2015 7 11

GUYANA No. 104247

SATURDAY JULY 11, 2015

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Harmon confirms…

PRICE: $80

Gov’t to appeal third term ruling by Chief Justice

3

Page

Rupununi teachers charged for flogging female students

Laptops for NGSA Top 1% performers

Page

7

Page

2

- as Education Ministry awards top achievers

INCLUDING VAT

Canecutter critical after rum Page shop chopping 6 CRG number plates soon for all State owned Page vehicles 8

Shot East Canje businesswoman out Page of ICU 13

‘CONGRATULATIONS!’ In photo, from left, are Chief Education Officer Mr Olato Sam along with Miss Guyana United Kingdom, Zena Bland; Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; and chairperson of the ceremony ACEO (Primary) Mr Marcel Hutson, posing with the Top 1% students who excelled at the recent NGSA exams (Delano Williams photo)

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Laptops for NGSA Top 1% performers - as Education Ministry awards top achievers

THE Ministry of Education presented laptops to the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Top 1% performers at the Princess Hotel and Fun City yesterday, in recognition of their outstanding performances.

Attending the event were Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Chief Education Officer, Mr Olato Sam; as well as parents, teachers, Regional Education Officers, and Senior Functionaries of the Ministry of Education.

The students were also treated to a fun-filled day of games, movies and refreshments.

The three top performances, Solomon Cherai, Shania Eastman and Celine Farinha received tickets from Fly Jamaica airline to visit any of their destinations.

The simple ceremony celebrated the achievements of the students and also brought recognition to the hard work of the parents and teachers for bringing students to this point in their lives. Chief Education Officer, Mr Olato Sam, in his opening remarks encouraged parents to continue to support their children through their Secondary education as

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine posing with St. Margaret’s Primary top performers – all of whom are Queen’s College bound they did during Nursery and Primary.

He noted that the trend of parents allowing children to go through their secondary school life with little or no support, needs to stop. “It needs to be reversed,” he said. Mr Sam also encouraged parents to be partners in this process. “We know that successful students at every level of this education system are successful because of the quality of the support they received not just from the institutions they attend but, from their families,” he continued.

He noted that the Ministry of Education will work and support the efforts of the other students who sat NGSA this year as they too have worked hard.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine as he ad-

dressed the gathering of more than one hundred and sixty students and their parents.

NGSA is an achievement for the school system as much as it is for the students who sat the exams.

Dr Roopnaraine, in his address, acknowledged that the private schools have been putting out top performers asserting that, “we had become accustomed to a history of excellence from our public school system, but somewhere along the line, the primacy of public education at the primary level has been challenged.”

In conceding that private institutions account for approximately half of the total showing in the top one percent, he said that the rise of private primary education should be seen as a challenge for the public See center page

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Harmon confirms…

Gov’t to appeal third term ruling by Chief Justice

By Ravin Singh

FOLLOWING a ruling by Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang that the barring of a third-term presidential run was unconstitutional, the Government of Guyana has signalled its intention to appeal the matter, taking it to its legal limits for a reversal of the decision.

This was confirmed yesterday by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who revealed during a telephone interview, that Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams had assured him on Thursday last, in the National Assembly, that there will be an appeal.

The presidential term limit which was provided for in the Constitution, through the constitutional amendment made in the 2001 Herdmanston Constitutional Reform process, was quashed by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Thursday last, after it was challenged by private citizen, Cedric Richardson, earlier in the year.

Richardson questioned the way in which the Constitution was amended, which was through a two/thirds majority in the National Assembly, and contended that this was illegal. He offered rather, that such a decision should be made by way of a

referendum.

In his ruling on Thursday, Chang stated , “The alteration or replacement of the original 1980 preamble was effected

by Act 6 of 2001 which did not receive the approval of Guyanese citizens by way of referendum; yet it declares

and without legal effect for reason of non compliance,” the ruling read.

Additionally, the Chief Justice (Ag) noted that Article 9 of Guyana’s Constitution guarantees the Guyanese people sovereignty ‘through their representatives and the

Chief Justice (Ag), Ian Chang

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

‘as citizens of Guyana, we adopt these fundamental laws and make provisions for their amendments to reflect changes in our society.’

“In so far as it seeks to trench on and to dilute the pre-existing democratic rights of the electorate to elect as president a person of their own choice, needed a referendum and is invalid

democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.’

“The purported alteration of Article 90 by the Act No. 17 of 2001, in substance and effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President...The court therefore holds that Act

No. 17 of 2001, in so far as it seeks to trench on and dilute the pre-existing democratic rights of the electorate to elect as President, a person of their choice,” Chang said in support of his ruling.

He further argued that the term limits “in substance and

Former Guyanese Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Professor Justice Duke Pollard effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic right of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as president by excluding from presidential candidature.”

Inheriting the role as a defendant is Attorney General, Basil Williams, along with Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, who had been enlisted as one of the

two defendants when the writ was filed in the High Court.

Offering a comment on Thursday, Trotman disclosed that the ruling will more than likely be the subject of an appeal, since, “something like this which goes to the heart of our Constitution has to be tested by the highest court which is the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice).”

According to the Governance Minister, “What we have to look at is the fact that this decision has implications for all of the raft of reforms that comes under the Herdmanston reform process... all of them may very well fall under the hammer...you may be thinking that you are going at one provision, but really and truly, this ruling, if allowed to stand, would really set apart and wash away all of the reforms that were put in place during the Herdmanston reform process...it cuts into and cuts across the full gamut of reforms.”

Meanwhile, Former Guyanese Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Professor Justice Duke Pollard, weighed in on the issue, offering in a letter to the press that, “The judgment is arguably tendentious, occasionally pleonastic, bereft of sustained rationality, strangely and curiously, not to mention inexcusably, eschewed the application of the required rule of statutory

interpretation in construing the provisions of Article 1 of the Guyana Constitution, given the concatenation of genus-describing attributes employed therein.”

“In my respectful submission, therefore, the determination of our learned Chief Justice in Cedric Richardson v Attorney General and Raphael Trotman is irretrievably flawed and is likely to be overturned on appeal, given among other deficiencies, an arguably perception of bias by reference to the relevant provisions of the Bangalore Draft Principles and the Latimer House Guidelines on judicial conduct,” Justice Pollard said in his letter.

He further expressed that in the ultimate analysis, our Constitution, the supreme law, relieved Parliament of the need to secure approval of Act No.17 of 2001 by referendum.

“And where the Constitution has been expressed to be the supreme law as in Guyana, and has pronounced clearly, definitively and conclusively on an issue, as in the Proviso of Article 164(2) of the Guyana Constitution, no judge should dare to tread contrarily. lest judicial determinations be unwittingly construed as trumping constitutional supremacy” the Professor submitted.

Suicide attempts lead to seminar at Anna Regina

A TWENTY-seven-year-old man of Onderneeming Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast ingested a poisonous substance on Thursday in an attempt to end his life.

According to reports, the man was

rushed by relatives to the hospital and admitted. Reports said the man drank the poison after allegedly suffering from personal problems.

Doctors and nurses at the hospital are trying to save his life.

And last Sunday, an 18-year-old of Jibb/Paradise on the Essequibo Coast, died at the Charity Hospital after ingesting a quantity of gramoxone poison. She had been having problems with her boyfriend.

Yesterday, a seminar was held in the

Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court Hall to address the growing suicide problem in the country. The focus of the seminar was on the National Suicide Prevention Programme of the Ministry of Public Health.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Al Shabaab attacks hotels in Somali capital, six civilians killed

(Reuters) AT least six civilians and four militants were killed when al Shabaab Islamists attacked two hotels in the center of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, police said.

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the Wehliya Hotel and said it had also laid siege to another hotel in the city, the Siyad, where gunfire continued into the night near the presidential palace.

“Three fighters have been

shot dead and another blew himself up inside the car bomb that hit the gate. The operation here is finished.

So far we know six civilians died,” Umar Ali, a police officer, told Reuters from near Wehliya hotel.The hotel is frequented by top government officials but the identity of the dead was not immediately clear.

Mohamed Osman, a guest at the Wehliya who was breaking his Ramadan fast at a restaurant inside when the

Somali government soldiers arrive at the scene of an explosion at the gate of Wehliya hotel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, July 10, 2015. Reuters/Feisal Omar

attack began, said he had been shot in the leg.

Another police officer, who gave his name as Abdirahman, confirmed the Siyad was also under attack.

“We understand operation in the Siyad hotel has not been completed,” he said, adding details of any casualties there were not yet available.

Residents in the area said there was heavy gunfire and explosions coming from the hotel.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah says Assad regains momentum after setbacks large-scale rebel attacks had disproved predictions that President Bashar al-Assad’s days were num-

(Reuters) LEBANESE militia group Hezbollah said on Friday that the Syrian army’s resistance to recent

DATE: 08/07/2015 F

Idlib fell, some said that Syria was finished and they began counting days,” Nasrallah told supporters in a speech in the group’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

The momentum that had swept Islamic State and more moderate rebel groups to a series of swift victories over the army appears to have slowed in two major attacks aimed at capturing the cities of Aleppo in the north and

bered.

In a speech to mark the annual pro-Palestinian “Quds day”, Lebanese Shi’ite leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the army had taken the initiative since losing most of Idlib province to an Islamist alliance including al Qaeda’s Nusra Front.

Hezbollah is allied with the army and fights alongside it in Syria.

“Just recently, when

18 01 16 07 20 26 14

09/07/2015

04

05

09

12

18

09/07/2015

6

Deraa in the south. [L8N0ZP3Y0] The rebel offensives have so far failed to make much headway in the face of stiff resistance by the army, which has used its superior air power to pound their positions.

The army is also closing in on Islamic State militants in control of ancient Palmyra in central Syria, with troops seeking to recapture the city of Roman ruins currently around about 10 km (six miles) away.

Iranian-backed Nasrallah said the army had taken back the initiative across most frontlines, including the border city of Zabadani, near the Beirut-Damascus highway, where it and Hezbollah are fighting three years of rebel control.

“What happened in the last few weeks is clear that the scene has changed. The

4

0

09/07/2015

steadfastness of the Syrian army in facing the great campaign in Deraa, Sweida, Hasaka and Aleppo,” Nasrallah told supporters.

Separately, a mortar round fired by Islamic State militants caused a major fire at a Syrian government building in the northeastern city of Hasaka, which firefighters put out, state television reported on Friday.

Earlier, a Syrian army source said the militants had blown up a third explosive-laden car in the eastern part of the city. The source said there were casualties but gave no further details.

The hardline militant group continues to stage lightning attacks inside the city after being driven out of some districts following a failed offensive last month to capture Hasaka, capital of Syria’s main oil- and grain-producing province.

15 04 09 14 02 07 12

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Morales crucifix gift to Pope Francis causes stir A CRUCIFIX sculpted in the shape of a hammer and sickle presented to Pope Francis in Bolivia has caused a stir among Catholic commentators.

The Pope was given the item, combining Catholic and communist symbols, by left-wing Bolivian President Evo Morales.

One Catholic bishop suggested that Mr Morales had sought to “manipulate God”.

But while some reports said the Pope was taken aback by the present, the Vatican has played down any row.

The crucifix was based on a design by Luis Espinal, a Jesuit Priest assassinated in 1980 by right-wing militia to whom Pope Francis paid tribute during his trip.

Bolivia’s communications minister, Marianela Paco, told Bolivian radio: “The sickle evokes the peasant, the hammer the carpenter, representing humble workers, God’s people,” adding there was “no other” motive behind the gift.

There are differing inter-

Much has been read into the Pope’s expression on receiving the gift pretations of Pope Francis’ thoughts on it.

Some reports say the Pope was embarrassed, telling Mr Morales “this isn’t good”.

But the Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said it was more likely Pope Francis had expressed surprise at the origins of the gift.

“I don’t think I would put this symbol on an altar in a church however,” he added.

The Pope himself has been accused of having Marxist leanings, after mounting strong criticisms of capitalism and inequality.

One of the strongest reactions came from Spanish bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla, who tweeted: “The height of arrogance is to manipulate God for the service of atheist ideologies.”

Police Service sets 2015 target…

Bid to push serious crimes down to 10,500

(Trinidad Guardian) ACTING Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams says the T&T Police Service has a strategy to combat escalating gang violence in Chaguanas as it plans to reduce serious crimes by 14 per cent by the end of 2015.

In the wake of several murders and shootings in the troubled Enterprise community, Williams said he had assured residents of a greater police presence to restore order.

Speaking at a ceremony to award officers who did not abuse their sick leave at Southern Division’s police administration building, San Fernando, Williams said there had been an overall drop in crime in 2015 and they were aiming to reduce serious crimes to approximately 10,500.

In 2014, serious crime totalled 12,055 and murders 403.

He said police would continue their hot-spot policing and increase patrols as they had a larger fleet of vehicles to use.

“We are in mid-year and we are seeing a drop in serious crimes. In all crime types, including murders, we are seeing a drop and we will spend the next several months right down to December focusing on driving crime further down.

“By way of projection, if we can get around 14 per cent reduction in serious crime, we will get down to a figure of around 10,500.

“I am not saying that is the figure we will get I am saying that as an organisation we are working towards getting there.

“Less crime is a positive thing for T&T because every time there is a crime, it is a citizen affected by the efforts of a criminal. In those circumstances we are looking at having less crime, so fewer citizens are adversely affected by crime.”

He also commended the Enterprise community for their proposed peace march on Saturday, saying that citizens were stakeholders in their own safety.

Gov’t to spend $12m to beef up prison security (Trinidad Express) GOVERNMENT has agreed to pump $12 million into beefing up security in prisons, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage for all facilities, Minister of Justice and Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar announced Thursday.

Experts advising Government have indicated the sum is a good head start to outfitting all the country’s prisons, said Ramadhar, who added he has seen video footage of the “ungodly” things that occur in prison and of the abuse officers are sometimes faced with in the execution of their duties.

Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet news briefing, at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Ramadhar said this means at least 100 cameras should bring to light what happens inside these facilities.

A series of uprisings and clashes between prisoners and officers flared up this year, the most recent within the last few weeks.

The personal security of officers, even when off duty, is a nagging con- cern, president of the Pri- son Officers’ Association Ceron Richards has said.

Last month, one officer was stabbed in the face by an inmate at the Maximum Security Prison while an officer reported his neighbour spotted gunmen on his property while he was not at home.

Also last month, the homes of three prison officers were shot at.

Last month also saw an incident described by Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Stewart as a “disturbance” between prison officers and inmates, at the Remand Prison in Arouca.

Stewart had denied the incident was a “riot” and had said force was used on prisoners, 25 of whom were injured and had to be taken to hospital while at least five officers were badly beaten. Prison officers have repeatedly complained of the freedoms being afforded to prisoners because of the lack of security technology, including a proliferation of cellular telephones that officers claim are being used to issue orders from behind bars.

Long-awaited body scanners here The State on Tuesday received a batch of long-awaited body scanners and cellular telephone grabbers and jammers, Ramadhar said, adding, “Many ungodly things come out of cellphones in prisons.”

The move was well-received by Richards, who said officers have been waiting for a technological upgrade “since time immemorial”.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

EDITORIAL What to do about Crime IT is plain for all to see that crime continues to plague Guyana. When in Opposition, the now governing parties had blamed the then governing PPP/C. Now that the PPP/C is in Opposition, it is laying the blame squarely on the steps of the APNU+AFC Government.

This is what political parties do - criticise and blame each other for the country’s shortcomings.

But our parties must know by now that putting a dent in the crime situation needs more than political rhetoric.

Innocent lives are being lost. People are being dispossessed of their earnings. Fear stalks the land. While high crime rates is a fact of life in most countries around the world, poor countries such as Guyana, lack the resources to tackle it in

a consistent manner. Often, criminals have superior firepower than the Police. It is for that reason that prevention and deterrence are our best approach.

Since coming to power less than two months ago, the new Government, through its Minister of Public Security, has made some small moves in the direction of arresting the crime situation. In addition, the President held a summit with his top security officials. But the Government needs to do more than that. Should the situation continue, the Government’s ability to effectively govern would be seriously undermined. It is tempting to instruct the police to adopt a shoot-onsight approach. This has been tried before without much success. In any case, the human rights consequences of this approach are

PPP/C Elections Petition…

Senior counsel to request further particulars from petitioner

By George Barclay

PETITIONER Ganga Persaud has filed an Election Petition on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (Civic) list of candidates.

Among other things, he is contending that notwithstanding there was international acclamation that the Election was free and fair, he is asking the court to find that the contrary is the case.

But Senior Counsel Mr. Rex Mc Kay, who will be leading a team of lawyers representing the coalition, is to ask petitioner Ganga Persaud to forward further particulars.

It was learnt that after such particulars have been forwarded, lawyers representing Dr. Harold Lutchman, representative of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU + AFC) List of Candidates, will get down to work.

They will then file an affidavit in answer and the court will begin taking arguments.

At the elections on May 11, 2015, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change secured 207, 200 votes.

The Independent Party 344 votes National Independent Party - 262 votes People’s Progressive Party/ Civic - 202,694 votes The United Force (TUF) 1, 080 votes United Republican Party

432 votes.

According to the petitioner, the said elections were unlawfully conducted and/or that the results of the said elections (if lawfully conducted) were affected or might have been affected by unlawful acts or omissions.

The elections he said, were not held in conformity with the law in relation to elections, more particularly, the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act Chapter 103.

too costly.

We know that there is a linkage between poverty, poor education, unemployment and crime. We know that corruption and crime go hand in hand. We know that the prevalence of the narco-underworld is a clear and present danger as far as crime is concerned. We know that a compromised Police Force is a crucial deterrent to crime fighting. We know that a preponderance of illegal guns on the streets is a root cause of the problem. We know that the growth of criminal gangs with connections to high places is a contributory factor in the inability of the State to combat crime.

We know that the glorification of criminals as role models by sections of the society has compromised the wider society

GUYANA

as an agent of crime fighting. We know that the increased lure of material wealth drives a lot of our young people in the direction of crime. We know that the existence of gunmen-for-hire has compounded the problem.

We know that in our fragile ethnic reality, crime could assume an ugly ethnic face.

We know that there is a relationship between crime and economic growth. We know that foreign and local investment do not flourish in a crime ridden environment.

We know that tourists stay away from areas with high crime rates. We know that we can’t fight crime and beat back the Venezuelan threat at the same time.

We know that fighting crime is a national undertaking that should cut across partisan lines.

So what to do? The Government is unable to right all of those ills listed above in the nearterm. Even if it is able to muster the necessary financial and technical resources, the situation is too deep-seated and complex to be turned around in short order.

Yet things cannot be allowed to drift. Some drastic intervention is

needed. Citizens who complain about the situation may have to be prepared to give up some liberties to ensure some modicum of order.

And the Government has to be prepared to make some unpopular decisions. In the final analysis, either we beat crime or our country remains in the backwater of the civilised world.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We sincerely apologise to our readers for the erroneous statement in yesterday’s Editorial which said that the Opposition PPP/C had taken up its seats in the National Assembly. The Editorial was written early in the day when it was believed that the PPP/C would have been there. Later in the day, after the PPP/C had not turned up, we made the correction in our system. The correct version of the Editorial did appear on our Online edition, but the mistake regrettably slipped through the system and appeared in our print version of the newspaper. We regret the embarrassment this has caused.

Harvester critical after rum shop chopping

By Leroy Smith

MICHAEL Dorway, of age 31, and of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, was up to late Friday evening a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition after he was chopped several times about the body after an argument.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that Dorway and another friend were drinking at a rum shop in Cane Field, East Canje, when an argument broke out between them and another group of men at approximately 01:30 hrs on Friday morning over the music which was being played in the bar.

It was reported that Dorway and his friend wanted operators of the shop to play English music, while the other group wanted them to play Indian music.

Sources close to the investigation stated that one of the men from the other group pushed Dorway, who retaliated by pushing the man back and a fight broke out.

The friends of the other man then joined in and came to his

The injured Dorway on a hospital stretcher

defence, inflicting several chops about Dorway’s body.

After seeing this, Dorway’s friend fled the shop and made his way to the Reliance Police Station where he reported the incident. The police then responded promptly, but when they arrived they found that the man was lying in a pool of blood while his assailants had already fled the scene.

The injured man was picked

up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was treated, stabilised and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in the company of his wife and brother.

B y d a w n y e s t e r d a y, the police who had earlier launched a manhunt for Dorway’s assailants were able to arrest three persons in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, the injured man’s wife yesterday via mobile phone explained that doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital have informed her that her husband has lost a lot of blood and that he was in a critical condition.

She also informed this newspaper that her husband was chopped to the head, feet, belly and hands during the attack, but was able to communicate with her and other relatives who have travelled to Georgetown.

The woman said that she was preparing to travel back to Berbice yesterday afternoon, since their five-year-old daughter was back home and staying with a neighbour.

Dorway’s badly chopped right foot Asked about staying in Georgetown to cut costs, the woman said that she has no relatives in Georgetown and would have loved if someone could assist her in that regard, since travelling back and forth from Berbice is financially hard for herself and family at this time.

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Rupununi teachers charged for flogging female students ––ministry to intervene once action taken

THE teachers who were involved in the flogging of two female students from the Awarewanau Primary School and a school in Deep South Rupununi, Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Esse-

Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

quibo) have already been charged by the Teaching Service Commission and action is expected to be taken soon.

This was according to the Chief Education Officer Mr Olato Sam, who told this publication that investigations have long been completed as the teachers were sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. However, subsequent action is yet to be recommended by the Commission.

The teachers were already involved in court proceedings which prevented the Ministry of Education from taking any action. Sam said once the matter is fully resolved by the commission, the ministry will take steps to conduct internal investigations.

A video clip was first posted on Facebook about a month ago and clearly showed two female students who were stripped and whipped, while being restrained, as their classmates looked on.

The girls appeared to be around 13 and 15 years old. They were beaten with a “cow skin belt” and as a result, were hospitalised.

With the advent of the new Administration, Sam is hoping that the Corporal Punishment Act will be fully enforced throughout Guyana as it is high on their agenda. Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine had recently declared that

Chief Education Officer, Mr Olato Sam

the abolition of corporal punishment in the nation’s schools is high on his agenda.

“The environment cannot be a learning one if the problem of corporal punishment persists,” asserted Dr. Roopnaraine in a recent interview.

Corporal punishment, the minister posited, serves only as a demonstration of psychological scarring; additionally, he asserted that it is time classrooms are transformed into ideal places of learning.

He said that he intends to do whatever he could to adjust the relevant legislation and will, with every fibre of his being, strive to eradicate this problem from schools.

The Ministry of Education in 2007 had conducted a survey on the use of corporal punishment in schools.The survey had revealed that 53% of schools use corporal punishment as a means of maintaining discipline.

Article 37 of the Rights of Children (ROC) in Guyana dictates that “No child should be subject to torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.”

Going the extra mile in fighting crime …

Police Corporal recovers unlicensed - after removing his uniform, searching gun from trench muddy waters in dead of night

By Leroy Smith

POLICE Corporal Marlon Longhorn should be commended for going the extra mile to ensure that an illegal gun is taken off the city streets.

On Thursday evening, the police rank who was reportedly heading a police mobile patrol, stripped down to his underwear and plunged into a trench on Laing Avenue to retrieve an unlicensed weapon.

The firearm reportedly was tossed over-

board by the driver of a car that the ranks were about to search.

This newspaper learnt that the ranks were patrolling the area when they observed the grey Allion motorcar PMM 6285 being driven by one Orin David, 30 years old, of Laing Avenue.

As the police ranks were about to carry out the search on David and the vehicle, ranks observed that he tossed a silver-looking object from the car into the trench.

When they approached him and ques-

tioned him about the object he had tossed into the water, he attempted to make them believe that it was nothing of significance; but after being grilled intensely by the ranks, he admitted that it was a firearm.

It was at that point that the Police Corporal decided to remove his uniform, plunge into the trench and search for the weapon.

As a result, he came up with the 9MM pistol after a few dives, even though the place was almost pitch-dark.

The incident occurred at approximately

21:30 hrs, according to information this publication received. The police were also able to recover a magazine and 12 rounds of live ammunition. The serial number on the weapon was filed off, making it difficult for the investigators to determine the origin.

It was subsequently confirmed that Orin David is not the holder of a firearm licence. The car the man was driving was impounded as he remained in police custody. Further investigations into the matter are being conducted.

‘Trunkers’ fined for attempting to break and enter car A FISHERMAN and his accomplice, a pensioner, were Thursday fined $75,000 each by Magistrate Judy Latchman for attempting to break and enter a car.

Fifty-one-year-old Albert DeFrietas of Lot 100 Leopold Street, Georgetown, and 65-year-old Berty Gulliver of Robert Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, were both found guilty of the offence that said on Friday, January 23 at the Kitty Seawall, Georgetown, they attempted to break and enter and steal from the motorcar of Praim Narine.

The case is being prosecuted by Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt and both men are being represented by Attorney-at-Law Mr. Jad Vasconcellos. However, both men main-

tained their not guilty pleas throughout the trial.

DeFrietas was given the option to lead a defence and chose to give unsworn statements, during which he told the court that he had met with an accident one day before this incident.

DeFrietas called upon his son Albert DeFrietas jnr to testify on his behalf. Albert junior gave sworn testimonies, in which he told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) who is a police constable is always in a habit of harassing him and his father. He related to the court an incident involving himself and constable Narine, which his mother had reported to the Police Complaints Authority.

Magistrate Latchman in her ruling stated that the court found Albert jnr to be an unhelpful witness, since he cannot say what took place at the Kitty Seawall.

According to the prosecution, Gulliver drove his car alongside another car, after which DeFrietas made his way out of his accomplice’s car. DeFrietas then proceeded to towards the other car and inserted an object that appeared to be a key in the lock. Subsequently, Narine shouted at DeFrietas and he tried to escape with Gulliver, but they were later apprehended.

The magistrate found that based on the evidence, both men were found guilty as charged for the offence, De Freitas for break-

ing and entering the vehicle and Gulliver who acted as his consort, transporter and accomplice for his safe escape.

In mitigation, defence counsel asked that his clients be fined rather than given custodial sentences. He pleaded that Gulliver has a health condition; Counsel said De Freitas is the sole breadwinner for his family and a father of five with previous charges but no prior convictions. As it relates to Gulliver, he is married and is presently a taxi driver.

A failure to pay the fine will result in one month’s imprisonment for each of the convicts. However, they pleaded with the court for some time to pay the fine and were granted until yesterday.

8

PI into Dexter Lindo murder to start this month

THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of Dexter Lindo, an alleged bandit, who was shot and killed by a licensed firearm holder will begin this month at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.

The charge of murder was laid against Lawrence Wayne, who is alleged to have killed Lindo in August 2014.

When the matter was first called, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru had stated that the defendant managed to flee the jurisdiction. However, he was subsequently arrested when he came back to Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after arriving on a flight from Barbados. The man was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in May, when he appeared before her and the matter

was transferred to Magistrate Ann McLennan.

According to the police report, around 13:15 hrs on Saturday, August 23, 2014, two men armed with handguns entered the Wayne Beverage Paradise stall at Merriman Mall, Bourda, Georgetown. Upon seeing the men, the female owner ran and raised an alarm, and a licensed firearm holder responded.

It was further alleged that the two armed men entered a waiting motor vehicle driven by an accomplice, and were trailed by the licensed firearm holder in his vehicle. Wayne subsequently saw the getaway car at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown.

The police said that the firearm holder confronted a man who had exited the car and entered a shop in the area,

during which the man whipped out a firearm and was shot to his abdomen by the licensed firearm holder. The man however managed to escape on foot, but the unlicensed .32 Beretta pistol with four rounds that he had in his possession was recovered and handed over to the police.

According to the police, the injured bandit was later found at a private hospital where he later succumbed.

Magistrate McLennan said that the PI will commence on Monday, July 27, when it will be determined whether the defendant will stand trial by jury at the High Court. The prosecutor explained that the investigation has been completed and so are the statements.

Approximately 15 witnesses, including police officers and civilians are expected to testify on the prosecution’s behalf.

Middle-aged housewife charged with assaulting brother

A FIFTY-six-year-old housewife accused of assaulting her brother was on Wednesday granted $10,000 bail by City Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Lovern Joseph, of 447 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, unlawfully assaulted Lovell Joseph to cause him actual bodily

harm.

The mother of four denied the allegation and her lawyer Mr. Paul Fung-a-fat explained that his client’s son and the virtual complainant had a fight when she tried to make peace. He further revealed that the police facts alleged that his client tried to suffocate her brother with a pillow.

The prosecutor Deniro Jones did not relate the facts to the court, neither did he object to bail.

In addition to bail being granted, the magistrate bound both parties to be on good behaviour after transferring the matter before Magistrate Annette Singh for Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

CRG number plates soon for all State owned vehicles – Minister Harmon

WITHIN the next two months, it is expected that all State owned vehicles will be affixed with Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) registration number plates, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the Government Information Agency during an interview on Thursday.

He explained that the CRG number plates will serve to easily indentify vehicles which are registered to the State.

“You will not have the situation where private number plates are on vehicles, and therefore they can be abused by persons,” he said.

Given the current challenges faced by the new Government in recovering some of the assets, including vehicles, misappropriated by officials linked to the previous Administration, Minister Harmon said, “As soon as you see a CRG number plate, you know that it is a state vehicle, so it is going to be easing and aiding in the identification of state owned vehicles”.

He added that the new system will also make obsolete those vehicles

which belong to the State, but which people are holding under private number plates. “We will assign CRG numbers to those vehicles….Once you have a CRG registered vehicle, but you have a private number plate on it, then the police can actually go and seize that vehicle from you, because it belongs to the State.”

All vehicles which will be purchased in the future for use by the State and State agencies will be fitted with the CRG registration.

It was explained by Minister Harmon that following the presentation of a proposal to Cabinet, the move was approved.

The Guyana Revenue Authority has also made a proposal as to how this will be accomplished. Minister Harmon said that once some minor adjustments to the Motor Vehicle regulations are completed to facilitate this change, “I think within a month or two, we will start doing that (affixing CRG number plates)”.

(GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Teen pleads not guilty to possession of narcotics SEVENTEEN-year-old David Ramroop was yesterday granted $15,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates Court for possession of narcotics.

Ramroop pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Robb Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession 2.2 grammes cannabis-sativa (marijuana).

The matter stands adjourned until Thursday, July 16.

Kitty resident remanded for trafficking cocaine A KITTY man charged for cocaine-trafficking was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Marlon Thoman, 39, of Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, denied the charge that said on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Georgetown, he had in his possession 18 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-law Mr. George Thomas told the court that Thoman has no prior convictions and explained that on the day in question; his client was not at home when a search was conducted. Thoman, however had received information that the police after a search carried away his documents.

However, Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones argued that Thoman was at home when the police confronted him, but he ran away. A search unearthed the alleged drug and the ranks took no other documents except Thoman’s ID Card.

Bail was refused on the grounds that the defence did not provide the court with any special reasons for bail to be granted and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Judy Latchman for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Miner charged for robbery with violence ––previously charged with abduction of Bhena’s employee

A MINER previously charged with abducting a Bhena’s Footwear employee was yesterday slapped with a charge of robbery with personal violence.

Thirty-four-year-old Dexter John of La Parfaite Harmony, West Bank Demerara, made his appearance before Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Particulars of the charge said that on Monday, May 4, 2015 at Regent Street, Georgetown, he robbed Leon Xanier Waaldijk of one Nokia cellular phone valued $40,000. In addition, at the same time or during the robbery he used personal violence on the victim.

Police prosecutor Neville Jeffers did not object to bail, but asked that the matter be heard on the same day as the abduction charge. According to the prosecutor, the latter charge arose from the robbery incident.

Magistrate McLennan informed John that his bail remained the same and the

matter was put off to Monday, July 13, 2015.

As it relates to the abduction charge, the matter will be called again on Tuesday, July 21.

John and Viola Morrison, 48, were both charged with abduction. It is alleged that on the same day at Regent Street, they abducted Waaldijk causing him to be wrongfully restrained. They were released on $500,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday, May 7.

According to the prosecution, the victim was about to enter his place of work when he was confronted by an identifiable man who pushed him into the vehicle and sped off; however, later that afternoon he was released unhurt.

The CCTV footage was reviewed during the police investigation and the entire incident was shown, resulting in the arrest of both defendants.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

HINDS’SIGHT Time for small quick fixes is past…

Education sector needs a complete overhaul - Your party’s promised State of Emergency in Education is still relevant Mr Minister

By Dr David Hinds I WRITE this column after a day of interaction with educators. On Sunday last, I attended the Graduation Exercise at the Company Road Primary School in Buxton where I was asked to give the Charge to the students.

Later in the evening I was a guest, along with school teachers Deon Abrams and Delicia Van Cooten, on the TV programme, African Drums, where we discussed the state of education in the African Guyanese community. So, education is on my mind.

In its 1992 election manifesto, the WPA said that were it to win the election of that year, it would declare a state of emergency in education. That was 23 years ago.

The party recognised then that something was very wrong with education and that only radical overhaul would correct it.

Today, the WPA is part of the Government.

One of its leaders, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, is the Minister of Education. I hope this column reminds him of his party’s pledge two decades ago.

In fairness to Dr Roopnaraine, he has been taking aim at some of the root causes of the education problem. He is one of the two busiest Cabinet members - the other is Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson. It is no accident that these two ministers are so busy.

In a broken Guyana, education (the mental infrastructure) and the physical infrastructure are most broken. I have been one of Dr Roopnaraine’s close comrades for 38 years and can vouch for his commitment to education as a central pillar of development.

There is no doubt that education in

Guyana is in shambles. And I say education, rather than the education system, for education is more than just the formal system.

Education is a process and a communal resource. It involves the formal system, the community, the family, the students and

Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine other institutions such as the church and trade unions.

It is all-encompassing, with linkages to the political economy, governance, foreign policy and defence. If education is broken it is a signal that the country is broken and

vice versa.

Our education has been going downhill for a long time. The collapse of the nationalist experiment of the first two decades of independence and the consequent rise of the neo-liberal Structural Adjustment imposition meant that national priorities changed.

Whereas the nationalist agenda placed the education of the nation at the top of the national agenda, Structural Adjustment prioritised the market.

So from the late 1980s, Government has paid less attention to the education of the collective nation as a medium of development. It turned education over to the logic of the market.

Yes, monies have been pumped into the education sector, but there was no longer an overall vision. So teachers remained grossly underpaid, teacher-training lagged behind the rest of the world and students’ motivation to embrace education as a gateway to progress virtually disappeared.

As is the case with unregulated marketisation, only the strong survives; the weak is left to fend for itself. Soon the culture of hustling took over the education process.

Private Schools and Private Lessons multiplied without due regard to the quality of instruction. Public education, with very few exceptions, became known as a medium of mediocrity. In the end, educational success hinged on economic wealth - the minority who can afford private tutoring and high class private schooling succeeded while the majority languished at the bottom of the pile.

Since the products of the minority elite education migrated or remain to fill the high

DR.DAVID HINDS class professions such as the law and medicine, other professions such as school-teaching generally recruited from the products of the public school system. Thus reproducing to institutional weaknesses of the system.

For example, you see your teacher pay more attention to After School Lessons rather than the Classroom, so when you become a teacher you do the same. In the end we have a blame-game -- teachers blame the system while the system blames teachers who blame parents who then blame the teachers who blame the children.

So here we are in 2015. We can justifiably blame the previous PPP/C Government for the state of education. But that would only score you political points. We, as a nation, have to take responsibility for what went wrong and for correction that’s badly needed.

The time for small quick fixes is past.

Nothing short of a complete overhaul should be accepted. The Minister has launched a Commission of Inquiry. Good! But I remind the Minister that his Commission would produce precious little if it does not go into the communities and hear from those most affected. Your party’s State of Emergency is still needed Mr Minister.

(Dr. David Hinds, a political activist and commentator, is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies at Arizona State University. More of his writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to DR.DHinds@ gmail.com)

Rice stakeholders peeved

By Clifford Stanley

PROMINENT stakeholders in the rice industry have chastised the former Administration for failing to alert participants that a cancellation of the rice for oil deal between Guyana and Venezuela was imminent.

They did so even as they put their collective brain power together to find a way forward that will prevent the collapse of the industry and consequent hardship on farming families and others who earn a living from it.

After the news broke about the Venezuelan cancellation of the deal, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Thursday disclosed that there was “documentary evidence” that Venezuela’s decision had been communicated to former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie

Ramsammy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Guyana’s Ambassador in Caracas, Geoffrey Da Silva prior to the cancellation.

He had said, “It is sad and inexcusable that the Guyanese people were not advised of this by the former PPP Government.

Questions will now have to be asked as to whether the Guyanese people, and the thousands of rice farmers in particular who could be affected, were being held hostage by the PPP’s silence purely for the purposes of narrow politicking.”

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had also disclosed that the Venezuelans had communicated that they had told the former Administration that they will not be renewing the contract.

Commenting on the disclosures, Retired

Chief Executive Officer of Alesie Rice Group, Dr. Turhane Doerga, said that during the recent campaign, senior officials of the former Administration had told farmers and millers that there was a more than enough market for rice, that payment was not a problem.

“They lied to us,” he said adding that he and other progressive stakeholders in the industry were calling on the former Administration to apologise for having done so, so blatantly.

Meanwhile, however, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, in a statement on its Facebook page said that the statement by the Prime Minister that the PPP/C was aware of the imminent collapse of the deal and had failed to inform the Guyanese public was an “absurd accusation.”

The Party said that the responsibility for the collapse of the rice agreement lay squarely with the de facto Government and its “distorted diplomacy”.

The statement, it was noticed, however steered clear of explicitly, denying that the former Administration had foreknowledge of the imminent collapse of the rice for oil deal.

Doerga said yesterday that politics was secondary at this time: “All of us have to rescue the rice industry and Guyana from an economic crisis. All of us need to put our brains together to find a way out.”

In his statement on Thursday, Prime Minister Nagamootoo had said that the Government will fully explore all options to ensure that farmers and those dependent on Guyana’s rice industry are not adversely affected.

10

President Granger meets with Imbaimadai miners PRESIDENT David Granger and Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, on Thursday met with a group of miners and businesspersons from Imbaimadai, Region 7.

During the meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency, the group raised a number of concerns including not having land in their area to work. The group was given the assurance that some interventions will be made by the relevant ministry to have their issues resolved.

The group of miners and businesspersons from Imbaimadai with President David Granger and Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Diamond Regional Hospital to be remodelled -more wards to be added, better facilities for staffers

GIVEN the current condition of the Diamond Regional Hospital, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings has disclosed that the hospital ought to be remodelled so as to create more wards and make the institution more spacious and conducive for patients and doctors.

This was announced following an inspection of the hospital by the minister along with a technical team from the Ministry of Public Health.

According to the minister, the hospital has a wide catchment area and given the current situation at the institution, the staffers have been doing a great job in attending to patients on a day-to-day basis.

However, she highlighted that there are issues with the design of the building and that is a matter which will be looked into as soon as possible. Because of the lack of space, she added, doctors and nurses don’t have a proper lunch room and the number of wards is inadequate.

The inadequate space also resulted in staffers having poor washroom facilities and also an inefficient electrical system, which contributed to the hospital’s x-ray machine malfunctioning on regular basis.

Another major issue affecting the hospital is the absence of a chief executive officer (CEO) or a doctor in charge. This she noted will be addressed immediately so that the staffers would have someone to guide them and ensure that all their needs are fulfilled.

Additionally, while there might be adequate nurses and doctors, the minister pointed out that there is need for auxiliary staff such as receptionists, clerks and so forth, because the doctors and nurses have to bear these burdens without extra compensation.

Along with those issues, the minister noted that there were other minor technical issues and some procurement issues, but the ministry intends to address these concerns as soon as possible, so that the hospital can provide the quality of service which is expected of it.

Chinese Ambassador pledges to strengthen ties with Guyana - calls on Agriculture Minister

CHINA’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency, Zhang Limin, Thursday paid a courtesy call on Agriculture Minister, Mr. Noel Holder at his Vlissengen Road office.

The meeting saw the dignitaries having an in-depth exchange of views on Guyana and China’s relations and cooperation in bilateral trade and other fields. Additionally, commitments were made to further promote the already existing bilateral relations the two countries share.

Minister Holder spoke of several areas in which China could be of assistance to Guyana, especially in agriculture.

Agriculture Minister, Mr. Noel Holder and Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Zhang Limin

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

MoE donates steelpans to BHS, President’s College

AS part of an on-going programme to have music in schools, the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport handed over two sets of steelpans to the Berbice High School and President’s College.

Andrew Tyndall from the National Dance School during the brief handing-over ceremony, explained that this programme has been in progress for the last four years. Through the programmes offered by the National School of Music he said that over 700 students have been trained in the steelpan art form.

The schools are also given the opportunity to compete in the annual Panorama Steelband Competition held during the Mashramani celebrations. Tyndall emphasised that “having the instruments in the schools helps to enrich the students’ education.”

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, lauded the work of the National School of Music and said that it is her hope that this programme will be continuous.

Recently, the minister received a cheque from Republic Bank for sponsorship of the Pan Minors Music Literacy programme. Through this programme, hundreds of children are exposed to the wonders of the steelpan.

Tracey Helligar, Head Mistress of Berbice High School, expressed appreciation to the ministry for the donation. She noted that donation of the pans is timely as the school recently added Theatre Arts to its curriculum.

Additionally, the teachers of the school have expressed interest in learning to play the steelpan. Berbice High will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year; as such, the steelpans are a welcome addition.

Minister Henry presents the steelpans to Ms. Helligar of the Berbice High School

Sophia man arraigned Bakery for Shawn Anys murder vendor shot during robbery THE police were up to yesterday seeking three men who robbed a resident of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday evening.

According to information in a police press statement, Christopher Moonsammy was shot to the right arm after he was approached by the three men who demanded that he hand over his cash.

The men were at the time carrying out a robbery at a bakery at Punt Trench Dam, West Ruimveldt, when they encountered Moonsammy and made the demand.

Moonsammy resisted the demand and was shot by one of the bandits. The other two then ran through his pockets and took away an undisclosed sum of cash.

The incident according to the police took place at approximately 22.30 hrs on Thursday evening.

After the bandits fled on foot into a nearby community, the police were immediately called and responded quickly, as the injured man was picked up and rushed to a private hospital.

A TWENTY-four-year-old man of Lot 124 ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, yesterday appeared before city Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with the unlawful killing of a Sophia businessman.

Odel Roberts was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder, particulars of which said on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he murdered 37-year-old Shawn Anys.

The unrepresented Roberts told the

court that though he has been charged, he has no knowledge of the offence. He further stated that the police just saw him and picked him up.

He was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, for Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

Amys, who owned and managed a small grocery shop at his home, was confronted by the bandits just before 11:00 pm on that Friday night. Accord-

ing to reports, the man was in his home when he heard his dogs barking and ventured out of the house to investigate.

He was then confronted by two armed men who forced him into the house and shot him while demanding money and valuables. The gunmen made off with $40,000 in cash along with jewellery.

Amys was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Former security guard gets three years for drug-trafficking A FORMER security guard attached to the Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies was yesterday jailed for three years and fined over $6M after pleading guilty to a drug-trafficking charge.

Thirty-year-old, Kevin Sandy of Lot 37 West La Penitence Housing Scheme, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the offence that said on Wednesday, July 8, at Ogle International Airport, East Coast Demerara, he had in his

possession 2.238 kilogrammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) and 12 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, Sandy was scheduled to travel to Barbados on the day in question. However, a search was conducted on his person and belongings after he was observed by a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) rank to

be acting in a suspicious manner.

The illicit drug was found in a bag which he had in his possession. Subsequently, he was told of the offence and cautioned, during which he confessed that someone had told him to collect the bag from the garbage bin in the airport’s toilet.

Sandy begged the court for leniency, stating that everyone makes mistakes.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Quality of educators, equity in schools to be addressed, says Chief Education Officer - at handing over of $12M in books and equipment to CPCE and UG project once it is fully established.

Apart from its other obligations, the project aims to set up an ‘E-library’ which would allow for access to textbooks and other teaching aids that can be used by students and schools, thereby lowering cost.

Poor families who cannot pay for the internet would be hooked up at community centres in various areas, such as in the hinterland. This will ideally bridge the equity gap between hinterland students and those from the coastland.

Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine said recently that one of the principal goals of the new Administration is to signifi-

cantly build equity within the public education sector by bridging the gap between hinterland students and those from the coastland.

This, he said, could be done once there are more equitable and relevant systems of education delivery, even as schools from the regions focus on their curricula.

The CEO also noted that GITEP has always lifted the standard of education, especially at CPCE and UG. He added that GITEP has always focused on bolstering the quality of instruction that teachers receive at CPCE but the institution has had a boost over the last five years since GITEP’s arrival.

Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam delivering his remarks at GITEP’s book donation ceremony at the University of Guyana IN order for universal secondary education to become a reality in Guyana, the issue of quality educators and equity in the school systems must be addressed primarily, says Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam. He was delivering remarks Thursday at the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project (GITEP) ceremony for the handing over of books and equipment worth over $12M to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and the University of Guyana (UG).

Guyana has excelled significantly, he said, in its access to nursery education and

this has now paved the way for universal secondary education in Guyana.

Therefore to reach such universal heights the issue of quality teachers in schools has to be fully addressed as well as equity in schools.

“We need to spend a lot more time to ensure that the children who are now accessing education can receive the quality of education they deserve,” said the Chief Education Officer.

These issues are significantly drawing the Ministry’s attention and have topped its priority list. Sam also referred to the assistance that can be garnered from the E-Governance

In photo, from left, are Mr. Tota Mangar, Coordinator of GITEP; along with newly-appointed Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Mr. Vincent Alexander, the Faculty of Education and Humanities Dean, Mr. Alim Hosein; Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam; Principal of CPCE, Ms. Viola Rowe; and a UG library executive

Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated Celebrates 24 years of service to the Guyanese Community ON Wednesday 3rd June, 2015 Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFP) celebrated 24 years of dedicated service to the poor and needy in our country.

Obligated to assisting the poorest of the poor in our midst, FFP’s main thrust in transforming the lives of the less fortunate are food, housing, education, health, sports, agriculture and other self sustainable projects.

The non-governmental organisation, arguably the largest charitable organisation in our country, commenced operations on 3rd June, 1991 in Kingston Georgetown before moving to 248, Forshaw and Oronoque Streets, Queenstown. Because of the great need of essential services for the population, it quickly expanded and is presently located at 1999-2002, Blue

Mountain Road, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

FFP is headed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Paul Chan-A-Sue while the daily operations are managed

by Mr. Kent Vincent, Chief Executive Officer. It was previously managed by former Executive director Mr. Leon Davis who retired in 2012 after 21 years of excellent service to the organization.

Through its dedicated donors, the charity has built more than 3100 housing units since its inception and in 2014 distributed 196 containers of goods inclusive of food, medicine, health care items, educational supplies and sporting equipment.

The organisation’s Angels of Hope Programme caters for 236 children from ten orphanages. A monthly sup-

ply of food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies are donated to the homes. The children are sponsored by donors from the United States of America. Children must be under the age of 18 years old to be admitted to the programme. The annual Angels of Hope Day celebration is scheduled to be held on Friday 24th July at the Carifesta Complex ground.

One hundred and ninety-two children from three schools namely East La Penitence, Enterprise and Mashabo primary, benefit daily from FFP’s School Feeding Programme. The children enjoy a hot nutritious meal with beverages and fruits. The parents of the children are also given monthly hampers.

The entity is also engaged in water, self-sustainable agricultural and ani-

mal husbandry projects to name a few.

Most of FFP’s funding is derived from donations and fundraising activities such as: corn houses, school raffles, cake sales, and take away lunches among others. One of the main fundraisers is the Annual Fundraising Dinner.

Despite the faithful support from donors, both local and overseas, CEO Mr. Vincent said that the agency is in need of more support from private businesses to carry out its operations. “ There are many businesses out there who do not support Food for the Poor and the work we do is basically helping those who are in greatest need; the poorest of the poor. So we need as much help as we can get,” he pleaded.

Your donation can make a difference.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Shot East Canje businesswoman out of ICU AFTER spending two days in the Intensive Care Unit, Palmyra businesswoman, Ms. Angela Hussain has been transferred to the open ward at the New Am-

Eight-year-old Shazam Hussain recount being gun-butted by a bandit sterdam Hospital.

The 38-year-old mother of four was surrounded by loved ones Thursday, and recounted how fortunate it was to be spared from death.

Her children, she said, were foremost in her mind as the bandit fired a shot at her.

However, she could not recall what she did, or what was her position that made the bullet simply graze her right hairline.

However, she told this reporter that she is scheduled to undergo a CT scan in Georgetown on Friday in an effort to assist the medical team to diagnose any underlying condition which might have arisen from the shooting.

Meanwhile, the police are continuing the investigation.

On Monday evening, five masked, armed bandits invaded the grocery and parlour at Brahaspat Street, Palmyra Village, Corentyne, leaving an eight-yearold boy traumatised and his mother hospitalised in the

the family lost a quantity of Digicel and GT&T phone cards, two cellular phones, jewellery and a quantity of cash during a robbery attack

Robbery victim Angela Hussain which lasted for over 30 minutes.

Fizal Hussain known as Nezam, was securing his shop around 19:00 hrs to go to the Mosque in observance of Ramadan. His wife, Angela, was closing their gate, while their daughter

Another robbery victim, Fizal Hussain Shavanna was seated a short distance away, when the five armed, seemingly youthful

The grocery and parlour where the robbery took place Intensive Care Unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital, after being reportedly shot in the head.

Additionally, the patriarch of the home was gun-butted in his head, as

men rushed into the yard, using a series of expletives and telling everyone not to move.

Three of the intruders were armed with pistols, while the remaining two had cutlasses.

The family, including the

eight year old, were gun-butted and threatened, as they were relieved of their gold jewellery.

Not satisfied, one of

This eyewitness recalled seeing her mother Angela Hussain being shot by a masked bandit the bandits “scrambled” Angela and fired two shots, one of which grazed the right side of her head. But the blood which flowed from Angela Hussain’s wound did not prevent her attackers from dragging her to the upper flat, which housed the Hussains’ residence, where they ransacked the wardrobe, removing a large quantity of cash.

Meanwhile, eight-yearold Shazam told this reporter that the intruders “cuss up” while ordering the members of his family to lie low. He recalled that two of the bandits sported dreadlocks, while three wore scarves across their faces, and the other two wore toques with eyeholes.

He recalled being hit on his head with a gun and was unable to sleep, as he was having flashes of the incident.

As the incident unfolded Fizal Husssain fled, running into the village, while neighbours called the police.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, when this reporter revisited the scene, residents were very vocal over the escalation of armed robberies in recent times and the police were castigated for their lackadaisical attitude.

According to residents, the police took over an hour to arrive after the robbery.

Even as they waited on the cops to arrive, the bandits fled, firing indiscriminately towards the home of adjacent neighbour Poldai Harikhan, before escaping on foot.

The injured woman who at that time was bleeding profusely, and her husband who was gun-butted before he managed to flee, were transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital where Angela was admitted as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit, while her husband’s head wounds were sutured.

He was sent home.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the New

––grateful to be alive

Amsterdam Hospital, Mr. Michael Itwaroo, reported that Angela Hussain was in a stable condition, as the bullet had only grazed her right temple.

Police have since detained several persons, whom residents claimed are all innocent.

Meanwhile, former Attorney General and Minister of

Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, along with Regional Chairman Mr. David Armogan visited the community.

Investigations are continuing.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

BASS officer charged with manslaughter, on $250,000 bail BERBICE Anti-Smuggling Squad [BASS] officer Safraz Khan, who allegedly fired the shot which fatally wounded Charles Caesar, has been charged with manslaughter.

He appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh

at the Springlands Magistrates Court, where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The 40-year-old Khan of Hassin Street, Line Path, Springlands, was charged on the recommendation of the Director of Public Pros-

ecutions.

He was granted $250,000 bail and is expected to return to court on Thursday, August 20, 2015, for report.

The charges stemmed from an anti-smuggling routine exercise on July 3, 2015 at the Number 66 Fore-

shore, when members of the BASS intercepted his motor vessel, thereafter resulting in the fatal shooting of Charles Caesar.

Caesar, called Naggasar, was among six labourers, who were assisting in offloading the motor vessel, which contained 60 cases of Aloe drink, and six cases of dates.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness had told this publication that after the captain had moored alongside the makeshift wharf, the now deceased Charles Caesar was seated at the side of the wooden boat, and was collecting and passing on the smuggled goods to his fellow workmates, when two ranks of the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad approached, fired a warning shot, whilst saying “nobody move.”

After being ordered to the ground, one of the Bass officers was overheard saying, “Is change you all voted for, is change you all will get,” before rapidly discharging two more rounds and subsequently a fourth. During that period, the captain attempted to flee, but he along with the mini-bus, its driver, and the smuggled goods, along with four persons were detained.

The incident might have been swept under the carpet,

were it not for Tamika Fraser who realised that one of the men, Charles Caesar, who had gone “to catch his hand” with the other labourers, was unaccounted for.

Caesar, who incidentally is the sibling of a retired high-ranking police officer, had recently moved with his two under-aged children to the Line Path Community, and did menial jobs in an attempt to make ends meet.

Hours before his death, he had stripped 17 pointer brooms from the coconut palm, and had planned to go to the Skeldon Market on Saturday with the intention of selling the sweepers.

However, his semi-conscious body was discovered with a wound above his right foot, just before midnight at the Number 66 foreshore.

Tamika Fraser had returned to the scene, with her brother Devon, after realising that Caesar was not accounted for.

The injured man was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injury.

It was after his death that Tamika Fraser returned to the Springlands Police Station, having gone there earlier to post $10,000 station bail for each of the five men (driver and labourers),

to report that Charles Caesar had died.

Initially, BASS officials did not mention to the police that shots were fired, and it was only after Fraser’s report that it was stated that one shot was fired.

However, when crime sleuths re-visited the scene at the Number 66 foreshore, two spent shells were discovered, although the gun taken to the Springlands Police Station showed one round of ammunition missing.

Meanwhile, Friday night’s shooting is reminiscent of the 2001 shooting of Azad Bacchus, 41, his son Shazad Bacchus, 18, of Kim Jong IL Street, Race Course, Corriverton and his nephew Fadil Ally, 15, of Crabwood Creek, Skeldon, at the hands of BASS members.

The men were allegedly shot dead by members of the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) at Corriverton following a dramatic sequence of events, including a raid on the Skeldon Hospital.

A police release at the time had stated that the three men were shot dead at Scotsburg, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, during an armed confrontation with BASS. The incident at the time stemmed from Shazad Bacchus’s arrest by ranks of BASS. Bacchus had 26 bales of plastic bags.

Pomeroon teenager bitten by labaria Saturday June 11, 2015 - 14:00 hrs Sunday June 12, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

LENNOX FREDERICKS, 17, of Wakapoa, Lower Pomeroon River, was bitten Monday by a labaria while walking along a trail to a timber grant in the forested Pomeroon River head area.

According to reports, the teenager, who was bitten on his right foot by the poisonous snake, was rescued by his boss and rushed to the Charity hospital. He was subsequently transferred to the Suddie hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

CJ grants bail totalling $4.0M to 14 remand prisoners

ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C. recently granted bail in the sum of $4,046,000 to 14 remand prisoners, pending the hearing of their cases.

Following is a list of the accused, the offences and the amount of bail granted to each one.

Possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking: Aslam Mohamed - $750,000; Charles Matthews - $325,000; Gordon Braithwaite - $260,000; M. Conway - $260,000; Mark Anthony Green - $75,000; and Olinda Pratt - $406,000; Manslaughter: Christopher Lyte - $500,000;

15

Threatening language: Anwar Mohamed - $20,000; Causing death by dangerous driving: Ragendra Hoosner - $550,000; Attempt to commit a felony: Albert De Frietas - $150,000; Illegal possession of firearm and ammunition: Devon Robeiro and Qualria Yansen - $400,000; Simple larceny: Clyde Forde - $100,000; Felonious wounding: Navon Gray - $150,000; Break and enter: Clyde Forde - $100,000.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Lap for Top From page 2

‘FLYING HIGH’: A Representative of airline carrier Fly Jamaica with the Top 3 performers of this year’s NGSA exams - Solomon Cherai, Shania Eastman and Celine Farinha, all of whom (along with a parent each) will receive airline tickets to any of Fly Jamaica’s destinations

The top performers were also treated to a 3-D movie at the Princess theatre

education sector, to become more competitive in the delivery of core services.

The Education Minister reiterated his commitment to ensure that there is equity in education so that the distribution of excellence is no longer skewed towards coastal communities.

He pointed out that at this year ’s NGSA, Georgetown and the rest of Region 4 account for 120 out of 166 students in the top 1%, which, he

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

ptops NGSA p ... says, shows that skills and resources in education are inequitably dispersed.

“This is the challenge to which we must rise; we owe it to our hinterland students to end their deprivation. They must get their fair share of our investment in education,” Dr Roopnaraine stated.

Recognising that accomplishments mark victory whether big or small, Dr Roopnaraine said his ministry will seek to close the gap between the top 100 students and the bottom 100 at the primary

level.

Apart from this recognition, the minister said that private schools account roughly for half of the total number of children in the top 1%, while the public schools are dwindling in this regard.

This, he said, is a challenge the country needs to welcome and urged that the public school system lift its teaching mechanisms.

Recently, the minister has vowed to build equity within the public education sector which will ultimately reflect on the performances of students as a whole. This view was focused on bridging the gap between students from the coastland and those in the hinterland.

The Ministry of Education, in a statement, also thanked Princess Hotel and Fun City for contributing to the celebration of excellence.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Princess Fun City Entertainment Centre treated the awardees to games, movies and refreshments immediately following the award ceremony.

The Ministry also wishes to thank Ms Zena Bland - 2015 Miss Guyana UK, and Fly Jamaica for being part of this significant ceremony.

15,225 candidates wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year. The highest possible standardised scores obtained were Mathematics -138, English-132, Social Studies -132, and Science 133. This year, Region 9 was recognised as the most improved Region, attaining a 6% increase in overall performance of candidates.

166 candidates emerged as the 2015 NGSA Top Performers, 94 females and 72 males.

Top NGSA performers will also be benefiting from the One Laptop Per Family Programme.

(Shivanie Sugrim)

The top performers with their parents/guardians at yesterday’s event (Delano Williams photos)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Iwokrama review committee convenes first meeting ––sub-committees established to address priority areas

Minister Raphael Trotman, seated at left, and others at the meeting

MINISTER of Governance, Raphael Trotman yesterday convened the first meeting with the review committee that has been established to examine the operations of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation.

The Centre has been ex-

periencing severe financial constraints to meet its operational expenses, including the payment of staff.

The committee’s central focus is to devise a renewed mandate for the Centre, which will enable it to be self-sufficient, as was the initial aim of the project.

Sub-committees were established based on the priority areas that were identified.

These include: budget and financing, research and training, governance, and management.

The budget and financing committee will be spearheaded by Professor Hamley Case, Permanent Secretary of the Indigenous Affairs Ministry; Vibert Welch, Vice-President of Conservation International; Dr. David Singh, CEO of the Iwokrama Centre; Dane Gobin and a representative from the Tourism Ministry.

The governance aspect will be addressed by Dr. David Singh, Commissioner, Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes, and Vibert Welch; while the management structure will be addressed

by Dane Gobin, Director of Resource Management at Iwokrama, Dr. Raquel Thomas and Advisor in the Ministry of Governance, Clayton Hall. Research and training will be addressed by Dr. Raquel Thomas and Dr. Allyson Stoll from the University of Guyana.

Over the years, it had

depended heavily on the Commonwealth, but recently, Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma made it clear that funding will no longer be made available for operational costs of the Centre, but will provide technical and financial support for the development of a self-sustainable model. Iwokrama has been the longest and most expensive project that the Commonwealth has embarked on. He noted that Iwokrama was supposed to be self-sustaining but has instead cost the organisation £3.5 million.

However, Minister Trotman said Iwokrama belongs to Guyana and the time has come for Guyanese to take ownership.

Two weeks ago, Cabinet approved a grant of US$100,000 to assist the Centre until September; however, the Centre might still need another tranche of financing to carry it through to the end of the year. As such, the Minister said that the Committee needs to come up with both immediate solutions as well as a more longterm, sustainable vision going forward.

The review committee will submit its final report outlining the findings and recommendations to Cabinet by August 17. Once finalised, the new plan will be presented by President David Granger at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November.

Teenager charged after dousing lover with hot oil EIGHTEEN-year-old Lisa David allegedly doused her child’s father with hot oil, after he received a telephone call from a female friend at their Glasgow Village Home on July 5, last.

She appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs at the New Amsterdam Court, where she was not required to plead to the charge of felonious wounding, and was placed on $50,000 bail.

Particulars of the charge alleged that the defendant on Sunday, July 5, at Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice, caused grievous bodily harm to Dwayne Watts.

Police Sergeant Phillip Sheriff, prosecuting, said that the couple had an argument over a telephone call and the argument became heated.

The virtual complainant became annoyed and assaulted the suspect, who at the time was frying potatoes in the kitchen.

David allegedly became annoyed, grabbed the frying pan and doused the unsuspecting 23 year old, causing him to receive burns to his right ear, shoulder, and hands.

Dwaye Watts remains hospitalised at the New Amsterdam health institution.

The matter is fixed for report on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Dazzling Federer sets up prime GITC, Morgan Centre register time repeat with Djokovic

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - The problem with addictive TV box sets is that when the credits roll on the final episode it leaves a void.

That moment gnaws away at the millions of fans entranced by the magic of Roger Federer down the years, but yesterday he produced a display of such technicolour brilliance to crush Andy Murray in the Wimbledon semi-final that they can rest easy.

This show may run for a while -- starting with tomorrow’s final against his great rival Novak Djokovic.

Swiss Federer, 34 next month, scaled heights that even his most loyal subjects thought they might only witness again by rummaging through dusty DVDs of his 17 grand slam titles.

British 28-year-old Murray, bidding for his third Wimbledon final, showed incredible resilience but was powerless to prevent a 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 defeat.

“I don’t know if he’s close to his peak,” Murray, who did not manage to win a single point on Federer’s first serve in a gripping second set, told reporters. “But that’s definitely the best he served against me.”

Murray may opt to watch his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles final this weekend while Federer gets the chance to avenge last year’s five-set defeat by Djokovic and add a record eighth Wimbledon title to his glittering collection tomorrow.

Top seed Djokovic also won in straight sets yesterday, beating gallant French-

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after winning his match against Andy Murray of Britain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, yesterday.

(Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett) man Richard Gasquet 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his fourth Wimbledon final.

Looking ahead to a 40th meeting between the world’s best two players, Djokovic said: “We shouldn’t spend too many words about Roger. We all know how good he is. He’s the greatest ever.

“This is where he loves to play. It’s his court. It’s going to be probably the biggest challenge I can have.”

When a clinical Djokovic moved two sets clear of 21st seed Gasquet the outcome was inevitable and hundreds of fans headed out to refuel before the day’s eagerly-anticipated main course -Murray’s third meeting with Federer on Centre Court lawn.

Federer won the first in the 2012 final but a few weeks later

Murray gained revenge to win Olympic gold -- a moment that launched his career to a new level that resulted in the U.S. Open title later that year and the Wimbledon crown in 2013.

MURRAY HEROICS Since then Federer has added another set of twins to his family, but no more grand slam titles.

But there is a glint in his eye this year.

He has sauntered through the draw, losing one set and, more remarkably, one service game, against Gilles Simon on Wednesday.

The winners are flowing, there were 56 yesterday compared to just 11 unforced errors. Nearly half his serves were unreturnable and the two hours seven minutes he took to outclass Murray took

his total court time for the fortnight to 10 hours.

If he serves like he did against Murray there is every chance he can reverse last year’s result.

“Definitely it was one of my best serving days of my career,” Federer, who faced a break point in the first game but from then on bamboozled Murray, told reporters.

Federer timed his attacks to perfection.

He broke Murray with a wickedly dipping backhand in the 12th game to win the opening set and the pattern continued.

Federer won all 19 points when he landed his first serve in the second set.

Murray produced heroics, and even a second serve ace, to save five set points in a 15-minute game at 4-5 in the second set, the fans roaring their approval.

Federer did not blink though.

Instead, he held serve to love, and launched new wave of attacks, earning a sixth set point which he converted with a guided volley after running Murray ragged.

Murray could only pray Federer’s level would dip.

Instead, the best was saved until last.

With Murray’s hopes hanging by a thread at 4-5 he belted a forehand volley into a vacant corner but Federer flicked his wrist and sent an angled backhand across Murray’s bows.

“That’s sometimes the stuff you can come up with; it’s awesome if it happens on Centre Court at Wimbledon in a situation like that. No doubt about it,” Federer said.

South Africa thrash Bangladesh in Rabada’s dream debut

DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada became only the second bowler to claim a hat-trick on his one-day international debut yesterday as they thrashed Bangladesh by eight wickets in the rain-hit first ODI to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

The 20-year-old rightarm paceman claimed 6-16, the best figures for any bowler on his ODI debut, to destroy Bangladesh, who were 160 all out in the 37th over after a rain-delay had reduced the contest to 40 overs-a-side.

South Africa romped home with nearly nine overs to spare, bringing Bangladesh down to earth after the hosts’ recent ODI series victories at home to Pakistan and India.

For the visitors, Faf du Plessis top-scored with an unbeaten 63 as he and Rilee Rossoew (45 not out) took the team home after Rabada’s scintillating display with the ball.

Armed with pace and accuracy, Rabada conceded two runs in his first over before returning to wreck the hosts who were left to rue their decision to bat first.

He uprooted opener Tamim Iqbal’s off-stump with the fourth delivery of that over before getting Litton Das caught at midwicket and trapping Mahmudullah lbw to complete his hat-trick.

“I did not know what to bowl (when on a hat-trick),” Rabada said after collecting the man-of-the-match award in his fairytale debut.

“Maybe a bouncer, normal length or yorker and I missed it by a mile. It was a bit of fluke but I will take it.”

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the first player to claim a hat-

trick on his ODI debut at the same Shere Bangla National Stadium late last year against Zimbabwe.

Shakib Al Hasan (48) and Mushfiqur Rahim (24) tried to rebuild the hosts’ innings and Nasir Hossain contributed 31 down the order but Bangladesh could not last their quota of overs.

Rabada went on to claim the wickets of Soumya Sarkar, Mashrafe Mortaza and Jubair Hossain to register the best ODI figures by a South African bowler.

The second match is scheduled for the same venue tomorrow.

wins in Digicel South Georgetown Zone

GUYANA Industrial Training Centre (GITC) hammered Christ Church Secondary 6-0 as the second round of the Digicel schools football tournament continued at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, yesterday.

In the South Georgetown Zone, the GITC side was spurred by an excellent effort from its marksmen. Raffiel Bollers opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Hackeem Clarke doubled it up in the 26th. Bollers again scored in the 39th before Paul Chung took the game out of Christ Church’s reach with a hat-trick in the 45th, 46th and 65th minutes.

In Game 2, Morgan’s Learning Centre registered a 2-0 win over

St John’s College. Two stunning goals from Orin Moore (55th) and Akosi Jarvis (76th) sent the Centre team into the next round of competition.

Meanwhile, over at the Tucville Ground, a heavy playfield saw a mass of goals as Sir Leon’s Lessons began to pick up some steam to dismantle Charlestown Secondary School 11 – 0.

That game was the curtain raiser of a double-header which had a late start but the feature was a treat for better football.

Two more composed sides in the Georgetown District, Lodge Secondary and North Ruimveldt Multilateral, contested a nail biter with Lodge emerging victorious 3 – 2.

Government reaffirms ...

From Backpage

Guyana Amazon Warriors is a close associate of the previous administration.

However we can assure that that will not in any way hamper how the current administration treats with the CPL and the franchise owner in terms of facilitating the games being hosted in Guyana and our future engagement,” Minister Harmon said.

Minister Harmon expressed regret at the ad hoc manner in which the previous government engaged the CPL with regard to matches hosted in Guyana and conveyed to O’Donohoe that the APNU+AFC Adminis-

tration would be prepared to take the requisite steps to ensure that a structured and legally sound agreement which is Cabinet-approved is in place.

Minister Harmon further said that the government is prepared to commence negotiations in this regard, at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that this is in place.

The minister, the release said, assured O’Donohoe that the government will commit to ensuring that all the usual exemptions and concessions for the hosting of international cricket in Guyana will be granted to the CPL for the hosting of the matches in the ongoing tournament.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

England set Australia 412 to win first Ashes Test … 15 wickets fall on eventful third day

By Justin Palmer CARDIFF, Wales (Reuters) - Joe Root again put Australia’s bowlers to the sword and together with Ian Bell gave England the platform yesterday to push for victory in the first Ashes Test after setting the tourists 412 to win with two days remaining.

Root followed up his first-innings century with another stylish knock of 60 and Bell (60) ended a poor run of form as England, desperate to atone for their humiliating 5-0 reverse in 2013-14, were bowled out for 289 to end an eventful third day’s play in which 15 wickets fell.

Australia did fight back in

Nathan Lyon jumps for joy as Michael Clarke takes a spectacular catch to dismiss Adam Lyth.

The Off-spinner claimed four for 75.

the last hour by taking five wickets but some lusty blows from tail-ender Mark Wood (32 not out) allowed England to set an imposing target on a pitch offering some signs of life after a docile first two days.

Australia have chased down only one 400-plus total in Ashes history -- 404 in 1948 -- but forecast rain may come to their aid on the final day tomorroe.

Establishing a lead of 122 after the tourists had lost their last five wickets for the addition of 44 in the morning, England recovered from the early departures of Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance with Root again to the fore.

After Adam Lyth hit a belligerent 37 before being brilliantly caught at slip by Michael Clarke, Bell eased into form that made a mockery of his total of 56 runs in nine previous Test innings.

His serene half-century included 11 boundaries and sumptuous cover drives, taking his lead from Root who again strode out to the wicket full of confidence and intent.

Bell’s innings came to an end on the next delivery after

crashing Mitchell Johnson over the covers, playing inside a good length ball to be bowled -- the paceman’s first wicket of the match after 36 fruitless overs.

Root was quick to seize on anything with width, much to a capacity-crowd’s delight at Sophia Gardens, and may have lost concentration when he was pinned on the back foot by Josh Hazelwood and was bowled off his pads.

ENGLAND 1st innings 430 (J. Root 134, M. Ali 77, G. Ballance 61, B. Stokes 52; M. Starc 5-114) AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 264-5) C. Rogers c Buttler b Wood 95 D. Warner c Cook b Anderson 17 S. Smith c Cook b Ali 33 M. Clarke c & b Ali 38 A. Voges c Anderson b Stokes 31 S. Watson lbw b Broad 30 N. Lyon lbw b Wood 6 B. Haddin c Buttler b Anderson 22 M. Johnson c Ballance b Broad 14 M. Starc c Root b Anderson 0 J. Hazlewood not out 2 Extras: (b-6, lb-11, w-3) 20 Total: (all out, 84.5 overs) 308 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-129, 3-180, 4-207, 5-258, 6-265, 7-265, 8-304, 9-306.

Bowling: J. Anderson 18.5-6-43-3, S. Broad 17-4-60-2 (w-1), M. Wood 20-5-66-2, M. Ali 15-1-71-2, B.

Australia were on the backfoot from the start of day three when they lost Shane Watson (30) and Nathan Lyon (6) with the addition of one run to their overnight score.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who enjoyed a superb Ashes series in 201314 when he finished top of Australia’s averages with 493 runs, fell to James Anderson who polished off the innings with the new ball.

Stokes 14-5-51-1 (w-2).

ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Lyth c Clarke b Lyon 37 A. Cook c Lyon b Starc 12 G. Ballance c Haddin b Hazlewood 0 I. Bell b Johnson 60 J. Root b Hazlewood 60 B. Stokes b Starc 42 J. Buttler c Haddin b Lyon 7 M. Ali c Haddin b Johnson 15 S. Broad c Hazlewood b Lyon 4 M. Wood not out 32 J. Anderson b Lyon 1 Extras: (b-7, lb-6, w-6) 19 Total: (all out, 70.1 overs) 289 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-22, 3-73, 4-170, 5-207, 6-236, 7-240, 8-245, 9-288.

Bowling: M. Johnson 16-2-69-2 (w1), J. Hazlewood 13-2-49-2, M. Starc 16-4-60-2 (w-1), N. Lyon 20.1-4-75-4, S. Watson 5-0-23-0.

Rayudu’s unbeaten ton leads India to win in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - India’s Ambati Rayudu hit a career-best unbeaten century to help them secure a tense four-run win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

After being sent in to bat, India stumbled to 87 for five before Rayudu (124 not out from 133 balls) and Stuart Binny (77 from 76 balls) put on an Indian record 160 for the sixth wicket to help the tourists reach 255 for six in their 50 overs.

Zimbabwe battled to keep up with the rate on a slow wicket but late fireworks from captain Elton Chigumbura (104 not out from 101 balls) saw them need 10 off the final over.

They reduced that to six from three balls but Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled brilliantly to concede just a single from there and India could breathe again having restricted the hosts to 251 for seven.

Chigumbura waited 174 matches for his maiden ODI ton and now has two in as many innings but will be desperately disappointed not to have got his side over the line.

The day belonged to Rayudu as he reached his second ODI century off 117 balls, with only 22 of those runs coming from boundaries, and has now scored 225 runs in four innings in Zimbabwe with just two dismissals.

He was superbly supported by Binny, whose run-a-ball knock defied the conditions with the pair doing most of the damage as India scored 90 runs in the final 10 overs.

Binny continued his fine match with two for 54 with the ball but left-arm slow bowler Axel Patal (two for 41) was the pick of the tourists’ attack.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, playing his first ODI in over four years, returned figures of one for 46 in his 10 overs.

The second ODI of the three-match series will be tomorrow at the same venue, with the teams also playing two Twenty20 games starting next Friday.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Barnes leads J’ca to crucial U-17 victiry SCARBOROUGH, Tobago – A strong all-round performance from their captain Brad Barnes helped Jamaica defy the weather and fashion a 35-run victory over Leeward Islands in the Regional Under-17 Tournament here yesterday.

Barnes hit the top score of 58 at better than a run-aball to prop up the batting of his side, who were bowled out for 197 in 32.4 overs in the rain-marred, third round match at Louis D’Or, before he returned to grab two wickets to earn the Jamaicans a crucial victory that kept them unbeaten in the tournament.

A half-century from host captain Kirstan Kallicharran gave Trinidad & Tobago a morale-boosting, seven-wicket victory over previously-unbeaten Windward Islands in another match at Canaan.

And left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd followed the lead of his captain Rolando Alimohamed and former Under-15 captain Bhaskar Yadram, as Guyana dealt a further blow

... Wins also for Guyana and T&T

who have now taken control of second place in the tournament, narrowly ahead of Windwards, with the Barbadians, Guyanese and Leewards trailing the pack.

The players take a break today before the tournament continues tomorrow, when T&T face old rivals Barbados at Louis D’Or, Guyana meet Leewards at Canaan and Jamaica tackle Windwards in a virtual top-of-thetable clash at Shaw Park.

At Louis D’Or: All but 16 of Barnes’ runs were in boundaries and his 52-ball innings was the glue that kept his side Left-arm spinner from collapse, when play Ashmead Nedd grabbed four for 23. started 3 ½ hours later than scheduled. to the hopes of defending A second-wicket stand champions Barbados with of 59 between opener a 66-run victory in another Kashwayne Beale and rain-affected contest at Shaw Dominic Samuels had JaPark. maica comfortably placed The result meant that Ja- at 60 for one in the 11th maica opened a gap of no over, but Barnes and No.11 less than six points on T&T, Ian Spence were the only

others to keep their composure with the bat.

Samuels supported with 27, Spence made 25 and Beale added 23, as the Jamaicans made hay while the sun shone to leave the Leewards to chase at six runs-an-over.

Javani Tyson was the most successful Leewards bowler with 3-19 from 2.4 overs, Zawandi Whyte took 3-21 from seven overs and Keshawn Richardson 3-32 from seven.

Opener Joshua Grant carried his bat for an unbeaten 59 from 91 balls that included three fours and one six, but the Leewards never seriously challenged the target late in the innings.

Shalom Parnell snared 3-25 from 2.5 overs for Jamaica with Spence and Javeur Royal taking two wickets apiece in addition to Barnes.

At Shaw Park: Nedd, watched by his father and

Cavendish back to winning ways on the Tour

By Julien Pretot FOUGERES, France (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish was rewarded for his patience as the Manx Missile sprinted to victory in the seventh stage of the Tour de France yesterday for his 26th career win in cycling’s greatest race.

The Etixx-Quick Step rider, who crashed out in the first stage of last year, had appeared far from his brilliant best in the first sprints of the Tour but the Briton delivered in Brittany.

Cavendish perfectly timed his effort to leapfrog German Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), who finished second after winning two stages this year.

Slovakian Peter Sagan finished third.

“I probably had the same power as the other days, but if you hit out early you can’t do it,” said Cavendish, who is eight shy of Belgian Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins on the Tour.

“It was a long time (I had not won) on the Tour de France, I was kind of impatient.”

Even in the absence of

German Marcel Kittel, who won eight stages in the last two editions, the Tour sprints are still more contested than anywhere else.

“With the calibre of the sprints these days now it’s maybe one out of 10 times,” said Cavendish.

Cavendish had not raised his arms as a winner on the Tour since the 13th stage in St Amand Montrond in 2013.

Briton Chris Froome of Team Sky is the overall leader after German Tony Martin abandoned the race with a collarbone fracture on Thursday, which made Cavendish’s win even sweeter as Etixx-Quick Step found something to cheer about.

“We knew losing Tony would be a big loss to the team, we said we would win for him today,” the 30-yearold Cavendish said.

“It’s almost as if we had started the race with 12 guys and we’re eight now.”

Froome, who did not wear the distinctive yellow jersey out of respect for Martin, leads Sagan by 11 seconds and American Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) by 13.

Spain’s Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), who fell off his bike in the neutral zone, is seventh and 36 seconds off the pace.

Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy,

who was caught up in a crash on Thursday, is 12th and 1:38 behind Froome while Colombian Nairo Quintana, the last member of the Big Four, lies 16th, 1:56 off the pace.

NOTABLE DATES

HOWARD Eastman claimed the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental middleweight title on July 10, 1999. The New Amsterdam- born Guyanese was able to secure the coveted crown after Teymuraz Kekelidze of Georgia retired at the end of round six.

The fight was held at the Elephant and Castle Centre in London and was the fourth of six bouts Eastman had that year. In his previous contest, the Guyanese had taken the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super middleweight title.

Eastman successfully defended his British middleweight title after the battle against Kekelidze.

Known as `The Battersea Bomber’ the former European and Commonwealth champion had his first pro fight on March 6, 1994. He knocked out John Rice in the first round then.

Eastman secured two shots at world titles but was unsuccessful in both. He clashed with William Joppy on November 17, 2001 for the WBA middleweight title but lost by a majority decision in a close encounter.

His second chance came against undisputed world champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins in February of 2005. The Guyanese lost by a unanimous decision.

team coach Gavin, the former Guyana off-spinner, was the most successful bowler for his side with 4-23 from nine overs, as Barbados failed to successfully chase a revised target of 202 in 42 overs.

Rain interrupted the chase with the Barbadians on 22 without loss in the sixth over and the Guyanese spin bowlers choked their batting when play resumed after more than an hour.

Opener Shian Brathwaite led the way for Barbados with 38, Najee Holder scored 32 and Donte Niles made 21, but the rest of the batsmen failed to keep their composure.

Not so for their opponents, as Alimohamed collected nine fours and two sixes in 70 from 67 balls and Yadram supported with 69 from 73 balls that included four fours and one six to propel Guyana to 219 for eight from their allotted 50 overs, after they chose to bat.

Alimohamed and Yadram added 129 for the sixth wicket to revive the Guyanese, after they had plunged to 70 for five in the 26th over.

When Alimohammed

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:40 hrs Dream Leader 09:15 hrs Educated 09:50 hrs Triple Apology 10:25 hrs Belle Coco 16:00 hrs Red Savage English Racing Tips York 08:45 hrs Basateen 09:20 hrs Astronereus 09:55 hrs Cotai Glory 10:25 hrs First Flight 11:00 hrs Husbandry 11:35 hrs Knightly Escapade 12:10 hrs Shawaahid Chester 08:50 hrs Ayresome Angel 09:25 hrs Mighty Zip 10:00 hrs Kool Kompany 10:35 hrs Rivellino 11:10 hrs Chadic 11:45 hrs L’Inganno 12:20 hrs Guiding Light Newmarket 09:00 hrs Oracolo

was run-out by Brathwaite in the 47th over, Yadram and the remaining batsmen failed to keep the momentum going and Guyana lost two more wickets, as their innings sputtered to a close.

At Canaan: Kallicharran struck nine fours and one six in an unbeaten 77 from 88 balls to comfortably see T&T past the victory target of 173.

He shared an unbroken, fourth-wicket stand of 91 with Siba Batoosingh, as the home team dealt a blow to the chance of their previously unbeaten opponents.

Batoosingh was not out on 24, Chryston Thurton added 35 and Keagan Simmons 26 to give the home team a boost to their chances.

Earlier, Emmanuel Stewart hit the top score of 36, Shane Roberts made 29 and Johnel Eugene 28, as the Windwards, choosing to bat, were dismissed for 172 in 44.3 overs.

Every time it looked like the Windwards were building a significant partnership, they succumbed to the steady T&T bowling, as four of the hosts’ bowlers collected two wickets apiece. (WICB)

09:35 hrs Air Vice Marshall 10:10 hrs Lulu The Zulu 10:45 hrs Muhaarar 11:20 hrs Ballydoyle 11:55 hrs Aleko 12:30 hrs Liberty Red Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 09:05 hrs From Eden 09:40 hrs Oor Jock 10:15 hrs Shangai Beauty 10:50 hrs Independence Day 11:25 hrs Diakali 12:00 hrs Slygufftou 12:35 hrs Exxarco American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Uno Emayo Race 2 Tango Time Race 3 Bow Tie Boss Race 4 Disco Partner Race 5 Matching Skies Race 6 My Friend Keith Race 7 Culprit Race 8 Indebted Race 9 Race 9 Reload

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

Andrews, Downes take GBTI Men’s Doubles title JASON Andrews and Anthony Downes finished the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Open 2015 with a walkover of their opponents Nicolas Fenty and Leyland Leacock.

The Fenty/Leacock team forfeited the game based on the fact that they were late to the final, ending the tournament on a low key.

Downes, who was willing to play with an injury, noted that he was looking forward to a great match against the No. 2 seeds.

Andrews echoed his team mate’s sentiment. “I am disappointed because playing in a championship you want to have a match point and lift the trophy the right way.

“We take solace in the fact that we had great matches to reach the final and being seeded as No.1, I favour the precedence set by the tournament official which would help lift the discipline of the game.”

Meanwhile, the Aretta Dey and Daniel Lopes beat

... Dey, Lopes take mixed doubles

off their seniors Carol Humphrey and Godfrey Lowden, 6-1, 6-2 in the Mixed Doubles division. The duo played flowing tennis although this was their first outing.

Lopes, speaking after the win, pointed out the strategy used to beat the veterans: “The experience as a pair is something I feared but I had to treat it and approach it like any other match and I thought we played really well.” Dey indicated that the team kept their goals in check, hence the result.

“We stuck to our game plan of keeping the rallies going and forcing the oppo- Men’s Doubles Champions: Anthony Downes nents to make the errors.” (right) and Jason Andrews

Gayle ton guides Tallawahs to home victory Mixed Doubles Champions: Aretta Dey (right) and Daniel Lopes

Thaker ton books Canada spot in Under-19 World Cup finals Bermuda to fight for second chance

SOMERSET, Bermuda, (CMC) – Middle-order batsman Harsh Thaker smashed a century as Canada booked their place in next year’s Under-19 World Cup finals by beating the United States by 37 runs on day five of the ICC Americas qualifying tournament here on Thursday.

Number six Thaker’s 121 from 93 balls, which included 14 fours and five sixes, res-

cued Canada from a precarious 108 for five and steered them to 289 for eight – a total that proved out of the reach of the Americans, who lost to their neighbours by just one run earlier in the week, despite a century from number four Kushal Ganji.

Victory gave Canada their third successive victory of the tournament to ensure an automatic place in next year’s finals to be

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 11, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Dinesh Ramdin (2) 9 Today’s Quiz:

Who is the first player on the losing side to cop the Man of the Match Award in a CPL game?

(2)Who is the first player to be dismissed ‘run out’ in Hero CPL 2015?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

staged in Bangladesh in January and February.

The US and Bermuda, with one victory apiece, will now fight it out for second place which will earn the runners-up a second chance to get to the World Cup through another qualifier later this year at a venue to be announced.

Bermuda, who pipped the US by one wicket on Thursday, can clinch the runner’s-up spot if they beat Canada at St David’s in today’s final match.

Thaker featured in two pivotal stands for Canada, adding 80 for the sixth wicket with Sarbjot Singh Sivia (31) and 67 for the seventh with Miraj Patel (20).

Mohak Buch, the fifth bowler used, was the most successful for the US with three for 38 from seven overs.

Ganji, who struck 12 fours in his 128-ball 110, kept his side’s hopes alive with a fourth-wicket stand of 106 with Guaranshu Sharma (40), but Muhammad Khan sealed the victory by claiming three wickets in the last over over to finish with five for 53 from 10 overs.

A BRILLIANT century from Chris Gayle took the Jamaica Tallawahs to a 50-run victory against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel at Sabina Park. Gayle’s century carried the Tallawahs to 180-6 which proved far too many for the Red Steel as they collapsed in a heap in their run-chase, managing just 130-9 on Thursday night.

Gayle, who has now scored a staggering 676 runs in his last nine T20 innings, was the only player in the match who appeared totally at ease on a slightly two-paced pitch. Gayle hit three sixes inside the first 11 balls of the match and was on 47 by the end of the Powerplay.

However, after the Tallawahs exited the Powerplay they suddenly lost a flurry of wickets. Chadwick Walton, Chris Lynn, Mahela Jayawardene and Narsingh Deonarine fell before the end of the twelfth over.

Gayle, however, endured. After a ferocious start he played responsibly in the middle overs, striking occasional boundaries but making a clear effort not to give his wicket away.

Gayle’s patience paid dividends. As the innings entered its final quarter he kick-started the power once more and alongside Jermaine Blackwood he took the Tallawahs past 150.

He brought up his 16th T20 hundred with a single

Chris before he was dismissed for 105 in the penultimate over.

A six off the final ball of the innings from Juan Theron took the Tallawahs to 180-6 from their 20 overs, the highest T20 score at Sabina Park.

Sulieman Benn and Kevon Cooper were the standout bowlers for the Red Steel on a tough evening for them.

The Red Steel’s run-chase got off to a terrible start when they lost Cameron Delport for a duck in the second over.

Things got even worse very quickly. Two more batsmen in the top five - Darren and Dwayne Bravo - also got ducks, while Kamran Akmal managed just 2 as they ex-

Gayle ited the Powerplay reeling at 41-4.

Jacques Kallis was the only Red Steel batsman who made a significant contribution, scoring 45, but the pressure of the scoreboard continued to squeeze the Red Steel and they lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually finishing at 130-9.

Daniel Vettori was the pick of the Tallawahs bowlers, taking 2 for 12 from his four overs. Krishmar Santokie took three wickets, while Jerome Taylor also took two.

The night, however, will be remembered for one man: Christopher Henry Gayle.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

FIFA official Webb agrees to extradition on U.S. charges

By Nate Raymond and Michael Shields NEW YORK/ZURICH, (Reuters) - Jeffrey Webb, one of seven current and former officials of soccer’s world governing body FIFA arrested in Switzerland in May, has agreed to be extradited to the United States to face corruption charges, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) had said earlier yesterday that one of those detained had

Jeffrey Webb agreed not to fight extradition but it did not identify the official.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters that Webb, a former FIFA vice-president and president of the CONCACAF regional soccer federation, was the official concerned.

Bloomberg News first reported that Webb, a citizen of the Cayman Islands, was the person.

A U.S. lawyer for Webb declined to comment.

Wi t h o u t i d e n t i f y i n g Webb, the Swiss FOJ said that a transfer of the person would take place within 10 days. A spokeswoman for

U.S. prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, declined to comment.

Webb was one of the powerful figures arrested in Zurich on May 27 two days before FIFA’s annual congress, stunning world soccer.

An indictment unsealed by U.S. prosecutors in Brooklyn charged soccer officials and marketing executives with exploiting the sport for their own gain through bribes of $150 million over 24 years.

The scandal put pressure on FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who said on June 2 he planned to resign.

Webb is charged with racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and money-laundering.

He has been provisionally banned from his posts at FIFA and CONCACAF. The U.S. indictment describes Webb as using his influential positions to solicit bribes from sports marketing companies in exchange for the commercial rights to soccer matches.

One $500 000 bribe payment from a sports marketing firm called Traffic went to build a swimming pool at Webb’s house in Loganville, Georgia, the indictment charged.

Last week, Cayman Islands officials announced

separate charges against Webb in an unrelated healthcare fraud case.

U.S. prosecutors say their investigation - which is running parallel to a separate Swiss inquiry - exposes complex money-laundering schemes, millions of dollars in untaxed incomes and tens of millions in offshore accounts held by FIFA officials.

The United States last week filed extradition requests for the seven officials.

The other six are Eugenio Figueredo, Eduardo Li, Jose Maria Marin, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas and Rafael Esquivel.

Local boxers in line for AIBA scholarships Warriors trounce Guatemala BOXERS from the Caribbean and Africa would soon get a chance to train and develop their skills at the high-tech AIBA Academy in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

This was disclosed by president of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle who is attending his first AIBA Executive Committee Congress in Doha, Qatar.

Ninvalle reported that during discussions with AIBA president Dr Chin Kuo-Wu it was revealed that the organisation is preparing to offer scholarships to boxers from lesser developed countries to hone their

skills at the world-famous institution.

“These scholarships would run for one year and fighters would be exposed to the highest standard of training and equipment,” Ninvalle said yesterday. In 2013 boxers Imran Khan and Dennis Thomas travelled to Kazakhstan for weeks of training leading up to the World Championships.

Upon his return Ninvalle would be meeting with his executive and members of the GBA Coaches Commission to identify two fighters for the Academy.

The Academy can house

up to one hundred and seventy persons and, according to the AIBA website, “is a specialised centre of excellence for National Federations that are affiliated to AIBA. The Academy provides the most modern training facilities and programmes, not only for the development of athletes but also for a wide range of experts, coaches, judges, doctors, sports managers and administrators.

This sports complex is one of the main foundations for the further development and promotion of boxing,” the website stated.

National Aquatic Centre to be opened twice weekly THE National Aquatic Centre will now be open to the public twice weekly from next Thursday (July 16 2015).

This statement was made by the Director of Sport Christopher Jones on Thursday following a visit to the Liliendaal facility.

According to Jones, the move is in keeping with the Vision statement of the facility which is to provide and maintain an aquatic facility that is safe and healthy for all. The Sport director added that the use of facilities like the Aquatic Centre will help to make swimming an effective activity for the young people to develop health minds, bodies and thus become competitive.

The facility will be open on Thursdays from 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs and on Sundays from 10:00hrs to 17:00hrs at a nominal cost of $1 000 for persons 15 years and above.

This will complement the annual Colgrain ‘Teach them Young; Summer Programme. (Stephan Sookram)

to win Gold Cup opener

… Mexico put six past hapless Cuba CHICAGO, United States (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors produced a rapid first-half burst to stun Guatemala and run out 3-1 winners in their opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup here Thursday.

Sheldon Bateau, Cordell Cato and Joevin Jones all netted inside the first 25 minutes to propel the Caribbean side to a 3-0 lead at halftime in the Group C opener at Soldier Field, and Carlos Ruiz’s second-half strike was but a mere consolation for the Central Americans.

In the feature game of the double-header, Mexico put six past a hapless Cuba without getting a response, with Oribe Peralta smashing in a hat-trick, and Carlos Vela, Andres Guardado and Giovani dos Santos getting the other goals.

The results left T&T and Mexico on top the group with three points each, ahead of their second games in Phoenix tomorrow.

Entering their first game on the backs of several disappointing results in friendly internationals, T&T showed no signs of lethargy as they quickly got on top the Guatemalans.

Bateau put them ahead

Joevin Jones scores for T&T in an opening 3-1 win in Group C. over as a contest at halftime, in the tenth minute, con- Guatemala came out still verting Khaleem Hyland’s fighting in the second half corner in off the post and and were able to pull one T&T doubled their lead back. three minutes later when In the 61st minute, Ruiz Cato capitalised on a mix- controlled a pass in the area up in the Guatemala de- with his chest before blastfence to punch the ball into ing a volley past goalkeeper an open net.

Jan-Michael Williams.

T&T went three-up in the Guatemala went close 25th minute through Jones on a couple occasions late who combined with captain on but T&T managed to and namesake, Kenwyne hold firm and preserve the Jones, and then Cato, before scoreline. hitting a rebound past goalTomorrow, T&T will keeper Ricardo Jerez. take on Cuba while Mexico With the game virtually face Guatemala.

32

Sport CHRONICLE

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

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 11, 2015

FIFA official Webb agrees to extradition on U.S. charges See Story on Page 31

Guyana Amazon Warriors call out for home support MANAGER of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, has said that home fans’ support will be important to the Warriors for their home games in the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) beginning next Wednesday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Warriors will play Tallawahs on July 15, St Lucia Zouks on July 17, Barbados Tridents on July 18 and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on July 21.

“Unlike the past two

years, where the Guyana Amazon Warriors started their campaign at home, this year we have been on the road with matches in Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts/ Nevis and Jamaica where the home teams have received tremendous support; so we are looking forward to the tremendous support from all of Guyana when we return to play at Providence,” Khan said.

Khan, the former West Indies team manager, also expressed confidence that the Amazon Warriors will

bounce back into contention for the playoffs, in their crucial home matches.

Khan is urging local fans to secure their tickets early as he anticipates sold-out crowds for all four matches.

Tickets are going fast so fans are urged to take the opportunity to get the remaining tickets early.

Tickets are being sold at the CPL Central Office on Middle Street as well as the Guyana National Stadium Ticket Office, COURTS stores in George-

Guyana Amazon Warriors call out for home support. town, Berbice, Parika and Linden and at Ramdhan Distribution located at 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, a few buildings from Berbice

High School (BHS).

Currently the Warriors sit on four points from five games, and will travel to Jamaica to oppose the Jamaica Tallawahs tomorrow

at Sabina Park before returning to Guyana for their final four preliminary games.

The team is expected home Monday evening.

GITC, Morgan Centre Government reaffirms register wins in Digicel commitment to CPL South Georgetown Zone See Story on Page 27

GITC marksmen Raffiel Bollers, Paul Chung and Hackeem Clarke (Photo by Delano Williams)

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, met with Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Damien O’Donohoe yesterday and gave the government’s commitment to the CPL, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to a release from the Ministry, Harmon said that “Guyana is not only a cricket-loving country but a cricket-crazy country so we have every reason to welcome the CPL back to Guyana and I want to reaffirm the government’s full support for the CPL specifically, and cricket in general,” “We are aware that the franchise owner of the

See Page 27 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Chief Executive Officer of CPL Damien O’Donohoe SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2015