Chronicle 11 22 2015

SUNDAY No. 104380

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The spanking new Demerara Bank Limited Head Office on Camp Street which was opened yesterday (Adrian Narine photo)

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- Granger urges as Demerara Bank opens $800M head office

Veteran journalist

Raschid Osman passes on Page

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Woman takes deadly plunge over Kaieteur Falls Page

Stay and serve Guyana, urges Tain valedictorian

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Veteran journalist Raschid Osman passes on VETERAN journalist Raschid Osman, 78, died in his sleep yesterday morning. Mr Osman was a former Editor-in-Chief at the Guyana Chronicle and up to Friday served as Assistant Editor with the Sunday edition.

Friday evening, he opted to cover the opening of the National Drama Festival,

which he did. Mr Osman has covered the arts during his several decades in the profession.

He was also fondly loved on radio for his Mid-Morning Classics, which he began presenting in 1975. After a brief pause this year, he chose to return to the air due to the calling of fans of the programme.

He had once said MidMorning Classics was a part of his life. And there were so many who claimed that it was those On-Air programmes that introduced them to classical music.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, a journalist for many years, in a statement described Mr Osman as a “towering figure in Guyanese

media and in the arts”.

Mr Nagamootoo said the loss of Mr Osman is an enormous blow to these fraternities and to the Guyanese society.

“Unfailingly committed to his work and to the arts, Osman leaves a rich legacy for young journalists to emulate. His arts reviews were par excellence as was his work in radio. On behalf of the Cabinet and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana I express deepest condolences to his wife Yvonne, daughter Ruth and all his relatives and friends,” the Prime Minister said.

Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle Nigel Williams also paid tribute to late journalist and editor.

“Mr Osman was a wonderful human-being whose experience and work in both print and broadcast media made him one of the foremost journalists of his era,” Mr Williams said.

Mr Osman for many years worked as editor and feature writer at the Guyana Chronicle.

He would be sorely missed, Mr Williams said.

“The staff will miss his guidance and the calmness with which he dealt with difficult situations. On behalf of the entire Editorial Department, I express deepest

Journalist Raschid Osman passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday condolences to his sorrowing relatives, especially his wife Yvonne and only child, Ruth Osman.”

Former Information Minister in the People’s National Congress (PNC) G o v e r n m e n t , Yv o n n e Harewood-Benn said the death was a tremendous loss because Raschid had a lot to share with the younger media operatives.

THOROUGH PROFESSIONAL “He was a very thorough professional, dedicated to his task,” she added.

Veteran journalist Hubert Williams, who was in some part of the world and flying into Barbados on a two-day assignment, was shocked to learn of the death but found the time to applaud Osman’s contribution to journalism and the arts.

He posited: “Raschid was a short and quiet gentle giant in the Editorial Department, who spoke little, but wrote volumes on music and the arts. His death brings an end

to one of the great survivors in Guyanese newspaper and radio journalism.”

G o d f r e y W r a y, a former Sports Editor and Sunday Editor and now Editorial Consultant with the Chronicle was rendered speechless when he got the news. He could only mutter: “But we were together in the Editorial Department up to late yesterday. The void he leaves will be hard to fill.”

Chairperson of the Board of Directors Jean La Rose said the news was a major shock because Raschid played a very important role in all-round media. “It is a great loss,” she lamented.

Claudette Earle, top journalist and colleague for many years was stunned by the news. She said: “As a weaver of the written word Raschid Osman stood tall among his contemporaries.

Whether he was analysing the interpretation of a Tennessee Williams character by a Theatre Guild actress, or whether he was listing layers of symbolism in a Ron Savory painting, Raschid’s use of language was both effective and magical.

“In this digital age where language is increasingly codified and stripped of nuances, his mastery of prose was elegant and incisive.”

General Manager of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited Michael Gordon expressed deepest sorrow to Osman’s family. He said the loss would be a dent in the quality of broadcasting and the written word. “Those are big shoes to be filled,” he said Mr Osman leaves to mourn his wife, Yvonne, his daughter Ruth, and many other relatives and friends, including the staff of the Guyana Chronicle.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Be vigilant against ‘dirty money’ - Granger urges as Demerara Bank opens $800M head office

By Ariana Gordon

DEMERARA Bank Limited opened its new $800 million head office and corporate banking facility on Camp Street, Georgetown yesterday; and in his address at the ceremony, President Granger charged commercial banks to “zealously guard against illicit funds” that are finding their way into the financial system.

“Money-laundering is associated with distortionary effects on an economy. Illicit funds can undermine the integrity of the country’s financial system, thereby exposing the country to sanctions,” President Granger cautioned.

Noting that it is because of the dangers associated with money laundering that his government passed the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/ CFT), the President said: “Our government remains committed to doing everything necessary to remain compliant with the requirements of the F i n a n c i a l A c t i o n Ta s k Force (FATF). We look forward to the vigilance of commercial banks and our regulatory bodies to prevent the contamination of our financial system with ‘dirty’ money.”

President David Granger addresses the Board of Directors, staff and special invitees at the opening of Demerara Bank Limited’s $800 million head office and corporate banking branch yesterday The President also charged financial institutions to be more inclusive, and to cater to vulnerable groups and residents in far-flung communities. He said Guyana has a diversified commercial banking sector, and he stressed that commercial banks form the core of the country’s financial system, having accounted for 81.3 per cent of the total gross assets of

the financial sector at the end of 2014.

“Total private sector loans, advances and securities emanating from the banking sector amounted to G$137.7 billion in 2014, a 7.4 per cent increase over 2013,” the President disclosed.

“Deficiencies” in the reach of our commercial banking sector continue to exist despite these gains, the President explained. “Vast

areas of our country have no access to banking services.

There are no commercial banks, for example, in Mahdia and Mabaruma, the administrative centres of the Barima-Waini and Potaro-Siparuni regions respectively, and two major gold and diamond-mining zones. They are soon to

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Be vigilant against ‘dirty money’ From page 3

become towns, but have no banks,” he lamented.

Also lamenting that vulnerable groups, particularly rural and hinterland communities, “are still excluded from basic financial services, while small entrepreneurs are excluded from accessing credit because they lack the necessary capital and assets for collateral”, President Granger called on the financial sector to implement “a flexible financial system” with the aim of connecting a larger number of citizens to banks.

“Increased access to banking services everywhere is an important goal of this government,” he disclosed. “There is a

special responsibility of those involved in financial intermediation to ensure greatest access to banking services for the greatest number.”

The President pointed to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which said that access to savings has increased savings, investment and consumption; while access to credit has increased entrepreneurship and reduced poverty.

“Financial services provided by commercial b a n k s m u s t t h e re f o re become more inclusive if they are to contribute to these economic and social goals” he said. “The establishment of branches by commercial banks in unserved areas will allow for wider geographic coverage and greater access to services. It will bring banking to the people,” he said.

GREATER INCLUSION Government is prepared to partner with all financial institutions to implement appropriate policy measures to promote greater financial inclusion, the President said.

He believes that increasing

the reach of commercial banks is best achieved under a banking system that is built on the four pillars of stability, security, integrity and flexibility.

Speaking to stability, the President said Guyana’s financial system has not been “spared the implosion of financial institutions”. He pointed to the thousands of depositors in Globe Trust and Investment Company who suffered losses in the collapse of that company in 2001. Similarly, investors experienced significant losses when CLICO collapsed in 2009.

The collapse of the two financial institutions “signalled the need for continued vigilance in the way our banking system is regulated and managed,” President Granger said.

Government, he said, is committed to strengthening both the regulatory and supervisory capacities of the Bank of Guyana. The collapse of both CLICO and Globe Trust and Investment Company underscored the need to “safeguard deposits and investments in the eventuality of institutional failure.”

“Our government proposes to discuss with bankers the implementation of a deposit insurance scheme to ensure that individuals who hold deposits at failed

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financial institutions would be compensated up to an agreed amount within a specified timeline,” he added.

Also critical to the extension of the reach of commercial banks is security. Commercial banks and their depositors must be safe from crime and fraud.

“Cash transactions are still too prevalent. Persons are still moving around with large amounts of cash, thus exposing themselves to robbery,” President Granger said. Banking institutions can help in reducing the “high incidence of cash transactions” in the economy, by developing appropriate instruments for the benefit of the populace while encouraging clients to make use of those very instruments.

President Granger added that the Guyana Police Force is in the process of being reformed. He noted that with the reintroduction of the United Kingdomfunded Security Sector Reform Action Plan, Guyana will become a safe place to do business, and a “safe destination for foreign direct investment.”

Speaking to flexibility, President Granger said because Guyana is an agriculture-based economy, the country’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors need investment to become more

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diversified and competitive.

“Our government is considering the establishment of a development bank in order to boost the development of these sectors,” he announced.

SHED OVERCAUTIOUSNESS Commercial banks, he said, must also shed their “over-cautiousness towards investment in agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing enterprises and projects.”

Government’s plan also includes creating a green economy by generating electricity from renewable sources. “It includes reducing poverty through investment in increasing farm production and agroprocessing. It includes expanding our infrastructure with the establishment of aerodromes, bridges, highways and stellings.

Investment in infrastructure will allow the commercial banks to diversify their portfolio and to reduce portfolio volatility,” the President added.

He lauded the Board of Directors of Demerara Bank for taking “a step in the right direction.” He noted that with the opening of the bank’s 7th office, a strong message is being sent to investors. “It is an

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expression of confidence in the economic prospects of Guyana. These are the signs to which local and foreign investors pay attention when making investment decisions. If the commercial banking sector is buoyant, as your profits seem to suggest, investors will read that as a vote of confidence in the future,” President Granger said, as he congratulated the Board of Directors and staff of that financial institution.

The 25,000 square feet building is fully equipped with modern, environmentally- friendly equipment. Customers will be able to conduct their business in a safer, more convenient and modern bank as security, exclusive facilities for corporate customers and parking will all be available at the new head office.

The opening of the new head office coincides with the bank’s 21st anniversary.

The bank begun operations at 230 Camp and South Roads and then expanded its reach. Demerara Bank now has seven locations including the two offices in Georgetown and one each in Rose Hall and Corriverton, Berbice; Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast; Diamond, East Bank Demerara; and Le Ressouvenir, East Coat Demerara.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Woman takes deadly plunge over Kaieteur Falls

By Ravin Singh

TWENTY-one-year-old Roshinee Pagwah of Reliance Abandon, East Canje, Berbice, Region 6, yesterday plunged to her death over the 741-foot Kaieteur Falls at about 11:00 hrs, sources have confirmed.

She was later pronounced dead by personnel of the Ministry of Tourism.

According to Tremayne Junor, Roraima Airways’ Marketing and Public Relations (PR) Assistant, who was present at the scene, the young lady appeared to be very reserved during the trip to the world’s tallest single-drop waterfalls.

She noted that Pagwah had travelled alone, and had appeared “withdrawn from the group” of 11 persons, which included two tour guides, a Kaieteur Ranger and a staff member of Roraima Airways – Junor.

When the tour at the site of the falls had ended, and everyone was heading to the trail which leads to the airstrip, Pagwah had joined the line, but had made an about turn, running without making any kind of sound before leaping over the falls, Junor told the Guyana Chronicle.

Asked whether any attempt was made to intercept Pagwah’s dash, Junor declared, “No one could have saved her. The tour guide did a constant head count, and he was doing everything he was supposed to, but she moved too fast for anyone to react.”

The only initial reaction to the leap-of-death, Junor said, was when one man had shouted, “Hey! That woman is going to jump off!”

Junor said she had even taken photographs of the young woman at the falls, upon her request.

According to shocking reports which surfaced last evening, Pagwah had allegedly been suffering emotionally ever since her boyfriend Emran (only name given) had committed suicide five years ago by consuming a poisonous substance while in his late teens. The two had reportedly had a rocky relationship, which had led to her ending the love affair and him ending his life subsequently.

A source said Pagwah had been the last person Emran had spoken to prior to committing suicide.

FACEBOOK POST On her Facebook profile, on October 27, 2015, Pagwah, who is an only child, wrote: “Today is gonna be 5 years now that ur gone & I swear not a day goes by that I don’t think of u & miss u… u would never know how sorry I am upto this very day.”

The young woman had reportedly attended the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, and had worked at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Offering a comment last

The 21-year-old Roshinee Pagwah in happier times evening, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed that statements were sourced by the police from the other eight visitors who had travelled to the site yesterday.

He explained that the visitors

had all said that Pagwah had appeared fine and had showed no sign that her life was in jeopardy.

Blanhum said police would today (Sunday) question the tour guides, as investigations into the suicide continue.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Tourism issued a statement, expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, while adding that the Kaieteur National Park will be closed until further notice, as investigations are being conducted by the police.

The incident commanded public attention yesterday, particularly on social media, with persons calling for the relevant authorities to fence vulnerable areas of the Kaieteur Falls, since it is apparently becoming routine for persons to commit suicide at the falls.

This incident comes just two months after Durban Backlands, Georgetown resident Gyaneshwarie Sivanand ended her life at the Kaieteur Falls, reportedly due to relationship issues. Six years prior, another woman had

done the same thing.

Following the death of Sivanand, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes had announced that should the area be fenced, it would take away from the beauty of the site and what it has to offer.

Address mental health Similar sentiments have been expressed by President of the National Air Transport Association, Annette Arjoon-Martins, who underscored the need for mental health to be addressed in Guyana.

Arjoon-Martins said fencing of the area is not the root cause of the issue; and if people do not get the help they need, they will find other ways of ending their lives.

As such, she suggested that mental health be placed on the front burner, and examined as an issue which needs urgent attention by the relevant authorities.

“We have to stop being afraid of speaking about mental illness. People must feel comfortable to discuss their situation and be able to find help,” she said.

Arjoon-Martins also argued that the victims’

21-year-old Roshinee Pagwah looked at the mighty Kaieteur Falls moments before leaping to her death yesterday families are not the only persons who are affected after incidents of suicide, but persons who witness these devastating

incidents are also affected mentally, and should be provided with services to help them with the trauma.

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Guyana

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Not all parents are parents F

By Daizal Samad

EDITORIAL

PPP’s rejection of power sharing: a body-blow to the nation IT is now official. After weeks of stalling, the PPP has now formally rejected an invitation from the government to open talks toward a power-sharing government. The party, through its General Secretary and via a press statement, reported that the Central Committee at a recent meeting decided that such talks with the government were not feasible in the current atmosphere. The atmosphere the party refers to is grounded in its perception of hostility towards it by the government. According to the PPP “the continuous witch-hunting, arbitrary dismissals and brazen termination of contracts of long-standing government employees and public servants, labelling party leaders and former government ministers as ‘thieves,’ the party’s membership is neither in the mood nor supportive at this time, to engage in any national unity talks with the APNU+AFC.” While this move by the PPP is not altogether surprising, we feel that it represents a backward step for the party and the country. It is not often that a victorious party or parties invite the losers to join it in a unity government, particular so soon after the election.

In our case this is the first time in three decades that we have had such an opening—the last instance being the 1985 initiative by the then Burnham-led PNC to open talks with the Jagan-led PPP. It is unfortunate that the PPP has turned its back on this latest initiative. At a time when the country faces tremendous challenges, both internally and externally, a national government that represents all of the people is the best form of governance.

IRST Lady Sandra Granger has come out swinging against teenage pregnancies. Thank goodness! She is reported to have said: “This is where the Might and Majesty of the Law must come into play. Sexual intercourse with a child under sixteen is statutory rape and all loopholes must be closed. I do not want to hear any excuses...”

This is as eloquent and as clear as can be.

Let us hope that our enforcement agencies, protection agencies, our courts, and our NGOs spring into action. And let us hope that this drives terror into those who have committed or want to commit the heinous act of rape, statutory or otherwise. There is an enormous body of work done on rape.

The work has been done elsewhere, of course. We here in Guyana have reduced the difficult work of research (and publication!) into a mere catchword. A mere empty utterance. The work done elsewhere proves beyond a doubt that most rapes are perpetrated by people close to us. Uncles, stepfathers, fathers, boyfriends, friends, neighbours, ‘child-fathers’, those that ought to be the most trustworthy.

“WHAT PEOPLE GUH SEH?” Here in Guyana, as in other primitive societies, rapists are frequently shielded by family members. The rapists are safe behind a rotten cloak of shame. “What people guh seh?” More often than we

think, the victims of rape are made to stay in the same houses as the rapists. The reminder is constant, the trauma continues and worsens, the fear consumes, and the rape happens again. In way too many instances, the child who is raped is then got rid of by what passes for marriage. Often ripped from school. Sold. And the conspiracy of deathly silence continues. The victims are further victimised by their new owners. Beatings and more rape continue for years on end, sometimes a whole lifetime.

DUMB BEAST OF BURDEN Beaten down and bedraggled, without the right to say “No” or “No more”, the victims begin to accept evil as good, rape as marital duty. The whole world turns inside out and upside down. They become mere reproductive tools, mere instruments of sexual gratification; they cook and clean and scrub and lift and fetch. The human being turned into a dumb beast of burden. They begin to convince themselves that they were somehow responsible for the crime perpetrated on them.

They cannot run since there is nowhere to run and no one to run to. So they stay in situations where healing cannot occur. A kind of madness occurs. Many of these victims suffer from extreme forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Even seasoned soldiers or war veterans do not recover easily, even with the help of the best psychologists. But even if we had real specialists in Guyana, how can our

In that regard, the PPP has dealt the nation a serious body-blow. For six decades, Guyana has suffered from a political polarisation that has had far-reaching ethnic consequences. Yet, despite persistent vocal rhetoric of unity, our major political parties and leaders have not been able to muster the political courage to do what countries with similar ailments have done.

The PPP is perhaps more culpable in this regard. Since its return to power in 1992, it has taken an aggressive anti-power sharing stance, which runs counter to its stance while in opposition.

It was hoped that its return to the opposition benches would have prompted a change in tactic, if not strategy.

But as political commentators such as Dr Henry Jeffery and Dr David Hinds have contended, the party has become mired in a culture of dominance that has not been dimmed by defeat. This is a very counter-productive mode in a country where ethno-political passions tend to be quite intense. In such situations enlightened leadership often makes a difference.

This latest PPP action hardly reflects enlightened leadership. In fact, a case can be made that the party has taken an anti-national stance. While we are not

victims, especially the young ones, have access?

They would have to find some excuse to leave their prisons (which they learn to see as homes) to find help or relief. Escape takes money, and there is no money. It’s not as if these victims are hidden away. They hide in plain sight, their whole lives a lie. And their children’s lives are a mere pretence. They go out to weddings and funerals and religious functions, armed with false jollification or grief. They go to Parent-Teacher meetings. The sheer horror of it.

And it begins in their homes, the whole horror show.

‘MANY DADS, VERY FEW FATHERS’ In Guyana the trend for the last decade or so is to have these conferences or workshops or seminars or some such fancy thing. The conference rooms are always well appointed, air-conditioned, table-clothed, lined chairs. We speak glibly about “parenting”, refusing to see that a sperm donor is not a father. Big George Foreman, former heavyweight champion of the world once said: “There are many dads out there, but very few fathers.” And while we talk at our conferences, victims stay in the only place they know, curled up in their soiled beds after cooking and feeding the beasts to whom they have been sold. So yes!

“This is where the Might and Majesty of the Law must come into play!”

oblivious to the PPP’s contention that poor relations between the government and itself present a challenge for a power-sharing undertaking, we reject the argument that that is enough reason to run away from the larger challenge. The irony is that a power-sharing government stands a better chance at repairing such relations than the disengagement policy adopted by the PPP. If the PNC and the WPA can co-exist in the same partnership and government, then the PPP’s case is on weak ground.

So where do we go from here? The Granger government must be commended for its political courage; it shows that there is some political character and morality in its ranks. While it must continue to hold out the proverbial olive branch to the PPP, it must simultaneously find ways to govern as inclusively as possible. We feel the PPP has left the coalition with no choice but to go directly to the Indian-Guyanese masses and make its case for a National Government. For, once again, our political elites have put their political egos above the well-being of the nation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Mashramani 2016 launch sees customary pomp, ceremony

By Alex Wayne

THE Central Mashramani Planning Committee as well as the Mashramani Secretariat were on Friday commended for the splendid job they did with the launch of Mashramani 2016.

Held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport compound on mid-town Main Street, it was obvious from the very outset that things were

Drummers from Number 2 Canal, West Bank Demerara, which soon had the gathering tapping their feet and swaying to the pulsating rhythm of the tassa drums.

The programme was further heightened when the Torch Masquerade Group from the mining town of Linden took the stage, and unleashed some impressive African drumming that saw some taking to their feet.

Led by Jerome Cumber-

–brings back fond memories of traditions of yore a treat as well, when they performed a dance in keeping with their ancestral roots.

Reigning Calypso Monarch and King of Kings calypso champion, Malcolm ‘King Perai’ Pereira was dubbed by many as the best act of the evening when he performed his song, ‘King Perai’, gyrating and prancing

ence giggling and clapping in resounding approval.

Then the venue exploded in brilliant colour as the National School of Dance and the National Dance Company appeared to do a dance piece dubbed, ‘Mash in our Golden Year’. It was an ethnic explosion and a kaleidoscope of colour as they quite expertly fused the various ethnic dance genres.

MINISTER’S ADDRESS Delivering the feature address, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry said she was delighted to be a

Dancers from the St. Cuthberth’s Mission executing a beautiful Amerindian folk dance being done a bit differently this year, as it somehow succeeded in bringing back fond memories of traditions of yore.

The function began just after 17:00hrs, and was opened by legendary folklore storyteller, ‘’Ole Man Pappy’ who welcomed the gathering with a very entertaining tale of how ‘Br’er Anansi’ tricked ‘King Tiger’ and rode him like a donkey through the streets to win the heart of a pretty young damsel they were both courting.

A melding of cultures Organisers ensured that the day’s programme featured a rich blend of ethnic cultures, and next to take the stage was the United Tassa

batch, the group brought with it three energetic youngsters who thrilled the crowd with their antics as they somersaulted and executed ‘dancing stunts’, expertly snatching up cash many onlookers threw on the stage.

The ‘colour mix’ continued with a troupe of dancers from the Amerindian village of St Cuthbert’s Mission, who put on quite a show to remember. They were obviously trained, as they never missed a beat as they showcased one of their traditional Amerindian dances.

The Flame of Arts Dancers from the African Culture and Development Association (ACDA) were quite

about, much to the delight of the sizeable audience.

Indira Etwaroo of the Nitrageet Dance Troupe was all grace and colour as she executed a dance which was a breath-taking fusion of the popular Kathak dance routine.

The Kuru-Kuru Training College was also a part of the festivities and they soon took to the stage showcasing their Popular ‘Matapee Dance’ which was well received by the gathering. And one has to agree that this was maybe one of ‘Young Bill Rogers’ best performances when he belted out the pulsating chutney single, ‘Ah Searching for a Good Larkie’. His theatrics soon had the audi-

The National Dance Company taking to the stage in a burst of colour

guest at such a prestigious event. She extended her gratitude to the Central Mashramani Management Committee for planning the event.

The minister affirmed that for Mashramani 2016, there will be a children’s competition at the regional level in January, and another at the national level from February 17 to 19.

The minister noted that for Mash 2016 also, there will be competitions countrywide in dance, poetry, costume display, art and essay writing. These are in addition to the many concerts for the elderly, the ‘Bright-

up-Guyana’ competition for buildings and offices, and a number of photography contests.

She said since Guyana will be celebrating its 50th anniversary as a Republic, activities will be planned for the entire year, and that a lot of emphasis will be placed on honouring the elders.

After the minister’s presentation, the 2016 Mashramani logo was unveiled with the theme for 2016 being, “Celebrating Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty”.

The winning theme was submitted by Jeremiah Duncan of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Scouts Association subvention increases to $1.2M

President Granger nestled in a tent at the scouts’ campsite The President flanked by junior and senior scouts

His Excellency at he was bestowed the honours of the national scarf

PRESIDENT David Granger has been inducted as Patron of the Scout Association of Guyana at a ceremony held at the Association’s Headquarters at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

As the new Patron, the President announced an increase to the annual subvention given to the association from a mere $120,000 to $1.2 million with effect from fiscal year 2016.

This announcement was met by loud applause by the 300 plus scouts who were present at the ceremony, fully decked out in their colourful uniforms.

“This is not a Christmas gift. This is an investment. We must invest in human capital. We must invest in our youth.

We must invest in the next generation. We must invest in the future,” the President said.

In accepting the title of ‘Patron’ as well as the Scout’s National Scarf, President said that he is cognisant of the good work that the Scout Association of Guyana has been doing and the important role in plays in helping young people at a time when they undergo the most difficult phase of their lives, adolescence.

He said that without the right guidance during the adolescent phase, young people can make unwise choices, which can affect the rest of their lives. He noted that it is during this period that they need to learn the right values so that they can make right choices and the Scout Association is one organisation, which young people can rely on to help them develop the right values, attitudes and skills.

“The Scout Association has a proven track-record of successful mentorship of young people…it is no flash-inthe-pan or fly-by- night organisation… I would like to see Scouting develop and grow,” President Granger said.

Meanwhile, President of the Scout Association of Guyana, Ramsay Ali said that they are happy to have as their Patron, a person who has, by his life and work, demonstrated his commitment to the development of Guyana’s youths.

President Granger’s induction as Patron comes at a time when the Association is celebrating its 106th anniversary under the theme, “Together We Achieve Greatness”. Ali said that this theme embodies one of the significant pillars upon which President Granger is building a new Guyana.

“We believe that we have a lot to offer to the nation as we work to build a more cohesive society. We firmly believe that with President David Granger as our Patron, we will be able to explore more opportunities to contribute this cohesive society and leave a legacy for the nation’s youth,” Ali was quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

The Scout Association of Guyana is the largest and oldest youth organisation in Guyana. It was established since 1909, two years after scouting was founded in England. Guyana was the first country in the Caribbean to establish Scouts, the second in South America and the ninth in the world.

The campsite of the Scout at invaded that association headquarters yesterday

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Over $660M paid over to millers - farmers in Panama rice deal can enjoy Christmas

FARMERS are set to receive payments from rice millers as the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has paid over $600 million to millers for rice supplied to Panama a few months ago.

A statement from GRDB on Saturday said that the $600 million represents outstanding money owed Guyana by Panama for rice supplied.

Acting GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan explained that “this is the payment that Guyana has received from Panama for its supply of almost 7,500 tonnes of rice. Over $660 million has been paid out.

All millers have been paid in full,” Mr Hassan said.

This payment was made on the second contract for rice supplied to the Spanish country between September and

October 2015.

“With payment arriving in such a short time, GRDB is confident that this can be seen as a start to the potential end of lengthy waiting periods for rice payments, by farmers,” the release stated.

Hassan said too that “Farmers can expect payment now that millers have been paid.”

Last year, the governments of Guyana

and Panama signed an agreement that would have seen Panama purchasing 5000 tonnes of rice per month from Guyana. That country imports about 150,000 tonnes of rice annually and the move

by Panama to import rice from Guyana is to ensure that the country is able to have access to the staple at an affordable price.

Guyana on the other hand has said the

agreement would make the country more competitive in an open market to supply additional rice yearly. The arrangement was expected to see Guyana exporting approximately 500,000 tonnes this year.

The GRDB has vowed to work closely with all stakeholders to address ongoing challenges facing farmers with respect to payment from millers for paddy sold.

Acting GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan

Data collection vital for crime mapping - says PSC in recommendations to arrest crime situation

By Ravin Singh DATA collection and good record-keeping are perhaps the most critical tools that could equip the security forces to tackle crime, which the Private Sector Commission (PSC) described as ‘escalating’.

This was the contention of PSC Chairman Norman McLean, who last Friday unveiled a document titled: “Strategies for reduction of crime in Guyana” which offers recommendations to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on crime reduction strategies.

Topping the list of recommendations is data collection, which, if practised, could assist the force in predicting patterns of crime in vulnerable areas, said Major General (ret’d) Mc Clean, a former head of the Guyana Defence Force.

INTERPRETING DATA “You can have data and not use it effectively and it becomes useless data just being recorded. The data must be interpreted and used to identify black spots on crime, day and time frequency and modus operandi. Also, so there can be a better understanding of crime, conduct crime mapping as well as other relevant details which can help the police in their efforts to suppress and predict the course of crime,” the document said.

CAPACITY BUILDING Highlighted too was the need for capacity-building in the force, which the PSC deemed to be a necessity for crime fighting. According to the chairman, more recruits need to be trained annually, since the current capacity of the force does not reflect the minimal requirement.

The use of existing infrastructure to facilitate training was underscored, while he even hinted that former officers could

be utilised to provide training for the recruits.

But the police must be rewarded too. According to the recommendations, ranks need to be paid more than they are receiving at present. In fact, the PSC argues that it may be better to have fewer ranks who are better paid, better motivated, less dishonest and have better training facilities and amenities.

To support the efforts of the force in crime-fighting is Community Policing, which the document states is a strategy aimed at achieving PSC Chairman more effective and efficient Norman McLean crime control, reduced fear of crime, improved quality of life and improved police legitimacy.

“Community policing assumes a need for greater accountability of police, greater public share in decisionmaking and greater concern for civil rights and liberties,” the strategies document states.

Other recommendations detailed in the document include deployment of adequate ranks; filling of the police establishment to ensure adequate manpower is available; design relevant ab initio training with the proper emphasis on their role; and placing proper emphasis on human resource development at all levels of the GPF. Moreover, the document said further that there should be professional training to enhance the role of the police at all

levels; enhancement of police-community relations; support for community policing efforts; improvement and expansion of command level training; and development and improvement of investigative techniques and facilities for the police.

JOINT PATROLS The need for joint patrols, the PSC chairman offered, should not be ruled out given the fact that it is still practiced in some countries. In addition, the reactivation of the Law and Order Commission, which the PSC says played an integral role in domestic security affairs, was also listed in the document.

Commenting on the existing crime situation in Guyana, the chairman revealed that the PSC has been observing trends in the escalation of crime in Guyana, which they feel has been going unchecked.

INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Highlighting several instances over the last few months where business persons were targeted by criminals and either suffered financial losses or physical harm, McLean explained that these activities have contributed to the loss in investor confidence while crippling development and employment in communities.

“The PSC is greatly concerned over what we perceive as a hike in crimes and we are left to wonder who is next. Crimes of violence are being conducted with impunity, little regard for life and no respect or fear of the police,” the Chairman lamented.

However, he remains hopeful that the strategies document will serve as a recommendation guide for the force since he does not expect it to be adopted wholesale. “It should be debated, discussed and considered,” he said.

The document is expected to be handed over to the GPF this week.

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HINDS’SIGHT

Dr David Hinds Now that the date is set for Local Government Elections (LGE), Guyana is again placed in elections mode. Coming less than a year after the historic May 11 elections which saw the first change of government in more than two decades, these Local Government Elections are expected to generate a fair bit of political interest.

It is the first time the country would vote in such elections since 1994, which is quite a statement on the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Despite temptations to the contrary, the APNU+AFC must contest the Local Government Elections together quality of our democracy.

But it’s better late than never.

Generally Local Government Elections tend to generate less interest and participation than General Elections; there is the perception and perhaps reality that not much is at stake. Given our infrequent LGEs--just two of them in 45 years—it is not clear whether the coming election would fit that trend. However, what is clear, to my mind, is that it would be an important

election for the governing coalition and the opposition PPP. In effect, both entities would be on trial.

The first big hurdle would be whether the governing coalition would contest the election together or separately. Many may think this is a foregone conclusion; that they would contest as a coalition. But the AFC, which prior to the formation of the coalition, had been very jealous of its singular identity may be tempted to go it alone.

As part of the governing c o a l i t i o n , t h e A F C ’s individuality has invariably been subdued. That is the nature of partnership politics. As Sherwood Lowe, in a recent letter to the press, argued, the parties in the coalition seem to be fusing into a single entity. While Lowe’s conclusion may be somewhat premature, his argument should not be overlooked.

Clearly, the AFC has not been able to maintain the same vibrancy that characterised its politics and made it attractive to that constituency which is wary of the hegemonic politics of the PNC and the PPP. Gone are its weekly press conferences and frequent commentary on the issues of the day. One never knows where the party stands on the major issues such as the salary hike, power sharing with the PPP and the debate on the sugar industry. When its members speak they do so as government functionaries.

Unlike the WPA whose nonCabinet members views on these issues offer the public a sense of where that party stands, no major AFC leader has spoken up. One expected leaders such as Nigel Hughes, Lennox Craig and others not involved in the inner workings of the government to play such a role.

This leads one to wonder whether the AFC’s independence has been compromised by its presence in the government. The PPP had predicted this outcome and has been making that observation both publicly and quietly among the Indian Guyanese constituency, where the AFC got the bulk of its support. The AFC is in a difficult position. More than any of the partners, it has to make the coalition work; given the major ministries it controls, it represents almost half of the government. Ever so often the party has to publicly say that the Cummingsburg Accord is working and not in danger. Neither the PNC

nor the WPA has had that burden. Hence, the AFC cannot be seen to be critical.

Second, because of the PPP’s hostile attitude to the government, Indian Guyanese would find it difficult to embrace aspects of the government’s mission.

In that regard the perception that the AFC is part of the enemy camp is a clear and present problem for the party. Third, one suspects that many AFC rank-and-file members may be unhappy about the party’s muted or disappearing independence; this is what drew them to the party in the first place.

This disconnect between the first and second-tier membership could become problematic. The very fact that the party seems immobilised is testimony to this apparent apathy among the second-level members who would be expected to keep the party’s machinery going in the absence of the top leadership who are busy on government duty.

It is for all of the above that the AFC may be tempted to go to the LGE separately. It may reason that the election offers an opportunity to rekindle the party’s independence and reconnect it with its Indian Guyanese constituency.

But attractive as that option seems, it would be politically unwise to go there. It would undermine the integrity of the central government and invariably weaken it. It would signal that despite pleadings to the contrary, the Cummingsburg Accord is in trouble. And worst of all, the AFC faces the real possibility of being totally rejected by the Indian-Guyanese electorate.

While the AFC has been busy governing, the PPP has been intensely working that community with a vicious anti-AFC poison that should not be underestimated. For, now the AFC needs the cover of the coalition and the message of its success.

Going alone is not an option.

The PNC also may be

tempted to go it alone at the LGE. There has always been a strong anti-coalition tendency in that party that may have been weakened with the coming to power of the coalition. But, despite the perception that the PNC controls the coalition, the reality is somewhat different.

There is no doubt that the party wields the most influence largely on account of its age and its influence in the major constituency of the coalition. Because it has a majority of the ministers and the powerful presidency, it is the only party in the coalition that has an informal veto. But in the overall working of the government as an integrated entity, that influence is invariably diluted. So long as you create an APNU or an APNU+AFC coalition, you are birthing something new that would develop its own dynamics.

I say the above to make the point that the PNC may still think going it alone may be good for the party’s affirmation of its strength.

One may remember that before the formation of the coalition, the party was ambivalent over contesting the local elections as the APNU. Big parties have a hard time sharing power.

But the choice has to be made between party hegemony and partnership politics in the interest of the collective.

The LGE is going to be a referendum on the government’s tenure since May 11. Ironically, it would be a referendum among its own supporters.

There is no secret that after the initial lovefest, the government has drifted away from the pulse of its supporters. The big challenge for the coalition, whether they run as one entity or separately, is the extent to which they can mobilise their supporters to go to the polls. My sense is that it would take some serious work that would be better done if they contest as a united coalition.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

– Washington DC

The finale – it is time for distributive leadership

T

HIS is the final piece on this sugar series and I have been most privileged to have shared some of my humble thoughts with you. This sugar series was the foundation work for a TV interview I was invited to do in New York City. This sugar series was written for the primary benefit of the field and factory foremen and the workers, in general, to better empower them to take the industry forward.

I am most humbled to have added value to the process.

Please feel free to share any feedback since we can never stop learning. There are tonnes of people in the industry who know a million times more than me on this subject of sugar, but if we add our knowledge together I am convinced that the sugar belt can be saved.

I am also convinced that once the people on the sugar belt have His Excellency President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo in office, they can expect a fair deal. Hon. Moses Nagamotoo has the unenviable record of advocating for the sugar belt for more than 40 years and thus he has the ability to offer skilful political leadership on these very difficult issues.

So I want to conclude with two issues – visioning for the industry and the critical need for us all to be more inventive.

Conversations about how we are going to change the way people work have to start, but these conversations can never happen if the leadership themselves are clueless as to where they want to take the industry. Are we going towards more mechanisation? Are we going towards more packaging? How are workers going to be up-skilled to manage and service these new machines? How soon? What exactly will happen by the end of 2016? These conversations are critical.

We have to change the way people think in the sugar belt, from cutlass men to a people with skills who are prepared to up-skill and become sugar technicians. We have to change the way people see themselves. If people see themselves as cane cutters all their lives, they will always think at that level. We have to identify leaders within the gangs and up-skill them for the future as machine operators, mechanics, auto electricians, service attendants for the machines and so on. It is a broader vision of moving to mechanisation and lifting everyone in the sugar industry to higher-value jobs that pay more and contribute to a more efficient production process.

VISIONING

CoI Report

If one reads GuySuCo’s vision it says: “Working together to produce half a million tonnes of sugar”. Do you understand why this industry has collapsed? It has been visionless for decades. The new board has to offer a compelling vision for the future.

Can we understand why the workers are so preoccupied with how much they can get as fast as possible out of the industry? Can you understand why across the industry there is a perceptive feeling of isolation and abuse?

Visioning is a core competency that is essential for this industry to turn around. The leadership, starting with Dr Clive Thomas has to articulate a clear position and paint a picture of what future possibilities exist. No games, no politics – level with the people in the industry. Where can we be in three years time if we work together? What can happen to the industry if we do not work together? Clear language and communication pieces with conversation around issues such as “This is our expectation from you and this is what you can expect from us."

It is time for the leadership and GAWU to find common ground in partnership to move this industry forward. The core values of the industry have to be fixed and fast. The quicker this kind of messaging percolates across the industry, the better.

Most importantly, we have to reinforce the urgency of now. This whole idea of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report was promised by the end of September 2015 and to date it cannot be laid in the National Assembly. This is unacceptable. The public who forked out G$12 billion in 2015 is not interested in who has to travel, they want timely results and they are not getting that. And all our thinkers and decision-makers have to stop wasting so much time and start acting more. It is most disappointing that the end of November is swiftly approaching and we are still "dillydallying" on delivering this report to the legislature - the National Assembly has approved G$70 million to fund the cost of this report. Are we setting up this CoI Report to be another National Census, which became out of date and irrelevant?

What did Martin Luther King say? “Now is the time to get people to see that there is a need for action.” If people observe what has happened since September 2015, it is a most lacklustre performance at the highest level in the sugar arena and this has adversely affected progress on the larger vision of turning the industry around. I will not be surprised because of this slothful performance the Treasury will have to find about G$9 billion in 2016 to pump into the sugar industry.

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS

The leadership has to be absolutely clear about what we have, what we need to do and where we want to be and by when. It is imperative that Dr Clive Thomas advocates strongly for a conclusion of this process, because he has a big job in 2016 to go down into the industry and get the thousands on board with the roadmap.

LET US INVENT THE FUTURE I am also a strong advocate for the setting up of a decision-making vehicle across the industry (transition vehicles or turnaround laboratories) that draws on skills from all parts of the estate to re-engineer each process and create new processes to move the organisation toward a more innovative system. Remember we spoke about the small team in the factory to review the work processes. Case in point, we may need to close two factories (NOT ESTATES) to bring greater efficiency to the process and thus free up more real cash for payroll for example in 2016. That is fine but all these decisions have to be driven by hardcore analysis. The Government of Guyana cannot continue to be pumping G$12 billion every year into GuySuCo. That is ridiculous.

So What Do We Do? Right now we are processing all the canes from Enmore, LBI and Diamond estates at the Enmore factory. The model works. It can be done. It is time to get the analysis on the West Demerara Estates and then drive the process using the facts and commonsense. This is survival time.

CONCLUSION

Let me make it clear, based on the number I have crunched -- no estate needs to be closed. However, two factories – Rose Hall and Uitvlugt have to be merged into Albion and Wales respectively.

Keeping these two factories alive and also holding on to that ‘White Elephant’ at Skeldon is the death knell of GuySuCo. Secondly, it is TIME FOR DISTRIBUTIVE LEADERSHIP. People from all levels within GuySuCo have to be identified and motivated to take the industry in a new direction even in these tumultuous times. Head office exclusively does not have all the ideas. The best ideas to fix this mess lie deep within each sugar estate and that is why I am saying GAWU has to be a partner in this turnaround process.

Good luck to the team in GuySuCo. Please share your comments with me at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

GDF wows thousands with spectacular display

By Clestine Juan HUNDREDS of people crammed the playfield of the army headquarters at Camp Ayanganna on Vlissengen Road yesterday afternoon, while hundreds more positioned themselves at every conceivable vantage point within the contiguous area to witness the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) annual Military Tattoo exercise, which constituted part of the Force’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The highlight of proceedings was when several parachutists dropped from a Britten Norman Islander aircraft flying 7,000 feet overhead in an awe-inspiring display of sky-diving, which elicited several oohs and aahs from the large, appreciative crowd.

Other very enjoyable events were a martial arts display featuring the Wu Shu style Martial Arts moves ex-

A soldier lands safely in a parachute jump (Cullen Bess- Nelson Photo)

ecuted by recruits; drills display; renditions from the GDF military band; precision, or “silent” drills; a simulated battle involving assault and rescue; and fireworks, which brought an end to the programme.

“Tattoo” is the traditional signal given originally by drumbeat and latterly by bugle call. This signal is intended to warn soldiers to return to their quarters for the night.

In garrison towns, innkeepers turned off the liquor taps and the drum continued to beat for half an hour, the time allowed for the soldiers to find their way home. The custom eventually developed into a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands a few hours after sunset.

After the First World War, the ceremony of Tattoo was developed to include the military displays with which the name is now associated, but which, apart from the music,

have no connection with the original function of the ceremony.

A military Tattoo was first held at Eve Leary in 1920 by the British Guiana Militia.

The performance included personnel from the Infantry, Artillery and school children.

The second Tattoo was held in 1963 on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the British Guiana Volunteer Force.

The tradition of hosting military Tattoos was continued by the Guyana Defence Force, and in 1972, a tattoo was organised as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Other Tattoos were successfully held by the army on the following occasions: 20th Anniversary in 1985; 30th Anniversary in 1995; 40th Anniversary in 2005; 45th Anniversary in 2010.

All of these events were held on the playfield at Camp Ayanganna.

Stay and serve Guyana, urges Tain valedictorian SASENARINE Tomby, 20, the son of a cane- harvester graduated as top student when the University of Guyana (UG) Berbice Campus hosted its 14th Convocation exercise yesterday.

A week ago, Sachin Ramsuran of Patentia, West Bank Demerara, the only

child for his parents, graduated as top student of the UG Turkeyen Campus.

In his valedictorian address,Tomby urged his fellow graduates to stay and serve Guyana.

The lively ceremony was punctuated by musical renditions from the Guyana Police Force band and had

in attendance Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, his wife Sita Nagamootoo, staff of the Berbice Campus, and relatives and well-wishers of the 187 graduating students.

Tomby, throughout his school life performed exceptionally well, but attracted attention when he Valedictorian Sasenarine Tomby shakes hands with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in the presence of Seeta Nagamootoo, the Prime Minister’s wife secured 11 Grades One in the 2011 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

A past student of J C Chandisingh Secondary school, the young scholar called on his colleagues to help stop the brain drain.

“I am taking the opportunity to urge the class of 2015 to stay. Make it your ultimate goal to develop Guyana, make it your ultimate goal to see it reach the required standards,” he said.

The young man intends to further his studies to better serve his country.

A product of Belvedere South, Corentyne, Tomby is the son of Rishi Tomby, a cane- harvester and Miniwattie Budram, a housewife.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday told the graduands and staff of the Tain

Campus that while the government of the day has an obligation to ensure certain facilities of the university are in place, it would not interfere in its governance.

According to the Prime Minister, it is understood that for the university to move forward, there must be changes at the administrative level to achieve best practices and international standards.

But focusing attention back on the graduating class, he said: “This is your day today and all tomorrow will belong to you and those who come after you. As you leave here, you will [feel] as if a burden has come off your shoulders and your heads [will] feel lighter.”

The Prime Minister urged the graduates to further their studies and to always have their country at heart.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Berbice NGO better equipped to serve vulnerable

By Tajeram Mohabir

THE Roadside Baptist Training Centre continues to provide Information Technology (IT) staffers for major private and public sector organisations in the Ancient County of Berbice.

Every year since 1997, more than 100 persons have been trained in IT at the centre Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the centre, Yetrawatee Katryan said many of the graduates have also gone on to further their education at the University of Guyana, while some have migrated. He was speaking at the recent commissioning of works at the Centre to the tune of US$90,000, funded by the Japanese Government.

VARIETY OF SKILLS The centre established in 1995, has over the years been making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents. It focuses on providing poor and at-risk youth, single-parent mothers and school dropouts with skills in a variety of areas geared to make them employable or able to start their own businesses.

These programmes include garment manufacturing, IT, cosmetology, cake decoration, floral arrangement, HIV Prevention and Awareness Counselling, a monthly seniors’ programme, a remedial education programme, and lessons in English and Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations level.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP All the training programmes include a component of entrepreneurship, as the goal is to empower the poor by providing them the skills to climb out of poverty and to enjoy comfortable lives.

Katryan reported that since the May 2014 graduation, some of the persons from the remedial education programme are now pursuing technical vocational skills training at the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, while others have been placed back into the formal education system.

“Quite a few who have successfully completed the programme and skills training here or at the Upper Corentyne Training Centre are now in the Guyana Police Force or are in training,” she said.

During the last quarter of 2014, in collaboration with the then Ministry of Labour through the Board of Industrial Training, some 57 youths and 20 single parents were equipped with income-generating skills.

Students of the centre also performed well at the CSEC examinations.

“We secured 82 per cent passes with Grades 1-3 in Mathematics and 58 per cent with Grades 1-3 in English in the May 2014 CSEC examination. For the 2015 examination, we were able to secure 82 per cent with Grades 1-3 in Mathematics, and 78 per cent with Grades 1-3 in English.

“Two of our learners scored Grade 1 in Mathematics and another two Grades 1 in English.

Some of them are now at the Teachers’ Training College, the University of Guyana or in the teaching or other profession,” Katryan reported at the commissioning.

She thanked the business community, the government, donors and everyone else who have been contributing to upkeep the training centre. The CEO also thanked her hardworking staff for their unwavering commitment to service.

In February, the Japanese government donated US$90,000 to the centre to do the critical renovation works. The works included repairs to the church’s outdoor auditorium and the rebuilding of a shed destroyed by a storm last year. The shed has been rebuilt and is now outfitted with ceiling, walls and furniture.

In addition, the IT laboratory, library and office of the centre have been upgraded.

At the commissioning, a number of persons received certificates for their successful completion of the Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS Prevention Training Programme funded by the U.S. Government. Those who completed other programmes offered by the centre were also honoured.

Many of the thousands of vulnerable persons who over the years have passed through the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre have been provided an alternative to crime and answers to help them out of poverty.

The gathering at the commissioning and graduation exercise of the Roadside Baptist Training Centre on Monday.

- commissions US$90,000 Japanese-funded projects

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

CPCE to house centre for youths with disabilities

By Svetlana Marshall A SPECIAL centre dedicated to enhancing the attention given to children, adolescents and youths with disabilities is to be located at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) at Turkeyen.

During the Fifth CARICOM-Cuba Summit in December 2014, Cuba agreed to offer technical assistance to facilitate the regional project which is to take root in Guyana.

The project is titled the “Centre to Stimulate the Development of Children,

Adolescents and Youths with Special Education Needs Associated with Disabilities”.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, C u b a ’s A m b a s s a d o r to Guyana Julio César González Marchante explained that during

the initial stage, the West Demerara Regional Hospital was identified as the ideal place to facilitate the project.

H o w e v e r, d u r i n g a recent meeting with the Government of Guyana, the Cyril Potter College of Education was selected instead. “ We v i s i t e d s o m e places where we think the project should be based, we visited for example the West Demerara Regional Hospital, we visited the Cyril Potter College of Education and we visited different schools.

The [Cuban] delegation believed that the West Demerara Regional

Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana Julio César González Marchante Hospital was the best place, but according to these new meetings they (the Guyanese Government) decided that the college w o u l d b e b e t t e r, ” Ambassador Marchante explained.

As discussions continue on the operationalisation of the centre, the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat are

analysing a draft proposal which was submitted to them in March by the Cuban Government. Once approved, the centre would be put into operation.

According to the CARICOM-Cuba project proposal, the Centre to Stimulate the Development of Children, Adolescents and Youths with Special Education Needs Associated with Disabilities would attend to a wide range of different forms of expression of the disabilities.

I n i t i a l l y, s p e c i a l attention would be paid to physical-motor disabilities, intellectual disabilities, sensorial disabilities, visual, hearing, deaf-blindness, disorders in the autism range , language and communication disorders, behavioural disorders and disabilities associated with chronic diseases and health situations.

The general objective of

Please see page 15

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

CPCE to house centre ... the project is to enhance the attention given to children, adolescents and youths with disabilities through the theoretical-practical preparation of the different socio-educational agents in the Region. This would ensure that the processes of prevention, diagnosis, early stimulation, learning for life and social inclusion are fostered, thereby favouring access to culture, services, decent employment and overall development.

SENSITISATION AND DIAGNOSIS During the first phase of the project, which will last for a period of 12 months, 10 Cuban specialists will operate within the centre, focusing on sensitisation and

overall diagnosis.

These specialists are expected to design, pilot the instruments and application of overall diagnosis (macro-diagnostics) of the current state of educational development, taking into consideration the different scenarios making up the CEDAD Project.

The population with disabilities will also be characterised, in addition to the current situation with regard to the overall attention being given to persons with disabilities in the region, with major emphasis being placed on Guyana.

“Characterising the level of preparation of the region’s professionals, initially in Guyana, that would receive professional training to prepare them in

areas of work adapted to logopedia, psycho-pedagogy, pedagogy, social work and psychology, making up the multidisciplinary team… and exploring the dynamics of social awareness,” are among other objectives outlined by the participating parties.

During the second phase, which will also last for a period of 12 months, 12 Cuban specialists are expected to evaluate and diagnose children, adolescents and youths with special education needs associated with disabilities.

Additionally, they will undertake the professional development of specialists with similar profiles in the Region, starting first with Guyanese.

The development of occupational language therapies, support psychopedagogical treatment, directed tasks and

psychological attention, family education and guidance sessions and life workshops with teachers and other educational agents are among the other areas to be covered.

In 2003, the Regional Education Project for Latin America and the Caribbean analysed a

The Cyril Potter College of Education at Turkeyen

number of shortfalls in world education. Among these are the exclusion of children with disabilities, the lack of equity and the insufficient training for family members and teachers to provide the attention required for the educational needs presented by these cases.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Sonia Noel Foundation hosts ‘Not A Blade of Grass Concert’

THE Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts in collaboration with a d i a s p o r a - b a s e d g ro u p recently staged their ‘Not A Blade of Grass Concert’ and fun day at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

The Essequibians were treated to hours of great performances by the talented crew from the overseas-based Calibro Group lead by the legendary ‘Mighty Chief’.

The singers were exceptional in every genre of music and of course Dave Martin's ‘Not a Blade of Grass’ and Bob Marley's ‘One Love’ were big hits with the audience.

Members of the Divine Stars Dance Group performed their routines

with breath-taking ease, so too were those from the Karawab Dance Group. They were outfitted in spectacular indigenous designs for their native dances.

Joel Smith, the leader of the group, said it is the first time his group got the opportunity to perform out of the village and they were grateful for the exposure.

The Akawini Dance Group also had the attention of the gathering.

Meanwhile, Cacaburi Kids were exceptional with their presentation of a wellchoreographed acrobatic display. It drew a resounding applause from the festive audience.

Oswald Williams who is

a teacher/choreographer of the Cacaburi Primary School said he was thrilled when he learnt his students would be participating in the event. He said he briefed them on the importance of the Guyana/ Venezuela situation and they had so many questions on the issue.

James Miguel, the Toshao in the Lower Pomeroon was very appreciative that they were included in this event.

"It was a privilege for us at Cacaburi to be part of this event. I feel happy to be here to send a strong message that Essequibo belongs to us and we are

Please turn to page 18

Sonia Noel (second from left) and some of her many supporters at the event.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Sonia Noel Foundation hosts ‘Not A Blade ...

From page 16

doing it through dance and music.”

Shonta Noel, who is one of this year's top Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) performers for Guyana and the Caribbean, interacted with the youth from the Amerindian villages and the Essequibo Coast.

She encouraged them to be focused and to make education a priority at this stage of their lives. The kids enjoyed face painting, trampoline and other entertainment provided for them by the organisers According to Sophia Darlington from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event surpassed their expectations.

The Women of Substance Group in Essequibo were present and took the opportunity to meet with Miss Sonia Noel at the event to discuss her mentoring their group and future collaborations.

Some aspiring designers from Essequibo were obviously delighted when they interacted with the veteran designer.

In a brief comment, Miss Noel said, "It's a great feeling for my foundation to be involved in such a meaningful venture that afforded me the opportunity to forge relations with these super creative people."

Mariska Fiedtkou Jordan and Harold Alves were the main coordinators of the event. The next event is scheduled for Bartica in December 2015.

Sonia Noel has been very busy out of Guyana for the last few months in the USA. In September, she hosted another ‘Bridging the GAP’ showcase in New York. In October, she collaborated with ‘Circle of Friends’ to raise funds for people with disabilities in Fort Lauderdale. Just last week

Guyanese fashion designer Sonia Noel with Allan Zaakir who also helped with the hosting of the event her exclusive designs were featured at one of the high profile events in Miami Beach. One of her First Resort pieces was auctioned for over US$800 which went to the Easter Seals Charity Network. Her work was featured in the event magazine.

"I pride myself in creating fashion that bears international appeal, but more than that, I represent the Caribbean with a passionate flair that makes for distinctive style and inimitable design. I celebrate my resort lifestyle and I capture the tropical ease in my garments. The Sonia Noel Designs have come to be branded as resort wear with an exotic edge, just like me, full of surprises and enjoying life to the fullest."

Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry also supported the event.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Ally slams Rohee’s ‘mischievous’ remarks

MINISTER of Social Cohesion Amna Ally has taken People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee to task for asserting that her ministry’s role is “… to promote racial and political discrimination in favour of APNU + AFC.” Ally in a statement said as Minister of the Social Cohesion Ministry and a long-standing personality on Guyana’s political landscape, she will not allow Mr Rohee’s jaundiced interpretation of the role of her ministry to go unchallenged.

She contended that there are deliberate efforts by the government to encourage

citizens to cooperate with each other in order to survive and prosper as Guyanese.

On that note, the

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally

minister said Mr Rohee’s pronouncements are flawed, mischievous and designed to foster the converse to

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

what the Ministry of Social Cohesion is designed to negate.

Rohee had also said that the PPP would “ensure that the socalled Ministry of Social Cohesion does not succeed in divisive manipulative, deceitful and bribesharing efforts to divide G u y a n e s e s o c i a l l y, politically along religious lines, ostensibly for electoral purposes.”

But Minister Ally said the PPP General Secretary has to be delusional. She posited that the PPP continues to conduct itself with “arrant

infidelity to its constituents and the Guyanese public at large.”

“What he is accusing the ministry of is what he is guilty of and this has led to the defeat of his party. The people of Guyana, those in the Region and international community would have none of it.

“The evidence of division and its potential to destroy Guyana as a nation are factors which have driven the administration to put mechanisms in place at an institutional level, to respond to further threats of divisiveness. We

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have seen what division, marginalisation and polarisation can do and we, therefore, raise a standard against them. Guyana is for all Guyanese and this government should be commended for an initiative aimed at mainstreaming social cohesion. The previous administration saw nothing to gain from fostering cohesion and it was for that reason every counter attack to cohesion was nurtured and perpetrated. Unfortunately, Mr Rohee is still seeking to do the same thing,” Ally said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Totem poles to be erected in all regions

- for Guyana’s 50th anniversary celebrations TOTEM poles -- monumental sculptures carved by indigenous peoples on poles, posts, or pillars, with symbols or figures made from large trees -- are expected to be erected in all 10 of Guyana’s administrative regions for the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations next year.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, made this disclosure and said the idea was birthed after a meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry, with regard to activities being planned by the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

Minister Allicock said the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry is currently working to develop a programme through which it would contribute to the country’s anniversary celebrations next year. He explained that the process might be lengthy, given that consultations with stakeholders -- including the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and representatives from other indigenous groups and associations -- must be facilitated.

Those consultations would then be formulated into a single plan, which the Indigenous People’s Ministry would use as its guide to play its part in the country’s monumental activities.

However, he said, the idea of using Totem poles has already been finalised, and the poles will be erected in all regions.

The largest pole will be erected in Region 4, he said, but this does not represent more interest being placed in that region; only that most of the planned activities will be hosted in the region.

The Umana Yana is also expected to be completed in time for activities to be performed by the Indigenous People’s Ministry. With the proposed completion slated for April 2016, as was announced by Ministerial Advisor Mervyn Williams, works on the foundation and floor of the structure -- spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure -- are expected to be completed by the end of December. Thereafter, the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry will be responsible for building the physical structure of the conical, palm-thatched hut (benab) which was destroyed by fire last year. (Ravin Singh)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

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Gov’t launches national consultation on cultural policy development

- in keeping with 2015 manifesto promise

By Shauna Jemmott GOVERNMENT has, t h ro u g h t h e M i n i s t r y of Education, launched a national consultation process on cultural policy d e v e l o p m e n t , t h e re b y keeping its promise to develop a cultural policy to secure and develop the various fragments which make up Guyana’s cultural mosaic. The consultation process took place at Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown, on Friday.

In the joint APNU+AFC manifesto launched prior to the May 2015 National Elections, the coalition had declared it was “committed to a cultural policy which

within the Ministry of Education and Cultural Development, said Guyana has only once developed a cultural policy document, in 1977, and that was written by the then Director of Creative Writing, A.J. Seymour, and was sponsored by UNESCO. With Guyana experiencing cultural changes which see more heightened participation from various groups and in international forums, the departure of creative artists and artistes, and the refusal of some of our major creators to participate locally because of lack of relevant policy, this project is seen as vital for a breakthrough within the field.

Cultural Policy Advisor Ruel Johnson speaking at Friday’s press conference takes into account our rich and varied heritage, and which works to employ culture, not as a means of division, but as a catalyst for mutual understanding and social cohesion”.

A Ministry of Education press statement has enlightened the media on the process, and action plan going forward, and projected outcomes of the consultation process and cultural policy development. Ruel Johnson, Advisor on Cultural Policy

Johnson was employed by the Ministry of Education to develop the National Cultural Policy, and he has collaborated with influential and learned stakeholders to execute the project.

P i o n e e r i n C u l t u re and theatre Mrs Gem Madhoo-Nascimento; fashion forerunner Sonia Noel; archaeologist Luisa Daggers; and award-

Please turn to page 22

Members of the National Consultation on Cultural Policy Development team at Friday’s press conference

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Gov’t launches national consultation ...

From page 21 winning photographer, videographer, movie producer and poet Kojo McPherson, are members of the team conducting the workshop.

From preliminary meetings with his theme and creative arts experts Stanley Greaves and Denis Ward, a framework for national consultations on cultural policy developments was formulated, and scheduled for December 3rd to December 5th.

Johnson said the selection was based on the fact that participants are both learned and experienced artists and producers, and have a passion for their specialised fields in the culture bracket. What is also admirable about members of this team is that, despite various challenges and poor economic gains from their career love, they never left.

Mrs Madhoo-Nascimento is known for various classic theatrical productions, while Noel is Guyana’s most admired fashion icon and has created a greater avenue for designers within the Caribbean and the wider world. Louisa Daggers is an archaeologist who describes herself as a “heritage enthusiast”, and Mc Pherson has copped the 2015 Caribbean Film Academy (CAFA) screenwriting award in the Caribbean Film project with his entry, “Adero.”

Speaking at the press conference, Gem MadhooNascimento said she is honoured to be part of a consultation process that is all-inclusive, and she is pleased that government has adopted such an approach to decide “how we must progress”.

She cited one of the major challenges faced in theatrical

production as being stifled by lack of funding and shortchanged sponsorship.

BIGGEST PROBLEM “One of [the] biggest problems has always been wanting to move forward in the industry but being stifled, not being able to gain funding or assistance from the government to move forward with a project. In that respect, you find that you have to stifle yourself in terms of what you present to the public, because you always have to think about the financial returns in doing something,” the producer told the press.

She said that with the cultural policy being all-inclusive and having funding accessible, producers can now, in a very creative manner, move forward with necessary projects.

She has a particular interest in street theatre, with an objective of discovering fresh talent -- a Denzil Washington maybe -- hidden somewhere in an Albouystown or other unexposed community.

There are talents “all around Guyana; [and] in whatever form, they all need to be discovered. And being able to take it out there and expose your audience” is necessary.

Madhoo-Nascimento also highlighted the fact that public space for rehearsal and training, and proper accountability for funded projects are necessary, so that all will have fair opportunities at sponsorship.

“We need to get expertise available to help groups who cannot handle their finances properly. We need to put those books in order,” she said.

She highlighted that, internationally, culture is a “big money earner”, but in Guyana, government invests only a small amount of finance in the field, while private industry competes with government for sponsorship from the private sector to execute projects.

Fashion genius Sonia Noel said she believes Guyana will benefit tremendously from the initiative. She said that, as an individual who heads an organisation which does widespread fashion education and promotion here and in the Caribbean, she finds it expensive sponsoring herself and team in the fashion industry, especially for travel; and she finds herself limited by economic challenges.

“When your budget is limited, there isn’t much you can do,” she declared.

She said her desire is to see a fashion curriculum in place, if a creative arts centre is established at the end of the policy development process. Noel also expressed disappointment at the way creative art is being disrespected, and said widespread awareness is vital, since many believe “we do it because we have nothing else to do”.

Daggers, meanwhile, said the absence of an updated policy has failed Guyanese, and the development of one will be an “instrumental tool” to guide stakeholders.

McPherson pointed out that while Guyanese in theatre excel abroad, those at home struggle for recognition. He sees the creation of the cultural policy document as a building which requires the input of all.

“I think of it as a house or dorm or mansion. Everyone has to build to make it work for the benefit of everyone,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Vardy equals record as Leicester go top, Liverpool crush City

By Mike Collett LONDON, (Reuters)-Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy equalled a Premier League record by scoring for the 10th straight match as they went top with a 3-0 win at Newcastle United before Manchester City were crushed 4-1 by Liverpool

yesterday.

On a day when champions Chelsea ended their slump with a 1-0 win over Norwich City, Leicester became the third team in five hours to top the table after Manchester United also briefly led following their 2-1 victory at Watford in the early kickoff.

Manchester City, lead-

Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring the first goal for Leicester City to equal the record for scoring in consecutive Premier League gamesAction Images via Reuters / Craig Brough ers at the start of the day, conceded three goals in the first 32 minutes as Liverpool got their most impressive win yet under new coach Juergen Klopp, while Arsenal also blew an opportunity by losing 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion.

Leicester reaching the summit was the highlight of a poignant afternoon when ‘La Marseillaise’, the French national anthem, was played at grounds throughout England as a mark of solidarity with France following last week’s Paris attacks.

Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma led a rendition of the anthem at Stamford Bridge where a huge French flag was displayed before the champions ended a run of three successive league defeats with victory over Norwich City thanks to a second-half goal from Diego Costa.

That lifted Chelsea up one place to 15th on 14 points, but still a long way behind leaders Leicester who have 28 followed by United on 27 with City and Arsenal level on 26.

While Vardy equalled former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 12-year-old record for scoring in consecutive Premier League games, Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki also scored for Claudio Ranieri’s unfashionable Leicester side.

TOP-FLIGHT RECORD Dutchman Van Nistelrooy had set the record in the last eight matches of the 2002-03 season and the first two of 2003-04.

The top-flight record is held by Stan Mortensen, who scored in 11 successive matches for Blackpool in the old Division One in 1950-51 and Vardy will equal that if he scores against Manchester United next week.

Van Nistelrooy had tweeted a good luck message to Vardy prior to the game.

“I’m pinching myself every day,” Vardy told Sky Sports. “I’ve matched his (Van Nistelrooy’s) record and we have got the three points and a clean sheet.

Ranieri’s unlikely leaders sit proudly above both Manchester giants and Arsenal after United briefly went top following a dramatic finale at Vicarage Road.

United led 1-0 following an 11th-minute volley from Memphis Depay before Troy Deeney equalised with an 87th-minute penalty but then scored an own goal in stoppage time.

United, who are suffering an injury crisis, conceded their first goal in six matches in all competitions.

Depay broke the deadlock when he connected perfectly with an Ander Herrera cross from the right and volleyed past Heurelho Gomes with his left foot.

Arsenal’s France striker Olivier Giroud put them ahead before West Brom struck back with a goal from James Morrison and an own goal by Mikel Arteta just before the break, while Santi Cazorla missed a second-half penalty for the visitors.

In the late game, an own goal from Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala and two beautifully worked goals by Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in just over half an hour set Liverpool on the road to an impressive victory.

City’s Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, returning from injury, pulled one back brilliantly just before halftime but Martin Skrtel sealed Liverpool’s emphatic triumph with a thunderous 81st minute strike.

Having lost just once in eight matches since German Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool now lie ninth in the table on 20 points, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United who clash on Sunday at White Hart Lane.

Everton crushed Aston Villa 4-0 with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku each scoring twice to leave Villa rock bottom with five points from 13 games.

Swansea City and Bournemouth drew 2-2 in an exciting match at the Liberty Stadium. Bournemouth led 2-0 but have now gone seven league matches without a win and are 18th.

Singh’s second consecutive ton ...

From back page and Mario Rampersaud are unbeaten overnight on 12 and 5, respectively.

Day two commenced half an hour earlier than scheduled due to the loss of overs from inclement weather interruptions on the first day. Jaguars resumed from 170-2 and lost Leon Johnson (74) straight away after he added just one run to his overnight score as he edged pacer Miguel Cummins to Sulieman Benn at first slip.

However, Singh who was also overnight in the middle on 30 stood firm as he approached his third first class century while Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11) was removed cheaply as the score rolled over to 213 - 4.

Singh’s 114-ball half-century came up not long after but could have ended with him on 77 when Rampersaud, the wicket-keeper, dropped the left hander.

Franchise player Raymon Reifer along with Singh took to score to 262 – 4 at lunch. Singh was 13 runs short of his second ton of the season while Reifer was on 22.

After the lunch interval Singh wasted no time once he entered the nineties as he struck some sweetly timed boundaries off Tino Best to bring up triple figures from 207 balls.

Chase then found the breakthrough for Barbados when the Barbadian, Reifer, was dismissed for 32. Jaguars were 302 – 5.

When he departed thing went haywire as Jaguars’ final six wickets fell for just 35 runs as the home side was all out minutes before the extended second session.

Captain Kevin Stoute removed Anthony Bramble (7), Veerasammy Permaul (0) and Singh, while Chase and Benn removed Steven Jacobs (7) and Ronsford Beaton (11).

Play resumes today at 9:30 hrs.

Scoreboard

GUYANA Jaguars 1st innings A Fudadin c Corbin b Benn 42 S Hetymer c Benn b Nurse 24 L Johnson* c Benn b Cummings 74 V Singh c wk b Stoute 121 S Chanderpaul c wk b Nurse 11 R Reifer b Chase 32 A Bramble+ c wk b Stoute 7 S Jacobs c Corbin b Chase 7 V Permaul c Nurse b Stoute 0 R Beaton c Nurse b Benn 11 G Motie not out 1 Extras: (nb-4, b-2, lb-1) 7 Total: (all out; 118.4 overs) 337 Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-110, 3-180, 4-213, 5-302, 6-317, 7-317, 8-317, 9-325, 10-337 Bowling: Best (17-2-57-0), Cummings (23-5-55-1), Nurse (20-4-77-2), Stoute (21-9-40-3),

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:15 hrs Cherry Orchard 08:50 hrs Ravishing Romance 09:30 hrs Beloved Country 10:05 hrs Hunting Owl 10:40 hrs Qatar Springs 11:15 hrs Dante’s Legacy IRISH RACING TIPS Navan 08:40 hrs Woodland Opera 09:10 hrs Ten Times Better 09:40 hrs Loyalty Card 10:10 hrs Douvan 10:40 hrs Ballychorus 11:10 hrs Prince Of Scars 11:40 hrs Augusta Kate ENGLISH

Benn (17.4-1-63-2), Chase (18-628-2), Carter (2-0-14-0)

BARBADOS Pride 1st innings K Corbin stp Bramble b Permaul 16 K Braithwaite c Bramble b Permaul 11 J Carter c Bramble b Beaton 4 S Brooks c Bramble b Motie 9 R Chase not out 12 M Rampersaud not out 5 Extras: (nb-2, lb-1) 3 Total: (for 4 wickets; 29 overs) 60 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-32, 3-36, 4-52 Bowling: Beaton (7-2-15-1), Reifer (5-2-10-0), Permaul (113-24-2), Motie (5-1-10-1), Jacobs (1-1-0-0)

RACING TIPS Exeter 09:00 hrs Airpur Desbois 09:30 hrs Key To The West 10:00 hrs Onenightinvienna 10:30 hrs Minellacelebration 11:00 hrs Ikrapol 11:30 hrs St Dominick 12:00 hrs It’s a Long Road UTTOXETER 09:20 hrs Tara Flow 09:50 hrs Minellaforlunch 10:20 hrs Carry On Sydney 10:50 hrs Ultimatum Du Roy 11:20 hrs Jac The Legend 11:50 hrs Shaky Gift

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

FIFA ethics report calls for sanctions against Blatter, Platini

By Brian Homewood

The adjudicatory chamber said in a separate statement it would decide BERNE, (Reuters)-FIFA ethics inves- whether to open formal proceedings tigators called yesterday for sanctions and, if necessary, on sanctions “in due against president Sepp Blatter and course.”

European soccer boss Michel Platini, FIFA’s electoral committee has said dealing a fresh blow to Platini’s bid Platini’s registration will not be proto succeed Blatter as head of world cessed while he is suspended, although soccer’s governing body. it could reconsider its position if he wins Both men were suspended from their an appeal. posts for 90 days on Oct. 8 pending a full Platini’s appeal was rejected in the investigation, engulfed by a deepening first instance by FIFA’s Appeal Comcorruption scandal as the sport faces mittee this week. criminal probes in Switzerland and the Blatter also faces criminal investiUnited States. gation in Switzerland over a 2 million The investigatory chamber of FIFA’s Swiss franc ($2 million) payment from ethics committee - acting independently FIFA to Platini. of the organisation’s leadership - said The payment was made in 2011 for yesterday it had completed its inquiry, work Platini had completed nine years but did not say why it was recommend- earlier, the Swiss attorney-general’s ing sanctions nor office has said, what those sancadding Platini tions should be. was considered Its report “between a witwill now be ness and an acpassed to the cused person.” c o m m i t t e e ’s Both men adjudicatory have denied chamber, which wrongdoing. will decide The ethics whether invescommittee said tigations should its chief invesbe pursued and tigator Cornel on any potenBorbely was not UEFA President Michel Platini (R) congrat- involved in its tial sanctions.

“The inves- ulates FIFA President Sepp Blatter after he investigation of was re-elected at the 65th FIFA Congress in tigatory cham- Zurich, Switzerland, May 29, 2015. S Reu- Blatter as both ber of the inde- ters/Arnd Wiegmann men are Swiss. pendent Ethics “As the two Committee has submitted its final reports proceedings are closely related and to containing requests for sanctions against avoid any appearance of a conflict of Joseph (Sepp) Blatter and Michel Platini interests, Dr Borbely also withdrew to the adjudicatory chamber chaired by from the proceedings against Michel Hans-Joachim Eckert,” the ethics panel Platini,” it added. said the statement.

Instead, Robert Torres from Guam “For reasons linked to privacy rights submitted the report on Blatter and Trinand the presumption of innocence until idadian Vanessa Allard compiled the proven guilty, the chamber will not pub- report on Platini. lish details of the concluded reports and The ethics committee appears to have the requested sanctions against the two taken a tougher line against offenders in officials.” the last year, handing out a series of longBlatter has been FIFA president term bans from soccer-related activities since 1998. Platini has been head of - which includes playing, coaching and European soccer’s governing body administrative roles in the sport.

UEFA since 2007 and, until he was susFormer executive committee mempended, had been favourite to replace bers and powerbrokers Jack Warner Blatter in FIFA’s Feb. 26 presidential and Chuck Blazer have been given election. life bans, while Reynald Temarii was Platini’s hopes of standing were put banned for eight years and Chung on hold because of his suspension. He Mong-joon, who had planned to run has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for the FIFA presidency, for six. of Sport against his provisional ban but, In another case, former Chilean federeven if he wins and is allowed to stand, ation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls, his plans would be scuppered if Eckert’s who also compiled the technical reports adjudicatory chamber accepts the inves- on countries which bid to host the 2018 tigation’s recommendations. and 2022 World Cups, was banned for

seven years.

On Monday, Ganesh Thapa, president of the All-Nepal Football Association, was banned for 10 years and

fined 20,000 Swiss francs, while Viphet Sihachakr, president of the Laotian Football Federation, received a twoyear ban and 40,000 franc fines.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Knicks make key stop to quiet Thunder (THE Sports Xchange) FOR almost two weeks, Oklahoma City have been preaching relentlessly that they had to get better on defense. Yet, it has not materialized on the court in the form of consistent wins.

On Friday, they saw what happens when a team puts defence first.

The New York Knicks came to town sporting that mindset and when they needed to get one stop to win a game, they did as they pulled out 93-90 victory at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“We just wanted to get a stop,” New York coach Derek Fisher said. “Doesn’t really matter how you get into that position. It’s a three-point game. In order to win, you have to get a stop.”

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points on nine of 20 shooting from the field and grabbed five rebounds. Arron Afflalo scored 14 points for New York and Lance Thomas came off to bench to score 12.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 34 points to go along with seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

Dion Waiters added 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the floor.

The Knicks improved to

7-6 while the Thunder fell to 7-6.

Westbrook downplayed the team being frustrated at the way they have been playing since the injury to Kevin Durant sidelined the All Star for the past five games.

“We just have to find a

left. After Anthony knocked in a jumper, Enes Kanter answered with a rebound and putback on the other end.

But just as the Oklahoma City fans were starting to get loud, Afflalo hit a bucket from the corner and the Knicks were back up by 10 with 3:45 on the clock.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson (21) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. way to put together some wins,” Westbrook said.

“That’s about it.”

‘DIFFICULT OFFENSIVE NIGHT’ After trailing by 16 in the fourth quarter, the Thunder cut the lead to eight on Nick Collison’s putback with 5:35

Oklahoma City were down 89-85 with 46 seconds left and Westbrook fouled Anthony, who missed both free throws. The Thunder got the ball with 32 seconds remaining and Westbrook got the ball to a wide-open Serge Ibaka, whose three-pointer from the corner rimmed out

and Knicks rebounded.

Robin Lopez and Anthony followed with four free throws for the Knicks.

However, Westbrook hit a jumper and three-pointer to cut the Thunder’s deficit to three.

“You just never know what to expect when Russ has the ball,” Anthony said.

“He is coming down hill full speed. And you don’t know if he is going to keep driving or put up a three.

“You have to keep all eyes on him. You just never know what to expect when it comes to Russ.”

The Knicks turned the ball over and the Thunder had another chance to send the game into overtime, but shots from Westbrook and Waiters were both off the mark.

Oklahoma City dominated on the boards with a 49-36 advantage, but the Knicks held them to 38 percent shooting from the floor.

“I gave our guys a lot of credit as far as hanging in there,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.

“The difference in the game was the three-point line. We really weren’t able to make too many of ours. I was pleased with our guys continuing to fight and battle through a difficult offensive night.”

Chris Cairns perjury trial Judge warns jury to treat Vincent evidence with care JUSTICE Sweeney, the judge presiding over the Chris Cairns perjury trial in London, has warned the jurors to treat the evidence of Lou Vincent with caution, given his tendency to lie.

In his summing-up at Southwark Crown Court, Justice Sweeney pointed out the “potential danger” that Vincent, who was last year banned from cricket after admitting accepting money to under-perform, “might have his own interests to serve”.

Vincent secretly taped the Skype conversation in 2011 with Cairns’ co-defendant, Andrew Fitch-Holland, that forms the key piece of evidence in the charge of perverting the course of justice that both men deny.

He has already admitted to corruption, fraud, money laundering and bribery in England. He has also confessed to match-fixing and, as the judge noted, has previously attempted to lie his way out of trouble.

“In his case, you should be particularly cautious that he might have his own interest to serve,” the judge told the jury.

“The prosecution say that nevertheless you can be sure he is telling the truth when he tells us that Mr Cairns recruited him to take part

in cheating.

“The defence say that Lou Vincent plainly has an interest of his own to serve, namely making allegations about a big name in the game in the hope of getting away with what he has done, or minimising its consequences, and that he has succeeded in doing so, as while he has received life bans

Former New Zealand player Lou Vincent from playing cricket, he had already given up cricket, and he has not been investigated or prosecuted for the undoubted crimes he has committed in this country and elsewhere.

“It is incumbent on me to emphasise to you the potential danger posed by such a witness and point

out to you that he might have his own interests to serve by giving evidence.

“What you make of his evidence is entirely a matter for you, whether you are sure that he’s telling the truth or not.”

The charge of perjury, which Cairns denies after stating during his libel action against Lalit Modi in 2012 that he had “never, ever cheated at cricket”, requires the evidence of more than one witness to be accepted as true.

Nine witnesses were called in the course of the trial, but the judge said that the evidence of at least two of the three key witnesses would be required to justify a guilty verdict.

In addition to Vincent, the other two are Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, and Eleanor Riley, Vincent’s ex-wife.

If the jury was sure that Cairns had cheated, then they would be open to convict on count one, perjury, and go on to consider count two, perverting the course of justice. However, if they acquitted on the first count, then they would be obliged to acquit on the second count as well.

The judge will continue his summing up tomorrow at 10.00hrs (ESPN Cricinfo)

Notable Dates GUYANA’S first world champion Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis was given a relatively easy opponent in his first fight after losing the WBA welterweight crown to Ricardo Mayorga. Lewis was fed Mexican Oscar Delgado on November 22, 2002 in Puerto Rico.

The southpaw Guyanese needed only two minutes and 28 seconds of the first round to gobble up his Mexican meal as Delgado was Knocked Out. The Mexican had lost five of his last six fights while Lewis was coming off his first professional defeat.

In March 2002 Mayorga short circuited the entire 83,000 square miles of Guyana ANDREW LEWIS when he TKOed Lewis in round five to snatch the WBA title. Following the victory over Delgado, Lewis made a second attempt at a world title but was denied by Antonio Margarito, who finished off the game Guyanese in the second round. At stake was the WBO welterweight crown.

Also known as `The Albouystown Cyclone’ Lewis would later have three battles with compatriot `Deadly’ Denny Dalton. The first held in October 2005, ended in a technical draw while the second had a bizarre finish.

Lewis was leading on all three judges card in the fight held at the National Park in April 2006, but suddenly retired in the seventh round.

The former world champion claimed he urgently needed to use the toilet. He blamed the need to use the wash room on stomach discomfort brought on by a prefight milkshake given to him by trainer Maurice `Bizzy’ Boyce.

Lewis won the national super welterweight title in April 2007 following a unanimous point decision over Dalton.

Eight teams battle for places today in the final eight of Mayor Green football tournament EIGHT teams will do battle today in the final four matches of Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green’s 81st Birth Anniversary Seven-a-Side Football Tournament when play in the competition continues at the Den nAmstel Ground, West Coast Demerara.

In the opening game from 14”00hrs, Grove will do battle with Goed Fortuin, while 30 minutes later, Uitvlugt will face Pouderoyen in an all West Coast Demerara affair.

From 15:00hrs, Kitty of Georgetown will face Stewartville, another West Banki Demerara side and final game will bring together Agricola and home side Den Amstel.

The winners of today’s game will join Buxton Youth Developers, Victoria, Mahaica and Haslington in the round of eight which will be played at a venue to be announced by tournament coordinator Lennox `Mullen’ Arthur.

The round of eight will be contested next Sunday and will see play in the quarter finals, semi finals and finals all happening on the same day.

The winners of the tournament will receive $200,000 and a trophy, compliments of John Fernandes Limited, while the runners up will collect $100,000 and a trophy, compliments of the Department of Youth and Sports.

The third and fourth place team will earn $70,000 and $30,000 respectively along with trophies, compliments of China Tradina and The Business School respectively.

The highest goal scorer of the tournament will receive a three-piece suite, compliments of A.H &L. Kissoon.

To date the top goal scorer of the tournament is Quincy Holder of Mahaica with three goals to his credit, while Keon Moore (Victoria), Gordon Grant (Agricola) and Orette Stephen (Stewartville) follows closely with two goals each.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Suarez, Neymar humiliate Real in 4-0 ‘Clasico’ romp

By Iain Rogers

MADRID, (Reuters)-Barcelona dealt a stinging blow to Real Madrid’s title hopes when Luis Suarez and Neymar continued their scintillating form to fire the champions to a stunning 4-0 victory in the La Liga ‘Clasico’ yesterday.

Suarez struck twice either side of goals from Neymar and captain Andres Iniesta as Barca humiliated their arch rivals with an imperious performance at the Bernabeu to surge six points clear at the top after 12 matches and ratchet up the pressure on under-fire Real coach Rafa Benitez.

Barca’s dominance in the 231st meeting between the two teams, which prompted the angry Real fans to roundly whistle their own players and chant for president Florentino Perez to step down, was all the more remarkable considering coach Luis Enrique had started with a fit-again Lionel Messi on the bench.

The Argentina captain, who has been out for nearly two months with a knee injury, came on for Ivan Rakitic just before the hour and promptly sent Suarez clear to score the European champions’ fourth.

An utterly dominant Barca could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages and Real’s humiliation was complete when substitute Isco was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge at Neymar six minutes from time.

“We played what was quite honestly a complete match in every sense,” Iniesta, who was given an ovation by the home fans when he was substituted late on, told Spanish television.

“There is a long way to go, it’s not deci-

sive at all but we are going away very, very satisfied,” added the Spain playmaker.

A giant French flag was unfurled in the stands and the Marseillaise played during a minute’s silence before kickoff

the seventh minute but the Brazil forward fired wildly over.

Sergi Roberto burst through the middle and played Suarez in on the right of the penalty area to open the scoring in the 11th

the line moments before halftime after brilliant work from Neymar and as the players trooped off, a cacophony of whistles rang out around the stadium mixed with chants for Perez to go.

minute with a clinical finish.

James Rodriguez had Real’s only dangerous shot of the first half in the 28th minute before Iniesta slipped a pass through for Neymar to make it 2-0 five minutes before the break.

Marcelo had to clear a Suarez effort off

FULL BLAST Real came out fighting after the break and Marcelo and Rodriguez each went close before Neymar sent a backheel into Iniesta’s path in the 53rd minute and he hammered the ball past Keylor Navas into the top corner.

Isco came on for Rodriguez shortly after and initially gave Real some much-needed zip in attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema largely anonymous.

Suarez’s second effort in the 74th minute was the 20th he and Neymar have scored between them out of Barca’s last 21 goals in La Liga.

After the whistle, thousands of Real fans waved anything white they could get their hands on in the traditional sign of discontent with the board of directors while the music came on full blast to drown out any more embarrassing chants.

Chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, Barca have 30 points, with Real, who lost 3-2 at Sevilla in their previous outing, on 24.

Atletico Madrid can climb back to within four points of Barca and leapfrog Real into second with a win at promoted Real Betis today.

Goals from Imanol Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto gave Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan a winning start in a 2-0 success at home to stuttering Sevilla earlier yesterday.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Real Madrid’s Sergio RamosReuters / Sergio PerezLivepic to honour the victims of the Paris attacks and security was tight for the clash in the Spanish capital.

In an ominous sign for the home side, Barca had the first clear chance of the game when Suarez laid the ball off to Neymar in

Branded a traitor, Russian sports whistleblower hides abroad

By Maria Tsvetkova and Karin Strohecker

MOSCOW/LONDON, (Reuters)- | The sportswoman who blew the whistle on doping in Russian athletics is in hiding abroad, pursued by a barrage of criticism from former colleagues and officials at home who accuse her of betraying her country.

Yulia Stepanova, an international runner who was herself suspended for doping offences, secretly recorded Russian coaches and athletes over almost two years describing how they used performance-enhancing drugs.

The 29-year-old’s evidence formed a major part of an investigation that led to Russian athletes being suspended from international competition this month, triggering the deepest crisis in Russian sport since the boycott-hit 1980 Moscow Olympics.

While her role has been described as courageous by supporters abroad, at home she has faced accusations of being a liar, and of betraying her countrymen for money or in exchange for a residence

permit in a wealthy country.

“She’s a traitor,” said Vladimir Kazarin, Stepanova’s former coach who was named as someone involved in doping in the investigation

Whistleblower Yulia Stepanova secretly recorded Russian coaches and athletes over almost two years. report, commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). He denies the allegations.

“She betrayed me, betrayed her homeland. That’s why she’s a traitor,” Kazarin

told Russia’s NTV broadcaster.

Before her accusations were made public last year, Stepanova and her husband - who have a child of pre-school age - left Russia and moved to Germany where they set up home but kept a low profile.

Christoph Kopp, the head of the local athletics club who helped them settle in Germany, said they kept their details out of public records so they could not be traced, and wrote the family name “Mueller” - one of Germany’s most common names - on the doorbell of their home.

“We handled the situation very, very carefully when they came to Germany,” said Kopp, chairman of the LAC Olympia 88 Berlin athletics club.

He said Stepanova and her husband were on the move again in September this year, leaving Germany for North America. Someone connected to WADA had arranged for them to make the move, he said.

WADA did not respond to questions about Stepanova.

Attempts by Reuters to track down Stepanova and her husband Vitaly, through colleagues, acquaintances and international sports officials were unsuccessful. It is not known where they are living.

The last publicly-available record of her whereabouts was from the German capital, where she was listed as having competed for LAC Olympia 88 Berlin in a 1,500 meters race in July this year.

NEGATIVE REACTION Russia’s sports authorities have disputed some of the WADA report’s allegations about doping, but they say they will do everything necessary to get their athletes back into international competition, including replacing the leadership of their athletics federation and revamping the national anti-doping agency.

The attitude in Russia to Stepanova typifies how many in the country view the scandal: they acknowledge there is a problem, but also believe it has been blown out of proportion by Russia’s rivals for

political reasons.

Stepanova is a middle-distance runner who competed for Russia until she was herself handed a two-year suspension on suspicion of doping in 2013.

She and her husband, a former Russian anti-doping agency official, first took on the role of whistleblowers last year, when they featured as witnesses in a TV documentary that alleged widespread corruption and drug-taking in Russian ath-

letics.

Hajo Seppelt, the journalist who made the documentary for German TV station ARD, told Reuters the couple - anticipating negative reaction - left Russia for Germany last year, before the program was broadcast.

“They knew when this story comes out they may have a lot of problems in Russia,” said Seppelt, whose documentary prompted WADA to commission its investigation.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday November 22, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Dushmantha Chameera 27 players

Today’s Quiz:

Who is the first player to captain the WI in a Test?

Who is the first player to captain the WI in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Waugh blames poor leadership and money for demise of West Indies

AS the West Indies prepare for a three-Test tour of Australia that no one gives them any hope of winning, Steve Waugh used a youth forum in Thailand to blame a lack of leadership in the Caribbean and the money on offer from Twenty20 tournaments for the demise of the Calypso kings.

The former powerhouse of world cricket open their tour on December 2 with a four-day match against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane. However, they’ve been written off before a ball has been bowled by Steve Smith’s men after they were thumped by Sri Lanka.

Waugh, who made his Test debut in 1985 when the West Indies ruled through fear, intimidation and breathtaking skill, was involved in some blood ‘n’ thunder matches against them, including a celebrated stand-off with Curtly Ambrose some feared would end in a mid-pitch brawl before the pace bowler was dragged away by his skipper Richie Richardson.

However, Waugh explained to One Young World in Bangkok - the principal global forum for young leaders aged 18 to 30 where the likes of Kofi Annan, Richard Branson, Bob Geldof and Bill Clinton have spoken - that poor leadership and the ability for players to get rich through Twenty20 had conspired against them.

“What has happened in the West Indies unfortunately in the last 10 years is that they have lacked leadership,” he said. “A lot of

their current players value, I guess, Twenty20 cricket and making money rather than representing the West Indies.

“They need to get back that real sense of pride for playing for the West Indies.

The way we were: Richie Richardson pulls Curtly Ambrose away from Steve Waugh during a fiery clash in 1995.

They have a great culture and tradition in cricket.”

Six West Indies stars - Chris Gayle, Keiron Pollard, Samuel Badree, Darren Sammy,

Generation gap, elitism factors in row with former WICB bosses-Cameron WICB president Dave Cameron believes that a generational gap may be responsible for issues experienced between himself and some of the region’s previous administrators.

Three former presidents, Sir Wes Hall, Patrick Rousseau and Ken Gordon recently chided the regional head and his administration for being disrespectful to CARICOM leaders.

The trio were also heavily in favour of the recommendation of a recent independently commissioned report, which suggested major structural change for the WICB. Cameron, one of the youngest ever presidents when he was elected at 42, however, has revealed disappointment at a lack of open communication.

“I think when I look at where I am at and the level

Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo - have chosen to play in the Big Bash League rather than for the Windies.

Waugh said Australia, who ended the West Indies’ dominance in 1995 when Mark Taylor

of the board and the age of the board, I think there is a generation gap,” Cameron

WICB president Dave Cameron said on Digicel SportsMax’s Sports Zone on Thursday.

“I think there is a gener-

ation gap and a discussion I am not sure how to mitigate.

If any of these learned gentlemen felt that I was doing the wrong thing, all of them can reach me personally, why not take up the phone,” he added.

One of Cameron’s WICB vice-presidents Emmanuel Nathan had stretched the argument a bit further, as he believed some of the heavy criticism stepped from a kind of elitism. The president could not entirely rule the idea out.

“There probably is. I suspect when you look at the structure that is being proposed by this new report. I am not sure of the architecture, but the idea is to have some governing council be put on the WICB. Who are those members and where are they derived from,” he said.

(Sportsmax.com)

led them to a series victory in the Caribbean, built their success on the Windies’ way of playing the game.

“They were the benchmark for crick-

et,” he said. “That was what the Australian team’s success was based on, following the blueprint of what the West Indies cricket used to be and used to do. No shame in that.

“They were too good for everyone. They were unbeaten for 15 years. Australia hadn’t beaten the West Indies for 22 years and I definitely followed their model and we tried to tweak it a bit to suit Australia’s way of cricket.

“I would hate to see that lost because a poor West Indies cricket side really weakens world cricket - so I, for one, would love to see the West Indies strong again.”

The West Indies are currently ranked the world’s eighth-best Test team and ninthplaced one-day side. Statistics divided into three eras - 1970-1990; 1990-2009 and 201015 - document the great decline.

In the two decades starting from 1970, the West Indies - who boasted the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding and Andy Roberts - played 145 Test matches, winning 61 of them and losing only 23.

During 1990 to 2009, with Brian Lara in their ranks, the West Indies played 189 Tests, winning only 48 and losing 87. From 2010 to 2015 the West Indies played 48 games for just 12 victories.

Conversely, the Steve Waugh era when he captained Australia from 1999-2004, is remembered for Australia playing 57 Tests, winning 41, losing nine and drawing seven.

(Sydney Morning Herald)

TTFA report Tim Kee to FIFA THE executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has sought

TTFA president Tim Kee the intervention of FIFA on a number of issues affecting the administration, chiefly the firing of general secretary Sheldon Phillips.

A letter addressed to FIFA acting general

secretary Mark Kattner was sent on November 13, and addressed issues pertaining to good governance. Phillips was dismissed

by Tim Kee on October 20, for his failure to adhere to directives regarding the operational activities of the association.

The letter was signed by he association’s three vice-presidents, Krisendath Kuarsingh, Rudolph Thomas and Lennox Watson and board members Roland Forde, Neville Ferguson and Brian Layne.

The executive not only contends that the president did not have the right to dismiss the general secretary, but that Tim Kee’s actions could have serious industrial relations implications.

The executive contends that Tim Kee, at a specially convened meeting, accepted that he did not have the authority to dismiss Phillips and it was agreed to rescind the termination letter and replace it with a letter of suspension.

The executive, however, say Tim Kee seems reluctant to perform the action.

(Sportsmax.com)

39

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2015

Stag Beer Elite Genesis One League Champions to be crowned today … Pele vs GDF

… Alpha vs Slingerz

By Ras Wadada FOOTBALL fans in the City are hoping for far less rain today than they got last Friday, so as not to have a repeat of postponement in the two most decisive matches to end the two-round ‘Stag Beer Genesis One Elite League’ of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

The most important double-header of the two-month season will be played today at the Camp Ayanganna ground, and will determine the top three positions at the end of the 56-match schedule that kicked off in mid- September at the Leonora Stadium across the Demerara River.

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ All three front runners of Richardson the competition go in to their final game with a chance of being crowned Champions of the Inaugural Elite league, and this sets the stage for perhaps the two most exciting games to be played.

The opening act, at 18:00hrs, will see the return of backto-back Player of the Month Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson to the Pele FC line-up after a one match suspension that saw his side embarrassingly losing 3-1 to Monedderlust FC last weekend in Berbice. The South Georgetown ‘Ballweavers’, on 24 points and in 3rd position, will be aiming to avenge their first round 2-1 defeat to the Army. The three points will take Pele to the top; and the title on a superior goal difference should Alpha and Slingerz play to a stalemate.

The Army, in 5th place, can move to 20 points with a win; and depending on the outcome of the rescheduled

game played last night at the GFC ground between Fruta Conquerors and Buxton United, their place in the points’ standings could change. Conquerors, on 19 points and in 4th place, can secure the 4th place and final play-offs spot with a win; but an upset by Buxton and a win by the Army can see the present positions of 4th and 5th being switched, while Pele will still occupy 3rd position.

The feature game tonight is a virtual final, and brings together the two best prepared and most talented teams in the League. Both coaches are cognisant of the fact that a draw would not be enough to capture the coveted football title of national supremacy, so fans can expect 90 minutes of entertaining attack and rock solid defense at both ends of the pitch.

The two line-ups for tonight’s crucial encounter will be missing key players in Alpha Captain Daniel Wilson and Julian Wade, the Slingerz top scorer and Dominican International. Both are currently on try-out with Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise team Sporting Kansas City FC in the USA. DELON LANFERMAN Speaking to Chronicle Sport about this important game, Alpha Head Coach Wayne Dover expressed confidence, while complimenting his opposition for their performances in the League. “I must admit that Slingerz continues to play as an organised unit, and have been playing attractive and quality football. We do not expect an easy game, so we must have the mindset to play collectively, and demonstrate good discipline on the field to get the result, which is not beyond us.

“Daniel Wilson’s absence will certainly impact on our midfield, but it is also an opportunity for a player to step up”, Dover explained.

Dover’s opposite charge, Bill Wilson, while agreeing

that Wade’s presence will be missed, is confident that his replacement, Devon Millington, will be a handful. The former National player is making his first appearance this season, after being away in New York during the season.

Wilson also shares the view that the game will be well contested, and he is not taking anything for granted. “We cannot afford to become complacent against a top team like Alpha. They have a quality attack, and we know it is going to be a ‘tuff’ contest. We just need to continue doing the things we have been doing all season, and that is striving to perfect our all-round play, and we will be successful.

“Our finishing in recent games is good, but we need to improve on our defense. Once we continue to play total football, we will get the result”, the Head Coach stated.

On the field of play, the West Demerara-based side look the better organized and more match-ready team, and remain the only team not to lose a game on the pitch.

Had they not forfeited their first round match against DEVON MILLINGTON the Army, in protest, and had three points deducted as well, the now 2nd placed Slingerz, on 25 points, would have been entering tonight’s final game with the title already secured.

On the other side of the pitch, Alpha’s only blemish was a 3-0 drubbing by Pele FC, while their 21-year-old forward, Delon Lanferman, in his first season via Den Amstel, continues to find the net. His ten goals are the most by a player in the competition, though Pele’s Richardson is close behind with one less goal.

Coach Dover is quite aware that winning tonight is a must if Alpha is to hold on to the title of Football Kings of Guyana, failing which there will be a changing of the guard. Kick-off is at 20:30hrs.

Regional boxing presidents to meet in Guyana

THIS week’s Caribbean Development Boxing tournament will be used as a forum for presidents of Caribbean associations to meet and plan strategies for development of the sport across the region.

A meeting of five regional presidents is scheduled for Friday morning, with the main focus being implementation of programmes that would take the Caribbean towards Olympic glory.

President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, would be joined by Anthony Jones of Barbados, Stephen Jones of Jamaica, David `Shakes’ ChristoSTEVE NINVALLE pher of St Lucia, and Cecil Ford of Trinidad and Tobago.

The team would be assisted by Secretary of the Boxing Association of Barbados, Kathy Harper-Hall, who is hailed at the Mother of Caribbean Boxing.

“This upcoming tournament is a product of us meet-

ing last year as regional leaders. The One Voice, One Goal, One Caribbean motto has reignited a sense of deep unity, as is highlighted by the response to the Caribbean Development Tournament,” Ninvalle said yesterday.

DAVID CHRISTOPHER

STEPHEN JONES

The English-speaking Caribbean has been without Olympic medals for some time, with Guyana’s only medal at the Games being achieved in 1980 by boxer Michael Parris. The regional administrators would be looking at ways to create a

positive change, with focus being on the 2020 Games.

Caribbean presidents last met in large numbers in June 2014 in Barbados. The regional sport administrators are heading to Guyana for the Caribbean tournament, which commences on Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

To date, 15 countries have registered to participate in what is being dubbed as the largest gathering of regional countries in Guyana for boxing. Over one hundred boxers and 30 officials are expected in the country for the tournament, which concludes on Sunday. At ANTHONY JONES stake are regional bragging rights.

The countries registered are: Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St, Lucia, St, Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Regional boxing presidents to meet in Guyana See story on page 39

Banks DIH captures FUTSAL title

By Ras Wadada

THE curtains came down with a feast of goals when the SANNS Promotions Inter- Ministries and Corporation FUTSAL Tournament climaxed before a sizeable crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) last Friday night.

The Championship game produced 13 goals with the Tournament’s major sponsor – Banks DIH – overpowering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by an 8-5 margin to lift the Trophy Stall winners’ trophy and $200,000.

James Meridith gave Banks the lead as early as the 3rd minute of play, but Courtney Britton leveled the score a minute later. Banks then regained the lead in the 7th minute through former national footballer Andre Trotz Snr. and in the 16th minute Devon Forde increased the lead which was re-

Winning Captain Phillip Rowley collecting the winners’ trophy from Minister of Foreign Affairs and first Vice-president Carl Greenidge surrounded by team mates and officials of Champions Banks DIH. duced to 3-2 just before the half as Shemar Wilson converted for Foreign Affairs.

On the resumption, the Thirst Park based men quickly quenched their thirst for goals by racing to

a 6-2 lead after 8 minutes of the 2nd stanza much to the delight of their many fans.

Eron Hayde (22 nd ),

Forde (27th) and captain Phillip Rowley (28th) all added their names to the scorer’s list. The Foreign

Affairs Unit urged on by their support clawed their way back to reduce the deficit to within a goal and five minutes to go.

Goals from Jeffrey Newton (30 th ), Godfrey Powers (34th) and Courtney Britton (35 th ) made the score 6-5 to set the stage for an exciting finish which was however short lied. Quick replies by Eric Moses (36th) and Trotz Snr. (37th) ended the fight and title hopes of Foreign Affairs who cashed in on a Trophy and $150,000 as runners-up.

The 3rd place play-off also delivered a 13-blitz goal-feast as the Ministry of Infrastructure schooled the Ministry of Public Health 10-3. Infrastructure received a trophy and $100,000.,while Public Health collected $50,000. and a trophy.

The presentation of Individual awards will be made this coming week.

Singh’s second consecutive ton dents the Pride

ble. The wicketkeeper continued to have a good day with the gloves stumping opener Kyle Corbin for 16 off the bowling of Permaul. Pride were then 36-2.

Shamar Brooks (9) was not a threat with the bat in this innings after Gudakesh Motie came to the party and removed him, caught behind by Bramble. Roston Chase

...Barbados slump to 60-4

By Kizan Brumell MIDDLE-order batsman Vishaul Singh recorded his second consecutive century of the 2015/16 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day Tournament against Barbados Pride on day two of their third round match at the Guyana National Stadium.

Singh made a solid 121 from 241 balls which was laced with 14 boundaries as Guyana Jaguars posted 337 all out from 118.4 overs in the first innings. Pride are lagging behind on 60 – 4 at stumps, trailing by a 277 runs.

Barbados batted for the entire final session but the top order wilted before stumps with Veersammy Permaul (2-24) leading the bowling for Guyana. Kemar Braithwaite (11) was the first to fall when he edged Permaul to wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble with the score on 20.

Jonathon Carter entered at three and was removed shortly after by a Ronsford Beaton delivery that he edged to Bram-

See page 34

Vishal Singh recorded his second consecutive century at the Providence Stadium, yesterday.

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Waugh blames poor leadership and money for demise of West Indies See story on page 38

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015