Shami 7.3-1-28-3 (w-1), R.Ashwin 10-0-48-1 (w-2), R. Jadeja 10-0-40-2 (w-1), S. Raina 7-0-36-1 (w-1) INDIA innings A.Rahanie c Cook b Gurney 106 S. Dhawan not out 97 V. Kohl not out 1 Extras: (lb-5, w-2, nb-1) 8 Total: (1 wicket 30.3 overs) 212 Fall of wickets: 1-183. Bowling: J. Anderson 6-1-380, H. Gurney 6.3-0-51-1 (nb-1, w-1), S. Finn 7-0-38-0 (w-1), C. Woakes 4-0-40-0, M. Ali 7-040-0.

Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his maiden ODI hundred at Edgbaston, yesterday. great to watch from the other end. “It’s a great challenge to open. You have to prepare your mind and accept that challenge.” India won the toss and England struggled from the start, the top three back in the pavilion with just 23 runs on the scoreboard. Kumar removed openers Alex Hales and Alastair Cook in the fifth over and Gary Ballance, who replaced the injured Ian Bell who fractured a toe in the nets, got a leading edge. Joe Root (44) and Eoin Morgan (32) patiently rebuilt with a fourth-wicket stand of 80 before both fell to spin, Morgan turning Jadeja to leg-slip and Root playing

a reverse sweep straight to Dhawal Kulkarni at backward square off Suresh Raina. Jos Buttler fell lbw to Shami, Chris Woakes was run-out by a brilliant low throw from Raina and only some big blows from Moeen took England towards 200, the all-rounder hitting four fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin. Harry Gurney took the only India wicket, at least ensuring that England avoided their first ever 10-wicket defeat in an ODI on home soil, when Rahane chipped a full toss to Cook in the covers. Dhawan finished on 97 not out and India hit 29 boundaries to expose a huge

gulf in class between the sides. “It was a very tough day, it’s amazing how quickly sport changes,” said underpressure England captain Cook, who many critics and former England players have called upon to resign the one-day captaincy. “We have played some bad cricket and I don’t know why that is. We’ve not played anywhere near our potential and there are no excuses. “India have out-skilled us, bowled better, batted better and fielded better. We have to stay true to our beliefs and work hard.” The final match of the series is in Leeds on Friday. The first game was abandoned.

Racing Tips

09:20 hrs Clear Focus

10:20 hrs Sleep Walk

South Africa Racing Tips

English

10:50 hrs Miss Crystal

Kenilworth

Lingfield

11:25 hrs Rowlestone Lass

08:20 hrs Hope Downs

09:00 hrs Charming Thought

11:55 hrs Royal Mizar

08:55 hrs Gigabyte

09:30 hrs Qatar Road

12:25 hrs Meebo

09:35 hrs Zinnavar

10:00 hrs Baileys Pursuit

12:55 hrs See Vermont

10:10 hrs Black Kitten

Race 1 Something Saintly

Southwell

10:45 hrs Tunvano

10:30 hrs Majestic Manner

Race 2 Diana’s Vendetta

09:50 hrs Galago

12:15 hrs Lady Lawrenny

09:40 hrs Heronry

11:20 hrs I Am The Law

10:10 hrs To The Sky

Irish Racing Tips

11:35 hrs Conquestadim

10:40 hrs Rolling Maul

Gowan Park

12:05 hrs Alex Vino

11:15 hrs Man Of Steel

11:05 hrs Whaleweigh Station

12:35 hrs Shuriken Bath

11:45 hrs Cardigan Island

11:30 hrs Blue Skimmer 12:00 hrs Ceoldrama 12:30 hrs Cocoon

13;00 hrs Red Laser 13:30 hrs Snowmane 14:00 hrs Unchartered Waters 14:30 hrs Windsor Park American Racing Tips Delware Park

Race 3 Ohnonotagain Race 4 Lucky Empress Race 5 Ashcraft Silver Race 6 Colmont Kid Race 7 Bodhisattva Race 8 Irish Donnie

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Afghanistan World Cup Lusty hitting from Marsh blow as coach Kabir quits gets Australia back on track (REUTERS) - A swashbuckling innings from Mitchell Marsh helped Australia bounce back from two successive defeats to beat South Africa by 62 runs and reach the final of the triangular one-day series yesterday. Marsh plundered an unbeaten 86 off 51 balls, including seven sixes and three in a row off fast bowler Dale Steyn, to take his side to 282 for seven in 50 overs at the Harare Sports Club. South Africa were then bowled out for 220 in 44 overs despite 126 from Faf du Plessis who scored his second consecutive century against Australia. Australia’s win came after an embarrassing defeat on Sunday to hosts Zimbabwe and a seven-wicket loss to South Africa last Wednesday. They also picked up a bonus point for their victory, ensuring them a place in Saturday’s final, when they will play the winner of South Africa’s match against Zimbabwe tomorrow. Australia made a bright start as opener Phil Hughes and Steve Smith - restored to the side in the absence of injured captain Michael Clarke added 85 for the second wicket before South Africa put the brakes on their scoring. Hughes holed out to long-on for 85 off 92 balls as he tried to take advantage of the last over of the power play but Marsh came to the crease and soon set about the bowling as Australia stepped up the run rate again in the last 10 overs. “We lost wickets at key times but Mitch helped set a competitive total on that wicket, one we could look to defend,” said stand-in captain George Bailey. Early wickets proved important for Australia as South Africa slumped to 64 for three in response, with captain AB de Villiers among those failing with the bat on his return following a viral infection that kept him out of last Friday’s win over Zimbabwe. But 73 runs for the sixth wicket between du Plessis and Ryan McLaren briefly threatened a comeback before McLaren (24) was caught by Smith at mid-wicket off Kane Richardson. du Plessis then followed as he stood on his stumps, attempting to take off for a quick single, and was out hit wicket. His innings featured six sixes and came off just 109 balls. Marsh followed his batting heroics with two wickets off his five overs but Glen Maxwell posted the best bowling figures of two for 22.

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) Afghanistan’s long-serving coach, former Pakistan Test bowler Kabir Khan, has resigned less than six months before his team take part in their first 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “The job requires a lot of travelling and this has affected my family life a lot and I now have to give them proper time,” Kabir told Reuters. “I was not enjoying my job and so I decided it was time to resign and the Afghanistan Cricket Board accepted my decision.” Kabir, a left-arm seamer who played four Tests and 10 ODIs for Pakistan, has had two stints as coach after first becoming involved with Afghanistan cricket in 2007.

Player-of-the-match Mitchell Marsh hammers seven sixes in his unbeaten 86.

Scoreboard AUSTRALIA innings A. Finch c Duminy b McLaren 16 P. Hughes c Miller b Phangiso 85 S. Smith c de Kock b Tahir 36 G. Maxwell c de Kock b Steyn 2 G. Bailey stp. de Kock b Phangiso 32 M. Marsh not out 86 B. Haddin c Phangiso b M. Morkel 11 M. Johnson run-out (Phangiso) 2 M. Starc not out 1 Extras: (lb-6, nb-2, w-3) 11 Total: (for 7 wickets, 50 overs) 282 Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-131, 3-136, 4-152, 5-187, 6-258, 7-281. Bowling: D. Steyn 9-0-64-1, J. Duminy 4-0-240, M. Morkel 9-1-51-1 (nb-2, w-1), R. McLaren 8-0-56-1 (w-2), I. Tahir 10-0-42-1, A. Phangiso 10-0-39-2.. SOUTH AFRICA innings H. Amla c Haddin b M. Marsh 17 Q. de Kock c Smith b Maxwell 1 F. du Plessis hit wkt b Richardson 126 A. de Villiers c Bailey b Lyon 6 J. Duminy c sub. b M. Marsh 16 D. Miller b Johnson 3 R. McLaren c Smith b Richardson 24 D. Steyn run-out (Smith) 5 A. Phangiso not out 3 M. Morkel b Johnson 0 I. Tahir c M. Marsh b Maxwell 2 Extras: (lb-7, w-10) 17 Total: (all out, 44 overs) 220 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-36., 3-64, 4-93, 5-101 6-174, 7-206, 8-214, 9-217. Bowling: M. Johnson 9-1-30-2 (w-4), G. Maxwell 4-0-22-2 (w-2), K. Richardson 8-038-2, M. Starc 8-1-47-0, M. Marsh 5-0-23-2, N. Lyon 10-0-53-1.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Premier League the biggest winner as talent pours in By Ossian Shine LONDON, England (Reuters) - For Manchester United, the answer to a slump in form or a crisis of confidence comes in 50 pound notes - millions of them. The giants of Old Trafford haemorrhaged almost £150 million in the last few weeks, dressing the likes of Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Falcao in red shirts. The huge spending has given new Dutch manager Louis van Gaal an embarrassment of riches with which to fix his team’s on-pitch struggles, even though critics suggest the money could have been spent a little more wisely. Still, though, theirs is a glittering squad, its makeup largely mirrored across the city at their blue-shirted rivals, and at Chelsea, who either spent big on new superstar names or forked out to renew the contracts of their most influential players. Liverpool, too, leaned heavily on their history and spending power to lure one of the biggest names in football to Anfield, snapping up Mario Balotteli from AC Milan for what is, these days, a paltry £16 million. FOOTBALL MORTALS But for the mortals of the English Premier League, it takes a little more creativity

to secure the talent required to challenge in the top flight of English football. Southampton finished last season in eighth position - one below United in the league. Then, in the space of a handful of weeks, one of the most exciting teams in the league was assetstripped by bigger, richer rivals, who cherry-picked the Saints’ jewels. The first to go was manager Mauricio Pochettino, who quit for Spurs. He was followed out the door by Luke Shaw, to United; and Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren to Liverpool. Shortly afterwards Calum Chambers set off for Arsenal. The spine of the team was sold off, and Southampton again dominated backpage headlines - this time generally attracting the word “exodus” twinned with the phrase “relegation candidates”. The club appointed a Dutch foot-balling heavyweight of their own, Ronald Koeman, in what may well prove to be a masterstroke, as the former Barcelona superstar has already proved as influential in attracting talent to St Mary’s as he was on the pitch in his heyday. KOEMAN’S COUPS On transfer deadline day, Koeman’s latest coups were the capture of Toby Alderweireld and Sadio

Mane. Both owed more to his powers of persuasion than those of Southampton’s cheque book. “I told him about our plans and our ambition ... and the way we play is a little bit Dutch,” Koeman said of his conversations with Alderweireld. A World Cup quarterfinalist with Belgium and a La Liga winner with Atletico

Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria passes the ball during their English Premier League soccer match against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley, northern England, last Saturday. (Credit: Reuters/Andrew Yates) Madrid, Alderweireld hardly fits the profile of a typical signing for Southampton, the modest club best known for selling on its promising players. “I knew Toby had some

Russia World Cup not under discussion, says Blatter

BERNE, (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has reiterated that Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup is not up for discussion. “We are not placing any questions over the World Cup in Russia,” he told an event near Kitzbuehel, Austria, according to DPA news agency. “We are in a situation in which we have expressed our trust to the organisers of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups,” he added. “A boycott has never achieved anything.” There have been calls from politicians for the tournament to be

FIFA president Sepp Blatter

taken elsewhere because of Russia’s role in the Ukraine crisis and its occupation of Crimea. Asked last week whether there was any risk that Russia could lose its right to hold the tournament due to the complicated political situation, President Vladimir

different offers, from bigger clubs ... but he took some time, thought about our conversation and that gave him confidence to join us,” Koeman smiled. The Belgian, weaned at Ajax’s academy, agreed. “I really want a trainer who believes in me, and he called me and said ‘I really want you to come’ ... That’s important to me,” the

Putin said: “I hope not. FIFA has already said football and sport are outside politics and I think that is the right approach.” Russia will host the 2018 World Cup at 12 stadiums in 11 cities, including two venues in Moscow. The 2022 World Cup will be played in Qatar which has also been criticised because of its alleged maltreatment of migrant workers in the construction industry. FIFA’s ethics committee is investigating the bidding process which led to the awarding of both tournaments in December 2010.

25-year-old Alderweireld said. Senegalese international striker Mane was a similar story. “He had interest from big clubs,” Koeman said. “But

the way we play, it is a good step for him. The future will come, he is only young,” Koeman added, hinting at the power of the Premier League as a shop window for talent. Koeman was by means alone in bringing exciting new overseas talent to modest English outfits. SHREWD MOVES Steve Bruce proved himself a master of the manoeuvre, garnishing Hull City’s squad with the likes of Mohamed Diame, Gaston Ramirez and Hatem Ben Arfa. That trio was signed from fellow Premier League sides, but the biggest signing was that of Uruguay World Cup striker Abel Hernandez from Serie A side Palermo for a reported 10 million pounds. “Abel is a fantastic signing and highlights just how far the club has come in such a short space of time,” said manager Steve Bruce, with customary understatement. Queen’s Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp famously railed at being described a “wheelerdealer” by a TV interviewer while managing Spurs some years ago, but did little to dispel that label with shrewd moves in the transfer market this time round, bringing in players on loan from Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and Napoli, as well as buying Brazilian Sandro from his old club Tottenham.

Unfashionable Stoke City also played the lure of the offer of Premier League minutes to great effect, capturing talent from Hanover, Barcelona and Dukla Banska Bystrica while Sunderland boosted their ranks with names from Inter Milan and Estudiantes. Swansea, too, scoured far and wide to clinch signings from Ostersunds FK, Espanyol, Napoli, Lyons, Gothenburg, Morelia and the less-exotic Falkirk. In total, English Premier League football clubs spent a record £835 million on hiring players during the summer transfer window as they reinvested cash from the latest round of broadcast deals. But more than anything, the pipeline of foot-balling talent flowing from the biggest leagues around the world into Britain underlines the attraction of the Premier League rather than simply the clubs’ financial might. Many of the signings were for small sums, and a lot of the incoming players arrived on loan deals. It soon became something of a mantra on Monday night for new signings to describe their transfer as a dream come true, and they should not be doubted, even if that dream is based on the league in which the players now find themselves, rather than the hue of the strip they will wear.

McGrath to train next generation of Indian pace bowlers MUMBAI, India (Reuters) Former Australia paceman Glenn McGrath will help groom the next generation of Indian pace bowlers after the Chennai-based pace foundation he heads signed a five-year deal with the Indian cricket board yesterday. Under the agreement, McGrath, who took 563 wickets in Tests and 381 in one-dayers, will train India’s current and upcoming fast bowlers at the MRF Pace Foundation during his visits to the country. “It has been a wonderful couple of years for me at the MRF Pace Foundation,”

Glenn McGrath said McGrath, who replaced countryman and fast bowling great Dennis Lillee as the foundation’s director in 2012. “I now eagerly look forward to working with India’s best at the

foundation,” said the 44-year-old former player known for his control and accuracy with the ball. “Our facilities compare favourably with the best in the world and I am eagerly looking forward to this challenge.” India’s fast bowling options over the years have been quite limited - one of the many reasons behind their dismal performance in away Test matches in recent years. They were recently thrashed 3-1 in England and will travel to Australia in November to play four Tests and a 50-over tri-series, also involving England.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

China’s Peng routs Swiss teen ‘The Amazon Warriors at to reach U.S. Open semis CPL 2014’ – A Critique

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - A long measure of grand slam patience paid off for Peng Shuai of China, who reached the semi-finals of the U.S. Open tennis yesterday by routing Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-1 in the Flushing Meadows heat. Peng, 28, delivered a master lesson to the 17-year-old Bencic in an unlikely quarter-final between unseeded players, winning the groundstroke rallies and unleashing pinpoint passing shot winners after luring the Swiss to the net with short balls. After 2013 junior world number one Bencic netted a backhand for her 19th unforced error on the first match point of the 64-minute clash, Peng pumped her fist in exaltation, but later was at a loss of words. Asked about reaching her first grand slam singles semi-final in her 37th attempt in a major, an emotional Peng took a few moments to collect herself. “This is amazing time for me,” said Peng, ranked world number one in doubles, but whose best singles result in 36 previous slams was to the fourth round. “A lot of tennis! It’s a long time, the career. It’s tough sometimes. I’m thinking to give up and stop play because I don’t know if I can make it or not.” Peng has won 16 doubles titles, most recently claiming the French Open title with Hsieh Su-wei, but has yet to win a tour singles title. “I really thank my coach, my parents. They always tell

me to fight and keep going and never ever give up. And this today was coming,” Peng said.

SURPRISING PATHS Peng and Bencic both carved out surprising paths to the quarter-finals. The 39th-ranked Chinese rattled off three impressive upsets in a row from the second round,

Peng Shuai of China reacts after her victory over Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in their quarterfinals match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Adam Hunger) ousting fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, 28th seed Roberta Vinci and 14th-seeded Lucie Safarova. Big-hitting Bencic, last year’s French and Wimbledon junior champion who is ranked 58th, also upset 31st seed Kurumi Nara, sixth seed Angelique Kerber and ninth-seeded Jelena Jankovic. Bencic was the youngest player to reach the U.S. Open quarters since compatriot Martina Hingis in 1997. Hingis, is

a friend and practice partner, whose mother Melanie Molitor coaches the up-and-coming Swiss player. The teenager had shown impressive composure in her run to the quarters, but the precision brilliance of Peng frustrated her. Bencic showed her frustration by muttering angrily at herself, and swiping at the air with her racquet. After falling behind 2-0 in the second set, she bickered with the umpire after being issued a coaching warning. Peng, meanwhile, stayed focused on business. The Chinese winner was never threatened in the one-sided contest, winning 54 points to 36, ripping 24 winners to double Bencic’s total, while committing only seven errors in a virtuoso performance. Peng will play either former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, the 10th seed from Denmark, or Italian 13th seed Sara Errani in the semi-finals. Top-seeded two-time defending champion Serena Williams used a medical timeout to have her right foot and ankle re-taped during the second set of her quarter-final doubles match against Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. Williams, playing with her sister Venus, appeared to be all right after timeout but it proved to be a disappointing performance. The fourth-seeded Russians went on to win 7-6(5), 6-4, advancing to the semi-finals after Serena double-faulted on the last two points of the match.

Stag Beer ‘West Side’ 5-A-Side football quarter-finals action tonight

TONIGHT, eight teams will play but only four will progress as the Ansa McAl/Stag Beer ‘West Side’ 5-A-Side football tournament reaches its quarter-finals stage. The Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac will once again be the venue for the event which will see the eventual winners of the tournament pocket $200 000. By all indications, the scores of persons who have been turning up nightly at the venue will be happy with the matchup that was made by virtue of how the teams performed and were seeded at the end of the preliminary round. In the opening game tonight, one of the tournament’s two undefeated teams; New Road Eagles will come up against Broad Street, the lone Georgetown team left in the competition. Even though they played undefeated, New Road Eagles

have not really impressed the masses unlike their foes and opponents in tonight’s quarterfinals. Broad Street seem sturdy and seasoned to this format of the game and can upstage the undefeated New Road Eagles team. It will be interesting to see if Showstoppers can create an upset when they clash with pre-tournament favourites Tuschen Up-TopYouths in game two. Behind Devon Millington and the entertaining John ‘Brown Boy’ Waldron, the side established themselves as the ‘team to beat’ in the inaugural tournament on the ‘West Side’. The two are undoubtedly the backbone of the Tuschen team and if they continue to improve in form, Showstoppers will be in for a long night. The Uitvlugt and Stewartville Gunners game

will ignite a rivalry that’s beyond football itself. Stewartville never failed to impress and have silently placed themselves as one the teams to watch in the tournament. Uitvlugt, on the other hand, loaded with the ‘Bobb brothers’ will do their best to ensure that they remain in the money hunt but it’s anticipated that this game will be the biggest of the evening. Vergenoegen All-Stars, the tournament’s other undefeated team and De Kinderen Village will feature in the night’s final game and will be an enthralling game. Both sides have unpredictably reached the knock-out stage and have established themselves as legitimate contenders. The semi-final is set for this Friday and the final on Sunday, September 7 at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac.

NOW that the curtain has come down on CPL 2014, arguably the biggest entertainment in the Caribbean Sports Calendar – “and the fat lady has sung’ - it would be appropriate to attempt a critique of the team’s performance under coach Roger Harper and captain Denesh Ramdin. The time-honoured adage “always a bridesmaid and never the bride” aptly describes the Amazon Warriors’ performance over the inaugural years of the CPL whereby the Warriors have emerged runners-up on both occasions. Let me start by quoting the famous cliché that “cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty” but it would appear that, in some instances, uncertainty characterised the posture of the Warriors administration which subsequently morphed into indecision, faulty choices and flawed options. One did not get the impression that strategies were formulated at planning sessions and adopted on the field of play. We did not witness tactics being devised and employed against particular batsmen nor were there any planned changes of approach and execution whenever the occasion dictated such a course of action. It is an exercise in futility (and moreover being wise after the event) to declare that with the benefit of hindsight. The batting order could have been re-arranged; Neesham should have batted more aggressively; scoring should have been more prolific; Chris Barnwell should have been promoted in the batting order; Chris Barnwell could have been used to bowl but the question of his economy rate precluded this. It is pertinent to note that Barnwell’s economy rate is approximately 7.5 - excellent for T20 Cricket - and compares favourably with other bowlers in the competition, but it would appear that this was not factored into the equation. As evidence of Barnwell’s bowling bona fides we are minded to recall his ability to defend 10 (ten) runs in the last over he bowled against the Jamaica Tallawahs in order for the Warriors to qualify for last year’s competition. Indeed there can be no justification to bowl Navin Stewart instead of Barnwell and it begs the question of the need to play him in the first place. Likewise Lendl Simmons - a batsman who sometimes bowl - was given a bowling spell of at least 3 overs in one of the games ahead of Permaul who did not even bowl an over in 2 matches. Similarly, when it was discovered from the early round of matches that Neesham should have batted more aggressively that was the moment to juxtapose Barnwell - a batting allrounder - who has continuously shown

his explosive nature with limited overs remaining almost every time he goes to the crease . The man in the street and every Amazon Warrior fan believes so. Perhaps the Warriors should have invested in designated “pinch hitters” in Trevor Griffith or Robin Bacchus and emulate the Tallawahs’ Russell or the Tridents’ Holder. It took an inordinately long time to realise that Neesham was not fulfilling the role he was selected for. In essence, the Guyanese on the Warriors team were not afforded the opportunity to showcase their talents so as to catch the nod of the West Indies Selectors. It cannot be denied that this marquee tournament assumes a seed-bed function for preferment to the West Indies side. Alas, this was made very pellucid in the recent selections of players to oppose Bangladesh - no Guyanese players being included but players from other Regional countries that played for Guyana were rewarded. I believe in a WIN/WIN situation by giving the lads an opportunity to express themselves and showcasing their talents. Today, I would have sat a happier man, more satisfied, knowing that we did not win the tournament but our Guyanese cricketers were given a chance to express themselves, market our brand and possibly won places on the West Indies representative teams . Great “strategists“ are relentless “thinkers”, who are pro-active rather than re-active and can analyse the dynamics of a situation and adopt appropriate measures as a counterpoint. Constantly weighing, evaluating, and executing pre-determined plans when confronted with changing circumstances and situations. Coach Harper was too laid back almost sedentary and did not exhibit the qualities of a dynamic leader who could have motivated the players under his charge to attempt that quantum leap and reach out to grasp CPL’s coveted crown. Amidst all the confusion created by Duckworth/Lewis fiasco and the knowledge that the match is about three hours and one hour for rain interruptions, coach Harper should have been at the centre of the conversation making representations and positing forceful objections to the feeble rationale for awarding the match to the Barbados Tridents. Suffice it to say, this did not seem to be the case. This critique could not be complete if the foresight and enterprising genius of Mr Bobby Ramroop, the owner of the Warriors was not given due recognition and kudos. Alfred Mentore President Demerara Cricket Club

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Berbice and Essequibo select Inter-county squads … Action commences tomorrow By Calvin Roberts WITH Demerara selectors naming their squad, led by Christopher Barnwell last Friday, to contest this year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior Intercounty tournament that bowls off tomorrow with the limited overs format, both Berbice and Essequibo have followed suit. For the Ancient County team, discarded West Indies middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine will handle the reins of captaincy, with West Indies left-arm orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul as his deputy. The Berbicians will be brimming with confidence as the defending champions in the four-day format of this tournament, having won last year’s rain-ruined tournament easily, following their 10-wicket victory over defending champions Demerara in the first round and first innings win over President’s XI in the previous round. Apart from Deonarine and Permaul, they also have in their lineup Rajiv Ivan, the in-form Jonathan Foo, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph and his new-ball partner in the vast-improving Raun Johnson, who all have

Narsingh Deonarine first class experience in various formats of the game for Guyana. There is also West Indies Under-19 leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, along with Kandasammy Surujnarine, Seon Hetmyer, Devon Clements and Romario Shepherd-DeJonge, who can all make up for the absence of Assad Fudadin and Devendra Bishoo, who along with Leon Johnson and Ronsford Beaton, left Guyana last Monday for a West Indies ‘A’ team encampment period in Barbados. For the Cinderella County, while they will be missing tremendously the services of Beaton, they will also have to compete in the tournament without Kemo Paul and Akil Wallace, who will be representing the debut

National Under-19 team in the tournament. However, they have at their disposal, the unrelated Anthony and Ricardo Adams, who have been named captain and vice-captain respectively, while former national Under-19 skipper Royston Alkins has returned home to represent the Cinderella County. Also selected to represent Essequibo is Anthony Ifill, who plays for Gandhi Youth Organisation in the Georgetown Cricket Association-organised tournaments, while brothers Royan and Norman Fredericks, Kevon Boodie and the hard-hitting Ricardo Peters are all in the Essequibo lineup. The four-day format of the tournament, sponsored jointly by telecommunications giant Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and insurance powerhouse Hand-in-Hand last year, will commence on September 18 with two matches. Berbice will take on Demerara at the world renowned Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground while the National Under-19 team and Essequibo will clash at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground simultaneously. The second round

bowls off September 24 until 27 and features Essequibo and Berbice at DCC, while Demerara and National Under-19 square off at Everest and from September 30 to October 1. The final round will be contested when the Under-19 team and Berbice

Anthony Adams will meet at Wales and Demerara and Essequibo clash at GCC. The National Under-19,

Raun Johnson (coach). Guyana U-19: Brian Sattaur (captain), Sharaz Ramcharran (v-captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemol Savory, Kemo Paul, Keon Morris, Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Steven Sankar, Akil Wallace, Nial Smith, Damion Waldron, Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed and Askay Homraj. David Black (manager), Adrian Amsterdam (coach).

50-Overs Fixture: Round 1: (September 4) - Essequibo vs. Demerara at Wales; Berbice vs Guyana U-19 at DCC. Round 2: (September 6) - Guyana U-19 vs Essequibo at DCC; Berbice vs Demerara at Everest. Round 3: (September 8) - Berbice vs Essequibo at Everest; Demerara vs Guyana U-19 at GCC. Final: September 13; Alternate day: September 14. Four-Day Fixture: Round 1: (September 18-21) - Berbice vs Demerara at GCC; Guyana U-19 vs Essequibo at DCC. Round 2: (September 24-27) - Essequibo vs Berbice at DCC; Demerara vs Guyana U-19 at Everest. Round 3: (September 30 - October 3) – Guyana U-19 vs Berbice at Wales; Demerara vs Essequibo at GCC.

T&T triple jumper sets new national record

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday September 03, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1)167 (2) 41 ODIs Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is Sunil Narine’s first ODI victim? (2) How many WI players, in making their ODI debut, played against Bangladeshi? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Essequibo and Berbice teams, along with fixtures for both the one-day and fourday formats are listed below for your perusal: Essequibo: Anthony Adams (captain), Ricardo Adams (v-captain), Royan Fredericks, Norman Fredericks, Kevon Boodie, Ricardo Peters, Royston Alkins, Vijay Surujpaul, Anthony Ifill, Hemchand Persaud, Eknauth Persaud, Mark Tyrell, Brian Herbert, Mark Gonsalves. Leroy Halls (manager), Vibert Johnson (coach). Berbice: Narsingh Deonarine (cCaptain), Veerasammy Permaul (v-captain), Kandasammy Surujnarine, Seon Hetmyer, Devon Clements, Jonathan Foo, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble, Jason Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Krishendat Ramoo, Keon Joseph, Raun Johnson. Albert Smith (manager), Hubern Evans

Ayanna Alexander disturbs the sand with a leap of 14.40 metres.

VIRGINIA, United States (CMC) - Celebrated Trinidad and Tobago athlete Ayanna Alexander has produced the best triple-jump performance of her career to erase her own national record at the 39th annual Potomac Valley Games in Virginia last Sunday. Alexander disturbed the sand with a leap of 14.40 metres, 0.49 metres better than the effort that earned her bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, in August. Her previous personal best

was 14.15m, achieved in May 2012, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. Alexander, 32, who represented Ashburn, is the only woman to fly the T&T flag at the Olympic Games in the triple-jump event and is the record holder of national championship titles – eight which she secured on a run from 2006 to 2013 Alexander’s recordbreaking leap has catapulted her from 39th to tenth on the 2014 world performance list.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 3, 2014

Golden Jaguars set to roar against Dominica today in Group 6 By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S senior national team will once again be in action tonight when Group 6 of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup tournament kicks off in St Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park at 17:30hrs. The last time the team, popularly known as the ‘Golden Jaguars’, played was during the 2012 Caribbean Cup tournament and after almost a two-year absence from the International scene, the coach Denzil Thompson-led squad will face Dominica in an attempt to rebuild a defunct national team. Dominica is not really known as a powerful football nation in the Caribbean and is ranked at 168 in the World by FIFA, compared to Guyana’s 153th ranking. The Jaguars’ inactivity saw them steadily slip down the ladder; something Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Christopher Matthias had stated publicly he’s least concerned about, since it doesn’t reflect the country’s ability to compete at the

highest level. In 2011 the second round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers saw Guyana grouped alongside Barbados, Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago - the undisputed favourites of the group, containing talented players such as Kenwyne Jones in the line-up. Yet Guyana managed to top the group and qualify for the CONCACAF semi-finals of World Cup qualifying for the first time in their history. This saw them draw with Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador, and their first group game was against Mexico at the famous Azteca Arena, where Guyana lost 3-1 in June 2012. A 2-2 draw against El Salvador was the only point Guyana managed to gain in the group, but the performances during the games against tough opposition suggested there was a lot of potential for the future within the team. But apart from captain Walter Moore, the other members of the

Golden Jaguars captain Walter Moore

Timeless Test hero dies … Oldest former Test player Norman Gordon closes innings at 103

SOUTH African Norman Gordon, who was the oldest former Test cricketer, has died at age 103 in Johannesburg. “Norman died peacefully yesterday morning in the flat where he lived for 60 years,” friend and former South Africa Test skipper Ali Bacher told reporters.. The former fast bowler played in the famous ‘timeless’ 1939 Durban Test, which lasted 10 days before being drawn because England had to catch a boat home. England were 42 runs short of victory when play was abandoned in a Test where Gordon bowled 92.2 eight-ball overs. That marathon spell remains a record for balls bowled by a fast bowler in a Test. Gordon played only five Tests - all against England during the 19381939 season - because his career coincided with World War II. Born Jewish, Gordon loved recalling an incident during his Test

Norman Gordon debut against England in Johannesburg when a spectator shouted “here comes the rabbi”. “Fortunately, I took five wickets in the innings,” Gordon said decades later in an interview, “and that shut him up for the rest of the tour”. After the war, Gordon played for the-then Transvaal until 1949 and concluded his firstclass career with 126 wickets from 29 first-class matches. A highlight for then 99-year-old Gordon was a surprise visit by West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara. Thrilled Gordon said at the time: “I was so

happy to meet him and could not believe what a modest person he was.” Lara was equally delighted after the meeting. “It was a humbling experience,” he recalled. “His appreciation of the game and knowledge of the changes to it since his last Test made me smile.” Larger than life, Gordon practised accountancy part-time until 94 and played golf until 96 when failing eyesight forced him to quit. Nicknamed ‘Mobil’ because he greased down his hair, Gordon cut a dashing figure at the height of his career, making him extremely popular with women. The death of Gordon leaves another South African, 95-year-old ex-fast-medium bowler Lindsay Tuckett, as the oldest living former Test cricketer. Australia’s oldest living Test cricketer is 92-year-old Arthur Morris. (CA)

history-making Golden Jaguars team were left out of the squad as the Matthias-led GFF claimed to embark on a rebuilding process with the 2018 World Cup being their primary focus. Prior to their departure, Thompson, speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport, had stated that winning or advancing in the CFU Caribbean Cup is not their immediate focus, but “it’s the beginning stage to a four-year plan. I’m aware that everyone will come with their best players but we have to play with what we have. I don’t want everyone to expect wonders from this bunch of players but I ask that everyone will encourage and support them and stop talking negatively and just embrace the team” Moore will lead a relatively inexperienced National team which questions the GFF’s motive of fielding a young team that can still compete since most of the players will be making their international debut. The squad reads: Goalkeepers

Oswald Cornette and Dorville Stewart; Defenders Steffon Ramsay, Walter Moore, Quincy Adams, Adrian Adonis, Joshua Browne and Trevon Lythcott; Midfielders Eusi Phillips, Jahal Greaves, Eon Alleyne, Mark Jhalu and Jamaal Harvey and Forwards Delwin Fraser, Delroy Fraser, Shaquille Agard, Clarence Huggins and William Europe. The manager is Carlos Bernard while the head coach is Denzil Thompson, assistant coach Dwain Babb, physical trainer Germin Craig and physiotherapist Lacretia Abiola Blair. Guyana will play St Lucia on Friday and then clash with the hosts two days later. The top two finishers in the group will advance to the next round. The Caribbean Cup will decide several teams that will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and, on this occasion, one which will obtain an automatic berth to the Centennial America Cup 2016.

Hosts cart off Sixes title LAST SUNDAY, the Executive Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) hosted and won a Sixes cricket tournament at their Shiv Chanderpaul Drive ground, with the aim of realising funds for a drainage project at the club. Being held for the second time at the venue, the oneday tournament saw three teams, representing various corporate businesses, go up against a GCC member, with the corporate teams being invited to compete, as a means of encouragement, while they also got the chance

to showcase their cricketing talent. The four teams were National Hardware, Noble House, Sterling Products and GCC Members and after some strongly contested games, the final was played between National Hardware and the GCC Members team, where the host team came out victorious, leaving their opponents to settle for the runner-up spoils. The Man-ofthe-Match, Best Bowler and Batsman got cash prizes. The GCC Under-11 cricketers also got a chance to play on a first class wicket

that was prepared, giving them the experience of playing in front of a crowd and speaking during the presentation ceremony which followed. GCC president Lionel Jaikarran said he hoped the guests had a wonderful day at the venue. Jaikarran believes that with the new drainage at the Bourda ground more games can be played without the fear of flooding, as the club was gaining its popularity once again and such tournaments would help to ensure a bright future for the oldest club in the Caribbean.

Usain Bolt wows... Team Bolt comprised his best friend Nugent Walker Junior and Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh among others while India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup winning hero Yuvraj had pacer Zaheer Khan among others in his team for the faceoff titled ‘Bolt and Yuvi – Battle of the Legends’. Team Bolt required 10 runs off the last two balls and the very first ball Bolt hammered part-time offspinner Aditya Tare for a six straight over his head. With four runs required off the last ball, Bolt tried

a massive heave but missed. Just when Yuvraj and his team started to celebrate, Ajay Jadeja, who hosted the match, played his part to the script of the entertainment value of the contest. He called a no-ball much to the delight of Bolt, who did not lose the opportunity to whack the free-hit out of the park for a six, helping his side pull off a win in the contest organised by sportswear giant PUMA. Both Bolt and Yuvraj are PUMA ambassadors. Batting first, Team Yuvraj made 58 in the stipulated four overs with Yuvraj

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and Tare scoring 24 off 14 balls and 30 off 11 balls respectively. Yuvraj blasted four boundaries and one six and Tare five fours and a six. Though Yuvraj was stumped early on, he continued to bat, courtesy the format where captains of the sides were allowed to play throughout their respective overs. Earlier, in the bowl-out contest, both Team Yuvraj and Team Bolt, drew each other, gaining three points each. But Bolt prevailed.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

Golden Jaguars set to roar against Dominica today in Group 6 See Story on page 39

BCB plans month-long activities for Diamond Jubilee celebrations

By Calvin Roberts WHENEVER an entity is founded, the first thing the administrators look at is sustainability for a period of time, especially if the newly formed entity is a sports-related one. In September of 1939, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) was formed to administer the gentleman’s game of cricket in the Ancient County and last Sunday at the St Francis Community Development Centre, the BCB hosted a 75th anniversary dinner, which kick-started their Diamond Jubilee month of celebrations. Public Relations Officer (PRO) and head of the Special Events Committee of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, told his audience which included His Excellency President Donald Ramotar,

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy as well as former Test players Basil Butcher and Sewdat Shivnarine, that a month of activities is planned to celebrate the achievement. The Ancient County of Berbice has contributed significantly towards the development of cricket in Guyana and the West Indies, with their first Test player being the late John Trim, who in 1948, made his debut for the West Indies. After Trim, 16 males and one female have followed in his footstep – Rohan Kanhai, Ivan Madray, Basil Butcher, Joseph Solomon, Roy Fredericks (deceased), Alvin Kallicharran, Leonard Baichan, Sewdat Shivnarine, Clayton Lambert, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Narsingh Turn to page 33

Chronicle Sport photographer Adrian Narine was on hand to witness and capture President Donald Ramotar making a presentation to the niece of the greatest cricketer from Berbice, Rohan Kanhai.

Usain Bolt wows Bangalore, with the bat BANGALORE Press Trust of India Sprint superstar Usain Bolt yesterday wowed his Indian fans in his trademark style in a brief exhibition cricket contest against Yuvraj Singh in his maiden trip to the country. Bolt showcased his cricketing talent in front of an enthusiastic 6 000-odd crowd who turned up at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to have a glimpse of the ‘fastest man on earth’ as his team beat Yuvrajled side in seven-a-side cricket match. Team Bolt clinched a thrilling last-ball victory over Team Yuvraj in the match which had four

overs for each team. The Jamaican, the first man to win six Olympic sprint gold medals, blasted his way to a 19-ball 45, studded with five sixes including three off Yuvraj, as his team chased down the 59-run target in the last ball off the match. Though the crowd was small by the standard of a Bolt event, the spectators showed their enthusiasm as they cheered at every shot the showman from Jamaica hit, though the contest was meant for entertainment and not for any cricketing ability. Yuvraj though had his ‘sweet revenge’ as he ‘defeated’ Bolt in the 100-metre sprint on the track, which culminated the spectacular event which was played in an electrifying atmosphere. Bolt, who holds both the world records of 100m and 200m, ‘allowed’ Yuvraj to win the race. As he went past the finishing line, Yuvraj celebrated the ‘victory’ in mobotstyle which Bolt had done during 2012 London Olympics by imitating celebrated Olympic gold medallist sprinter Usain Bolt strikes his trademark pose with Yuvraj Singh British long distance runner Mo Farah. during a friendly cricket match in Bangalore. (Source: PTI) Turn to page 39

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014