2015 9 02

GUYANA No. 104300

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

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

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Colour, flair light up the night

INCLUDING VAT

- as Heritage Month gets off to spirited start

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At Education Month launch...

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Roopnaraine plugs bigger role for PTAs, fathers

Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine interacting with children at the launch of Education Month yesterday

1000-odd 10 rounds of AK-47 ‘ammo’ roll in Page

President David Granger interacts with Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock on arrival at ‘Heritage Village’ for the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2015 (Photo by Adrian Narine)

- as gun-amnesty programme takes off

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At Education Month launch...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Roopnaraine

plugs bigger role for PTAs, fathers

E Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine delivering his remarks at the launch of Education Month yesterday

D U C AT I O N M i n i s t e r D r. R u p e r t Roopnaraine is plugging the importance o f P a r e n t - Te a c h e r Associations (PTAs) to the development of the education system, while calling on fathers to play a more meaningful role in the lives of their children.

He made the pitch yesterday as Education Month got under way with a vibrant launching ceremony at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown, under the theme: ‘Quality Educational Leadership: Improving Schools from

Within.’

T h i s y e a r ’s t h e m e underscores the necessity for effective leadership to assist in the proper delivery of education.

KEY MINISTRY Dr. Roopnaraine in an invited comment to this publication, said he expects that at the end of the monthlong event, the nation should become familiar with the enormous task that the Ministry of Education has, given that it is the key ministry.

He also disclosed that as part of the activities, he will be visiting communities to have oneon-one discussions with parents in an effort to put them at ease regarding any of their reservations.

Meanwhile, all schools will be subjected to audits in relation to the performance of their PTAs. These issues, he said, will be the focus of Government’s undertakings that will be placed in the new strategic plan and the final draft of the Education Bill that will be taken to the National

Assembly for deliberation.

During his address at the launch, the Minister of Education reiterated Government’s approach to charting the way forward in the education system.

The new Administration has already reviewed and made amendments to several initiatives that were established before it came into office.

Both the old and new initiatives will be placed before the approved National Education/ Advisory Council which is soon to be established to advise on the Ministry of Education’s Vision 2020 Education Policy for the growth and development of the sector.

Focus will also be placed on how technology could be used in the education sector for the management and delivery of service to advance hinterland education reform.

T h i s y e a r ’s l i s t o f activities holds minimal alterations against last year’s activities and theme: ‘Literate

by Grade Four Through Consistent Home, School and

Community Involvement.’

READING FAIR Stepping away from the routine distribution of electronic devices such as laptops and tablets, the new Administration under the Ministry of Education will be supplying books to all homes, schools and churches countrywide next week during its reading fair on Main Street, in an effort to lift the literacy level.

There will also be a launching of Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (CCESD) at NCERD on September 10, followed by a seminar for education leaders countrywide at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal the following day.

In addition, there will be a launch of the Guyana Early Childhood Education project to push for early learning in infants. The other activities comprise rallies, debates, symposiums, technology fairs and an award ceremony for loyal students and teachers. (Shivanie Sugrim)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Colour, flair light up the night - as Heritage Month gets off to spirited start

IN keeping with the theme “Preserving our Customs and Traditions”, Indigenous persons from across the country went all out to woo attendees at the Sophia Exhibition Site with colour, flair and culture, as Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations kicked off yesterday with the official launching.

Multitudes of eager persons were in attendance to sample

the inimitable fare and witness what the Indigenous folks of Guyana had to offer. On exhibition were various delicacies such as tuma-pot, pepper pot, cassava bread, and farine cake, and beverages such as cassiri and piwari. Persons also used the opportunity to market their handmade craft items and clothing, which excited the attendees.

Speaking with some of the exhibitors, the Chronicle

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discovered that there was an increase in the number of booths on display; that exhibitors had worked very hard to get their products ready for the event; and that many were the challenges that they faced and overcame to get their produce to Georgetown from the different Amerindian villages countrywide.

(Navendra Seoraj) Two vendors getting their beverages ready for sale

According their guests a traditional welcome

These youngsters seem to be smitten by the items on exhibit

Persons marketing their handmade craft items (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Allicock to celebrants...

‘Life too short to be negative’ - as Guyana pays homage to ‘Keepers of God’s Forests’ “WE must be a very proud people. We, the Indigenous People of the world, have been the keepers of God’s forests. All humanity now depend on the sacrifice and the hard work of our forbears; we must continue their works.”

This assertion was made by the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, at the launch of this year’s celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month at the Amerindian Village in Sophia.

Minister Allicock also urged the entire gathering to celebrate their historic journey to present-day.

The rich and diverse culture of Guyana’s first inhabitants, the Indigenous Peoples, is significantly showcased during the annual Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations.

This year’s activities, the minister noted, will be celebrated under the theme: “Preserving

Indigenous Customs and Traditions”.

Indigenous Heritage Month, formerly Amerindian Heritage Month, originated on September 10, 1957 when Guyanese Stephen Campbell became the first Amerindian selected to be a Member of Parliament.

“In honour of the first Indigenous Parliamentarian, who has paved the way for future politicians, I bring you greetings of unity during this month,” Minister Allicock announced.

He said: “The Government has signalled its intention to do all that is necessary to ensure a sustainable utilisation of our national patrimony. And as we celebrate, let us reflect on the value of what our forbears have left for us.”

The minister related that “The First People” are known for the distinctive dialects of the Warrau, Arawak, Wapisiana, and Carib

languages. The Indigenous Peoples are known for their craft-making skills and unique array of foods that are usually made from cassava and other ground provisions; and the heritage celebration allows the wider Guyanese populace to experience the Indigenous culture in a profound way.

He urged all Guyanese to take some time to participate in their culture, and assured the Government that the Indigenous People stand resolute with them.

“We are a special people, and (we) need to understand that life is too short to be negative. Our future depends on the positive vibrations outputted by all, our support for the eco-system and the management of our natural resources,” he declared as he reminded his people that unity is important President David Granger converses if the country is to progress into the future. with Minister Sydney Allicock upon his arrival at the Amerindian Village in (Rebecca Ganesh) Sophia (Photo by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Why are so many children dying in India?

By Harmeet Shah Singh, CNN NEW DELHI: MORE than 50 children, most of them newborn babies, have died in less than two weeks at a State-run pediatric hospital in one of India’s most impoverished regions, authorities say.

The first two cases were reported on August 21 at the Sishu Bhawan hospital in Odisha state on India’s east coast. Since then, 52 children have died, hospital superintendent Niranjan Mohanty told CNN. Sishu Bhawan is one of the few referral pediatric hospitals in south-eastern India that specialises in complicated newborn health issues, he said.

But he admitted the hospital is overwhelmed. On average, the 416-bed facility receives at least 450 children daily from across Odisha and neighboring states -- at least 50 requiring intensive care.

Most of the children who died in the past days suffered from birth asphyxia --

Migrants stranded as Hungary bars them from rail station (BBC) - HUNDREDS of migrants are stranded outside a major railway station in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, after police sealed off the terminal to stop them travelling through the EU. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs defended the closure, saying Hungary was trying to enforce EU law.

Thousands of people, many fleeing war and persecution, are trying to reach northern Europe to claim asylum.

India’s Prime Minister has expressed his concern at the country’s infant mortality rate when a baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen at birth. Other cases involved neonatal sepsis, a blood infection that occurs in infants younger than 90 days.

While a team of health officials from the central government has now arrived in Odisha to investigate, the spike in child deaths has once again put the spotlight

on infant mortality and malnourishment rates in India generally.

Around 50,000 mothers and 1.3 million newborns die every year in the country during or immediately after delivery, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his latest radio address on Sunday. He said India has achieved a substantial decline in maternal and child deaths, but said the figure still remained too high. “This is worrisome and scary,” he said.

According to the national health ministry, India’s cur-

rent newborn mortality rate stands at 29 per 1,000 live births. The South Asian nation aims to bring it down to the single-digits in the next 15 years, the ministry said.

Of the 2.8 million newborns dying at birth worldwide, India accounts for 700,000 such deaths, authorities said. The country’s under-5 mortality rate is even more serious -- 49 per 1,000 live births, UNICEF India’s health specialist Gagan Gupta told CNN.

China’s factory sector is running out of steam (CNN): AN important gauge of factory activity fell to a three-year low of 49.7 in August, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. Any number below 50 indicates a deceleration in the manufacturing sector.

A separate survey conducted by Chinese media group Caixin and Markit Economics showed manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.3 in August, marking the sixth month the index has been below 50.

“We suspect the latest bout of weakness mostly reflects temporary disruptions to factory output due to restrictions on polluting activities,” ahead of a public holiday and military parade in Beijing, said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics about the government data. “The Tianjin warehouse explosion will also have negatively impacted industrial activity.”

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Many families bedded down near Keleti station, wondering what to do next EU states are engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity to find a solution.

The crisis has highlighted the limitations of the EU’s system for coping with refugees, the BBC’s Chris Morris says.

Under an EU rule known as the Dublin Regulation, refugees should seek asylum in the first EU country they enter.

But with countries such as Italy and Greece saying they cannot cope with the numbers, many have headed north.

Hungary had earlier appeared to abandon efforts to register migrants, allowing huge numbers to board trains at Keleti station in east Budapest and travel to Vienna and southern Germany on Monday.

Canada is on the verge of a recession (CNN): THE latest economic data from Canada shows that it is inching toward recession, after its economy posted its fifth straight month of contraction.

Statistics Canada revealed on July 31 that the Canadian economy shrank by 0.2% on an annualised basis in May, perhaps pushing the country over the edge into recessionary territory for the first half of 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Venezuela prison fire: Tocuyito blaze kills 17

(BBC): Seventeen people have been killed and another 11 injured in a fire at a prison in Venezuela.

The cause of the blaze at Tocuyito jail near the city of Valencia is still being investigated.

Inmates said an electrical fault was to blame but investigators have yet to provide an official report.

Prisons in Venezuela are notoriously overcrowded and violent. Pressure group Venezuelan Prison Observatory says more than 300 inmates were killed in 2014.

‘INCREASED SECURITY’ Nine men and eight women died in the fire which spread through one of the units, officials said.

Forensic experts are trying to identify the bodies.

Relatives who gathered outside the morgue in Valencia said they believed the male victims were inmates while the female ones were spending the night in the penitentiary.

They said it was not unusual for visitors to spend Sunday night with their incarcerated partners.

Officials said security inside and around the prison had been increased to stop inmates from rioting or attempting to escape.

Venezuela has one of the highest crime and homicide rates in Latin America, and the judicial system is struggling to cope with the caseload.

The prison population has been increasing with many of those incarcerated waiting for trial.

Argentina ‘stolen child’ abducted in 1978 found (BBC): Campaigners in Argentina have identified another child abducted from left-wing political prisoners during military rule between 1976 and 1983.

The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo group says DNA tests confirm the woman, now in her thirties, was the daughter of communist activists seized in 1977.

Her mother gave birth in prison and both her biological parents were never seen again. The organisation says there are still more than 400 others to be found.

Human rights groups say the kidnapping of babies was part of a systematic Government plan.

The plan was to place the children of people the Government thought of as subversive with military families and allies to avoid

This is the 117th missing child found by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, its head Estela de Carlotto said raising another generation of what the military rulers considered left-wing radicals.

In this case, the woman is the child of Walter Dominguez and Gladys Castro, who lived in the northern city of Mendoza and both belonged to the Argentine Communist

Marxist Leninist party.

They were arrested in their home by what the neighbours thought were police and taken away.

Gladys Castro was six months pregnant at the time. She gave birth in 1978.

Colombia ‘to reunite families in Venezuela border crisis’

(BBC): Colombia is to offer citizenship to Venezuelan relatives of Colombians who have been deported from Venezuela, officials say.

It is the latest move by the Colombian government to ease a crisis triggered by Venezuela’s closure of a key stretch of their mutual border.

More than 1,000 Colombians have been deported from Venezuela as part of a crackdown on smuggling in the area.

Some complained about being separated from their Venezuelan spouses.

Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin said that the government wanted to help those Venezuelans married to Colombians who wanted to move to Colombia.

Brazil mayor who ran town via WhatsApp wanted for corruption

(BBC): A mayor in Brazil is on the run after she was accused of siphoning off funds from the school system and running the town remotely through WhatsApp. Lidiane Leite, 25, lived a life of luxury in the capital of Maranhao state, prosecutors said.

They say her only contact with her town, Bom Jardim, was through The alleged corruption scheme was unveiled after a daily WhatsApp nationwide Federal Police investigation messages to her cabinet. for alleged corruption.

An arrest warrant has ‘YOUNG AND Ms Leite stepped in and been issued against her and INEXPERIENCED’ was elected. She appointed her boyfriend, who served as Mr Rocha as her main her main adviser.

She was in her early 20s adviser and went to live in Ms Leite’s lawyer said when Beto Rocha, her boy- the state capital, Sao Luis, she was not aware of any friend, was banned from 275km (170 miles) away. wrongdoing. running for mayor in 2012

Border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia remains closed in Tachira province

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Editorial

Guyana

The Social Cohesion Roundtable

T

HE Ministry of Social Cohesion will, tomorrow, be hosting a Roundtable discussion at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre.

According to Minister Amna Ali, the Roundtable, which is expected to bring together more than fifty organisations, is aimed at providing ideas and programmes for the crafting of the ministry’s five-year strategic plan.

According to Minister Ali, the UNDP and the British High Commission have been instrumental in providing the funding for the event, which was preceded by consultations across the country.

We applaud the ministry for taking this most necessary initiative. This is one of the new ministries created by the new Government. In fact, unlike the others which have merely been renamed or reconstituted, the Ministry of Social Cohesion is really a new entity.

Never has there been a ministry directly tasked with this vital area of our collective experience. The minister has, therefore, done the right thing - solicit the input of representative organisations in conceptualising the work of the ministry.

It is another small but welcomed step in making good on the Government’s promise to expand the democratic process beyond intra-governmental consultations.

President David Granger is slated to address the meeting. Hopefully he would use the opportunity to articulate both the thinking behind the creation of the Ministry and his own vision for Social Cohesion.

As the leader of the Government, his charge to the participants should set the tone for the discussions to follow. Also slated to speak is veteran international

civil servant, Sir Shridath Ramphal, whose global experience makes him a vital resource.

Social Cohesion is a logical outgrowth of our diverse society. This diversity which arose out of our historical evolution has not always worked to our benefit. While ethnic diversity could be a blessing, it often becomes a source of tension and conflict. Here in Guyana, we have had our fair share of those.

While past Governments have employed the rhetoric of unity, none has really made the work of national reconciliation a deliberate aspect of its day-to-day governance.

President Granger and his Government should, therefore, be commended for this bold step.

Of course, some would question whether this should even be Government’s work. We strongly believe it is.

While Government cannot bring about reconciliation, it can and should facilitate the process. This function arises from the larger role of Government in promoting and advancing social equality. As we have previously editorialised, there can be no meaningful social cohesion outside of social equality. We hope that this forms part of the discourse at the Roundtable.

Guyana’s forward movement in all dimensions - economically, politically, culturally, socially - is hinged on national reconciliation. In fact reconciliation is a constant in ethnically plural societies such as ours. Reconciliation should not only wait on or follow conflict; it should also anticipate and aim to prevent conflict.

Ethnic diversity is not the only cause of conflict, but most of the world’s conflicts arise from ethnically diverse societies. In our case it is now broadly accepted that our socio-economic development has been severely hampered by our ethnic problems. There is no magic in ethnic unity, but if we could come to some sense of shared national purpose, our country could break out of

its economically impoverished state at a considerably faster rate.

While we stress the need for ethnic cohesion, it is not the only area of social tension or potential tension.

Perhaps of equal importance is tension arising out of social class and its historical inequalities which cut across ethnic lines. As the gap between the rich and the poor has widened in recent times, the perceptions and counter perceptions of the haves and the have-nots towards each other have magnified.

Then we have the problem of gender inequality, one which is often subsumed in the discourses of race and class. Yet it is the area in which violence is most persistent. The phenomenal growth in the incidence of domestic, sexual and other related violence against women and to some extent against men must not escape the discussions tomorrow.

Finally, while we need to focus on the need for inter-group reconciliation, equal emphasis should be placed on intra-group cohesion. Often our ethnic groups experience their own conflicts within the collectives. We have mentioned class divisions, but religious problems are not far behind. Religious bigotry is a fact of life in Guyana that is often obscured by other forms of conflict.

The work of reconciliation and cohesion is enormous. We wish the roundtable well and urge the participants to use the occasion constructively. We hope that there would be less bombastic declarations and more constructive discussions. Perhaps such a meeting should have been spread over two or three days. But, at least they have made a start.

Fire Chief issues dry season fire hazard advisory IN light of the prevailing dry season, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle is advising against the indiscriminate burning of garbage and grass, especially in built-up

areas with housing, since property can be damaged, and lives can be put at risk.

He explained that when the weather is dry and persons ignite fires to burn refuse and so forth, the fires are often left unattended and the flames could spread very quickly to utility poles and fences, while smoke can get into homes and affect the elderly and those with asthma.

Gentle said that the Guyana Fire Service is aware that in the dry season it is not wise to try to dispose of garbage by burning and the practice can also be a traffic hazard as well.

He added that they have been working in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to have canals and drains cleaned, so they will be able to hold more water and in the event of a fire there would be ample water to douse flames.

Gentle told this newspaper that they have seen an increase in rubbish

and grass fires on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara corridors.

He disclosed also that they have received many calls in which fire tenders had to be dispatched to deal with grass and garbage fires, and so he is urging citizens to desist from this practice.

Gentle observed that some persons are in the habit of igniting grass during land-clearing exercises and when the fire Chief Fire Officer gets out of control the Marlon Gentle GFS is summoned to put out the blaze.

He emphasised that these fires can be avoided if people dispose of their garbage in a better manner by utilising the services of the waste disposal agencies.

(Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

President pledges to preserve way of Guyana’s First Peoples ––at opening of Indigenous Heritage Month

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Sydney Allicock addressing the launch yesterday

By Tajeram Mohabir INDIGENOUS Heritage Month 2015 yesterday opened amid much fanfare, with President David Granger making a solemn pledge to preserve the languages and traditions of Guyana’s first people.

The occasion got under way just after 17:00hrs, with the President being greeted by Indigenous Peoples of the different tribes as he made his way to the benab in the Sophia Exhibition Complex where the launch was held.

On his way to the benab, persons bedecked in traditional Indigenous attire blew their horns, and soon after this subsided, the National Anthem “Dear Land of Guyana” was played.

President Granger, in his address to kickstart activities of Indigenous Heritage Month See page 17

Digicel gives school items to Kingston Secondary

Students of Kingston Secondary posing with their back-to-school bags on Monday, compliments of Digicel DIGICEL Guyana on Monday culminated its backto-school drive at Kingston Secondary School by giving students there backpacks and other school supplies.

This year the cellphone giant also provided each student, new and continuing, with snacks, water bottles and lunch packs.

“We decided to pay a

visit to this school today, since they are part of the same community we are a part of. We have been giving back to the community especially around Christmas and the back-to-school period, where we would go door to door and give back-to-school items to the children in the area,” said Mrs. Louanna Abrams, a

Digicel representative.

Abrams, in an invited comment, mentioned that this was not the only school that will benefit from its back-to-school initiative, as they have several back-to-school distributions planned.

Meanwhile, Headmistress Ms. Rowena Seymour expressed her sin-

cere thanks and appreciation to Digicel for sharing time with the students and giving them school supplies.

For the past few weeks the company was involved in dental outreach programmes countrywide and also presented backpacks and stationery to school children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Woman missing after visit to Kaieteur Falls - massive search underway

A FEMALE tourist of the world famous Kaieteur Falls has gone missing following a trip to the Region Eight, Potaro Siparuni location on Tuesday.

No name has been released for the woman who was part of an Air Services Limited tour to the Kaieteur National Park (KNP).

In a statement, the Ministry of the Presidency said that the Department of Natural Resources has reported that a search operation is currently underway at the Park to locate the missing woman.

“It has been reported that the flight had a total of nine passengers and sometime during the tour, a female passenger was discovered to be missing,” the Ministry said.

“The National Parks Commission Rangers, who facilitated the tour, were joined by other staffers in executing an immediate search operation,” it added.

According to the Department, all relevant authorities, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) were notified.

An expanded search party was scheduled to resume operations yesterday morning, and it was hoped that with the GDF and other relevant agencies involved, the passenger will be found.

Tours to the KNP have since been suspended.

Re-migrant’s SUV seized over false number plate

By Leroy Smith

Going nowhere: The police ensured that they secured the vehicle with the false registration number, PTT 1256, to prevent its removal until the investigations are complete

RANKS at the Brickdam Police Station last Saturday impounded a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle after it was spotted being driven around in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, bearing a false registration number.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the vehicle was seen by a senior public servant who recognised that the registration number had been already assigned to a NZE motorcar. The official immediately telephoned the police.

By the time the police arrived, the driver of the vehicle had disappeared and ranks examined the vehicle and towed it to the Brickdam Police Station. The owner of the NZE whose number the SUV bore was called in by the police to verify that the registration number on his vehicle was authentic and he confirmed this by providing the relevant documents.

The police and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) then launched an investigation into the matter and found that the Lexus SUV was registered to a re-migrant who resides in Berbice, Region 6.

This newspaper learnt subsequently that the vehicle was brought into the country legally by the owner. According to a source familiar with the workings of the GRA, the owner could face sanctions for the false registration plate.

According to the source, this development also has the potential to cause a review of the owner’s qualification as a re-migrant.

Berbice NGO takes to the streets - demands removal of unjust labour officer

By Jeune Vankeric THE recently registered Justice for the Unjust NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) took to the streets of New Amsterdam on September 1 to protest before the Regional Democratic Council’s office and call for the removal of Ronal Bissoondial, the lone labour officer in Region 6 [East Berbice/Corentyne].

NGO spokesman Ishmael King explained that whenever an employee airs a grievance with respect to underpayment or being overworked, or being physically or sexually violated, or denied the relevant lunch periods, or in respect of non-payment of workers’ contributions to the National Insurance Scheme, among other complaints, those grievances are not addressed. Instead, the labour officer would inform the respective employer about the complaint, and that complainant would be fired.

As a result, King said some persons have lost confidence in this labour officer and are calling for his removal. The protestors allege he is a retiree and should have been out of the work force, thereby making way for other persons to be employed.

“So many people [are] not finding jobs, and they got a man there who already attain the age of retirement still seated in the position. Imagine, a large region like this [and] they only got one labour officer; they should appoint at least four officers, [and that should] effectively address the concerns of the labour force,” King explained.

Region 6 Chairman Mr. David Armogan in an invited comment, noted that the labour officer is neither attached to the region nor does he report to the Regional Administration.

“We have no working relationship with the Ministry of Labour and that particular labour officer. He reports directly to the Ministry of Labour. We do not know what he is doing and what matters he is addressing,” Armogan explained.

Armogan’s comments came after protestors had picketed the Regional Administration Complex, even as the chairman was exiting the compound during his lunch break. He

said: “I hope the present Government will address the working relationship between these various departments and the Regional Administration. The persons working in these ministries have no reporting relationship with us, no accounting relationship with us. They do exactly what their subject ministry tells them to do, and when the thing is blown out of proportion, people are coming to protest in front of the Regional Complex.”

In an attempt to solicit a comment from Mr. Ronal Bissoondial, this reporter visited his offices at Princess Elizabeth Road on Tuesday, but was told by his secretary that he was unavailable as he was currently investigating a matter.

Protestors outside the office of the Regional Democratic Council in New Amsterdam

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Gov’t, Opposition to work together - to ensure Guyana’s territorial integrity

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President David Granger (right) and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo during their meeting Monday at the Ministry of the Presidency

Zara Group donates 10 desktop computers to M&CC THE Zara Group of Companies last Friday donated 10 desktop computers to the Information Technology Division of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Town Clerk Royston King and staff were on hand to accept the donation of computers, valued at $700,000, from the company’s Certified Systems Engineer, Nardeo Singh.

Meanwhile, the company has indicated its willingness

to assist in rectifying the information technology issues at the M&CC. The Zara Group of Companies will also assist the municipality to build a data base that would be able to track property owners’ information, and property owners would be able to access information about their rates online.

The company specialises i n p r o v i d i n g information technology a s s i s t a n c e t o

various organisations such as the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

During the handing-over ceremony, the town clerk welcomed the gifts with gratitude and said that he would look forward to further collaboration with the company.

King added that these computers would help to satisfy some of the information technology needs

of the City Council. He also encouraged other organisations to emulate the gesture by the Zara Group.

The Zara Company was started in New York by George Subhraj some 30 years ago. The company was mainly involved in real estate business and managing apartment buildings.

According to Subhraj, the Guyana linkage came about because of the need to give back to the country of his birth.

Town Clerk Royston King with staffers last Friday as he accepted the computers from Zara’s Certified Systems Engineer, Nardeo Singh

UYANESE can look forward to the current Administration doing its part to ensure inclusive governance. This was the sentiment expressed by President David Granger following a meeting on Monday with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

President Granger said in an invited comment following the meeting, that his Administration is prepared to work with the Opposition for the benefit of the people of Guyana. He added that there is the urgent problem of the threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity that must be addressed.

President Granger said the Opposition Leader has agreed to work with the Administration to deal with the Venezuela territorial issue.

Also discussed at the meeting, as a matter of national interest, was the establishment of the five bi-partisan committees. These bodies are the Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee, Border Committee, National Unity Committee and a Security Committee.

“Once Mr. Jagdeo was elected Leader of the Opposition, I wrote him inviting him to talks, because, as Leader of [the] Opposition he has certain constitutional obligations,” President Granger said.

Among important work to be completed on the packed roster of the 11th Parliament, he said, are the 2016 Budget, and support for the agriculture sector, particularly the rice and sugar industries.

He said that given the magnitude of the foregoing and other matters, he is pleased that the meeting with him and the Opposition Leader took place, as it is important to start the process of addressing matters of national interest.

On August 17 last, former President Bharrat Jagdeo was sworn in as Opposition Leader. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Mayor to illegal business operators...

Only Green can give the 'green light’ PERSONS who think they can operate unregistered businesses anywhere within the city are in for a big surprise:- Mayor Hamilton Green has declared he is on the move to rid the city of illegal businesses by any means necessary!

At last Monday’s press conference with members of the media, Mayor Green disclosed: “Only Green can give the green light. Illegal business operators will face the brunt of the law.

He said too many persons are operating illegal businesses across the city, and something must be done to arrest the situation, because these business operators are not registered with the housing and planning authority of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

“People have, over the Georgetown Mayor years, developed a culture Hamilton Green of doing what they deem fit; therefore, from now they will be inspected, and will have to go the right route, which is by consulting with the municipality,” Mayor Green declared.

He promised that efforts to rid the city of illegal businesses will be strengthened, as constant surveys and inspections will be done to ensure that persons are obeying the law and doing what is right. (Navendra Seoraj)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

1000-odd rounds of AK-47 ‘ammo’ roll in - as gun-amnesty programme takes off

By Leroy Smith

AT the Alberttown Police Station yesterday just after the firearm amnesty commenced at 09:00hrs, a city resident brought in a five-gallon bucket containing 1,191 live rounds of 7.62x51 ammunition.

According to a source close to the man who turned in the ammo, from the moment he heard that the Government was providing an amnesty period for persons in possession of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives, he started to follow the matter.

The man reportedly told a close friend that he’d waited patiently for the amnesty to commence so that he could relieve himself of the burden of having the illegal items in his possession.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the man volunteered his name to the police, but that information was not provided to the media, since it could compromise the integrity of the entire process.

It was related, however, that the rounds which were supplied to the police might have been in storage for some time, according to a close look at their condition.

The calibre of the particular ammunition would enable a round to penetrate a concrete wall, and would still have that impact even if fired from a distance of 100 metres from the target.

Meanwhile, shortly after the ammunition was handed over to the police, a resident from another part of the city visited another police station, where he handed over two .22 semi-automatic pistols and 55 live rounds of matching ammunition and three magazines.

The firearm amnesty initiative was launched as a measure to deal with the escalating crime situation, especially gun The 1,191 live rounds of 7.62x51 ammunition which formed the first response by a citizen to the firearm amnesty

Some of the guns and ammunition handed in on Tuesday

violence.

However, on Monday former Home Affairs Minister and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Clement Rohee, told reporters that the amnesty programme was likely to fail.

The firearm amnesty which commenced yesterday, will conclude on September 30 and after that all persons who are found in possession of illegal firearms will have to face the full force of the law.

‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken, supported by members of the religious community who are the main backers of the initiative, yesterday interacted with the media just moments after the programme commenced.

The religious leaders called for good sense to prevail with respect to the amnesty period, as they too feel that too many weapons are in the wrong hands.

Many of them called mostly on the young people in the

Commander Clifton Hicken flanked by members of the faith-based organisations yesterday morning

various communities to come forward and relieve themselves of the burden of having illegal guns, which could land them in jail if they continue to hold onto them.

There was also the call for young people to find religious leaders from their communities to accompany them to police stations to hand over guns if they feel scared to go alone.

They also have the option of handing over the illegal guns to religious leaders, so that they can take them in to the police.

By mid-afternoon yesterday it was only the police in ‘A’ Division who had favourable responses from members of the public regarding the amnesty.

In underscoring the presence of the faith-based organisations as part of the process, Hicken said that those leaders will be visiting the various police stations where weapons are to be handed over to ensure that the persons who are responding are comfortable and that the process is not being hindered in any way.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Finance Minister approves zero-rating of VAT on additional food supplies, essential commodities MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan recently affixed his signature to the amended Value Added Tax (VAT) Order, paving the way for additional food supplies and essential commodities to be included in the list of zero-rated items.

Among them, multifunction printers not for commercial use, a supply of biscuits, a supply of cereals, fresh carrots, milo and ovaltine, nestum, mustard and mayonnaise, uncooked chowmein, vinegar, uncooked pasta, ketchup, chicken sausages, Chinese sauce, baking powder, liquid detergent, household cleaning agents, paper towels (rolls) and yogurt.

Additionally, the words

“but not including other flour such as” was deleted and a

“a supply of (i) plain white wheaten or whole wheat

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

Commissioner-General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur

comma inserted thereafter in sub-paragraph (i) of Schedule I paragraph 2A(s) of the Principal Act. It now reads:

flour, including roti-mix and self-rising flour, high fibre flour, flour made from durum

wheat and other exotic flour.”

In light of the amendments, directives have been given for the approved list of items with specific Tariff Headings to be installed in the Guyana R e v e n u e A u t h o r i t y ’s , Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and properly administered by staff within the respective departments, such as the Entry Processing Unit (EPU) of the Customs Excise and Trade Operations and the various ports of entry.

Important to note is the fact that tax exemption letter from the Commissioner General (CG) will not be

required.

The GRA is appealing for the public to heighten its awareness on zero rated items especially when making purchases from VAT registered businesses.

Recently CommissionerGeneral of the GRA Mr. Khurshid Sattaur reiterated the importance of citizens being vigilant and avoid being duped to pay VAT when they are not required. “You have to educate yourself. Having a quick nimble mind about what attracts VAT and what does not, is important in helping you and the GRA.” There have been

numerous reports of businesses failing to adhere to the policy regarding how they should advertise VAT inclusive products and also failing to provide tax invoices/receipts to consumers.

With reference to Section 90 (2) and (3) of the VAT Act, where a registered person advertises or quotes a price for a good or service that is subject to 16 % VAT, the price is required to include the tax and the advertisement or quotation must state that VAT is included. The customer or consumer then makes a single payment.

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Man remanded for allegedly biting toddler

JERMAINE Joseph on Monday appeared before New Amsterdam Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, charged with assault causing actual bodily harm after he had allegedly inflicted several bites about the body of his lover’s one-year-plus daughter.

Particulars of the charge detailed that on August 5, at Line Path, Coriverton Corentyne, the defendant assaulted Shamiza Khabux

so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

Police Sergeant Phillip Sherrif, prosecuting, disclosed that, on the day in question, the defendant carried out his routine habit of cuffing and slapping the toddler.

The defendant and the c h i l d ’s m o t h e r, S e e m a Gray, allegedly shared an abusive relationship; and the defendant told his lover that the child’s father ‘wuk on he’, as he was not seeing

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

his way. A heated argument ensued, and the defendant allegedly bit the toddler on her face, back, thigh, chest and abdomen.

The couple were subsequently arrested and taken to the Springlands Police Station, from where ranks contacted Shazan Khabux, father of the infant. The toddler was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and was admitted for six days.

Subsequently, while the defendant was being

The accused, Jermaine Joseph transported to New Amsterdam in a police vehicle, he jumped off the speeding vehicle in the vicinity of the Number 19 roadway, and was not rearrested until just two days ago. He is expect-

Little Shamiza Khabux with her grandmother, Julianna Deokie, outside the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court ed to shortly face an escape from lawful custody charge.

The 20-year-old Joseph was remanded to prison, and the current matter has

been transferred before the Springlands magistrate, where it is fixed for hearing on September 4.

(Jeune Vankeric)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Police concede ‘reaching a snag’ - in ‘Black Chiney’ murder THE police are yet to make a breakthrough following the August 7, 2015 murder of Chinese restaurateur Zhenju Su, known as ‘Black Chiney’, even though they had arrested, detained and questioned several persons.

Sleuths yesterday conceded reaching a snag,

but say they are optimistic of solving the case soon.

Su was the owner of the Jade Stone Chinese restaurant on Mandela Av e n u e i n R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown. It was broken into and sacked at about 03:00hrs on August 7, 2015, when armed bandits

descended on the couple and demanded money, b e f o re h a c k i n g S u t o death in the kitchen of his eating house, and severely beating his wife, Fei Su, 32. The bandits had also taken away an undisclosed amount of cash from the residence.

Murdered: Zhenjz Su

The Jade Stone Chinese Restaurant

After the robbers left, Fei Su had gone in search of her husband, whose lifeless body she found on the kitchen floor bound, gagged, and bearing multiple chop wounds to his head. His feet were tied and his mouth gagged.

Initially, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told this newspaper that another suspect had been arrested, but that suspect was later released, while two others who were detained were also released.

After the homicide,

several members of the b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y, outraged by the brutality of the crime which had claimed the life of their friend, put up a $2M reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators.

Detectives have said that, even with the reward being offered, the police have received very few calls, but their behindthe-scenes work had led to three persons being arrested separately. (Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

ARIES Your ESP continues to expand, and you sense what friends are feeling without their saying anything. Don’t be surprised if one is hiding some repressed anger! The chance to travel may come up unexpectedly, and you could be in a quandary about going. Consider it carefully. If it’s feasible, go for it. This isn’t the time to hold back.

TAURUS The execution of contracts and other legal documents looks favourable now.

You might consider going into business, perhaps in a partnership with some friends. This looks good, but there’s a chance that one of them has been keeping things from you, and this might make you angry. Honest communication is necessary in order to succeed at a new enterprise.

GEMINI Everyone is likely to be making demands on you right now, which can have you in a dither. A career success could be offset by an upset with a partner over a miscommunication. This should be worked out, but it might take the wind out of your sails if you let it. It would be a good idea to derail any upset before it runs you down. Invite your partner out to celebrate!

CANCER This should be a fortunate day, including love, career, money, and health.

Plans for a trip might finally materialise, and a long-awaited solution for a niggling health concern could manifest. You should feel very enthusiastic and optimistic about your future. You might even be daring enough to take a few more chances than usual. Go for the gold, and don’t be surprised if you actually get it!

LEO If you’ve been expecting a settlement of some kind, today it might finally come or show signs of coming soon. This is a great day to invest in a home, land, or property. It’s especially necessary to read the fine print before signing anything. Your mind might be a little foggy. Anything you have to do could require a little more concentration than usual.

VIRGO Some paperwork might need attention today. You may also be on the phone a lot. Communication should be clear, open, and honest, so you’ll accomplish exactly what you need to. An intimate and loving conversation could take place between you and a close friend or lover who might follow up with a visit to your home.

LIBRA Physically, you feel strong and energetic. This is a good day to look into expanding your horizons. All signs point to personal and career success.

Some surprising communications from friends or neighbours could bring fascinating information your way. You’ll know just what to do with it. Follow your instincts!

SCORPIO Ingenuity and practicality lead to success now. Something may be accomplished that has meant a lot to you, and you should feel particularly satisfied with yourself and maybe even a little excited. A lot of comings and goings could take place in the home today, with visitors and family members popping in and out. Stay centred.

SAGITTARIUS You might put a lot of effort into the appearance of your house. Some people you’d like to impress could visit your home tonight. You should be especially intuitive now, so don’t be surprised if you anticipate what they’ll say before they say it. Make it work for you! Success through entertaining and the astute use of intuition are highly indicated.

CAPRICORN A group you’re affiliated with could meet somewhere in your neighbourhood.

Though you’re usually more sensitive and intuitive than others, today you could be feeling especially so. Expect a lot of phone calls and visitors. Don’t be surprised if you can read their minds! Artistic and creative interests could also be important to you now.

AQUARIUS This is a period when your business and financial interests continue to fly high. You may feel disoriented at times, as everything seems to be happening at once. Yet all you can do is go with the flow. You’re on a roll! Matters involving friendship and love also are changing rapidly, mostly for the better, though you might leave some longtime companions behind.

PISCES As career and money matters continue to advance, your self-confidence is high and your mind is very positive. You should continue to attract good fortune. Expect more pleasant surprises and sudden breaks this month. You’ll attract new friendships based on shared spiritual values, and old friendships should solidify even more. Life is treating you well.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

President pledges to preserve way of Guyana’s ...

From page 7

2015, said the rich and diverse culture of the Amerindian people needs to be safeguarded.

“Modernisation and penetration by other cultures are threatening many of the traditions and values which our people hold dear,” he told the gathering of government ministers, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; diplomats; and Amerindians of the different tribes of all the

regions.

Culture, the President said, encompasses the totality of a people’s experiences and existence, incorporates customs and traditions as well as values,and relationship with the environment and language.

Indigenous Heritage Month 2015 is being celebrated under the theme, ‘Preserving our

President David Granger pledging to preserve the languages and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples

A section of the gathering at the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2015 at the Sophia Exhibition Complex (Photo by Adrian Narine) customs and traditions,’ and according to the president, emphasis will be placed on the preservation of indigenous languages as the Constitution of the land mandates.

The Constitution says Indigenous Peoples shall have the right to the protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life, and the President assured his audience that this will be upheld.

But, he said, Guyanese should get to learn more about their environment.

“We are ignorant about the names of plants, fish, birds, animals which abound in the hinterland; we are really ignorant about the environment around us,” he said, calling for a change and an embrace of indigenous languages.

“Language makes human cooperation possible; language is part of our people’s identity; language shapes our senses and our identity, so that we know who we are; it is a form of bonding. The heritage of our Indigenous Peoples, therefore, must be seen as the patrimony of all Guyana,” the President told the lively gathering.

Young Claudio Faria of Sand Creek performing poem entitled, ‘I am a proud Amerindian’

CULTURAL RETENTION The government, he said, favours cultural retention and continuity, and respects the identities and heritages of all peoples of Guyana.

He told the occasion that unfortunately, the

language of the Indigenous Peoples is under threat of dying, as it is not part of the “BlackBerry generation.”

“We cannot allow this to happen,” the President said, pointing out that a Hinterland Language, Cultural and Sports Commission will be established to support the preservation efforts.

The Commission, among other things, will be charged with the responsibility of promoting and preserving the Indigenous languages in accordance with the Constitution.

It will also take steps to ensure the culture, traditions and customs flourish, and are more widely appreciated and respected.

“We will ensure that wherever possible, children in Indigenous communities receive formal instruction in their native languages,” he said, noting that dictionaries will be compiled in all the Indigenous languages.

The president also announced that the government will re-establish the Amerindian Languages Project at the University of Guyana (UG), but will rename it The Indigenous Peoples’ Language Project. It will be tasked with completing the compilation of dictionaries in Indigenous languages.

Meanwhile, Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock said Indigenous Heritage Month is about the celebration of the work and life of the country’s First Peoples.

“We must be a very proud people. We the Indigenous Peoples of the world have been the keepers of God’s forests; all of humanity now depend on the sacrifice and hard work of our forbears. We must continue their work; it is the least that we can do to honour their memory,” he said.

Santa Aratak of Region 3 has been designated Heritage Village 2015. The launch featured songs and dances from the Katiwau Dance Group, the Surama Cultural Group and several individual performances

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Police report following several leads in airport couple armed robbery

POLICE yesterday reported following several leads in relation to the early Sunday morning armed robbery committed on a couple who had just returned home from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), after holidaying in the United States of America (USA).

Sleuths disclosed that they have eliminated the taxi driver as a suspect, and are pursuing a different angle in the probe.

Neither the husband nor his wife could recall being followed by a white car while on their way home from the CJIA, but as soon as they had reached in front of their house, and the husband had exited the car to open the gate, a white car passed and two men approached them. One toting a knife told him, “Don’t move!” while the other, who had a gun, held up the driver and put him to lie on the ground. The wife was still seated in the vehicle.

They were relieved of their two-piece hand luggage, which contained important documents and cash among other things

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

they had brought for persons.

The knife-toting bandit then demanded that the wife hand over the bags, but she hesitated; and the gunman, who was getting impatient, threatened to shoot the driver if she did not comply with the request.

The terrified woman was forced to hand over the two hand-piece bags to the robber who was armed with a knife, and he assured his accomplice that he was in possession of the bags so there was no need to shoot. Thereafter, the bandits fled the scene on foot, and boarded a white car which was waiting for them down the street.

The couple related that the incident took place just before 03:00 hrs, and the car they had taken was one they would normally travel with. They had no idea who would have tipped off the bandits about their movements leading up to the robbery.

The couple, who reside at 11th Street, Back Half,

Diamond Housing Scheme, are appealing to person(s) who may have information that could lead to the recovery of their documents -- including passports with visas and other important documents which were in an envelope with the names Rohit Deeyal and Somwattie – to please call 6256215.

The wife told this publication that she had brought for persons here in Guyana US$4,000 and certain documents and other articles that are of great importance and cannot be easily replaced. (Michel Outridge)

Wednesday September 2nd, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Thursday September 3nd, 2015 - 08:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Zico appeals to FIFA rivals for early debate

By Brian Homewood BERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA presidential candidate Zico has invited his potential rivals to take part in an early debate about soccer’s troubled governing body.

The former Brazil international has sent an email to Michel Platini, Musa Bility, David Nakhid and Chung Mong-joon, who have also declared their intention to run, saying that “FIFA deserves a debate at this preliminary stage”.

“We all agree that FIFA needs to evolve into a much better organisation, particularly in matters of democracy and transparency,”

SOUTH AFRICA RACING Scottsville 08:50 hrs Rikitikitana 09:25 hrs Ire De Fiesta 10:05 hrs Rascality 10:40 hrs Kilroy 11:10 hrs Burrwood ENGLISH RACING TIPS Lingfield 09:00 hrs Cautious Optimism 09:30 hrs Komedy 10:00 hrs Final Spring 10:30 hrs Mulhaam 11:00 hrs Monasada 11:30 hrs Le Rock 12:00 hrs Black Knight SOUTHWELL 09:10 hrs Milgen Bay 10:10 hrs Empty The Tank 10:40 hrs Epic Warrior 11:10 hrs Champagne Present 11:40 hrs Junior Package BATH 09:20 hrs Lady Gemini 09:50 hrs Kazziana 10:20 hrs Mambo Spirit 10:50 hrs Shaden 11:20 hrs Ayla’s Emperor 11:50 hrs Iguacu 12:20 hrs Nora Batty 12:50 hrs Dolphin Rock IRISH RACING TIPS Gowan Park 10:55 hrs Vitalized 11:25 hrs Eric The Grey 11:55 hrs Reddot Roman 12:25 hrs Haraz 12:55 hrs Perfect Fit 13:25 hrs Tanneron 13:55 hrs Apache Gold 14:25 hrs Cillian’s Return

said Zico in the email, a copy of which was sent to Reuters.

“Change, however, is not an event. It is a process and we must start by making sure this election is fair, transparent and democratic.

“It is of the utmost importance that all member associations get the chance to know better all potential candidates and their ideas as soon as possible.”

UEFA president Platini, a former French international, is considered the front-runner to win the election to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter on February 26.

Zico has admitted that he faces a tough battle to get the written backing of five national associations (FAs)

by October 26, as required by the FIFA electoral rules, to allow him to run for the presidency.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has promised to support him only if he first gets the backing of four other FAs. Bility, president of the

Liberian FA, is also struggling after failing to get the support of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

South African businessman and former political prisoner Tokyo Sexwale is also considering a bid and told reporters last week that he still had to make up his mind.

Zico said: “Einstein would say that insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, expecting different results. It is therefore very important that we build this election with much more democracy and transparency.

“It is time all member associations, its constituents and everybody concerned with football worldwide learn more about the potential candidates. Everybody interested in football should somehow participate in this election.”

“I invite you to join efforts in order to stimulate and organise a public debate with all the potential candidates at the earliest possible date.”

Water will be clean in time ...

From back page has said it will carry out its own tests for viruses in Guanabara Bay where the sailing events will be held.

Nuzman began his media conference in central London by saying that improving the quality of the water at the Olympic venues was a key priority.

Last week, two international sailors, from South Korea and Germany, training in Rio contracted infections which they said came from the waters.

Asked if he could guarantee that no athlete would become ill because of the well-publicised contamination, Nuzman replied: “The health of the athletes is the No.1 point we are working on.

“We are working very closely with the State government and the researchers and I am sure we will have no claims (that the water is dirty) during the Games.

“I have no doubt we will have no problems with the sailing at Guanabara Bay. Other Olympic cities have had problems with the waters and fixed them in time and Rio will do the same.

“This is a very serious matter and we are doing our absolute best to protect the athletes’ health.

“Marina da Gloria needs improvement but will be totally clean by the end of the year with the construction of a new pipe structure that will take sewage and rain water elsewhere.”

Other open air venues will stage triathlon, swimming, windsurfing, canoeing and rowing.

“The health and wellbeing of the athletes is our first priority. There will be no compromise,” he added.

Turning to doping, Nuzman favours an idea being discussed in sporting circles that the support team behind any athlete found guilty of doping -- such as the trainer, physiotherapist, masseuse -- should serve the same ban as the athlete.

“As an Olympic athlete myself, who took part in volleyball in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, I have zero tolerance for doping.

“The whole team behind the athlete should be banned if there is a positive test. Not the country but his personal team.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

India clinch series despite Mathews heroic 110 (REUTERS) - Home captain Angelo Mathews’ batting heroics went in vain as India beat Sri Lanka by 117 runs in the final Test to win the three-match series 2-1 yesterday.

Having set Sri Lanka a 386-run victory target in the bowler-dominated contest, India needed seven wickets on the final day to gift Virat Kohli his first series victory since becoming the Test captain.

Mathews (110) and debutant Kusal Perera (70), however, were in no mood to oblige and they refused to throw in the towel at the Sinha-

lese Sports Club.

The duo resisted India’s victory push for 38 overs before wheels came off the Sri Lankan innings towards the end of the second session.

Perera succumbed to a rush of blood just before tea and Ishant Sharma, armed with the second new ball, dismissed Mathews in the first over after the break as the hosts eventually folded for 268.

“It’s never easy to come back one-nil down in the series, playing away from home, and in Sri Lankan conditions,” Kohli said at the presentation ceremony.

“The kind of attitude and the character the team have shown, I’m proud of the boys,” he said after India recorded their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 1993.

“It feels nice to have created a bit of history, especially with such a young team. It’s a magnificent milestone for us to build on and gain confidence from,” added Kohli.

Resuming on 67-3, Sri Lanka lost two wickets in the morning session before the 135-run stand between Mathews and Perera not only halted India’s victory

… India claim series 2-1

bid but also rekindled faint home hopes of a miraculous win.

Mathews brought up his seventh Test century in 217 balls, while Perera shone in his debut Test as well, complementing his first-innings half-century with an aggressive 70.

The stumper-batsman, however, threw away his wicket, reverse-sweeping Ravichandran Ashwin (469) to Rohit Sharma at point.

Ishant (3-32) then ended all home hopes by trapping Mathews leg-before for his 200th Test wicket.

“Our batting flopped again, to be honest,” Mathews said, as Sri Lanka made a poor start to life after Kumar Sangakkara.

“The bowlers did a really good job throughout the Test match. Out batters were not up to the mark.”

Cheteshwar Pujara, who struck an unbeaten 145 in the makeshift opener’s role for India, was adjudged man-of-the-match in the low-scoring contest, while Ashwin’s 21 wickets earned him the manof-the-series award.

Angelo Mathews is ecstatic after completing his century against India on the 5th day in Colombo.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 312 (C. Pujara 145 n.o, A. Mishra 59; D. Prasad 4-100) SRI LANKA 1st innings 201 (K. Perera 55; I. Sharma 5-54) INDIA 2nd innings 274 (R. Ashwin 58, R. Sharma 50; N. Pradeep 4-62, D. Prasad 4-69) SRI LANKA 2nd innings (o/n 67-3; Target: 386 runs) U. Tharanga c N. Ojha b I. Sharma 0 K. Silva c Pujara b U. Yadav 27 D. Karunaratne c N. Ojha b U. Yadav 0 D. Chandimal c Kohli b I. Sharma 18 A. Mathews lbw

b I. Sharma 110 L. Thirimanne c Rahul b Ashwin 12 K. Perera c Ro. Sharma b Ashwin 70 R. Herath lbw b Ashwin 11 T. Kaushal not out 1 D. Prasad c Binny b Ashwin 6 N. Pradeep lbw b Mishra 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-7) 13 Total: (all out, 85 overs) 268 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-2, 3-21, 4-74, 5-107, 6-242, 7-249, 8-257, 9-263.

Bowling: I. Sharma 19-5-32-3 (nb4), U. Yadav 15-3-65-2, S. Binny 13-3-49-0, A. Mishra 18-1-47-1 (nb-3), R. Ashwin 20-2-69-4.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Federer eases into second round; others toil in heat

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) -`Roger Federer glided to victory on another hot, steamy day at the U.S. Open, the envy of a clutch of men’s players made to work overtime yesterday at the season’s final grand slam.

Federer, who has been in sizzling form since reaching the Wimbledon final, dashed past 34th-ranked Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to launch his campaign for a sixth U.S. Open crown and first slam title since the 2012 Wimbledon.

“I got off to a good start and he was a bit shaky.

I was very happy,” said Federer. “My serve got better and better as the match went on. Conditions are fast, so I was trying to play fast-court tennis and it worked very well today.”

The 34-year-old Swiss, looking cool in the 90-plus degree heat after his light,

first-round exertions, next faces either Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus or Belgian Steve Darcis.

Others were sorely tested.

Three players in the bottom half of the men’s draw had to go the distance

ROGER FEDERER in the severe heat at Flushing Meadows, including

French 11th seed Gilles Simon, who looked to have iced victory after taking a 6-2, 6-4, 3-0 lead over American Donald Young.

But the Frenchman stumbled, and the 26-year-old American, once hailed as the next great U.S. player, saw an opportunity and turned the match upside down for a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win.

“I really had it on my racquet,” said Simon. “I was not able to do anything on the tennis court. I think Donald realised it and then played what he had to play to take me down in five sets.

It’s a terrible result for me today.”

In another wrenching defeat for France, Paul-Henri Mathieu fell to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in five sets.

The 128th-ranked Yoshihito Nishioka, who saw fourth-seeded compatriot and 2014 finalist Kei Nishikoria drummed out in five sets on Monday, booked himself into

Five teams advance in BCCI first division 50-overs cricket

ALBION Community Centre, Young Warriors, Port Mourant, Police and Blairmont Community Centre have joined Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets advanced to the second round of the 2015 Berbice Bridge Company Inc. First Division 50-Over Knock-out cricket competition in Berbice.

In the first-round encounters, former Guyana T20 batting star Jonathan Foo slammed 61 not out (6 fours, 2 sixes) to lead Albion Community Centre to a comfortable 7-wicket victory over Edinburgh.

He and Guyana Under-17 batsman Adrian Sukhwa (36) had put on 75 for the 2nd wicket.

Winning even more comfortably were Port Mourant, who cruised to a 9-wicket win over Skeldon Community Centre thanks to Under-19 off-spinner, Lloydel Lewis.

Lewis picked up 4 for 11 from 7 overs to partner medium pacer Avishkar Sewkarran with 4 for 18 from 7 overs, to bowl out Skeldon Community Centre for 91 before he came back with the bat to score 42 not out.

Young Warriors did well to exploit their home advantage on a pitch that had prepara-

tion moisture, to bowl out Tucber Park for a paltry 90 with medium pacer Vishal Mohabir picking up 3 for 28 from 10 consecutive overs.

In their response, they slipped to 33 for 3 before former Berbice batsmen Maxie De Jonge (40 n.o.) steered them home.

Berbice off-spinner Krishnadat Ramoo took 4 for 14 from 7 overs to help West Berbice restrict Police to 133.

But with their off-spinner Kwesi Mickle taking 3 for 18 from 5 overs and medium pacer Michael Campbell 3 for 21 from 7, Police in turn bowled out West Berbice for 87.

Blairmont Community Centre for their part advanced after Bush Lot Rising Star had to withdraw from their first round match.

Meanwhile, the competition continues this weekend with three second-round matches.

On Saturday, Young Warriors and Police clash at Cumberland ground while on Sunday, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Port Mourant clash at Rose Hall Town and Albion Community Centre will meet Blairmont Community Centre at the Albion ground.

GFSCA to feature two teams this weekend in Toronto Cup tournament THE Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will feature two softball teams in Canada from September 4 to 6 for the Toronto Cup 1 tournament.

Guyana’s Floodlights Masters and Floodlight Legends will be competing with teams from the USA and Canada for top honours and over US$5000 dollars in cash and prizes.

The tournament, which is hosted for the first time by The Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC), will be played in two categories.

Male Open will feature players of any age while the Male Masters will feature players who are 44 years and older.

Both Floodlights teams will participate in the Masters Division preliminary matches, which will be played on Friday and Saturday morning.

The four semi-finals will be played

on Saturday afternoon and the two finals on Sunday.

Grounds to be used are Ashtonbee Park, Littles Park, Woburn Park, Nielson Park and Ellesmere Park, while the finals will be played at the University of Toronto ground.

Floodlights Masters and Legends will come from Lakhram Singh, Lalta Gainda, Ramesh Sunich, Ramchand Ragbeer, Ricky Deonarain, Rohan Bhoj-Raj, Jailall Deodass, Ago Gopaul, Steve Narine, Pithamber Maharaj, Surendra Nauth, Uniss Yusuf, Pooran Singh, Abdool Khan, Roger Sunich, Shakar Chowbay, Mark Lube, Rajen Paul, Ravi Lutchman, Hux Lutchman, Sydney Jackman Jr, Teekchand Madho Unos Baksh, Sudesh Persaud, Jerry Gaznabi.

The managers are Vannessia Narine (Floodlight Legends) and Savitri Nauth (Floodlights Masters).

the second round with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Dutchman Robin Haase also made a Houdini-like escape against Germany’s Dustin Brown to register a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory.

Heat may have been a factor in claiming other hardluck victims at the U.S. National Tennis Center as four players retired from their matches.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open winner, advanced 6-0, 7-6(2), 1-0 when Aleksandr Nedovyseov of Kazakhstan retired.

Misfortune favoured the French and went the other way for the Aussies when 12th seed Richard Gasquet advanced 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3,

2-0 when Thanasi Kokkinakis retired.

Women’s second seed Simona Halep also had an abbreviated match as she advanced 6-2, 3-0 after New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic retired with a knee injury.

The in-form Halep, who reached the finals at U.S. Open tune-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati, barely broke a sweat on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, needing a mere 47 minutes to see off the 99th-ranked New Zealander.

Also sprinting to victory was fourth seed Carolina Wozniacki, who dismissed U.S. national college champion Jamie Loeb 6-2, 6-0.

The women’s draw continued to produce upsets for

a second consecutive day as Czech sixth seed and French Open finalist Lucie Safarova fell 6-4, 6-1 to Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko.

Fourteenth seed Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland was also shown the door, ushered out by 42ndranked Czech Barbora Strycova 7-5, 6-0.

They joined Monday’s first-round casualties that included Serbian seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, eighth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova and 10th-seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

“I wasn’t surprised (by the upsets), it is normal,” said 23-year-old Halep.

“Everyone is fighting like crazy because it’s the last grand slam (of the year).”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

6th Annual Massy 10K run Alpha United in preparation mode Morgan looking to upstage Josiah-Tanner for Stag Elite League when AAG stages its 6th Annual Massy 10K run

“THIS is not about the (Stag) Elite League, this is about where it could take you!” exclaimed President of the Alpha United Football Club Odinga Lumumba.

Alpha United, Guyana’s most successful club, will be one of the ‘headline acts’ when the Stag Elite League kicks off on Friday September 18.

Considered the most lucrative league of its kind in Guyana, the Stag Elite League will see Alpha United compete against rivals Slingerz FC, Fruta Conquerors, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Monedderlust, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Pele and Buxton United.

Nicknamed ‘the Hammer’, Alpha United’s president at a press conference yesterday pointed out that the Elite League this year is unlike any other, noting, “You have to be more standardised and more organised. It’s a bit more expensive because you’re talking about $2M to prepare your club if you want to compete in this league” According to Lumumba, with the exception of Pele, the other competing clubs met with Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling at a request of Alpha United, where several matters were discussed.

Lumumba said that after the meeting, his club will be

in a more comfortable position to participate in the Stag Beer-sponsored league.

Known for fielding some of the Caribbean’s top players, Lumumba, though not

Alpha United president Odinga Lumumba touching much on his roster, said that bringing in players from the region and wider Diaspora, will be costly but it’s something his team will have to do in order to compete.

When asked if the league is sustainable, Lumumba said, “With more sponsors and government support it can be. We have to get sponsors to strengthen the league and the clubs at the same time.”

The Stag Elite League will be officially launched on Saturday at the 704 Sky Lounge.

Stag ‘West Side’ inter-village football continues tonight ACTION in the second annual Stag Beer ‘West Side’ Inter-Village football will continue tonight at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac with four more matches.

West Side Ballers will come up against Raiders; Patentia Street Ballers are set to collide with Ansa McAl while Jetty Gunners will clash with Stewartville.

Vega Gunners and Brothers United will compete in the other matches to be played tonight in the knock-out formatted tournament.

Meanwhile, already advancing to the quarter-finals are defending champions Show Stoppers, De Kinderen Village, Admiral United and Samaroo Dam. Show Stoppers made one step closer to defending their 2014 crown and pocketing the tournament’s $150 000 first prize by defeating Vega All-Stars 1-0, while Samaroo Dam stopped Brothers United by the same scoreline.

De Kinderen Village got past Guns and Roses 2-1 and Admiral eased by Sera Lodge 1-0. The second place team will take home with $100 000, third place $75 000 and fourth $50 000.

The tournament concludes on Sundaym September 6.

By Michael DaSilva PREMIER Guyanese female distance athlete Alika Morgan will be looking to upstage her arch rival Euleen Josiah-Tanner on Sunday, when the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) stages the 6th Annual Massy 10K run which takes off from Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara and concludes at Associated Limited (AINLIM) head office at Ruimveldt.

With lucrative cash and other prizes at stake, Sunday’s event is expected to be a thrilling one, both in the female and male categories and the female defending champion, Josiah-Tanner, will have to be wary of Morgan who after a layoff from the sport returned last Sunday to win the female category of the 5 000-metre of the Guyana Masters Athletics Association 5K meet in the National Park.

Apart from that performance, Morgan also placed third overall in the Open 5K race. This category was won

by Josiah Phillips.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport via telephone yesterday, Morgan informed that she has been off the scene for a while, but started preparing for Sunday’s event two weeks ago and used last Sunday’s race as a trial run leading up to Sunday.

Asked what her chances on Sunday are, she replied, “Not 100 percent but I’m going to give it my all.”

The winner of both the male and female categories on Sunday will be rewarded with $75 000 each and trophies.

The winning junior male and female athletes (age 1619) will receive a $50 000 training grant.

Sunday’s event is the first in a series of 10K races which culminate with the much anticipated South American 10K race in November.

Meanwhile, the male defending champion Cleveland `The Little Kenyan’ Forde could not be reached for a comment yesterday and according to sources within the AAG, Forde has been preparing very hard for the event.

Since its inception, Forde has won the past five editions and will seek to make Sunday’s race his sixth consecutive victory over the distance At the launch of the activity two weeks ago, AAG president Aubrey Hutson said he was grateful for the support and told his benefactor. “The organisers (of the AAA) are extremely grateful for the continuance of such chivalry and I wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the management of Massy Group of Companies,” he said.

The AAG President had informed that his executives have given a thought for those aged athletes who compete under adverse circumstances. He said that

ALIKA MORGAN apart from the usual trophy the veterans will also receive a special surprise gift. He declined from disclosing the nature of the prize. “We are happy to continue working with the Massy Group of Companies and look forward to a competitive event,” Hutson had concluded.

Top marathon runner, Cleveland Thomas, was also at the forum and expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors on behalf of his colleagues. “We are currently engaged in ear-

nest preparations and can hardly wait for competition day,” said the marathon runner.

Last year, Forde finished the race in a time of 33 minutes 20.12 seconds, as the race crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the first time that year, He was closely followed by arch-rival Cleveland Thomas who clocked 33 minutes 48.81 seconds for second position while Nathaniel Giddings was third in 34:07.64, Dennis Horatio fourth in 34:40.52 while Winston Missinger was fifth in 35:34.08.

United States-based Josiah-Tanner continued her domination of the local race circuit that year, as she crossed the finishing line in 39 minutes 25.89 seconds, two minutes ahead of second place finisher Alika Morgan (40:37.75) who was the inaugural race winner.

Andrea Foster was third in 42 minutes 06.76 seconds followed by Carlissa Atkinson (fourth) in 45:18.71 and Jevina Straker (fifth) in 45:06.13.

In the Boys category, Grivon Grant was the top finisher in a time of 35:27.19 followed in second position by Ornesto Thomas in 35:57.53, Colvis Saul 36:13.05 (third), Matthew Mackenzie fourth 36:17.06 and Carl Mackenzie 36:42.88 fifth

Football chief wants country’s fourth highest honour for Bolt K I N G S TO N , J a m a i c a (CMC) – Jamaica’s football boss, Captain Horace Burrell, has called on authorities to confer on superstar sprinter Usain Bolt the Order of Merit, the country’s fourth highest honour.

Speaking at the launch of the 2015 Premier League here on Monday, Captain Burrell said Bolt had earned vast respect and admiration internationally and had also brought Jamaica further into the global spotlight with his performances.

“It’s incredible, you know, sitting there, and in fact watching the performance of our athletes and listening to some of the commentators and what they had to say ... when you listen to the commentators

on the international circuit and the kind of respect that has been given to our

USAIN BOLT athletes and by extension our country, it’s just incred-

ible,” the Jamaica Observer quoted Burrell as saying.

“And we need to understand … the power of sports, so sponsors, having joined, it’s a great opportunity for you and your product.”

He continued: “Having said that, I want to use this opportunity this morning to make a very strong recommendation to the powers that be, the Government, the Governor General, or whoever, to bestow at the appropriate time the Order of Merit upon Usain St Leo Bolt. He’s deserving of it.”

Bolt, perhaps the greatest sprinter of all-time, once again proved his quality by winning both the 100 and 200 metres at the recently concluded IAAF World Championship in Beijing.

The Jamaican entered the showpiece with his form under a cloud of doubt but delivered two astonishing performances to repeat as World champion in both sprints.

He is also the reigning Olympic champion in both sprints, a feat he also accomplished at the 2008 Olympics in Beijng.

“Usain Bolt has to be one of the greatest Jamaicans … believe me; and I believe that young man deserves all the accolades that can be bestowed upon him at this time,” Burrell said.

Bolt currently carries the country’s fifth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica, which was conferred in 2009.

He was also designated ‘Ambassador-at-Large’, a diplomatic title.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday September 2, 2015

Bushy Park is a payday for experience

- Elliot Vieira

Elliot Vieira leads his older cousin Stephen in CMRC Round 1 (Jamaica). (Photo by Donavan Montague) WITH the days rapidly decreasing before the weekend of speed that is the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) Round 3 in Barbados, many persons are getting into gear mentally.

One such person is Elliot Vieira.

Chronicle Sport caught up with him and learnt that major things are in store for the September meet.

Elliot said, “I have never been on the track so it will be a good experience for me. Major brakes problems had kept me out of the August 9 Race of Champions.”

However, he noted that forthwith

the issue was identified as a faulty master cylinder and was changed, but testing was not possible because of the period of time from fixing to the date that shipping had to take place.

Nonetheless, the young Vieira says his confidence level is high and he is ready for those touring bikes.

Elliot, the son of former bike champion Wayne Vieira, is often placed right back into his father’s shoes by many persons in the motor racing circuit but when quizzed about this, the 16-year-old said, “I just love sport so I wouldn’t say.”

Elliot is one of the five Guyanese riders making up the touring contingent alongside his cousins Stephen and Matthew Vieira, Kevin Persaud and Joel Neblette.

The touring drivers include Matthew’s father Mark, Danny Persaud, current CMRC points leader and 2014 defending champion Kristian Jeffrey, his father Kevin and Nazim Gafoor.

The CMRC Round three event will take place at the Bushy Park Raceway in St Phillip’s Barbados, September 11-14. (Stephan Sookram)

Slingerz FC out to win Stag Elite League THEY have won almost every tournament they featured in since their formation in 2013 and now Slingerz Football Club are setting their sights on the Stag Beer Elite League as their next target.

The multi-million dollar league will kick off on September 18 at the Leonora Track & Field and Football Facility and upon the conclusion of the eight-month long competition, the Vergenoegen-based club is hoping to come out on top.

“Well, our objective is to win the league,” insisted the club’s head coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson.

Under Wilson’s guidance, Slingerz FC won the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) League and knock-out tournaments last year and the Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, where they defeated Alpha United in the final.

According to Wilson, the club is currently going through their usual training schedule expecting to play on ‘opening day’.

“My team is ready right now to play. We’ve been putting in the work and now just looking forward to see what the league brings and come out on top,” said the former National head coach.

Apart from their already strong line-up with the likes of National defender Colin Nelson, Joshua Brown and deadly forward Devon Millington, Slingerz FC recently signed National U-23 forward Domini Garnett from Caledonia AIA along with St Vincent and the Grenadines National goalkeeper Winslow McDowall.

The 28-year-old McDowall and his ‘Vincy Heat’ teammates; defenders Jolanshoy McDowall and Keith James, will form part of the ‘West Side’ Champs’ roster for the Stag Beer-sponsored league.

Colin Aaron, the club’s general manager, pointed out that the St Vincent players will travel to Guyana upon completion of their home and away fixture against Aruba in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Slingerz FC will enter the lucrative Stag Elite League as one of the favourites and some pundits are of the view that only Alpha United can rival the Vergenoegen giants.

Sport CHRONICLE

Slingerz FC out to win Stag Elite League

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

See story on page 31

GT Beer Futsal tournament prelims conclude tonight

Monday night action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

Water will be clean in time for Games: Rio 2016 chief

By Mike Collett LONDON, England (Reuters) - The water quality at the Olympic sailing venue in Rio de Janeiro is a serious issue but will be resolved by the time the Games begin next year, Rio Organising Committee president Carlos Nuzman said yesterday.

A scientific report carried out last month said the waters were so contaminated with high levels of bacteria and viruses from human sewage that athletes could become ill and unable to compete at the Games, the first to be held in South America.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered testing for disease-causing viruses after taking advice from

President of the Organising Committee for Rio 2016, Carlos Nuzman the World Health Organisation, while the International Sailing Federation See page 27

Dwayne Bravo receives the Hummingbird Medal

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been presented with the Hummingbird Medal, the country’s third highest award.

The medal was presented to Bravo Monday night for his service to sport amidst celebrations marking the twin island republic’s 53rd anniversary since gaining independence.

Bravo led the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to the Caribbean Premier League title in 2015 producing outstanding performances with the bat and ball.

“Receiving the third highest award in Trinidad and Tobago, the Hummingbird Gold, for my contribution to sport,” Bravo posted on social media.

“I could not have done it without the love and support of my fans and most of all my teammates. This one is for you”.

Bravo, half-brother of fellow West Indies player Darren Bravo and cousin of West Indies legend Brian Lara, was also part of the Mumbai Indians team that won the 2015 Indian Premier League title.

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ANOTHER action-packed night of Futsal football unravels tonight in the Petra-organised GT Beer Tournament currently being contested at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

With a 19:00hrs scheduled start to the final round of preliminary matches, West Back Road will take on Beterverwagting (BV) in a Group D encounter. Following the curtain-raiser Sophia battle Broad Street at 19:45hrs in the penultimate Group C match.

West Front Road then have the chance to further solidify a spot in the next round when they play the final Group C encounter against Show Stoppers.

Wrapping up the night will be Bent Street taking on North Ruimveldt from 21:45hrs in the final prelim showdown.

Going into tonight’s proceedings, West Front Road and Sophia lead the Group with four points while Sophia are third on three points and Broad Street’s chances of advancing are no more since they did not accumulate a point from two matches.

In Group D, West Back Road are on top with six points while Bent Street and North Ruimveldt are deadlocked on three points but Bent Street have a superior goal difference, BV found it tough since the start of the competition and lost the opportunity to proceed after their second consecutive loss.

All Group A and B teams have completed their quota of matches. Festival City and Kitty Weavers have progressed to the quarterfinal round after finishing on top of Group A while Agricola and Queen Street-Tiger Bay have exited the competition.

In Group B, Sparta Boss remained unbeaten to acquire maximum points ahead of Albouystown who came in second. Alexander Village and Globe Yard were eliminated for finishing at the bottom of the Group.

The winners of the inaugural event will pocket $500 000 and trophy, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will collect $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000, respectively.

DWAYNE BRAVO

Meantime, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Azim Bassarath, has congratulated Bravo, describing his award as “well-deserved” and saying it will help to motivate other young cricketers to work hard and establish themselves.

“It was just a matter of time before he was handed the captain’s armband for the West Indies 50-overs team, and was one of three T&T captains of West Indies teams which also included Denesh Ramdin (Test) and Merissa Aguilleria (Women), all in one calendar year,” said Bassarath.

Bravo has played 40 Tests and 164 ODIs for the West Indies as well as 11 first-class matches and over 300 T20 games.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015