‘Time to position Brand Guyana globally’
President Dr. Irfaan Ali and a government team which included several ministers met with a French business delegation at the Office of the President on Monday. The delegation, led by Philippe Gautier, CEO of MEDEF International—France’s leading private business network— featured business leaders from France in the agriculture, aviation, ICT, infrastructure, and other sectors. The discussions focused on the group expanding their interests and exploring investment opportunities in Guyana. MEDEF International is also in Guyana to attend the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) which opens at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday (OP photo)
An eight-member preliminary team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), led by Lt. Col. Andy Pompey, has been sent to Grenada to conduct a thorough damage assessment and needs analysis following the passage of Hurricane Beryl. This analysis is being done ahead of the deployment of a larger contingent from the GDF, which will assist in rebuilding critical infrastructure necessary for restoring normalcy in the island’s affected communities. Meanwhile, a boat with hurricane relief supplies that departed Guyana on Sunday, is expected to arrive in St. Vincent today (OP photo)
–– Dr Jagdeo discloses; says gov’t agencies
Guyana could earn more from its forest, biodiversity
— President Ali says,
announces
plans to intensify talks on economic modelling for biodiversity, climate and ecological services — calls on EPA to be more proactive
By Naomi Parris
IN the coming years, Guyana is set to earn more money for conserving its vast forest and biodiversity, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.
Dr. Ali during an address at an event held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Sunday evening, explained that while the country has already embarked on an ambitious venture to earn money for its forest through the sale of carbon credits, the continued and advanced conservation of the country’s plant and wildlife could see more revenue being generated.
“One of the important plans of our economy in the future would be ecological services, climate services and biodiversity services. These are three sets of services that Guyana would offer globally that will carry a price tag,” the Head of State said.
In an effort to address the climate crisis, Guyana introduced the first Low-carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) of any developing nation in 2009. The strategy outlined a vision for equitable, sustainable development while also preserving the nation's forests, which make up roughly 85 per cent of
its land mass. In that same year, Norway and Guyana had agreed to collaborate in order to develop
a model advancement payment for forests.
The country’s then President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister of the Environment and International Development, signed a deal that called for Norway to pay Guyana for forest climate services.
This approach has enabled the country to conclude transactions of almost US$1 billion in payments for the climate services provided by Guyana’s forests, of which US$227 million stemmed from the bilateral deal with the Government of Norway, and an additional US$750 million from the sale of ART-TREES credits made in 2023.
Through its LCDS Guyana has set out a model to balance economic development alongside conserving the country’s forests and biodiversity, while being compensated for same.
“Already we see our carbon trade has taken on a life of its own.
In just four years, less than four years, we have managed to regain our position globally as a lead thinker, a lead activist and lead innovator on forest and forest issues,” President Ali said.
For those who may not know, the voluntary carbon market gives companies, non-profit organisation, governments, and individuals the opportunity to buy and sell carbon offset credits.
A carbon offset is an instrument that represents the reduction of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases or emissions.
Currently, Guyana has commenced engagements with several commercial airlines to secure a market within the aviation sector for its certified carbon units.
Guyana became the first country to receive CORSIA (carbon offsetting and reduction scheme for international aviation) eligible credits
for airlines. The standards required for the aviation sector under CORSIA were established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
ECONOMIC MODELLING
As the country continues to pursue the ambitious venture of earning money for its forest, President Ali noted that the EPA would have to be more proactive.
“The EPA would find itself not only as part of the regulatory body and the oversight mechanism in all the development projects and all the oil and gas projects, but importantly as we build out this plan of the economy which is ecological and climate services, the EPA will have to continue to expand its wings.”
He noted that soon discussions would be centred on developing an economic modelling for biodiversity services and ecological services.
“There is no formula; there is no modeling as yet globally. And we have to do a lot of this thinking work. We will have to do a lot of this theoretical work, positioning these as important services globally.”
He added: “We have already committed to the world that we are going to take on this responsibility and that would require the EPA in its policy orientation to develop this ability so that we can now move one-step further in the expansion of the plank of development in climate service.”
President Dr. Irfaan Ali
‘Time to position Brand Guyana globally’
By Naomi Parris
WHILE Guyana has been garnering the attention of many international brands, it is the belief of the country’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali that it is now time to take the country’s melting pot of culture and unique history to the global market.
Dr. Ali during his remarks at the official launch of international Asian and Chinese food restaurant chain, P.F. Chang’s in Georgetown, on Sunday evening urged local private sector players to place emphasis on a ‘home-grown’ brand that will see Guyana being well-positioned in the global market.
“I believe while we bring international brands to Guyana, we are developing Brand Guyana, and Guyana carries with it a different weight, a different look and different style in today’s world and in today’s economy.”
He added: “How can we develop a home-grown local brand that we will take global? We have a rich culture, a rich tradition in taste buds, in our food. Imagine being innovative and bold enough to first develop a local brand, to believe in that brand, to position that brand and then to take that brand globally.”
Guyana, he stressed has much to offer and opportunities are abound beyond the food and restaurant industry. He believes there is room to further push local craft and jewellery.
“We have to start thinking outside of the box and being bold in that thinking in creating a Guyanese brand that we will position globally. These things would set us apart,” the Head of State explained.
He reminded those gathered of the country’s current economic trajectory, noting that Guyana carries much
–– President Ali urges local private sector as int’l restaurant chain P.F. Chang’s opens in Georgetown
more ‘weight’ and this creates opportunities to invest and promote the country.
“Our country and where our country is going gives us that easier opportunity to do this. So, my challenge to us here today is as we expand this economy and welcome all the new brands… I want us to use this opportunity as we celebrate the arrival of a global brand in our country to see how we can now position a local brand that we can develop globally,” the Head of State said.
To promote ‘Brand Guyana’ the Government of Guyana has been making massive investments in the local tourism industry. By the end of next year some 10 new hotels are expected to open. However, President Ali noted that the private sector must work proactively alongside the government to create traffic that will support all the new
services that are expected to come on stream.
“You don’t need three million people living in Guyana, but you need at least more than two million people passing through Guyana to utilise the services that we are investing in and creating… And you will see over the coming months, a very strategic approach in addressing this.
How do we create events? How do we create tournaments? How do we create the ecosystem to support this initiative of bringing people into the country and that is what is important for us.”
‘NOT MERELY A RESTAURANT’
P.F. Chang’s which is located at 57 High Street, Kingston, will officially open its doors to the public today.
The international fran -
chise brings to Guyana a unique variety of Asian cuisines and according to the Chief Executive Officer of Corum Group, Clairmont Cummings, it’s just not merely a restaurant.
“It is about bringing a beloved global brand to the heart of Guyana. It is a testament to how Mar-
quee Brands is increasing viewing Guyana as a place for investments and partnerships and as a group, we believe fundamentally that investments like these will only add diversity to the local culinary landscape,” Cummings said.
With an intent to create an ambience of communi-
ty, PF Chang’s is “a place where friends and family can gather celebrate, talk through issues.”
“I am truly excited to see how PF Chang’s will bring people together to continue to bridge the human connections to the universal language,” Cummings added.
At an exclusive launch on Sunday evening, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali joined the investors of the Corum Group to officially open the doors to the international Asian and Chinese food restaurant chain, P.F. Chang’s (OP photo)
Bodies of missing youths found off Unity Beach
THE bodies of Navin Seenauth, 20, and Daniel Boodram, 17, were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean near Unity Beach, East Coast Demerara, on Monday afternoon.
The youths went missing on Sunday while swimming with their friend, 17-year-old Joshua Deonarine.
Deonarine had recounted that the water was inshore with heavy waves when they arrived. Despite
the challenging conditions, the group decided to proceed with their swim.
Deonarine, who cannot swim, exited the water after approximately half an hour when it reached chest height.
After getting dressed, he realised that his friends were no longer visible in the water. He searched for them but was unable to locate them.
Deonarine then returned to the village to raise the alarm.
A united effort to locate the missing youths was quickly organised, with community members forming a search party.
The body of Seenauth was the first to be recovered by the search team. Boodram's body was recovered shortly after.
The Guyana Police Force conducted an investigation on-site, and the Coast Guard was deployed at first light on Monday to assist in the search efforts.
From left to right: Navin Seenauth and Daniel Boodram
NRF, Public Accountability and Oversight Committee
Annual Reports presented to Parliament
notification of petroleum revenues paid into the NRF made
SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s continued transparent and accountable management of the oil and gas sector, on Monday presented the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Annual Report for the fiscal year 2023 to the National Assembly, pursuant to Section 32(4) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021.
According to a press release issued by the ministry, Minister Singh acknowledged the work done by the NRF Board, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and the Investment Committee, and “commended, on behalf of the Government and the people of Guyana, the sterling work that is being done by the board of directors and the two respective committees for this extremely important national institution – The Natural Resource Fund.”
The NRF Act 2021 came into operation on January 1, 2022 and represents one of the most significant steps taken to bring greater accountability and transparency in the management
of Guyana’s oil resources, the release said adding that the NRF Act 2021 contains several enhanced clauses, including the establishment of a Board of Directors which will be responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the Fund and monitoring its performance, thereby separating the management of the Fund from the Minister responsible for Finance.
It explained that the NRF Act 2021 requires the Government to seek Parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the Fund, and also sets out new, simplified calculations needed for ensuring that the Fund achieves its purposes. These positive actions of the PPP/C government in management of the NRF are also recognised and commended by the IMF in its Article IV December 2023 report, which states:
“The governance of the NRF was strengthened through the appointment of three critical entities in 2022: the NRF Board of Directors, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, and the Investment Committee. Furthermore, to ensure full transparency and accountability, notifications of receipts of petroleum reve-
nues have been published in the Official Gazette.”
The Board of Directors of the NRF was appointed by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali on August 30 2022, and the members are Major General (Retired) Joseph Singh, MSS, who is the chairperson, and directors, Dunstan Barrow, A.A., who was nominated by the National Assembly; Ramesh Dookhoo, who represents the private sector; Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Professor Compton Bourne, O.E.
At Monday’s day’s sitting of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the National Assembly also circulated the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee Annual Report for the fiscal year 2023, pursuant to Section 6(6) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021.
The release said that pursuant to Section 6 of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee of the Fund was
appointed August 30, 2022 and the members are Clement Sealey, the chairperson who was a nominee of the National Assembly, representatives of the religious community Pastor Wendell Jeffrey, Savitri Balbahadur and Abu Zaman, representatives of the private sector Desmond Sears and Ryan Alexander, representatives of the organised labour Aslim Singh and Dawn Gardener and Teni Housty who represents the professions.
The nine-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee is responsible for providing non-governmental oversight of the operations of the Fund, replacing the cumbersome 22-member committee previously proposed in the NRF Act 2019.
According to the release, Minister Singh also presented Notification of Receipts
to the National Assembly of all petroleum revenues paid into the NRF during the period 29th March 2024 to 30th June 2024, pursuant to Section 33 (2) of the NRF Act 2021. The NRF at the end June 2024 amounted to US$2.9 billion.
“It would be recalled that a key improvement to the NRF Act 2021 is that the minister could face up to ten years imprisonment if he fails to disclose the receipt
of any petroleum revenue received by Government in the Official Gazette within three months of receipt of such monies.
“The PPP/C Government will maintain its transparent and accountable management of the oil and gas sector and will ensure that NRF funds are used finance investments that benefit present and future generations,” the release added.
Rebuilding Hope
THE recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl on the Caribbean’s agriculture sector is a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by this region.
The ambitious target to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 now seems more challenging, yet it underscores the importance of resilience and regional solidarity in the face of climate disasters.
Hurricane Beryl, a category four storm, wreaked havoc on several islands, including Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica. The aftermath is a heart-wrenching tableau of destroyed crops, battered fishing industries, and shattered infrastructure.
According to initial reports, the losses are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, a significant setback for a region heavily invested in achieving food security and reducing its dependency on imports.
The investment and commitment shown by CARICOM members, particularly since 2020, have been com-
mendable. Initiatives spanning infrastructure improvements, water systems, technological advancements, and crop variety enhancements were all part of a broader strategy to fortify the region’s agricultural backbone. However, Beryl’s onslaught has undone much of this progress, illustrating the fragile balance between progress and disaster in the Caribbean.
Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana and Chairperson of CARICOM, highlighted the severity of the situation, emphasising the immediate need for relief and the importance of comprehensive recovery strategies. The establishment of emergency operation centers and the swift activation of regional coordination plans by CDEMA and other agencies are vital first steps. These measures, including the creation of a relief trans-shipment hub in Barbados, are essential to ensure that aid reaches the affected islands promptly.
The immediate challenge is clear: providing food and essential supplies to those in need. However, the long-
term task is more complex and requires a multifaceted approach. Rebuilding the agriculture sector demands not just financial resources but innovative strategies that enhance resilience against future storms. Quick-yielding crop varieties, robust infrastructure, and advanced farming technologies must be at the forefront of these efforts.
President Ali’s call for a strategic meeting to explore rebuilding ideas and ensure price stability is a prudent move. The inclusion of regional and international partners like the FAO, IICA, and Embrapa in these discussions is crucial. These partnerships can provide the technical expertise and support necessary to rebuild a more resilient agricultural sector.
The devastation of Hurricane Beryl is a poignant reminder of the challenges that climate change imposes on vulnerable regions like the Caribbean. It highlights the urgency of global climate action and the need for stronger international co-operation to support disaster-prone areas. The region’s leaders
must continue to advocate for more substantial global commitments to climate resilience and disaster mitigation.
In the face of adversity, the Caribbean has an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of regional unity and the power of innovative recovery strategies. The road to achieving the 25 per cent reduction in the food import bill by 2025 has undoubtedly become steeper, but it is not insurmountable. With determined leadership, collaborative efforts, and a focus on building a resilient agricultural sector, the Caribbean can turn this setback into a story of recovery and hope.
The devastation of Hurricane Beryl is a call to action. It is a call for the Caribbean to rebuild stronger, to innovate, and to stand resilient against future storms. The region’s commitment to reducing its food import bill and achieving food security must be matched with an equally robust commitment to resilience and adaptation.
This way, the Caribbean can not only recover but also thrive in the face of an uncertain climate future.
SN editorial did not properly address Hughes’ conflict of interest
Dear Editor,
THE Stabroek News Editorial of Saturday July 6, 2024 does journalism a disservice.
It engaged in equivocation of the PPP’s policy positions on oil with the direct actions of the AFC’s new leader C.A Nigel Hughes. It is an intellectual waffle that should not go unanswered, so here goes.
The editorial correctly pointed out some of the areas where Mr. Hughes may have a conflict of interest but it pointedly refrained from calling out his recent verbal dance (no other way to put it) that he did not directly represent Exxon at the CCJ but appeared for
its partner oil company Hess, as court matters for Exxon are handled by Senior Counsel Pollard (Hughes was passed over by the Granger Administration for that distinction).
Worse yet was the Stabroek Editorial’s failure to mention or analyse Hughes statement to an online media entity when asked what would happen if he had to choose between ExxonMobil and Guyanese interests.
“You seriously couldn’t be asking me to compromise my client’s integrity because the interest of Guyana is at stake because I happen to be the leader of a political party.”
I can never fault a man for being honest and, this may be the most truthful statement ever made by a politician. Still, it certainly
disqualifies Hughes as a representative of the Guyanese people and their interests and establishes his credentials as a champion of the oil companies Exxon and Hess.
It therefore boggled the mind to see the attempt to equivocate this stance with the policy position with that of the PPP which is to encourage as much exploration and production of oil as possible before the world ceases to need this resource.
In evading the direct naming of C.A. Nigel Hughes as the only politician with direct ties to the oil companies and instead making an unfounded statement: “What Guyana and its people desperately need at this point are representatives in the political
and other spheres who are free of attachments to the oil industry and, importantly, appear to be so.”
Stabroek News did its credibility a great disservice. If it knows of a connection between any PPP politician and the oil companies it must reveal it to the public or do what is required for journalistic integrity and issue an apology.
As Balzac said in the 19th century “Evasion is unworthy of us, and is always the intimate of equivocation.” It was true then and it holds the same for today.
Sincerely, Robin Singh
Are the police ready to play ball and curb the noise nuisance?
Dear Editor,
THE summer season in North America is famous for beaches, baseball and barb-que.
The 4th of July in the United States of America, like the 1st July in Canada, are national holidays and being summer, people flock at the sea sides or the parks and also have neighbourhood and backyard picnics and parties. To accompany the fun, there are parades, concerts, fairs, carnival and of course, fireworks. In the heat (literally) of the moment, enjoyable music (not mundane), is an integral part of the outings and celebrations and the overall noise level is expected to increase. In Guyana, we incur many such opportunities because of our numerous holidays and also, we tend to capitalise on an all-year summer season, whether its rainy or sunny.
But in such disciplined overseas societies of which, Guyanese and other West Indians form a cohesive and composed component, there is a regulatory control over enthusiasm. What is evidently demonstrated is, the obvious regard for the law and people within the neighbourhood. As such, people are naturally time conscious and respect the required regulations which imply, lowering or cutting off the music at the stipulated time in order not to disturb the peace and quiet of society. They clean up and dispose of all the garbage and quietly avoid any noise and environmental pollution. The thought of being obscene by urinating in the public, would not cross their minds. The Diaspora’s sense of orderliness can be overwhelmingly overpowering and there is a dire need for such sensitivity to be ingrained at home.
The very Guyanese who leave our shores are conscious of the requisites of decency and integrity and adopt and abide by the limitations of rules and regulations. Whether rooted from a cultural school or
inherited from an ancestral upbringing or adopted from a birthed system, the display of class by such mass is a necessary content for Guyana’s context. But sad to say, many Guyanese at home are abhorrent to such expected civility or requirement. They prefer to be repugnant and antagonise the very neighbours who may be their friends or families. Their consciences are clandestine with unreasonableness and their behavioral pattern become clouded with obsession and absurdity which would induce any observer to want to formulate a man or animal inquiry.
The guilty ones indulge in playing loud, ludicrous and licentious music at their homes or in cars or buses, or in the public, beefed up by high tech, amplified musical systems enough to reverberate and rock an entire street or village as the case may be. This occurrence prevails in the morning, noon and night. There is no mercy for the tender ear drums and the question of morality becomes a mortality. The listening pleasure of lyrical purity and the sound of musical harmony is overshadowed with tasteless and choiceless vulnerability. Those submerged under musical imperfection and fail to emerge in the finesse of decorum, are unfortunately, already buried in the graveyard of barbaric savagery and will accrue excruciating pain in dissevering the significance of good over bad. Self-interest consumes their personality and functionality whether influenced by power or wealth, or a questionable literacy level, or a total disregard for the welfare of others, or, are on cloud nine intoxicated by alcohol or drugs or both. Those affected may be the sick, senior citizens, babies, students or employees who may have to go to work next morning.
This ghastly display of perhaps a disguised complex or a coloured deficiency, is a sure sign of a sick society, fed by unfettered discipline, fueled by the freedom
of lawlessness and furnished with the help of authoritative agencies. Despite law enforcement being established and exercised, its execution summons room to accommodate efficiency and effectiveness. Many officers perform exceptionally well and go beyond the call of duty and should be congratulated for their dedication towards their duties and services. On the other hand, many fail to represent the distinction of honouring such a privileged uniform.
There are documented cases of officers engaged in criminal activities. Many have been convicted of corruption. It’s an open secret that this plague has had devastating effect on society and as a result, many innocent victims suffer wrongly while the guilty escape unscathed as a result of police malfeasance, police failing to be proactive or police not responding timely. The process of ‘leff or rite’ provides the guarantee of a weekly “box-hand” of eye raising amount and the habit of collecting a weekly pay off ensures an untouchable monthly pay package.
Noise nuisance continues to be a monstrous menace throughout Guyana and recent editorials and letter writers have again painstakingly implored all the relevant authorities to address this parasite which keeps feeding on the patience of society. The operation of bars in residential areas is a crucial matter. The traffic hazard posed by parking cars on narrow streets by customers is a nigh mare. Bars functioning until the wee hours of 05:00 hours is astonishingly unforgivable and the Ministry of
Home Affairs needs to clarify or confirm their opening and closing hours. The problem of patrons from bars urinating in the public and also on residents’ properties and exposing themselves, need to be harnessed and curtailed. Hot dog stands selling food in localities during all hours of the night where customers gather, eat and discard their garbage in the streets is an unacceptable and disgusting issue.
There is an urgent and pressing need for the Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall to allay the fears of the nation by discussing these damaging, dangerous and devious issues on his weekly programme, “Issues In The News.”
Since the PPP/C Government took office in 2020, there has been many changes and shake ups. Many honest officers have pledged to uphold the law and work diligently in the interest of the state and people. Many have shamed the Agency they hide within and there is need for more sanitation.
President Ali is always on the lookout for more ‘few good men’ to join in the fight of crime and corruption. It is time the police step up to the plate and answer the call to resolve the issue of noise nuisance on the road and in the community.
They will be helping the President to preserve a clean, consoling and co-operative national community.
Are the police ready to play ball and curb the noise nuisance?
respectively,
Yours
Jai Lall
The hibernated ‘delegates’ that turned up at the AFC Congress
I ASSERT that one district group of the AFC had existence before the AFC held its congress in June 2024. A party group has to have active members and there are party functions to be performed year in, year out, after election for office bearers. One of the most common party functions anywhere in the world is fund-raising. Most PNC groups were inactive since 2020; all AFC district entities died after 2020.
If the AFC could fool anyone, it cannot fool me because I know many of the Georgetown-based former members. These people had gone from the AFC and had not seen the
doorsteps of the AFC head office for years now. I recently took one of them to Minister Indar Deodat for employment and the minister was obligatory. Another Georgetown former AFC cadre told me I am quite free to quote him about his support for Anil Nandlall. They were both delegates. How? Persons turned up at the AFC congress as delegates that have not seen the core of the AFC leadership for years and whose membership would have lapsed because dues were not paid for years since 2020. I was on the seawall with my dog on Sunday evening when I got a call from one of the most known names of the former Georgetown group. I would be willing to name him if AFC personnel question the occurrence of our talk.
This is a person I know very well and speak to quite often. I recently took a group of former Georgetown AFC cadres to lunch at Banks DIH outlet on Main Street. Only one of the persons at that lunch remained with the AFC and could be considered a bona fide AFC delegate–Michael Carrington. None of the members of my lunch group was still with the AFC. But they all turned up as delegates.
In the seawall conversation, I asked him how he turned up as a delegate when as a friend of his I know he had long gone from the AFC and would not have qualified to be a delegate because his dues would not have been paid for years now. He said: “They paid it for me.” I never asked who “they” were because I knew who “they’ were.
Some people in the AFC went around Guyana and literally resurrected members who had long gone and had completely lost contact with even the remnants of the AFC and made them delegates. I read where there was a Caribbean group that participated in the congress. Which Caribbean countries have a functional AFC formation?
It becomes a caricature and a national shame when an opposition party can go about contacting people who were once active and have since long gone and make them delegates. I keep carping on the subject that lack of morality in anti-government outfits will generate a cynical attitude in governmental leaders who will not listen to them because the ruling party will say and has been telling these actors–“you are in no position to criticise us.”
Look at what happened at the recent PNC Congress. The entire bandwagon was derailed through conspiracy. You expect the leaders of the ruling party to invite these people to
have inclusion talks? The PNC leader and the PNC’s executive committee were not properly elected through a transparent process. In fact, the opposite occurred–the ambience, and the environment were opaque.
I keep lamenting the loss of value to Guyana’s social fabric when civil society groups and private newspapers become openly hostile to the government, and this hostility appears irrational. Precious space for dialogue between an independent civil society and government leadership is lost because the government does not accept that civil society has a collective independent mind because they are insanely anti-government. How can anyone with commonsense expect the government to dialogue with such people?
Is there any human in Guyana that thinks the government would have a discussion with the Guyana Human Rights Association? A one-man outfit that has been like that for the past 45 years. Is there any human in Guyana that reads the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News? If the answer is yes, do you have the open mind to admit that these newspapers are a throwback to the era of the Argosy, Evening Post and the Chronicle in the 1960s? When you read the emotional hatred for the PPP that goes into the Stabroek News editorials, then those three newspapers named above look like child’s play.
The AFC is facing an impossible task to resurrect itself. It cannot be done. Time passes and the dialectics leave people behind. The AFC is dead and gone.
That era has passed, and I have become much older.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
This bell has rung out
I WAS probably too young to fully appreciate all the drudgery and nuances of the 1992 general elections.
However, I can vividly recall the campaign slogan of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), in a way I cannot recall any other. The slogan included and was prefaced by the loud tolling of a bell accompanied by the words “Ring out the old and ring in the new.”
The loud hailers announcing public meetings of the WPA carried with them a large bell that rung with loud clanging ear piercing reverberating ding-dongs. One couldn’t help but take note.
Following the 1992 general elections WPA hosted a weekly TV talk-show where the intermittent ringing of a bell punctuated each episode of the programme. In the subsequent history of the WPA; the bell has tolled to a complete silence, precipitated by WPA’s inability to make an impression at the ballot box.
Decades later, another politician showed up with the identical programme format, ringing a bell. Except this latest attempt is an insipid table comedy. A table comedy is much like standup comedy, except the comedian sits at a table. The WPA was on TV because that was the prevailing medium available to them. These days, there are a preponderance of personal social media channels. The technology allows us to know, in real time, the level of viewership along with instant viewers’ reaction. We have a modern political bell ringer in Sherod Duncan.
Sherod fell victim to the political boogeyman residing in the real time metrics of the social media platforms. The bogeyman is faceless until an attempt to collect and count ballots from a real election. Many modern political activists conflate social media viewership and other forms of popularity with political support.
Sherod is one such politician who was bamboozled by the relatively ‘good’ viewership (when compared to other similar programmes on social media). So, Sherod attempted to transpose his bell tolling popularity into the election for AFC leader. At those
elections, his bell boinged into political silence, while he had a lot of social media metrics at his disposal, he remained politically clueless. He probably isn’t even aware of WPA’s pioneering bell ringing activities, if he is, it shows a lack of imagination and creativity on his part.
Mark Benschop was registering similar social media numbers many years before him and yet failed to impact the ballot boxes in two elections.
CN Sharma was immensely popular through his “Justice For All” programme with a similar outcome. In real politics Sherod had everything, every parallel lesson, working against him. Like Benschop and Sharma before him, he was decimated at elections when he attempted to try his hand at real balloting. Inside the AFC, Sherod’s bell followed the path of the WPA’s; it rung out. It is easy to surmise that social media popularity does not translate to real returns at the ballot box. A social media following includes segmented viewership, a large number of whom tune in just for its entertainment value, others for another perspective on a story, some just want to hear what their political rivals have to say. Then there are those living overseas who want to catchup with the sights and sounds of home and a whole host of reasons that have no bearing on their voting decisions.
Further, in the Guyanese voting culture, we do not vote for unitary personalities no matter how large they may seem and no matter their personal accomplishments. People gravitate to well organised political formations with multiple personalities. If we go back through the election results of every election ever held in Guyana, properly organised parties not based on the popularity of a single personality have always garnered notable returns at the ballot box.
The United Force and Alliance for Change for example were well organised. They held congresses, elected leaders and office bearers and all the basic attributes of any of the two bigger parties. Every party that has done so over the years made their
mark on the electoral tally. It is not by accident that AFC was as successful as it was in the past. Political efforts that seem to have a one-man flavor will fail miserably. Even if a group of otherwise popular individuals come together to contest an election, those efforts will fail if it is not formed around a national network of organised party groups.
Personal popularity works only within a system, within a full-fledged organised political system. Sole popularity, celebrity status, entrepreneurship, personal philanthropy and personal social media influence are not sufficiently convertible currency for ballots. Guyanese voters are savage to
those who fail to learn this lesson.
Let me end this piece with a bit of gossip. It is being rumored in the press, that Glen Lall a popular
news mogul, is taking steps to form a political party to contest the 2025 elections. The way of the bell beckons.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Boat with hurricane relief supplies expected in St. Vincent today
MV Hein, the privately-owned boat that left Guyana’s shores on Sunday with a large shipment of hurricane relief supplies, is expected to reach St. Vincent and the Grenadines sometime today.
According to a press release, the vessel which was contracted to transport the supplies, departed local waters at approximately 18:00 hours on July 7 and is estimated to arrive
at its destination on July 9.
The vessel is carrying various resources that were accumulated as a result of a Needs List that was provided by the impacted Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation.
The release added that a relief package was sent to Grenada several days ago via a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft.
Some of the items on the vessel bound for St. Vincent and the Grena-
dines include: pumpkin, cassava, milk, peanut butter, tarpaulin, batteries and battery chargers, solar fans and lamps, mattresses, pillows, clothing, sanitary products, hygienic items, first aid kits, power tools, zinc, lumber, doors, generators, water tanks, and safety vests.
The release added that these items were acquired through a collaborative effort with the Government
of Guyana, the Private Sector Commission, and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will officially receive these
items at their Port Kingstown location.
Additionally, it was noted that CARICOM and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) are working with all stakeholders to ensure safety and security during the ongoing hurricane season.
“The Guyana Government has heard the call to render aid and will do so consistently as the need arises,” the release added.
The vessel filled with hurricane relief supplies as it left Guyana enroute to St. Vincent and the Grenadines which was devasted by Hurricane Beryl (CDC photo)
Guyana gov’t, private sector to host job fair in New York
THE Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the private sector, will host a job fair on July 27, 2024, at the La Guardia Marriott, 102-05 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, New York, targetting Guyanese in the diaspora.
According to a press release, the event which will be held from 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours, presents a unique opportunity for skilled Guyanese abroad to explore career prospects in Guyana and actively contribute to the nation’s ongoing development initiatives.
The job fair will feature participation from key private sector leaders and stakeholders,
offering attendees insights into the diverse opportunities available across various sectors within Guyana.
Participants during the event can interact with prominent figures from key industries in Guyana and have the opportunity to explore job opportunities which includes a wide range of exciting career openings.
Persons can learn about companies, gaining insights into small, medium, and large enterprises operating in Guyana.
Additionally, they will be able to understand the Remigration Process and according to the release, they will
receive information on the process of returning home.
Participants also can expect to learn how their skills can contribute to Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.
“This job fair underscores our commitment to harnessing the talents and expertise of our diaspora community. By deploying their skills and experience, they can play a pivotal role in the
country’s development and economic growth.
“We invite all Guyanese in New York and surrounding states to join us and explore the abundant opportunities available in our vibrant nation,” the release said.
For more information and registration details, persons can visit https :// guyanaconsulatenewyork.org/ job-fair-registration
Rapist sentenced to 16 years in jail
By Feona Morrison
A 36-year-old father of two was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl a few weeks ago, and last Friday he was given a 16year prison sentence in the Demerara Criminal Assizes.
In addition to his imprisonment, Oswald Earl Bedlow, a married resident of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), has been directed by Trial Judge Sandil
Kissoon of the Demerara High Court to undergo vocational training programmes and counseling sessions specifically designed for sexual offenders.
The 12 jurors unanimously concluded that on December 22, 2022, in the county of Demerara, Bedlow called “Uncle Wallie”, engaged in sexual penetration with the victim without her consent.
The girl was raped by Bedlow two weeks after
her sixteenth birthday, according to court documents. According to the prosecution’s facts, on the day in question, Bedlow made the girl drive to a remote location where he sexually assaulted her.
He then dropped her off at another place and drove off.
A probation officer informed the court last Friday that Bedlow was adamant that the teenager initiated the act. The officer said
that Bedlow’s family and friends described him as a very happy family man, and expressed shock that he was involved in the crime.
Ronald Bostwick, Bedlow’s attorney, asked the court to be compassionate with his client during a plea in mitigation, arguing that State Counsel Marisa Edwards’ suggested starting point of 17 years was “totally excessive.” Bostwick asked the court to consider the fact that his client did
not use physical force or threats prior to, during, or after the offence was committed, nor was there any evidence that he groomed her. “This man acted in an out of character way on that day. What happened is not something that happened before or is expected to happen again,” he said.
To speak to what he described as Bedlow’s good character, he highlighted his client’s prior unblemished criminal record. The defence attorney submitted that the mitigating circumstances exceeded the aggravating factors, highlighting his client’s breach of a position of trust in reference to the latter. He continued by stating that Bedlow expressed regret for the psychological harm he had inflicted on the victim and her family and admitted his role in the crime.
When given a chance to address the court, an expressionless Bedlow said: “For whatever wrong I have done, I ask for forgiveness. Most importantly, I ask God for forgiveness.”
BETRAYED
The court also heard from the girl’s statement in which she detailed the psychological and other trauma Bedlow’s actions continue to cause her.
The victim told the probation officer that she felt violated, betrayed, and hurt by what Bedlow had done to her.
The victim, who is now 18 years old, expressed in her victim impact statement read by her mother, that she has fears and no longer trust people, especially males.
“I had respect for him [Bedlow]. When he raped me, I did not expect that from him. I am happy my mother believed me when I told her. I told her and he admitted that he raped me. I no longer trust people, especially males,” the victim impact statement read.
Her mother fought back tears as she told the judge that her daughter wanted the attacker to spend a very
long time behind bars in order to prevent him from hurting anyone else.
The victim said that the incident affected her mother psychologically and that it makes her sad to see her in that state.
PREMEDITATED ACT OF RAPE
In his sentencing remarks, Justice Kissoon noted that Bedlow had violated a position of trust. He bemoaned the fact that Bedlow had earned the girl’s trust, confidence, and
affection, and that he had responded to her with acts of indecency and violence.
The judge came to the conclusion that Bedlow had not shown any sincere regret for the suffering and agony he had caused the girl by the “premeditated act of rape” after reviewing his testimony to the court and his conversations with the probation officer.
“This is an offence of rape. This is an offence against the State,” Justice Kissoon emphasised.
He made reference to Guyana’s highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), expressing concern that sexual offences against children in Guyana had gotten to the point of a crisis.
Emphasising the gravity of the crime, the judge stated that rape belongs in a class of offences that are deemed heinous and that the court will do its part to send a strong message to perpetrators and would-be offenders. He said that there has not been a decrease in this offence based on data from the Child Care and Protection Agency.
According to Justice Kissoon, life imprisonment is the maximum punishment reserved, but he did not believe that this case was the worst of the worst.
Ultimately, he sentenced the former driver to 16 years in jail and mandated that he received credit for the time he spent on remand as well as programmes to aid in his rehabilitation.
Justice Sandil Kissoon
Jailed: Oswald Earl Bedlow
Real- time monitoring of oil production being done
–– Dr Jagdeo discloses; says gov’t agencies present offshore
WITH Guyana well-positioned as a fast-emerging player in the oil and gas industry, strong emphasis continues to be placed on safety, monitoring and defending national interests, according to Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
During a recent news conference, Dr Jagdeo said that the ExxonMobil shares its dashboard where there is real-time monitoring of what is going on offshore.
The Vice-President made these remarks in response to critics saying that the government is not monitoring what is happening.
“They already have that up and running onshore. So, we get to see this screen and it updates every ten minutes. And you have some of the key parameters that we get to see like production data, the tank inventories, the sea water gas, how much gas is produced, the downtime power generation, safety health and environment flare management…
“All of these are in a
dashboard that we, that they monitor…three agencies now in the government have access to this dashboard [Ministry of] Natural Resources, EPA and GGMC. So, we see this, it’s not as though we’re not aware of what’s going on offshore,” the Vice-President stated.
He further disclosed that both the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) have a presence on the vessel.
He said: “They [GRA and GNBS] have reps offshore to look at different things like we calibrate the meters and all of these issues.”
Furthermore, by 2027, ExxonMobil Guyana is poised to surpass the milestone of producing 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd), a significant achievement that promises to not only boost the company’s revenue but bring substantial benefits to the people of Guyana.
This is according to Vice President and Business Service Manager of ExxonMo-
bil Guyana, Phillip Rietema, as he discussed the oil giant’s 2023 financial statement on this week’s episode of the Energy Perspective Podcast, which is produced by the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.
June 2024, marked 25 years since ExxonMobil has been in Guyana.
ExxonMobil is the operator of the offshore 6.6 million-acre Stabroek Block. Along with its partners
US$778.6M deposited into NRF from April to June 2024
THE National Assembly was on Monday notified that just over US$778.6 million, which represents profit oil and royalties for the second quarter of the year, was deposited into Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF).
Sums totalling US$778,637,571.25 were deposited as a result of lifts from the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and the Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore Guyana.
A total of 10 deposits were made between the period March 29, 2024 and June 30, 2024 with the first deposit being made on April 8, 2024 to the NRF. Nine of the deposits accounted for profit oil while one was for royalty payment related to production for the first quarter of 2024.
In keeping with the provisions of Section 33(2) of the NRF Act, the Ministry of Finance laid the details of the deposits be-
fore the National Assembly on Monday. The profit-oil receipts are from Guyana’s lifts of crude oil earned as profit, while the royalties are paid on a quarterly basis. For the first quarter of the year (January to March), Guyana earned some US$604.3 million for the sale of oil and this was declared to the national assembly in May.
Hess Guyana Exploration and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana, a consortium was formed to find and exploit petroleum from the area.
ExxonMobil Guyana holds a 45 per cent stake, followed by Hess Guyana Exploration with 30 per cent and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana with 25 per cent.
He also stated that the corporation has three other development projects—Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail—set to begin production in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively.
Each project is estimated to generate 250,000 barrels per day, bringing the total offshore oil output in Guyana to more than 1.3 million barrels per day.
Since the first discovery in 2015, the company has developed three projects—Liza 1, Liza 2 and Payara—producing over 600,000 barrels a day.
The prolific Stabroek Block has solidified Guyana’s position as a major player in the global oil industry and the fastest-growing economy in the world.
Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
Minister Edghill urges proper storage of building materials to protect roadways
By Cindy Parkinson
AS Guyana’s economy continues to expand, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has issued a stern warning to the public about the improper storage of building materials and waste along highways and community road corridors.
This practice, he emphasised, contributes to road damage and creates traffic hazards.
Minister Edghill acknowledged the progress and development occurring in local communities but expressed concern over how some individuals and contractors handle their construction materials and waste disposal.
“While we are happy to see the developments happening in our communities, we are still not pleased with the way some people are storing their construction materials and disposing of their waste,” he said.
The Minister reminded citizens that leaving construction materials like sand and dirt on the roads for more than 24 hours is an offence. “It is not the first time I have addressed this issue, and I want to make it clear that we will charge lawbreakers,” he stated.
Minister Edghill also called on government contractors working on highways and using heavy-duty machinery to consider the safety and
well-being of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“Our contractors should ensure that their
construction materials are stored properly and that their machinery operates in a manner that
does not hinder motorists or pedestrians,” he said. “Ensure that your signs are up, and drivers are directed properly.”
He addressed the broader issue of community responsibility, urging drivers to respect the safety of themselves and their passengers. He also highlighted problematic practices such as dumping old vehicles, performing mechanical work on roadways, and mixing cement on the roads, which he said have become a “culture” that “will not be tolerated.”
Minister Edghill encouraged local government entities, such as the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), to grant short-
term permits for building operations and to maintain proper drainage and remove excess materials after construction is completed.
He concluded by appealing to the community spirit of Guyanese people.
“Throughout the world, Guyanese are known for our hospitality and care for each other. As Guyana grows, it is my hope that we can also grow as a people.
We have to stop being inconsiderate towards each other, and we, the older folks, need to teach our young people about life through our actions. Starting with being kind to each other,” Minister Edghill added.
The Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill
$1B investment in Sophia’s developmental projects to enhance living standards
– Minister Indar
By Cindy Parkinson
VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing $1 billion in developmental projects and road restoration efforts in C Field Sophia, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to enhancing local infrastructure and community livelihoods.
Reflecting on a recent visit to Sophia alongside Vice President Jagdeo, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, emphasised that these substantial investments are part of a deliberate strategy to improve living standards for Guyanese citizens.
“Vice President Jag -
deo’s investment of $1 billion in Sophia’s infrastructure is not arbitrary; it underscores our government’s commitment, alongside President Dr. Irfaan Ali, to create safer, more comfortable environments for all Guyanese,” Minister Indar stated.
He highlighted that these initiatives aim not only to upgrade physical infrastructure but also to significantly improve the quality of life for residents of Sophia.
Minister Indar underscored the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government’s overarching goal since 2020 to uplift the nation from its grassroots. He noted that community-driven projects across
Guyana, including Sophia, are designed to generate local employment opportunities and empower residents economically.
“Our commitment re-
mains steadfast: community development projects prioritize local employment and sustainable growth,” Minister Indar affirmed.
He emphasised Vice President Jagdeo’s assurance to Sophia’s residents regarding ongoing city and local road renovations, highlighting plans to address infrastructure challenges promptly.
Minister Indar also called upon contractors to expedite project completion to minimise inconvenience for residents. He outlined specific road rehabilitation efforts across ‘A’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ Fields, including 29 primary roads and numerous cross streets.
During his engagement with Sophia residents, Vice President Jagdeo reaffirmed the PPP/C government’s strategic investment approach across various sectors, particularly in social development. Addressing misconceptions about oil revenue, Vice
President Jagdeo clarified that while current budget allocations are conservative, future revenues are expected to significantly contribute to national development goals.
“People think we are flooded with oil money, but the reality is different,” Vice President Jagdeo explained.
“Our budget projections reflect a cautious approach to oil revenues, with substantial benefits anticipated in the coming years.”
In closing, Vice President Jagdeo reiterated his commitment to realising comprehensive improvements in infrastructure and living conditions for all Guyanese citizens, emphasising a vision for sustainable economic growth and social progress.
Before and after photographs of the new concrete road constructed at Middle Street between 8th and 9th Cross Streets, C Field Sophia
Local entrepreneurs to launch ‘Elevate Shops Market Day’
LIZANNA Gordon, a local businesswoman, and her partner, Iona Perry, are set to host the ‘Elevate Shops Market Day,’ a new initiative aimed at creating a dynamic space for small business owners.
The event will take place on July 27th from 10:00 hours to 18:00 hours at Lot 23 John and Norton Street, Georgetown.
Entrepreneurs from across Guyana are invited to participate in this unique opportunity designed to help business minds evolve and expand
their ventures. Supported by various sponsors, the event aims to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to interact with peers, foster a sense of community, and attract a broader clientele.
Gordon emphasised that ‘Elevate Shops’ is not just a platform but a springboard for small businesses. “We want to foster a collaborative community where entrepreneurs can connect, share ideas, and help each other grow,” she said. This market day is the first step in building that community.
The ‘Elevate Shops Market Day’ caters to a wide range of businesses, from crafted items to professional services such as accounting and social media management. Gordon highlighted the importance of registering diverse businesses to avoid unnecessary competition and ensure a supportive environment.
“We believe it’s important to start small and grow from there,” Gordon explained. “Our goal is for ‘Elevate Shops’ to eventually have a physical location where small business-
Owen Accra’s Manslaughter charge ends in acquittal
IN connection with the death of Nair Khan, a labourer from Bud Street, Line Top, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, Owen Accra has been acquitted of a manslaughter charge.
Following deliberations on June 25, 2024, a mixed 12-member jury delivered a not-guilty verdict before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court.
The incident in question dates back to February 11, 2018.
The police, in a press release, had said that Khan and Accra were drinking at the latter’s house when an argument erupted. The police said the argument
stemmed from the accusation that Khan was having a relationship with Accra’s wife. According to the prosecution’s facts, a fight
ensued, resulting Accra attacking and stabbing the now dead man with a knife.
However, Accra’s attorney, Kiswanna Jefford, contended that Khan attacked her client with a knife. Khan later collapsed and died a short distance away from the scene. Accra had fled after the deadly incident but later surrendered himself in to the police. After a thorough examination of the evidence and testimonies presented, the jury found Accra not guilty of the manslaughter charge.
Prosecutors Tanesha Saygon and Marisa Edwards represented the state.
es can bring their products to the public and access various forms of assistance, such as packaging, business cards, and social media management.”
So far, ten small businesses have registered to exhibit their products at the market day, with additional slots available for interested participants.
Those wishing to join can contact Gordon at 690-0630 or visit the Elevateshops Facebook page for more information.
Evolve Shops aims to connect small businesses with potential customers, partners and resources
Justice Jo Ann Barlow
Empowering PWDs: GCOPD and BIT announce new training initiatives
THE Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has teamed up once more with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) to provide free training programmes for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
These programs include data operations, website and app development, and PC and small electronic repairs.
Ganesh Singh, Programme Coordinator of the GCOPD, announced that these opportunities are open to all interested persons with disabilities. However, each program will be limited to 12 trainees and will span a total of three months. The data operations and web development classes will be conducted virtually, while the PC repairs class will be held in person due to its hands-on nature.
Prospective participants will undergo an interview process to determine their eligibility before being registered for the programs. The deadline for registration is July 12, 2024, with classes set to begin on July 22, 2024. Those interested can find the application link on the GCOPD Facebook page.
The GCOPD is a longstanding partner of BIT, working together over the past few years to implement skills training programs for PWDs across the nation. BIT has been a strong advocate for increased training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Earlier this year, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton met with members of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) to discuss a framework for vocational and skills training programs tailored specifically for people with disabilities. This ongoing collaboration highlights the commitment of both GCOPD and BIT to enhance the skills and employability of PWDs in Guyana.
U.S. Embassy launches B-PRO project with Guyana Police Force
HENRY Rector, Acting Political Chief of the United States Embassy, initiated the launch of the Better Police Readiness in Caribbean Law Enforcement Organisations (B-PRO) Project during a courtesy visit to Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken at Eve Leary’s Commissioner’s Conference Room on Monday.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed that the B-PRO Project, funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), aims to enhance law enforcement practices across the Caribbean, with focused improve-
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken with Acting Political Chief of the United States (U.S.) Embassy, Henry Rector
ments within the GPF.
In Guyana, the B-PRO initiative seeks to strengthen the GPF’s organisational and administrative structures, enforce rigorous ethics, transparency, and accountability procedures within the GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility, enhance training and development opportunities for GPF officers through specialised courses and continuous learning programs, improve the capabilities of GPF Criminal Investigation Department officers in handling criminal investigations, and equip the GPF academy with advanced tools for assessing officer performance.
The meeting also introduced three PADF experts who will conduct initial assessments with various GPF departments this week: Christian Peterson, specialising in data analytics and governance; Jeffrey Shearer, a certified crime scene analyst and forensic evidence expert; and Robert Brzenchek, a nationally certified instructor and expert in law enforcement organisational management.
Among the attendees were U.S. Embassy INL Specialist Alana Bumbury-Walton, PADF Project Coordinator Wynette Oudkerk, Deputy Director Tonia Newton, and Woman Superintendents Nicola Kendall, Head of the Strategic Planning Unit for Police Reform, and Sonia Herbert, Director of the Guyana Police Force.
The launch marks a significant step in fostering collaboration between the U.S. Embassy, PADF, and the GPF to bolster law enforcement capabilities and enhance security measures in Guyana and across the Caribbean region.
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
PONTEFRACT
09:10 hrs Lady Dorchester
09:40 hrs James Webb
10:10 hrs Elim
10:40 hrs Silky Wilkie
11:10 hrs It’s All About You
11:45 hrs Ardbraccan
12:17 hrs Cavalier Approach
LINGFIELD
09:25 hrs French Mistress
09:55 hrs Laurentia
10:25 hrs Royal Tapestry
10:55 hrs Sugarloaf Lenny
11:25 hrs Landlordtothestars
11:55 hrs Hul Ah Bah Loo
12:30 hrs Havechatma
13:10 hrs Zizan’ A Du Mazet
BRIGHTON
12:25 hrs Suanni
12:55 hrs Iffraaj
13:25 hrs Electric Avenue
13:55 hrs Uncle Dick
14:25 hrs Letter Of The Law
14:55 hrs Milliethemollie
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
THISTLEDOWN
Race 1 More Than Good Race 2 Historyinthemaking Race 3 Run Fearless Race 4 Open Out Race 5 Exactitude
Race 6 Napa Dude Race 7 Country Club Bobby
IRISH RACING TIPS
TRAMORE
12:10 hrs Magnetic North 12:45 hrs Stariam
13:15 hrs No Niki No
13:45 hrs Expound
14:15 hrs Butterfly Garden
14:45 hrs Rain
15:20 hrs Rauzan
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Tuesday July 09, 2024)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Angus Fraser-8/53 (Port-of-Spain, 1998) (2) Curtly Ambrose-8/45 (Bridgetown, 1990)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What are the best Test match bowling figures by an Englishman against the WI to date?
(2) What are the best Test match bowling figures by a WI against ENG to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Penalty shootout victory over Brazil was winning in Uruguayan style, says Bielsa
URUGUAY showed their character and the national team's "style" in their penalty shootout win over Brazil, so says Marcelo Bielsa.
Fifteen-time Copa America champions Uruguay progressed to the semi-finals, at Brazil's expense, with a 4-2 victory in the shootout after a 0-0 draw in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Uruguay, who have quickly adapted to Bielsa's full-throttle attacking approach, had to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Nahitan Nandez was sent off for a lunge on Ro-
drygo.
It meant the usual offensive tactics had to make way for defensive ones, though, from Nandez's red card onwards, Uruguay limited Brazil to just two attempts.
"Everything that happens, happens Uruguayan style, because the players are the ones that give their all to the team," Bielsa said.
"It was a match with very little goal opportunities, highly contested, very close, even with very little changes in possession.
"When we were one man down, we decided to dedicate
Taylor, Campbelle and Ismail on Guyana Amazon Warriors’ retained list
STAFANIE Taylor will be back with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Taylor led the Amazon Warriors to the WCPL final in 2023, where her team finished as runners-up.
She will be joined by fellow retained players Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean and Shakera Selman.
The newly-signed players for the Amazon Warriors are Australian batter Erin Burns, who won the WCPL with the Barbados Royals in 2023, and South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, who was with the Royals at the 2022 WCPL.
ourselves to defending in our half.
"So, holding on to that result as the Uruguayan team
Seven more spots in the squad are left to fill, and six of these players will be selected at the WCPL draft, which will take place in July.
The final spot will be the last overseas player, and it will be confirmed before the start of the tournament.
The 2024 Massy WCPL will take place in Trinidad from 21 to 29 August, with all seven matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad before the draft is as follows: Stafanie Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Erin Burns, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha Mcclean, Karishma Ramharack, and Shakera Selman.
did shows the profile of Uruguayan football.
"They were very calm in the penalty shootout that
demands not only accuracy but also character."
Uruguay have now kept three successive clean sheets, while they limited Brazil to 0.58 expected goals (xG), and their defensive resilience has pleased Bielsa.
"I am a bit more drawn to the offensive than the defensive game, but in a match that was as tight as this one, we created one more opportunity than our opponent and we defended well," Bielsa added.
"I do think that defensively, not because I achieved it but because the players are inherently good at defending,
that they are very good at keeping a clean sheet."
This is the first time
Uruguay have reached the semi-finals of the Copa America since the last time they won the trophy in 2011.
La Celeste had endured three consecutive quarter-final appearances without advancing, with two of those being decided by penalties (2019 and 2021).
Uruguay will face inform Colombia, who hammered Paraguay 5-0, in the last four. (Sportsmax)
Sanath Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka's interim men's head coach
SANATH Jayasuriya has been appointed Sri Lanka's interim men's head coach after Chris Silverwood resigned in June.
Silverwood, 49, stepped down after the team's early group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup.
Former Sri Lanka cap-
tain Jayasuriya, 55, will coach the team on their three-Test tour of England in August and September. That is as far as the arrangement extends for now.
"I have been asked to take over coaching and I am happy to do it," Jayasuriya told AFP.
This is Jayasuriya's first high-profile coaching role, having previously been a national selector for Sri Lanka. He has been serving as a cricket consultant for the team.
Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva said: "Sanath, with his wealth of international cricketing experience, is well positioned to guide the national team until we find a permanent solution."
As a player, all-rounder Jayasuriya represented Sri Lanka 586 times, competing internationally for the last time in 2011. (BBC Sport)
Pace bowler Atkinson to make England Test debut
The 26-year-old joins Chris Woakes and the retiring James Anderson as the specialist seamers.
Atkinson's Surrey teammate Jamie Smith, 23, will also make his Test bow behind the stumps, a move confirmed when he was named in the squad ahead of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes.
Atkinson, who has played nine one-day internationals and three T20s, was part of the England squad for the Test tour of India earlier this year, but did not feature.
Smith usually plays for Surrey as a specialist batter, with Foakes taking the gloves, although he was England's keeper for the two one-day internationals, he played against Ireland last year.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, picked in the England squad ahead of his Somerset team-mate Jack Leach, plays his first home Test after winning three caps on the tour of India.
Atkinson was
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes
Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson. 'FRESH LOOK'
Overall, England have a fresh look for the first Test in the three-match series against the Windies.
There are four changes from the side heavily beaten in the final Test of the 4-1 series defeat in India, and four from the last home Test against Australia at The Oval last July.
Leach, Foakes and Bairstow have been left out, while 41-year-old Anderson has been told this will be the last international match of a record-breaking career that has seen him become England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker.
Atkinson, capable of bowling at high pace, has taken 59 wickets in 19 first-class matches. He gets the nod ahead of Matthew Potts and the uncapped Dillon Pennington, who are the other seamers in the squad. Smith has long been touted as a future England prospect.
An attractive stroke-maker, he averages more than 40 in firstclass cricket and in excess of 56 in the County Championship this season.
Along with the debutants, batter Harry Brook returns at number five after missing the tour of India to be with his ill grandmother, who passed away in March
Woakes also plays his first Test since last summer after being overlooked for the tour of India despite being named player of the series in the Ashes.
Perhaps most importantly for England, captain Ben Stokes looks set to be able to play a full part as a bowler after being plagued by a long-term left-knee injury.
The all-rounder had surgery in November and tentatively returned to bowling in India before accelerating his rehab in three County Championship matches for Durham.
Stokes bowled a substantial spell in the nets at Lord's on Monday, with England able to practice outside despite the mixed weather in London.
(BBC Sport)
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa
Sanath Jayasuriya hit 42 centuries and took 440 wickets as a player for Sri Lanka
PACE bowler Gus Atkinson will make his Test debut in England's series opener against West Indies at Lord's tomorrow.
(c),
Gus
part of the England squad for the tour of India earlier this year
Yusuf plunders unbeaten 94 on return to Toronto
FOUR years after gracing Toronto with his batting prowess, popular softball player, Uniss Yusuf returned with a bang last Saturday at the Ashtonbree Reservoir ground.
Still licking the wounds after Regal Legends were eliminated on the opening day of the 19th Annual New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) tournament, played in the “Big Apple” recently, Yusuf was in a no-nonsense mood on a sunlit Saturday afternoon.
The pugnacious diminutive right-hander literally “swept” his way to a blistering unbeaten 94 off 30 balls as GTA Storm made light work of Friendship Masters in their Over-50 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) ongoing tournament.
Using both the conventional and reverse sweeps to good effect, and for which he’s well known, Yusuf plundered four fours and 11 sixes off the hapless eightman Friendship team, as GTA
Storm raced to the required 142 in 10.2 overs, losing the wicket of opener Ken Itwaru in the process.
Yusuf and Itwaru added 58 for the first wicket, before the latter went bowled by Rafiq Sulaman for 11. He then dominated an unbeaten 84-run second wicket partnership with Jai Singh, who was undefeated on 28 when victory was achieved. Singh’s knock contained two fours and two sixes off 18 balls.
Earlier, Naresh Prashad was the mainstay of the
Pidcock pipped on line as Pogacar retains yellow
BRITAIN’S Tom Pidcock was pipped on the line as France's Anthony Turgis won the ninth stage of the Tour de France.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider was narrowly beaten in the final sprint at the end of a frantic 199km stage in Troyes that included 14 gravel sections.
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar retained the leader's yellow jersey, and animated the stage with attacks on several occasions on a day that tested the credentials of all the general classification riders.
Pogacar, of UAE-Team Emirates, leads Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step by 33 seconds, overall, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike in third, one minute 15 seconds further back.
While Pogacar and Evenepoel sought to get up the
road at various times prior to Monday's rest day, the Dane was less adventurous and content to neutralise their moves, having had to swap bikes with Jan Tratnik after an early mechanical issue.
On the one occasion he was caught out with about 20km remaining, his American team-mate Matteo Jorgenson superbly dragged him back onto the wheel of Pogacar, as all the general classification riders came back together at the end.
"I ride with my heart, and today was a day to do it," said Pogacar, who appeared bemused by Visma-Lease a Bike's strategy.
"They only look at me, and they underestimate the others. It could backfire," added the 25-year-old, who is attempting to complete the first Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double since 1998.
While there was little movement towards the top of the overall standings, Canada's Derek Gee, who was also in the breakaway with Pidcock and Turgis, was rewarded by moving inside the top 10 by finishing third.
Adam Yates, who is riding in support of Pogacar, is the highest-placed British rider overall, sitting almost five minutes behind his teammate.
Prior to the start of the stage, the Uno-X Mobility team led a moment of applause in memory of Andre Drege, the Norwegian cyclist who died, aged 25, in a crash at the Tour of Austria on Saturday.
The race now travels west to Orleans, in the heart of France, and continues today with a 187.3km run into Saint-Amand-Montrond.
Friendship Masters innings, slamming four fours and five sixes in a fine innings of 54 but got little support from the other batters as Friendship Masters reached 141 for seven in 17.2 overs.
Khem Singh took two for five from 1.2 overs while Orlando Deonarine ended with two for 12 from three.
GTA Storm will oppose Seatown on Saturday at the Littles ground in Scarborough, Ontario.
Djokovic beats Rune, then accuses fans of 'disrespect'
NOVAK Djokovic swept aside Denmark's Holger Rune to reach his 15th quarter-final at Wimbledon, before accusing fans of disrespecting him.
Despite appearing to struggle with a stomach issue, Djokovic beat the 15th seed 6-3 6-4 6-2 on a rowdy Centre Court.
Rune received the backing of many in attendance, who cheered him along with drawnout bellowing of his name, which Djokovic angrily took to be booing.
"They were [disrespecting me]," Djokovic said.
"I don't accept it. I know they were cheering for Rune, but that's an excuse to also boo.
"I've been on the tour for more than 20 years. Trust me, I know
all the tricks; I know how it works. You guys can't touch me."
The 37-year-old is going for an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th Grand Slam overall.
He will next play Alex de Minaur, who booked his spot in the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-3 win against France's Arthur Fils.
The real drama of the day in the men's singles came as American Taylor Fritz produced a magnificent escape act by battling from two sets down to beat fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
Before Monday's final match on Centre Court, Djokovic said there would be "fireworks" when he faced Rune.
However, he rarely came close to troubling the second seed on this occasion, failing to make the most of just two break points.
Still sporting a knee support on his right leg following surgery in June, Djokovic got off to a lightning start, winning the first 12 points, and assuming a 3-0 advantage.
Djokovic seemed to struggle with a stomach problem early in the second set, clutching his abdomen and taking deep breaths between points.
However, he was still able to assert control for the remainder of the match, and secured the straightforward victory in a little over two hours.
The Dane had defeated Djokovic twice before; wins that helped establish him as one of the sport's rising stars.
Uniss Yusuf following last Saturday’s knock
Tom Pidcock, right, won a stage of the Tour in 2022 on Alpe d'Huez
Jason Holder feels the energy as year-long Test absence ends
JASON Holder says that his experience of looking on from afar as West Indies sealed their thrilling eightrun victory over Australia at the Gabba in January has given him “renewed energy” to pick up where he left off, as he prepares to face England at Lord’s in his first Test for almost a year.
Holder, 32, was one of the notable omissions when West Indies chose to send a weakened squad to Australia earlier this year, having turned down a central contract in order to fulfil his lucrative deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. In his absence, Kraigg Brathwaite’s team bounced back from a ten-wicket defeat in Adelaide to square the series in extraordinary style in Brisbane, a venue where Australia had lost just one Test since 1988.
“It gave me a renewed energy to come back to the group, and try to be a part of something special again,” Holder said. “I missed Test cricket. This is my first Test match in a long time, so I’m looking forward to it. I’m just happy that I’ve been able to still get the body up and going, and being up for the challenge here.”
On the lure of franchise
cricket, Holder insisted “It’s not my job to find a solution,” but pointed out that South African and New Zealand players have similarly opted out of central contracts in recent months to maximise their earning potential in T20 tournaments.
“It is what it is,” he added. “This is where the game is moving; each and every person has their own personal decision to make. I was just so happy for the boys when they did what they did in Australia.”
West Indies have arrived in London, where they will go into the Lord’s Test as underdogs, given that 1988 was also the last time they won a Test series in England. But, as holders of the Richards-Botham Trophy after a hard-fought 1-0 win in the Caribbean in 2021-22, and with memorable victories at Headingley and Southampton in each of their last two away series in 2017 and 2020, Holder is confident that his team has the wherewithal to go one better this time out.
“The guys took a lot from that Test victory in Australia,” he said after West Indies’ training on Monday. “We’ve been doing some really positive things over the last couple of months,
...All-rounder recalls ‘prison’-like circumstances of ‘Covid’ tour in 2020
and I think as a young side, the main thing is just to keep learning. What we have in the dressing room is some special talent, no doubt about it. It’s just a matter for us just to play some solid cricket, and they’ll have just to believe. It’s time for someone to break the shackles, and there’s no better time for us to come here and beat England.”
The circumstances of West Indies’ current visit could not be much further removed from their last tour in 2020, which took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, behind closed doors and in bio-secure environments at Southampton and Old Trafford. Holder himself was captain back then, and
though his team earned huge respect for helping to keep international cricket alive in uncertain times, it was not an experience he looked back on with any great fondness.
“Firstly, it’s just good to be out in the open again,” he said. “I remember being locked in Manchester for three weeks before the Test series, which was tough because you stayed at the ground. And then we went down to Southampton for a week, which felt like a week out of prison. And then we went right back into prison after Southampton.”
The fact that the show went on, however, offered a degree of normality to a world that was otherwise in lockdown, and Holder hoped
that something of the same could apply to the people of the Caribbean, a region that was last week hit hard by the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.
“It was tough, man, but reflecting on it, you just count your blessings right now,” he said. “Obviously, there were a lot of lives lost during ‘COVID’. And again, it’s a similar situation with the hurricane that just passed. The only impetus that people had was cricket. They finally got a chance to see some cricket, which put a smile on people’s faces in the Caribbean.
“So, coming back here in England four years later, we’re just looking to take it one step further. We won one Test match last time out of three. Yeah! Two will be a lot better on this trip.”
Holder’s preparations for his Test return included two first-class matches for Barbados in March, followed by a five-match stint for Worcestershire in the County Championship, for which he made an unbeaten century against Kent in his final appearance.
“It was one hell of an experience,” he said of his time with the club. “It gave me new energy, because the love that the boys showed me was
second to none.”
Although much of the buzz around the first Test will centre on James Anderson and his impending retirement, Holder was reluctant to be drawn into the conversation at this stage. However, he acknowledged the hole that Anderson will leave in England’s dressing room could be similar to that left in West Indies’ after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul after his own 21-year career.
“It was a bittersweet feeling in a sense,” he said, “where someone who’s done so much for West Indies cricket is being pinched to wake up that he’s actually finishing.
“You’re losing such a powerful figure in the dressing-room; I guess it’ll be the same thing for England. But, as with everything else, we’ve got to move on many times. You unfortunately can’t play professional sport forever. At some point, we’ve got to close the curtains.
“Some people get to do it on their own terms; some people don’t. But the experience of me playing with ‘Shiv’, it was great to be in the dressing room with him and just learn so much from him.”
Seventeen-year-old Troy benefits from ‘Project Cricket Gear’
TROY David, a 17-yearold all-rounder from Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, is the latest young cricketer to benefit from “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana, the joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $460,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 25 pairs of cricket shoes, 30 pairs of batting pads, 35 cricket bats, 30 pairs of batting gloves, 25 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 12 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fibre-glass bat, 13 boxes of white cricket balls and 28 footballs.
In addition to the above, gear worth more than $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former
David was the recipient of one pair of cricket shoes. The Fraser’s Educational Institute right-arm leg-spinner and middle-order batsman represents Edinburgh Cricket Club at all levels. At a simple ceremony, held recently, he was very thankful for the shoes, and promised to work hard on his game. This project continues to support young people and promised David more support as his game grows. He was reminded to balance his education with cricket. The project is happy to be associated with the development of cricket especially through young people.
National wicket-keeper/ batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, 76 young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted directly from seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 32 bats, three boxes, six helmets, 28 pairs of cricket shoes, 19 pairs of batting pads, 24 thigh pads, one bat grip, 32 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and three pairs of wicket-keeping gloves.
Several others also benefitted indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and
Cotton Tree Die Hard also collected one box of red cricket balls each; Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received four and a half boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, a set of stumps and bails.
Other beneficiaries include the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, Number 65 Young Titans with 30 tee-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah
Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club and Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each). Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent.
Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.
Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
Jason Holder runs in to bowl at West Indies’ training session ahead of the first Test against England (Getty Images)
Troy David proudly displays his cricket shoes
Joseph ready to rumble against England
LONDON, (CMC) – West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph put his delayed arrival behind him, and is ready to get down to business against England in the first Test of the Vivian Richards-Ian Botham Trophy series, starting tomorrow at the so-called “home” of the sport, Lord’s.
The 24-year-old Guyanese missed the three-day, warm-up match against a County Select XI that ended this past Friday, because his flight out of Georgetown was delayed following the passage of destructive Hurricane Beryl.
He is expected to feature in a lively attack for the Caribbean side after he shot to prominence with a match-winning spell against Australia this past January in Brisbane, where he helped Kraigg Brathwaite’s side
achieve a historic win.
“Since our last tour of Australia, we’ve maintained
our energy,” Joseph told reporters before a training session at the historic venue
for the first Test. “That’s the mindset we come into this series with (that West
Indies can compete against England).”
Similar to their trip earlier this year to Australia, West Indies are trying to end a drought in England, where they have not won a Test series since Vivian Richards’ side beat Graham Gooch’s men, 4-0, in a five-match series.
Joseph said he was looking forward to the series because of the history associated with playing Tests in England, where fast bowlers have thrived and made a name for themselves.
“I’m excited to be here,” he said. “England is known for good fast bowling.
“Watching a lot of the Ashes with great fast bowlers, Jofra Archer, Mitchell Starc, all the great fast bowlers come out here and do well. And that’s something I would want to do as well.”
The Test will be extra
special, because it will mark the final time that James Anderson will appear on the international stage for England, and will end his career as the pacer with the most wickets in the history of the format.
Joseph hailed Anderson for his exploits with the ball, and as someone he admired while growing up, but he reiterated a sentiment first expressed by now injured veteran pacer Kemar Roach, that West Indies’ plans are to try to ruin the retiring pacer’s farewell by winning.
“He’s such an amazing player,” Joseph said of Anderson. “Someone I have looked up to; someone who is very good at this level. You could say he’s perfect, because he has a lot of wickets at this level. Definitely, I would want to ruin that farewell for him.”
CWI Rising Stars Men's Under-19 Tournament to begin in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
CRICKET West Indies
(CWI) Rising Stars Men's Under-19 Championship, initially set to commence on July 2 with a three-day competition preceding a 50-over tournament, has undergone significant changes due to Hurricane Beryl's passage earlier this week.
The hurricane affected regions, including host country St. Vincent and the Grenadines, necessitating a delay and a subsequent alteration in the tournament's format.
The tournament will now
begin on July 11 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The updated format will feature four rounds of two-day matches, and five rounds of 50-over matches.
Despite these modifications, the tournament will still conclude on July 31, as initially planned, ensuring teams have a balance of match time to develop their skills and adequate time for recovery between matches.
Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe stated, "Following an
assessment by our Cricket Department, I am pleased to confirm that the pitches and outfields are in excellent condition. Additionally, electricity and water services have been fully restored at all venues and accommodation facilities."
The Barbados, Leeward Islands, Jamaica, and Guyana teams were scheduled to arrive yesterday, Monday, July 8.
The Trinidad and Tobago team will arrive tomorrow, July 10.
The Windward Islands team is already present in St. Vincent. Bascombe also commend-
ed all stakeholders for their effort in reorganising and readying the tournament under challenging circumstances.
"I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the quick and efficient reorganisation of the championship. Your dedication has ensured we can proceed as planned. I also commend the players for their patience and understanding during this period.” Bascombe said.(Sportsmax)
Shamar Joseph’s 7-68 inspires West Indies to a stunning 8-run over Australia
The U-19 tournament will now begin on July 11 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines