Guyana chronicle 17 02 14

GUYANA No. 103742

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2014

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

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CDB hails Guyana’s ‘responsible’ fiscal reforms Page 3

–ranks it alongside Haiti, Suriname as fast becoming lead regional economies

The promise of sweet pan music lures capacity crowd to NCC 2 Page

–for an afternoon of thrills, skills and pure entertainment

PPP pledges solidarity to embattled 7 Venezuelan government Page

Carib Soca Monarch final...

Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson proves he’s ‘still in de game’ centre

Youths treat their captive audience to a riveting session in steel at the annual Republic Bank’s Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan Competition at the National Cultural Centre last evening

Missing female taxi Page 17 driver found murdered –18 year old held for questioning

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

The promise of sweet pan music lures capacity crowd to NCC –for an afternoon of thrills, skills and pure entertainment

By Shirley Thomas

THE National Cultural Centre came alive yesterday afternoon with the delightful sounds of the steel pan and a capacity crowd which had gathered to experience the Republic Bank’s Pan-o-rama Steel Band Competition 2014.

Sponsored by Republic Bank for the sixth consecutive year, the event saw the introduction of a new “Pan Jazz” category, whose fusion is becoming a recognised form in the Jazz genre, hence its introduction into the competition.

A preliminary competition in the School Band category was held on February 14 to accommodate the large amount of participating schools -- an offshoot of the continued output of the Republic RightStart Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme, another similar annual initiative under the “Power to Make a Difference” umbrella. This move also exposed a wider cross-section of Guyana’s children to the steel pan art form, thus enabling them to appreciate a style of music that forms an important part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.

This programme, which commenced in 2010, teaches the necessary skills for playing the steel pan and acquiring the knowledge of the rudiments of music.

Due to the ongoing focus on youth in steel pan, 11 school bands competed in their preliminary, with the five best being featured last evening in the final.

The 2014 Mashramani

communities to teach young people to play the steel pan, hence the country is getting more and more young people into the school bands.

“Because of that programme of giving back, and that simple outreach, we have seen more bands entering the competitions,” Minister Anthony said with an air of pride and satisfaction. This gesture, he said, has given rise to the emergence of more diverse categories of the competition.

These girls prove they’re just as good as their male counterparts, any day, when it comes to dishing out sweet pan music (Photos by Sonell Nelson) Panorama Steel Pan Competition featured bands competing in six categories, namely: * Senior Pan Solo * Junior Solo * Pan Duet * School Band * Pan Jazz * Large Band Judging from the spirited participation and responses from steel band enthusiasts and many supporters who attended the event, all enjoyed a great evening.

According to manager of the Camp Street branch of the Republic Bank, Mr Sher-

wyn Greaves, in his opening remarks to the gathering, it was heartwarming to note the vibrant resurgence of the steel pan art form, and moreso the visibility of much younger players, notably those under 20.

Greaves assured his audience that Republic Bank remains committed to being of service to communities, especially in providing avenues for empowerment of the nation’s youth.

“In so doing, we take pleasure in being a part of the revival of pan with our “Power to Make a Difference” social outreach initiative, and today we are very pleased to be able to witness the power and passion of pan, [which] we anticipate will be unveiled for our enjoyment,” he added, to loud applause.

Greaves noted that during last year alone, 150 youths throughout Guyana benefited from the Republic RighStart Pan Minors Music Literacy programme, and the bank not only wants to generate a greater interest in the art form, but also to foster the excellence that was displayed last evening.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, attended the event and expressed pleasure at the overwhelming response by steel pan enthusiasts and supporters.

He expressed profound gratitude to Republic Bank for its sponsorship of the event for the last six years, and said.

“Six years ago, Republic Bank committed to finance the event, and six years hence, they are still with us and have stuck to their promise.”

Dr. Anthony said this is precisely the type of partnership and corporate responsibility the Culture Ministry would like to see other corporate entities take on.

He said the ministry was also pleased to see the strides school and community bands have been making in recent times. He recalled that, previously, there were not many school and community bands; but, today, that situation is changing, and he credited that development to the ministry’s initiative in utilizing monies raised through various activities staged during Mashramani to invest into establishing more school and community bands, and to provide tutors to work along with the youths.

Additionally, during the July/August holidays, tutors are delegated to go out into the

Dr. Anthony lauded the support garnered from the various entities, adding that it certainly lends to making a difference with steel pan music in Guyana.

Preparing the audience for a treat ahead, Dr. Anthony assured, “So tonight you’ll be seeing -- or what you’ll be hearing is from some of these youth bands that have been around, and I think you’ll be having a more diverse competition.”

To this end, he urged Guyanese to come out in their numbers to support the bands whenever they are performing.

Other performances he highlighted were: * An exhibition, currently being staged at the National Museum, depicting what we have done as a country over 44 years. * An Art Exhibition depicting “44 years of sculpting in Guyana”, being held at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road. * The Republic of Guyana to deliver a lecture this year by the distinguished Professor Clem Seecharran. Dr. Seecharran has also written extensively on sports, namely West Indian Cricket from the 1800s to the 1960s.

Minister Anthony is urging Guyanese to come out in their numbers to listen to and benefit from these events.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

CDB hails Guyana’s ‘responsible’ –ranks it alongside Haiti, Suriname as fiscal reforms fast becoming lead regional economies

THE Barbados-based financial institution, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), projects that Guyana, along with Suriname and Haiti, will take the lead amongst the regional economies, in terms of accelerating growth in the next two years.

This is according to the CDB’s President, Dr William Warren Smith, during the bank’s annual press conference last Tuesday at its headquarters in Barbados.

The bank has projected that the Caribbean Region will, in 2014, experience an overall growth of 3.7 per cent, with much of Guyana’s growth being driven by its mining sector.

VIBRANT ECONOMY “Guyana is a good example of a country that has done some of the right things, and at the same time has also benefitted from good fortune.

They have come a very, very long distance in terms of their fiscal situation. They have been responsible in terms of addressing it,” Dr Smith said, adding: “Guyana has a very vibrant mining sector, and even though gold prices might be somewhat down at this particular point in time, there are still a lot of investments that are taking place

in the mining sector generally, and in gold in particular.

“Generally, there is a lot of vibrancy in the Guyanese economy. Just by casual observation, one can see that there is a lot of construction that is taking place in the country. I’d like to say that whenever I go to Guyana, you can almost see the country changing in front of your eyes, and so that is just a casual indication of the extent to which economic activity is vibrant and buoyant in that country,” he told regional journalists Tuesday.

GOOD LESSONS He went on to say that there were some very good lessons to be learnt from Guyana’s experiences, as although Guyana has followed a very tough road, the good news is that it has shown resilience and responsibility in the management of its economy, in that it has taken advantage of the breaks it has been fortunate to have. “...and that is an important lesson, because, sometimes, countries which were in a much better position that Guyana in the past did not take advantage of those opportunities. So just from this standpoint of lesson learnt, Guyana is a study,” Dr Smith

Enterprise motor cyclist warded with multiple fractures …following collision with car at Enmore

By Shirley Thomas TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD motor cyclist, Darry Ross, of Section ‘C’ Enterprise, East Coast of Demerara is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) suffering multiple fractures to the left arm and left leg, after being involved in an accident with a car on the Enmore Main Road on Tuesday night.

Ross suffered fractures in three places on his left arm, a fractured instep, two broken toes and abrasions to his left knee, but after two days of being hospitalised was preparing to be discharged on Friday.

The injured man recalled that he was riding his motor cycle on his way from Enterprise to Golden Grove, with a pillion rider and another motor cyclist friend, riding ahead of them. He recalled it was around 19:00 hrs when, as he was on the Enmore Main Road, he spotted a car travelling ahead of them. His friend overtook the car and he, driving at moderate speed, attempted to do likewise. However, in the process, the car turned around, hit his bike tank and sent him, his pillion rider and their motor cycle flying into a nearby trench.

Impulsively, and not being aware of the injuries he had suffered, Ross went limping after his pillion rider to help him out of the trench. They both managed to get out and the driver of the car, after taking every precaution against his car being soiled with blood, eventually spread a sheet on the back seat and allowed them into his vehicle. The pillion rider, who did not suffer much injury was dropped off at his home, while Ross was taken to the GPHC. On the way to hospital, Ross stopped at another friend who phoned his mother and informed her about the accident. His mother received the message with shock and disbelief, knowing that he had left home less than an hour before. However, she was grateful that both young men’s lives were spared.

said.

Guyana, for the CDB, he said, also represents real opportunity, as “if we want to sustain ourselves as an institution, we have to have a very close working relationship with Guyana, because Guyana, Suriname the large countries represent opportunity

In 2012, 33% of the US$166M in loan approvals by the institution was for projects in Guyana. “Even through the most difficult of times that Guyana has experienced through the years, Guyana has met its obligation to the Caribbean Development Bank, and we are very grateful for that,”

CDB President, Dr. William Warren Smith for growth diversification and expansion; and that is very critical for the longevity and the sustainability of the Caribbean Development Bank.”

Guyana continues to benefit from its partnership with the financial institution, having been a founder-member since the institution came into being on January 26, 1970.

Dr Smith said.

CDB funding in Guyana has been used for financing social and economic infrastructure such as schools, roads and water projects, building more disaster-resistant structures, community skills training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

ENGAGING IN CLIMATE CHANGE “Guyana, being a very large country,” he said, “needs a lot of investment; but naturally, a lot of the investment in your country is going to take place by way of private investment, because of the size of the country, and the relative level of underdevelopment of the infrastructure. I think that is where lot of the focus will have to be. So that is one area that we want to be involved in. CDB has in the past been involved in infrastructure development with regard to roads, we have also financed educational development and one of the areas we are now emphasising is climate resilience.”

In 2013, the CDB recorded strong recovery in loan approvals and disbursements, with loan approvals totalling US$139M, up by 34 per cent from US$104M in 2012.

To t a l d i s b u r s e m e n t s amounted to US$86M in 2013, about 60 percent above disbursements of US$116M in 2012. Guyana has benefitted from the special development fund, and as well from loans totalling almost US$28M to strengthen sea and river defence systems “We approved a fairly sizeable loan to Guyana last year for river and sea defences, and that is an area we are going to need continuous investment going forward because of your peculiar circumstances, your geographical location and the

fact that a substantial part of the country is below sea level and also climate change- the rising sea levels and so on… so if you do not build the resilience against that type of threat then it is going to undermine your development so that is an area where CDB is more and more becoming active and an area where we want to continue to engage with Guyana in the future,” Dr Smith said.

International financial institutions have provided substantial debt forgiveness and Guyana has been able to capitalise on this, whilst continuing to pursue responsible fiscal reforms, he noted.

The emerging international market for commodities has also redounded to Guyana’s benefit as it has a lot to offer in this regard, the CDB president noted.

“They have been able to use the resources to help develop and grow their economy,” Dr Smith stated.

It was also noted by the CBD head that, there is still a far way to go in terms of development, and this will only be possible with reforming the ways in which regional economies are structured and enforcing the fiscal discipline that is necessary to underpin that growth.

The financial expert is confident that once the right measures are in place and circumstances permit, the Caribbean Region can achieve developed status within the next two years.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Ukraine protesters and police pull back in contest over president

By Richard Balmforth

KIEV- (Reuters) - Ukrainian opposition protesters ended a two-month occupation of city hall in Kiev yesterday and opened a road to limited traffic, meeting an amnesty offer aimed at easing a stand-off over President Viktor Yanukovich’s rule.

The authorities, for their part, withdrew riot police from a flashpoint district of the capital, near the Dynamo Kiev football stadium, where at least three protesters died in January in violence between ultra-radical activists and police.

Apparently accepting that the protesters had met the authorities half-way, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the amnesty would come into force from Monday.

Criminal charges would be dropped against those protesters for violations committed between December 27 and February 2, it said - a period that includes a week of clashes in which six people were killed and hundreds of police and protesters injured.

Despite the conciliatory moves, opposition leaders sought to keep up pressure on Yanukovich, telling a rally in

Kiev’s Independence Square that he must abandon “dictatorial” powers and let them form a government independent of him.

Tomorrow, Yanukovich may present his candidate for prime minister to parliament - a choice that will show whether he is ready to make more concessions to the opposition after 12 weeks of often ugly street confrontation.

Opposition leaders made clear on Sunday they would also push in parliament for constitutional changes to reduce Yanukovich’s powers.

The unrest was sparked

by Yanukovich in November when he spurned a free trade agreement long in the making with the European Union and opted for a $15 billion package of Russian credits and cheaper gas to shore up Ukraine’s ailing economy.

The revolt spiraled into countrywide protests at perceived sleaze and corruption in the Yanukovich administration, and has triggered a geopolitical tussle between East and West.

As Russia beckons with the aid package, the United States and its Western allies have urged Yanukovich to move back towards an IMF-backed deal with Europe.

CLUB-WIELDING MASKED MEN As Sunday’s peaceful ral-

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ly unfolded on Independence Square, attracting several thousand, young club-wielding masked men from the radical fringe of the protest movement were on patrol, looking for government agents known locally as “titushki”.

A group of about 40 young men, wearing black balaclavas and carrying shields that announced they were from the 14th “self-defence” unit, marched through crowds gathered near the Dynamo Kiev football stadium, a frontline in the unrest.

All the same, tensions in the area abated, with riot police leaving the streets and protesters opening a passage for limited traffic to pass barricades and reach government headquarters and parliament.

Western governments have expressed fears of an escalation of conflict and breakdown of law and order unless Yanukovich meets opposition demands.

Yesterday, former economy minister Arseny Yatseniuk repeated calls for constitutional changes that would strip Yanukovich of powers he has accumulated and enable an opposition government to be formed to lead the ex-Soviet republic to economic recovery.

After protesters departed Kiev’s City Hall, which they had occupied since early December, Yatseniuk urged Ukraine’s judicial authorities to live up to their

A bulldozer removes barricades at the site of recent clashes with riot police in Kiev February 16, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Konstantin Cherni) amnesty promise: “We want about 2,000 criminal cases to be dropped. If this does not happen, we will start a peaceful offensive.”

EU AND OSCE SUPPORT Demonstrators had swept into the main municipal building shortly after Yanukovich decided to ditch the EU trade pact.

Switzerland, now chair of the OSCE human rights watchdog, sent an envoy to Kiev to monitor the City Hall evacuation.

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she expected the authorities now to close all pending court cases, including house arrests, “so as to facilitate the political dialogue in parliament this week”.

Masked men in military fatigues and the demonstrators they had protected against riot police since mid-December filed out of Kiev’s city hall but threatened to return if authorities did not carry out the

amnesty promise.

Opposition deputies said protesters had similarly pulled out of municipal buildings in several areas of western Ukraine, a hotbed of opposition to Yanukovich, and in one part of the southeast where the president has retained more support.

Andriy, 45, commander of about 100 men in black balaclavas leaving City Hall, said they were doing so on the understanding that charges against detained activists would be dropped.

A pivotal decision in coming days will be who Yanukovich names as his candidate for prime minister to replace the Russian-born Mykola Azarov, whom he sacked on January 28 in an unsuccessful attempt to appease the protesters.

He has until the end of the month to find one, although parliament speaker Volodymyr Rybak was quoted by Interfax as saying he thought Yanukovich might present his candidate to parliament on Tuesday.

With the hryvnia currency under pressure, he has to find a new steward of the economy quickly.

His choice could encourage a quicker disbursement of Russia’s bailout package. But if he resists calls for constitutional change and names a hardliner, the streets could return to uproar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Colombian leader ‘outraged’ by army corruption claims COLOMBIAN President Juan Manuel Santos says he is “outraged” by allegations of a massive corruption network in the Colombian army.

The allegations were published by the Colombian weekly magazine Semana.

It says it has taped conversations that prove that huge

Leopoldo Lopez is a former mayor of Chacao, in eastern Caracas

Venezuelan police hunt opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez

Venezuelan police have searched the houses of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and his parents.

Mr Lopez, who has organised recent anti-government protests, has not been seen in public since Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition marches in Caracas.

An arrest warrant has been issued against him.

President Nicolas Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot.

Maduro, you are not going to force me or my family to bow down” LEOPOLDO LOPEZ Mr Lopez, 42, is a former mayor of the Chacao district, in eastern Caracas.

He used his Twitter account to call on students to carry on with peaceful demonstrations.

“To the country and the students, who I’ve always admired and supported, the battle is in the streets, but without violence,” he posted.

He also sent a direct message to the Venezuelan president: “Maduro, you are a coward. You are not going to force me or my family to bow down.

On Saturday, police clashed with a group of demonstrators at the end of an opposition march in the eastern neighbourhood of Chacao.

They fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Activists hurled stones. More than 20 people were injured.

‘AGAINST FASCISM’ Thousands of government supporters also took to the streets of Caracas on Saturday in a march “for peace and against fascism”.

Mr Maduro addressed the crowd and renewed accusations against the opposition.

He accused Mr Lopez of ordering “all these violent kids, which he trained, to destroy the prosecutor’s office, half of Caracas to then go into hiding”.

On Saturday, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, issued a statement expressing concern by the rising tensions in Venezuela.

“We are particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protestors and issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez,” read the statement.

The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.

The government has blamed the shortages on “saboteurs” and “profit-hungry corrupt businessmen”.

A former union leader, Mr Maduro was a close ally of President Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last March after 14 years in office.

He was elected last April, defeating the opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles, by a narrow margin. (BBC)

President Juan Manuel Santos has heard damaging allegations about the Colombian army twice in two weeks.

amounts of money were siphoned off by corrupt army officers.

The defence budget has soared in recent years and the US continues to pay Colombia a generous annual allowance to wage war on drugs.

Some generals and other senior officers are accused of taking bribes of up to 50% of the contracts they awarded; others of diverting money that was meant to be spent at the barracks on petrol and other supplies.

The irregularities allegedly took place in 2012 and 2013.

‘FULL INVESTIGATION’ President Santos has ordered the ministry of defence to carry out a full investigation.

“I feel outraged by the dam-

age that this causes to the armed forces and the country,” said Mr Santos.

He added that “crimes of corruption” should be investigated by civilian prosecutors - not military courts.

Two weeks ago, Semana published potentially damaging allegations involving the Colombian army.

It said that an elite military group had spied on government officials engaged in peace negotiations in Cuba with Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Farc.

Mr Santos dismissed the army’s intelligence unit.

The army said the group had been set up legally and had not performed illicit activities.(BBC)

Cuba suspends US consular services as bank pulls out THE Cuban government says it has suspended consular services in the United States after an American bank decided to withdraw its facilities.

Cuba says it will not be able to renew passports and process visas unless it finds an alternative to the M&T bank.

The bank said its decision was taken for business reasons.

The move is likely to prevent tens of thousands of people travelling from the US to Cuba every month and could have a big impact on the economy there.

The US broke off diplomatic relations with the communist-run island in 1961 and imposed an economic embargo a year later.

In the absence of bilateral contacts, consular services have been handled by the Cuban Interests Section in Washington.

In a statement, the Cuban government blames the trade embargo for its failure to find a new bank “in spite of huge efforts made”.

The M&T bank announced last year that it would stop accepting deposits from 17 February, which is a public holiday in the US. “The section regrets any inconvenience this situation may cause,” read the statement.

It says it will only be able to handle “humanitarian cases”.

‘RECENT THAW’ More than 40,000 people on average travel to Cuba from the US every month, most of them Cuban-Americans, according to the Miami-based Havana Consulting Group.

Americans who do not have Cuban nationality are also allowed to travel if they are taking part in cultural exchange programmes.

The suspension of consular services comes amid a recent slight thaw in relations, says the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford.

At Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December, Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro shook hands for the first time.

Cuba and the US also announced the resumption of official talks on immigration and postal services between the two countries.

Earlier this week, the European Union agreed to open negotiations aimed at restoring

full relations with Cuba.

On Thursday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said President Obama should proceed with a similar gesture and follow the example of the EU.(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

GUYANA

UG students should not have to cope with stray animals THIS is unconscionable. Imagine a simple thing like this is so hard to fix by those in authority.

Once animals are picked up and taken to the animal pound, they should be kept for no less than 24 hours, since it will cost nothing much to feed them.

If the owners of these stray animals don’t show up to pay the fine and pick up their animal/s, then some animals could be sacrificed to feed the poor, and some of the zoo animals.

Government can win lots of favour with very poor people who can’t afford to buy meat. You bet the poor will line up for their daily

meat on an ongoing basis, until owners take responsibility for their animal/s.

I know one draycart driver who would work his horse all day long, having the animal pull the cart with heavy loads; and at the end of the work day, he would loose the horse to stray and forage for its own food and water.

A person like that is nothing short of a cruel beast, and I bet there are many more who do this with their animal/s.

OUR educational institutions are supposed to nurture us towards building a successful future; to prepare us for the challenges of life in the real world. They never prepare us to deal with our inner worlds of often conflicting and confusing emotions and feelings. Many of us simply do not know how to deal with them.

Our perspectives are mostly informed and conditioned by what we see around us, our socialization process: home, parents (single parent) or lack thereof, school, friends or peers, workplace, religious institutions, politicians or leaders, society as a whole, all exert influence on our minds. But it does not mean we are powerless.

We always have a choice. The ability to choose is what distinguishes us from the lower species of animals. This is what makes us uniquely human with a capacity to know right from wrong and to act in accordance with our conscience and the moral norms deeply ingrained in society.

Whether good or bad, like monkeys, most of us mimic. We see and we do. True to our ‘Third World’ status, we become mimic men and women to the point of not knowing who we really are.

The upright and virtuous face we advertise for public viewing as leaders, or the ugly one we zealously guard behind a mask of deception. We are all paying a price.

Empirical/statistical evidence speaks for itself. Violence, crime, senseless murder, disrespect and total disregard for others, domestic violence leading to spousal battering and death - all are bearing a younger face. Many ‘intellectual’ propositions are bandied around regarding the causative factors, with expert opinions and quotations ‘knocking dog’, even those without any scientific bearing on the specific socio, political and economic environment .

We throw them in to look smart! Something I would like to call the Guyanese phenomenon: A dialogue of the deaf, dumb and blind! Each one wants to prove some level of supremacy; each one analyzing the elephant in the room from a different perspective. Each one holding on to a different part of its anatomy and diffidently pronouncing, “AHA…this is the elephant” in a eureka moment of discovery, regardless if he is holding to the tail, trunk, neck or tusk!

Unfortunately, while fiddling in our mental quagmire, we lose sight of the fact that both the victims and the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are human beings like you and me. Not mere statistics. Both need attention and help. Statistics cannot unveil the mangled emotions which made the perpetrator a victim of himself or herself and circumstances. Notwithstanding the fact that they are victims also, they must pay the price for their senseless and abhorrent acts. While society demands this, it must not deny the fact that they also need help. These social ills are in the main pointing to an inability to deal with the myriad of conflicting emotions which are steeped in ignorance of self and the inner workings of the mind. Essentially it is an internal problem that is externalizing itself. The problem therefore has to be addressed at the levels of both the individual and society. And I firmly believe its embryonic form has strong roots in what was supposed to be the protective haven of family values and virtues, the home. We see therefore that all of these societal institutions and relationships bring to bear formidable influence on how we make choices in an unspoken, intended or unintended battle for the control of minds. And without being conscious of it, how we are in subtle ways influenced to make choices even though they may not be in your best interest! The influence is deep seated and much more formidable that most of us would like to admit

or believe. It operates mostly at the sub-conscious than the conscious level of our minds. How many times have you regretted doing something and ask, how or why did I do this? That was your sub-conscious mind at work, an inner (mental) reaction leading to an external (outer) physical action. The thought automatically propels your body to action almost without you being aware at the time of what you are about to do or is doing.At the conscious level we make deliberate decisions which may be driven by lofty ideals, greed or fear. We know what we are about to do or are doing. It is a deliberate and often calculated choice, regardless if it’s not a fully informed one, if it is due to ignorance, or if one is driven to take sides based on raw emotions. Certain programs, information, services, etc. are introduced, activated, initiated to bring about pre-conceived outcomes. Some may be for the material upliftment of individuals or society as a whole. Others may have a partisan focus intended to drive political agendas which appeal to specific human traits and characteristics. Both of these are driven by desires aimed at achieving a two-fold purpose, one of which is to elevate the creators of such programs and so maintain their status quo in society. It may be status, wealth and or power as can be confirmed by experiential evidence. Sadly, the best of intentions are masked by personal and fundamental human flaws. The triumvirate of status, wealth and power are often accompanied by humongous egos, arrogance and pride! And this is not a malady afflicting any one race. Each one of us has an ego with which we romanticize our virtues and camouflage our flaws. It is as old as the human experience.

There is another kind of intervention which seeks to elevate the whole of humankind, one which transcends any desire for control, containment of the human spirit or adherence to any Ideology, Dogma, Race, Creed or Cult. It finds no expression in Political, Financial or Religious agendas, though it is within that collective environment that it exists. It is not driven by any internal, external or hidden agenda excepting the one you set for yourself. It is our personal spiritual quest.

The sole purpose of its being is to empower the individual at the personal level while living in the real material world of status, wealth, power, responsibilities, ego, arrogance, pride or lack thereof. In other words, it is available to all of humankind on this planet – the prince and the pauper.

In and through our day-to-day activities, we come face-toface with it: OUR TRUE SELVES; KNOWING WHO I REALLY AM! Am I a material being of flesh and blood alone? Or am I something more? Something much more refined, subtle and liberating! Not who I have been conditioned to think I am! Not in a mould that I have been cast in by others, by poverty or riches.

Not the stereotypical image of me and the confusing, demeaning and conflicting hypocritical roles I am forced to play as a leader, father, mother, provider just to survive in an equally hypocritical socio, political, economic and religious environment!

These are the imperfections which make you, a perfect being, imperfect, by your own thoughts, words and actions.

Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped in a placid stream. It causes ripples to spread all around in ever expanding concentric circles influencing everyone and everything.

That is why each of us has the capacity to change ourselves and the world in small ways for better or worse. The choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can make a positive difference and spread waves and waves of kindness and joy. Start at home with the family! You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with.A morning smile, a meaningful hug, wishing your loved one a beautiful morning, a compliment given to a friend, laughter, or a thoughtful gesture, a phone call, a thank you, a get well card, lending a helping hand, offering a shoulder of comfort can send tons of energy among loved ones, friends and associates, out into your community. Experiment with yourself. Do not take them at face value thinking that you know or they are common sense things. Common sense does not mean common practice!When you think you know, then you know how much you do not know! Ask why we have become so distant from the truth that we are incapable of breaking through the barriers to selfless service or even understanding our true selves? Why most beautiful deeds are often viewed with levels of cynicism and suspicion? Look deep into yourself! My intention is to challenge us to first of all think for ourselves, then to think deeper, for us to BE THE CHANGE then become informed AGENTS OF CHANGE, not the kind of ‘two fu three cents’ experts ‘knocking dog all over-de-place’!

EDITORIAL A magnanimous The search for self show of goodwill THE recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) has resulted in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last Thursday postponing a final decision on blacklisting Guyana because of non-compliance with international protocols regarding prerequisites for countering high crimes in the world, proposing instead to make a decision when CFATF meets again in May. One hopes that the Opposition cabal will relent and finally show some patriotism and wise leadership in the spirit of the strong advocacy on this country’s behalf by the various bodies, especially the CFATF, and the pronouncement of the FATF to be somewhat lenient toward Guyana in its final decision about blacklisting us, because of the opposition’s intractable lack of support in the National Assembly when they time and again - defeated the Government’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill.

The decisions of the 2013 November CFATF meeting and Plan of Action regarding Guyana therefore remain unchanged. However, Guyana has to file a report by February 28, 2014 to the CFATF for their review, and report to plenary members in May 2014.

This report will include Guyana’s Plan of Action to correct its deficiencies as part of the ongoing process; but Guyana is still at the mercy of the joint Opposition, whose recalcitrance is defeating compliance of passage of the AML/CFT Bill.

At that forum Guyana is expected to attach to that Report the conclusions on the AML/CFT (amendment) Bill, Bill Number 22, 2013, which has been stagnating, through various delaying tactics by the combined opposition in the parliamentary special select committee, with hope for a satisfactory conclusion and an eventual passage of that vital Bill so that a copy of the said enacted Bill would be analysed by CFATF and correlated to the deficiencies to provide the report to plenary in May 2014.

Guyanese citizens, civil society bodies, in particular the business community and affiliate organisations, the labour movement, the diplomatic community, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) all publicly appealed for timely passage of the Bill, but the joint Opposition remained adamant, demanding in return quid pro quos before they support the passage of the Bill, putting their self-serving interests before the interests of the nation.

Their demands would be untenable for any government; but they have shown no remorse in their pursuit of power through using the nation’s welfare as bargaining chips for selfish gains.

Blackmailing the Government through holding the nation to ransom by their irrational demands is a consistent tradition of initially the PNC, and more so now that they have been fortified by the conglomeration of PNC/APNU/AFC. Guyanese citizens are appealing to the joint Opposition to, for once, put their welfare before power and wealth-hunger and self-interests and ensure that the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill is passed in the National Assembly, with urgency, before the end of February, 2014.

Their unreasonable and unconstitutional demands, incompatible with CFATF recommendations, would cause further unwarranted delays in bringing the nation in compliance. The joint opposition has created an impasse only they can end; and they seem to think this entire imbroglio is a game, where they hold the winning cards, when, instead, their implacable stance holds dire implications and consequences for this nation.

The decision to delay punitive “blacklisting” sanctions against a non-compliant Guyana by the Paris-headquartered FATF -- the ultimate decision-makers, comprising 34 member nations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) -- has been influenced by the various appeals from stakeholders and wellwishers in and out of Guyana.

The body has shown goodwill to the Guyana Government and the people of this nation by allowing additional time for passage of the vital legislation upon a recommendation from the Port-ofSpain-based CFATF to extend the deadline for a final decision on Guyana’s compliance with required legislation to combat money

laundering and financing of terrorism.

This evidences great mercy and goodwill for Guyana and Guyanese; so when will the PNC/APNU/AFC put the nation first, demonstrate similar goodwill and mercy to this nation, and allow Guyana to become compliant with international protocols on countering money laundering and terrorism?

If not, whose interests are they guarding by their adamant position on non-support of the anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering bill? Because only cartels, terrorists, drug barons and money launderers will hold sway and benefit if they create further obstacles to the passage of the AML/CFT Amendment Bill.

T. KING

ROHAN SINGH

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

IICA forum today to focus on sourcing global markets --for Guyana’s ‘agri’ products

By Clifford Stanley

THE Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) will be hosting a forum today that is aimed at securing access for Guyana’s agricultural products to global markets.

Farmers, fishermen and officials in the agricultural and fisheries industries as well as Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) officials and representatives of the private sector will meet today at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown, to discuss Guyana’s requirements from a project which aims to improve access for local agricultural products to global markets.

The project is the European Union (EU) aid project on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) for the 15 CARIFORUM states.

Generally, the main objective of the SPS programme, funded by the EU to the tune of 11.7 million Euros, is to increase production and trade in agriculture and fisheries which meet international standards while protecting plant, animal and human health and the environment in the CARIFORUM member states.

The project also aims to enable CARIFORUM states to

gain and improve market access by complying with Europe’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and to better develop their own regionally harmonized SPS measures.

The IICA is facilitating execution of the SPS in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the SPS Committee of The Dominican Republic.

SPS PROJECT To be run over a period of 42 months, the SPS project is expected to deliver legislation, protocols, standards, measures and guidelines in the area of AHFS and fisheries for national and regional SPS regimes.

It will also deliver national and regional coordination mechanisms in support of the SPS regimes and national and regional regulatory and industry capacity of CARIFORUM states to meet the SPS requirements of international trade.

The agreement for the joint effort was signed last year during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture by the Director General of IICA, Víctor M. Villalobos, and the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union, Robert Kopecky.

The IICA programme at

Cara Lodge today is part of the SPS country consultations which aim at enabling local stakeholders to give their inputs into the priority AHFS and fisheries needs which are necessary for compliance with the requirements of the regional and international markets, especially the EU. The programme today includes a presentation entitled: “Overview of the SPS Project”

by Ms. Carol Thomas, Hemispheric Agricultural Health and Food Safety Specialist (HAHFSS) attached to the IICA. Participants will be welcomed by Mr. Wilmot Garnett, IICA Representative in Guyana; and there will be brief remarks

by Mrs. June Masters, Statistics & Information Analyst, CRFM, brief remarks by a representative of the CARICOM Secretariat, remarks by Dr. Robert Ahern, Manager, IICA Agricultural Health and Food Safety Programme and a keynote address by Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Agriculture, before the participants form themselves into discussion groups.

IICA disclosed that the input of local stakeholders will also aid in the development of a Country Action Plan for addressing their needs under the SPS Project.

Power restored to Lethem --after days of total outage and five-hour rationing

By Clifford Stanley ELECTRICAL power was fully restored to Lethem in Region 9 (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) on Saturday evening, following three days of a total outage and four days of a fivehour-a-day rationing which began on Saturday, February 8th last.

Chairman of the Lethem Power Company Inc. (LMPCI) Mr. John Macedo, disclosed yesterday that one of two new generators acquired for the company was installed at Lethem on Saturday, allowing the company to resume full generation of electricity around 17:00 hrs the same day.

Another generator of the same type was installed and commissioned yesterday by a representative of the suppliers, FG Wilson Company of Northern Ireland.

The two brand new generators each generate three-quarters of a megawatt of electricity.

Residents are relieved that power has finally been fully restored to the community. They expressed hope that the two sets would be well cared for by staff of the LMPCI. Meanwhile, Chairman Macedo has said that the generator installed on Sunday will serve as a standby, thereby guaranteeing Lethem and its environs a great deal of certainty about non-recurrence of the recent seven-day power-loss ordeal for the foreseeable future.

Both generators at the LMPCI had broken down on Saturday, February 8th last, leaving that and contiguous communities completely without electricity for nearly four days, until a five-hour system of rationing was implemented on Tuesday last.

Macedo had disclosed mid-last week that the company had recorded some success in alleviating the electricity woes of the residents and business people by dividing the village into three sections and providing each section with five hours of electricity per day. He said the LMPCI had also provided fuel for the operations of the Guyana Water Inc. at Lethem, so GWI could use a generator to pump water for 24 hours to the community in the absence of power from the company.

Business people in the community, in particular, complained of being hardest hit, some saying that they had been expending as much as $15,000 per day on fuel for standby generators, in order to keep their businesses open.

Macedo said that, given the newness of the generators installed over the weekend, and one being kept as a standby, the future, electricity-wise, looks bright for the village and its environs.

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PPP pledges solidarity to embattled Venezuelan government

THE following is a press statement issued yesterday by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in which it pledges its support for the Maduro Administration, currently under immense pressure from the opposition in neighbouring Venezuela to demit office. It reads: “THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends solidarity to the Government and people of Venezuela in what appears to be a well-orchestrated attempt by the opposition parties, with backing from local and overseas reactionary groups, to destabilize the democratically elected Maduro Administration from office.

“The PPP has been following closely developments in that neighbouring State, and wishes to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the loss of innocent lives by provocateurs, whose only objective is to reverse the clock of history and restore the old order, based on privileges for the wealthy class at the expense of the poor and the downtrodden.

“The PPP applauds the enormous economic and social gains made by the Venezuelan government under the charismatic leadership of the late Hugo Chavez and now President Maduro on behalf of the Venezuelan people, in particular the ordinary working people.

“The political opposition had hoped that with the passing of Hugo Chavez, the Bolivarian Revolution would have lost momentum. However, much to their chagrin and disappointment, the aspirations and dreams of Simon Bolivar for a free, democratic and just order in Latin America is continuing unabated.

“The current unrest in Venezuela has to be seen in that context. The party calls on the opposition forces to respect the will and the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, and to desist from all attempts to incite violence and unrest in the society.

“The PPP empathises with the Venezuelan Government in its attempt to raise the quality of life of the Venezuelan people, in the face of a hostile political opposition, a situation with which Guyana is all too familiar, given what is taking place here, where the combined political opposition is using its oneseat majority to blackmail the country, and thwart the developmental agenda of the PPP/C government.

“The PPP is confident that the will of the Venezuelan people will prevail over the forces of backwardness and reaction.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

A groundswell of support helps save the day IT IS an historical fact that in every nation, matters of national contingencies do result in the outpouring of support and the coming together of its people for support of the Executive. Whether it is a case of the nation being threatened by dangerous enemies from within, or external threats, citizens’ unconditional support is essential.

This past week has again tested the loyalty and patriotism of our countrymen to their country’s cause, as they unreservedly raised their hands in support of the Government leg-

islating the critically important Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism(AMLCFT) (Amendment)Bill.

Support from other significant directions, such as the labour movement, the diplomatic community, the Organization of American States(OAS), and CARICOM signifies the all-importance of this legislation to Guyana’s international credibility and obligations, and of course, its national pride.

This show of overwhelming support should send a clear message to the parliamentary

Opposition that their non-support does not find favour with anyone, inclusive of civil groups.

Undoubtedly, this groundswell of support would have influenced Guyana being granted a further reprieve, and should again be a reminder to the political Opposition parties of what their intransigence has been doing to the country they profess to love, in addition to their profile as leaders.

OBSERVER hopes that this postponement of the review must not be any reason for further delaying tactics

of any kind from the Opposition, since it is mandatory for Guyana to file a report to the CFATF plenary by February 28, which will include Guyana’s plan of action for correcting deficiencies as part of the “ongoing process”.

Does the Opposition honestly believe that their now well-exposed plan to derail this country’s socio-economic advancement has not been seen through? It explains the outpouring of national solidarity, which OBSERVER hopes would have brought home the fact that Guyanese, irrespective of ethnicity and political affiliation, will not allow their collective gains to be endangered by a collective that continues to embarrass itself.

Such unpatriotic behaviour carries a heavy electoral price.

East La Penitence Night Shelter inmate remanded for cocaine possession

By Geeta Rampersaud RONALD Wright, a resident of the East La Penitence Night Shelter, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer two narcotics-related charges Friday.

He pleaded guilty to the offence that on February 12 at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he had in his possession one gramme of cannabis-sativa (marijuana).

Wright denied the other allegation, namely, that he also had one gramme of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said ranks acting on information contacted the defendant and carried out a search on his person, where the amounts mentioned in the particulars were found.

The defendant was fined $3,000 and ordered to do six months community service at the Georgetown Prison for the cannabis case; and was remanded for the cocaine offence until tomorrow (Tuesday, February 18), when he would appear before Magistrate Ann McLennan for a report and fixture.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

APNU members now beginning to feel the bite –from the dictatorship within OLD Kai was never a fan of Vanessa Kissoon, especially after she first publicly exposed her severe limitations with her “backyard cuss-out” mentality during the 2012 budget debate.

We are also well aware of her complicity in the destruction of Linden, as she was one of the “agitators-in-chief” for the violence which followed. Then there is the simple matter of her being exposed for misleading the Linden Commission of Inquiry.

But even Kissoon does not deserve the shabby treatment dished out to her recently by APNU leader, David Granger, and his minions. Truth be told, another APNU victim, Aubrey Norton, did warn us about the little all-powerful cabal developing an insatiable thirst for power, and which is willing--and has the means,--to annihilate any semblance of opposition to their quest for total domination.

Sounds like textbook stuff from during the Burnham years, therefore I am sure the late dictator would be proud to see his prodigy, Mr. Granger, now following in his footsteps.

Old Kai had always expected this; after all, Vanessa Kis-

soon and Sharma Solomon had forced Granger to “publicly lie and then be humiliated in the process after he was exposed”. It was Granger who agreed to the increase in electricity tariffs in Linden, but when Kissoon and Solomon challenged him by courting the AFC opportunists, the APNU leader chose the cowardly way out by not “manning up” and outlining his position during the meeting with Government officials. Rather, he denied ever making such an agreement, even in the face of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds holding up the document for all to see in the National Assembly.

Granger’s credibility would forever remain damaged, as, when a politician cannot be trusted, especially by his own constituents, know that you are in serious trouble! In hindsight, we can now see the bigger picture, as it was a well-thought-out plan by these two and Aubrey Norton and company who have publicly stated their support and campaigned for Carl Greenidge to lead the PNC/APNU. The Linden electricity issue simply presented the ideal opportunity, and the people of Linden were their pawns to be expertly used.

They had hoped this would be enough to topple Granger, thereby clearing the path for Greenidge. Clearly, they did not cater for the authoritarian mentality of Granger and his close associates.

The APNU “Supreme Leader” has waited patiently for the right

moment to strike, and the resignation of Deborah Backer was an ideal opportunity.

We are told that Vanessa Kissoon was given no prior notice that with the swearing in of Mrs. Cummings to replace Backer, she (Kissoon) would be banished from her current seating arrangement to the back benches of the House. Clearly, she was shocked and embarrassed to turn up at the last sitting to find out this reality when she was about to take her seat. That is the silent but deadly power of the dictatorship.

Solomon could offer no assistance to her, as he was also in his own predicament after the dismal failure of his most recent “shut down Linden” campaign. Aubrey Norton, despite being most qualified to replace Mrs. Backer (owing to the millions upon millions of dollars this nation, bankrupt at the time under the direction of the past dictatorship, spent to educate him in the United Kingdom), was never going to feature as an MP under Granger. This would be like empowering your enemy; and if you know anything about how dictatorships operate, this is a grave abomination in the exercise of their unquestionable power.

If this is not enough to cause some serious panic within see page 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

Three accused in septic tank murder case committed APNU members now beginning to feel ... for High Court trial from page 9

By Geeta Rampersaud

the PNC/APNU camp among members, particularly those who might not be so endearing to Granger, then his explanation of Kissoon’s demotion underlines the rapidly growing monster of dictatorship we are dealing with.

When questioned, he brushed off Kissoon’s demotion as simply an “administrative move.”

Incidentally, that was also Burnham’s explanation for banishing persons under his scope perceived to be threats, or who failed to effectively execute his orders and they were never heard from again.

APNU’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, (the woman who publicly swore she did not see supporters pushing down police barricades on Nomination Day at City Hall, even though she was leading the crowd and a video taken of the episode contradicted her contentions), we are told, asked: “Why such a big deal is being made of Kissoon’s relocation?”

According to the media, Ally said “the coalition had to make some adjustments, since a new MP had been sworn in.”

Ok! Fair enough! But why is it APNU announced publicly days before that Ronald Bulkan would be moved up to the front bench, and Kissoon only knew her fate, the day she turned up for Parliament?

By announcing the Bulkan move, the APNU leadership cabal confirmed that they already had this plan in place to demote Kissoon, but apparently that was not enough; they also wanted to publicly embarrass her as she and company had done to Granger with the Linden fiasco.

The letter to the editor by the former National Secretary of the GYSM (the PNC youth movement), Bevon Currie, also served to confirm this reality, and he called for “an unqualified apology from the Chief Whip” (Ally) for executing orders from Robert Corbin... Sorry, David Granger. The real leader of APNU please stand up!

It is just a matter of time before the APNU dictatorship strikes again; it’s anyone’s guess as to who in their leadership will be its next victim.

RALPH “Nick” Tyndall, 27, of Lot 31 ‘C’ Field Sophia; Anthony De Paul Hope, called “Papa,” 26, of Lot 55 William Street, Kitty; and Kevin O’Neil, 26, of Seaforth Street, Campbellville, accused of murdering Colleen Forrester on December 27, 2008 at William Street, Campbellville, Georgetown and dumping her body in a septic tank, were again committed to stand trial in the High Court after conclusion of their second Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Friday.

The first preliminary inquiry, conducted before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton, had resulted in the three being committed to stand trial at the High Court. The case was quashed

by Justice Diana Insanally on October 28, 2013, and a new PI was ordered.

In making the order, the defence submissions were accepted in support of a preliminary objection, which claimed that

Number One accused, Ralph ‘Nick’ Tyndall

an unsworn statement of a child of tender age was the only evidence on which the Committal Order was based.

A voir dire (a trial within a trial) will have to be held to determine admissibility of caution statements by the accused. At the last PI, a voir dire had been started, but was not completed.

The judge, having listened to the submissions in the absence of the jury, told them afterwards that she was satisfied that the case was not properly brought, and would have to be sent back to the magistrate.

The second PI was conducted before Magistrate Judy Latchman, and 13 witnesses were called by the prosecution to testify.

The trial was given a completion time-frame of four months. It was sent before Magistrate Latchman on October 28, see page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Sotheby’s to auction colonial Guiana stamp for between US$10M and US$20M THE world’s most famous postage stamp, the sole-surviving example of a one-cent magenta from British colonial Guyana, is going under the hammer in New York for between $10 and $20 million.

Sotheby’s has valued the stamp, which was made under

British rule in 1856 when a shipment of stamps from England was delayed, and will sell it on June 17.

The “British Guiana One Cent Magenta” has set a new record for the price of a single stamp. It was previously sold three times at auction since

Three accused in septic tank murder case committed ... from page 10 2013, and the PI commenced on November 15 last.

That PI was completed, after both defence counsels and the prosecution had made their submissions. Prosecuting in the matter was Police Sergeant, Vishnu Hunt, and defence lawyers representing the accused were Mr. Madan Kissoon for Tyndall, Mr. Melvin Duke for Hope, and Mr. George Thomas for O’Neil.

The trio was informed that based on the evidence, the Court had found that a prima facie case had been established against them for the offence of murder, and there is sufficient evidence for them to stand trial at the next practical sitting of the High Court.

The magistrate asked each accused--separately--if they wished to say Number Two accused, anything or call a witness.

Anthony De Paul Tyndall and Hope declined Hope, called ‘Papa’ to say anything or call any witness, but the number three accused, O’Neil, said he was innocent and did not wish to say anything else at this time.

During the trial, the anxious accused were often seen shaking their legs, and from the start to the end of their trial, they were dressed formally. It was also observed that they were very calm when they heard the ruling of the Magistrate.

Tyndall, the number one accused, however, seemed disappointed, and was unsure whether to sit or stand in the dock.

This newspaper understands that Hope, the number two accused, is Forrester’s nephew, and had resided with her at the address where her lifeless body was found.

According to a police report, Forrester’s body had been discovered at just around 09:55 hrs on Sunday, December 28, 2008, after police had conducted a search of the William Street, Campbellville property where she had been Number Three accused, a caretaker, following a Kevin O’Neil report by relatives that she had gone missing. They discovered her body in the septic tank.

Forrester’s relatives reported that she had last been seen after returning home from the Main Big Lime in the early hours of December 27, 2007.

A post-mortem examination conducted several days later revealed that Forrester had died from strangulation, and blunt force trauma to the head.

1922, and has an incredible history.

Bought most recently by convicted murderer and American multi-millionaire, John du Pont, it has not been seen in public since going on display at a stamp exhibition in Chicago in 1986.

David Redden, director of special projects and chairman of Sotheby’s books, said the stamp “was a magical object” and the definition of “unobtainable rarity and extraordinary value.”

In the mid-19th Century, the postal service in Guyana depended on supplies of stamps being shipped from England.

But when a consignment was delayed in 1856, the postmaster commissioned a contingency supply, made locally by printers of the Royal Gazette newspaper.

The printers ran off onecent and four-cent magentas, and a four-cent blue. The British Guiana is the sole-surviv-

ing example of the one-cent magenta. It was rediscovered in 1873 by L. Vernon Vaughan, a 12-year-old Scottish boy living with his family in British Guiana. A budding collector, Vaughan found the stamp among a group of family papers, and added it to his album.

He later sold it to another collector for several shillings, and the stamp eventually made its way to Britain in 1878. It was then bought by French Count Philippe la Renotiere von Ferrary, perhaps the greatest stamp collector in history, and later donated to a museum in Berlin.

After World War I, France seized his collection as part of war reparations due from Germany, and sold the stamp in 1922 at auction to Arthur Hind, a textile magnate from New York. Hind paid a then record $35,000 for the stamp. It sold for a second record of $280,000 in 1970, and was bought in 1980 by the late du Pont for a

third record of $935,000.

It is being sold by his estate. The stamp will go on display at Sotheby’s in London, Hong Kong and New York before the auction.

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which gained its independence from Britain in 1966, is a small nation of a little more than 700,000 people.

‘GUYANA STAMP’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Linden seaman recounts miraculous escape from certain death

…during horrific accident on Aroaima trail

By Shirley Thomas

WITH his head split open, scalp and face badly bruised and peeled, it’s a miracle that 37-year-old Sheldon Bovell of Retrieve, Linden, is alive today to tell the tale of his most horrific accident while travelling in remote Berbice, two weeks ago.

And now he has vowed he will get back on track and continue “Living for Christ”, whose hands miraculously snatched him from death.

“Hadn’t it been for God, I would not be alive today,” he asserted, with an air of gratitude, as he sat up in a hospital chair, taking in everything around him.

It was the case of a leisure outing turning ugly. On January 30, Sheldon, who is a seaman and came home on vacation, was travelling from 72Km Unamco en route to Aroaima, Berbice in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

There were four of them travelling in a pick-up, and he

A grateful Darryl Bovell now takes life one day at a time from his bed at the GPHC was seated at the front of the vehicle, along with the driver, while two others were seated at the rear.

As they were approaching Araoima, he recalled, the axle of the rear wheel flew out and the vehicle toppled on the side where he was seated and went skidding for several feet. As the pick-up proceeded along its path, Darryl’s head was literally grazing on the crude roadway until the vehicle came to a stop.

But what was unbelievable was that he was the only one in the company who was injured. The driver got a scratch on his foot, but did not require medical care.

After getting the vehicle back in action, they drove to the Kwakwani Hospital several miles away with the injured and badly bleeding man suffering excruciating pain. There he was given emergency treatment and stabilised, before being transferred to the Mackenzie Hospital.

At Linden, he was immediately taken to the theatre, where the doctors did an excellent job of surgical repairs. He was admitted and warded for the next 13 days, and kept under close medical watch. And on Wednesday last, Darryl was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for admission and further medical treatment.

His mother, Ms. Sandra Massiah, joins him and the rest of the family in expressing appreciation and heart-felt gratitude to all the medical personnel who have worked so hard in ensuring his recovery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

‘Guyana Where & What’ to go Portuguese, Spanish

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--so as to reach a wider audience

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

TOURISM Minister (ag) Mr Irfaan Ali, commissioning the seventh edition of “Guyana Where & What” magazine on Thursday last expressed support for this 140-page, pocket-size magazine that seeks to educate and assist tourists to Guyana, as well as Guyanese, on the places and history of Guyana.

He congratulated Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento on producing this seventh edition, and said she has helped to boost the tourism industry through promoting what the country has to offer via the book.

This handbook is a critical component of Guyana’s tourism product, and it helps (us) to understand our product by highlighting important essential information. The minister also noted that the Tourism Ministry is currently working on a “Dining Guide”, a similar book that would portray various cuisines and restaurants in Guyana.

Mrs Madhoo-Nascimento, editor of the magazine, said she seeks to make available a little more information in every edition of the magazine. She related that one new addition to this edition is literature on the 1823 Monument.

This edition is to be translated into Portuguese to allow the book to serve as a tour guide, not only for English-speaking tourists, but also for those speaking Portuguese, and to complement the growing number of tourists and immigrants from Brazil. The company also aims to have the book translated into Spanish in an effort to bridge the current language barrier here.

The Where & What Magazine is available for free distribution at hotels, airline offices, airports, restaurants, resorts, and other entertainment locations in Guyana,and are also available at Guyana’s consulates throughout the world.

ANSA McAL to feature Tropical Rhythms this Mash POPULAR costume designer Mr Maxi Williams, told this publication exclusively that he is elated to be associated yet again with Mashramani.

The designer, who works for ANSA McAL, explained that there will be no Carib band this year, but he is currently putting his finishing touches on the Tropical Rhythms band, a product of ANSA McAL. “For the last four years, I have been designing the costumes for the Carib band, but this year, there is a slight change: I am designing the

Tropical Rhythms band with colours of orange and yellow, representing tropical, and turquoise and silver, representing rhythms,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to ANSA McAL, and highlighted that the company always gives its support to the creative arts of the costume industry.

Mr Williams’s costumes were launched at Saturday night’s Carib Soca Monarch Final, and persons desirous of having a costume can make contact via telephone 6824445. Costumes cost a minimum of $4000. (RGA)

Maxi Williams & costumes

At Thursday’s launch of the magazine: Seated from left are: Tourism Minister, Mr Irfaan Ali; the publication’s editor, Mrs Gem Madhoo-Nascimento; and and her husband, Mr Kit Nascimento (Photo

by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

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Carib Soca Monarch final...

Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson proves he’s ‘still in de game’

--Carts off coveted title and all the perks

By Alex Wayne

THOUSANDS descended on the National Park Saturday night to witness the 2014 staging of the much-hyped Carib Soca Monarch compe-

tition, and there were mostly murmurs and exclamations of satisfaction when the show concluded sometime around 02:45 hrs on Sunday.

The contestants all brought out their ‘A’ game, and it was

quite a task for the more seasoned campaigners to fight off the “energy attack” of the hot new faces that entered this year’s competition.

After many splendid and riveting performances, it was

Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King delivers nicely at the National Park on Saturday night last year’s second place win“Still in the Game”. man” Johnashen placed third with ous nervousness was missing this ner, Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson In second place was last “Blow”, while the energetic Jona- time as he unleashed youthful enwho unleashed “Soca Hellfire” year’s Monarch, Jomo “Rubber than “Lil Red” King rounded up the ergy and appealing dance moves to scorch and demolish his Waist” Primo with the song, party at fourth place with his song, that had the crowd “rocking in competitors to take the 2014 “On de Road”, which many “Who we Are”. approval”. His decision to use Carib Soca Monarch title. He thought was a “lukewarm” The best newcomer title went the dancers under the supervision performed the catchy piece, performance, Orlando “Bonesto Kemiana Garnette with her entry, of instructor Lyn Ann Medford “Designated Winer”. certainly worked for him, as they After steamy performances from accentuated his presentation with the Heatwave Band, the crowd was colourful costumes and classic quite aroused to savour what was style. to come. They were primed and seKross Kolor Studio’s Melissa ductively teased by the band’s very “Vanilla” Williams was her usual sensual and curvy “suga momma”, high energy persona with powerJackie Hanover, who unleashed a ful vocals and an electric dance scalding package of smouldering routine as she performed “Yada vocals and tantalising dance moves. Yada”. She arrived with motorcyFirst to take the stage was the cle outriders and Kelton Jenning’s saucy Kemiana Garnette, who pre- dance group certainly did her jussented a good introduction and tice. She created solid soca vibes riveting theatrics. Backed by the for the audience but sadly did not talented Classique Dancers, it was place in the competition. no surprise when she won the Best Jomo “Rubber Waist” Primo New Comer title. However, many brought the usual versatile and were of the view that she should powerful performance to the have tried a little harder to connect stage. The energy was there as he with the audience who seemed not to performed, “On de road Again”, be “feeling her”. but many thought that he should Next up was Jonathan “Lil Red” have brought something different King, who appeared more than pre- and surprising since his audience pared to make a name for himself in by now is more than able to prethe competition this year. His previ- dict his presentation style.

Ernesta Nelson is indeed a very gifted singer, and when she presented “Ridiculous” it was with excellent soca finesse and precision. Her scanty costume was a crowd stealer and her backup dancers were good. However, this diva needs to step up to the platter and present more frenzied gyration and forceful presentations if she is to seal the deal.

However, her talent will certainly take her places.

Compton “Mysterious” Boyce was, somehow, not impressive and left the stage to minimal applause.

He made way for the suave Abigail James who plunged into feverish ‘bumpa rolling, twitching, and jiggling’ that set the crowd on fire. Belting out “Show me what yuh can do with yuh Bumpa”, she brought a ‘big bumpa granny’ to the stage who

Newly-crowned Carib Soca Monarch, Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson as he performed his winning entry, ‘Still in de Game’ evoked hysterical laughter from the audience.

No one may ever be able to tell what really went wrong with Shellon “Shelly G” Garraway. But it was quite apparent that her performance on Saturday night was not laced with the ‘tropical fire’ she emits when performing.

Yes, she was all sassy and did everything right, but despite urging from her followers at stage front, something was just visibly missing. Nevertheless, she managed to leave a reasonably lasting impression on her supporters.

Orlando “Bonesman” Johnashen did not fail to impress and took the stage by storm when he appeared. Everything else was perfect in his presentation, except for instances when it was impossible to hear what he was mouthing at certain parts of his song.

Quace Coates’s presentation of “Sparta” was good, but it certainly did not manage to receive the nod of the judges or sections of the festive audience.

Nonetheless, he was his usual raunchy self and delivered his song comfortably.

Roger Bowne was distinctly different and brought a refreshing breath of air to the stage as his song dictated the essence of “Love and Unity”.

Lady T was not bad at all and she brought the curtain down on a night of celebratory and festive soca infusion at the National Park. Clinton “Passion” Adolphus was not a bad performer either, but failed to make the final cut.

Orlando ‘Bonesman’ Johnashen did not fail to impress as he belted out his rendition, ‘Blow’

Jomo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo unleashed Soca Steam to cop second place in this year’s competition

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

On its seventh anniversary...

Digicel pleasantly surprises mother of four sets of twins LAST December, a story on Bridget Dundas and her nine children was in the news, highlighting her struggles with them and the difficulties she faced as a single parent during previous years.

On Christmas Day, she and her children had a humble meal of boulanger and sausage, and, after reading the story, Digicel decided to surprise the family with a complete Christmas meal, groceries and clothing vouchers, through its “Brighten Someone’s Christmas” promotion.

Subsequently, after seeing the need in the home, it was decided to surprise Dundas for the Digicel Anniversary with a brand new gas stove complete with cylinder and fittings.

When the Digicel representatives arrived at her home, she was at work but her 18-year-old son, Carl McKenzie, and some of his siblings were totally shocked and surprised.

This was the same reaction Digicel got from his mother when she was contacted on the phone. She exclaimed: “Oh my God, Digicel! You have made my day! Thank you, thank you for remembering me and my children! This will help us a lot!”

As part of Digicel’s seventh anniversary celebrations, customers will enjoy seven days of prizes and surprises, starting February Friday, 14 and ending Thursday, February 20.

Customers are encouraged to keep their phones free and to tune in to Digicel Morning Vibes on 100.1Fresh FM from 06:00 hrs to 09:00 hrs (Monday to Friday) as they may be lucky winners of ‘FREEBIES’.

Seven lucky customers can win an identical Smartphone purchased for their Valentine in the “Anniversary Phone Sale” promotion. Three of them, who receive top-ups from abroad, will each get a $50,000 voucher redeemable at King’s Jewellery World.

Digicel wishes to thank all its customers for their continued support over the seven years of operation in Guyana. (Michel Outridge)

Vidya Sanichara, Digicel’s Communications Manager, with Bridget’s eldest son, Carl McKenzie, as the others look on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Missing female taxi driver found murdered --18 year old held for questioning

By Leroy Smith AN investigation has been launched into the suspected rape and murder of 33-yearold Savatri Gangadeen, a female taxi driver of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the woman’s body was discovered in a clump of bushes two miles from where her vehicle was found at the back of a resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Yesterday the woman’s sister told the media that her sister left her Soesdyke home around 20:30 hours on Saturday night, informing her that she was going to drop two persons at a loam pit in Timehri, and took her son along with her for the ride.

In the ongoing investigations, the police so far have held a suspect for questioning.

This newspaper understands that the man is not related to the woman, but may have been one of the two persons who hired her for the late-night work.

The dead woman’s son was unable to recall what transpired, since, according to investigators, the seven-year-old child was apparently asleep when the incident occurred.

The woman’s sister said that the family knew something was amiss when her husband attempted to contact her via her mobile phone but was unsuccessful.

It was as a result of the non-communication with his wife that the man got concerned and went in search of her along with several members of the community and members of the Community Policing Group.

Meanwhile, in an unfortunate twist of events, the police on Saturday arrested the woman’s husband after they suspected him of having a part to play

in the woman’s disappearance.

The dead woman’s sister told the media that the man informed relatives that just before he was arrested by the police while assisting with the search, he heard screams which were reportedly coming from his wife.

Although he communicated this to the police, they thought it best to arrest him, curtailing all hopes of finding the woman alive on Saturday night even as they kept the man in custody for

the night.

It was only yesterday morning when the police returned to the area that they discovered the woman’s body; and in a further search, they came upon her car with her clothes and son.

The dead woman’s sister is very furious with the manner in which the police handled the situation, and believes her sister may have still been alive, had the police followed-up on the reported screams.

Aries March 21 - April 19

Your perfectionism can be a mixed blessing in your life. Often, it enables you to excel. You beat out the competition and win the best reward. But sometimes, like today, it can slow you down, isolate you from other people, and keep you from seeing the bigger picture.

Try not to get too lost in the details of this day -- what people are wearing, how things are spelled, and messy desks don’t matter at all. Put more effort into letting go and letting the chips fall where they may.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

It’s time to stop putting off that conversation you’ve been dreading. If you feel like sharing your thoughts about someone with someone, then do it honestly. The critical things you have to say are just as valuable as the positive ones (if not more so). Just remember to be tactful and use your diplomacy skills to deliver your message without hurting anyone’s feelings. It will feel good to get everything out into the open. It’s a valuable way to show this person you ultimately respect them.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Whether or not you realise it, your actions affect the world around you. The patterns of your behaviour cause ripples around you, and influence how other people behave -- especially today, when you are with people who can be very, very easily influenced. Take this responsibility seriously and don’t do anything that could set a bad example for others.

This shouldn’t be very difficult for a good person like you, but it should be something to keep at the front of your mind.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You have a vested interest in someone else’s decision today -- if they go one way, you’ll have sunny skies and a lot of hope. But if they go another way, things could get really cloudy for you really fast. Instead of getting nervous about what side they will come down on, though, you will be able to stay cool and calm about it. After all, you know that you can’t control what someone else does, so why even try? No matter what happens, you can roll with the punches and do well.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Your life could use a little bit more structure to it -- flying by the seat of your pants might be exciting, but it usually causes quite a bit of chaos with your friends and wastes quite a bit of everyone’s time. So take some time to get things more organised today. A smart thing would be to review your budget -- and if you don’t have a budget, then today you need to make one. Your spending isn’t too bad, but it could be a lot better. Build up that rainy day fund.

For Monday February 17, 2014 -05:00hrs For Tuesday February 18, 2014 -05:00hrs For Wednesday February 19, 2014 -05:00hrs

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You’re especially skilled at seeing the subtext of what people are really saying right now, which will help you sense when the tension is running high between two people -- and that’s your cue to get the heck out of there! Step away and be by yourself. The last thing you need to be is a bit player in someone else’s major drama. So give these people their space to handle their messy issue on their own. You didn’t create it, so you shouldn’t have to help tidy it up.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Sometimes, following the rules is not the best way to get by. It’s not that you should go around breaking the rules on purpose today, but you shouldn’t be afraid to work outside the norm. Make your own guidelines. As long as you’re not hurting someone else, you can do what you think is right -- even if those in charge don’t agree. Be willing to explain your actions and there is no one you can’t persuade to your way of thinking. You are a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

If you’re trying to keep a few secrets right now, you’d better lock yourself up and throw away the key! There is no way that you will be able to resist the urge to spill your guts now. Sure, you could try to speak in code in order to confuse would-be eavesdroppers, but this is a risky move -- after all, how are you going to know that the person you’re talking to knows what the code is? So either get ready to be taken to task for sharing a secret, or don’t talk to anyone today.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Someone you work with or see every day is going through some heavy issues in their personal life and it’s start to affect their demeanour. Their dramas are causing them to get distracted, which is understandable, but it’s also creating more stress for you. It’s time to gently ask them if there’s something you should know -- don’t offer to help, but offer to listen. Sometimes that’s enough help in and of itself. Don’t rush at them with demands.

Just give them a gentle reality check.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Today you will start to move into a more inward time, where reflecting on your life will feel valuable and even a little bit fun. You should be more deliberate about figuring out where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you want to do it with. But you will still have time to get things done. You’ll have enough time to look inward, as well as outward. It’s a good detail planning day, when you should schedule a new social event and finalise the guest list.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

You have done a good job of surrounding yourself with people who are more grounded than you are, and this will help you immensely when you are faced with challenges today.

Turn to these people and let them take the lead in reacting. You are too likely to be fanciful and try solutions that just might be too unrealistic to work. These people have the kind of focus you could really benefit from, plus they will be able to help you become much more grounded yourself!

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Achieving effective communication could be a problem for you today -- the people you’ll be dealing with are not patient enough to listen with any great concentration, and they aren’t smart enough to hide their distraction. There will be some serious misunderstandings that create delays and confusion -- but you can get everyone calm and back on track again. You’re just about the only person who can get everyone’s attention for any significant period of time.

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English Racing Southwell 10:00 hrs Buxom 10:30 hrs Any Given Day 11:00 hrs Mitchell’s Way 11:30 hrs Gogeo 12:00 hrs Masterful Act 12:30 hrs Bobs Lord Tara Wolverhampton 10:15 hrs James Pollard 10:45 hrs Josie’s Dream 11:15 hrs Doldrums 11:45 hrs Vastly 12:15 hrs I Confess 12:45 hrs Dangerous Age 13:15 hrs Trust The Wind 13:45 hrs Kakapuka South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Pole Dance 08:50 hrs Wings Of An Angel 09:25 hrs Quick Glance 10:00 hrs Regal Breeze 10:30 hrs Budweiser Boy French Racing Tips Cagnes-Sur-Mer 08:30 hrs Balfour 09:05 hrs Initial 09:35 hrs Mister Chop 10:05 hrs Lieu Marchand 10:40 hrs Colador 11:10 hrs Frere Bai

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

Sri Lanka beat England in a nail-biting finish to qualify for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup SRI Lanka and South Africa sealed their places in the quarter-finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup UAE 2014 when they recorded victories of contrasting styles on the third day of the 16-day tournament yesterday.

In front of Star Sports cameras at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka overcame 1998 champions England by one wicket in a match of fluctuating fortunes to become the first side from Group D to progress to the knock-out stage, while South Africa recorded a comfortable 45-run victory over Canada at Abu Dhabi Oval 1 to seal a place in the next round from Group C. Other results of the day shows, the West Indies outplayed Zimbabwe by 167 runs and New Zealand outsmarted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 112 runs.

In one of the closest finishes in the history of the age-group competition, Sri Lanka sealed victory with one wicket and seven balls to spare. This was after Sri Lanka had looked down and out in its 231-run chase when it collapsed to 160 for seven in 35 overs and then needed nine runs for victory with one wicket remaining.

Number-seven batsman Thilaksha Sumanasiri (43) and number-nine AK Tyronne (20) put on 53 runs for the eighth wicket to take the score to 213 before Sumanasiri perished with Sri Lanka still requiring 18 runs off 35 balls.

Tyronne followed Sumanasiri nine runs later to leave his side needing nine runs from 17 deliveries. But Anuk Fernando (10 not out) and Lakshan Jayasinghe (four not out) got the required runs with seven balls remaining, with a winning single coming after Jonathan Tattersall missed the wicket at the non-striker’s end.

Earlier, Sadeera Samarawickrama played some fine shots in an elegant 89-ball 82 that included 10 boundaries and put Sri Lanka on track for victory.

He added 46 runs for the first wicket with Hasahn Dumindu (17), 38 runs for the fourth wicket with Priyamal Perera (22), 36 runs for fifth wicket with Binura Fernando (19) and another 37 runs for

Robert O’Donnell led from the front with an unbeaten 107 to take New Zealand to a 112-run win. the sixth wicket with Sumabut I think it was a good allnasiri. round performance and the Earlier, a gutsy 95 by later order batsmen ensured Jonathan Tattersall saved that we crossed the line and England’s blushes when it moved to the next stage.” slipped to 43 for four be At Abu Dhabi Oval 1, fore recovering to 230 for Yaseen Valli became the first nine. Tattersall, who was out batsman in the tournament to on the penultimate delivscore a century and take four ery, faced 120 balls and hit wickets in the same match as three fours and two sixes.

South Africa overcame a spirThe 19-year-old from Yorkited challenge from Canada to shire added 71 runs for the win by 45 runs. fifth wicket with Will Rhodes Valli first scored an un(38) and 57 runs for the sixth beaten 102 from 92 balls with wicket with Joe Clarke (19).

10 fours and two sixes, and It was mainly Tattersall’s effeatured in a 102-run fifth forts that saw England collect wicket partnership with Brad78 runs in the last 10 overs, ley Dial (47, 44b, 4x4, 1x6) including 55 runs in the final as South Africa posted 293 for five overs. six after being sent into bat. He Sri Lanka captain Kusal then recorded figures of 10-1Mendis was delighted with the 43-4 as Canada was restricted victory: “It was a great match, to 248 for eight. Valli is now which went down to the wire. the leading run-getter in the We made a few mistakes in the tournament with 155 runs and batting but I’m glad that we most successful bowler with were able to hold our nerves six wickets. when it mattered most.

For Canada Sudeepta “I’m just happy to win the Aurka finished as the top scorgame and confirm a place in the er with a fine 69, while Nitish Super League quarter-finals.

Kumar contributed 53. The We’ll try to improve our overall two batsmen added 101 runs game so that we can achieve for the second wicket after best results from this tournaAurka had put on 51 runs for ment.” the opening wicket with Yug England captain Rhodes Rao (23). Nikhil Dutta was admitted he was devastated. “A the other main run-getter for one wicket defeat is devastating Canada with 35. but I think the boys gave their Robert O’Donnell scored best performance. I’m proud a century for New Zealand of the way we played but we’ll which faced no problems in need to play much better in our disposing off the UAE by 112 next match against New Zearuns at the Sharjah Cricket land, which will decide which Stadium. O’Donnell scored side progresses.” an undefeated 107 from 117 Samarawickrama, later balls with six fours and four declared man- of- the match, sixes to propel his side to 281 said: “It was a good one-day for five. Jack Hunter (three wicket and I enjoyed batting for 32), Jeremy Benton (two on it. I may have top scored for 16), Jeremy Benton 2-16

and Dane Watson (two for 36) shared wickets as the home side was bowled out for 169 in 49.4 overs.

Scores in brief: In Group C, South Africa beat Canada by 45 runs at Abu Dhabi Oval 1 South Africa 293-6, 50 overs (Yaseen Valli 102 not out, Kirwin Christoffels 57, Bradley Dial 47, Aiden Markram 31, Bradley Bopp 20; Nikhil Dutta 3-54) Canada 248-8, 50 overs (Sudeepta Aurka 69, Nitish Kumar 53, Nikhil Dutta 35; Yaseen Vali 4-43, Sibonelo Makhanya 3-42) Man of the match - Yaseen Valli (South Africa) In Group C, West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 167 runs at Zayed Cricket Stadium West Indies 275-6, 50 overs (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 84 not out, Jonathan Drakes 50, Shimron Hetmyer 49, Nicolas Pooran 27, Brandon King 21; Malcolm Lake 2-43) Zimbabwe 108 all out, 39.4 overs (Kieran Geyle 45 not out; Preston McSween 3-14, Ray Jordan 3-32, Jerome Jones 2-13) Man of the match - Tagenarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) In Group D, Sri Lanka beat England by one wicket at Dubai International Cricket Stadium England 230-9, 50 overs (Jonathan Tattersall 95, Will Rhodes 38, Harry Finch 24; Anuk Fernando 3-49, Harsha Rajapaksha 2-35, Binura Fernando 2-61) Sri Lanka 231-9, 48.5 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 82, Thilaksha Sumanasiri 43, Priyamal Perera 22, AK Tyronne 20; Rob Sayer 2-33, Josh Shaw 2-38, Will Rhodes 2-45) Man of the match - Sadeera Samarawickrama (Sri Lanka) In Group D, New Zealand beat UAE by 112 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium New Zealand 281-5, 50 overs (Robert O’Donnelll 107 not out, Shawn Hicks 70, Leo Carter 48, Raki Weerasundara 33; Moaaz Qazi 2-50, Pankaj Prakash 2-70) UAE 169 all out, 49.4 overs (Chirag Suri 57, Shahrukh Ahmed 27, Moaaz Qazi 23; Jack Hunter 3-32, Jeremy Benton 2-16, Dane Watson 2-36) Man of the match - Robert O’Donnell (New Zealand)

GBA/GOA International Goodwill tournament

Trinidad and Jamaica share spoils on night two

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Patrick Sahadeo and JeanPaul Cooper finally gave their camp something to cheer about, after a disappointing start, at the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) International Goodwill tournament which continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday night.

The four nation box off saw the host dominating the opening night, but the ‘Trinis’ had their way with their Jamaican opponents.

In the first of four fights on the card, Jamaica’s Michael Alexander took Sahadeo the full distance, but the Trinidadian had connected more times than his opponent and as such, earned the win on points.

Jamaican Anthony Clarke was visibly not happy after his lost to Cooper since he had put

the Trinidadian to the canvas in the first round, but that wasn’t enough to earn him the win.

Cooper bounced back and had a solid remainder of the first round and did enough after the ring doctor stopped the fight due to excessive bleeding from the forehead of the Trinidadian due to the head-butt in round two, to win on points.

However, Kestas Davids of Jamaica was beating Akeil Outram so badly, the Trinidadian refused to answer to the call of the referee to come out for the final round.

Guyana’s Ron Smith was able to bounce back from his opening night defeat to Outram, picking up a well deserved victory on points over St. Lucia’s Ron Bastien.

The tournament concluded last evening.

Greaves wins George Cumberbatch Memorial Feature, but Williams dominates ALONZO Greaves won the feature 30-lap George Cumberbatch Memorial Cycle circuit race yesterday, but Continental Wheelers’ Geron Williams dominated the day’s proceedings with two victories and a second place finish in the senior category.

Greaves rode intelligently to win the open 30-lap event of Williams and at the same time won two of the ten prime prizes that were up for grabs.

Williams who finished second won one of the ten primes, while Orville Hinds took two of the primes in placing third.

Raynauth `Obeah Man’ Jeffrey who finished fourth won four primes, while Raul Leal and Paul DeNobrega placed fifth and sixth respectively.

The other prime prize was won by Shaquile Agard.

Earlier in the day, Williams won the five-lap race for categories one to three riders. Second was Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, while Paul DeNobrega placed third.

Geron Williams also won the eight-lap Win and Out event ahead of Orville Hinds and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, respectively.

In the feature event, Raymond Newton went to the front from the start, but his lead was

short lived as Jeffrey and Agard overtook him and led for another two laps before being joined by Geron Williams, Greaves and Orville Hinds.

Together the leaders worked in tandem and extended their lead, but with eight laps remaining, Agard was dropped from the leading bunch and dropped out of contention.

After 10 laps, Hinds led the pack that was travelling at a terrific pace but his efforts to establish a lead never bore fruit as Jeffrey and Geron Williams both took turns in setting the pace.

At the bell lap, Hinds surged to the front once again and coming for the finish, Geron Williams flew past him, but Greaves drew up alongside Williams and went ahead with approximately 10 metres remaining.

In the win and out event, there were 33 starters and when the first bell sounded after five laps were completed, Delroy Hinds led the pack, but coming for the finish, Robin Persaud led the pack round the final turn at Camp Street into the straights.

However, Geron Williams went into overdrive and flew past him and won comfortably, while Persaud placed second and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams third.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17 2014

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McCullum century stalls India’s victory push

By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON, (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum stubbornly provided a glimmer of hope for his side on the third day of the second Test against India as he battled to his ninth test century to thwart the visitors’ push for a series-levelling victory yesterday.

McCullum, troubled with what appeared to be injuries to his left shoulder and right elbow, blasted the only six of his innings over long on off Ishant Sharma to bring up the milestone about 45 minutes before the end of play.

The 32-year-old McCullum was 114 not out at stumps having shared in an unbroken 158-run partnership with wicketkeeper BJ Watling (52) that guided the hosts to 252 for five and stalled India’s drive for victory at the Basin Reserve.

“It was hard work out there,” McCullum told Radio Sport. “I thought they bowled brilliantly and at five for 90 (odd), things weren’t looking so good.

“Thankfully BJ and I put together a partnership which was undefeated at the end of the day.”

Corey Anderson was the only wicket to fall during the final two sessions, having joined McCullum at the resumption of

* India in box seat to claim series-levelling victory

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum smashes a six to reach his century against India on the third day in Wellington. play following the lunch break to the left-arm spinner. after New Zealand had slumped Anderson’s dismissal reto 87 for four in the final over of duced the hosts to 94 for five the morning session. and in danger of not seeing Anderson had tried to out a sun-drenched day, before work Ravindra Jadeja into Watling and McCullum dropped the leg-side only to get a leadanchors and took their side ing edge and it ballooned back through two sessions to ensure

they would be back for a fourth day.

The normally free-flowing McCullum faced 237 balls and had been batting for just under six hours while Watling was even more obdurate with his 52 coming from 208 deliveries.

He had been at the crease for more than four hours.

“It’s what the team required and as captain that’s what you try and achieve,” McCullum added. “You’re not always going to do it, but you have to try and work your game to the situation.

“I was just pleased to get through to the end of the day with five down. We have got a lot more ground to cover tomorrow.”

New Zealand had resumed the day on 24 for one, a deficit of 222 runs, and slumped further into the mire when Zaheer Khan grabbed two early wickets to put India firmly in charge of the match.

The 35-year-old left-armer had the ball move slightly away off the seam to catch the thinnest of outside edges of both Kane Williamson (seven) and Hamish Rutherford (35) to reduce the hosts to 52 for three

Johnson the avenging angel …Michael Holding welcomes shake-up of batsmen’s era

By Daniel Brettig MICHAEL Holding believes Mitchell Johnson’s reign of pace bowling terror is providing an overdue reckoning for batsmen grown impure of technique and slow of reaction by years of bullying bowlers of nothing like the same speed.

He has also counselled administrators, coaches and spectators to cherish Johnson while he lasts, and work harder to nurture future examples of the express fast bowler.

No spectator at Centurion during the first Test was better placed to assess Johnson’s impact than Holding, given his own famed ability to generate the highest pace from a run-up and bowling action far more graceful yet equally powerful.

From the commentary box, Holding felt the same heady mix of exhilaration and apprehension he himself caused over the course of 60 Tests, and pointed out this dimension of the game had been missing in recent years with the retirement of Brett Lee and the gradual erosion of Dale Steyn’s pace.

“What Mitchell Johnson did in this Test match and in the Ashes is add a new dimension to what you’ve seen over the past five or six years in Test cricket,”

Michael Holding says the whole dynamic of the game changes when a batsman knows he can be hurt as well as get out. all about ‘this man can hurt me as well as get me out’, and that Holding told ESPNcricinfo.

“We haven’t seen too many changes the entire dynamic of people bowl with that sort of the game.”

Holding and Johnson can aggression and that sort of pace, and I think it’s finding out both be lauded for producing some batsmen who have been performances of the highest quite comfortable over the past order on dead pitches - the five or six years with the medi- West Indian’s 14 for 149 at um pacers they’ve had around. The Oval in 1976 and the “Dale Steyn has been quick Australian’s 7 for 40 on Ad... but Johnson has exhibited a elaide Oval’s drop-in strip to great deal more pace and a lot turn the Ashes irrevocably the more aggression. Pace is the way of the hosts earlier this game changer. A lot of bowlers summer.

But Centurion had more are brilliant, Glenn McGrath was a fantastic bowler, but he the ring of Old Trafford from didn’t have the effect this man the same series in 1976, when an untrustworthy pitch made is having.

With that much pace it’s for an altogether more macabre

spectacle.

Johnson had been given pause when asked whether he derived more satisfaction from a ball striking the stumps or a batsman, and Holding hoped there was no desire in any fast bowler to cause physical damage. What he felt more important was the threat of inflicting pain serving to change a batsman’s approach, something Johnson has done frequently in recent months in part due to his much improved control.

“I wouldn’t want to be thinking a fast bowler gets any pleasure out of the thought of hitting anyone,” Holding said.

“You get pleasure out of the thought that you know they’re afraid of you and you have that extra element to your game.

If you have that skill of getting the ball in the right area, what you’re hoping is the batsman will fend it off or do something to get out. Even if he doesn’t get out it passes closely and he thinks in his mind ‘oh that was close, that could have been dangerous’.

“At various times through the 1970s and 1980s when we had the fast bowling attack we had, we had that effect on the opposition.

You go out as a fast bowler and you see the body language of the opposition players. They know exactly what’s

inside the first hour.

Debutant Tom Latham was then dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the final over before lunch for 29, having avoided the dreaded pair in his first test when he punched Zaheer through point for two runs.

India must win the match to level the two-test series after New Zealand won the first game

NEW ZEALAND first innings 192 India first innings 438 New Zealand second innings (overnight 24-1) P. Fulton lbw b Khan 1 H. Rutherford c Dhoni b Khan 35 K. Williamson c Dhoni b Khan 7 T. Latham c Dhoni b Shami 29 B. McCullum not out 114 happening. Proper fast bowling adds a different dimension to you as a person if you are bowling fast and you see people hopping around. It stays in the mind, and it affects the person who is hopping around as well.

“Johnson’s got control now he didn’t have before. Obviously in the time he’s spent away from the game, Dennis Lillee has worked with him, that has done a lot of good, because pace alone isn’t going to do it, you’ve got to have the control to put the ball where you want to.

If you bang the ball into the pitch and it’s flying all over the place that doesn’t really matter, it has to be well directed.”

To reach the level Johnson has done at the age of 32 is in some ways a contravention of conventional wisdom about fast men, namely that by the early 30s their speed has begun to depreciate. Holding said this could be partly explained by the amount of time Johnson has taken to mature his method, but suggested that not even an athlete as powerful as the left-armer could maintain such heights indefinitely.

“Mitch had come back after being out of international cricket for a while,” he said.

“If for instance Dennis Lillee had got him early and sorted him out and he was doing this early in his career, he wouldn’t be doing it to South Africa now.

He would not be able to bowl as fast as he’s bowling now for an extended period of time.

Impossible. You’re not going to stay at that pace for 10-12 years.

at Eden Park by 40 runs and McCullum said he felt while the visitors were still in the ascendancy the match could still turn the home side’s way.

“Being five down was key for us,” he said. “If we had been six or seven down I think the test was over.

“It was a big couple of hours at the end of the day there.”

C. Anderson c & b Jadeja 2 BJ Watling not out 52 Extras: (b-2, lb-6, nb4) 12 Total (for five wickets, 99 overs) 252 Fall of wickets: 1-1 2-27 3-52 4-87 5-94 Bowling (to date): I. Sharma 23-3-63-0 (nb4), Khan 25-8-60-3, Shami 25-472-1, Jadeja 26-6-49-1 “A prime example is Brett Lee ... he retired early to make sure he could continue to play Twenty20 and earn big bucks.

You cannot fault him for that, but that’s the nature of the game we are playing now. The amount of cricket being played means guys are going to do that, and even guys who want to stay with Test match cricket, they are going to make sure their careers are going to be stretched out a bit more by not bowling as fast.”

As for the emergence of other bowlers to rival Johnson’s speed and the pre-eminence Australia are building around it, Holding said that while none could be manufactured, they could certainly be better identified and taught, citing the poignant example of England’s misfiring Steve Finn, a bowler capable of 150kph at his best.

“You can’t make them,” Holding said. “If it was simple as that you’d just send young bowlers into the gym and tell them to bowl fast. When countries do find someone with that ability to bowl fast they need to know how to deal with it, and that is why England have destroyed Steve Finn.

“They need to know how to deal with people who have the natural ability to bowl fast - not everyone can. You can’t just say everyone is going to search ... I’ve heard that for donkey’s years, and people tried to copy us.

When you get someone like that you’ve got to cherish it, nurture it properly from youth and make sure you take full advantage of it.”

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17, 2014

We’re going to solve the Johnson problem-Smith (REUTERS)-South Africa will turn their attention to finding a way to negate the formidable threat posed by fiery Australian Mitchell Johnson, captain Graeme Smith said following his team’s comprehensive 281-run defeat in the first Test on Saturday.

“There is no doubt Mitchell Johnson was the difference in this game and we have to find way to curb him and put him under pressure in the next two Tests,” said Smith as South Africa licked their wounds after losing the first of the three-Test series.

Johnson’s 12-wicket haul came as a result of some vicious deliveries, one of which cut Ryan McLaren behind the ear and the other hit Hashim Amla full in the face.

The left-arm paceman bowled consistently around the 150km mark and scythed through the home team’s batting to produce career best figures.

“I believe the wicket played a big part,” said Smith, confirming the assertion of the

Australian captain Michael Clarke that the surface at SuperSport Park was “nasty”.

The wicket for the second test at Port Elizabeth, which starts on Thursday, is expected to be docile in comparison.

Smith dismissed media assertions his side had been mentally scarred by aggression of the Australian paceman, whose formidable form continued after being man of the series when they won the

Wolf Warriors, Trophy Stall reach final

Mitchell Johnson’s 12-wicket haul in the just concluded first Test came as result of some vicious deliveries.

Jason Roberts report which is due next week and a decision will be made on the basis of that report,” according to a club spokesman at Reading.

Since picking up his injury, Roberts has made several unsuccessful attempts to get back playing.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday February 17, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Saturday’s quiz: 3 12-Xavier Marshall (WI vs Canada, King City, 2008) Today’s Quiz: How many WI players made their debut in the 1978 Bourda Test match?

Put these in order beginning with the man who played most ODIs: Junior Murray; Stuart Williams; Ian Bradshaw; Runako Morton; Patrick Patterson Answers in tomorrow’s issue

been disappointing, this game will benefit us going into the next game. I think our bowlers have got good time on their legs and hopefully we will have a higher intensity going into the next game.

“From a batting perspective, I think we have some good things to talk about, if we can post some good totals which we have done in the last period of time we will have the ability to put Australia under pressure,” Smith added.

GSCL Inc Republic Cup

Roberts loses battle to recover from hip injury, plans to retire LONDON, UK, (CMC) – Former Grenada striker Jason Roberts is set to announce this week his retirement from professional football.

The 36-year-old striker has been told to call time on his 17year career due to a persistent hip injury.

Roberts has not been able to play a minute of football for Reading FC this season.

His last appearance for the club came back in December 2012 in a 1-0 defeat at Southampton.

“Jason has had a further consultation this week. Now we await a further written

Ashes last month after a 5-0 whitewash of England.

“I doubt there is much mental scarring, we have lost a game of cricket and were beaten comprehensively,” he said.

“It’s important that we move away from that, there are still two big Test matches left in this series and we need to make sure that we perform really well in the next one, that’s our focus.

“I feel that, even though it’s

He was recently quoted as saying: “I’ve had six or seven opportunities to try and come back and not made it through two or three training sessions.

“I’ve had an operation, steroid injections, time abroad.

We’ve done everything we possibly can.

“We just haven’t been able to get it to a point where I’m fit enough to play yet.

“It’s really frustrating.

I’ve never really been injured before, but I think when you go through something like this at my age, you start to really question how much longer you can go on.”

Roberts joined Reading in January 2012 from Blackburn Rovers and went on to play a big part in firing Royals to the Premier League.

He scored on his debut against Bristol City and added a further five goals as Brian McDermott’s side went on a memorable run to lift the Championship title.

Roberts looks back on that four-month spell as one of the most cherished periods in the game.

“It was a fantastic time in my career,” he said.

“To achieve what we did and to get to the Premier League was, in my opinion, one of the biggest achievements of my career.”

Wolf Warriors and Trophy Stall were down to contest the final of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League’s Republic Cup last evening at the Everest ground.

The tournament which was held in collaboration with the National Sports Commission also saw Trophy Stall reaching the final of the Open category and were down to face Floodlights.

In the open category on Saturday, Wolf’s Warriors made light work of Memorex in their semi final encounter at Demerara Cricket Club ground. Wolf’s Warriors batted first and scored 185 all out in 19.3 overs. Amrit Rai led with 70 while Safraz Kharim supported with 43. David Lukenauth took four wickets for Memorex who were bowled out for 93 in 15.5 overs in reply.

Keon Sinclair was the only batsman that reached double figures with 16; Mark Harold and Ameer Nizamuddeen grabbed three wickets each, while Diaram Singh and Narine Bailey claimed two apiece.

Regal went down to Trophy Stall by four wickets in the next semi final at Everest.

Regal took first strike and posted 145 before they were bowled out in 19.5 overs.

Khalid Haslim scored 29 and Richard Latiff made 27.

Sewchan Budhu captured 3-21 and Fazal Rafiek 2-26.

Trophy Stall replied with 146-6 in 16.4 overs. Sachin Singh top scored with 56 and

Wasim Haslim made 47.

Tyrone Sanasie picked up 3-16 for Regal who put down several catches which aided in their demise.

In the Masters semis, Regal defeated Wellman by 58 runs.

Regal rattled up 216-8 in 20 overs, batting first. Eric Thomas led with 89, while Clyde Butts supported with 26 and Raymond Harper 24.

N. Samlall and Motilall (only name given) took two wickets each.

Mike’s Wellman were bowled out for 158 in 19. 5 overs in reply.

Lloyd Rooplall scored 69 as Mahendra Arjune snared 4-19, Satro Seeraj 2-21 and Mahendra Hardyal 2-30.

Floodlight overcame Frontline Rangers by 38 runs. Floodlight took first strike and managed 123-6 in 20 overs. Wayne Jones and R. Khellawan were their leading batsman with 36 and 31, respectively; Gary Mac Koy took 2-11. Frontline were skittled for 85 in 17. 5 overs; Fazal Ali made 27 and Eon Abel 21; E. Canterbury and Jones claimed three wickets each.

In the final preliminary round games at DCC, Frontline Rangers got the better of Parika Defenders by nine runs in the masters segment.

Frontline scored 186-6 in 20 overs, batting first, Rafeek Ali slammed 101 (7x6,9x4), while Fizul Ali made 39 and Abel 28.

Parika mustered 177- 4 in 20

overs in reply. O. Black made 58 and Asif Ahmad 28.

Regal thumped Floodlight by four wickets at Everest . Ramesh Narine stroked 156 as Floodlight made 156 all out in 20 overs, batting first. Wayne Jones assisted with 24 not out. Trevor Kippins took 2-21. Regal responded with 160-6 in 17 overs. Tony Ameerally led with 52 (6x4), Kippins made 27 and J. Bhoj 22.

DVD Titans lost to Regal by seven wickets in the open division. Titans were bowled out for 88 in 12.3 overs after taking first turn at the crease.

C. Arjune made 20 as Richard Latiff grabbed 5-13 and Mark Bobb 2-26. Regal reached their target in 5.3 overs with Chien Gittens leading the way with 46 not out and Patrick Rooplall 33.

Troy Gonsalves had 2-8.

Wolf’s Warriors beat Speedboat by six wickets. Speedboat took first strike and were bowled out for 135 in 17.3 overs. Greg Singh scored 22; Mark Harold bagged 3-10 and Diaram Persaud 2-21. Wolf’s Warriors reached their target in 15.1 overs in reply. Amrit Rai was their leading batman with 67.

The Masters final will commence at 13:00hrs before Trophy Stall battle Regal in a female exhibition game. The open final is set to start at 18:00hrs and will be broadcast live on NCN radio. Admission to the venue is $500 and music will be provided by Caribbean Hot Shots band.

Ramdhanis shine at GUMDAC Annual Open Badminton tournament PRIYANNA and Narayan Ramdhani shone on Saturday afternoon when the final of the GUMDAC Annual Open Badminton Tournament concluded at the Queen’s College Badminton Court.

In the ladies doubles final, Priyanna Ramdhani teamed up with Ambika Ramraj to defeat

the pair of Althea McDavid and Abosaide 21-9, 21-11, while in the men’s final, Guyana’s two top national players Narayan Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali defeated Christopher Persaud and Noel Shewjattan 21-18, 21-14.

The presentation was made to the winners just after the

finals and the Guyana Badminton Association’s president Gokarn Ramdhani said his association is very happy to have had a good tournament to start off the year.

Meanwhile, the Annual National Sports Commission Junior Age Group Tournament is expected to be played off on Friday and Saturday of this week at the Queen’s College Badminton Courts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 17 2014

27

George and Morgan named male and female athletes of the Year …as AAG hosts annual Awards Ceremony….

POLICE Progressive Youth Club athlete Winston George and Rising Star Track Club athlete Alika Morgan copped the male and female athlete of the year awards when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its annual Awards ceremony Saturday evening at Thomas Lands YMCA. Kevin Abbensetts was named the Junior Male athlete of the year, while Jevena Straker was his female counterpart. The male runner-up was Lawrence Green.

Running Brave Athletic Club champion Jason Yah was adjudged the male Youth Athlete of the Year, while Joel Thom was his runner-up.

On the distaff end Linden’s Cassie George was named the female Youth athlete of the year, while Tirana Mitchell was her runner-up.

Best Coach award went to Running Brave Athletics Club’s Julian Edmonds, while

Mrs. Kendra-Squires-Rose copped the Official of the year award.

Administrator of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Gervy Harry in delivering the Charge to athletes said “our athletes are our treasures” while reminding coaches of their responsibilities.

“Therefore, we have to ensure the things we do would be for the betterment of our athletes, and I want to say to our coaches that I am very concerned that they are not only responsible for the technical development of our athletes, coaches are responsible for the all round development of our athletes”, Harry opined.

Harry said despite the financial constraints much can be achieved, pointing out that, “firstly athletes must be honest with themselves and have that will as a partner in this process”.

He also alluded to the administration of our sports be-

IPL pick a dream come true for Santokie

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Fast bowler Krishmar Santokie has described his recent pick in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction as a dream come true.

Overlooked by teams during last year’s staging of the event, Santokie was selected by defending champions Mumbai Indians on the second auction day of two, on Thursday, for US$50,000.

He is set to join West Indies teammate, the big-hitting Kieron Pollard on the Mumbai roster. Pollard was retained by the champions after their win over Dwayne B r a v o ’s C h e n n a i S u p e r Kings during last season’s final.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Santokie said.

“Since the T20 format came in it has always been my desire to play in the World Twenty20, the IPL, the Australian Big Bash League, and so on.

“So to see the IPL, which we also know is the biggest stage for the format outside of the international arena, I am extremely happy.”

Widely regarded as one of the best Twenty20 bowlers in the region, given his ability to swing the ball and vary his pace at high speeds, Santokie entered the auction on the back of an outstanding season last year in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League.

Krishmar Santokie will join Kieron Pollard on the Mumbai roster.

He guided Guyana Amazon Warriors to the final against Jamaica Tallawahs, before going on to cop the Most Valuable Player award after finishing with a tournament-high 16 wickets from nine games.

The 29-year-old is the only first-timer on a list of eight West Indians that were drafted during the action.

The others are fellow seam bowlers Ravi Rampaul ($150,000 - Royal Challengers Bangalore), Jason Holder (Sun Risers Hyderbad - US$125,000) and Kevon Cooper (Rajasthan Royals - US$50,000), all-rounders Darren Sammy (US$583,000 - Sun Risers Hyderbad) and André Russell (US$100,000 - Kolkata Knight Riders), leg-spinner Samuel Badree (Chennai Super Kings US$50,000), and batsmen, Dwayne Smith (Chennai Super Kings - US$750,000).

The awardees and officials pose for a group photo following the presentation. Alika Morgan and Winston George are third and fourth from left (Backrow). cause “at almost every Association, Federation we have war at the top, open confrontation at the top”, which he said will not augur well for sports develop-

ment here.

Harry said this has been a ‘great concern’ for the NSC and he is of the belief that partnerships are required to

urgently deal with the issues that are confronting the Associations.

President of AAG Aubrey Hutson in his address said de-

spite the many challenges the Association faced much was accomplished and challenged athletes to continue giving of their best.

Young Chanderpaul leads Windies to victory with unbeaten 84 ABU DHABI, UAE, (CMC) - West Indies resurrected its campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a crushing 167-run win over Zimbabwe in a Group C fixture at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

After misfiring with the bat in its 94-run loss to South Africa in the tournament opener, West Indies came up with a much improved show after opting to bat first.

Leading the way was Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made an unbeaten 84 in the team’s total of 275 for 6 in 50 overs.

The new ball pair of Jerome Jones and Ray Jordan carried forward the good work to rip through Zimbabwe’s top order in no time. At 21 for 4 inside the first ten overs, Zimbabwe needed a miracle of sorts to just reduce the margin of defeat.

But that wasn’t to be as Preston McSween returned figures of 3 for 14 as Zimbabwe folded up for 108 in 39.4 overs.

What was heartening for West Indies was the resolve shown by the batsmen after being bowled for out a paltry 104 against South Africa on Friday. Each of the top six got off to starts but the platform of the innings was built on two important partnerships.

Tagenarine and Shimron Hetmyer put on 69 for the opening wicket, but the foundation was strengthened during the third-wicket association of 74 between Tagenarine and Jonathan Drakes.

Drakes perished for a 54ball 50, but cameos from Nicolas Pooran and Brandon King helped West Indies smash 68 off the last six overs and finish with

Tagenarine Chandepaul hit six fours during his 84 not out

a competitive total.

With the heart of the Zimbabwe’s batting order back in the hut inside the Power Play overs, Kieran Geyle, the No. 8 batsman, did his credentials no harm by scoring an unbeaten 63-ball 45.

With just two other batsmen crossing double figures, Geyle could merely delay the inevitable as Jordan hammered the final nail in the coffin with the wicket of Herbert Chikomba.

West Indies U-19 275 for 6 (50.0 overs) S.Hetmyer c Tarisai Musakanda b Deven Bell 49 T. Chanderpaul not out 84 J. Solozano run out Tarisai Musakanda 15 J. Drakes c Joylord Gumbie b Malcolm Lake 50 N. Pooran c Ryan Burl b Herbert Chikomba 27 B. King b Malcolm Lake 21 R. Lewis run out Charles Kunje 12 R.Jordan not out 1 Did not bat Preston McSween, Jerome Jones, Gudakesh Motie Ray Jordan not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 8) 16 Total (6 wkts; 50.0 overs) 275 Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-108, 3-182, 4-217, 5-252, 6-272 Bowling: Luke Jongwe 7-0-400 (1w), Patrick Mambo 2-0-110, Malcolm Lake 6-0-43-2 (5w), Herbert Chikomba 10-0-46-1, Charles Kunje 5-0-31-0 (1w), Deven Bell 8-0-36-1, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 4-0-19-0 (1w), Kieran Geyle 8-0-41-0

The defeat could have an adverse effect on Zimbabwe’s net-run-rate ahead of a mustwin clash against South Africa on Tuesday while West Indies take on Canada.

Summarised Scores West Indies 275-6 (50.0 overs) Tagenarine Chanderpaul 84 not out, Jonathan Drakes 50, Shimron Hetmyer 49, Nicolas Pooran 27; Malcolm Lake 2-43 Zimbabwe 108 all out (39.4 overs) Kieran Geyle 45 not out, Deven Bell 14; Preston McSween 3-14, Ray Jordan 3-32, Jerome Jones 2-13

Zimbabwe U-19 108 all out (39.4 overs) J. Gumbie c Ramaal Lewis b Ray Jordan 3 T. Musakanda c Brandon King b Jerome Jones 0 T. Kamunhukamwe b Preston McSween 8 C. Kunje b Ray Jordan 10 R.Burl c (Sub) b Preston McSween 0 L.Jongwe b Gudakesh Motie 9 M.Lake c Nicolas Pooran b Preston McSween 2 Kieran Geyle not out 45 P. Mambo c Brandon King b Ramaal Lewis 9 D.Bell b Jerome Jones 14 H.t Chikomba lbw Ray Jordan 0 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 Total (10 wkts; 39.4 overs) 108 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-3, 3-18, 4-21, 5-24, 6-37, 7-43, 8-74, 9-96, 10-108 Bowling: Jerome Jones 8-0-13-2 (3w), Ray Jordan 8.1-0-32-3 (2w), Jeremy Solozano 0.3-0-1-0, Prston McSween 7-2-14-3 (1w), Gudakesh Motie 9-2-19-1 (1w), Ramaal Lewis 7-1-28-1

Sport CHRONICLE

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

George and Morgan named male and female athletes of the Year (See story on page 27)

GBA/GOA International Goodwill tournament

Trinidad and Jamaica share spoils on night two (See story on page 24)

Guyana’s Ron Smith skillfully evades a punch from St. Lucia’s Ron Bastien during their clash on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

story on Greaves wins George Cumberbatch Seepage 24 Memorial Feature, but Williams dominates

Alonzo Greaves (left) raises his hand in triumph as he crosses the finish line to win the feature 30-lap race of the George Cumberbatch memorial cycle meet. At right is Geron Williams finishing second. (Sonell Nelson photo)

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014