Chronicle 01 24 2016

$3B for citizen security No. 104441

SUNDAY JANUARY 24, 2016

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- Monday launch for IDB-funded project to reduce crime and violence Page33

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Granger to add ‘books and breakfast’ to ‘Three Bs’ initiative Page

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Strict security Large-scale agri development measures for LGE plans for Nomination Day hinterland Page

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A Linden girl is assisted to cut the ribbon with President David Granger to commission a boat for use of children in the Upper Demerara River. At the ceremony, the President announced that books and breakfast will be added to his Bus, Bicycles and Boats initiative, to ensure that every child gets to school.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Strict security measures for LGE Nomination Day - Hicken visits key sites

WITH Nomination Day for Local Government Elections (LGE) approaching, Police ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken and a team of officers visited several sites on Saturday to ensure adequate security arrangements are in place.

The Hicken Team visited LGE sites located at the Luckhoo Building on Waterloo Street, then went to the following East Bank Demerara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) offices: Eccles/Ramsburg at Providence Stadium; Herstelling/ Little Diamond at Farm; Mocha-Arcadia; New Diamond/Grove Primary School; Caledonia/Good Success; and Soesdyke/Coverden.

On Nomination Day, Tuesday, nominations and subsequent elections will be held at 71 locations. The activity will not be a central one, as is done for General and Regional Elections.

Assisting with the coordination and site visits were Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, Senior Superintendent R. Dass,

Superintendent K. Parsram, Deputy Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden and Deputy Superintendent Ramesh Ashram.

Assistant Commissioner Hicken also made visits to sites set up by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). There, he spoke to Returning Officers and various officials on the issue of 24/7 security and duties of the police at the various sites, and issues relating to procedural operations at various sites.

Hicken said there will be no tolerance for uncivilized behaviour or compromise in security protocols at the sites. He enquired of GECOM staff their need for security, and discussed various arrangements that would assist them in executing their respective duties according to the law.

The Guyana Police Force is appealing to the public for patience and assistance during the LGE phase. In accordance with the statutory requirements of Local Government Elections (LGE), 103 individ-

uals, voluntary groups and political parties have indicated an interest in participating in the March 18, 2016 polls, according to GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

These elections were last held in Guyana in 1994.

The Municipal and District Councils and Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill was passed last month in the National Assembly.

It amends the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, to provide clarity on its application with respect to the new local government system.

The legislation also

amends the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, to ensure consistency in its application, as obtains in the Municipal and District Councils Act. (Rabindra Rooplall)

Police ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken, seated, makes a point when he made a visit to the Caledonia/Good Success NDC. Listening are elections workers, left, and other senior police officers who accompanied him

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

$3B for citizen security - Monday launch for IDB-funded project to reduce crime and violence

A PROJECT to reduce crime and violence -costing more than $3 billion -- will kick into high gear following its official launch on Monday.

The project will address three specific problems: the high incidence of violent behaviour at the community level; low Guyana Police Force (GPF) effectiveness to prevent and investigate crime at the national level; and the high number of repeat offenders at the national level.

Called the Citizen Security Strengthening Project (CSSP), this project was signed last February by the previous administration, with rigid safeguards against corruption to ensure prudent spending and guard against corruption. The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) is funding the US$15 million project -- a follow-up to the Citizen Security Programme which was approved by the IADB in 2006 and completed in 2014.

The new project, which is expected to last until 2020, is being implemented by the Ministry of Public Security, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and is be-

ing managed by IADB through direct supervision.

The new project will undertake preventative strategies to reduce crime and violence here, but especially in 20 targeted communities and among youths, so as to lead them away from a life of crime.

Community Crime & Violence Prevention - US$5.7 million The first component of the project seeks to address aspects of crime and violence in the communities which will benefit directly from the project. These specific communities are Stabroek, Lacytown, Sophia, Kuru Kururu, Bel Air, Port Mourant, Adelphi Village, Annandale, Mon Repos, South Ruimveldt, Tuchen De Vrierden, Bush Lot Village, Albion, Wismar, Agricola, Enmore, East Le Penitence, Lusignan, McDoom, and Charlestown.

The project will look at the needs of each of the communities, and direct resources to undertake specific activities. In all the areas, community involvement is being seen as key to the success of the project. Those persons who will benefit

from the project are aged between 15 and 64 in the 20 targeted communities.

According to police statistics, 19.5% of robberies, 19.4% of burglaries, and 13.9% of domestic violence (DV) cases (physical) in 2013 occurred in those communities in 2013.

Non-governmental, governmental and private sector organizations will be contracted to determine and address the reasons for interpersonal violence, and to address social norms that promote acceptance of violence, such as parenting, gender norms, and conflict resolution.

Young people will be trained in various skills, and would be assisted in getting jobs or starting up their own businesses. In addition, members of these communities will be mentored, receive counselling, and would also be engaged in literacy programmes.

According to the 2011 Safe Neighbourhood Survey, there is a high tolerance of violence in interpersonal relationships and within the home in Guyana. 41.63% of the population strongly agrees that a man is justified in slapping his wife. The average 2013

domestic violence rate in the 20 target communities is 1,104.6 per 100,000 persons.

Unemployment, which is thought to increase crime and violence, and underemployment associated with low educational attainment are prevalent in the said target communities.

73.9% of target community members over 15 years of age lack any form of formal qualification -- a serious impediment to accessing employment, and there is limited provision of remedial and vocational training nationally.

Force’s ability to prevent and investigate crime, especially homicides, burglaries and robberies.

The project is financing an evidence-based Crime Preventing policing model at the national level, which includes IT improvements, police training, and specialization in evidence-based policing, which complements the efforts; and there are 4 national high quality Crime and Violence surveys.

Included in the training for the police would be scenario-based domestic violence training for police officers.

Crime Prevention and Investigation US$5.5 million The second aspect of the project seeks to boost the Guyana Police

Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Services - US$2.3 million The third aspect of the project seeks to

improve effectiveness of the Guyana Prison Service in reducing the number of repeat offenders at the national level by financing two streams of activities.

There will be a prison census of the country’s five penal institutions, including a needs assessment; design and implementation of a rehabilitation model aligned with international best practices; design and implementation of a case management programme; and development and implementation of a rehabilitation and reintegration service delivery training plan. To address prison overcrowding, the project is financing a study of incarceration alternatives for pre-trial detainees.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Civil society groups benefit from President’s perspective MRS. Goldie Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC), the implementing agency for the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Guyana Civil Society Leadership (GCSL) Project; together with Mr. Dmitri Nicholson, Chairperson of the National Coordinating Coalition Incorporated (NCC), a group of 12 non-governmental organisations; and other project representatives, paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

Nicholson, who is also the Executive Director of Youth Challenge (Guyana) Incorpo-

rated, said the meeting with the President was a fruitful one. “We were able to understand from the President’s perspective what helps our national focus and where our civil society organisations may be best situated for national types of intervention. We think also that the advice from the President [in] helping to give us focus really created an opportunity for us to meet with other stakeholders within the Government to be able to create the platform to support civil society,” he said.

Even as Guyana grapples with the high rate of suicide in Guyana, Mrs. Scott noted that while the current GCSL Project is focused on capacity building in the area of tackling

From left, Mr. Dmitri Nicholson, Chairman of the National Coordinating Coalition Incorporated; Mr. Leroy Adolphus, Policy and Advocacy Officer, Guyana Civil Society Leadership (GCSL) Project; Ms. Leeana Allen, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, GCSL; President David Granger; Ms. Goldie Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Youth Corps; Ms. Simone Sills, Programme Manager, GCSL; and Mr. Brian Pertab, Resource Mobilisation Officer (Ministry of the Presidency photo) HIV, the NCC is interested in becoming involved with the National Suicide Prevention Plan.

She added that these types of national issues cannot be targeted in isolation, but must be done in partnership with the

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Government.

“We want to ensure that [civil society organisations] CSOs in Guyana have a voice; that they are included in national decision-making; that there is a strong partnership with the Government; and (that) they are seen as important actors on any national issue,” Mrs. Scott explained.

The VYC website says the GCSL project seeks to provide technical assistance to the NCC in strengthening the network for greater impact and sustainabili-

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ty of the national HIV response; advocate more effectively for critical issues; and strengthen partnership with the Government and private sector to promote an enabling environment for civil society actors in the national HIV response.

In addition to tacking HIV, the NGOs that make up the NCC also work on other areas in health and in a wide range of areas related to youth development.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Granger to add ‘books and breakfast’ to ‘Three Bs’ initiative

PRESIDENT David Granger pledged on Saturday to add two more Bs to his “Boats, Buses and Bicycles” programme, namely books and breakfast, to ensure children from across the country are not hindered from attending school.

The President was at the time speaking at the commissioning ceremony in McKenzie, Linden for a school boat, which has been donated for use by children who live in the Demerara River area.

The “David G II,” which was donated by CGX Energy Incorporated last year and was originally for use in the Pomeroon River, was determined to be better suited for the children in the Upper Demerara River. Additionally, the regional administration has allocated finances in the budget to purchase a bus for the children in the Christiansburg, Linden area.

The Head of State also used the opportunity to call on the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to establish the Upper Demerara Education Scholarship Trust, in which he promised to heavily invest.

The President noted that, every month, approximately 400 children drop out from the school system and seldom complete secondary education.

This, he said, must not be allowed to continue, and every effort should be made to ensure that the hindrances to education are eliminated.

“It is when I come to regions like this that I get ideas. They have to get up in the morning and get to school; 400 out of school every month.

“Some of them never go to school because they cannot afford to go to school. Part of the problem is that some parents lack money to provide transportation for the children to get to school and

The new boat for use by children in the Demerara River

part of the solution is for us to provide transportation for them to get to school; and it is my job to solve these problems.

“I want to ensure that every child gets to school; it’s a simple mission.

“The constitution says education is an entitlement, and I want to fulfil that constitutional requirement.

“Children must not be kept at home because they can’t afford to go to school,” President Granger said.

It was on this note that the President announced that he was exploring the idea of introducing books and breakfast in the schools across the country, so that the students can start the day with full stomachs and without the burden of worrying how to get to school.

He also issued a plea to the residents to ensure that every possible avenue is explored in ensuring that the children are able to get to school and stay in school. He noted that if the families could not afford it, then the Government will work in every way possible to aid this.

The Regional Chair-

man noted that the boats will go a long way in ensuring that the region’s children are granted an education, which can only lead to the overall development of the country.

“This boat will be used as far down the Demerara River as possible.

It is going to benefit at least 60 children. This will ensure that children are in school, because when they are not in school, we have work for the police, for the courts,

for the magistrates; so we don’t want the deviant behaviour.

“We would like our children to be educated.

Once you are educated, it is easy to get you into a developmental programme than anything else,” Mr. Morian said.

Karen Garraway, a resident of Mackenzie, Linden, also praised the initiative, noting that the region had been stifled for far too long, and it is refreshing to see the

changes which are taking place in the interest of everyone involved.

“We are grateful for what the President is doing. For the months that he has been there, a lot has been done. Over a

number of years, we only lived off of promises, but now we can be thankful for what he is doing; he is doing a great, great job. I think it is a very good thing in this community,” she said.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Impetus For Small Businesses

ONE of the consequences of the so-called Free Market System is the extent to which small firms and business entities are squeezed out of the system through unfair competition with larger entities.

Evidence abounds that the larger entities are able to muster the resources needed to bid for large Government contracts -- something smaller contractors are unable to do. In Guyana, this practice is most widespread in the construction sector and in some areas, such as the provision of drugs to Government. The outcome is, of course, growth of monopolies, whereby a handful of contractors get access to most of the contracts and smaller contractors are marginalized or forced to leave the arena out of frustration. In the final analysis, this contributes heavily to the ever widening social and economic gap in the country.

While this complaint has been around for a long time, it escalated over the last two decades when political cronyism in the tendering process exacerbated the already uneven tendering process. Attempts by the then Opposition parties to reform and democratize the procurement process were frustrated because the then Government did not agree with the reform proposals.

It is therefore not surprising that the current Government has been under pressure to hastily do something to correct that situation. After all, we do live in a country where it is generally accepted that one of the major functions of Government is to protect the weak against the strong.

Many were encouraged when Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his budget presentation last year, announced that Government intended to invoke a little-known provision in the Small Business Act, enacted in 2004, which mandates that 20 percent of all Government contracts should be awarded to small and medium size businesses.

In the excitement generated by the immediate post-election environment, many of the stakeholders did not latch on to the Minister’s announcement. Some may have missed it entirely, while others may have thought that it was mere rhetoric.

After all, this provision was there in the law for eleven years.

Whatever the reasons, the issue was revived this past week when Minister of State, Joseph Harmon,

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Op-ED

Rationalizing Sugar in Guyana – practical solutions for rescuing the industry (Part 1)

IN 2011, the PPP administration, in its attempt to rationalize the operations of GuySuCo’s East Demerara estates, closed its factory at La Bonne Intention (LBI) estate due to inadequate cane supply, low worker turnout, poor factory performance, and escalating operating costs.

Sugar production was concentrated at Enmore estate, but the agricultural operations remained at LBI. This situation is not dissimilar to GuySuCo’s present attempt to rationalize the operations of its West Demerara estates.

The parlous state of the sugar industry is common knowledge. The new Board of Directors and the Interim Management Committee, appointed in July and June respectively, were charged with bringing to bear a greater level of discipline on the financial operations of the business. The team confirmed the Government’s worst fears -- that the plight of the industry was indeed dire.

It was felt for many years -- moreso over the

past 10 years -- that the Corporation was diverting scarce resources from the estates to assist with the financing of the new Skeldon project.

Additionally, the Corpo-

performers in operation can no longer be tolerated, as the survivability of these estates could not now be guaranteed.

Wales is by far the estate in poorest shape. The details of its performance include:• 60% of its Drainage and Irrigation infrastructure is dilapidated • 75% of the bridges are in poor shape • The cultivation is also in poor condition

Imran Khan, Director of Public Information ration was denying funding to the highly productive estates as it propped up the poorly performing ones.

The result was a general decline in performance, production and finances across the industry.

The practice of diverting scarce funds from the good estates to keep the poor

made a similar commitment during a meeting with executives of the General Association of Contractors of Guyana.

The Minister was quite emphatic: “If the country gives out $10 billion dollars in contracts per year, 20 percent of that should go to small contractors.”

He is reported to have assured the contractors that the Government is also taking a “fresh look” at the rules that determine qualifications in the tendering process, and that his Ministry would collaborate with other Ministries, such as the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Business.

Guyana Chronicle welcomes this announcement. Activating this “affirmative action” is necessary and long overdue. We are all too aware of what this means for economic democracy in Guyana. Not only would small contractors get much-needed work, but we feel that more poor men and women in our diverse communities would gain employment, as it is well known that the identity of the contractors often determines who the workers are. In other words, the more diverse the awards, the more diverse the beneficiaries are likely to be.

Now that the Government has made its intention known, the smaller contractors would have to get their houses in order. It is heartening to see that they have organized themselves into an association. They and other

• The factory is old and in need of major investment.

The Ministry of Agriculture has acknowledged that the investment required to refurbish Wales Estate is significant, and the finances are regrettably not available.

Diverting funds from the other estates to keep Wales afloat would seriously jeopardize the future of those estates. This cannot be allowed to happen.

The truth is that it is impossible to make sugar production at Wales viable.

This is worsened by the unfavourable outlook for

sugar prices on the world market for the foreseeable future. In addition, Wales Estate is projected to make a loss of between Gy1.6 and $1.9 BILLION DOLLARS for this year. This, coupled with the extent of refurbishment needed, renders this estate prohibitively costly to maintain.

The following decisions about the future of the Wales Estate are necessary at this time: * o The Wales Factory will continue to operate throughout 2016, milling both the estate’s and farmers’ canes * o Land preparation and planting at Wales Estate will be discontinued * o Harvested land would be retired and held for diversification ventures * o With effect from 2017, farmers’ canes will be milled at the Uitvlugt factory * o As far as possible, Wales Estate workers will be absorbed by Uitvlugt Estate.

stakeholders would have to ensure that the cronyism that has characterized the larger system does not ensue in this area.

Government has to guard against falling into that old trap. Perhaps, it should take a look at the reforms being enacted in Antigua and Barbuda, where the Government in that sister CARICOM country has put provisions in place to prevent individual Ministers from using contracts as a form of personal and political patronage.

The small contractors would also have to avoid the “crab in the barrel” mentality that has long worked to the disadvantage of small entities. While small contractors must be guaranteed a piece of the pie, this practice must not benefit only certain small contractors. If a hierarchy is developed among the contractors, then it defeats the purpose of the initiative.

The Government also has to impress upon the contractors the need to avoid scamming the State. There should be zero-tolerance for all rogue contractors, big and small.

Finally, the vexed question of financing for the small contractors has to be addressed if these contractors are to take full advantage of this new opening. There is dire need for at least one new banking establishment that makes credit available to small contractors.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Banks DIH in $600M payout to shareholders MANAGING Director of Banks DIH, Clifford Reis, has announced a $600M payout to shareholders as a special interim dividend from the $1.146B it has acquired from the sale of Banks Holdings Limited.

On December 2, 2015, Banks DIH Limited sold its holding of ordinary shares in Banks Holdings Limited (BHL), which amounted to 4, 358,815 ordinary shares or 6.7% of the issued share capital of that entity, to SLU Beverages Limited.

The transaction was carried out on the Barbados Stock Exchange at a price of Bds $7.10 per share.

Reis, in addressing shareholders at Banks DIH 60th Annual General Meeting at Thirst Park, explained that shareholders stand to reap tremendous benefits from the payout, which will take effect on February 15.

“So the shareholders are going get 35 cents on every share on the final dividend on Monday morn-

ing; and then they will get 60 cents on every share on the 15th February, so that will give them 95 cents on every share that they own, which is going to cost the company $950M.” The first interim dividend of $0.17 per share unit was paid on May 28, 2015, while the second interim dividend of $0.17 per share unit was paid on October 22, 2015. The final dividend of $0.35 per share unit, which has now been recommended, brings the total to $690M or $0.69 per share unit, excluding the $0.60 which will be paid on February 15.

One shareholder, despite hearing of the massive payout, expressed his concern over the existence of Banks DIH (Guyana), pointing to the decision taken by the company to sell its BHL shares in Barbados.

“Banks Guyana is not up for sale,” the Managing Director said in response to the concern raised by

Mr Clifford Reis, Managing Director of Banks DIH delivering the Chairman’s Report during the 60th Annual General Meeting on Saturday the shareholder on Saturday. He explained that the company will acquire “greater market exposure” from the sale, paving the way for it to expand its market locally and internationally. SLU produces Corona, Stella Artois and

Students from North Georgetown Secondary, New Campbellville Secondary School, Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary and Montrose Primary who received the monetary awards on behalf of their schools

Skol among other beers that Banks DIH (Guyana) is willing to produce here . “It is not that Banks Guyana Brewery can’t manufacture foreign beer. And all the investments we have done, it makes it easier for us to win a contract to do an international beer,” explained an optimistic Reis.

Banks DIH, despite the obstacles in the international market, is tapping into three States in the United States of America. “In the rum industry, you know for many years we have been trying to sell our rum overseas and so we finally signed a contract with

a company called Royal Wines in New York and we have sent out two containers of rum so far; so they are going to move to Virginia and Florida,” he further explained.

Although consumers’ confidence eroded in the lead-up to the May 11, 2015 General Elections, Banks DIH raked in a profit of $2.569 billion after tax, when compared to the $2.265 billion in 2014, representiing an increase of $304.0 million or 13%.

“This improvement was as a result of the increase in physical sales by 3%, an increase in revenue by 4% and a reduction in operational expenses by 4% due to internal efficiency measures and favourable material prices,” Reis explained.

The group’s turnover net of taxes was $24.875 billion compared to $23.695 billion in 2014 – an increase of $1.180 billion or 5%. Its operational profit before tax was recorded at $5.285 billion compared to $4.971 billion – an increase of $314.0 million or 6.3%.

“The group’s profit after tax attributable to shareholders was $2.945 billion compared to $2.660 billion, an increase of $285.0 million or 10.7%. The Group’s net asset value per share has

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increased from $25.9 by 10% to $28.6 and the Group has increased its dividend proposal to shareholders to $0.69 per share unit resulting in an overall cost of $690.0 million,” the Chairman further pointed out.

This was achieved at a time when the local commercial zone had experienced a drop in sales during and after the 2015 Elections. “Closer to home, consumer confidence was eroded in the run -up to the last elections cycle and the post-elections events which resulted in a contraction of consumer spending. In spite of these challenges, we continue to adapt to the realities of operating, in a rapidly changing business and social environment.

We are able to utilise the collective knowledge and experience base which has been assembled over the years of our existence,” he explained.

Banks DIH also used the opportunity to acknowledge with awards its employees who have been working with the company for 20 and 25 years. Four schools, North Georgetown Secondary, New Campbellville Secondary School, Vreeden-Hoop Secondary and Montrose Primary, also received monetary awards.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

1000+ Region 9 students benefit from ‘shoes that grow’ FIRST Lady Sandra Granger and Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, on Friday distributed footwear to more than 1000 students from Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu) schools, to complement President David Granger’s “Boats, Buses and Bicycles” initiative aimed at ensuring that all the nation’s children can attend school.

The project, spearheaded by the First Lady in collaboration with Mr. Ernie Ross, Guyana’s Consul General in Trinidad and Tobago, falls under the “Rethink Initiative – Kind Soles Project”, and targets 30,000 hinterland students.

The shoes are expandable and are estimated to last each child about five years. So far, students in Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Nine, and those residing at the Amerindian Hostel in Georgetown have benefited from this initiative.

In presenting the shoes, Minister Ally said the President has a “great passion” for education, and aspires to see every child in school.

“Our Government has at the helm a man who loves education; a man who wants you and the children of the coastland to have an education and equal opportunities. Our President promised a good life, and we are doing [these] things to ensure that you all have a good life,” Minister Ally said.

She also told the students that the gift of shoes should further motivate them to improve their attendance and performance at school.

And in brief remarks, First Lady Sandra Granger said the partnership would not have come to fruition had it not been for the efforts of Mr Ross, and Caribbean Airlines which has been bringing the shoes to Guyana free of cost.

She noted that the initiative caters particularly to

First Lady Sandra Granger assisted in handing out the shoes on Friday (Ministry of the Presidency photo) students in the hinterland areas, since they are the most vulnerable.

Headmistress of the Arapaima Primary School, Mrs. Mary Torres, in an invited comment, praised the project, noting that though it may seem small and inconsequential to many, it is a big boon to the students, their families and the entire region. The Headmistress

said 200 of the 345 students at her school are in dire need of the shoes, since their families are challenged in many ways.

“It is very exciting. These shoes are going to be very beneficial to them, because most of these students come from single-parent homes, broken homes and even sibling homes. Right now, everyone is rushing to Marudi to work in the goldfields, and these children are left on their own. Some of them, when they come to school, you, as a teacher, when you see how they are attired, you want to help them but you can only do so much. So this is a very good start,” Mrs. Torres said.

Over at the Arapaima Nursery School, when Minister Ally announced that she had brought footwear for the students, one of the students, upon seeing the shoes, shouted: “We need shoes! I hate these ugly shoes I have on.”

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Carl Parker, also welcomed the initiative, noting that it will do well for the students in their pursuit of education.

“I hope that you will cherish this and it will help you in your studies. Use this to motivate yourselves.

We hope that you will use this opportunity to be present in school more often,” he told the students.

Some of the students benefited from today’s exercise also received a number of bicycles under the “Three Bs” programme last month.

The First Lady announced another partnership with Mr. Ross, titled “Project Happiness”, which seeks to train teachers to interact, identify and treat depressive behaviours, and counsel and motivate students. She said the project is thought to be critical to helping treat troubled children, and is another step Government is taking to reduce the incidence of suicide in the nation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Forestry, mining among big tax evaders - GRA

By Ariana Gordon AGRICULTURE, fisheries, forestry, mining and quarrying have been identified as the sectors which skip the tax net, Rawle Lucas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), said on Friday.

An analysis of tax payments by the economic sectors shows that the services sector contributes the most to tax revenue.

“Services are the largest sector, and account for 66% of tax revenue. Manufacturing is the smallest, and accounts for 30% of tax revenues. It stands to reason that we have tax problems in (the) agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, as well as (the) mining and quarrying sector,” Lucas said.

Tax revenues are classed in four sectors: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as one group; mining and quarrying as a second group; manufacturing the third; and services the fourth.

But even as the information provided by Lucas is glaring, he said the Revenue Authority needs to refine its methodology “to determine and define better information about compliance and non-compliance”.

“But even with what we have at the moment, we can draw some preliminary conclusions,” he stated.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said that more needs to be done by the Revenue Authority to ensure that the “severe

leakages in the economy” are significantly reduced.

Jordan called on the GRA to “strengthen” its enforcement arm. He noted that there exists too much smuggling; under-invoicing and corruption, and it is the role of the Revenue Authority to ensure that it fulfils its mandate.

“GRA has to make its presence felt,” said the Finance Minister, who stressed that the Revenue Authority has “sufficient resources” to function effectively and efficiently.

But despite the challenges facing the GRA, the entity is making every effort to beef up its efficiency and effectiveness, with the ultimate aim of enhancing relations with customers.

Lucas said the Revenue Authority has adopted new measures geared at ensuring that taxpayers’ information is further protected. “These measures relate to the access and use of taxpayers’ data by GRA staff members who are on leave. The board will continue to adjust policies to ensure the integrity of taxpayers’ data is maintained at all times,” he promised.

He stressed that the problems of the past will not “bog down” the organization, as changes will occur to ensure that GRA’s mandates are fulfilled.

TAX REFUNDS Lucas disclosed, meanwhile, that the Revenue Authority has received several complaints from taxpayers about their inability to receive refunds on time. “The board has authorised

the Authority to re-examine its current policy on this matter.

I am aware [that] this effort is almost complete with respect to VAT refunds, and the Authority will be employing soonrevised measures to speed up those refunds,” he explained.

Income tax refunds are, however, “a bit more complex” to address, but he gave the assurance that the issues relating to income tax refunds are “resolvable.”

“The difficulties are not entirely with the GRA, since they involve the cooperation of external parties. The board has undertaken to ensure that the constraints are removed,” Lucas noted.

The Board of Directors, he said, is currently examining ways of improving its understanding of tax data, to see how the complaints by taxpayers could be addressed.

Lucas stressed that the decisions of the Board of Directors are intended to make the organisation better, but he acknowledged that many would be concerned by the turn of events at the helm of the organisation.

“I am therefore pleased to inform you that we will continue to focus on the issues of interest to the organisation, the Government and the taxpayers in general.

“In that regard, I wish to report that the board adopted some measures which are aimed at strengthening the protection of taxpayers’ information. The board acknowledged, too, that many of you are complaining about your inability to receive your refunds, especially so on time.”

NA Lions Club aims to expand school-feeding programme EVEN as she puts together a proposal for financial and other support from the Lions Club International to support a school- feeding programme, President of the New Amsterdam Lions Club, Donna Austin, is appealing to the Ministry of Education and the business community to provide much-needed assistance.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, Austin said she has begun preparing the proposal and hopes to complete it shortly to submit to the Lions Club International for approval.

The Lions Club of New Amsterdam currently provides hot breakfasts to students of five primary schools in Region 6. Austin explained that the task, though necessary, is not always easy.

“We usually give breakfast to five schools: St. Aloysius, All Saints Primary, St. Theresa Primary, New Amsterdam Primary and Overwinning Primary, which is on the outskirts(of the town),” she said.

She explained that one school is visited each month. “We used to give them lunch, but we found out [that] some schools were already receiving lunch from other organisations, so we started the breakfast.”

The hot breakfast initiative began some 15 years ago.

“Since we started, the results have been good. We have had a good response from both teachers and students,” Austin told the Guyana Chronicle.

From 07:00hrs, students can receive a warm meal for breakfast; and according to Austin, the initiative is geared at ensuring that all children, not only the less fortunate or vulnerable, benefit.

“This programme is for all children. What we discovered is that, many times, children go to school without eating, and are not focused in class. It is not only a case of not having anything to eat at home, but sometimes the children rush out of the house without eating anything,” she explained.

She said that since the programme began, reports from the schools suggest that the children are more focused in the classrooms during the morning period. “It is important that these children have proper meals; that’s the only way they will learn what is being taught to them,” Austin opined.

Austin said the teachers have complained about the stu-

from the Ministry of Education and the business community to assist,” she declared.

Once the programme is approved, Austin said, the Lions Club International will provide support equivalent to one year’s needs. If the programme is successful, it is likely that support would be extended. If not, the business community and support from the Ministry of Education would be valuable.

CHALLENGES

Donna Austin dents not having breakfast before attending school. “When in school, they are not focused, [they are] either sleepy or they disrupt the class…. When they have the breakfast, they will be full and much more focused,” she added.

COST It costs, on average, well in excess of $50,000 to carry out the feeding programme monthly, as currently, approximately $12,000 are pooled into providing the meals. The cost for labour has not been factored into the overall cost.

Austin explained that, in her proposal to the Lions Club International, she will cater to labour -- the employment of two persons at each school, the construction of a kitchen, and the purchase of a refrigerator and stove.

“I have not worked out the amount of money as yet, but it will be well over what [we have] used thus far…. Hopefully, the proposal (would be) approved and we get some support

But while the Lions Club of New Amsterdam has been providing breakfast to the five schools, this initiative has not been without challenges. Austin explained that it is within the Club’s mandate to highlight all of its activities and work. As such, fulfilling the mandate of the Club proves a hindrance to persons allowing their children to accept the breakfast.

“Some parents do not want their children to be televised, but we have to televise all of the services we provide…. They really need it…but many children, though they need it, don’t come because of that,” she disclosed.

Austin hopes that parents would not allow the publication of work done by the Lions Club of New Amsterdam to deter them from having their children participate in the programme.

“We want every child to benefit. This is not because they are under privileged; it is for children in general.”

It sometimes proves difficult to garner from the business community support for the initiative, because many organisations approach businesses for assistance. “Sometimes when we go, they would have already donated or contributed to other groups, so we are not able to benefit always,” she explained.

It is Austin’s wish that the business community would be a bit more supportive. Notwithstanding the challenges, Austin will submit her proposal with the hope of it being approved.

The Lions Club of New Amsterdam has been in existence for almost 55 years, and has provided service to the people of New Amsterdam in various areas, such as health, education, and nutrition, to name a few.

The organisation also partners with the St. Francis Community Developers, headed by Alex Foster. That organisation has provided tremendous support over the years.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

84% of Corentyne rice crop will survive - once diesel is available to pump water to irrigate fields

LEADERS of the three Wa t e r U s e r s A s s o c i a tions (WUA) which manage the provision of irrigation water for rice crops in Region Six, (East Berbice/Corentyne), said on Friday that 84% of the current rice crop is expected to survive .

The remaining portion is in imminent danger of destruction by the current drought.

The leaders made the disclosure during a crisis meeting to which they had been invited by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in Region Six, Gobin Harbhajan.

Those who were present were the chairmen and secretaries of the Black Bush Polder (BBP) WUA, the Crabwood Creek WUA and the #52 to 74 villages WUAs. In an overview of the situation of the paddy crop in Region Six, the leaders disclosed that some 11,000 acres of the plants on cultivation plots between Auchlyne and # 50 village would be lost, if not provided with irrigation within the next six days.

An additional 400 acres at #19 village and 1500 acres at

Don Robin were also in grave danger.

They assured that the remaining 50,000 acres were relatively safe from the drought and could reach the stage of harvesting, once diesel is available to the pumps which irrigate these areas.

During the meeting with Harbhajan, they also discussed efforts being made to save the crops in their respective service areas and some of the assistance they would need.

Harbhajan reciprocated by making contact with the senior officials who were in a position to assist them.

In the process of doing so, he, however had cause to complain bitterly about an absence of information from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), saying that the representative on the ground had said that he was not permitted to pass on information to anyone in the region.

He complained that the representative had informed him that GRDB information about the situation of the crop in Region Six

In picture, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in the Water Users Associations on Friday could only be obtained from have to talk to farmers on an the Chief Executive Officer hourly basis and this muzof the GRDB, Mr Nizam zling of the GRDB rep in Hassan.

Region Six is becoming a real He said that as a se- bugbear.” nior official in the region, he Harbhajan thanked the felt stymied by this situation, leaders of the WUAs for since the CEO was not al- accepting his invitation and ways easily accessible. congratulated them for their “It is a crisis situation, I very proactive approach,

Region Six, Gobin Harbhajan, right, with leaders of which has led to the majority of the cultivations being secured with adequate irrigation.

“I am very impressed with your efforts,” he told them.

He told them that he was assured that the Regional Chairman Mr

David Armogan as well as the Regional Executive Officer Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, were fully supportive of their efforts, especially in the provision of adequate diesel to keep the irrigation pumps functioning as desired. (Clifford Stanley)

Guyanese Ave Mogan proud of Canada’s Cricket Hall of Fame recognition

By Frederick Halley DURING what was considered the "good old days," when hundreds came out in their numbers to witness the Case, Northcote and White Cup cricket matches in and around Georgetown in the 1970s, one female stood out among the men. That female was a fragile 14 year old whose father thought she was good enough to don whites in the maledominated environment.

Almost three decades after, the name Ave Mogan is synonymous with women's cricket in Canada, becoming the first woman to be inducted into Canada's Cricket Hall of Fame, an achievement she describes as being "fantastic,” not only for Canadian cricket, but for Guyana,The West Indies and internationally."

"I couldn't believe it. I was shocked to be among the other inductees, but it was truly an honour to be rewarded for the efforts throughout the years," said the unassuming Morgan.

It all started at the South Georgetown Secondary School in 1975, when Ave was the lone female student in her school's team for three consecutive years in the Secondary Schools Under-16 tournament. She was also a member of the Everest Cricket Club, but after failing to make the club's team, her father took her to Sproston’s, where she turned out for the club's Northcote Cup side.

By 1977, she was already in the Guyana National women's team and subsequently was a member of the West Indies women’s side between 1977 and 1979.

Still living and breathing cricket, Mogan migrated to Canada shortly after, but the left-handed opener, who also bowls off-spin, never quit playing the game. In fact, she served in

several administrative capacities, including that of coach.

And she has no intention of quitting any time soon, once she remains healthy.

Mogan is credited with establishing and being the co-founder of organised women's cricket in Toronto, Canada, the first female at the age of 17, to participate in the Toronto & District Association (TDCA) men’s league in various divisions. She also skippered Canada's first-ever national women’s squad in 1996. She also had the honour of leading the team in 2005 and 2007 and was vice-captain of the North American women's cricket team in 2003.

The versatile Mogan also served on the selection committee for Canada women’s cricket squad, co-founded and established Canada’s first organised women’s cricket club and successfully revived and rebuilt the women’s cricket Ave Mogan programme in Canada, starting in 2003.

In 2004, she was decorated Best Women’s Cricket Coordinator in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Americas Region and led the Canadian Women’s cricket squad to their first Americas Women’s Cricket title in 2007.

In the interim, Mogan also secured coaching certificates, the first in 1995, the Level One Technical from the Canadian Cricket Association (CCA) and in 2010, the ICC Level One accreditation.

Over the years, Mogan has been associated with among others, Kaisoca Women's Cricket Club, T&D Women’s Cricket League, Ontario Cricket Association (OCA), women's cricket coordinator, Ontario, Canadian Women's Cricket Association, vice-president and CCA Liaison. Women's cricket, acting treasurer of Caribbean Limers Association and currently a prominent member of Qasra Women’s Cricket club.

Mogan's latest association was with the Kaisoca Cricket Club as an associate player, while lending her expertise with the boys’ Under-13 team in a few of the matches in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Women’s Division inaugural tournament in the 2015 season.

While admitting she's in the twilight of her illustrious career and "has taken a back seat," Mogan is hoping that her club, Qasra, will be part of the tournament in the 2016 season and even if she's not playing, will be around to encourage other women to participate.

Mogan also lamented the fact that since the cessation of the ICC Americas Cup, which featured teams from the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Canada, there hasn't been an international competition for women in these countries. She deemed this as "very unfortunate." She's however pleased with the continued growth of women's cricket in Guyana and the West Indies.

Mogan paid respects to the late Eileen Cox, whom she described as the person mainly responsible for the development of women’s cricket in her homeland during the 1970s – 1980s, describing her as a true advocate of the game.

HINDS’SIGHT

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Dr David Hinds

T

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The PPP is up to its old tricks - The Wales closure, National Service and the Guyana Times

HE PPP was in full flight this week: it was up to its old tricks — fooling, race-ing, manipulating.

It got what it thinks is a gift from the Government — the closure of the Wales Estate. This is what the PPP was waiting for. Its leaders so badly wanted to prove to their constituency that this Government plans to crush them that they were falling over themselves to get to Wales. Mr. Jagdeo was in his element. He immediately declared that the closure was aimed at weakening PPP people economically.

This is all part of the rhetoric of witch-hunting and ethnic cleansing. Some of the workers bought the bait. When your job is on the line, I suppose any bearer of sympathy and conspiracy theory is welcome.

There were demonstrations at Wales and in Georgetown.

I want to note, with much relief, that there were no arrests, beatings or shootings by the police. This must be a lesson for the PPP, which lost no opportunity during its tenure in office to facilitate the brutalization of protestors.

Who can forget the police shooting pellets at APNU supporters peacefully marching shortly after the 2011 election, or the fatal shooting of protestors at Linden in 2012? Some of us were charged and hauled before the courts after the December 2011 shootings. The PPP must be reminded of these incidents every time it turns out to protest.

Many may not remember that in that same Wales community, a young man was fatally shot by the police in 2010 for allegedly loitering in front of a school. When Mark Benschop, Freddie Kissoon, Lincoln Lewis and I joined residents to highlight the incident and schoolchildren came to Georgetown to picket the Brickdam Police Station, Mark was arrested, the canter which transported the children was seized by the police, and the owner was charged.

All of this happened under the PPP, which was this week championing causes and leading protests. Sometimes I wonder if these politicians remember what they did when they held power.

I am confident this Government will not emulate the PPP and criminalize protest. One of the reasons I am so confident is that some of us who support them would not stand idly by and allow them to make that error.

Now to the Wales Estate closure. The sugar industry has, for a long time, been a drain on the country’s meagre resources. Something had to give. The PPP wrecked the industry to satisfy its narrow agenda; we know of all the mismanagement and clientelism that went on. They turned the industry into an ethnic football. When the Government changed, the PPP went into blackmail mode. The new Government moved to keep the industry afloat in the short term, but this cannot continue indefinitely.

We cannot shut down the entire industry just like that, it makes no economic or political sense; but, in the interest of the country -- and particularly the sugar workers -- we need to find both short and long term solutions. Many of our CARICOM sister countries have long done this; we have to catch up.

Sugar, in its present state is vulnerable. Why does the PPP want sugar workers to be forever vulnerable? Why don’t they want a stable industry? The answer is because they want to continue to use sugar workers for political benefit.

Our sugar industry, as it is, cannot compete with other sugar-producing countries, and Jagdeo knows this. He knows that closing Wales Estate is the least painful action that can be taken in the short term, yet he opposes it. He refuses to let the workers know that this would benefit the industry and the country in the long term.

Why would a Government that bailed out the sugar

industry to ensure that workers were paid be interested in punishing those very workers? Score political points, but don’t lie so barefacedly. No worker wants to know that he or she will lose his or her job. These are poor people who do not have ready replacement. We do not have a robust private sector to absorb the labour being let go.

I am sure the Government thought of this and does have plans to assist in this regard. Its representatives have met with the union, but we know that GAWU is the PPP and it would carry out the PPP’s agenda. The Government must therefore go directly to the affected workers. And lest we all fall for the PPP’s propaganda, it should be known that the Wales Estate employs a fair bit of non-East Indian workers.

No Mr. Jagdeo, it’s not only PPP supporters who are affected.

BRING BACK NATIONAL SERVICE For this 50th Independence anniversary, the Government must do something big for poor people.

I humbly submit that Government should look at the return of the National Service. Some will invoke the Burnham jumbie; that’s their hobby and their right, but too many poor young people are falling by the wayside. The NGOs are trying the NGO-thing, but those are minor Band-Aids at best.

Some well-meaning rich people are trying some philanthropy, but they are helping individuals rather than communities.

The Government must step in and do what governments like ours must do — give the weak a lift up. Bring back the National Service as an institution of Cultural Values and Economic Preparation and Opportunity; I don’t recommend the military aspect. Get our young people off the streets and prepare them for national development.

We complain about the lack of national pride, of national values, of falling moral standards, of the drift among the youth to drugs and crime. Well, give them a national alternative. Guyana has vast amounts of land. Restore the National Service and give the young people land to work again. Perhaps Aubrey Norton’s Youth Empowerment can be transitioned into the agency to oversee the return of the

National Service.

GUYANA TIMES The Government has had to take the Guyana Times to task for publishing misleading headlines at least three times recently. At this rate, the Government would have to set up a Guyana Times Desk. The ‘Times’ has set itself a specific role in relation to Government — irritate it. In such a situation, truthful reporting is off the table. I feel sorry for the reporters who must engage in that obscenity for a living. My advice to the Government is to continue to point out the lies of the Times, but you would be better served by going straight to the people to whom the Times propaganda is aimed.

Come on, Bros Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and perhaps Roopnaraine, start doing your own bottom-house meetings in Annandale, Tain, Zeeburg, Grove and Bush Lot — that’s where the difference would be made.

More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com.

Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

Sunday January 24, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Monday January 25, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday January 26, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Some Bartica phone lines down SEVERAL Bartica landline customers of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) have expressed disappointment with the company’s non-communication on the unserviceable status of the service over the past three

months.

This newspaper understands that several landline numbers in the Region Seven community have been inoperable for several weeks, including as far back as November. These include telephone numbers 455-2086,

455-2487, 455-3217,4552229,455-2306 and 4550063, which were provided by one of several customers.

This newspaper contacted the company and a request was made to forward the non-working telephone numbers. This was done earlier

this week, but the company has not provided any update on the status of the numbers.

When the numbers are dialled, the phones would ring out and cut off after a while.

Bartica resident, Kamal Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that the service has been affecting many persons in the community, including the business community as well as the Neighbourhood Democratic council (NDC). Persaud , who is the vice-chair of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDC, said that even the landline telephones at the NDC offices are inoperable . “When you call the landlines at Bartica they are only ringing out,” Persaud said.

She noted that about 40% of the landline customers in the community are affected and persons have been relying on the use of the mobile phone services to carry out voice communications. ”That can be expensive because not everyone can afford it,” Persaud said.

This newspaper understands that customers have made consistent reports to the telephone company regarding the serviceability of their landlines, but the company has not responded, while other persons lost patience while holding on the customer care lines.

Another customer told this newspaper that the telephone company does not have an office in the mining community, and as such, persons travel to the capital city to make queries and applications regarding the service. She said that the community, which is earmarked for township status this year, has been calling on the company to establish a customer office in the area, closer to home.

“Why is it we have to travel to Georgetown just to make an inquiry or to transfer a landline?”

Reports are that the technicians from the company would travel to the area from Georgetown to fix landlines and deal with other issues

pertaining to the telephone service.

Persaud said that the community is quickly developing, and as technology advances , so does the area’s dependability on the landline service .She said that at the moment, GTT landline customers are unable to benefit from the internet and Wifi services offered by the company. In addition, she noted that the mobile services are also very slow. “It takes a while to receive and send messages using Whatsapp,” Persaud said.

On Saturday, April 23, Bartica is expected to be officially conferred with township status. The “Green Town” status has been one of the promises made and fulfilled by the government during its campaign leading to last May’s elections.

According to Bartica residents, if the tag of a town is added to the area, there are several aspects of development which would need to be kept in order, including communications.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Wales presents opportunity for social cohesion and national unity

W

ITHIN the last couple of days, the nation was made aware through the media that the Government plans to close the Wales Estate. The Government has citied the poor performance of the estate as the reason for its closure.

The history, struggle and success of sugar run in the veins of almost every Guyanese.

From the enslaved Africans to the indentured Chinese, East Indians and Portuguese to the white/European enslavers and the present day mixed racial workforce, everyone can recount bittersweet stories of this industry.

Sugar touches every community on the coastland, and it must be seen as a national issue. The problems of sugar have to be resolved by the Guyanese society, and our current configuration of government needs to be put to work. It is time the National Assembly discusses the Commission of Inquiry Report, which can give guidance to the decisions that ought to be made about the industry.

Let me make it clear: This country does not have a rigid Westminster winner-takesall system! This is so, given that though one group may have the majority of the votes at elections (national, regional and local) and secure the political leadership, the minority is not excluded from making its position known on issues towards the shaping of decisions. When it comes to the affairs of government, consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution, which is the nation’s Principal Political Objective, “inclusionary democracy” is mandated. This article very clearly states that when it comes to the management and decision-making processes of the State, individuals and groups are required to be involved on matters that impact their well-being.

The temptation to exclude or want to

dictate to others on the pretext of a winnertakes-all system must be abandoned and way must be made for the respect of the rule of law, which would ensure social cohesion and national unity.

Minister of State, Joe Harmon, is on record as saying that Government has a plan for the workers who will be affected by the closure. Harmon and Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture, are being called on to rethink this position, for there cannot be a plan for any community without the involvement of the people and their representatives. This is consistent with the rule of law, which must be respected at all times.

And this brings attention once again to the 21st August 2012 Agreement between Region Ten RDC and Central Government, which agreed to, among other things, establish an Economic Committee to develop a plan for the region. It is time this committee be established and given the tools to do its work.

Apart from this being an agreement by the Government of Guyana and that RDC, it was approved by the National Assembly, the APNU+AFC made it a campaign commitment, and it must be honoured.

Failing to respect agreements, laws and rights in society can lead to endless problems, and raise doubts and suspicion about the character of leaders. On the other hand, the citizens shoulder a responsibility to ensure that Government does what is right for them.

These issues stated here are not born out of a deficiency in our Constitution and laws. These conflicts are as a result of failure to adhere to the rule of law, which has structures in place guiding governance, and should these be adhered to, will create the environment for the sought-after social cohesion and national unity.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

Large-scale agri development plans for hinterland LARGE-SCALE agricultural development plans are expected to be rolled out in this year’s budget, with emphasis likely to be on the Intermediate Savannahs and the Rupununi Savannahs.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that a recent special cabinet meeting on budget plans looked at large-scale agricultural de-

velopment in the Savannahs for this year, including the production of Soybeans in the Kimbia/ Ebini savannahs.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, reported on plans to complete an Agricultural Development Plan for regions 7, 8 and 9, along with the expansion of orchard production in the Intermediate Savannahs.

In 2015, work began on updating feasibility studies on the agricultural development of the Intermediate Savannahs, which included detailed land-use plans; road, river and air transport; water supply and distribution; social and agricultural support services plans; physical infrastructure; environmental impact assessment and a

protection plan.

T h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s 2015 Manifesto had indicated development of the hinterland as a priority, with the implementation of policies. The Intermediate Savannahs has long been considered the next frontier of agricultural development, and several studies conducted by a number of competent agricultural and related professionals have indicated the vast untapped potential within the region.

In the budget plans for this year, it was also decided that there will be the operationalising of a spice factory at Hosororo in Region One, with special emphasis being placed on turmeric and ginger, which are imported into Guyana in large quantities. It is intended that the turmeric from Hosororo be sold to man-

ufacturers in Georgetown.

The Ministry of Agriculture also plans to start the micro-propagation of breadfruit in an effort to increase production.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the existing feasibility study for the Rupununi Savannahs will be updated and expanded, with a view to logical expansion in the area, along the lines of the Santa Fe model.

It was noted that over the next five years, the government intends to re-establish agricultural stations in each of the main economic zones in the country, with a view to demonstrating the agricultural potential of these areas.

NAREI Meanwhile, it was noted that in 2015, the

National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) continued to push research and development in Guyana with the inclusion of new crops and species.

NAREI has completed the agronomic packages for two new sweet pepper varieties, while the use of grated cassava in the baking industry was pursued.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that this was successful and will be intensified in 2016.

It was also noted that a high-tunnel structure has been established at the University of Guyana Berbice Campus, to promote climate-smart practices, while an automated hydroponic facility has been established at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, for training and demonstration purposes.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

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LGBT people among most vulnerable to suicide

By Ravin Singh

A GLOBAL research has revealed that persons who consider themselves part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community are two to three times more likely to commit suicide that heterosexual persons, says Cuso International’s Mental Health Researcher, Abdel Fudadin.

Canada-based Cuso International is a development organisation that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors.

Fudadin made this disclosure on Thursday last, at a forum on Mental Health Challenges facing LGBT Guyanese, which was facilitated by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in partnership with USAID’s Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Project.

According to SASOD, the forum sought to evaluate with various civil society organisations (CSOs), ways and means the Guyanese society can aid vulnerable communities such as LGBT persons from falling into mental despair and how support can be offered to them.

Presently, Guyana is the only country in South America where same-sex intimacy is still illegal. Under the laws of Guyana, intimate same-sex acts carry a possible punishment of life imprisonment.

And given that fact, persons who consider themselves part of the LGBT community are often marginalised from society, discriminated against and shunned from accessing health, social and security services.

SASOD’s Project Coordinator John Quelch; psychiatrist Caitlin Vieira; CUSO’s Abdel Fudadin; and Miss Guyana World, Lisa Punch, at the forum on Thursday last But this adds to some underlying issues such as social Fudadin charged the attendees. anxiety, conservative and religious views and impoverished He also pointed out that in this day and age, the University neighbourhoods, which serve to weaken their mental health, of Guyana (UG) medical students are exposed to only 20 hours SASOD contends. Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder of mental- health sensitivity training which is, in his estimation, and anxiety can develop along with post-traumatic stress, which inadequate. In view of this, he also called for massive training only makes the person more susceptible to substance abuse, in information management, noting that there is a shortage of risky behaviour, and suicide. and lack of access to data on mental health in Guyana.

Having acknowledged these conditions, Fudadin underHe also contended that there is a lack of standardised scored the role of social support, counselling and mental-health screening assessment tools in public health institutions. The care for this vulnerable group. He noted that reports have current system, he noted, is a basic cross- examination of family revealed that effeminate boys and teenagers who identify history, personal history, medical evaluations and looking at risk themselves as homosexuals are shunned by their parents and factors in their environments, such as causes for depression. even “kicked out of their homes,” due to their parents’ lack of And although there is a development project for creating a knowledge, understanding and general ignorance of sexuality. standard screening assessment tool, Fudadin is of the belief that More often than not, these youngsters suffer from neglect, more needs to be done, not only for medical practitioners but abandonment – finding themselves in sex-work rings, crime, Community Support Organisations (CSOs) that will be offering narcotic-drug circles, often leading to other risky behaviours, guidance counselling, referrals and services to their clients.

HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections, which all conIf you or anyone you know are experiencing suicidal tribute to their mental- health deterioration, Fudadin said, add- thoughts, speak to a family member or leader in your coming that “it is a stark reality that happens every day in Guyana.” munity or call the suicide helpline on Telephone numbers “Health, education and advocacy needs to be strengthened. (+592) 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444. Text-mesIt is what we need to do, to work together; not let religious ho- saging and “call me” features are also available as alternamophobes and conservatives cloud our progress as a society,” tive options for persons who need support.

16

To Sir, with Love - A tribute to Sheldon McDonald

By Karl Salmon IT ALWAYS seems to happen: We procrastinate expressing our love and appreciation to our family and friends until suddenly the opportunity fades away and that moment is lost. We then struggle with the old adage: If I could, I would, I should.

This is my tribute to a dear friend who shaped my character and capabilities during my youth. He was also a friend of Jamaica, Guyana, and the Caribbean.

My growth needed fine-tuning for me to develop into a productive and meaningful youth with a keen sense of purpose. It really does take a village to raise a child, and I found my little settlement in a group of politicians who occasionally

assembled at a popular ‘watering hole’ to engage in various chatter. I was fascinated to be in their presence, and they welcomed this young gofer to fetch their various orders of beverages.

There was this particular drink that caught my interest: a simple mixture of Appleton white rum and milk served on ice. It was a favourite among the men, and my taste buds were curious to find out more about its appeal. Anyway, I will get back to this drink later.

Among the political technocrats was a gentleman who stood out during the various engagements. He was highly articulate in his arguments, which were occasionally punctuated with timely posturing for effect. I gravitated towards him

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016 because he not only commanded attention, but was somehow able to make you believe that what he was saying was gospel (so to speak). He nicknamed me ‘Carlos’ and the name stuck among the men.

His name is Sheldon McDonald. Every evening I would absorb the various discussion, style, and substance of their arguments, particularly Sheldon's. He eventually took me under his wing, and nurtured my young and enthusiastic mind to enhance my verbal and written expressions, as well as my deportment.

While an accounting clerk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry issued an invitation among staff to participate in a mock conference. This invitation (expressed but not written) was opened to the higher levels of staff from the various specialized departments: Economic, Trade, Political, and Consular, and who were university graduates with various acumens; accounting clerks with high school diplomas need not apply.

I became a nuisance to the Director of Inspectorate, the Director of Human Resources and the Director General, presenting a case why I felt I should be considered for selection.

A few days after, I was chosen to be the Prime Minister of Australia. The conference was to begin in two weeks.

Sheldon invited me to his office and gave me a number of documents to proofread. Some were speeches he had prepared, and he wanted me to make sure they had no grammatical or spelling errors, and to ensure that the sentences flowed. After spending 6 hours reviewing those wretched documents, I found no flaws. It turned out there was none

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016 Sheldon McDonald

-- he just wanted me to read and understand the various components of writing.

We spent continuous evenings and nights at his office and home drafting, redrafting, and rehearsing the script for the conference, with the occasional break for him to enjoy his favourite drink. Finally, Sheldon gave me his blessings -- that I was prepared.

The morning of the conference was terrifying, but I somehow had a good feeling deep inside. During my opening re-

marks, I paid tribute to Australia and Canada's prime ministers for their peace-keeping efforts and their commitment to end world tyranny. This received a warm applause. I felt great. At the end of my presentations, I received a standing ovation. I had exceeded the expectations of an accounting clerk.

Three months after, I was summoned into the office of the Director of HR. I was being considered for overseas assignment, and would begin training the following week. A year after, I was posted to the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami, then reassigned to the Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Jamaican Embassy) in Geneva, Switzerland.

I could not have achieved this without the invaluable influence of Sheldon McDonald.

Our lives drifted apart, and Sheldon began work with CARICOM and the Caribbean Court of Justice. He eventually settled as the Head of The University of Guyana Law Department. We kept in contact, but sporadically, and not as often as I should have. In November last year, I read that Sheldon had passed away under tragic circumstances. I was in pain. My

mind flashed back to his many guiding lights: Sheldon had taught me the importance of voice inflection to emphasize a point; pausing between points to allow the audience to absorb them; insertion of humour at the appropriate time, to create relaxation; if you were uncomfortable making eye contact, stare directly at the centre of their forehead slightly above the eyes to create the impression that you were making eye contact; when asked a critical question, always analyse if the person needs to know, or simply wants to know.

Sheldon had taught me how to drive standard shift on the precarious Jamaican country roads. He taught me how to play dominoes - shuffle, read the game, block, and colt.

Sheldon, your influence is not lost. In fact, I have made the commitment to pay it forward and continually reference your contributions to my life and the lives of many who came across your path.

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to raise this glass of white rum and milk on ice in a toast to Sheldon: To you, Sir, with love.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2016

CONSUMER CONCERNS:

Clearing the city of vagrants - should be part of the clean-up campaign

Pat Dial OVER the last several months, the Government and the Mayor and City Council have been seriously addressing the problem of drainage and cleaning of the City, and they have made much progress in the downtown areas. The main stimuli of this fine effort have been the approaching celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Independence, and helping to create the necessary infrastructure for our growing tourist trade.

Clearing the streets and pavements of the scores of vagrants who live and sleep there must be done in tandem with the present Clean-up Campaign. If these are not done simultaneously, the effort will be partly negated. It is not that the "Authorities" are unaware of

the problem, but they have been dilatory in addressing it. The Ministry of Social Protection, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Mayor and City Council each has a role to play, but each has felt that the others should be dealing with the problem.

The fundamental reason for this shifting of responsibility seems to be the assumption that all the vagrants are the same. In fact, the vagrants could easily fall into three categories: The first category is those who are genuinely homeless; who do not have any relatives or children, or who do not have the means of renting accommodation. Such persons are usually old, underfed, or suffer from some physical disability.

This category is the smallest in number. Those who suffer from mental illnesses comprise the second category of vagrants. Their illnesses range from Alzheimer’s to violent schizophrenia. This mentally unstable group is probably the largest group. The third category comprises victims of the use of narcotic drugs, such as cocaine and ganja -- the "junkies". This category keeps growing in number, and will, in time, overtake the second category in size.

These three categories fall naturally within the remit of the various responsible Ministries.

For instance, the genuinely homeless would fall naturally to the Ministry of Social Protection, and the mentally ill to the Ministry of Public Health. Once the "Authority" or Ministry is aware of the category of the vagrant which comes within its responsibility, that “Authority” could more easily act.

The process of clearing the City of vagrants should begin as early as possible. These few scores of vagrants create the impression, to both residents and visitors alike, that Guyana is a country of overwhelming poverty, of neglect of care for the elderly, and of poor medical outreach facilities. Insensitive or even hostile visitors would delight in photographing the vagrants who reside on the eastern pavement of the General Post Office Building.

Many of the vagrants wander about the City by both night and day and violently attack passersby.

For example, some years ago, at Princes and High Streets, a mentally deranged vagrant threw a coconut at the head of a passerby and killed

that person. Another time, two young Dutch tourists, a young man and his female companion, were visiting the Promenade Gardens at mid-morning, and a vagrant who had secreted himself suddenly jumped out and stabbed the young lady to death.

There have also been times when vagrants have thrown stones, glass bottles and other missiles at passersby; or have even physically assaulted them.

In another instance, during the last Christmas holiday season, a tall and sturdy va-

grant stood at the corner of Robb Street and Avenue of the Republic at the busiest time of the day and terrorized commuters by lashing out with a long whip at anyone he could.

And smashing vehicle windscreens is a frequent occurrence with vagrants. Sometimes they throw mud and filth on parked cars, and demand money from persons walking on the pavements, assaulting those who refuse to give them any or who give them too little.

Removal of these vagrants is not an insurmountable task;

there are facilities to house the homeless, the ones suffering from mental disease could be sent to the Mental Hospital for treatment, and the victims of drug abuse -- the junkies -could be rehabilitated or sent to the Mental Hospital.

If the City were cleared of these vagrants, downtown pavements would again be clean and sanitary, and the City would be a much safer place. Clearing the City of these vagrants should be an integral part of the “Cleanup Campaign”.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Thunder topple Mavericks, Warriors march past Pacers THE Oklahoma City Thunder topped the Dallas Mavericks 109-106 in a tight affair to record a season-best seven-game run in the NBA on Friday.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points at the American Airlines Center in Texas, as Russell Westbrook had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Thunder almost threw away a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter after the Mavericks outscored the visitors by eight, but they managed to hold

on despite Dallas’ Chandler Parsons leading the scoring with 26 points.

The Warriors gave Steve Kerr the perfect present on his return to the Golden State bench, as they recorded their third successive win, cruising past the Indiana Pacers 122-110.

After missing over half the season following back surgery complications, the coach watched on from the sidelines as Steph Curry produced another triple-double, notching

a game-high 39 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

Myles Turner topped the charts for the Pacers with 31 points off the bench.

The Toronto Raptors extended their winning run to seven games, comfortably surpassing the Miami Heat 101-81.

DeMar DeRozan scored 33 for the Raptors, while Terrence Ross contributed 13 from the bench as Toronto struck 60 before the half-time interval – at no point did they fall behind.

Despite ending on the losing side, Chris Bosh made 26 and Dwyane Wade hit 22 points for Miami, who are now 23-21 for the season.

Manu Ginobli scored a season-high 20 points for San Antonio as the Spurs saw-off the Los Angeles Lakers 108-95 to spoil the 10th anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s historic 81-point game.

D’Angelo Russell scored 18 points for the Lakers but could not prevent Los Angeles losing five on the bounce.

TT Red Force still NAGICO...

From Backpage into Ramdin’s gloves. Surprisingly, umpire Abraham turned down the vociferous appeal by Ramdin, Deonarine and the close-in fielders.

But Deonarine persevered and finally dismissed Brathwaite, who had threatened to turn the match in Barbados Pride’s favour.

Hosein was re-introduced into the attack and immediately forced Nurse to give Deonarine a simple catch at gully and departed for two runs as Barbados Pride’s embarrassment continued with the eighth wicket down for 142.

The Hosein-Deonarine tandem combined once again as Shai Hope on 50 (4x4s off 92 balls) drove airily, only to see the ball balloon off the edge to Deonarine at gully.

Hope was the only Barbadian who displayed the type of application needed against the rampant Trinidadians, whose accurate and penetrative bowling was well supported by the brilliant Ramdin behind the stumps.

Earlier, the T&T Red Force

batted first after Barbados Pride’s captain Jason Holder won the crucial toss and decided that his team will bowl first, because of the overcast conditions and threatening dark clouds in the distant eastern horizon away from the city of Port of Spain.

Trinidad and Tobago openers Evin Lewis and Kyle Hope defied the Barbadian bowlers and were associated in a 54-run first-wicket partnership before Lewis (25) offered a catch to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich in attempting a cut stroke from a lifting delivery from Carlos Brathwaite.

Kjorn Ottley did not last long and he drove with too much bottom hand and lanky Sulieman Benn dived to his left at cover and brought up the ball which signalled that T&T Red Force had lost their second wicket at 72 (16.3 overs). There was a further hiccup for the defending champions when Hope was adjudged LBW by umpire Lennox Abraham for 34.

The Barbados-born franchise player pushed forward and misjudged the line of the Dwayne Smith’s seaming delivery, which was going down the legside, but Hope’s movement towards the offside brought forth a belated affirmative decision by umpire Abraham.

T&T Red Force was in some serious trouble and surprisingly skipper Jason Mohammed, promoted himself ahead of the experienced Denesh Ramdin, who has shown remarkable form with the bat.

Mohammed, who was the batting hero against Guyana in the 2015 final with a match-winning 117, struggled initially, but soon found his batting rhythm and started to play his shots until he gave his hand away when he did not have enough power and elevation to cart left-arm spinner Benn over long-off, where Shamarh Brooks accepted a straightforward catch three me-

tres inside the boundary rope.

Mohammed departed for 31 after he had shared a 75run fourth-wicket stand with West Indies senior player Darren Bravo, who batted with greater composure and assurance in his strokeplay.

Ramdin joined Bravo and the two senior stars upped the tempo and added 57 for the fifth wicket, when Ramdin (26) was deceived by a slower delivery from Carlos Brathwaite and was comprehensively bowled as he attempted a scoop shot and played too early.

Bravo displayed his class with superbly timed strokes all round the wicket and was once again set for the magical triple-figure mark when he was dismissed on 97 as he attempted a forceful drive outside the offstump from a delivery lined up by Jason Holder.

Bravo registered his third consecutive half-century and for the second successive innings he missed the coveted hundred.

Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 08:50 hrs Don’t Touch It 09:20 hrs A Toi Phil 09:55 hrs Douvan 10:30 hrs Rouge Trader 11:05 hrs Faugheen 11:35 hrs Clar Na Mionn 12:05 hrs Village Mystic South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:45 hrs Reactive 09:20 hrs Alldressedup 09:55 hrs Silver Green 10:30 hrs Natal 11:05 hrs Aldric English Racing Tips

He made 95 in the semi-final against the Guyana Jaguars and was caught at the long off position in attempting a huge six for the century-mark. He had made 82 against Barbados in the second-round match at the same venue.

In the final, Bravo’s attractive 97 was adorned with two sixes and eight fours off 108 balls faced, and he was associated in 43-run sixth-wicket stand with Reyad Emrit, who remained undefeated on 18 when the T&T Red Force innings closed at 270 for 7 off their allotted 50 overs.

The score proved too much for the Barbados Pride, which had defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 17 runs in the inaugural NAGICO Super50 final at the QP Oval in 2014.

The Trinidadians sparked carnival-like celebrations after they created history with back-to-back NAGICO Super50 crowns and their 12th regional 50-overs title.

Fontwell 09:00 hrs Noble Ned 09:30 hrs Zero Visibility 10:05 hrs Secret Door 10:40 hrs Third Act 11:15 hrs Norse Legend 11:45 hrs Black Narcissus 12:15 hrs Katara Bay Chelmsford City 09:45 hrs The Happy Hammer 10:15 hrs Gorakai 10:50 hrs Searchlight 11:25 hrs Clary 11:55 hrs Miss Giler 12:25 hrs Goodwood Moonlight

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Leicester back on top, Liverpool win thriller at Norwich the rest after a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion, while the sides immediately above them also missed out on victory.

LONDON | By Martyn Herman LEICESTER City returned to winning ways and the top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 victory at home to Stoke City after Liverpool kick-started yesterday’s action with an extraordinary 5-4 win at Norwich City.

With Arsenal playing Chelsea on Sunday, Leicester moved three points clear of the Gunners with 15 games remaining as Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa scored to seal a first league win in five for Claudio Ranieri’s title chasers.

Liverpool had trailed 3-1 at Norwich City in the second half but fought back to level with goals from Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino before James Milner put them ahead.

Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong looked to have salvaged a point with a stoppage-time header before

India leads run feast on day two of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup warm-up matches

Danny Drinkwater (not pictured) scores the first goal for LeicesterAction Images via Reuters / Adam Lallana decided the outcome of a roller-coaster game with Liverpool’s winner to move Juergen Klopp’s inconsistent side up to seventh.

Eight players were on the scoresheet in only the fourth Premier League match to finish 5-4.

Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s title push continued as they recovered from

Jan Vertonghen’s own goal at Crystal Palace to win 3-1 -Harry Kane, Dele Alli, with a stunning volley, and Nacer Chadli scoring after halftime.

Leicester have 47 points, Arsenal 44 and Manchester City, who play later on Saturday at West Ham United, have 43.

Spurs are on 42, five clear of Manchester United who suffered a 1-0 defeat

by Southampton on anoth-

er frustrating afternoon for the United faithful at Old Trafford.

Saints’ Charlie Austin scored in the 87th-minute on his debut, prompting more loud boos aimed at under-pressure United manager Louis van Gaal from the home fans at the final whistle.

Bottom club Aston Villa remain six points adrift of

Collapse of Murray’s father-in-law sours Briton’s day

changed my life on the court, definitely.”

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-The Australian Open tennis championships were rocked late yesterday when Andy Murray’s father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsed during a match at Rod Laver Arena, overshadowing the world number two’s advance to the fourth round.

Sears, the coach of former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, collapsed while watching the Serb’s third-round clash against Madison Keys, prompting medical staff to rush to the 58-year-old’s aid.

Adding to the surreal atmosphere at Melbourne Park, Briton Murray was oblivious to the unfolding drama as he battled Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the neighbouring Margaret Court Arena. .

Play was suspended for an hour at Rod Laver Arena, as Sears received treatment before being fitted with breathing apparatus and carried from the stadium on a stretcher.

He was taken to hospital for further treatment and was being examined by a cardiologist, organisers said.

A teary-eyed Ivanovic was eventually led back to centre court to continue her match against Keys and although the

Sunderland, in 19th spot, drew 1-1 at home to Bournemouth while Newcastle United went down 2-1 at mid-table Watford.

Serb fought hard she fell 4-6 6-4 6-4.

“Obviously it was a tough match,” Ivanovic said in a statement after declining post-match media commitments.

“I really wanted to win and have a chance to come back...

Obviously a little bit disappointed.”

Murray, whose wife Kim Sears is due to give birth to their first child next month, completed a 6-2 3-6 6-2 6-2 win over 32nd seed Sousa and was led straight from the court by an official rather than conduct the usual courtside interview.

In an unnerving coincidence, Ivanovic’s second round match was also suspended after a spectator fell down the stairs at the same show court on Thursday.

Murray also skipped the post-match media conference and the Scot’s only comment was confined to his match.

“It was tricky. I didn’t feel great,” he said in a statement.

“It was good to get through that one.”

MEDICAL EMERGENCY The medical emergency overshadowed the action on day six which saw Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza dumped out of the tournament and Victoria Azarenka given a

huge boost in her bid to win a third title at Melbourne Park.

The 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka also reached the last 16, staying on track for a blockbuster semi-final against Murray.

Muguruza, rated one of the few women capable of threatening champion Serena Williams, slumped out at the hands of unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova, her 6-3 6-2 loss punching a hole in the draw.

With Romanian world number two Simona Halep sent packing in the opening round, seventh seed Angelique Kerber remains the top woman in the draw’s lower half.

But the path to a dream final against Williams seems laid out for 14th seed Azarenka.

A succession of injuries over the past two years and a bout of depression have slowed the Belarussian, who clinched back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park in 2012-13.

But her 6-1 6-1 humiliation of Japanese qualifier Naomi Osaka was her eighth win in succession and further evidence the sleeping giant has awakened.

“I had a lot of changes and emotions from last year that I still didn’t know how to handle,” the 26-year-old told reporters.

“It changed my life... Starting to be happy and organised and disciplined off the court, it

WAWRINKA ADVANCES

Following Roger Federer’s 300th victory in grand slams on day five and Maria Sharapova’s 600th on tour, Wawrinka notched his 400th career win with a triumph over Czech Lukas Rosol 6-2 6-3 7-6(3).

The Swiss fourth seed has been battling a cold at Melbourne Park but his game was in rude health as he smashed 18 aces and 45 winners in the late afternoon sunshine at Rod Laver Arena.

“As long as I’m feeling good on the court, that’s the most important thing,” a raspyvoiced Wawrinka said.

The 30-year-old Swiss must next weather the serving storm of Canadian dark horse Milos Raonic, who despatched Serb Viktor Troicki 6-2 6-3 6-4 at the Margaret Court Arena.

A quarter-finalist last year, 13th seed Raonic dedicated his win to victims of a school shooting in the remote Canadian town of La Loche, where four people were killed and a number injured on Friday.

“Stuff like this doesn’t happen much back home,” he told reporters.

“I’m sure not just in that small community but throughout Canada it was a lot of people that were sort of heartbroken over it.”

THREE-time champions India, 1998 winner England and twotime champion Pakistan flexed their batting firepower to win their warm-up matches yesterday ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016, which starts on Wednesday, 27 January.

There were also wins for Afghanistan and host Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka registered an impressive four-wicket win over New Zealand in a battle of equals.

India, coached by batting great Rahul Dravid, thrashed Canada’s hapless bowlers to score a mammoth 483 for five on way to 372 runs victory in Mirpur. Captain Ishan Kishan smashed 138 off 86 balls with 16 fours and seven sixes. Ricky Bhui struck 115 off 71 balls and Sarfaraz Khan hit a 36-ball 48.

After all three batsmen retired to give other batsmen an outing, Canada folded up for just 113 in 31.1 overs as leg-spinner Mahipal Lomror claimed three wickets for 19 runs.

England’s left-arm seamer Sam Curran grabbed five wickets for 10 runs in eight overs to steer his side to a comfortable 155-run win over Namibia at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.

England made 307 for seven after being sent into bat with openers Dan Lawrence (85) and Max Holden (81) sharing a first-wicket stand of 151 runs by the 28th over. Namibia was bowled out for 152 runs in reply, despite Lohan Louwrens making 44 and Charl Brits 57.

Pakistan scored 291 for seven against Nepal with opener Zeeshan Malik making 83 and Umair Masood chipping in with a 36-ball 59. Nepal replied with 181 for nine to lose by 110 runs. Sameen Gul, Shadab Khan and Arsal Sheikh took two wickets apiece.

Shammu Ashan hit 66 off 69 balls to steer Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win over New Zealand, whose 204 for eight after being sent in to bat revolved around captain Josh Finnie’s 54.

Sri Lanka surpassed the target in 36.1 overs.

Skipper Ihsanullah Janat hit 133 to lead Afghanistan to 126 runs victory over Ireland. A five-wicket haul by Rory Anders helped bowl the Afghans out for 277, but Ireland was itself bundled out for 151 despite an unbeaten 59 from Lorcan Tucker. Karim Janat and Zia-ur-Rehman took two wickets each.

Bangladesh piled up 284 for nine against Zimbabwe and restricted the rivals to 221 for seven to secure a 63-run win.

The home team’s Nazmul Hossain (102) and Zimbabwe’s Ryan Murray (123 not out) were the principal scorers. William Mashinge took five wickets in Bangladesh’s innings.

Scores in brief: Afghanistan beat Ireland by 126 runs at BKSP-3 Afghanistan 277 all out, 50 overs (Ihsanullah Janat 133; Rory Anders 5-40, Joshua Little 3-49 Ireland 151 all out, 44.3 overs (Lorcan Tucker 59 not out; Karim Janat 2-12, Zia-ur-Rehman 2-7) Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs in Chittagong Bangladesh 284-9, 50 overs (Nazmul Hossain 102; William Mashinge 5-67) Zimbabwe 221-7, 50 overs (Ryan Murray 123 not out; Abdul Halim 2-45) India beat Canada by 372 runs at BKSP-4 India 485-3, 50 overs (Ishan Kishan 138 retired, Ricky Bhui 115 retired, Sarfaraz Khan 48 retired) Canada 113, 31.1 overs (Harsh Thaker 25; Mahipal Lomror 3-19, Shubham Mavi 2-20, Zeeshan Ansari 2-39) England beat Namibia by 155 runs in Chittagong England 307-7, 50 overs (Dan Lawrence 85, Max Holden 81; Fritz Coetzee 2-63) Namibia 152 all out, 34 overs (Lohan Louwrens 44, Charl Brits 57; Sam Curran 5-10) Pakistan beat Nepal by 110 runs at BKSP-1 Pakistan 291-7, 50 overs (Zeeshan Malik 83, Umair Masood 59) Nepal 181-9, 50 overs (Dipendra Airee 42; Sameen Gul 2-17, Shadab Khan 2-42, Arsal Sheikh 2-19) Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by four wickets at BKSP-2 New Zealand 204-8, 50 overs (Josh Finnie 54, Dale Phillips 48 not out; Asitha Fernando 2-39, Jehan Daniel 2-48, Lahiru Samarakoon 2-31) Sri Lanka 205-6, 36.1 overs (Shammu Ashan 66; Ben Sears 2-43, Nathan Smith 2-39)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Captain Cook steadies Six races scheduled for KMTC England after De Kock ton

By Mark Gleeson PRETORIA, (Reuters)-England’s captain Alastair Cook posted his first half-century of the series against South Africa with an unbeaten 67 as they finished on 138 for two, still 337 runs behind, at the close on the second day of the final Test yesterday.

Cook and Joe Root (31 not out) added 60 for the third wicket at Centurion Park as England, who have won the series, look to get close to the hosts’ first-innings total of 475 on a pitch starting to show variable bounce.

Cook is 50 short of becoming the first England batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs. The touring side had lost opener Alex Hales (15) cheaply before tea when he guided a wide delivery from Kagiso Rabada to Dane Piedt at point for another soft dismissal.

Nick Compton (19) became Rabada’s second victim when he fell lbw to a delivery

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock plays a shot during his maiden Test century at Centurion. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko that never got more than a foot off the ground from good length.

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock earlier reached his maiden Test century with a fluent unbeaten 129 from 128 balls before running out of partners. De Kock

smashed 17 fours and two sixes in a mixture of finesse and a brutal attack on the bowling.

“It was alright. I got a bit lucky with one or two dropped catches but I’ll take it. Hundreds don’t come around often,” De Kock told reporters.

“I just play it as I see it. If it’s in my area I will try to hit it. That’s the way I play for my franchise and it’s no different here.” England, after picking up the wickets of Temba Bavuma (35) and Rabada (0) early in the morning session, the tourists may have expected to run through the South Africa tail.

But a stand of 50 for the eighth wicket between De Kock and Kyle Abbott (16), and 82 for the ninth with Piedt (19), kept the England in the field until 40 minutes before tea. Frustration for the touring side was exacerbated by dropped catches, including two off De Kock.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes continued his fine tour with bat and ball as he finished the South Africa innings with figures of 4-86. “It was hard work, every time we got a wicket they seemed to get back in it,” Stokes said.

“Too many chances went down as well, we really let them off the hook.”

Pandey’s debut ODI ton helps India avoid whitewash SYDNEY, (Reuters)-Manish Pandey struck his maiden one-day century in a high-scoring thriller to secure India a pride-salvaging six-wicket victory against Australia in the fifth and final ODI in Sydney yesterday.

Staring at a series whitewash after four defeats, India rode Pandey’s scintillating 104 off 81 balls to chase down a 331-run victory target with two balls to spare.

Centuries from David Warner (122) and Mitchell Marsh (102) helped Australia post 330-7 but Pandey’s knock in his only fourth one-dayer clinched the contest for India.

India needed a strong start from their openers to stay on course to chase down such a big total and the visitors got just that from Shikhar Dhawan (78) and Rohit Sharma (99).

Dhawan posted his third successive 50-plus score and Rohit fell agonisingly short of his third century in the series as they raised 123 runs in 18.2 overs.

John Hastings dismissed Dhawan and Virat Kohli (eight) in quick successions to halt India’s progress and Rohit left leaving India needing exactly 100 runs from 91 balls to win the contest.

With the required runrate skyrocketing and skipper

Manish Pandey soaks in a maiden and majestic hundred against Australia in Sydney.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (34) struggling to time the ball at the other end, Pandey’s crisp hitting left India needing 13 runs off the last over from Marsh.

Marsh began with a wide and had his next hit out of the ground by Dhoni but the Indian captain fell immediately to inject fresh drama in the contest.

Pandey, however, was unfazed and he hit the next ball for a boundary to first complete his century and then scurried for two for the winning run.

Earlier, Warner struck his fifth ODI century and Mitchell Marsh notched up his first to set up yet another runfest in a series that has provided 3,159 runs.

India’s much-maligned bowlers did well to reduce Australia to 117-4 in the 22nd over before Warner and Marsh combined to add 118 runs in 17.3 overs.

Warner had fallen seven runs short of a century in Wednesday’s fourth ODI at Canberra but there was no such heartbreak this time as the southpaw brought up his run-aball century.

The 27-year-old opener was eventually dismissed for 122, that included thee sixes and nine boundaries, but Marsh carried on to remain not out on 102 off 84 balls.

Phagwah Day horse-race meet

SIX races are scheduled for the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) annual horse-race meet at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, on March 13.

According to a release, a one-mile race for horses classified `D1 and Lower’ will be the feature event and will carry prize monies totalling over $1.3M, with the winner pocketing $700,000.

The other top three finishers will receive $350,000, $175,000 and $88,000, respectively. The registration fee is $85,000 per horse.

Another one-mile race is also carded and will be open to horses classified `G1 and Lower’ and the winner will earn $280,000, while the second-place finisher will receive $140,000. The third and fourth-place finishers will earn $70,000 and $35,000 respectively. Registration fee is $32,000 per horse.

Two six-furlong and two five-furlong races are also on the day’s card.

Horses classified `L and Lower’ will battle over five furlongs for the $100,000 first-prize money. The second-place finisher will receive $50,000, while the third and fourthplace finishers will receive $25,000 and $12,000 respectively.

The other five-furlong race is open to horses classified `K and Lower,’ with the winner earning $120,000 and the second-place finisher receiving $60,000. The third and fourthplace finishers will earn $30,000 and $15,000 respectively.

The first six-furlong race on the day’s programme will see horses classified `H1 and Lower’ battling for the $240,000 first-prize money. The other top three performers will receive #120,000, $60,000 and $30,000 respectively.

The other six-furlong race is open to horses classified `J1 and Lower’.

The winner will be rewarded with $160,000, while the second, third and fourth-place finishers will earn $80,000, $40,000 and $20,000 respectively.

Horse-owners and trainers, who would like to have their horses registered for the meet are asked to make contact with Roopnarine Matadial (tel #325-3192), Ivan Dipnarine (tel # 331-0316) or Justice Cecil Lekkard on 623-7609, 2254818 or 226-1399.

RHTGG and Tucber Park to clash in Busta final today

THE Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town will come alive today when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club hosts the final of the 12th edition of the Busta Champion of Champions from 11:00 hrs.

The 40- overs final will be contested between arch rivals Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets and Tucber Park (formerly Bermine).

The match is expected to be of a very high standard with both teams boasting several Berbice and Guyana players.

The winning team will take home $100,000 and the beautiful Busta trophy while the runner up will receive $50,000. Managing Director of the Guyana Beverage Company Robert Selman, Marketing Manager Shameeza Yadram and officials of the RHTYSC will be on hand to distribute the prizes after the final.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Real Salt Lake signs ‘Golden Jaguars’ Welshman

MAJOR League Soccer (MLS)outfit Real Salt Lake yesterday announced that it has signed ‘Golden Jaguars’ forward Emery Welshman as a new addition for the 2016 season, after the 24 year old played the 2015 season with United Soccer League club, Real Monarchs.

Welshman is the first player to sign with Real Salt Lake from the Monarchs, as the club continues to evolve its player development system.

Per league and club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We view the Monarchs as an in-house development system and take great pride in announcing Emery as the first player to move through our system and into the first team,” Real Salt Lake General Manager Craig Waibel said.

He added “The environment that Coach Freddy Juarez and his staff have created challenges young players to mature and improve on a

Emery Welshman in action for Guyana against St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Guyana National Stadium (Samuel Maughn photo) daily basis, with the end goal of having a shot at the firstteam roster.”

Welshman was a standout with the Monarchs in 2015, scoring six goals in 19 appearances to finish second

on the team.

He (Welshman) also added two assists in helping the Monarchs finish its inaugural season on a five-match winning streak to close out the season at 7-13-8, including

a 6-3-5 record at Rio Tinto Stadium.

“Emery deserves a lot of credit, as he did everything asked of him over the past year. He matured and accepted the challenges given

to him by the staff and in the end persevered to end the season on a very strong run,” Waibel said, adding: “We are extremely happy for Emery to be the first player to take advantage of

The Jaguars innings got off to a slow start.

They were 42-3 mid-way through the 20th over.

Johnson and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble forged a 65-run partnership, which gave the innings the much-needed impetus.

However, when both batsmen were dismissed at 119-5, the remaining batsmen found scoring very difficult. They eventually reached 205-9 from 48.3 overs as Steven Jacobs was unable to bat due to injury.

“Certainly, we were slow out of the traps, and that cost us. It’s very disappointing to lose,” Johnson disclosed.

The Red Force spin trio of Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Narsingh Deonarine and Akeal Hosein, then shared seven wickets between them on a helpful Queen’s Park Oval pitch to tame the Jaguars.

However, while Johnson was disappointed not to reach the final, he praised the team, especially the bowling department.

his opportunities and look forward to his contributions with the first team in 2016.”

This is Welshman’s second shot at the MLS, having started his professional career as the 16th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft to Toronto FC, despite making only one regular season appearance that season, and spent 2014 playing with Ligue 1 Ontario side Sigma FC in Canada’s third division.

In addition to his success with the Monarchs, Welshman also made his international debut in 2015, playing five matches and netting three goals for Guyana, including two goals in a World Cup Qualifying match against St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Real Salt Lake starts the year in the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round, opening the schedule in Monterrey, Mexico, against Tigres UANL on Wednesday, February 24, with the return leg at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, March 2.

Johnson defends six-bowler strategy

By Rajiv Bisnauth

GUYANA Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson, has stoutly defended his six-bowler strategy, blaming his top-order batsmen, who failed to deliver while chasing 260 runs for victory in their NAGICO Super50 semi-final game against hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday evening.

Johnson said he would not say that he missed an

extra batsman as they chose to field the best team available.

“We fielded the best team available, but having said that the total was very gettable,” Johnson said.

The West Indies batsman added: “The wicket got better in the night, but we didn’t start well, we never got the chase going; there was little urgency at the top, and to add to that, we dropped two crucial catches when Bravo [Darren] was at the crease, so

Leon Johnson that too had contributed to our defeat”. Johnson explained.

Australia coach Lehmann taken to hospital with thrombosis SYDNEY, (Reuters)-Aus-

tralia coach Darren Lehmann has been taken to hospital suffering from deep vein thrombosis, Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday.

Lehmann, 45, reported a swollen left calf to team medical staff before the fifth one-day international against India in Sydney yesterday and was sent for a scan.

He was admitted to hospital for observation overnight during the India innings and will receive

Darren Lehmann treatment for the condition.

“Darren is stable but he

has been advised not to fly in the short term and will therefore require a layoff before he can return to coaching,” CA’s chief medical officer John Orchard said in a statement.

Lehmann’s wife Andrea was told of the situation and the Australia players were informed after Saturday’s match which India won by six wickets to claim a consolation victory in a series they lost 4-1.

Batting coach Michael Di Venuto will take charge

of the side for the threematch Twenty20 series against India starting on Tuesday in Adelaide.

“Our first thoughts and concerns are obviously with Darren and his family -health is more important than any cricket match,” said Pat Howard, CA’s executive general manager of team performance.

“We will assess the situation on the basis of medical advice and with Darren’s best interests in mind over the coming days.”

“I taught we did well during the first six games.

Our bowling was good throughout, but our batting, the major concern is the dot balls, so we have another year to plan,” Johnson concluded.

Guyana have not won a Regional OneDay title in nine years.

Their last of nine titles was during the 2005-06 season, when they defeated Barbados by seven runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Foreign Ministry Big Bash tape ball competition set for today THE Foreign Affairs Ministry will today stage a one- day tape ball competition at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac from 09:00 hrs.

Dubbed the Big Bash cricket competition, the event is part of the Ministry’s suicide awareness promotion programme.

Interesting teams will pay an entrance fee of $6,000, with the Big Bash trophy and medals at stake.

Interested teams can make contact with James Lewis on 672-6179 or 666-5857.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Former cricketers laud Chanderpaul

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER almost 22 years of international cricket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Friday evening decided to call time on his illustrious career, as he leaves a legacy for young cricketers in Guyana to emulate.

The 41 year old, made his debut against England in 1994, and amassed more than 20,000 runs in the three forms of the game.

His final game was against England in Barbados in May last year, and he was dropped for the following Test series against Australia, with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) wanting to give younger players a chance.

He let the WICB know via email on Friday that he is no longer available for selection.

The left-hander, known for his unorthodox and ungainly style, has been a mainstay of the West Indies side for the past 22 years, making 164 Test appearances and is seventh in the all-time Test run-scorers

Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Friday evening decided to call time on his illustrious career. list with 11,867, 86 runs short of former teammate Brian Lara.

He scored 30 Test centuries at an average of 51.37 and also picked up nine wickets. In his fourth test, Chanderpaul found himself at the other end when Brian

Lara passed Garry Sobers’s long-standing world record score of 365 on his way to 375 against England.

Lara’s feat overshadowed the fact that Chanderpaul had hit four half-centuries in his first six test innings.

Chanderpaul, who has had

stints in England with Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire and Warwickshire, also hit 11 one-day international hundreds in 268 matches.

Tributes poured in from past, present and cricket administrators, complimenting the batting legend for giving fans many, many cheerful moments.

Roger Harper said Chanderpaul had a long and successful career.

“He was one of the West Indies successful and reliable batsmen. He paid humane service to West Indies cricket, and I want to wish his well,” Harper, the former West Indies Vice-captain, said.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, former West Indies captain, said Chanderpaul was definitely a great servant of West Indies cricket.

“I think his contribution is precious, and he was a fantastic role model for all cricketers with his demeanour, on and off the field.

Asked about his most memorable Chanderpaul moment, Sarwan said, “There are many, but obviously the 63ball hundred against Australia at Bourda was just fantastic.”

Sarwan said Chanderpaul earned the respect of the cricketing world and I want to congratulate him on a great career.

Mark Harper said he was convinced that Chanderpaul would achieve greatness when he first saw him bat., adding that his dedication to the game made him a very outstanding servant of West Indies cricket.

“He has always been a shining light in West Indies cricket, and we owe him for his contribution, but all good things must come to an end, but having said that, Shiv made us proud,” Harper, a former national player, disclosed.

West Indies opening batsman, Rajendra Chandrika said Chanderpaul has been a perfect role-model without any hint of controversy.

“He is a great sportsman,” Chandrika said.

President of the East Coast Cricket Board, Bissoondyal Singh, said Chanderpaul has exited the international stage with class and elegance, setting the standard of an international cricketer at the very pinnacle.

“His illustrious career has brought happiness and excitement to millions across the globe and his departure will definitely be missed, as Shiv’s masterful and artistic batting display will certainly tint the memories of countless indelibly. His experience, knowledge, dedication, commitment and presence will be sorely missed,” Singh said.

Chanderpaul captained the West Indies in 14 Tests and 16 ODIs. Chanderpaul is only the second modern-day player, after Sachin Tendulkar, whose career stretched over two decades. He might not have been as celebrated and revered as Tendulkar, but Chanderpaul had worked hard, quietly, to become one of the strongest pillars of West Indies cricket.

Team Gillette Evolution dominate first National Park feature cycle race TEAM Gillette Evolution dominated the first cycle programme staged in the National Park, Georgetown, for the 2016 season by occupying four of the top six places in the feature 35-lap event for schoolboys, novices and invitational cyclists.

The event was sponsored

by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries for the 23rd year, and was won by Michael Anthony (Team Gillette Evolution) in a time of one hour 18 minutes 38.90 seconds.

Though he did not win any of the eight “primes” that were up for grabs during the fast-paced event, his teammates Marlon “Fishy” Williams, Orville Hinds and Paul DeNobrega won six among them; Marlon Williams, who placed fifth overall won four primes, Hinds who placed second to Anthony won one and DeNobrega won one.

The other two primes were won by Robin Persaud, who placed fourth overall (one prime) and Paul Cho-Wee-Nam

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 24, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 287-Reginald ‘Tip’ Foster (ENG vs AUST, Sydney, 1903-04) (2) 148-Desmond Haynes (WI vs AUST, ARG, 1978) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best innings bowling figures by a player on his Test match debut?

(2) What are the best bowling figures by a player on his ODI debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

(GROUP) Prize winners of the various categories of yesterday’s Ricks and Sari sponsored 11-race cycle programme strike a pose with the race’s organizer, Hassan Mohamed, and representative of the sponsor Sven Doliviera (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo). who did not place in the top six won the other.

Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal placed fifth and Geron “The Lone Soldier” Williams was the sixth cyclist to cross the finish line.

The 11-race programme, which was organised by cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, saw Persaud and Marlon Williams breaking from the pack after four of the 35 laps were completed.

They were joined by Anthony and Hinds during the 23rd lap and together the quartet worked in tandem and opened a sizeable lead over the others, which kept extending as each

lap progressed.

With nine laps remaining, the quartet led by approximately 300 metres over the chasing pack, which included Leal and Geron Williams.

With four laps remaining, Anthony and Hinds broke from the other two and immediately opened a huge lead and this was maintained until the finish.

Unfortunately, there was no sprint for the finish, as with approximately 250 metres remaining, Anthony was leading Hinds by three bicycle lengths and as the duo turned into the homestretch, Hinds closed in on Anthony and was happy to stay be-

hind him (Anthony), allowing Anthony to cruise to an easy victory.

There was a sprint for the third spot as Williams led Persaud at the 200-metre mark and with approximately 125 metres remaining, Persaud attacked on Marlon Williams’s outside, but Marlon Williams, who possesses great sprinting strength, out-pedalled the veteran to cross the finish line ahead of Persaud.

Leal then out-sprinted Geron Williams to finish fifth.

In other results from the day’s programme, Romelo Crawford won the 10-lap race for juveniles ahead of Andrew

Hicks and Raphael Leung, respectively.

Seon Budhan won the three-lap race for mountain bikers ahead of Shane Bourne and Richard Charles, respectively.

The five-lap race for veterans under 50 years of age was won by Junior Niles. Second was Warren McKay and finishing third was Jaikarran Sukhai.

Andrew Spencer won the five-lap event for veterans over 50 years of age; second was Linden Blackman and third was motor-racer Kevin Jeffrey.

Monty Parris was the sole rider in the five-lap race for veterans over 60 years of age and he completed the distance to win the event.

Ronaldo Narine won the three-lap race for boys and girls;second was Jerome Stephens and finishing third was Ameila Williams.

The BMX boys and girls’ three-lap race was won by John Niles, who finished ahead of Jadyan Cotting and Ajady Cotting, respectively.

Simeon Chee won the two-lap race for BMX boys six to nine years old. Second was John Niles and placing third was Zab James.

The presentation of prizes to the respective winners was done by Ricks and Sari representative Sven Doliveira.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2016

Parris’ hat-trick pilots Chase Academy to opening-day win

By Rawle Toney DEFENDING Champions Chase Academy had a successful start to their title defence, following a 5 – 0 win over Tucville Secondary, when the 4th Petra Organisation/Milo School’s Football Tournament got on the way yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground.

East Ruimveldt was the only other school to secure a win on opening, since Cummings Lodge, St Mary’s, Dolphin and Kingston Secondary Schools saw their games ending in draws.

Ryan Parris scored a hat-

trick, while Kelsey Benjamin and Ryan Hackett netted a goal each for Chase Academy.

Watched by a fair-sized crowd on the competition’s first day, Hackett would put last year’s winners in the lead, 23 minutes into the contest.

Chase Academy would be guilty of missing several certain goal-scoring chances, after Hackett’s strike, but Parris would score his first of three goals on the day in the 44th minute.

With a 2 – 0 lead at the half, Benjamin would put his side up 3 – 0 with his early goal in the second

Blake named Juniors boxing head coach

ONE of Guyana’s most qualified boxing coaches has been put in charge of a school boys and junior squad set to go into to training for an international competition to be held here in April.

Sebert Blake was recently named head coach of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association team for the tournament scheduled to be staged on April 29 and 30 in Guyana.

GABA president Steve Ninvalle yesterday backed Blake’s appointment claiming that the diminutive coach has a wealth of knowledge and credentials.

“I am very confident that Mr. Blake will have a positive and rewarding impact in our school boys and juniors department. His commitment and enthusiasm cannot be questioned and quite frankly he remains the best person for this job, ” the president said.

Blake will work alongside a team of local coaches set to travel around Guyana with the aim of whipping the country’s best young pugilist into shape.

GABA has invited Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago to the tournament, which would be the second to be held in Guyana within five months. Ninvalle explained that during a meeting of Caribbean administrators late last year, the lack of activity in the region’s female and junior department was highlighted.

“Guyana remains in the vanguard for the development of the sport in this part of the hemisphere hence the organising of the two-day affair. We see it as valuable competition for the local

Sebert Blake boxers as well as those the Caribbean.”

The AIBA Executive Committee member acknowledged that GABA is financially exhausted following the hosting of the Caribbean Development Tournament held here in November which has result in only three countries being invited to attend.

“One would realise that these are the same three countries that participated in the Goodwill Tournament in February 2014. In one year that Goodwill competition grew into a 13-nation contest that we hosted and are proud of,” Ninvalle said.

In 2014, Blake added the AIBA Three Star, World Series Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) badges to his collection after completing a course in Cuba.

He joined veteran coach Terrence Poole as the only persons from Guyana, and one of a handful in the English speaking Caribbean to hold Three Star certification.

Blake has since presented a detailed schedule to the GABA executive which will go into effect next week.

stanza and in the 60th minute, Parris netted his second of the game.

Five minutes later (65th minute), Parris completed his hat-trick when he clinically slotted home his effort to the lower left corner, after collecting the ball in the penalty area and getting around the advancing keeper.

Meanwhile, Kingston Secondary would rebound from being down 2 – 0, to secure an entertaining 2 – 2 draw with Dolphin Secondary.

Leon Richardson had given Dolphin Secondary the lead in the 16th minute, when he converted from the penalty spot, and then finished his double on the day in the 46th minute to give his school a 2 – 0 cushion.

However, Levi Williams’s 57 th minute goal started a come-back for Kingston Secondary, until Vincent Thomas’s goal in the 63rd minute secured the draw for Kingston Georgetown School.

Cummings Lodge Secondary and St Mary’s also played to a 2 – 2 draw.

Alleyne Haynes’s double in the 24 th and 31 st minute had placed Cummings Lodge in a good position to pick up a win on the first day, but Shaquille Inniss’s brace (43rd and 58th minutes) pulled the game back for St Mary’s Secondary.

Playing in the first game of this year’s tournament, East Ruimveldt made light work of St Winefride’s 2-1, thanks to goals from Kenrick Lewis and Brian James in the 22nd and 61st minutes, respectively.

Michael Joseph scored in the 56th minute for St Winefride’s Secondary School.

The tournament will continue today with favourites

East Ruimveldt secure first-day honours

Ryan Parris (centre) flanked by teammates Ryan Hackett (left) and Kelsey Benjamin Morgan Learning Centre taking on North Ruimveldt Secondary at 12:30 hrs, after the opening fixture between Brickdam Secondary and St

Joseph High School at 11:00 hrs.

At 14:00 hrs, former champions Lodge Secondary will come up against

North Georgetown and the final game brings together Queen’s College against Houston Secondary from 15:30 hrs.

Part of the action between Dolphin and Kingston Secondary Schools on the opening day of the 2016 Petra Organisation/Milo School’s Football Tournament (Delano Williams photo)

Barnwell hits 166 for DCC PLAY in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Gise/Star Rental/ Trophy Stall 1st division two-day cricket competition continued yesterday with matches around the city.

See summerised scores from day one between Malteenoes and GNIC and DCC and GYO. At DCC: Christopher Barnwell stroke a brutal

- Malteenoes on top after day one

Christopher Barnwell

166 to guide DCC to 362 for seven declared against GYO.Barnwell’s innings contained eleven sixes and eleven fours.

At Malteenoes: GNIC won the toss and decided to bat first and were bowled out for 118. Only Ryan Shun with 21 of-

fered any resistance.

Kellon Carmichael took 5-25, while Steven Sankar had 3-33 and Elton Baker 2-24.

In reply Malteenoes made 213. Orin Forde top scored with 51. He received support from L.Baker 51 and Shemroy Barrington 41.

Parris’ hat-trick pilots Chase Academy to opening-day win See Story on Page 31

TT Red Force still NAGICO Super50 champions ...whip Barbados Pride by 72 runs in final

By Brij Parasnath In Trinidad & Tobago TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force ensured they remain the WICB NAGICO Super50 “Kings,” when they put on a thoroughly professional all-round performance to whip Barbados Pride by 72 runs in the grand final contested at the famous Queen’s Park Oval last evening.

They retained the Clive Lloyd Trophy in front of a very supportive crowd that comprised mostly Red Force supporters, who danced for joy when sweet victory was achieved at 20:46 hrs, when pacer Reyad Emrit castled Jomel Warrican’s stumps to end their stubborn 49-run 10th-wicket partnership that delayed the inevitable, after Narsingh Deonarine had dismissed the dangerous Carlos Brathwaite who looked in ominous form and was carrying the fight to the Trinidadians in a 59-run enterprising seventhwicket partnership with Shai

Darren Bravo was named Man-of-the-Match for his attractive 97. (WICB photo).

Hope who topscored with 50.

Superb bowling by pacers Reyad Emrit (9.5-0-46-3) and Marlon Richards (8-0-38-2) plus excellent support from spinners JonRuss Jagessar (9-1-30-2), Akeal Hosein (101-55-2) and Narsingh Deonarine (6-2-16-1) ensured that the Barbadians were kept under “heavy manners” throughout their struggle to get 271 runs to dethrone the Trinidad and Tobago fighting outfit.

Guyana-born Richards started the destruction of the Barbados batting when he got Dwayne Smith (five runs off five balls) to cut a lifting delivery straight to Emrit fielding at the deep third man position, five metres inside the boundary marker.

Emrit followed his newball partner and prised o u t sto n e wa lle r Kr a ig g Brathwaite (five runs, eight balls), who chopped into his stumps with an agricultural

stroke; and Jonathan Carter (0) who also inside-edged into his stumps in attempting an ambitious drive through the cover region.

Richards deceived Shamarh Brooks, who edged to Denesh Ramdin. He also snared skipper Jason Holder (14) who edged leg-spinner Jagessar into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Shane Dowrich, who had collided with Ashley Nurse and had to receive medical treatment, was bowled by Jagessar for 14 while Carlos Brathwaite, who made an attacking 46, was deceived and adjudged LBW to Narsingh Deonarine who operated from round the wicket.

It was 139 for 7, but Brathwaite, when on 33, was lucky to have survived a very confident appeal for a caught-behind chance off Deonarine, who got the all-rounder to scoop the ball

See page 26

Guyana go down 5 – 2 to Curacao at CFU Futsal Tournament GUYANA went down to Curacao 5 – 2, when the CFU Futsal Tournament got on the way in Havana, Cuba on Friday. It was the Guyanese first showing at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) event since 2008.

Reports on the tournament which will determine the CFU’s representative at the CONCACAF Futsal

Championship is scares, with not even the CFU providing much information on the games played.

The Guyanese were set face Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, but up to press time, results from the game were not available by the usual sources or the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

At Guyana’s last outing at

the tournament (2008), they finished fourth behind winners and hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti (second place) and Suriname (third place).

The top two teams from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament will advance to the CONCACAF Futsal Championship. The 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship will be held

in Costa Rica in May. Same as previous editions, the CFU Futsal tournament acts as the CONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia as the CONCACAF representatives.

Te c h n i c a l D i r e c t o r

Claude Bolton is the Head Coach for the Guyanese team which features Goalkeepers Travis Bess and Richard Reynolds, along with Konata Mannings, Eusi Phillips, Daniel Favourite, Solomon Austin, Jerome Richardson, Travis Grant, Jermain Junor and Sherwin Skeete.

Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson will be Bolton’s assistant, and

Denzel Thompson is the Goalkeeping coach. Mark Young with the team’s Manager.

In other opening day results, Guadeloupe defeated Jamaica 9 – 3, Trinidad & Tobago mauled Antigua and Barbuda 7 – 1, and the home side (Cuba) walked away 5 – 0 winners of St. Maarteen.

See page 31 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016