Chronicle 01 25 2016

TAMPERED No. 104442

MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2016

– Mahaicony farmers damage irrigation structures 3

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Two tractors illegally pumping water from the Perth Biaboo main canal on Sunday. The damage to the embankment of the canal by the machines is evident. Hundreds of farmers are affected (Clifford Stanley photo)

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Children's 399 scales hair cut off seized in at daycare 2015 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Norway to discuss Man accidentally shot in Venezuela succumbs agreement with Guyana A GUNSHOT wound that a 20-year-old Guyanese sustained in Venezuela led to his demise on Saturday, after he subsequently sought medical attention in Port Kaituma, Region One. Dead is Keron Caleb, who worked in the backdam at Polvo De Or in Venezuela, four to six hours from Port Kaituma by road.

Reports disclosed that, while in Venezuela, he and a

friend called Sherwayne Santiago were transporting fuel on an ATV when a firearm which he had on his person was inadvertently discharged and he was hit in the left groin. This resulted in severe bleeding, which subsequently led to his death. His friends took four hours to transport him, via a trail called “M2 road”, to Port Kaituma.

Meanwhile, police are trying to ascertain how the

Dead: Keron Caleb

20-year-old ended up dead at 15:30hrs in the Port Kaituma hospital. According to reports, Caleb was still alive and was communicating with his relatives in Guyana, but it was too late after his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he succumbed to his injuries.

A police official said the GPF received reports that Caleb shot himself while playing with a firearm.

A TEAM from the Kingdom of Norway, headed by that country’s ambassador to Brazil and Guyana, Aud Marit Wiig, is expected to arrive in Guyana this week to conduct a series of meetings and field visits to project sites which the Norway Government has supported through the Guyana-Norway Agreement.

The team will include Anahita Yousefi from the Norwegian Ministry of Environment; Simon Ry, Development Policy Director; Tron Lovda, Senior Adviser at Norway’s Department for Climate, Energy and Environment; and Senior Adviser Hege Ragnhildstveit from the Rainforest Foundation of Norway.

The future of the Guyana-Norway Agreement, which has been shadowed by a cloud of uncertainty since the change in administration, was first discussed last December at a meeting held in Paris, France between the two countries in the presence of key representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman

According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said both parties had agreed at that time to formulate a document to determine the future of the relationship, and how best it can serve both countries. Trotman said he is looking forward to the visit, as it is imperative that the Norwegians see what has so far been accomplished under the project.

“We are committed to this relationship and its continuation. They will be meeting ministers, heads of agencies, the Opposition and civil society, and we are looking

forward to a successful project,” Minister Trotman said.

The Minister noted that the initial agreement expired in 2015, but the two governments have a verbal agreement that works would continue, as there remain some outstanding deliverables.

“This is a fact-finding mission to see what has been accomplished so far, but we are both committed to finishing that previous one, and then entering into a new one,” Minister Trotman said.

Since the agreement was signed in 2009, Guyana has earned approximately US$190 million. Of the total amount, US$69.8 million have been transferred to the Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF) while US$80 million were transferred to the IDB for the delayed Amaila Falls Hydropower Power Project.

The team is also expected to meet with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Children's hair cut off at daycare

By Alva Solomon

THE police (GPF) and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) are investigating the operations of a daycare centre in Smythe Street, Georgetown after two toddlers who attend the school recently had their hair cut off by someone at that institution.

What is puzzling to the mother of one of the children is that the hair of her 15-month-old daughter was cut off at the exact spot on her head where a 12-monthold girl had her hair cut off a week before this incident.

A source at the CPA told this newspaper that in the first incident, which occurred two weeks ago, the parent of a 12-month-old girl reported to the CC&PA that her daughter’s hair was clipped by someone at the school, and officers from the agency visited the school and

warned the administration and staff about the incident, and cautioned them against any recurrence.

It was noted that the school disputed the claims by the parent in that first incident, and alleged that a sibling of the child may have been responsible.

However, on Thursday last, one week after the first incident, another parent reported a similar occurrence.

According to this mother, last Wednesday morning, she dropped off her 15-monthold baby at the daycare at about 07:00 hrs. She said that, at the time, there were only two teachers at the school.

The angry mother noted that when she returned to the school, at about 17:00 hrs, to pick-up the child, she noticed the toddler’s hair had been cut short. She said when she inquired what had happened, a teacher alleged that the

child was taken to the school in that condition earlier in the morning, a claim the mother disputes.

The mother said she became annoyed and started crying, and the head teacher ushered her into the building and begged her not to report

the matter.

COMPENSATION OFFERED She said she asked the school for the hair that was cut-off but this was not provided. However, the school offered her compensation

TAMPERED – Mahaicony farmers damage irrigation structures

By Clifford Stanley OFFICIALS of the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) have condemned the actions of a few rice farmers in the Mahaicony backlands, who have resorted to tampering with the irrigation structures for their own benefit, to the detriment of hundreds of others amidst the ongoing El Nino drought conditions.

Chairman of the MMA/ ADA Board of Directors, Dr Kenneth Sealey, has said that the persons engaged in this practice know that it is illegal and that the MMA/ ADA will take the necessary action against them as a deterrent.

“We are urging all others -- who may be similarly inclined towards this type of selfish activity in this crisis -- to desist or face the full brunt of the law,” he warned.

Officials who visited the

An illegal blockage of an irrigation channel near the Perth/Biaboo Canal is preventing hundreds of acres of cultivation north from receiving irrigation

backlands in the vicinity of the Perth/Biaboo main canal saw instances where some, said to be a few farmers, had blocked irrigation channels in several areas so as to facilitate the buildup of water to serve their individual rice fields. They used Hymac excavators to install earthen barriers on the Perth/Biaboo main canal and the side canals which receive water from this channel. This

caused a buildup of water in the canals near to their fields, and they were able to acquire supplies for themselves much more easily.

OTHERS ADVERSELY AFFECTED But the blockages prevented badly needed supplies of water from reaching hundreds of acres on the cultivations north of the area, adversely affecting

some 250 farmers north of the area.

A visit by the Chronicle has seen hundreds of acres of dried-out rice fields, which could not be irrigated because the level of water in the Perth/Biaboo Canal had not been allowed to build up. Additionally, in some areas, there were drainage pumps sucking water from the Perth/Biaboo Canal south of the blocked-

but, according to the mother, “No amount of money is worth my kid’s safety”.

The young woman said she called her husband, and the two tried to ascertain a timeline as to when the child‘s hair may have been cut. She said that, based on what she was told, the child’s hair may have been cut soon after she had dropped her off.

It means that the child’s hair was cut even as this mother was outside the school awaiting transportation to get to work.

She said that, the following day, Thursday, she visited the CPA and officials referred to the incident that had occurred the week before, which concurred with her report.

According to this mother, she has been informed that the child in the first incident has texture of skin and hair that is similar to her daughter’s, and that girl’s hair was

cut off at the exact spot on her head as her daughter’s.

The mother said what has annoyed her is that the school has said nothing about her daughter’s hair, and that the administration seemed quiet as to what had transpired at the school.

The upset woman has posted this incident on social media this past weekend.

Both matters have been reported to the CPA, and officials there are reportedly investigating the incidents.

The CPA has since called in the GPF, and both entities are set to visit the school this week as part of their investigations. According to the CPA, those responsible for the incident are likely to be charged.

On Sunday, several calls made by this newspaper to the number provided for an administrator at the school went to voicemail.

off areas, thereby making it impossible for farmers to the north to receive supplies.

and had waited for five days, everyone would have had access to irrigation supplies.

PROTEST Angry farmers to the north, who had older rice plants, some at the flowering stage, vehemently protested on Sunday against this state of affairs. They are saying that the actions of a few with the Hymacs have condemned hundreds of acres to destruction.

South of the dried out areas, there were fields with young rice which, while not under threat, were over-irrigated with as much as six inches of water.

Commenting on the situation in the backlands, Dr Sealey said the problem occurred on Saturday night, and he had a firsthand look at it on Sunday. He said the blockages of the canals would be removed by the MMA/ADA today. The MMA will also ensure that the persons responsible for the illegal blockages pay for the cost of repairing the dams.

“We know who they are, and they will be required to pay for the repairs for the damage,” he said.

He said that if the farmers involved in the illegal blockages had been patient

OUTRAGEOUS LAWLESSNESS Dr Sealey added that the MMA/ADA will increase surveillance of the backlands to ensure that the “outrageous lawlessness” does not recur.

General Manager Aubrey Charles said the MMA/ ADA was providing maximum support to beleaguered farmers by operating irrigation pumps at Kuliserabo, in the upper reaches of the Mahaica River; at Big Biaboo, closer to the coastal north; and at Manoel, even closer to the front lands. This water is being continuously pumped into the Perth/Biaboo main canal, which serves irrigation channels in the backlands.

The MMA/ADA was also monitoring for salinity the river water pumped into the system, to ensure that it is suitable for irrigation purposes.

Despite the best efforts, however, some rice has been lost, as evident by dried out fields in the area.

The full extent of the losses in this section of Region 5 has not yet been fully measured.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

NYC clears up after massive snowfall

A TRAVEL ban on cars in New York City has ended as the US East Coast begins digging out from the weekend’s massive snowstorm.

But in Washington DC, the metro is set to remain closed, and air travel in the region faces further disruption.

As five states saw snowfall of three feet (91cm) or more, the hazards of shovelling snow were brought home by at least six deaths. A further 12 people have died in other snow-related incidents since Friday.

Dubbed Snowmageddon and Snowzilla on social media, the storm is weakening and heading for the Atlantic Ocean. It has affected some 85 million people, cutting power to 200,000 people. The heaviest fall was recorded in Glengary, West Virginia, which had 42 inches (107 cm) of snow.

Some 7,000 flights were cancelled last weekend, and disruption is to continue into the working week, with at least 615 flights cancelled for Monday.

Many people have taken to streets and parks to enjoy the snow, with a giant snowball fight breaking out overnight on Times Square, New York.

By the time the snow had stopped falling after two days, late on Saturday, New York’s Central Park had received 26.8in, the second biggest fall record-

ed since 1869.

The total was just shy of the all-time high, 26.9in, recorded in February 2006.

However, the 26.6in that fell in the park on Saturday alone was a one-day record for the city.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said the Long Island Railroad would remain out of action until at least Monday, as the line had suffered “significant damage”.

States of emergency were declared in 11 states and in the District of Columbia. DC Director of Homeland Security, Chris Geller, warned on Sunday that roads would turn icy overnight, and he urged people not to drive.

The Capital’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, asked residents to help clear snow from the business district.

In Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, drivers were stranded for hours on snowbound highways.

At least five people in the New York area died while shovelling or removing snow, the New York Times reports. A sixth death was reported in Baltimore, Maryland.

Among other deaths attributed to the storm was that of a man in North Carolina. He stopped to help a motorist whose car had veered off an icy road. Police said the Good Samaritan was shot by the man he had gone to help.

In Ohio, a teenager sledding behind an all-terrain vehicle was hit and killed by a lorry.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, 288 households have had their power cut, Reuters news agency has reported.

“This is horrible,” one unnamed resident told the agency. “We got no power, we got no heat, and we got no electricity. It took my son and some neighbours an hour to dig snow out.”

The US Federal Government closed down at noon on Friday. President Barack Obama remains at the White House.

Businesses have been eyeing the shutdown with some anxiety. In New

Snowball fights broke out on Times Square, New York

York City, the manager of the midtown Metro Cafe, which remained open, told Reuters news agency: “Last four hours we don’t have any business, by now I guess because we’re the only one open around here. I mean, it’s a big loss, no matter how you see it; it still is a big loss.

When you lose something, you can never make it up.

When it’s gone it’s gone.

That’s business.” (BBC)

The streets of Washington DC were all but deserted

Major Syrian rebel town ‘recaptured’ SYRIAN Government forces say they have seized the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province.

State TV said Rabia, in rebel hands for four years, was overrun by the army and “popular defence” forces. The province is a stronghold of the Alawite community, to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs. Russian forces played a key role in the recapture of Rabia, according to the UK-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The head of the Syrian Observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP that President Assad’s forces had surrounded the town from three sides in the space of 48 hours, by capturing several villages.

Russian air strikes played “an essential role”, he said.

On its website, the group, which relies on monitors to supply information from the

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Pro-government forces recently recaptured the village of Salma ground, said regime forces, backed by Russian officers and Hezbollah militants, subsequently took control of the villages of Daroshan and al-Rawda.

The Syrian Observatory spoke of violent clashes between Syrian forces and al-Nus-

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Rabia had been controlled by different groups, including al-Nusra -- an al-Qaeda affiliate.

According to the Syrian Observatory, the capture of Rabia poses a greater threat to rebel supply lines from the north, and

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could see pro-government forces advance to the Turkish border.

The town’s fall comes amidst a concerted fightback by the Syrian military, including the recapture of the village of Salma on 12 January. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Jamaican women stubborn to Zika warning ALTHOUGH the Jamaica Ministry of Health (MoH) has advised women to delay becoming pregnant for the next six to 12 months, and has appealed to those already pregnant to take extra care to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes due to the link between the Zika virus (ZIKV) and microcephaly — a condition in which the infant has an abnormally small head, associated with underdevelopment of the brain — Dr Sandra Knight has said that many women of fertility age are not taking the messages seriously.

“I’m going to be honest with you: I don’t think the message has hit home hard yet, because when I listen to the comment of the ladies, they are more like ‘Wow,

what? An advisory? That sounds extreme.’ Those are the comments I am hearing, so I’m not getting the feeling that they are taking it as seriously as they ought to, and I think they should,” said Dr Knight, Chair of the National Family Planning Board (NFPB).

“I have not seen an increase in the anxiety of mothers. I’m not saying there isn’t, but I really have not seen it.

Not even in my private practice do I get the feeling that women are a bit more anxious about having babies; and women who are attending our clinical services, I don’t find that they are more anxious,” Dr knight added.

The NFPB head further advised women to exercise caution and not wait until the virus reaches Jamaica to heed

the warnings.

Dr Daryl Daley, an obstetrician-gynaecologist (Ob/ gyn), said his observation is that women from different classes of society have different reactions to the ministry’s advisory.

“The virus is relatively new, and what I find is that the five or six patients with advanced pregnancies who I see in my private practice have been calling me and asking about the Zika virus and what effect it will have on them; but in the public system, it seems to me that a lot of the women are approaching it in a laissez-faire manner,” Dr Daley said.

“Today (Friday) I was seeing a patient at the hospital and she said, ‘Doctor, I don’t care about any CHIK-V, ZIK-V or ‘Dick-V. Right now

300,000 in Caribbean living with dementia

THE recent passing of iconic steelpan arranger Dr Jit Samaroo has engendered a heightened consciousness about dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on victims and family members.

But unfortunately, Caricom countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, have somewhat lagged behind in terms of current research on the debilitating illness.

According to neuropsychologist Dr Katija Khan, that’s about to change. She said University of the West Indies (UWI) researchers affiliated to the Dementia Awareness Research Group of Trinidad and Tobago have been working on studies to determine more accurate rates of dementia and to calculate its economic costs.

Dr Khan told Sunday Newsday in an interview last week that she has recently received funding from the UWI for a research study in which she is collaborating with psychiatrists Professor Gerard Hutchinson, Dr James Bratt, and Dr Adetayo Akingbala to help identify more accurate ways to screen for dementia.

“Since there is no cure for dementia, early diagnosis is very critical; and, as such, it is important that the tools used for screening and diagnoses are accurate,” she said.

“A test that is not accurate can lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, or can lead to normal persons being incorrectly identified as having a problem.”

The research study, Dr Khan said, will compare the most popular dementia screening measures currently being used by doctors in Trinidad, but which have been developed in Europe and North America.

She said the study will evaluate which methods were most effective to use in Trinidad and Tobago.

“These results can potentially help general practitioners (GPs) and specialists conduct earlier and more accurate diagnoses,” she added.

In the absence of concise data, Dr Khan said, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 300,000 people across the Caribbean are living with dementia.

“These estimates include all types of dementia, not just Alzheimer’s disease, as there is not enough data to separate the subtypes.

There is also not enough data available to predict the rates of early-onset dementia, which is rarer,” she said.

Dr Khan said that given TT’s status as having one of the fastest ageing populations in the world, the likelihood

of a person developing dementia was greater.

“With improved medical care and standards of living compared to decades ago, people are now living longer, and living to the age where they are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases of ageing,” she observed.

“They are also delaying childbirth and having fewer children. What this means is that a greater percentage of the population are older persons, and this has implications for the demand and provision of healthcare services for older persons.”

As President of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologists, Dr Khan has worked extensively with other psychologists at memory clinics, testing hundreds of patients in England and the Caribbean. “And it is always difficult when the assessment confirms that the person does indeed have a dementia”, she said.

She said younger-onset cases were particularly tough, because a person in their 40s or 50s is still in the prime of their life, physically healthy and working.

“Often, the toll is greatest on the family - spouse and children,” she said.

(Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

This December 23, 2015 file photo shows 10-year-old Elison nursing his two-monthold brother, Jose Wesley, who was born with microcephaly, at their house in Poco Fundo, Pernambuco state, Brazil is a child I want.’ Another said she has three girls and she wants her boy. So it’s kind of interesting how the variations in caution are across the different classes,” Dr Daley shared.

The Ob/gyn said it is not an easy task telling people not to procreate, as it is a natural act; but he emphasised that when the virus comes, if a pregnant woman is infected, she needs to quickly inform her Ob-gyn, so that she can be classified as a high-surveillance pregnancy and be assessed.

“Most viruses will cause problems in pregnancies. But once you know you’re infected, let your Ob/gyn know, so you can be assessed and they can pick up if the foetus has it,” he advised, adding that “the first sign is a baby not growing”.

He said that heeding the advice of the MoH will not be easy for many women.

However, when the virus comes, it will be pandemonium, and people may then, with the help of public education, understand its full implications.

Moreover, another obgyn, Dr Anna-Kay Taylor Christmas, said that while she gets the sense of fear from her patients, pregnant women and those of child-bearing age need to be more vigilant, as the cases are edging closer to Jamaica.

She added that anxiety and stress can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes; so, to decrease stress levels and protect themselves, women should do their best to follow the advice of the MoH. On a visit by the Jamaica Observer to one clinic in Kingston, some pregnant mothers gave mixed reactions to the pending Zika virus, and said that while they are indeed worried, the most they can do is hope to give birth before the virus comes to the island.

One woman, who is five months pregnant, said: “When I really think about it, I’m almost six months’ pregnant. If I can deliver a healthy baby at seven months, I’d rather that than going full term only to have this virus interfere with my health and the baby’s health.”

However, there were a few who said they were not worried. (Except from Jamaica Observer)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Equal Opportunity

THE Macmillan online dictionary defines Equal Opportunity (EO) as “a situation in which people have the same opportunities in life as other people, without being treated in an unfair way because of their race, sex, sexuality, religion, or age.” Guyanese can add other adjectives to this definition.

Yet, in spite of historical experiences -- inclusive of racial conflicts, patriarchal tendency, homophobia, religious self-righteousness and political preference -- many desire the nation reaching a place where all are treated as equals.

This desire is not unique; it is universal. It has been seen in similar diverse societies which have moved to put systems in place to engender a level playing field for all in pursuit of EO. Thus, recent announcement by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, that Government will invoke a law which guarantees 20 percent of Government contracts for small contractors creates the needed space for conversations and further actions on EO. Affirmative action is defined as “policy or act favouring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education.” It is no secret that small contractors have been unfairly treated.

Ours is a society in which inequality is flaunted and misguidedly worn as a badge of honour. This ill-advised outlook is not only morally bankrupt, but serves to the detriment of a nation’s holistic development, given that the absence of EO creates poverty, ignorance, unkempt surroundings, and breathes crime.

In treating EO as a matter of national relevance, it requires examining and ensuring that systems are put in place for opportunities to flow and citizens to benefit. It requires investigation that will lead to development of programmes to address the plight of all disadvantaged groups, inclusive of putting in place systems that are designed to help those who have been historically disenfranchised.

For instance, though race is of significance in multiracial societies, given its tendency to influence/determine preferential treatment and exclusion, to encourage persons not to think of race will not automatically achieve equality in the society. Where one ignores the obvious, ipso facto, such action leads to failing to put in place systems to correct any anomaly, which would not only see the entrenching of inequality but would also foster disunity among the people.

It will be recalled that the People’s Progressive Party, even when it held office, demanded ethnic/racial balance in the traditional public service, police and army.

Unfortunately, this call never saw a structured national programme, inclusive of laws and quota system, to address diversity in a fair and just manner across all sectors and industries. Instead, the impression was had, and with some justification, that such call was a front to mask nepotism, pursue vendetta, and justify discrimination against others.

Ours is a society with a tri-sectoral economy comprising of the state, cooperatives and private enterprise. For EO to be made real, it has to be applied across the board

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Broad-based discussion needed on proposed Wales closure Dear Editor, AS THE APNU+AFC government sees social cohesion as vital to this nation’s development, evident in the establishment of a ministry that is expected to pursue this policy with laser beam attention, it is time that Government not only talk the talk, but walks the walk.

From the outset, the Wales estate issue could have been handled differently. It is also reminiscent of what Bharrat Jagdeo did to bauxite workers, who heard through the media that they would be made redundant (sent home) and that LINMINE and BERMINE would be divested.

The manner in which the announcement of the Wales proposed closure was made has contributed to polarisation in the society, and this will deepen and widen if a process is not arrived at to bring stakeholders to the decision-making table.

Doing this is not only consistent with the rule of law, but would also prevent a very

serious issue from further becoming a political football by the self-serving, thereby pushing this nation into camps on a matter that should be a unifier.

GuySuCo is a state entity, and any decision taken in regard to this entity must be arrived at after careful consideration, which would lead to prudent decision-making by stakeholders. In the meantime the National Assembly, the nation’s highest decision-making forum, needs to convene and discuss the Commission of Inquiry Report, which can give guidance to the decisions that ought to be made in regard to this industry.

This nation has spent millions on this commission, and its report cannot be allowed to gather dust like other reports.

The CoI is even more important given the precarious nature of the industry, its drag on the economy, and the socio-economic impact/consequences on workers/citizens.

The Wales issue borders on national interest. The price of sugar is not determined by us, and it is for this reason the

stakeholders are called upon to constructively engage, with a view to determining what is best for the workers/citizens in Region Three. Wales is located in Region Three.

This region has been won by the PPP. Since the closure of the estate will impact on a number of workers/citizens and communities, it requires the involvement of the affected stakeholders and Central Government working to craft an alternative programme to cushion the impact that will be created. This means that the Regional Democratic Council, the trade unions representing the workers, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in the region, Central Government, cane farmers, and the PPP need to meet and deliberate.

When one looks at the stated configuration, what is not seen is a winner-takes-all system. What is seen is a platform to realise inclusionary democracy, as prescribed by the Constitution in Article 13, which the President of Guyana has committed to upholding

and has consistently been calling for. This article, the nation’s principal political objective, 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.

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 of the estate.

Minister Harmon and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder are called on to rethink this position. As per Article 13, there cannot be a plan for any community without the involvement of the people and their representatives. The rule of law must be respected at all times. It is this rule that would ensure the sought-after social cohesion and national unity, and successfully arrest the lust of those who thrive on the society being divided.

Regards, LINCOLN LEWIS

Burma Rice Station failing to deliver Dear Editor, THE rice industry in Guyana is very vital to the country’s economy. It provides employment for thousands, staple food for all, and is a valuable source of export earnings.

The current rice crop is faced with a variety of climate-related threats: saltwater intrusion from rising sea level; flooding, which can submerge and kill plants at critical phases of their development; drought; new-pest pressures, and higher temperatures, which can affect plant development.

Over 10,000 acres are affected by excessive salinity, particularly on Leguan,

Wakenaam and Hog Island, which are at the mouth of the Essequibo River. In addition, front lands’ rice cultivation is also becoming susceptible to salt water invasion from the sea. The risk of salt water intrusion is even greater in the face of global warming and rises in sea levels, because our coastal fields are below sea level. Now, with the present El Niño-like phenomenon, salt water is finding its way into the irrigation system, and into the rice cultivation system in many of the regions, and this will definitely have a significant impact on rice production.

Barring the intrusion of

and impact on the nation’s diverse demographics. Affirmative actions will require the nation embarking on detailed and comprehensive data collection across industries, sectors, regions, etc. to capture disparities and measure and evaluate success. In the instance of physical disability, it requires making workplaces friendly.

Employment/economic opportunities will have to factor in universality in approach based on meeting the requirements for the specific job/task, with diversity favourably considered. In accessing finance/loans through the banking institutions, a system will have to be put in place wherein persons outside of the inability to meet the requirements are not denied, and no group should be excluded. In societies where EO is enshrined in laws, such laws not only serve as a deterrence to curbing bigotry, a caution to potential

salt water, the country’s agriculture, and particularly rice production, suffered severely from flooding in 2005 and drought-like conditions in 2009. Presently, also, in many parts of the country, the rice crop is dying out, due to lack of water or drought-like conditions, which will most likely lead to great crop losses.

Climate change is presently threatening the health of Guyana’s rice industry. The Burma Rice Station needs to take a lead role in this fight against climate change. It is time for a change at the GRDB Burma Rice Research Station. The President, H.E.

David A Granger, Minister of Agriculture, Chairman of the Board, and the General Manager need to get rid of the current research head (person named) who seems to be incompetent for the job, and they need to take necessary steps towards ‘genetic improvement of specific traits’ to avert or mitigate production losses. They also need to come up with some ‘climate smart’ rice varieties’ which farmers can cultivate and benefit economically under some of these adverse conditions experienced in Guyana.

Yours faithfully, TERRY ROSS

violators, or creator of a legitimate and level playing field; but also allow for complaints to be lodged, investigations conducted, and -- where guilt is evident -- penalties applied.

When people are assured there are laws, national policies, programmes and institutions in place to ensure a level playing field, tension and flight are reduced out of the comfort that if one works hard and plays by the rules, one can achieve anything.

And if it requires Guyana emulating best practices from other societies with similar diverse experiences to ensure EO is entrenched in our national ethos, let us boldly reach out, learn from, and emulate such structures, consistent with our indigenous needs. Ultimately, such progressive action bodes well for our diverse society, since it lends to strengthening our motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

65 schools contesting Career Day competition

By Shirley Thomas

A CAREER Day competition for 65 schools around coastal Guyana was launched last Thursday, with Ms. Natheeah King-Mendonca, manager of the host company, Assured Services, a relatively new service-oriented firm on the market, announcing details for the preliminary rounds of the competition.

The event was held at the National Library’s Conference Room, with brief remarks being made

by Mendonca and Assistant Chief Education Officer Ms Leslyn Charles.

Also on hand to lend their support, moral and otherwise, to the initiative were the representatives of donor entities like Sterling Products Ltd; Unicomer Guyana Inc; ANSA McAL; and New India Assurance.

The preliminary rounds of the competition, Mendonca said, will be held this Thursday and Friday at the Girl Guides’ Association Pavilion on Brickdam from 09:30hrs. Participants in Category 1 (the 11-13 age group) will present on Thursday, while those in Category 2 (in the 14-16 age group) will present on Friday.

The Final Round of the competition will be held

Assured Services Manager Natheeah King-Mendonca (fifth left) and representatives of some of the donor organisations display trophies up for grabs at the upcoming Career Day Competition. Third right is Assistant Chief Education Officer Leslyn Charles (Photo by Delano Williams) on February 5 at the Theatre Guild on Parade Street, Kingston from 09:30hrs.

PRIZES There will be three winners in each category, namely those who would have placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd; but only the winning school will receive a prize. All prizes will be awarded in either kind or voucher, and not in cash.

For Category 1: 1st place winner: $50,000 +trophy; 2nd place winner: $35,000

Time to work for the money Dear Editor,

MUCH has been said about the pay increase for MPs and ministers of Government. However, what has not been said is that, now they have got their increase, they need to do the job.

The APNU+AFC government ministers said they wanted the job (that is, find solutions to the many problems facing Guyanese), and that they could do the job, hence they were voted into Government.

President David Granger has a five-year mandate to fix the economic situation, fix the social situation, fix the political situation, and fix the security situation so that all Guyanese can enjoy “The good life” as promised.

Clearly, action plans need to be drawn up to enlighten us on how they intend to accomplish this. You wanted pay hike, fine! We want you to now work for it.

Yours faithfully, SEAN ORI

+ trophy; and 3rd place winner: $25,000 +trophy. The winning school will receive prize(s) valued at $75,000.

For Category 2: 1st place winner: $75,000 + trophy; 2nd place winner: $50,000 + trophy; and 3rd place winner: $25,000 + trophy.

The winning school in this latter category will receive prize(s) valued at $100,000.

A point to note, however, is that all participants, regardless of category, will re-

ceive a token of appreciation.

The competition is divided into three segments, namely: Introduction; Demonstration/ Presentation and Interview.

According to Mendonca, ‘Assured’, which offers professional services in such areas as Marketing, Public Relations, Data Entry, Research and Analysis, and Graphics Designs, came up with the initiative after recognising the need for, and understanding the importance of, con-

tributing to the enhancement of the education system “that nurtured us”.

“We think that an event like this is considered an important component in the goals for children, because it can be further developed to meet the expectations of both the public and private sectors within our society,” she declared.

A GUIDE Moreover, the whole purpose of the exercise, she said,

is to introduce children to various professions, and at the same time guide their thinking towards making career decisions for the future.

She said that while it is recognised that children growing up aspire to pursue various professions or occupations, due to challenges, those dreams may very well be out of their reach, or never materialise because they

See page 17

Alleged misuse of steel pans Dear Editor, TRANSPARENCY Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) received, on June 23, 2015, a complaint alleging that state-owned steel pans were being misused by staff of the Department of Culture, Youth & Sport.

The complainant elaborated that staff had been using the steel pans for personal gains at events not sanctioned by the Department of Culture, Youth & Sport. The complainant went on to indicate that senior officials were aware of the problem, but have failed to intervene.

After receiving the complaint, TIGI, on July 2,

2015, wrote to Minister within the Ministry of Education, Honourable Nicolette Henry, on this matter.

Following up on our letter, we called the Ministry and were told that the letter had been forwarded to another senior official, who will handle the matter. We awaited feedback from this official for several weeks, but to no avail. We then sent a follow-up e-mail, on August 14, 2015, urging an investigation into the complaint and requesting that the findings be forwarded to us. We received a response the same day, stating that the Ministry had launched an investigation into all related complaints, and that a

copy of the report would be forwarded to us upon completion of the investigation.

More than five months later, TIGI has received no report. After several follow-up e-mails and phone calls, we were told by the senior official in November 2015, 3 months after, stating that an investigation was ongoing, that the Ministry had expected a report to be available by the end of August, but it had not yet been completed.

TIGI, as an organization committed to eradicating corruption in Guyana, is appalled and disappointed at the sloth demonstrated in investigating and reporting on such an important

matter. We expected that a Ministry would work with a greater sense of urgency towards protecting its integrity. We would like to strongly encourage organizations, particularly Government agencies, to take matters of accountability seriously and to uphold high standards of transparency by disclosing information to the public in a timely manner. This is important in building trust with your citizens.

We are still hoping to see the findings of this investigation sometime soon.

Regards, TRANSPARENCY INSTITUTE GUYANA INC

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

The easygoing life in Albouystown ‘The Scheme’; carry you till to Timehri. You know how long we begging them to get a speed hump in Hunter Street?

They had one years ago, but never returned to do it. And this corner here, everybody does jumping the corner and it does cause problem,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

A frightening occurrence was when a young man speeding east on James Street on a bicycle almost collided with a minibus travelling in the opposite direction on Hunter Street. But what was scary to the Guyana Chronicle was a sight ‘Natty’ had grown accustomed to but is becoming increasingly concerned about.

Recalling an incident that occurred when Albouystown Boy, the late Andrew ‘SixHead’ Lewis, won the world boxing title, ‘Natty’ said it

was at that very corner that a motorcyclist on a CBR, attempting a stunt in excitement, careened out of control and broke his neck.

Noting that many persons were killed by accident at that very corner, ‘Natty’ said one happened just recently: “A man name ‘Junior Talkout’,” he said, “nearly get kill the other night here, too….

He get knock down, like 2

o’clock de morning, and de driver and dem drive away and lef’ he…. Is only by people was on the road that they get to identify is who.”

As a result of that accident, ‘Junior Talk-out’ is now in hospital, nursing a broken leg.

But, accidents aside, another pet peeve of Natty’s is the lack of a proper recre-

Street football on Independence Boulevard

By Shauna Jemmott ALBOUYSTOWN is one happy-go-lucky neighbourhood, where the rattle of the drum threatens to overpower the smell of freshly cooked food.

And speaking of food, the buying of it can be pretty much a challenge, what with the variety on offer on an afternoon at Supreme’s, down on James and Hunter. There one can find foods ranging from the ever-popular metemgee to fried rice to cookup to souse to baked-custard and to an irresistible display of golden-brown macaroni and cheese.

Cruising along the eastern half of James Street, one quickly comes to realise that, grinding poverty or not, Albouystown holds bitter-sweet memories for close to 10,000 people, 40 per cent of whom are children; and that is because it’s the only home they’ve ever known.

And in spite of being regarded as a dangerous place to life and limb, we soon enough learnt that it’s also a hive of economic activity, from the mobile fruit cart to the many roadside stands selling pickles made of just about every fruit under the sun; or from a man selling black and white pudding to cozy, semi-rugged corner shops.

There are also any number of social activities that can be found in Albouystown -- from the occasional game of cards or other table games to kids playing football on the streets, as two adult men, well decked out for the game, have a great time dribbling

and kicking a discoloured cricket ball.

Over on Independence Boulevard, young men and boys could be seen having a whale of a time playing a game of football; while young women, dressed in all sorts of garments, enjoyed a late afternoon stroll in the company of friends; or mothers sat with their babies and young children at various points, which appear to be just outside their homes, bonding with each other and just having a jolly good time.

MAIN STREETS In Albouystown, Sussex Street, James Street and Independence Boulevard are the main streets which run east to west, while 18 streets run north to south. Of the latter, Hunter Street is the most popular, with vibrant traffic 24/7 as the street is fast becoming a main carriageway leading from Georgetown to the East Bank public road.

Supreme Restaurant is located at that very corner, and just outside the popular junction is where concerned citizens are asking for the construction of speed humps.

One citizen there, popularly called ‘Nat Cole’, spoke to the Guyana Chronicle about the importance of the humps, among other things.

He said Hunter and James Street is a dangerous junction without the structures, what with traffic flowing in both directions.

“It does create a lot of accidents, especially to Hunter and James Street,” Natty said.

“This is a main thoroughfare; this thoroughfare carry you to

Roadside barbershop

Riding out by the James and Hunter Streets junction

A little gamble and a lime

ational facility for youths of the neighbourhood.

Calling for the reconstruction of the now rundown YMCA building on Albouys Street, so that it can be used as a training centre for various skills’ development, he said: “We have the Independence Boulevard, where we can develop for the youths.

When they come home from school, they don’t have no kind of recreational activities to do… We used to go to the YMCA on an afternoon on Continued on page 9 ►

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

The easygoing life...

Albouys Street; we used to go and play table tennis, boxing, football,” he said.

He added: “A lot of international players come out from Albouystown.”

To their credit, persons within the community have already indicated their willingness to pass on their skills to the younger population; but without a proper venue for holding such classes, their hands are tied.

Said ‘Nat Cole’, “That is why you find a lot of idle youths in Albouystown….

If they get back the YMCA, they could develop some sort of craft…. We need li’l more activities to keep the youths them from getting idle and going astray.”

LGE CANDIDATE The Guyana Chronicle was able to catch up with Heston Bostwick, a candidate in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) slated for March 18.

He is contesting for leadership within the Albouystown/ Charlestown constituency.

He has a list of several concerns about the development of Albouystown.

He said Albouystown is bordered by Charlestown to the west, and West La Penitence to the east, with Saffon and Callendar Streets at its borders.

The city community has three main streets and eighteen cross streets, and is home to thousands of people.

Still, he pointed out, there

are no recreational facilities, no library, and no impact of the Impact Albouystown programme which was launched about two years ago by the past government.

The community is owned by the Mayor and City Council, which purchased it from one Mr Albouys since the 1960s.

As a community, he said, “We sit and we decide that the Independence Boulevard should be converted to be a playing area.”

He highlighted that, in any depressed community, the education of residents, especially youths, is one of the key solutions to pushing it out of such a state, yet there is no library within close proximity of Albouystown.

From page 8

“That is Number One in solving any problem in any depressed community…. Reading is something we need to have the youths involved in; you will able to open their vocab,” Bostwick said.

He has identified a piece of state land at the corner of Albouys Street and Independence Boulevard, which he said was once occupied by the Corriea Group of Companies, to be transformed into a community centre where more than 10,000 youths can assemble for recreation and development.

Meanwhile, the man also pointed out that the frequent police presence in the area would be a welcome development if only

A woman bonding with her baby during a street-side hang (Photos by Delano Williams)

the Force could become more friendly with residents of the popular urban neighbourhood.

“I live in this community,” he said. “I know what goes on in this community; and, yes, you need police

presence. But, are they friendly?”

He is, however, of the view that the residents of Albouystown do a better job of policing their own community than anyone else has done so far.

Here’s what was trending on Social Media on January 24: Local singer Poonam Singh shares a video singing an original song dedicated to help dissuade those going through depression who may be contemplating suicide. The video accumulated more than 100,000 views and hundreds of shares across Facebook.

Drumming for funds

Police presence in Albouystown

A report from trini.online – “Guyana set to become the region’s economic giant” garnered many shares following the hosting of an Energy Chamber Conference in Trinidad which was attended by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman.

Persons had much to say about a News Source report in which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo allegedly says that his attacks on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are for “personal enjoyment”.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Granger delivers inspiring sermon – at opening of SDA Guyana Conference

By Alva Solomon President David Granger preached the Word of God to the congregation at the Central Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church at Church and Oronoque Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown last Friday evening.

He reminded visitors to the opening of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) of the simplicity of Jesus Christ, and he spoke of the differences between the Son of God and the Pharisees.

Guyana’s Head of State told the gathering of SDA worshippers from across the country that Christ came to mankind with a mission, as a messiah and not as a king or emperor or ruler. “He came to us in a manger, a place where cows and donkeys eat,” the President said.

He reminded the gathering of what is written in Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them”.

The President noted that Christ’s mission was to fulfill the Mosaic Laws of the Old Testament. “As you know, the first five books of the Old Testament contain rules; rules of behaviour which govern every aspect of social and religious life of the Jews,” he reminded those seated. He said it was suited to those days.

Speaking to the gathering self-admittedly as a Christian and not as a theologian, the President spoke of how Christ operated. He said Christ moved away from punishment under the law, as compared to the requirements of the day; and he gave the example of an adulterous woman who was brought before Him. “The law stated that she must be stoned, but Christ said ‘he that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone’,” the President said.

The Old Testament highlighted God’s wrath against sinners, but the method of Christ in the New Testament reveals God’s mercy towards sinners, the President noted.

“It is preached today as a gentle message,” he added, to chants of “Amen!” “and “Hallelujah!” from those in the congregation.

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE The Head of State noted

that Christ’s method of teaching was simple and effective.

He added that Christ taught in parables.

“Anyone could have understood, even the illiterate, which was an important oral position and easiest way to learn,” he explained.

He said the dogmas or principles were handed down from one generation to the next, but Christ made those into simple life’s experiences, which was appealing.

“They were in context, and people could relate to what he was speaking about,” Mr Granger added.

The President said that the leadership style of Christ was also different from that of the Pharisees. He said that, today, some church leaders use “very elaborate titles, which they give themselves”, as the congregation chuckled.

“Last month I received a letter from a person who says he has now become a ‘pope’,” he informed, to bouts of laughter from those seated.

As he continued, he noted that Christ gave mankind a new style of leadership, while the Pharisees kept themselves separate from the masses and ordinary people.

He said that, in the New Testament, it reads that Christ embraced the ordinary people while the Pharisees were more concerned with their robes and prestige.

“When you define yourself as a shepherd, come down from your pedestal and mingle with the flock,” he added, to more chants of “Amen!”

He then quoted from the Book of Matthew: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

The President recounted that, in the United Kingdom, at a military academy where he trained, there lies a simple message: “Serve to lead”; and he noted that one who cannot serve will find his/herself incapable of leading.

As he concluded his sermon, the Head of State reminded the congregation that Christ’s message was one of humanity, unlike the Pharisees’. He was able to marry faith with work. To this end, he said, the SDA Church is at work, and he commended the church for its support to the local society.

He reminded those present that the message of Christ was one of love and hu-

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings

President Granger addressing the gathering at the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, at the opening of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on Friday evening (Delano William photo)

manity. Then the President wished the church success, and gave his blessings to the conference.

The conference was held under the theme, “Embracing Christ’s method-- Making a difference”.

The conference concluded on Saturday with presentations on religious liberty and the role of a leader, creative religious liberty programming, and breaking walls and building bridges.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Religious liberty, which has an arguable origin, is contended to be the first liberty granted by God, and should be enjoyed by everyone, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, who spoke at the conclusion, said.

Minister Cummings noted that while religious liberty has an arguable origin, it is the first liberty granted to everyone by God, and is protected in the First Amendment of the United States (US) Constitution.

She noted that religious liberty encompasses people’s ability to contribute freely to the common good of their fellow human beings, and she said that the Seventh-day

Members marched at the opening of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on Friday (Delano William photo)

Adventist Church, of which she is a member, strongly believes in religious freedom for all people.

“A person’s conscience -- not Government -- should dictate his or her choice of worship. True religious liberty is the freedom to perform your duties to God as He directs one -- the freedom to do what God created you to do while coexisting in a secular world; this represents religious liberty,” said Minister Cummings, who has been a devout Christian since age 10.

Commenting on her pro-

fessional life, she related that her belief in God naturally permeates everything she does and says, and she divulged that her aim is to establish Guyana as a model of excellence and assist in providing quality healthcare services to the people of Guyana.

“My goal is to improve both the physical and mental health of all Guyanese through a variety of policies and programmes,” Dr Cummings added.

And having been a living example of someone who has been able to successfully

balance both areas of her life, she urged the gathering to ensure that their professionalism and professional responsibilities never impede on their ability to lead a religious life.

Likewise, she said, their religious responsibilities should not preclude their ability to lead a professional life. According to her, being able to establish that equilibrium is important.

She highlighted that the strongest work ethic one can adopt is to imitate God, and she said it is her religious faith which has allowed her to stand up to social injustices in Guyana.

“You have to stay steadfast to your purpose -- the thing that drives you to want to do better. Prayer is important, it is what allows you to perform to your optimum,” she said, adding: “We must be able to coexist with others in our working environment.”

The key to doing that, she opined, is establishing a balance between one’s spiritual life and professional life. “Religious liberty is found in God,” Minister Cummings said.

The congregation listens as the President makes a special address to the gathering (Delano William photo)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Empowering children in difficult circumstances – ChildLink Inc takes up the mantle

By Ariana Gordon CHILDLINK Inc., in keeping with a recently signed agreement with the European Union (EU), intends to focus more this year on empowering children in difficult circumstances.

As Programme Director Omattie Madray told the Guyana Chronicle, the organisation has as its focus this year the expansion of Child Advocacy Centres (CACs), creating a Child Rights Alliance (CRA), and pushing for adoption of an alternative care policy for children.

ChildLink recently received from the EU €200,000 to support its work, and Madray noted that the money, the equivalent of G$75M, will see her organisation doing work at the grassroots level on the issue of Child Rights and Child Protection.

“In 2016,” she said, “we want to look at expanding the Child Advocacy Centres (CAC). At the moment, there is one in Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), and one in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice). We are currently in discussion with partners to expand the CACs.” Madray said that while it is her organisation’s intention to have CACs established in two other regions, she could not, at the moment, say which regions.

ROLE OF CACs Currently, CACs provide support to children who have experienced sexual violence; and given its mandate, Madray said ChildLink would like to see not only more children accessing the service, but parents as well.

“Through the Centres,” she told the Guyana Chronicle, “we can do much more strengthening of parental involvement in providing care to their children, and (we could have) a greater level of awareness where those

Centres are placed for the prevention of sexual violence against children.”

She explained that when children visit the Centres, they would have already been abused, and are dealing with the trauma associated with the abuse they suffered.

At the Centres, counsellors work with the children to help them cope and deal with the issue of sexual violence, but unfortunately, those sessions are not sufficient.

“It does not go away,” she said, adding: “Ideally, we would like much more work to be done on the prevention aspect of child sexual violence. That’s the focus of the first quarter. We are aiming to look at how we can bring more partners on board to expand the child advocacy services.”

NEW INITIATIVE In the second quarter, Madray is hoping that a new initiative, The Child Rights Alliance (CRA), will get off the ground, as the idea is to work with a range of local stakeholders in the area of child protection, whether in the prevention of violence against children, those doing intervention work, or those doing prevention work across the country.

“CRA will look at how we create a national network -- a national alliance,” she said. “The project will work in Regions 3, 4 and 5 more specifically, and it will actually complement the services of CAC and support the awareness and prevention campaigns based on the results of the CACs.” Noting that there are a number of cases of mothers leaving their children to go into the interior to work, Madray said those children are abused either by persons close to them or by strangers.

“There are perpetrators around that are taking advantage of those children, and we have seen an increase in

reporting. More adults are coming forward and calling the Child Protection Agency (CPA); coming to make reports, and therefore you would have seen an increase in reported cases of all forms of violence against children.”

UNDER-REPORTING But in spite of this new trend, where we’re seeing an increase in the reporting of Child Sexual Violence, Madray said under-reporting is still a major problem.

“When we go into the communities, we hear a lot more of what is happening on the ground,” she said. So the project will do a lot more community-based work in Regions 3, 4 and 5. “Whereas the CAC is placed in one location, families come to the Centre based on referrals from the CPA. The Child Rights Alliance will work with agencies in those regions to have more prevention work done at the level of the community,” she disclosed.

ChildLink intends to also focus on children growing up without parental care, especially those who are growing up in orphanages.

Madray said that, ap-

Programme Director ChildLink Inc, Omattie Madray

proximately 10 years ago, an assessment was done by the organisation, looking at the number of children that were in orphanages and other similar institutions; why they were there, and what were the contributory factors.

“We found that there were about 500 children in about 25 children’s orphanages across the nation -- Regions 3, 4, 5, 6,” she said.

She noted, too, that over that 10-year period, her organisation has observed an increase of about 250 to 300 children living in orphanages in the identified regions.

“We want to find out a little bit more about why that number is growing, “ Madray said. “We want to

work more closely with the Social Protection Ministry, and more specifically the CPA, to find out what sort of system needs to be in place for when a child is engaging the State for services; what antenna goes up for the social worker that would see a child being more likely placed in an orphanage rather than go to an extended family.”

Madray explained that the Ministry of Social Protection has several new services that are aimed at protecting children, but she feels that each family has different challenges, and some of those challenges result in families becoming unsafe for the children, thus the children have to be taken away.

“But when those children are taken in care, what systems are in place to help those children to be returned to their families reintegrated?

We will use the study as a baseline to build a stronger re-integration process with the Ministry; it is part of the ministry’s plan for this year.

We would like to complement that plan, and be able to help make the re-integration process for children,” she said.

NEW STUDY Madray is hopeful that Turn to page 12 ►

Monday, January 25, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

12

Fun City continues school tours

PRINCESS Fun City and Entertainment Centre, the 2013 winner of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Business of the Year Award, is keeping its promise to continue its annual school tour initiative.

Fun City, at Princess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara, in its promise to make the free school tour an annual event, is working with the Ministry of Education in this third year to give schools the opportunity to enhance their classrooms and students’ knowledge with five computers.

The entity will also make its billboard available, free of cost, to the needs of the Ministry to display educational or informative messages on LED screen.

In addition, the entity is opening its doors for three months -- February 11th to April 30th -- to all schools interested in registering to

Students at Fun City

view 3D movies and/ or play games.

Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Ali Williams, said the company desires to create an experience where parents, children, clubs and schools would share memorable moments, and the company wants to create an experience that

would last a lifetime.

The Fun City Arcade, the first of its kind in Guyana, offers family fun and entertainment, with more than 80 games; choosing from 7D cinema, 3D graphics, dancing, street fighting, gifts, bowling and racing, just to name a few.

This section caters for persons from two years old to 102, while the movie

theatres provide the latest 3D releases in Bollywood, children’s and Hollywood movies.

For booking information, persons are kindly asked to contact Marketing Manager Ms Ali Williams on telephone numbers 592-673-8698 or 2657000. They can also use Email: princessfuncity@ yahoo.com.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Empowering children...

From page 11

the study can commence later this year. The organisation has worked with the Ministry of Social Protection on strengthening alternative family-based care services in 2013-2015; and, up until March 2015, was reinforcing “the need for greater family-based care for children who have experienced trauma, rather than placing them in orphanages,” she explained.

“A number of children were re-integrated with their families; lots of work done with families to ensure they understand better parenting etc.”

An alternative care policy was drafted following wide consultations, and it is Madray’s hope that the findings of the research will push the Ministry to “embrace the policy.”

Children coming into state care shouldn’t automatically go into an institution, which is not necessarily the case. But, the mere idea that

the numbers are growing in institutional care, it means that there needs to be a stronger policy; stronger services available to children and families, and look beyond the fact that parents are bad parents, but perhaps (that) they need much, much more support than we really are aware of.”

By implementing the policy, Madray believes, the Ministry of Social Protection and organisations like hers would have a better understanding on what are some of the “deeper issues” facing families.

She believes that parents need to know that help is available, and they should be told how to access that help. “There is a great desire on the part of families to keep their children, but that desire needs to go beyond ‘I want my child with me.’ It should be ‘I want my child with me, in a safe place, where I can provide love and care’.”

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Cops, religious leaders making an impact first formers.

He said the Crane Social Crime Prevention Programme engages youths from the West Jetty and Plastic City at Vreed-en-Hoop. He added that the CFN will also be embarking on establishing social crime prevention projects at Hog and Fort islands, Tuschen, Parika, Zeeburg, and Bonasika.

The CFN is also seeking to have a recruitment drive wherein young adults will be encouraged to enroll at the Government Technical Institute (GTI).

Commander Stephen Mansell of Police ‘D’ Division hands over footballs to the club members on Friday last. Looking on are police officers and other club members of La Grange Youth Empowerment Club

By Michel Outridge THE Cops and Faith Network (CFN) has reached new heights in ‘D’ Division, after the body was established -- a few years ago in partnership with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) -- to foster initiatives at the community level to enhance the lives of youths.

Under the stewardship of Commander Stephen Mansell and Pastor Derek Anderson, among 60 faith-based leaders, community-based programmes are going well and bearing fruit.

The La Grange/Nismes/ Bagotville Youth Empowerment Programme has started at the Bagotville Community Centre, targeting 150 youths who are enrolled in Information Technology (IT) and sports, including boxing and football, Mansell said.

He added that, on Friday last, he was present with other officers during the handing over ceremony when three footballs were donated to the club. A committee was also established to manage the affairs of the club.

Mansell said that more than 40 youths from Crane Housing Scheme will benefit from football training from the police in that corridor. Retired national football coach Earl O’Neil will be there to assist the youths on Tuesdays and Thursdays

from 16:00 hrs to 17:30 hrs.

This is another social crime prevention programme aimed at identifying talent through sports, the Commander said.

He pointed out that Goed Fortuin Youth Development has a social crime prevention programme as well, which is termed The Three R’s - Recruit, Restore and Reward. It caters for 175 early school-leaver youths and the unemployed.

Mansell said these persons are being trained in IT and sports, which include football and martial arts.

Sessions take place at Wales, La Retraite, La Grange and Vreed-en-Hoop. This monthend, an inter-youth karate championship will be held at the West Demerara school auditorium.

He noted, too, that a vibrant La Grange Girl Guides group exists. This group has a membership of 24 girls between the ages of 12 and 14 years old. He also said that the Leonora Technical and Vocational Skills Training Centre has 77 youths in classes in several fields, including hairdressing, mechanic, electrical and others.

Graduation will take place in July this year.

Mansell said the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Project has been extended to Leonora, Uitvlugt, Zeeburg, and Stewartville Secondary schools, targeting

Sergeant Dale Barrow, Inspector Avery Grant, Pastor Derek Anderson and Commander Stephen Mansell at the Leonora Youth Choice Building

Pastor Anderson, who is part of the Cops and Faith Network and is attached to the Assemblies of God Church at La Grange, said that since establishment of the collaborative effort between faith-based organisations and the police, a positive impact has been had on such issues as loitering, which has become a thing of the past in most communities.

He noted that the CFN projects are geared towards equipping youths, who may be delinquent or school dropouts, with a life skill so they

can earn meaningfully rather than gravitate towards a life of crime.

Pastor Anderson said the Cops and Faith Network, in which 60 faithbased leaders are involved, is working closely with seven police stations on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara. He explained that CFN works with the station sergeants to come up with new ideas for programmes to be implemented, so the youths can benefit and cease being afraid of the police.

14

What the people say

IN A few months’ time, Guyanese at home and abroad will be celebrating a historic occasion -- the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Roving Guyana Chronicle reporter Svetlana Marshall, who was recently in the Big Apple -- New York, USA -- spoke with a few Guyanese there about the grand occasion. And the following is what they had to say.

U.S-based Guyanese Professor Dr Shamir Ally “Today, I am a bit sad that many of the dreams that were dreamt have not yet been executed. But I have high hopes that things will change with a unified government, a coalition government; and rather than fighting each other, we will pool ourselves and use our resources to develop a great Guyana that can be the Singapore of the Americas.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Guyanese entrepreneur Allita Moffatt “Despite the many challenges we have had as a nation, I am proud to know that the country will mark its 50th Independence Anniversary as a united nation. So,

looking ahead, I see a bright future for Guyana and all its people. For me, 2016 marks the beginning of a great adventure for the people of Guyana.

Allita Moffatt

US-based Guyanese retiree

Shamir Ally

“I think (that), as Guyana moves to celebrate its 50th year as an Independent nation, its people should truly unite and put an end to this issue of racism; because racism will get us nowhere!”

Vincent Haynes

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Ex-Prison Officers Association of America Member Dale Edinboro

Financial Controller of Mount Vernon, Maureen Walker “Guyana has a long way to go, but it will take all of us to put ourselves together to contribute to its development. When Guyana became Independent I was just 11, so it was a different perspective I had of Guyana at that point in time. We have kind of lost

a lot of that along the way in terms of the cleanliness of Guyana, in terms of the health services provided, and in terms of general transportation and things like that. I think this is the time for all of us to recommit to the development of Guyana, so that

Maureen Walker the young generation can benefit from what we had.”

US-based Guyanese Elverine Cadogan-Smartt “I migrated from Guyana 46 years ago, but I visit Guyana periodically. I am very impressed with the changes that have taken place in Guyana. I pray that we see more improvement in the coming years. I would like to see tourism become widespread in Guyana, so that we can build our economy.”

Elverine Cadogan-Smartt

“I am excited and elated, because I was age 15 when Guyana gained its Independence. So I am looking forward to being in Guyana for the Golden Jubilee celebration. I think this is the start of a lot of hard work, hard work in the sense of what is required for the unification of the country.”

Dale Edinboro

US-based Guyanese Nurse Claire Bristol “I am so looking forward to Guyana’s 50th Independence, which should be a grand event. I am encouraging all Guyanese who have not visited Guyana in years to come and celebrate and see how much our country has developed.”

Claire Bristol

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Sophia ‘Ring Road’ advancing – but community input needed THE first component of the Sophia ‘Ring Road’ Project is nearing completion, and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure believes that community input is a necessity for the project’s success on all fronts.

During a recent visit to the Sophia area to assess the works, this message was relayed by the Ministry’s Community Coordinator,

Neilson McKenzie, a press release said.

During this visit, McKenzie interacted with a member of the Sophia Community Development Committee (CDC). The first site visited was in ‘A’ Field, where at least one home had been removed from the reserve to facilitate works.

The homeowner explained that he understood

the necessity for such a move since, ultimately, it was for the development of the community. The area is one that has been earmarked for a new bridge.

According to McKenzie, the need to remove homes from the dams had been relayed to homeowners by the Ministry, thus eliminating any conflict or confusion.

McKenzie also stressed

This road leading from ‘A’ Field into ‘B’ Field, Sophia was recently excavated and will soon be asphalted

that greater community participation is a must. He said the Ministry has been talking with residents, especially those on reserves, and this process is going apace, but must be intensified.

“They have been cooperating with us because they, too, see the need for development,” McKenzie explained.

INTERACTIVE SESSION Currently, McKenzie said, the Ministry is in the process of setting up a meeting with the community to sensitise residents on the project. This interactive session is being planned with collaboration from the CDC. “We want to interface with all of our communities.

We don’t want any confusion, we want people to understand how and why we are doing what we’re doing; that’s very important. We’ve got to work hand in hand

to ensure that everything comes together,” McKenzie stressed.

The Ring Road Project will be extensive, and will cover the areas known as Liliendaal, Pattensen, Cummings Lodge, and Turkeyen.

The project will extend from ‘A’ Field through ‘E’ Field, Sophia. The main aim is to create necessary access for the evolution of the community, and McKenzie stressed that he desires to see a holistic community.

The project will also see the creation of bridges, conduits, and culverts, and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) mains will also be relocated to facilitate works.

Meanwhile, the project’s first component is slated for completion in early May, but it is expected that this will be completed before then, the release added.

399 scales seized in 2015

GNBS Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David

By Rabindra Rooplall DURING 2015, importers and local manufacturers continued to submit their

devices to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for initial verification, before being offered for sale or put into use.

As a result, a total of 588 scales, 1,445 masses and 1,580 electricity meters were submitted for verification, according to GNBS Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lloyd David.

Under the National Weights and Measures Programme, the GNBS, with support from the various weights and measures offices countywide, continued to effectively provide services during last year.

David said the verification and monitoring of weighing and measuring devices used in commercial trade were conducted for stakeholders Turn to page 18►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

CANU did not detain Le Repentir Cemetery being restored businessman Ramjit THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has said it did not approach, detain or seize the jewellery of businessman Richard Ramjit, who was an outgoing passenger on a Dynamic Airways New York-bound flight.

Mr Ramjit has made a complaint alleging that offi-

cers attached to CANU had, on January 19, 2016, seized his gold and silver neckwear and one gold and silver wrist band, and detained him for four hours.

But CANU, in a statement, has said the officers -– who had identified themselves as CANU officers -- are not, nor

were ever, members of the unit. The statement also said that no CANU officer was at any time involved in that operation.

“CANU officers on duty are uniformed and display their issued identification cards with their names,” the release concluded.

65 schools contesting...

‘Assured’ is of the view that exposure to an event like this at this stage of the children’s lives presents an opportunity to provide them with information and guidance when making career choices, or knowing what they want to be when they get older.

The children involved have been going through a period of coaching from their teachers as well as doing their own research, so that they’ll know what is expect-

ed of them as they head into the preliminaries.

Meanwhile, ACEO Charles, who commended ‘Assured’ on the initiative, spoke of the importance of providing guidance to our students in terms of their careers. Charles defined guidance in this context as providing care or assistance to another person.

Through guidance, she said, children are able to make smart choices about their education, their desired

From page 7

career relationships, and their careers.

Guidance helps them to feel supported; that there is someone or some group of persons forming a support base for them - be it in school, at institutions such as the Church, or any part of the environment where that positive support can be found.

It is a way of providing help in setting professional goals and developing strategies for getting where they want to be.

AS THE Mayor and City Council continues working to restore the beauty of Georgetown, emphasis is being placed on restoring Le Repentir Cemetery, according to Debra Lewis, M&CC Public Relations Officer.

She said the council has deployed workers to the area to remove the overgrowth of bush, weeds and long grass.

Currently, works are in progress at the Muslim section of the burial ground.

The cemetery has specific sections for various religious organisations, and these include: Muslims, Hindus, Roman Catholics, Anglicans,

Chinese, Baha’is and Presbyterians.

The council is cognisant

that, over the years, much emphasis was not placed on the Turn to page 18 ►

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

Le Repentir Cemetery... management of the cemetery, and this had led to the area being overrun by bush.

“Traditionally, cemetery management only involves the allocation of land for burial, the digging and filling of graves, and the maintenance of the grounds and landscaping. However, Cemetery Restoration Programme (20162017) would include the regular cleaning and clearing of weeds, repairing the bridges and office of the sexton, repaving of the main roads, and implementation of a citizens’ programme which will allow citizens to work with the municipality to help preserve the cemetery,” Lewis noted.

Town Clerk Royston King

said the burial place of loved ones would be given priority.

He further noted a proposal to use chemicals to treat the quick growth of weeds, but he said this cannot be accepted.

“The council is not only responsible for the removal of overgrowth and desilting of drains in the cemetery, but we have a responsibility to ensure that we do not interfere with ecology of the environment,” King said.

Under the Municipal and District Council Act 28:01, the council has the responsibility for establishing, maintaining and controlling burial grounds and crematoriums. In addition, the Office of the Sexton has burial registers which contain

399 scales...

in the various sectors of Guyana, including the manufacturing, agricultural and retail sectors, to protect consumers and maintain equity in trade.

For weighing and measuring devices already in use, however, he said there was a slight decline last year in the number of devices verified (stamped), when compared to the previous year.

These devices included those already in use at shops, markets, and other locations such as supermarkets, hospitals, clinics, health centres, manufacturing companies, fish complexes, rice mills, sugar and food factories, airlines, post offices, petrol stations and bulk terminals.

“A total of 7,740 scales, 16,525 masses, 40 measures and four measuring rules were subsequently verified

From page 17

the names of persons buried, the dates of burials, and the locations of the places of burial within the cemetery.

Burial registers often serve as an important resource for genealogy.

LE REPENTIR CEMETERY Le Repentir Cemetery was first established in March, 1861. Subsequently, a road was constructed through the cemetery to link La Penitence with Lodge, Wortmanville and Werk-en-Rust.

The first person interred at Le Repentir Cemetery was Antonio Gonzales, 45, on March 15, 1861. He was from Madeira.

From page 16

during last year. In addition, a total of 1,616 petrol pumps, 43 storage tanks, 157 tanker wagon compartments and 230 bulk meters were verified mainly for stakeholders in the petroleum and manufacturing sectors,” David reported.

Surveillance activities which involved the inspection of weighing and measuring devices used at shops and markets countrywide were conducted routinely during the year, to ensure that these devices were verified and were in acceptable condition. As a result, he said, 3,448 stalls/premises countrywide were visited.

During these visits, a total of 399 scales, 347 masses, and 16 measures were seized and removed because they were either inaccurate, unverified, or in a deplorable condition.

It is essential for manu-

facturers, suppliers and customers of goods and services to have mutual confidence in the accuracy, precision and reliability of the measurements made at every level.

“The accuracy of measurements made in commerce -- for example, the weight of one kg of potatoes or chicken -- determined by a scale in the local market is ultimately traceable to physical standards used by the GNBS, which are traceable to international standards,” the Bureau official noted.

“This traceability allows for accurate and reliable measurements on the local and international markets, and provides for consistency of measurements worldwide. Consumers can therefore have confidence in the accuracy of the local systems of weights and measures,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Adidas to end ...

From Backpage

ment.

The BBC understands Adidas informed the IAAF in November it was considering ending their relationship early as a result of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission’s first report, which detailed claims of “state sponsored doping” within Russia.

Earlier this month, the commission’s chairman, Dick Pound, delivered a second, damning report, which revealed that “corruption was embedded” within the IAAF under former president Lamine Diack.

Within days, a decision at the highest level in Adidas was taken to terminate the relationship.

It is understood the German multinational believes the doping revelations in Pound’s reports constitute a breach of its agreement with the IAAF. The 11-year sponsorship deal was signed in 2008 and was due to run until 2019.

At the time of signing, it was reported the deal would be worth about $33m (£23m).

But sources have told the BBC the figure is much higher, and that in terms of cash and product, it is worth about $8m (£5.6m) per year. This would mean the projected lost revenue for the IAAF over the next four years will be more than $30m (£21m).

It is not clear yet whether the IAAF will attempt to challenge the decision in court, al-

though lawyers within Adidas are understood to be preparing for such a move.

The withdrawal of Adidas will come as a major blow to the sport - and to IAAF president Coe - in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

Coe succeeded Diack in August last year and has come under pressure over Pound’s report, which said the IAAF of which Coe was one of four vice-presidents under Diack for seven years - must have been aware of the corruption.

But despite this, Dick Pound voiced his support for Coe, saying he “couldn’t think of anyone better” to lead athletics out of its current crisis.

The WADA reports on state sponsored doping as well as a French criminal investigation into corruption - which is also looking into the awarding of every World Championships since 2007, including London’s successful bid to host the event in 2017 - have left the sport facing an Olympic year with major reputational damage to repair.

It now seems Adidas believes there is too much reputational risk to its brand to continue its association with the IAAF. Adidas has also expressed its displeasure at the corruption scandal engulfing Fifa, although it remains world football’s governing body’s oldest commercial partner.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Rabada’s magnificent seven puts South Africa in control

PRETORIA, (Reuters)-Kagiso Rabada became the youngest South Africa bowler to take seven wickets in an innings as the hosts took charge of the fourth and final Test against England yesterday.

The 20-year-old’s brilliant 7-112 helped dismiss the tourists for 342 in reply to South Africa’s first innings 475 at Centurion.

South Africa ended day three leading England by 175 runs with nine second-innings wickets intact, finishing on 42 for one wicket with debutant Stephen Cook (23 not out) and Hashim Amla (16 not out).

The only Proteas wicket to fall in their second innings was that of Dean Elgar (one), who edged James Anderson to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

The day belonged unquestionably to Rabada who confirmed his rich potential and his powers of endurance after bowling 29 overs, in part because the hosts lost seamer

players from the field, but when they returned Rabada removed a fluent Ben Stokes (33) with the new ball, caught in the slips by Amla.

The part-time spin of JP Duminy accounted for Chris Woakes (26), before Stuart Broad (five) became Rabada’s seventh victim.

Moeen Ali (61) played an excellent rear-guard hand to frustrate the hosts before

he became the last wicket to fall, caught at extra cover off Morkel Rabada was just the second player in history to take six wickets or more in an innings in both tests and One-Day Internationals before the age of 21, joining Pakistan great Waqar Younis.

England have already wrapped up the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

SCOREBOARD Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada leads South Africa from the field after returning career-best figures of 7 for 112, on the third day at Centurion.

Kyle Abbott to a hamstring strain.

Abbott’s availability to bowl again in the match is still to be determined.

After Morne Morkel removed Alastair Cook (76) midway through the

first session, it looked as though it would be England’s morning as they approached lunch with confidence.

Rabada then had Joe Root (76) caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, two more

wickets fell quickly before the break as James Taylor (14) and Bairstow (0) fell to the same combination to leave England teetering at 211 for six.

A rain delay just after the re-start took the

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 475 (Q. de Kock 129no, S. Cook 115, H. Amla 109; B. Stokes 4-86) England 1st innings (Overnight: 138-2) A. Cook c de Kock b M. Morkel 76 A. Hales c Piedt b Rabada 15 N. Compton lbw b Rabada 19 J. Root c de Kock b Rabada 76 J. Taylor c de Kock b Rabada 14 B. Stokes c Amla b Rabada 33 J. Bairstow c de Kock b Rabada

0 M. Ali c Piedt b M. Morkel 61 C. Woakes c Elgar b Duminy 26 S. Broad c Cook b Rabada 5 J. Anderson not out 5 Extras(b-2 lb-7 w-3) 12 Total (all out, 104.2 overs) 342 Fall of wickets: 1-22 A. Hales,2-78 N. Compton,3-177 A. Cook,4-208 J. Root,5-211 J. Taylor,6-211 J. Bairstow,7-252 B. Stokes,8-295

C. Woakes,9-320 S. Broad,10-342 M. Ali Bowling: K. Abbott 19 - 9 - 36 – 0, K. Rabada 29 - 6 - 112 - 7(w-2), D. Piedt 24 - 4 - 78 – 0, M. Morkel 23.2 - 4 - 73 - 2(w-1), D. Elgar 4 - 0 - 13 – 0,J. Duminy 5 - 0 - 21 – 1.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings S. Cooknot out 23 D. Elgar c Bairstow b Anderson 1 H. Amlanot out 16 Extras (b-2) 2 Total (for 1 wickets, 17 overs) 42 Fall of wickets: 1-5 D. Elgar To bat: A. de Villiers, J. Duminy, T. Bavuma, Q. de Kock, K. Abbott, M. Morkel, K. Rabada, D. Piedt Bowling: J. Anderson 5 - 1 - 14 – 1,S. Broad 4 - 1 - 8 – 0, B. Stokes 3 - 1 - 6 – 0, C. Woakes 2 - 0 - 7 – 0, M. Ali 2 - 1 - 1 – 0, J. Root 1 - 0 - 4 – 0.

Error-prone Djokovic survives scare, Serena rocks on

By Nick Mulvenney MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-Novak Djokovic’s grip on the Australian Open tennis title looked shaky for a short spell yesterday but the world number one finally shook off Gilles Simon in a four-and-a-half hour marathon to take his place in the quarter-finals.

Serena Williams, by contrast, booked a re-match of last year’s title decider against Maria Sharapova by sweeping into the quarter-finals without having lost a set, and Roger Federer progressed almost as comfortably to bring the day to a close.

The whiff of an upset hung around Melbourne Park for much of the day -- Tomas Berdych, Agnieszka Radwanska and Carla Suarez Navarro all lost opening sets -- but it was most potent in Djokovic’s five-setter against Simon.

Djokovic had eased into the fourth round without losing a set as he continued the dominant form that earned him 11 titles, including three of the four grand slams, last year.

Defensive baseliner Simon is a wily campaigner, however, and he elicited 100 unforced errors out of the reigning

champion in his 6-3 6-7(1) 6-4 4-6 6-3 defeat.

Hurtling around the arena on legs that have always looked too spindly to take the kind of punishment they regularly endure, the 31-year-old Frenchman absorbed Djokovic’s power and timed his shots to perfection to hurl it back at the Serbian.

Djokovic has not won five titles at Melbourne Park without being able to negotiate a scrap, however, and despite a string of fluffed drop shots he reasserted his authority in the final set to reach the last eight for a 27th successive grand slam.

“I honestly didn’t expect to make this many unforced errors.

In terms of a level that I’ve played, it’s the match to forget for me,” said Djokovic.

“When you’re playing someone like Simon ... you’re trying to cut down on the length of the rallies, go for a winner or go for a dropshot.

Sometimes you have a brain freeze, if I can call it that.”

Djokovic’s next opponent, Japan’s Kei Nishikori, must have enjoyed every last minute of the match as he rested up after a straightforward 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Serena Williams of the U.S. jumps to hit a shot during her fourth round match against Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, yesterday.

Reuters/Jason Reed Nishikori was humiliated 6-1 6-1 in his last meeting with Djokovic in November and will be hoping to avenge that defeat and revive memories of his stunning upset of the Serbian in the semi-finals of the 2014

U.S. Open.

“In London, he kind of destroyed me,” the seventh seed said. “I hope I can make some changes and try to play better. Yeah, I’m ready to beat him again.”

Williams lost her serve for

the second time at the tournament in the opening game of her match but that was just about all that went against the American in her brisk 6-2 6-1 demolition of Margarita Gasparyan.

“I feel if I can just continue to play well, then it could be good,” the six-times champion said after celebrating her victory with a graceful twirl.

Sharapova was make to work much harder for her 7-5 7-5 victory over teenager Belinda Bencic in the opening match of the day on the main showcourt.

If Djokovic’s high error count was uncharacteristic, the fifth seed’s reliance on her serve to get her out of trouble against the rising Swiss talent was also at odds with perceptions of her game in recent years.

The 28-year-old might need more than 21 aces to end a run of 17 successive defeats against Williams going back to 2004, however.

David Goffin has made great strides over the last couple of years but could still not cope with 17-times grand slam champion Federer.

The 34-year-old Swiss got onto court late but wasted little time in dissecting the Belgian 6-2 6-1 6-4 to set up a meeting with

Berdych, who earlier came from behind to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-3.

“I’m pleased with how I played,” said Federer. “David normally gives me a hard time in practice so I was surprised at how well I went.”

Radwanska and Suarez Navarro both had their nerves tested before being able to set up their quarter-final date.

Radwanska was 5-2 down in her deciding set against Anna-Lena Friedsam but the 21-year-old German was reduced to tears when her legs simply gave up on her, allowing the fourth seed to recover for a 6-7 (6) 6-1 7-5 victory.

Tenth seed Suarez Navarro rebounded from an opening set battering to beat Daria Gavrilova 0-6 6-3 6-2 and end Australia’s interest in the women’s draw.

The most welcome recovery of the day was that of Ana Ivanovic’s coach and Andy Murray’s father-in-law, Nigel Sears.

The 58-year-old, who was taken to hospital on Saturday after collapsing in the stands in Rod Laver Arena, was discharged on Sunday and allowed to return home to Britain.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Digicel, GFSCA partner for Triple Treat in Essequibo DIGICEL (Guyana) has collaborated with the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) as part of its Triple Treat in the county of Essequibo on March 20.

According to Retail Sales Manager of Digicel, Richard Das, the softball competition will form part of day of activities geared to provide wholesome entertainment to the Essequibo Coast.

The Triple Treat will see a fusion of softball cricket, a duck curry competition and a live stage show. Prior to the day of the final, Das explained that there will be four weeks of preliminary matches, which will be coordinated by the GFSCA. “The competition promises to be a lot of fun and a lot of excitement for the Essequibo Coast. It’s four weeks of preliminary matches, and the final will incorporate into the Triple Treat,” Das said at the launch on Friday.

The registration of teams will take place during the period January 25 (today to February 13, while the first

By Iain Rogers

Digicel and GFSCA officials pose with the trophies that would be up for grabs on March 20 round of preliminary games will take place on February 21. Preliminary matches will be played at various grounds along the Essequibo Coast, while the final will take place at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

“We want to encourage everyone to come out to the matches: the spectators, the players. Digicel likes to give back to the community, and there will be giveaways, phone deals and sales opportunity for everyone,” Das stated.

President of the GFSCA,

Ramchand Ragbeer, said the association has embraced the concept, noting that the members are eagerly looking forward to working with ‘The Bigger, Better Network.’ He pointed out that the competition will utilise the GFSCA balls that are usually reserved for international tournaments.

Ragbeer sounded a warning to the teams to stick to their original list of players submitted prior to the start of the tournament, noting that changes and/or the drafting in of players

from other teams that were previously knocked out would not be tolerated.

Teams desirous of competition in the inaugural competition are required to make contact with the GFSCA coordinator in Essequibo, Khalid Baksh.

The 10/10 softball cricket competition will see teams vying for over $600,000 in cash and prizes. Teams will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and there will be no fee required to enter the competition.

inter-county debut for Demerara against Essequibo at the Hampton Court ground in his mid 30s.

He was 51 when he died.

Bagot lived for 13 years in Antigua and leaves to mourn his ruptured wife who resides in the USA, four children and five brothers.

Tomorrow night at the DCC ground ,several former Guyana, inter-county and first division cricketers who played with or against the former DCC player, will turn back the

clock when they compete in a T20 game from 19:00 hrs in observance of the first death anniverary of Bagot’s death.

Former Guyana wicketkeeper/ batsman Neil Barry will lead one of the teams with DCC’s Linden Lyght, the most successful second division captain in Demerara, skippering the other team.

Barry’s X1: Neil Barry (Captain) Shawn Holder, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Travis

Dowlin, Winston Semple, Troy Lewis, Glen Robinson, Clive Grimmond, Gladwin Brandis, Jermaine Neblette, Andre Legall, Reon King, Gavin Nedd, Edward Burnette.

Lygth’s X1: Linden Lyght (Captain) Keith Semple, Alfred Mentore, Lennox Cush, Clyde Butts, Colin Stuart, Sean Devers, Roderick Lovell, Mark Ferreira, Ron Ramnauth, Troy Halley, Bevaun Butts, Ronald Austin, Dexter Mckenzie.

Murtland Bagot Memorial match set for tomorrow at DCC ground

ON January 21, 2015 former Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Demerara right-handed batsman Murtland Bagot became the first road fatality on the 108 square Mile Island of Antigua for that year after he fell from a truck and was struck by a 4Runner on the Sir Sydney Walwyn Highway.

Bagot, who grew up on the West Bank Demerara, was an attacking and sometimes an unorthodox batsman who made his

Garcia outpoints Guerrero to win welterweight title (REUTERS)-Danny Garcia overcame a sluggish start to win a unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday and claim the WBC welterweight title vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. With Mayweather, who retired in September, sitting ringside, Garcia (32-0) took control from the middle rounds and was awarded the decision 116-112 by all three judges.

“I’m back where I belong.

I am now a two-division world champion,” said Garcia, who also holds the WBC super lightweight belt. “Guerrero is tough. No one has ever stopped

Atletico cede top spot to Barca, Real held

Danny Garcia beats Robert Guerrero to claim vacant WBC welterweight title.

him. He came to fight, he was in shape. I’m taking nothing away from him.”

Guerrero (33-4-1) controlled the early going, landing big shots and forcing Garcia to retreat, but things took a turn in the sixth round when Garcia responded with a series of strong right hand shots.

Garcia poured it on late in the fight but Guerrero thought he had done enough.

“Not one person out there thought Danny won but his team. I pressured him, I nailed him, busted his body up. I out-jabbed him,” Guerrero said. “I want a rematch and that’s it.”

MADRID, (Reuters)-Atletico Madrid surrendered top spot in La Liga to Barcelona when they were held 0-0 at home by 10-man Sevilla yesterday before Real Madrid lost ground after an entertaining 1-1 stalemate at Real Betis.

Alvaro Cejudo conjured a spectacular volley Real’s new coach Zinedine Zidane would have been proud of to put Betis ahead in the seventh minute and the Seville-based side held the 10-times European champions at bay until Karim Benzema levelled 19 minutes from time.

Real, in Zidane’s first game away from home since he took over from the sacked Rafa Benitez and missing the injured Gareth Bale, laid siege to the home goal in a frantic finale but could not find a winner.

Valencia’s struggles continued with a tepid 1-1 draw at Deportivo La Coruna, leaving coach Gary Neville without a La Liga win in seven attempts since taking over last month.

Atletico and Barca each have 48 points with just over half the season played but the champions, who have a game in hand and host Atletico next weekend, are ahead on goal difference. Real are four points adrift of the leaders in third There was little to choose between Atletico and Sevilla for the first hour at the Calderon, with the best chance falling to home forward Antoine Griezmann when he headed against a post in the 53rd minute.

Sevilla, who are seventh, were rocked back when midfielder Vitolo was sent off with about half an hour remaining and coach Unai Emery was dismissed from the bench for protesting the decision.

Atletico poured forward in search of a winner but the Europa League holders’ defence held firm, goalkeeper Sergio Rico pulling off a fine save to block a powerful Gabi strike eight minutes from time.

“That’s football, the ball didn’t want to go in and we have to carry on working,” Atletico midfielder Koke told Spanish television.

FINE VOICE Betis fans were in typically fine voice at the Benito Villamarin stadium and Cejudo’s stunning strike from the edge of the area, which flew into the top corner past Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas, raised the volume even higher.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Pepe all fluffed good chances before James Rodriguez burst clear into the area and squared for Benzema to make it 1-1.

Betis keeper Antonio Adan, a former Real player, was in excellent form and produced superb stops to deny Rodriguez and Benzema.

Valencia needed a last-gasp Alvaro Negredo goal at Deportivo’s Riazor stadium in Galicia to rescue a point.

Lucas Perez put the home side ahead in the 27th minute when he rounded Valencia keeper Mathew Ryan and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Negredo shaved the top of the crossbar with a curling effort in the 80th minute before levelling in the third minute of added time with a well-taken header.

Valencia, who last won in La Liga at the start of November, are mired down in 11th, eight points adrift of the European qualification places.

“The fans want victories and I am desperate to give them to them,” Neville told a news conference.

“I am not happy about today’s result; a draw can never make a coach of Valencia happy,” added the former Manchester United and England defender. “What I am proud of is that we fought until the end.”

Surprise package Eibar surrendered an early lead and were beaten 5-2 at Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao.

Eibar have one of the cheapest squads in Spain’s top division yet the tiny club has outshone wealthier rivals, including Bilbao who they beat 2-0 in August.Yesterday’s defeat snapped a four-match winning streak and left them in sixth.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Mad rush for Unity Cricket tickets; Deonarine available for Saturday THE excitement for ‘Unity Cricket’ at the Providence Stadium this weekend is already building with the release of the ‘early bird’ tickets last Saturday afternoon at locations in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.

There was a ‘mad rush’ for tickets once they were available and within the first 45 minutes close to 500 tickets were sold.

Fans keen to see the top West Indies t20 players in action under lights from 19:30 hrs in addition to seeing the leading softball players in

Guyana, quickly took the first opportunity to purchase tickets.

For five riveting Softball matches including Demerara Girls playing Berbice Girls plus a day of fun for the kids and the t20 affair, tickets cost just $2,000 before Tuesday and $3,000 from then to match day.

“We have sold over 50 tickets in less than 30 minutes and a lot of people have called and booked their tickets after the organisers had promised to have tickets on sale since Tuesday” said the owner of Tiyo’s Future

Notable Dates

RAUL Frank’s contest against American Terrance `Heat ’Cauthen was first ruled a seventh round TKO victory for the Guyanese-born junior middleweight then later changed to a No Decision (ND) by the New York State Athletic Commission.

The fight was staged on January 25, 2007 at the Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, USA. One week later the NYSAC ruled that the fight did not end as a result of a punch but rather but rather an unintentional head butt. Cauthen was making the first defence of his USBA junior middleweight title.

Thirty years old at the time and eight years Frank’s junior, Cauthen was ahead on all the judges’ cards when his opponent knocked him off his feet with a butt to the chin. Referee Ricky Gonzalez stopped the fight with one second left in the seventh round.

Raul Frank The bout was then awarded to Frank but Team Cauthen immediately protested prompting a later hearing from the NYSAC which overturned the decision.

Earlier in his career Frank had twice challenged the now deceased Vernon Forrest for the vacant International Boxing Federation welterweight title. The first was staged in August 2000 and ended in a No Contest while Forrest won the next by a unanimous decision the following year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 25, 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) Albert Trott 8/43 (AUST vs ENG, Adelaide, 1895) (2) Kagiso Rabada 6/16 (SA vs BANG, Dhaka, 2015) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many players have compiled double-hundreds on their Test match debut?

(2) How many players have struck tons on their ODI debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Narsingh Deonarine Store in Anna Catherina and Parika in West Coast Demerara and East Bank

Essequibo.

A problem with the shipment and the clearing of the tickets delayed the start of sales by almost one week and fans, especially those in Berbice, will have another reason to travel to Providence on Saturday.

Berbician Narsingh Deonarine, who helped the T&T Red Force retain the Nagico Super50 title on Saturday night by trapping danger man Carlos Braithwaite LBW for 46 and taking two catches, is coming home to play in the Unity Cricket.

The softball 10/10 ‘Open’ final will start at 16:30 hrs before the t20 finale and spectators will be entertained by pulsating music from the party stand and six pretty cheerleaders dancing on two stages beyond the boundary while Food and beverages will be on sale all day.

The two teams will comprise a mixture of local players and the International stars and the organisers have released the names of the teams and their respective Captains while the team members will be announced today..

Ramnaresh Sarwan will lead the Legacy All Stars and Chris Barnwell captain the 007 Warriors.

Ticket locations: GCC Bourda (GT) Tiyo’s Future Store (Anna Catherina & Parika), Shopper’s Pharmacy (Giftland Mall), Lenny’s (Mon Repos East Coast), Debbie’s Bar (E/C), Andrew’s Supermarket (South Ruimveldt), Kester D Music (Charlotte St GT), Big Bs (Rosignol West Berbice), Little Rock Hotel (N/Amsterdam), Poonai’s Pharmacy (Rose Hall Town Corentyne Berbice)

TTFA could face yet another lawsuit THE Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) face the prospect of being dragged before the courts yet again this time by former assistant coach, youth development officer and technical director Anton Corneal.

It is expected to be a case of what has come to be the usual problem for the TTFA as the coach will seek to recover salary owed.

Corneal served as Under-17 coach and youth development officer be-

tween 2004-2006 and youth development officer and assistant coach to German coach Otto Pfister for the period 2009- 2011.

He took up a post as technical director of local football in 2012 that is until he quit the job in 2014 due to a non-payment of salaries.

It isn’t just salary that Corneal, who is quick to point out that he did not arrive at the decision easily, will be hoping to recover as he claims addition invest-

ment was made in various teams during the period.

“About two and a half years ago, the TT team went to Miami to face Canada and the association had no money to pay stipends to the players and I had to dip into my pocket to pay the stipends,” Corneal told the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

“It amounted to approximately $20,000 but I did it because I wanted to see the football progress,” Corneal added.

Two former coaches have already been successful in receiving payment via court ruling, Russell Latapy and more recently Dutchman Whelmut ‘Wim’ Rijsbergen.

Corneal believes sadly that might be his best option at this point.

“This tells me that I was being, either ignored or that the association just did not care about me. It seemed to me that only way to get your money from the association was by taking them to court.”

West Indies, South Africa play to thrilling tie DEFENDING champions South Africa and the West Indies played out a thrilling tie in a warm-up match in Fatullah yesterday ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016, which starts on Wednesday, 27 January.

In the other match of the day, which was also curtailed by bad weather at the start, Scotland beat Fiji by 21 runs, but not before receiving a scare from the first-timer.

South Africa, chasing the West Indies’ 153 for nine in 35 overs, appeared to have the game in hand when it began the final over needing

Kemo Paul

just seven runs with seven wickets in hand.

But fast bowler Kemo Paul claimed a wicket and conceded only six runs to conjure an exciting tie. Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten on 58 as South Africa finished with 153 for four.

The West Indies, sent in to bat, was steered to a challenging total by Keacy Carty’s 45 and an unbeaten 33 off 34 balls by tail-ender Michael Frew.

In the other match, also in Fatullah, Scotland elected to bat first and piled up 192 for eight in 36 overs with Rory Johnston mak-

ing 53 and Finlay McCreath chipping in with 36.

Fiji’s seamer Josaia Baleicikoibia took three for 26.

Fiji made a gallant attempt to surpass the stiff target before being bowled out for 171 in the 32nd over. Opener Delaimatuku Maraiwai scored 57 and tail-ender Tuwai Yabaki smashed an unbeaten 36 off 16 balls that contained five boundaries and two sixes.

For Scotland, Haris Aslam claimed four wickets for 39 runs and Mitchell Rao took three for 22.(ICC).

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 25, 2016

Sydney Thunder claim maiden Big Bash title

Moment to savour ... Thunder captain Mike Hussey celebrates with his troops and the trophy after winning the Big Bash final. (AAP: Mal Fairclough)

THE Sydney Thunder have completed their fairytale rise from Big Bash League also-rans to champions with a tense three-wicket win against Melbourne Stars yesterday in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Competing in their first BBL final after finishing last on three occasions, Thunder rode Usman Khawaja’s coat tails - he made 70 off 40 balls - to chase down Stars’ total of 9 for 176 with three balls to spare in front of 47,672 fans..

Ben Rohrer landed the final blow of an epic encounter, hitting the winning runs with a straight six off the third ball of Daniel Worrall’s last over.

Stars kept themselves in the contest with late wickets but the damage was done earlier when Khawaja and Jacques Kallis (28 runs off 27 balls) laid the foundation with an 86-run opening partnership.

With two unbeaten centuries from three BBL innings going into the final, Khawaja was always the dangerman in the Thunder line-up and he did not disappoint.

He survived a huge shout for lbw on 37 that replays showed had a lot of merit, but his classy innings underlined his stellar run of form.

The highly-entertaining, see-sawing affair was a fitting send-off for retiring Thunder

Warner steers clear of the US for a little longer FORMER CONCACAF and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association president, Austin Jack Warner, has successfully negotiated the first hurdle in his battle against extradition to the United States.

T h e f o r m e r F I FA vice-president, banned from all football-related activity, had Justice James Aboud agree with his attorneys over questions about the legality of the extradition request from the United States.

The judge granted Warner’s team leave to ask those questions before a trial could proceed.

Warner will return to court on February 26.

The United States requested the 72-year-old Warner’s extradition after an investigation into the activities of FIFA over the last 20 years suggested that he was involved in bribery, money laundering, and racketeering.

According to Warner, the

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner government has been too quick to make a decision on him facing charges in the United States.

The matter, his lawyers charge, is far too complex to be rushed, saying they intend to bring out the difficulty in granting extradition in this particular case.(Sportsmax. com)

skipper Mike Hussey in his last game on Australian soil.

Hussey strode to the crease to warm applause from the crowd and a guard of honour from Stars players and departed for 18 runs to a rapturous send-off from the appreciative crowd.

Earlier, a dashing half-century from Kevin Pietersen was the cornerstone of Stars’ innings after they were sent in to bat.

Pietersen was at his imperious best, however, smashing the Thunder attack - in particular spinner Fawad Ahmed - to all parts of the MCG on his way to 74 from 39 balls.

But for the Stars, the agonising wait for BBL success continues.

Team Green have now made four semi-finals and one final in the first five editions of the Big Bash without lifting the trophy.

CPL T20 champions to be known as T&T Knight Riders for 2O16 edition LAST season’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 champions T&T Red Steel will be known as the T&T Knight Riders for this year’s edition of the tournament, which bowls off in June.

CPL insiders revealed that the owners of the T&T Red Steel franchise, who also own the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier league (IPL), have requested a name change for the T&T franchise.

Last year, the T&T Red Steel was bought by Red Chillies Entertainment which is owned by Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Brendon McCullum expected to be T&T Chawla, as well as Jay Knight Riders marquee player d o n M c C u l l u m , w h o in the set-up would be presMehta.

The team won the title plays for the KKR in ent at the draft.

This CPL will be makin front of home supporters the IPL. McCullum was one ing significant strides this at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, and fans of the standout players year, as matches are cardwere looking ahead to an- in last year’s World Cup ed for outside of the Caother successful season for where he led New Zea- ribbean. There is a block land to the final. of matches at the end of the Red Steel.

The draft for the tour- July which is scheduled to The nucleus of the new T&T Knight Riders nament is scheduled for take place at the Broward is expected to remain February 11 at the Hilton Regional Park in Fort and Dwayne Bravo will Barbados and the six teams Lauderdale, which is the be at the helm. Howev- will finalise their roster for only International Cricket er, the team’s marquee the tournament. It is un- Council (ICC) recognised foreign player would be derstood that some of the venue in the United States. the New Zealand Bren- Bollywood stars involved (WICRICNEWS).

Sydney Thunder claim maiden Big Bash title See Story on page 27

TT Red Force celebrate

Guyana eliminated from CFU Futsal tournament

Lose 4 – 3 to Trinidad and Tobago

Winning TT Red Force squad poses with their NAGICO Super 50 Trophy after defeating Barbados Pride by 72-runs to successfully defend their title at the Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday night. (Photo by WICB Media/Ashley Allen).

Adidas to end IAAF sponsorship deal early ADIDAS, the IAAF’s biggest sponsor, has told athletics’ world governing body it is to terminate their sponsorship deal four years early, the BBC has learned.

The sportswear giant informed the IAAF of its decision - understood to be a direct result of the doping scandal sweeping the sport - earlier this week.

Sources have told the BBC the move will result in tens of millions of dollars in lost income to the IAAF.And it is sure to come as a major blow for embattled president Lord Coe. Neither Adidas nor the IAAF have made any com-

See page 23

IAAF president Lord Coe

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Guyana’s chances of being one of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) representative at the CONCACAF Futsal Championship in May came to a crashing end following their nail-biting 4 – 3 loss to Trinidad and Tobago at the Caribbean Futsal Tournament in Cuba, yesterday.

The Guyanese had already suffered 5 – 2 to Curacao on the tournament’s opening day and needed a win against Trinidad to stay in contention of being one of two teams coming out of their group which also features Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua was also officially eliminated from the tournament, picking up their second loss to Curacao, going down 5 – 0.

Trinidad picked up their first win by defeating Antigua 7 – 1 and after day two results; it means that Twin Island Republic and Curacao would advance to next round of the tournament as the two teams from Group ‘A’.

Cuba is the only Group ‘B’ team that is certain of reaching the semi-final stage, since the host nation picked up two consecutive wins, leaving St Maarteen and Guadeloupe to battle it out for the other place.

Both countries had a win and a loss each and their third and final group stage game will determine Group B’s other team to advance.

Meanwhile, Guyana played their final Group ‘A’ match against Antigua last evening but up to press time, Chronicle Sport was still awaiting the result of the match.

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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016