Guyana chronicle 25 08 14

guyana No. 103930 monday august 25, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Local publisher at centre Page

PRICE: $60

INCLUDING VAT

3

of duty-free concession scam

The vehicle, PRR 8398, parked in front of Kaieteur News, with several corruption bumper stickers on the back. The stickers read, ‘Say no to corruption. It hurts us all’.

President joins in ‘Guyana 2 Cup’ horse-racing excitement Page

Bynoe challenges Page 12 Kaieteur News to debate contentious BSL issue Man shot Saturday in Alberttown incident Page 15 succumbs in hospital –Family disputes KN’s robbery claims

Jackie Hanover does ‘Jamzone Regional Night’ proud Page 17 President Donald Ramotar greeting horse-racing fans at the Port Mourant Turf Club yesterday

-takes edge off others’ tawdry performance

Is all you read in the Stabroek News on Local Government Elections true?

2

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

President joins in ‘Guyana Cup’ horse-racing excitement PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday joined horse-racing fans around the country at the eighth annual Guyana Cup Horse-Racing event held at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne.

He was accompanied by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall and Region 6 officials.

The Head of State said that horse-racing is more than a sporting event; it is part of the culture of the Corentyne, of which he is happy to be part.

“Events like these we have to continue to promote; it has the potential of being another major tourist attraction,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Minister Nandlall commended the organisers of the event, and expressed the hope that next year’s event will be held under better rules and regulations.

The Guyana Cup is organised by Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables, and is supported by a number of business entities. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar making brief comments at the Guyana Cup horse-racing event yesterday at the Port Mourant Turf Club

Horse-racing action: Two of the top horses racing to the finishing line yesterday

3

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Local publisher at centre of duty-free concession scam

WHILE the Government of Guyana has launched a probe, and said it is conducting an overall review of the Remigrant Scheme, information obtained by the Guyana Chronicle suggests at least one glaring instance in which the system may have been breached.

It also appears that one so-called campaigner against corruption, who happens to also own a daily newspaper, is at the centre of an alleged scam.

Information received indicates that this issue started with husband and wife Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan, who were on July 3, 2013 granted permission by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to return to Guyana as “remigrants”, along with the concomitant incentives of the scheme.

Under the remigrant programme, Guyanese who would have resided overseas for more than five years and are returning home to reside are entitled to a number of benefits. These benefits include an import duty-free waiver for vehicles, and tax exemption for household items, once the items at reference were owned for six months or more in the country where the remigrant was living.

As husband and wife, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan were entitled to concessions as two separate individuals, although a joint application was submitted.

The duty-free concession is awarded on condition that “the motor vehicle cannot be leased or transferred within three years of registration, and providing that the registration licence, fitness and registration and insurance are submitted for inspection at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) every six months,” according to a letter issued to the applicant.

The Brijananans, on their application form, indicated that besides household items, they were returning with two 2013 Lexus Suburban L57 vehicles, the chassis numbers of which were listed along with

other required information.

On the application form, the chassis numbers for the vehicles were listed as JTJHY7AX7D4100270 and JTJHY7AX6D4094851 with the registration dates in the State of New York being September 25, 2012 and March 3, 2013 correspondingly.

However, on the Bill of Lading for the vehicles, the chassis numbers were listed as JTJHY7AX6D4096745 and JTJHY7AX6D4094851, respectively. This clearly indicates that one of the numbers did not correspond with the chassis number on the application.

Further, for the vehicle bearing chassis number JTJHY7AX6D4094851, it was noticed that the date on the New York-issued Certificate of Title was March 3, 2013. This could only mean that the vehicle was not owned for more than six months before the application was made by the Brijnanans.

If true, this would be a clear violation of the regulation surrounding the application for remigrant status and duty-free concession.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to obtain copies of all the relevant documents -- from the application to and approval by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, GRA, and shipping information.

Further, Glenn Lall, owner and publisher of the Kaieteur News, was listed as the closest relative of Naratootandeo Brijnanan on the application form that was submitted to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Brijnanans gave as their address in Guyana 221 Number 61 Village, Corentyne Berbice.

In essence, what would have occurred, according to documents perused by the Guyana Chronicle, is that the Brijnanans successfully obtained import duty concession in the sum of $4.222, 223.55 for each vehicle, totalling in excess of $8M. When contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, Brijnanan said he was un-

aware of the discrepancies on his application and the Bill of Lading for the vehicles, thereby denying that he was involved in any scam.

He stated that he’d applied for Remigrant Status some five years ago, and has been in the country since then. However, the letter from GRA to the Brijnanans is dated July 8, 2013. Further, the receipt attached to the Bill of Lading is dated

September 20, 2013.

When questioned about the conflicting chassis numbers listed on his application and his Bill of Lading, Brijnanan said he could not explain the discrepancy. “I can’t understand; it is supposed to be the same thing that came,” he said.

However, further investigation by see page 8

The vehicle, PRR 8398, parked in front of Kaieteur News, with several corruption bumper stickers on the back. The stickers read, ‘Say no to corruption. It hurts us all’.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Quake rocks California wine country, dozens injured

By Jim Christie NAPA Calif. (Reuters) - A 6.0 magnitude earthquake rocked wine country north of San Francisco early yesterday, injuring dozens of people, damaging historic buildings, setting some homes on fire and causing power outages around the picturesque town of Napa.

The biggest quake in the region in 25 years jolted many residents out of bed when it hit at 3:20 a.m. (6.20 a.m. ET), centered 6 miles (10 km) south of the City of Napa.

Three people were seriously injured, including a child who suffered multiple fractures after a fireplace fell on him, local fire battalion chief John Callahan said.

Six fires broke out, including one that consumed six mobile homes, he said.

Queen of the Valley hospital said it had treated 89 patients.

There were no reports of any fatalities but the quake shook up residents, said

Barry Martin, community outreach coordinator for the City of Napa, which has a population of 77,000.

“This was a pretty big jolt in Napa, but it certainly is not The Big One,” Martin added in comments to local television, referring to fears Californians have of a catastrophic quake.

California, which sits along a series of seismic faults, is forecast to experience a much more powerful earthquake at some point, but scientists do not know exactly when it will come or how strong it will be, USGS geophysicist Don Blakeman said. link.reuters.com/ tud72w "Usually when people talk about 'The Big One,' they're talking about something on the order of a magnitude 9, which of course is tremendously more powerful" than Sunday's quake, he said.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency, putting all state resources at the disposal of

his Office of Emergency Services.

Most damage appeared centered around Napa, a famous wine-producing region and a major tourist destination in northern California.

One hard-hit building housing winery tasting rooms had to be closed to tourists, and the floors of many wine stores were stained red from the contents of broken wine bottles.

Tyler Paradise, general manager of Cult 24 wine bar in Napa, estimated his business lost $50,000 worth of bottles. They were shaken out of their holding cabinets and littered the floor.

'TOO TERRIFIED TO EVEN SCREAM' Brick facades gave way in the historic section of downtown Napa, and bricks fell off a second floor corner of the courthouse, which showed cracks. On the main street, masonry collapsed onto a car.

Callahan said officials had responded to more than 100 calls regarding problems with gas lines and power lines, and on its website the city reported 30 water line breaks and many broken windows and buildings with interior damage.

The quake knocked out power to about 40,000 homes and businesses in Napa and neighboring cities of Sonoma, St. Helena and Santa Rosa, according to the website for Pacific Gas &

DATE: 23/08/2014 F

05 07 20 27 11 21 12

23/08/2014

04

21

23

Wine bottles are scattered over the floor of Cult 24 Wine Bar in downtown Napa, California, yesterday (Credit: REUTERS/Jim)

Electric (PCG.N).

“They say it went for 50 seconds. It felt like 50 minutes. I was just too terrified to even scream,” said antique store owner Patricia Trimble, 50. She rushed to her store in central Napa and found the front window blown out, cabinets on their sides and merchandise littering the floor.

As dawn broke, merchants were on the streets sweeping up debris and boarding up windows.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter of the quake was 5 miles

24

25

23/08/2014

06

(8 km) northwest of the town of American Canyon, on the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay. 'WOKE US ALL UP' The quake was the largest to hit the Bay Area since the Loma Prieta quake in 1989, which killed 63 people and caused $6 billion in property damage. That quake measured 6.9, while the famous one that leveled San Francisco in 1906 measured 7.8.

Sunday's quake was strong enough to be felt throughout the Bay Area.

"It was long. I think it was the biggest one since I felt the 1989 quake," said Stephanie Martin, 47, a nursing assistant in Oakland, south of the area where the quake was felt more strongly.

"Nothing tipped over, thank God. Rolling back and forth. Just woke us all up," she said.

Aaron Moreno, 18, rushed to Lola's Market, the

03

04

23/08/2014

Mexican grocery store where he works in Napa, right after the earthquake to prevent potential looting and to begin cleaning up the mess. He said there were broken wine bottles and glass everywhere and the store would probably be closed for two days.

The quake was followed by small aftershocks of about magnitude 2, USGS geophysicist Randy Baldwin said.

USGS's Blakeman said there was about a 50 percent chance there would be an aftershock of at least magnitude 5 within the next week.

"That's the thing people need to worry about if their house is already damaged, because magnitude 5 can cause more problems," he said.

President Barack Obama, who is on his last day of vacation at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, was briefed about the quake and would continue to receive updates, the White House said.

01 02 03 05 06 09 11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

5

Conflicting polls on constitutional reform before bill heads to Senate PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) - Two days before the Constitution (Amendment) Bill goes to the Senate, conflicting poll results have been released.

According to the findings of a Market and Opinion Research International Caribbean Poll (MORI), most citizens support constitution reform.

In a release yesterday, Communication’s Minister, Vasant Bharath, said the poll has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to proceed with

debate in the Senate tomorrow.

“In addition to expansive consultation, we also established and closely monitored feedback channels to keep abreast of the thoughts of people, and it was on the strength of that kind of information that the Government intended to proceed with measures to apply term limits for the Prime Minister, deliver the people’s right of recall and second ballot run off voting,” Bharath said.

Communication’s Minister, Vasant Bharath

“The MORI poll has provided the empirical data to confirm our findings; that at least 55 percent of the population agreed and want more power over the governance process and politicians,” he added However, in stark contrast, a poll commissioned by the Trinidad Express newspaper found that 85 per cent of those interviewed would like the Government to halt the debate process to allow for more consultation.

The poll was an indepen-

dent public opinion survey conducted among 459 respondents by Market, Facts & Opinions (MFO) with a plus-or-minus five per cent margin of error.

Of those actually aware of the controversial bill, 54 per cent of the people polled would like more information on the proposed legislation, the poll found.

And 82 per cent would like that information before it is voted on by the Senate on Tuesday.

The Constitution

(Amendment) Bill, 2014 was brought to Parliament

by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On August 12, the bill was passed in the Lower House.

The bill contains provisions for a two-term limit for a Prime Minister, the right to recall MPs and a second ballot run-off.

Even after it was passed in the Lower House, the Bill was delayed for two weeks before it hit the Senate to allow further debate.

PM regrets “unfortunate” decision of her predecessor in blanking national award PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has described as “unfortunate” the decision of former prime minister Patrick Manning not to accept the country’s highest national award.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said Thursday that she had nominated Manning and another former prime minister, Basdeo Panday, for the Order of Trinidad and Tobago in recognition of their contribution to the socio-economic development of the twin island republic which celebrates its 52nd anniversary of political independence from Britain on August 31.

“Whatever differences we may share politically the award sought to honour Mr Manning for his decades of service as a Parliamentarian. It was meant to be a gesture of magnanimity and a moment to reach beyond the issues that divide us to acknowledge Mr Manning’s many national contri-

butions.”

But in a statement, Manning, 68, the longest serving legislator here, who served as head of government on two occasions said the primary reason for declining the award was based “firmly in my principled stance to not accept any Trinidad and Tobago awards while serving as an MP. “Kamla Persad Bissessar was able to win government on May 24th 2010 through a series of sustained and vicious attacks on my character that was led personally by her. These attacks continue. Through this nomination announcement is the Hon Prime Minister retracting those venomous accusations and charges against me?”

Manning said he only found out about the nomination via social media and press reports, adding “I was made aware of this nomination through persons who saw it reported on the social media, Facebook.

Prime Minister Persad

Bissessar said “it is regrettable that in rejecting the nomination, Mr Manning should seek to politicise the matter.

“His comments run against the grain of what was a well intended gesture.

The concept of recognising the long and dedicated service of men and women who committed their lives to the people of Trinidad and Tobago must also be seen differently as we grow and mature as a nation.

“The decision to honour Patrick Manning was based on the changing philosophy that has underlined many of the reforms brought by my government inclusive of the need to honour those who have served regardless of their political affiliation, religious or other beliefs. “ She said while the government acknowledges Manning’s right to reject the honour “it is my hope that the ideal of reaching beyond the divide of politics to honour those who served the nation has not been lost”.

Manning, who in 2011, suffered a stroke that left him partially paralysed, said he wanted to assure citizens that he holds “ our institutions, ceremonies and awards in

the highest esteem and I pray for the day when the Hon Kamla Persad Bissessar and the PP (People’s Partnership) government demit office and we can once again “take our

pride in our liberty””.

Panday has made no statement since Prime Minister Persad Bissessar made the announcement on Thursday night.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

PPP/C’s gift to this nation “WE ARE continuing to spend on education, roads, housing, healthcare, and many other areas….“I am promising the country that, despite the problems – the global slowdown -we will continue our social programmes, because they are necessary to improve the lives of our people.”

This was promised by former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at the annual luncheon held at Camp Ayanganna on Friday, 19 December, 2008. Dr. Jagdeo had pledged his Government’s commitment to social development, and had promised to move ahead with developmental initiatives already started – which included the Berbice River Bridge, several diagnostic centres under construction, and an ophthalmology centre, among a plethora of other things.

Warning that the Guyanese nation has to be cautious in its response to the global financial turmoil, which has resulted in severe global social turmoil, the then President had warned that following other countries in unveiling stimulus packages and other programmes could prove in-

imical to the best interests of our country.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, “anti-cyclical spending” does not work well in small countries.

Since then, many other projects have been completed, as Guyana’s development galloped like a runaway horse, despite the Opposition’s continuous efforts to impede this nation’s progress under a PPP/C administration.

When President Donald Ramotar took office, he vowed continuity, because PPP/C governance is based on successive PPP/C manifestos; and the focus has not shifted, nor has the optimal goalposts been changed.

President Ramotar, on assuming office in 2011, reiterated his Government’s commitment to continue putting mechanisms in place to lessen the impact of the global financial crunch; but he also warned that we, collectively as a nation, have to be cognizant that Guyana is not immune to the deleterious effects of what has been transpiring in the global economy, because our country is a net exporter of several commodities that are already

taking a hit in external markets as a result of the financial crisis.

The Government is intent on circumventing disadvantageous implications to our enabling synergies to deliver on optimum social and other services, despite contracted foreign exchange earnings which may result from the steep drop in global commodity prices, because we are net exporters of rice, sugar, bauxite, gold, and forestry products.

Export earnings from these commodities are a major source of our national income, and a drop in the demand for these commodities would result in a drop in national production; which would, in turn, cause severe dislocations in many areas.

The external impacts, coupled with the Opposition’s anti-development thrust have, in conjunction, delayed implementation of the hydro-power project and other transformational projects.

Government has, over the years, under advisement from bankers, insurance companies, economists, and other experts and professionals, continued to

implement several ameliorating mechanisms to minimise and mitigate, if not altogether constrain, the destabilising impacts of the global financial meltdown, which are creating dislocations in the social construct of some of the most powerful nations in the world.

The three largest centres of the developed world -- the USA, Europe, and Japan -- went into severe recession even while our tiny nation has been recording a continuum of growth. In the USA alone, approximately 10 million people are in bankruptcy, and are losing their homes and other properties because they cannot pay their loans; and two million persons have already lost their jobs. These figures have been replicated in various dimensions across the world.

Guyana is, however, continuing its housing drive, with incremental increase in annual budgetary allocations to continue expanding low-income housing; and all other social sectors have advanced by leaps and bounds in service

to the nation.

Successive PPP/C presidents have adumbrated some of the interventions and initiatives, in keeping with Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s vision and the PPP/C’s Manifesto that the Government has been pursuing and implementing to create comfort and developmental zones for the people of this nation, given the constraining variables extant in the prevailing climate of political opportunism of destabilising elements; a mainly hostile media and judiciary, which often pursue agendas inimical to the national good; a crime wave fuelled by the encouragement of those self-serving pretenders, who preach anarchy in the land; and a global financial landscape that can overwhelm small economies like ours, among other detrimental variables.

At various fora, whether national, regional or inter-

national, President Ramotar has outlined the achievements of an international nature that have placed Guyana on the world map in the leadership quotient, among them being the pursuit of “A New Global Human Order,” which could be the formulation to achieve the MDGs; Guyana’s fight for the restructured European-driven EPA; and its championship of “avoidable deforestation” to ameliorate the impacts of climate change, already causing havoc in nations worldwide.

All of these initiatives are creating avenues whereby our social services can be enhanced even further, despite the global financial meltdown.

The PPP/C Government’s commitment to improvement of the lives and lifestyles of Guyanese is a gift to this nation that will reverberate in posterity for generations to come.

Government praised for promoting Berbice cricket AT long last pavilions for cricket grounds in Berbice will be named after outstanding Test cricketers and this was as a result of assistance from the Guyana Government through the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

The Skeldon Cricket Ground will be named after John Trim, the first Guyanese to play Test cricket and the pavilion at Port Mourant

will be named after Rohan Kanhai and the dressing rooms after Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon. The two ends of the ground will be named after spinner Ivan Madray and batsman Alvin Kalicharran. The Rose Hall Canje Pavillion is to be named the Leonard Baichan pavilion.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has requested

GuySuCo to name the pavilions after outstanding Berbice cricketers. The Corporation willingly agreed after receiving clearance from the Government.

Cricket pavilions in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Dominica, St. Vincent and The Grenadines and other countries are named after outstanding cricketers.

The celebrations will get underway on Sunday August

31 with a dinner and presentation ceremony which will be attended by President Donald Ramotar, the Minister of Sports, and the Regional Chairmen for Regions 5 and 6.

Test and national cricketers from Berbice as well as outstanding administrators will also be honoured by the BCB, and presentations will be made to the awardees.

The Guyana Govern-

ment through the Ministry of Sports is playing an important role in the celebrations by covering the cost of the dinner and presentations as well as to finance the cost of producing a large portrait of former Windies captain, Rohan Kanhai, the most outstanding batsman the county has produced.

The Ministry of Tourism has provided tokens and gifts while the Public Service

Ministry has made a financial donation to the celebration.

Among the celebrations planned are: the renaming of the BCB Office, the Leslie Amsterdam Office, Hall of Fame for Administrators, Panel Discussion, delivering 75 hampers to less unfortunate families, Essay Competition, Public Exhibition and a Quiz competition.

OSCAR RAMJEET

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

The inhuman and evil face of enterprise “THE fact is that people who made out like bandits, shoved money into their own pockets by the bucketful, and drove our economy into a crisis, have no apparent shame.” Larry Brown – National Union of Public and General Employees Ottawa, Canada.

One of my firm convictions is that, whatever activity or enterprise we may engage in, we must NEVER forget that it is people, above all, who matters in the end – human beings like you and I, with blood coursing through our veins, and who with every heartbeat, are struggling to make an honest living in a harsh and uncaring world.

Those who are unmindful of this and who are callous and indifferent to the pains and sufferings they inflict on others, in their selfish quest for wealth and self-aggrandizement, are as good as dead even though still living.

During and in the aftermath of the Great Recession in the USA and elsewhere, untold suffering and misery were brought to bear upon helpless, innocent and decent people by the ruthless and rapacious acts of multinational corporations and big businesses, which revealed the inhuman and evil face of enterprise.

Corporations are run by people (mostly the super- rich and self- serving) whose overriding concern is PROFITS AND NOT PEOPLE. If more profits can be generated then these fat-cat executives, who run banks, investment firms, technology, construction, oil, insurance, health care and pharmaceutical companies, have no qualm in shutting down factories, shipping jobs overseas, breaking the backs of unions, paying miserly wages (but with outrageous compensation and bonuses for themselves), turning full-time jobs into part-time positions, snatching health care and other benefits from their employees, and creating a fear-based, intimidating and stultifying working environment. These are the people who (especially in the USA) can use their bil-

lions to influence greedy and corrupt politicians, and thereby, markedly affect the shape and outcome of policies, legislation, rules and regulations that may impact upon their business.

Nowhere is this more shamelessly and obscenely evident than in the area of corporate taxation. On 6/01/2011, the non – profit Citizens For Tax Justice[CTJ], revealed that 12 of the USA largest Fortune 500 companies reported $170(US) billion in profits during the period of the Great Recession (2008 – 2010), but that they paid an effective tax rate of -1.5% (yes, negative 1.5%; the statutory corporate tax rate in the USA is 35%). Further, the CTJ noted that these 12 companies not only paid zero in taxes for the years 2008-2010, but that they also actually received tax subsidies that added $62.4 (US) billion to their bottom line. What these companies are enjoying is symptomatic of the widespread corporate tax avoidance in the USA. This is legalised greed at its worst and makes most wicked the assertion that there is ‘no money’ to fund socially desirable programmes. Just as recent as October 2013 food assistance benefits for over 45 million Americans were slashed, in the first – ever nationwide reduction in benefits under the US government’s Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), popularly known as ‘food stamps’. The cuts total $11(US) billion over the next 3 years and amount on average to a month’s worth of food assistance. This will result in more privatision for millions of working people, including the poorest and most vulnerable - children, elderly, unemployed, disabled, and new mothers. In country after country, corporations (aided and abetted by greedy politicians) are gradually and systematically effecting a redistribution of income from the bottom of society to the top, i.e. from the poor people to the obscenely rich elite.

A striking and obscene example of the this greed infested corporate culture

is seen in the USA when in 2013, according to the New York State Comptroller’s office, Wall Street companies handed out $26.7 (US) billion in bonuses to their 165,200 employees, up 15% over the previous year. Seen in perspective, this $26.7 (US) billion that the fat cats on Wall Street pocketed in bonuses is more than twice the paychecks of all the 1,085,000 Americans who work full – time at the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 (US) per hour. And these bonuses were based on the same high risk gambles that led to the catastrophic 2008 financial industry meltdown. Never in all history have gross incompetence and reckless greed been so handsomely rewarded. These outrageous bonuses have to be seen against the background of mass unemployment, rising poverty, and homelessness among the working class. According to the US National Center for Law and Economic Justice, in 2012, 46.5 million were living in poverty in the USA. The poverty rate (the % of all people in the US who are poor) was 15% for all Americans and 21.8 % for children under 18. It was revealed that 1 out of 7 people in the US are living in poverty and that children represent more than 1/3 of the people living in poverty. While the stock market in the USA is booming and banks , hedge funds and private equity firms are raking in tens of billions of dollars, 16.4 million children are living in poverty today i.e. nearly a quarter [22.6%] of the children in the USA. What is most shocking, shameful and disgusting is the financial billionaires who are profiting so immensely from the ‘recovery’ were the very culprits that took down the US economy in the first place by creating and pedaling toxic securities that puffed up and then burst the housing bubble. These financial mercenaries caused 8 million workers to lose their jobs in a matter of months and are directly responsible for almost 17 million American children going to bed every night hungry. What is

equally sinister and wicked is that the major corporations have made record profits and profit margins (profits after expenses are covered) while simultaneously laying off workers in record numbers.

They have, therefore, wrung huge profits from cutting labour costs to the bare bones.

In other words, they have filled their coffers and lined their pockets at the expense of the pains, tears, and hunger of the working class.

These ruthless monsters have no feelings left in them that they cannot see that, by their selfish and avaricious acts, they have snatched bread from the mouths of millions of children as they seek to augment their almost incalculable wealth.

Big companies have been the key drivers in the atrocious and shocking, but ever expanding, inequality in the distribution

of wealth and income in the world today. According to the Economist magazine, 95% of the gains from the recovery in the USA have gone to the richest 1%.

For the 99% there has been an undeclared wage freeze: the average wage has increased by only 0.4 %. The Business Insider magazine on 4/10/2013, revealed that the top 1% of Americans own a staggering 40% of the country’s net worth while the bottom 80% (8 out of 10 Americans) own only 7% of the country’s net worth. Also, it was noted that the top 1% owns 50% of the country’s financial assets and that big-company CEOs make 380 times as much as their average workers.

In other words, it takes an average worker more than a month to make what the average CEO makes in an

hour. Again, these shocking statistics have to be seen against the background of a US News & World Report that stated that as of July 2014 almost 91 million Americans over 16 years of age aren’t working and that there are 48 million people in the US in lowwage jobs. Any system that produces this kind of disparity with so much pain, suffering and misery for the overwhelming majority of its people, while the super-rich elite are literally chocking in their wealth, is lacking in all human decency and morality, is rotten to its very core, and is bound to fail. Now more than ever the inhuman and evil face of enterprise is most revealing and glaringly manifest.

CECIL RAMKIRATH Bayonne, NJ, USA

8

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Local Government Elections…

GECOM’s six-month work-plan includes preparation of voters’ list ––DCEO, Vishnu Persaud

By Vanessa Narine DEPUTY Chief Elections Officer (DECO) Mr. Vishnu Persaud has confirmed that the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) six-month work plan includes preparation of a voter’s list to facilitate the hosting of local government elections.

He explained that the existing Preliminary List of Electors, currently subjected to the ongoing claims and objections process which ends on Thursday, cannot work for the local government elections.

“This list is for general and regional elections,” Persaud said.

PREPARING THE LIST He added that in the event of local government elections being called, the names to be included on a voters’ list would be taken from the National Register of Registrants.

That list would subsequently be subjected to a claims and objections process in the various local government districts.

In a statement to the media last month, GECOM said: “Prior to the claims and objections exercise for local government elections, preliminary voters’ lists will be produced and posted for public scrutiny at conspicuous points within all of the 585 constituencies.

“This would be carried out so that all stakeholders, especially electors, can check for the accuracy of their respective listings, as well as that of others.

“Should any incorrectness pertaining to their particulars be observed, the relevant elector can, and should, apply to GECOM during the claims and objections exercise for the necessary correction(s) to be made.

“On the other hand, electors could also object, again during the claims and objections exercise, to the inclusion of any elector whom they have reason to believe should not be on the list.”

The Commission has also made it clear that it did in fact “walk the ground to determine the boundaries for the 585 constituencies within all of the existing Local Authority Areas, and carried out the associated physical verification within the communities. All this was done with the absolute involvement of party scrutineers, it said.

Additionally, as is the norm, copies of the entire voters’ list would be shared with the political parties contesting the elections, for scrutiny – a move the Commission contends would bolster the confidence of the contesting political parties in the Final Voters’ List produced for the elections.

WORK-PLAN GECOM has also indicated that its work plan puts the timeframe for the conduct of the elections at 180 days commencing from the appointment of a date by order given by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to the Commission, the 180-day timeframe

has nothing to do with GECOM’s “preparedness”, as this timeframe is largely a result of the sequential statutory requirements and other prerequisite activities for the conduct of the elections.

GECOM’s work plan for local government elections, which is being reviewed constantly, contains several major statutory and administrative tasks, some of which will be implemented concurrently, eg: the acquisition of non-sensitive election materials; advertising/training/ evaluation/hiring of Election Day workers; public education; claims and objections, etc. Each of these activities can be undertaken concomitantly, and indeed are currently being addressed.

The Commission insisted that the work plan can be implemented only according as GECOM’s needs - financial resources -- are met in a timely manner.

GECOM maintains that it is “fully prepared and committed” to moving formally into an election mode with immediacy if, and when, the Commission is mandated to conduct Local GovernDCEO, Mr. Vishnu ment Elections.

Persaud The Commission, in its statement said, “It must be emphasized that GECOM is fully prepared to stage Local Government Elections once a date for Local Government Elections is announced.

“Immediately following any such announcement, GECOM can begin the statutory steps required to hold the elections.

These statutory prerequisites have been shared with stakeholders, including political parties, the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the international development partners, and other interested parties.”

GECOM’s statement follows the recognition of repeated calls for the hosting of local government elections and expressions of concern over the readiness of the Commission for the process.

Local government elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because of their coinciding with the general and regional elections of 1997.

Additionally, the House passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014. The August date was made via an amendment to the Bill, proposed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) while the House was in Committee. However, this bill has not been assented to by the Head of State.

Local publisher at centre of duty-free ... from page 3 the Guyana Chronicle has unfolded more evidence to suggest that Brijnanan was less than honest in disclosing the location of the two Lexus vehicles. “I have the vehicles right here in Berbice with me,” he said.

Information found on the GRA License Revenue Processing System (GRA -LRPS) form indicates that the licence plate numbers for the two vehicles are PRR 8398 and PRR 8399, which are driven by Lall and his wife, Bhena (owner of Bhena’s Footwear).

PRR 8398 is usually prominently parked in front of the Kaieteur News head office on Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, and PRR 8399 is often seen on Regent Street, Georgetown near Bhena’s Footwear.

Also, although the Brijnanans have a Berbice address, it was noted that the address listed on the registration forms for both of the vehicles is Lot 8 Continental Park, East Bank Demerara, which just so happens to be the address of a senior functionary at the GRA, whom is a close acquaintance of the Lalls.

With the Auditor-General’s Office conducting an investigation into alleged scams involving the Remigrant Scheme, it is not sure whether or not this is one of them. So far, Auditor-General Deodat Sharma is yet to return a call to the Guyana Chronicle, which has made several attempts obtain an update on the current review of the system.

Meanwhile, this newspaper’s research into the source price for a Lexus L570 is about US$80,000.

Import duty for such a vehicle would be a total of US$94,500, bringing the total value of the vehicle to US$174,500, or more than G$36M for each of the vehicles imported by the Brijnanans.

It appears, therefore, that the Government was cheated out of a total of US$189,000 (US$94,500 times 2), or almost $40M in import duty for the two vehicles which Lall and his wife are driving.

Teen charged with possession of firearm, threatening behaviour ––and escape from lawful custody SEVENTEEN-year-old Wendyson Thomas of Lethem, Region 9, appeared on Thursday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged with possession of firearm, escape from lawful custody, and threatening behaviour towards his mother.

Details of the charges are that: (a) On August 12 last, he made use of threatening behaviour to his mother Wendy Thomas at Karasabai, South Rupununi (b) On August 14 last, at Karasabai, he had in his possession one .25 pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licence (c) On August 15 last, at Lethem Police Station, while being in custody for possession of a firearm, he escaped from the said custody.

The juvenile denied all three charges, and was see page 9

9

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

‘There’s eminent need for the skills you have acquired’ ––Minister Nandlall tells PMTC graduands

“YOU have a Government that is prepared to invest in your future; but it is largely your future, and you are the architects of your own destiny,” Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, told graduands of the Port Mourant Training Centre’s evening class recently.

The Board of Industrial Training, (BIT) in collaboration with the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) training centre at Port Mourant, recently hosted its second graduation exercise for evening class students, who graduated from six different courses, namely: Basic Fitting and Machining, Electrical Instillation 1, Motor Vehicle Servicing and Repairs, Refrigeration, Welding and Fabrication, and Supervisory Management.

Delivering the feature address to the graduands, Minister Nandlall drew attention to the importance that Government places on education for all, moreso the youth.

The minister said, “Every year, if you look at our annual budget, you would see that the singular largest budgetary allocation goes towards education.

When you look at our budget totally, you will see that almost a third of that budget is directed to the social sector of our country.”

He said the reason why Government injects so much financial resources in this direction is because of the importance of developing the “human capital”.

The minister articulated that “no society has ever advanced... no country has ever been built without investments made in the people of that country or that society in terms of training them, educating them; in terms of equipping them to take charge of the developmental trajectory of that country or society.”

Countries like Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, which are limited in their natural resources, in recognition of their drawbacks, have “made the decision that they must invest in their human capital, and they already have; and today these are some of the leading economies in the world. That is the philosophy and ideology that guides this government when it invests in young people,” Minister Nandlall divulged.

He referred to Guyana’s colonial background of poverty, and how through education citizens have managed to extricate themselves from the cycle of poverty, and will continue to do so through the younger generation, in advising as follows: “Therefore, as you graduate, please recognise that it is only the beginning of what is a path; a journey that will only take you upwards. And in aiming upwards, let only the sky be your limit. I don’t want to see you confine your future to the skills that you have acquired today; let these skills be the foundation upon which you would build your future,” the minister urged.

He highlighted that the training the graduands have received is for skills which are in demand in Guyana and abroad. Mention was made of the construction boom that is currently taking place in Guyana, and the scarcity of skilled labour to satisfy the demands which are out there.

“Therefore, there is an eminent need for the skills you have acquired; but as I said and maintained most resolutely, I don’t want that to be the place where you stop,” the AG reiterated.

Minister Nandlall said, “We have a country to build. You would have read in the newspapers the furor which erupted when the Chinese, the persons who are constructing the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, employed Chinese labour. When we were building the Stadium, the contractor requested that, as a condition of the contract, he must have Indian labour. The Chinese company that built the Convention Centre requested that they be allowed to employ Chinese labour.”

He explained that those conditionalities were requested not because the companies were discriminating against Guyanese, but because of the shortage of skilled labour, coupled with the indiscipline which exists in the labour force, which has allowed for this to happen.

The AG further observed that the “world will not operate at your speed; you have to operate at the world’s speed. And therefore, as you embark on your professional pursuits in relation to what you plan for

yourself, just be cognisant of the fact that you are entering a very exciting and challenging world, where if you are not equipped then you will be eliminated in the competition.”

The AG reiterated that the PPP/C government has always invested in young people in education and in acquisition of technical and vocational skills.

He also congratulated all of the parents and relatives who made the necessary sacrifice to help this batch of students graduate.

Also speaking at the event was Deputy Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, GuySuCo’s Human Resources Director Jairam Petam, who observed that the graduates from the institution would be welcomed with open arms anywhere.

This, he said, is due to the high standards that the institution has been able to maintain, which resonates well with the best companies regionally and internationally.

He outlined that the focus of the BIT has shifted from being one of regulation to one of the delivery of technical training for Guyana and the industries that need the skills which are produced in the institution.

Petam added that it is not only about bringing people to the institution, but it is also about taking the knowledge and skills where they are needed in greater demand.

He also expressed that training is no longer restricted to engineering, but is available in many aspects, to make persons employable across the country.

He congratulated the graduands on their achievements in their respective fields, whilst underscoring the inception of the evening classes, which began in 2013 under the guidance of the late Dr. Dale Bisnauth.

He opined thus: “What we are doing at the Board of Industrial Training [BIT] is to make the unemployed employable. Those who do not have the skills, we create those skills in those individuals, and we make them employable. That is the basic philosophy of what drives the BIT in this direction.”(GINA)

Teen charged with possession ...

From page 8 placed on bail in the sum of $210,000.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant said that, on the day in question, the defendant and his mother had a misunderstanding and he behaved in a threatening manner towards his mother. She became fearful for her life and reported the matter to the police.

But according to his attorney, Mr. Jerome Khan, on the day in question, Thomas’s mother had sided with the defendant’s girlfriend over an argument he had with the girl, and the teenager felt that his mother should have taken his side, so he became annoyed.

Subsequently, his mother related the incident to the toshao (the chief/head of the village) and asked him to talk to her son. She

also asked the toshao to explain the situation to the police and ask them to give her son a warning.

In regard to the firearm charge, the attorney said the defendant was at the police station and the police learned that an uncle of his has possession of a firearm and asked him to lead them to the house. A search was carried out on the premises, and the weapon -- without ammunition - was found in a music box.

Counsel argued that on that basis if anyone is to be charged, it should be the owner of the property, who is the defendant’s mother.

As regards the escape from lawful custody charge, counsel detailed that Thomas

had been locked up for 72 hours in excess of the stipulated time, and the police had taken him to the Lethem Police station, where they were debating whether to grant him station bail or not, and whom to charge for the firearm. Thomas had been sitting on a bench outside of the station, and not in the lock-up.

Thomas then walked out of the police station compound and went to his mother’s home.

Counsel argued that if his client had intended to escape, he could have crossed the border and gone over to Brazil, since it is not far away. But instead he went to his mother’s home and took a shower, and moments later the police came and arrested him for escaping from police custody.

Counsel informed the court that his client has neither prior conviction nor pending charges, and that his client’s mother greatly

regrets what she had done. He added that since it is a bailable offence, he is requesting that the Magistrate admit the youthful Thomas to bail in a reasonable sum, and not to make a criminal out of a 17-year-old who has learned his lesson.

However, the Prosecutor noted that a firearm without ammunition is still a firearm, and that the defendant had told his mother that he will kill her.

For the threatening behaviour charge, Thomas was placed on $10,000 bail; for escaping from lawful custody and the firearm charge, he was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Thomas is scheduled to make his next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 8.

10

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

We are prepared to go into the elections as ‘a partnership’ ––APNU Leader, David Granger

By Ravin Singh LEADER of the main opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Brigadier (retd) David Granger, declared Friday that APNU is “prepared to go into the elections as a partnership” if snap elections are to be called before the no-confidence motion is tabled in the National Assembly.

General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, had earlier this month disclosed that the ruling party and government were actively considering the possibility of calling snap elections. The intervening time before the no-confidence motion can be considered – after the parliamentary recess has ended sometime in October

-- leaves room for snap elections to be called by the ruling party before the no-confidence motion, which was submitted to the National Assembly by the Alliance For Change, is tabled.

Responding to the readiness of his coalition in the event of a snap election, Granger declared: “Yes, we are prepared to go into the elections as a partnership.”

However, after controversy had surrounded the 18th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress (PNC) held last month, it had been speculated that internal issues would have prevented the APNU’s readiness to contest Local Government or General Elections, were they to be called immediately.

The Opposition Leader refuted those speculations, noting: “We have been making preparations, and we are ready to face the elections, whether it’s Local Government or National Elections.”

He further explained that the PNC is a party that comprises twelve regions, the two additional regions being North America and the United Kingdom; and the internal issues that the party experienced was with one region alone. “It was not the whole region; it was not the whole region 10”, he said, stressing that the trouble had been with only about 30 or 40 persons from Linden.

According to Granger, the matters have been resolved internally.

Opposition Leader David Granger “But I do not feel that the behaviour of those 30 or 40 persons should suggest that the party is divided, or that the party is unprepared,” he said.

11

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Sub-Division 2 CPG commends B/V, Sparendaam, Turkeyen ranks for good relationship

By Leroy Smith THE Community Policing Group which operates in the Sub-division 2 area stretching from Turkeyen to Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara has come out in high praise for the working relationship they share with police ranks stationed at the Beterverwagting, Sparendaam and Turkeyen police stations.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle last week, Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Leon Rampersaud, who has direct oversight of the CPG body in that area, said the group could not desire a better cadre of police personnel with whom to work.

Rampersaud said that improvement in the working relationship between the Community Policing Group and police

ranks has increased recently, and the good relationship is bringing much success to the joint operations.

He made special mention of the officer-in-charge of the three stations, Assistant Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, who, according to Rampersaud, has been working very closely with the CPG. He pointed to several training sessions on which the group has embarked with input from Ramlakhan. The sub-division officer is reportedly also on the ground engaged in community outreaches which are largely initiated by the CPG members.

Rampersaud said the budgetary allocation for the CPG, which has been a regular feature over the last few years, has played a great part in the CPG supporting the work of the police.

Three placed on $75,000 bail each ––for burglarising car

FIFTY-YEAR-OLD Albert De Freitas, of Lot 100 Leopold Street, Georgetown; sixty-five-year-old Burtie Gulliver, of Lot 16 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara; and 53-year-old fisherman, Phillip Khan (no address given) appeared on Thursday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore to answer to a charge detailing that on August 18, at Georgetown, they stole $55,000 cash from Farah Arjune.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis revealed that, on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) parked her vehicle in the vicinity of Thomas Lands, leaving her purse containing the money in her car.

The VC’s friend, who was parked in the opposite direction, saw when number one defendant, De Freitas broke the victim’s car

window and stole the article before making good his escape in a waiting car.

The matter was reported to the police, and investigations conducted resulted in the charges proffered.

Attorney-at-law, Ms. Kendacie Rodney requested bail in a reasonable sum for the trio, stating that none of them has any prior conviction, and that each is willing to abide by any condition imposed by the court.

They were each placed on $75,000 bail, and were also ordered to report to the police every Friday at 09:00hrs. They will reappear in court on October 10 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

As the trio was entering the court lockups, De Freitas was seen dropping his pants towards the media personnel.

He said that a lot of work is being done in Sophia, and the area is one of the more troubled areas in which the Sub Division 2 CPG group operates. He spoke of ranks patrolling the area with vehicles, motor and pedal cycles daily as a routine, and said this feature has been instrumental in arresting questionable characters and apprehending persons of interest to the police.

Members of the CPG groups held a training session on Saturday, in which they were briefed on the offences associated with voting at polling stations on Election Day. This training was held ahead of the possibility of snap elections being called, and Rampersaud said that several Community Policing Group members would be called upon to perform security and monitoring duties on Elections Day.

AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud

12

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Bynoe challenges Kaieteur News to debate contentious BSL issue

REGION 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) Agriculture and Forestry Producers Association consultant, Mr. Phillip Bynoe, has issued a public challenge to the Kaieteur News to debate the increasingly contentious issue of Chinese logging company, Bai Shan Lin (BSL).

BSL has been targeted by Kaieteur News for the last few weeks. However, while aspersions continue to be hurled about, Commissioner of the Guyana Forest Commission (GFC), James Singh, has since defended the legitimacy of the Chinese logging company’s operations and outlined the conditions under which BSL received joint ventures for 274,000 hectares of forest and refuted claims of wrongdoings by the GFC, the forestry sector’s oversight body.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Bynoe said, “If Kaieteur News has any balls they will accept my challenge to both their publisher and, or, their best reporters, to meet with me in a public debate to address the issue of the Chinese investment.”

According to him, the bottom line of the entire debacle is that “politicians deal with politics” and the “small man” deserves more, since it is their bottom line that is being affected.

Bynoe said that last Tuesday hundreds of forestry sector stakeholders gathered at the Umana Yana, under one voice, in their numbers, to defend

their position and express their concerns with the anti-investment stance taken by the local daily.

“The Kaieteur News has claimed that those persons were paid, which is a lie. We do not have to bribe people.

People in the logging industry have struggled for many years and they know how to represent their interests.

The people who were at that session are serious people who know what they are about,” he said.

The consultant added that coming out of that meeting was the establishment of two committees that are expected to significantly advance the interest of persons from Region 10 who are involved in the forestry sector.

He said, “A committee called the Linden/ Kwakwani Road Users Association, which was set up on Tuesday, is currently doing an assessment of the road needs, including the internal and major roads.

“Also coming out of Tuesday’s meeting was the establishment of the Region 10 Forest Producers, Marketing and Development Council, which will be responsible for marketing timber through one central agency.”

Bynoe explained too that the Region 10 Forest Producers, Marketing and Development Council is expected to be influential in securing better prices, among other benefits, for persons from Region 10 who are involved

in the forestry sector.

“That meeting sought to advance and address the interest of the people of Linden,” he declared.

Tuesday’s session was a public meeting of loggers drawn from ten major organisations in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), among them the Maria Elizabeth Three Friends Small Loggers Association; the Coomacka Forest Producers and Agricultural Association; the Linden Agriculture & Forest Producers Association; the Blueberry Hill Small Loggers Association; the Ituni Natural Resources Organisation; the Kwak-

wani Natural Resources Organisation; the Rockstone Small Loggers Association; the Region No. 10 AFPA; the Upper Berbice Forest Producers Association; MAC Enterprise; and the Araima Natural Resource Organisation.

“The Kaieteur News is telling lie after lie, which they cannot substantiate. They are digging a deeper hole…if they truly are a patriotic newspaper and their mission is truly an altruistic one, in the interest of Guyana and Guyanese, they will stop telling lies that damage the lives of the small man on the ground,” he concluded.

13

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Friends, family protest robbery/murder AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud charge against Travis McDougell TWENTY-four-year-old, Travis McDougell of Lot 422 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown appeared on Friday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabio Azore charged with murdering Ashookoemar Raggbu during the course or furtherance of a robbery committed on the said deceased and his wife, Shyrazadi Raggbu, of property to the value of $4M on Monday, August 18, at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question, at around 13:00hrs, the deceased and his wife were driving motor car PGG 8291 along Vlissengen road when the traffic light turned red and caused them to stop at Regent and Vlissengen Road, in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens.

The defendant and another person then drove up on a Honda to the driver’s side of the vehicle and shot the deceased to his chest. The same person that shot the deceased tried to grab the bag with the money, but Shyrazadi Raggbu held onto

the bag, and after she was shot, she let go of the bag. Subsequently, the two men rode away with the said bag, making good their escape.

The matter was reported after the couple was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention. Ashookoemar Raggbu succumbed to his injuries, but the accused was positively identified at the Brickdam Police Station by Shyrazadi Raggbu, Ashookoemar Raggbu’s wife.

McDougell was represented by attorney-at-law, Ms Kendacie Rodney, who told the court that two named police officers had used an electrical teaser on her client. Rodney said this was reported to her and she would like to inquire from the prosecutor if there is a medical certificate for her client.

She said that if there is no such medical, she would like to request that her client be sent to seek medical attention.

She also said that the matter of the identification parade would be dealt with during the trial.

Prosecutor Michael Grant responded that a medical certificate is there for her client, but it is not at the court. He said he was, however, instructed that nothing had happened to the accused.

The defence counsel then responded that she would like to see a medical report to support what was said by the Prosecutor.

Magistrate Azore remanded Mc Dougell to prison, and instructed that he should return to court on October 6 to appear before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Drama ensued outside of the courtroom, where Travis McDougell’s family members, friends and other relatives staged a protest for his release. A tearful Shaka Chase was present, shouting that the police were doing to his friends the same thing they had done to him when they had charged him with the murder of Police Corporal Cleto on April 27, 2013, but the charge was later dismissed for insufficient evidence.

Student pilot placed on $100,000 bail ––for break and enter, larceny

TWENTY-one-year-old student pilot, Colwyn St. Helen of Lot 995 Third Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara appeared on Thursday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore and pleaded not guilty to a charge detailing that on Tuesday, July 15 last, being in company of others, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Nicholas Marks at Green Field, Providence, East Bank Demerara and stole one Samsung Laptop, one knife, one blue backpack, one bottle of vodka, one bottle of whisky, one gold necklace and a quantity of gold and silver bracelets, together valued at $407,900, all property of Nicholas Marks and Shireen Bisoon.

The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Dexter Todd, who requested bail in a reasonable sum for his client, stating that St. Helen had cooperated with the police during the investigations.

Todd said his client does not pose a flight risk, and does not have a problem to attend his court trial.

The Police Prosecutor did not oppose bail, but asked that same be a substantial amount with conditions applied.

St Helen was granted bail in the sum of $100,000, and was ordered to lodge his travel documents, including his passport and report to the Providence Police station every Friday at 09:00hrs until completion of the matter.

The matter will call again before the Providence Magistrate on October 13.

Lethem youth on $100,000 bail for larceny of cattle THE unrepresented Robert Khan of Lethem, Region 9, on Thursday appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Fabio Azore to answer a simple larceny charge detailing that between June 11 and 13 at Lethem, he stole from Derrick Tunaram, three cows together valued at $300,000.

The 22-year-old labourer pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not reveal the prosecution’s case to the court, nor did he make any objection to bail.

Khan was placed on $100,000 bail, but will make his next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 2.

14

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

15

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Man shot Saturday in Alberttown incident succumbs in hospital

TWENTY-six-year-old Dexter Lindo of 28 Shell Road Kitty, Georgetown died yesterday at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital while receiving medical treatment for a gunshot wound he sustained on Saturday afternoon in Alberttown, Georgetown.

The Guyana Chronicle received several reports in relation to this incident from persons in Alberttown and from police sources, but has taken the position of awaiting substantiation before publication.

Persons in Alberttown reportedly saw a white car pulling up at a shop last Saturday, and a man exited that car. Shortly thereafter, another car reportedly pulled up, and an occupant of this second vehicle opened fire on the man who had exited the first arrived car. The man who had come under fire was later identified as Dexter Lindo.

It was also reported that the shooting had its genesis in a robbery, and that the man who had shot Lindo is a licensed firearm holder who was responding to a robbery report received from his female companion.

The Guyana Chronicle also learnt on Sunday that the woman who claimed to have been robbed by Dexter Lindo and his associates had reportedly been robbed after leaving a city bank last week, and she had related the matter to her male companion, a well-known individual, while naming the person who had robbed her.

Sources say that Dexter Lindo had gone to the woman’s

––Family disputes KN’s robbery claims establishment to threaten her about implicating him in her alleged robbery, and she reported that to her male companion, who sent his associates after the now dead man and his associates.

The late Dexter Lindo’s father yesterday contended that his son had operated a car rental business, had been involved in home construction, and had not been a criminal. He said he had received news of his son’s fate whilst he was travelling on the Linden Highway; and he was reliably informed that the man connected to the woman who had allegedly been robbed had had a problem with one of the men with whom his son and his associates had been liming. That man’s associates had reportedly trailed the car driven by Dexter, and as Dexter exited the vehicle at a shop in Alberttown, that man’s associates had opened fire on him under pretext that he had committed a robbery.

Lindo’s father also said he had been told that when word

Carpenter denied bail for stealing truck batteries FORTY-four-year-old Clifton Dowlin, a carpenter of Lot 41 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Thursday placed on $75,000 bail for stealing two 27-plate batteries.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which detailed that on August 18, at Ganges Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, he stole said batteries, which, together valued at $115,000, property of Michael Gaskin.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis, told the court that the virtual complainant(VC)’s employee had checked and secured a truck which was parked on the eastern parapet of his employer’s yard, before leaving for his home.

Later the same day, the VC himself went to check his truck, and discovered that the articles mentioned in the charge were missing.

Investigations were carried out, and the defendant was arrested and charged.

The prosecutor opposed

bail for the unrepresented man on the grounds of the nature of the charge and the fact that he had been convict-

ed for a similar offence.

His case was put off for October 1 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

had reached the robbed woman’s male connection following his son’s shooting, the man had allegedly questioned why Dexter Lindo had been shot, seeing he had not been the intended target.

Reports suggest that Saturday’s trigger man was not licensed to carry a firearm, but the firearm which was recovered was licensed to someone else; and that was the same firearm which persons and the police claimed had been used by the now dead man to commit a robbery.

The police could not, up to late yesterday, confirm whether the prints lifted from the gun matched those of the now dead Dexter Lindo.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Over 100 Agricola children graduate –from Police skills training programme

By Leroy Smith LOTS of cheering, clapping and happy faces were in evidence on Saturday when the Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division issued certificates to more than one hundred children from Agricola, East Bank Demerara who had participated in an eight-week skills training programme.

This programme, spearheaded by Police ‘A’ Division, was facilitated by the head teacher and staff of the Saint Anne Primary School in Agricola and by Mrs. Indira Hicken, wife of ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent, Clifton Hicken.

The children were rewarded on Saturday for their achievement in sports, aca-

demic performance and skills training, all conducted in sessions during the eight weeks of the programme; and skits, poems, singing and dancing welcomed and entertained the guests who turned out to witness the graduation.

Many in the gathering were parents and police ranks.

The head teacher of the school commended the po-

lice for the work they had been doing with the community, and moreso involving the school, teachers and parents; and Commander Hicken informed that, arising from the police’s partnership with the community, a longtime friend of the police has indicated that he would take all the children under his care and form a youth group.

This announcement was

greeted with cheers from both parents and children.

The children will gather each Saturday at the Saint Anne Primary School for their group sessions, and the Scouts Office of the Guyana Police Force will be invited to groom the children into becoming scouts, after which they would undergo the required training to enlist as scouts.

Commander Hicken also pointed out that what is very important for the process is sustainability. He related that

many good deeds involving programmes for children are usually downfalled because of the inability of persons involved to ensure that the programmes are sustained.

The parents and school have committed themselves to ensuring that the children continue on the path on which the police have placed them, even as the police vowed to ensure that whatever is required to keep the programmes going in the community would be supplied.

A section of the gathering at the graduation exercise

Agricola children doing a welcome acrostic for their guests on Saturday

After a long day, the participants and the Mrs. Indira Hicken, wife of Commander police officers pose for a memorable Hicken, handing over a certificate to one of photograph the younger graduands

Some of the items the children designed and made during their 8 weeks of sessions

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Jackie Hanover does ‘Jamzone Regional Night’ proud

–takes edge off others’ tawdry performance

Bunji Garlin and Fayon were certainly scene stealers at the Jamzone Regional Night Concert

The audience exploded the minute ‘Alkaline’ appeared on stage

By Alex Wayne YET again, folks in the Hits and Jams Entertainment camp netted another successful initiative when they staged their Jamzone 2014 ‘Regional Night Concert’ at the National Stadium last Saturday night.

One has to agree that it was quite a considerate act on the part of the promoting team to include an extended local artiste line-up in this year’s programme. But that group should have avoided the likes of the notoriously lewd Malcolm ‘Wickedee’ Fereira, Lil Million and a few others.

These artistes made the night smudgy although it was set aside for riveting entertainment. The fact that the show was being streamed live via the 94.1 BOOM FM Radio, speaks volumes of what is actually permitted on our

radio waves. No amount of pleading from promoters could stop Fereira and Lil Million from ranting their obscenities, and the audience breathed a sigh of relief when they both left the stage.

Luckily, dancehall diva, Jackie Hanover saved the night with her ‘bad gyal theatrics’, scandalous costume and her self-styled raunchy lyrics that were well received by the mammoth crowd.

Heatwave Band’s Calvin Burnett had the crowd on their feet before the actual show began and he practically wowed them with hits like ‘Rags Up’, ‘Wine and touch yuh Toe’, ‘Bacchanal’ ‘Tick Tock’ and many others.

The crowd practically exploded when Jackie Hanover came on stage to present her ‘bad gyal debut performance’. Clad in nothing but a colourful swim-

suit that exposed almost her entire ‘rear end’, she brought to the stage fervour associated with the likes of international dancehall diva ‘Lady Saw’.

This time she brought a special treat of her own in the form of two sexily clad ‘bootilicious rolly polly dancers’ and the bigger of the two “Michelle’ had the audience screaming their approval when with frenzied butt shaking, gyration and splits, she executed her version of the famous ‘one drop dance’.

Hanover’s lyrics were ‘electric’ and she minced no matters in declaring that she would continue to demonstrate her ‘ghetto fabulous’ stage package, regardless of what anyone has to say.

“Who vex drink Marvex” was her declaration as she belted out hyped dancehall selections and a few of her hot original pieces. She amusingly lashed out at the

male folks who preferred to roll around in posh cars and expensive clothing at their girlfriend’s expense and the ladies practically loved it.

Malcolm Fereira was the least bit entertaining, and his opening line of ‘Pat yuh good hole’ was met with much repulsion by the audience. And then one could not fathom if he was doing stand-up comedy or singing, because he seemed lost somewhere between the two.

His ‘loly’ and ‘pata-cake’ lyrics compounded the situation even further and made it all a hot mess when he decided to collaborate with Ernesta Nelson before closing his performance. Nelson sang fairly well but there really was no reason for that terribly scanty costume. A costume like that certainly needed luscious curves to pull it off. Of course the two left the stage to almost ‘non-applause’ from the gathering.

Good grief!!! What were the promoters thinking when they decided to contract ‘Lil Million’. Firstly his attire was just downright ‘stink’ and so was his presentation. The distaste was mirrored on the faces of the ladies as he talked about sticking things I had better not mention down their throats and other lewd insinuations that found ill-favour with the audience.

Quace ‘Ace’ Edmondson kept it loyal to his fans and dished out some of his original songs like the perfect gentleman. He was well applauded for his efforts.

The Bunji Garlin/Fayon Lyonns combination was the ‘perfect fit’ and the National Stadium celebrated as they fused rich, moulding soca intonations with delightful servings of reggae, before decorating them with mind boggling R& B, and even Hip-Hop teasers.

The crowd went wild when Bunji free styled on persons in the audience and topical issues on which they could all have related to.

For sure they both ignited the real ‘party vibes’ and the crowd was burning up with Caribbean fire when they left the stage.

Closing the night’s show was the much anticipated Jamaican artiste ‘Alkaline’ and my, my... The ladies were certainly waiting for him.

The minute he came on stage the females were

Even the HJTV divas were having the time of their lives

grabbing for his legs and thighs and one woman held for dear life onto his rag and he eventually had to let it go. Those outside the VIP area were literally climbing over the barriers in some cases as they screamed his name.

He brought his usual Jamaican swagga and the ladies yelled their love for his ‘strangely ‘inked and

tattooed eyes’. He belted out ‘Gone Away’ and many more and the female screams certainly dictated that he was the ‘girls dem suga’.

He ended the show on a resounding note and sweaty fans hurriedly made their way to the Next Nightclub (Princess Hotel) to further fuel their ‘party fever’

‘Jackie Jaxx’: Jackie Hanover’s eye-catching costume was quite a hit among her fans during her performance

18

guyana CHRONICLE monday August 25, 2014

Outcome of UNSIDS conference important to CARICOM

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is viewing the Third International Meeting on Small Island Developing States (UNSIDS), scheduled to be held in Apia, Samoa, from September 1 to the 4, as an important opportunity to engage the international community on the development challenges facing the Region.

Over the past two years, CARICOM Member States have been fully engaged in the processes leading up to the meeting which is being held under the theme ‘The Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States through genuine and durable partnerships’.

CARICOM is recognised by the international community as the major driver of the SIDS-Programme of Action (SIDS/ POA) and this meeting presents an opportunity to seek ways of harmonising the SIDS/POA framework with the strategic development objectives outlined in the Community’s Strategic Plan 2015-2019 recently approved by Heads of Government.

The SIDS/POA had its genesis in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED,

1992) where it was recognized that SIDS share unique characteristics that make them economically, environmentally and socially vulnerable to shocks over which they exercise little or no control, placing them at a distinct disadvantage in comparison with larger countries. The SIDS/POA was adopted at the first UNSIDS which was held in Barbados in 1994 and defined various challenges that SIDS face in their efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

This Programme of Action was reshaped at the International Review Meeting in Mauritius in January 2005 and highlighted the need to accelerate efforts to assist small island states in building resilience to environmental, social and economic vulnerabilities. The Strategy adopted addressed new and emerging issues, including the impact of HIV/AIDS, security concerns, the importance of information and communication technology, the need for special and differential treatment in the face of erosion of trade preferences, and the protection of indigenous culture and cultural industries.

Since 1994, much action has been taken by CARICOM

(SIDS) towards their sustainable development using most of their own available resources to implement the SIDS/POA with limited assistance from international development partners. Many sustainable development initiatives, programmes and projects have been instituted at the regional and national levels. At the regional level, major initiatives include: * Establishment of the Caribbean Community Climate change Centre; * Cleaner Production Project; * Integrating Watershed and Coastal area Management in Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean (IWCAM); * The Eastern Caribbean Waste Management Project; * Caribbean Global Water Partnership; and * Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).

These projects have benefitted from funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the European Union, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), among others.

There have also been attempts to garner the support of the international community towards capacity building, institutional strengthening and networking in a number of other areas including Information and Communication Technology and the development and use of renewable energy.

However, the financial and economic crisis of 2008 has led to significant decline in the global, regional and national investment, trade, incomes, employment, consumption, and wealth along with features such as the credit crunch, and the food and energy crises. CARICOM economies have been hit very hard. Economic growth, tourist arrivals, and foreign direct investments have declined, fiscal positions have deteriorated, and the levels of debt have increased in a number of CARICOM Member States, which has led to high levels of unemployment and the adoption of austerity policy measures across the Region. The meeting therefore provides another opportunity for the Region to press the international community on the issue of using per capita income criteria to determine access to concessionary development financing.

Against that background, CARICOM Member States will be seeking to ensure that the new SIDS /POA to be determined in Samoa, reflects their development aspirations and embraces a broader understanding of the conditions of SIDS. This is critical as the Samoa gathering is the last major opportunity for small states to consolidate their issues as the negotiations draw to a close on the United Nations Post 2015 Development Agenda.

Given the theme of the Meeting, the Community welcomes the opportunity to develop partnerships with the international community, since these are of strategic importance for small, open economies like ours, if we are to succeed in our poverty alleviation and sustainable development efforts.

Innovative partnerships can be an effective mechanism to facilitate the scaling up of best practices and in implementing global commitments.

The Region’s strategy has been geared towards building on and expanding areas in which there is already some level of ongoing activities, demonstrated interest and institutional capacity. This approach of building synergies, filling gaps and utilizing existing national and regional institutions should optimize the effectiveness of any new financial resources, strengthen capacity, reduce lead time and increase the sustainability of activities that would improve the lives of the people of the Community.

SIDS (Small Island Developing States) are recognised as a ‘special case’ in the United Nations forum because of several characteristics which make them especially vulnerable to external shocks including; their small sizes, extreme isolation, limited and narrow resource bases, geographic dispersion and isolation from markets, diseconomies of scale, capacity limitations, and susceptibility to climate change, natural disasters and global crises. Currently, thirty-nine SIDS and twelve territories are included in the list used by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in monitoring the sustainable development of SIDS. These countries are often categorised by their three regions; the AIMS (Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea), the Caribbean, and the Pacific. These SIDS work together in the United Nations through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

Additionally, the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda will help define the global development framework after 2015 when the focus shifts from the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - the eight development goals set at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000. A High Level Panel of Eminent Persons, appointed by the UN Secretary-General in 2012, is leading the thrust towards advancing this development agenda post 2015.

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

19

20

Capitol News gets three days to withdraw malicious –and issue apology to statements GFC Commissioner COMMISSIONER of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), James Singh

has issued a lawyer’s letter to Capitol News after the newscast suggested that he

Monday, August 25, 2014 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 05:00 hrs

rented his property to Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. Attorney Roopnarine Satram, in the letter to Capitol News said, “The false and malicious statements were calculated to cause and have indeed caused our client irreparable damage both in his professional and personal life.

The said publication was intended to convey to the public that our client has a corrupt relationship with Bai Shan Lin from which he derives financial benefits to condone the alleged illegalities being committed by Bai Shan Lin and reported in the press.”

It was further stated that in or around the month of April, 2013, Singh advertised his property (located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara) for sale or rent in several issues of the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper. Satram further said several persons responded to the advertisement, and the property was eventually rented to and still is rented to a person who is not operating in the Forestry Sector.

It was firmly stated that Singh’s property is not rented to Bai Shan Lin. Satram said should Capitol News fail to do as instructed within the three days, legal advice on the matter will be given to Singh and actions will be taken according to his instructions. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Aries - March 21 - April 19 You'll find that your spark can easily turn potential energy into kinetic energy. Don't underestimate the power of your words. Realise the profound impact they have on others and take responsibility for their consequences. Try to use them sparingly if you can. Speak half as much as you normally would, but make each sentence resonate twice as powerfully.

Taurus - April 20 - May 20 Expect an added boost of physical energy today. It's an excellent day to clean out closets. Exercise like yoga or walking will be most enjoyable. It could also prove to be well worth your while to look at your goals. Are you where you want to be at this stage of your life or are there changes that need to be made? Give your brain and body a good workout.

Gemini - May 21 - June 21 This is your day to shine in all your glory. There's no need to hold anything back. You'll find that you have a great deal of love to share. Your heart is likely to go to extremes today in order to prove its love, passion, and affection. Make sure that this energy that's so true to your core is appreciated and reciprocated by the people with whom you share it.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22 Try not to lose sight of your own projects or desires. There's a great deal of power and manipulative energy in the air today that could throw you off course if you aren't careful. Have confidence in yourself and don't back down if things get too confrontational. Take control of the car you're driving instead of just coasting haphazardly down the hill.

Leo - July 23 - August 22 Recharge today by getting outside and stretching your arms to the sky. Be proud and courageous. You have the power to turn an unhealthy situation into a positive one, but first you must get rid of all self-doubt. If you don't have confidence in yourself, it will be hard for others to have confidence in you. Make sure you let the world know exactly where you stand.

Virgo - August 23 - September 22 Difficult predicaments could arise today if you try to exert your will over others without having the most honorable intentions. It could be that you're using someone else's fear of you to control him or her. This doesn't make for a healthy relationship.

Try not to snap at others. Make allies, not enemies, and you'll find that you will have nothing to fear.

Libra - September 23 - October 22 The fire within you is raging today, and you should be careful how you wield this power. Be proud and triumphant. Walk with your shoulders back and head high.

Freedom is important, but make sure that others don't interpret it as you not caring about a person or situation that's actually quite meaningful to you. Let your heart speak openly and honestly.

Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 There may be a great deal of fuss over something that seems quite insignificant to you. Try to see the beauty and importance of everything around you. At the same time, make sure you give yourself enough credit for being the person you are. Egos are apt to go through a bit of a transformation that will affect the way you react to the outside world.

Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20 Things are coming to a critical point for you today, and you may find that other people openly object to your actions. It's OK to be a bit selfish if the situation is appropriate. Look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of the person you see. Try not to get lost in the group or think that your personal success and happiness depend on the success of others.

Capricorn - December 21 - January 19 After all the good work you've done lately, asking for that raise, bonus or promotion should be a piece of cake. You're confident that you've earned it, but as usual, you're feeling a bit on the humble side and wondering why they haven't yet offered it to you.

Well, remember that old adage about the squeaky wheel getting the grease? It's true.

Step right up, tell your superiors that you deserve this, and do it in a startling, sudden fashion. They'll admire your tenacity.

Aquarius - January 20 - February 18 You should bask in a glorious splendor today. There's a great deal of power at your disposal. You'll find your ego is healthy, charged, and ready for the battlefield. Work lovingly with the energies that surround you. There's a great deal of fire in the air that will aid your pursuit of happiness. Don't settle for anything less than the best, because you're worth it.

Pisces - February 19 - March 20 Add more sunshine to your day. It may be time to stir up your inner passion and let it speak with greater confidence than you have been lately. Make sure you heal yourself by letting the people around you hear your truth loud and clear. Don't play games in order to please others. Stay true to yourself above all else.

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

21

22

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

23

24

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday August 23, 2014

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Guyana successfully defend men’s ...

From Backpage played out at the Georgetown Club courts, here in Guyana. Second place for the overall team title went to Trinidad and Tobago after they finished two points behind Barbados.

Trinidad also played second fiddle in the men’s category, where they were demolished 3-1 by the Guyana team, led by Sunil Seth and Richard Chin.

Seth triumphed 3-1 against Colin Ramasra, and Chin took down Kale Wilson. The team’s loss was registered by Robert McDavid who went down 4-11, 6-11, 9-11 against Chayse McQuan, while the team were also kept afloat by wins amassed by Alex Arjoon and Jason Ray Khalil.

Arjoon breezed through a 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 win over

Nku Patrick, while it took Khalil four sets to dispose of Don Lee. Saturday’s finals followed the men’s takedown of the OECS team on Friday in the semis, where Guyana won 5-0.

The Guyanese ladies, despite lacking defending women’s singles champion Nicolette Fernandes, proved that they still have a lot of budding talent on the female side.

The Wiltshire sisters Akeila and Larissa proved

to be a forced to be reckoned with, and, coupled with the capabilities of four-time junior Caribbean champion Victoria Arjoon the team were able to offset the losses suffered by Mary Fung-a-Fat and Ashley DeGroot to record a 3-2 win over the Barbados women’s team.

In a match reminiscent of the ladies finals, ladies singles finalists Fung-a-Fat and Karen Meakins were at it once again, ending in victory

for Meakins this time with a 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 score. DeGroot was also on the losing end of her match when she went down 9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-3 to Nadia McCarthy.

Akeila took on Alex Jordan and won 11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, while Amanda Haywood could not get past Arjoon and lost 6-11, 9-11, 5-11. Muffin Stollmeyer was defeated 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 7-11 by Larissa.

New Sochi circuit wins FIA seal of approval LONDON Reuters) - Russia’s new Sochi Formula One circuit has been cleared to host the country’s first grand prix in October after a rave review from the sport’s governing body.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) technical head Charlie Whiting, who conducts a detailed inspection of all new circuits, visited the Black Sea resort on Tuesday and said he was impressed by what he had seen.

“The circuit is in extremely good condition and – yes - it will be issued with a licence,” local organisers quoted the Briton as saying in a statement.

“Everything has been done according to the plans – the kerbs are very good, the verges, the guardrails, the walls – everything is in an extremely good condition.

“Everything has been done to the highest standards and I’m extremely pleased. I can say without hesitation that the circuit is ready 60 days in advance, which is very rare really.”

Whiting indicated the inspection, before this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, was likely to be his last before the travelling Formula One circus arrives for the Oct. 12 race around the park used for this year’s Winter Olympics.

The grand prix, a showcase event for Russian president Vladimir Putin, will be the 16th round of the championship but is already controversial following the crisis in Ukraine and downing of a Malaysian airliner last month.

Western nations have imposed sanctions against Russia for its annexation of Crimea and what the United States and the European Union say is Moscow’s backing for separatist rebels in east Ukraine.

Russia has responded by

banning a range of agricultural products from the EU. Formula One teams have ruled out any boycott of the race, unless there is government advice not to go, while the sport’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has made clear the event will go ahead as planned.

Whiting focussed purely on the technical and construction issues and hailed what had been done since the Olympics ended

English Racing Tips Warwick 08:25 hrs Robin Park 08:55 hrs Persian Bolt 09:30 hrs Fewer Few 10:05 hrs Italian Tom 10:40 hrs Goldream 11:15 hrs Loumarin 11:50 hrs Spray Tan Epsom 09:05 hrs Marshall Jennings 09:40 hrs The Dandy Yank 10:10 hrs Swiss Cross 10:45 hrs Haafaguinea 11:20 hrs Jakey 11:55 hrs Cosmic Halo 12:30 hrs Alpine Storm Ripon 09:25 hrs Studio Star 10:00 hrs Go Sakhee 10:35 hrs Pennine Warrior 11:10 hrs Explosive Lady 11:45 hrs Bartack 12:20 hrs Tasmanian 12:55 hrs Royal Caper Irish Racing Tips Downpatrick

in February.

“I was very impressed when I walked in to the Race Control building. It really does look extremely impressive,” he said.

“Fundamentally, all Race Control buildings are the same, but in this particular case it’s been done with very latest high-tech equipment. The images we see at race control are absolutely superb.

09:30 hrs Landau 10:05 hrs Its All An Act 10:40 hrs Lord Of Isenay 11:15 hrs Coldstonesober 11:50 hrs Tom’s Article 12:25 hrs Lucky Pigeon 13:00 hrs Young Dillon South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs African Gladiator 08:50 hrs Atso Fields 09:20 hrs Tribal Code 09:55 hrs Captive Consort 10:30 hrs Fit To Flight American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Makari Race 2 Cuantos Race 3 Indian Splendor Race 4 Mr Classic Seneca Race 5 My Senses Race 6 Readthebyline Race 7 Zamquick Race 8 Maura’s Pass Race 9 Free as a Bird

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Duncan Fletcher is still the boss - Dhoni

By Sidharth Monga in Bristol MS DHONI has said Duncan Fletcher will be India’s coach at the World Cup, and that he is still “the boss”. Speaking ahead of the first ODI against England, he did not sound too thrilled about the decision to send fielding and bowling coaches, Trevor Penney and Joe Dawes, on “leave”, although he did welcome Ravi Shastri’s presence as team director.

When asked if he felt bad for Fletcher, and if he sees him going to Australia, Dhoni’s response was emphatic. “Definitely he will lead us into the World Cup,” Dhoni said.

“Also he is still the boss.

We have Ravi (Shastri) who will look into everything, but Duncan Fletcher is the boss.

It’s not as if his powers (have) or his position has been curtailed. I don’t know what you feel from outside, but still operations remain the same.

We have a few other support staff who come into the dressing room, but overall the operation remains the same.”

What about the decision to bring in new support staff and the timing of it, then?

“Some things just (happen) this way,” Dhoni said. “It’s a bit tough on Trevor (fielding coach) and Joey (bowling coach), I know. Especially when fielders drop catches and the fielding coach has to miss the series.

“But let’s hope for the

best. We are welcoming the new guys because that is very important. They will be part of the dressing-room family as of now. We will have to give them some time to adjust to how we operate, and see what kind of input they bring to the table.”

On Diwali day in 2009, no such concern was shown for Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh, the bowling and fielding coaches who were sacked unceremoniously.

Dhoni did suggest the new team director, Shastri, will be good for the side.

“He is here to oversee the operations,” Dhoni said.

“From the outside, what he feels and everything.

It’s good to have him.

The reason being he is a very proud India cricketer, and at the same time very positive. He believes a lot in fighting and having the right instincts, going over and giving his 100%. It is obviously good to have him.

He also speaks the same language, and can interact a lot with the players. Same is the case with other people, so it is good to have them.”

Dhoni refused to say if he had been consulted before the changes were made. It was a bizarre press conference - even by his standards before the start of the series.

He began all right, but then stopped taking questions about the support staff, saying he wanted to talk about the next match, and then refused to talk about Rohit Sharma’s role as an opener in ODIs.

The ball has lost colour, kits have assumed it; back lifts have gone higher, bat swings faster; India are looking more at home trying to hit everything out of the ground at the nets, but massive uncertainty remains around them what with radical changes brought about to the caching staff. Imposed, more like, it sounded from Dhoni’s press conference.

Shastri was pretty active on his first day on the field as a team director. He had had one formal team meeting already, and a few one-on-one chats. Yesterday he had a long and animated chat with Dhoni and Fletcher next to the pitch.

Both Shastri and Fletcher kept twirling their right wrist, as a leg-spinner would.

It seemed to be a debate around Karn Sharma. Dhoni, as usual, gave away little through facial reaction or hand gestures.

Later, during the nets session, Shastri had a point to make to Shikhar Dhawan, who has had an ordinary Test series but will be back as ODI opener. Fletcher immediately joined in, and the two went away to have another long discussion. After Dhawan was done with his stint, Shastri had another chat with him.

He did the same with Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina. Bharat Arun slipped into Dawes’ role, R Sridhar into Penney’s, and Sanjay Bangar mostly gave throwdowns to the batsmen. (ESPN Cricinfo)

MS Dhoni on Duncan Fletcher: Definitely he will lead us into the World Cup.

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Ricciardo wins at Spa after title rivals collide

By Alan Baldwin S PA - F R A N C O R CHAMPS Belgium (Reuters) - Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won the Belgian Grand Prix yesterday but Mercedes hogged the headlines after Lewis Hamilton accused championship-leading team mate Nico Rosberg of deliberately running into him on the second lap.

Hamilton retired with a damaged car but Rosberg, blamed by his bosses and booed by the crowd on the podium, finished second to extend his lead to 29 points with seven of the 19 races remaining.

The victory, on a surprisingly dry afternoon at a circuit famed for rapid changes in conditions, was Ricciardo’s second in succession and third of his first season with the reigning Formula One champions.

It was also his team’s

Red Bull Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates with champagne after winning the Belgian F1 Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Yves Herman) second in succession in Bel- it’ll keep us smiling for a gium after four-time world while,” said Ricciardo, who champion Sebastian Vettel led for much of the race untriumphed last year and set like his previous wins. off a run of nine wins in a His endeavours were still row. almost a sideshow to the Finland’s Valtteri Bot- major talking point, a furtas was third for Williams. ther stirring up of already “It’s been a really good troubled waters at Mercedes. day for us on a track we The two team mates didn’t expect to get maxi- had been expected to dommum points from, so yeah, inate the race after quali-

fying on the front row but the intense rivalry between them blew up in their face.

“We just had a meeting about it and he basically said he did it on purpose. He said he did it on purpose,” Hamilton told reporters after a post-race meeting with Rosberg and bosses.

“He said he could have avoided it. He said ‘I did it to prove a point’.”

Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolf slammed the incident as ‘absolutely unacceptable’.

“Lap number two of a long race and a crash between two team-mates, we have often discussed the situation and it happened today,” he told the BBC. “You don’t try to overtake with the knife between your teeth in lap number two and damage both cars.”

The team’s non-executive chairman Niki Lauda was also fuming.

“It is unacceptable. If these things happen at the end of the race, when they are fighting for the win then you discuss it but in the second lap to hand the victory to Red Bull,” said the former champion.

“I thought they were

clever enough to know that but obviously they aren’t.”

DECISIVE MOMENT Hamilton had passed pole-sitter Rosberg at the start but his race was effectively over moments later when Rosberg tried to retake the lead in a misjudged move that could prove extremely costly for Hamilton.

The German’s front wing made contact with Hamilton’s rear tyre and punctured it, leaving the Briton having to nurse his car back to the pits in a trail of tyre debris.

“Nico hit me. Nico hit me,” Hamilton exclaimed over the car radio.

He rejoined a minute adrift of Rosberg. After complaining that he had no downforce and repeatedly asking the team to save the engine, the Briton was recalled to the pits five laps from the end and retired.

Some of the debris from the tyre later snagged on Rosberg’s radio mast, flapping in his face, as he tried to clear it away at 300kph.

Mercedes have been struggling to keep the peace between the evenly-matched team mates

since the start of the year and arrived at Spa after a controversy in Hungary in July, where a ‘team orders’ controversy left Rosberg aggrieved.

Hamilton had started last in that race and finished third, with Rosberg going from pole to fourth and complaining that his team mate had not let him through.

Then, yesterday, the team made clear their support for Hamilton and they will have their work cut out again in the days ahead.

“This is a decisive moment in the battle between the two of them and for the team. Lewis is very upset, we kept him out there for a long time with a damaged car. He will recover quickly. It is going to be handled,” said Wolff.

Rosberg has 220 points to Hamilton’s 191 with Ricciardo moving closer on 156. Mercedes remain comfortably in front in the constructors’ standings with 411 points to Red Bull’s 254.

Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth for Ferrari the first time he has beaten Spanish team mate Fernando Alonso this season - with Vettel fifth.

Sluggish United held by Sunderland, Spurs thrash QPR

By Toby Davis LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester United laboured to a ponderous 1-1 draw away at Sunderland yesterday that delivered a first Premier League point of the season but laid bare their dire need for reinforcements.

After Tottenham Hotspur had made it six points from two games with players condemned as expensive mistakes last season starring in a 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers (QPR), United’s frailties at both ends of the pitch were there for all to see.

Juan Mata’s opening goal on 17 minutes proved a unique scoring opportunity while their lack of a commanding centre half was exploited by an unmarked Jack Rodwell for Sunderland’s equaliser.

Goals were not in short supply at White Hart Lane where Harry Redknapp endured a miserable return to his former club.

Nacer Chadli scored twice while record signing

Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell (C) scores a goal against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northern England, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/ Andrew Yates) Erik Lamela was pivotal in within six minutes of holding a playmaker role, sparking on for victory over Stoke City celebrations for new Spurs but Nikica Jelavic’s opener boss Mauricio Pochettino, was cancelled out by Ryan whose side sit top of the Shawcross’s scrambled effort fledgling table, and more late on.

Hull, who had James gloom for Redknapp.

QPR have no points from Chester sent off after 14 their first two games after minutes, have four points being promoted back to the from their first two games Premier League after a sea- of the season, while Stoke’s late leveller ensured they son in the second tier.

Ten-man Hull City came got off the mark.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

29

Big names missing in final U.S. roster for Spain (REUTERS) - The United States team will travel to Spain without some of the sport’s biggest names to defend their title at the Basketball World Cup after a selection process described as one of the “most difficult” in recent years.

With marquee players LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Kevin Love opting out of selection and All-Star Paul George hurt, the U.S. will be led by the

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23)

emerging talents such as Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving at the August 30 - September 14 tournament.

“Since taking over the USA Basketball men’s national team programme in 2005, this was without doubt the most difficult selection process we’ve gone through,” USA Basketball chief Jerry Colangelo said after the 12man team was finalised.

“In the end it was about assembling the best team,

selecting guys who we felt would be able to best play the kind of style we envision this team playing.”

In recent weeks, Durant, Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard removed themselves from the selection process for various reasons and All Star forward George was ruled out after suffering a horror leg injury while playing in a Team USA practice game in Las Vegas.

The 12-man roster for the Basketball World Cup was announced after the U.S. beat Puerto Rico 112-86 in an exhibition game played at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“We are very pleased with the overall effort of every player who was a part of the process,” USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement.

“To select 12 was difficult, because our pool is so good. As we go forward, we

Bangladesh’s Gazi reported for suspect action

Sohag Gazi

SOHAG GAZI, the Bangladesh off-spinner, has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the second ODI against West Indies in St George’s.

The match officials’ report, according to an ICC release, “cited concerns regarding Gazi’s bowling action for all deliveries”. He

will need to undergo testing within 21 days, as per ICC regulations.

The BCB is currently looking at options for ICC-accredited testing facilities as the team is in the West Indies, which doesn’t have one. The board is trying to manage his appearances in the current series, which has an ODI, a T20

Hales to open batting against India LONDON, England (Reuters) - England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed Alex Hales will make his one-day debut and open the batting for England in the upcoming five-match series against India.

Hales, 25, is a regular in the England Twenty20 side but now has the chance to stake his claim for a place in England’s squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February.

“Alex Hales will open the batting with me,” Cook told a news conference yesterday ahead of today’s opening game in Bristol.

Cook believes the explosive, in-form Nottinghamshire opener will bring something different to the England batting line-up.

“What’s been pleasing about Alex over the last month is he has scored four hundreds for Nottinghamshire, and at a good rate,” he said.

“He’s a different batter to the other guys. He hits the ball incredibly hard and he hits it in different areas which is what seems to work really well for him.

Alex “He’s done really well in Twenty20 cricket and now he’s got the chance in five games to show what he can do in 50-over cricket.”

The imposing Hales has been ranked the best Twenty20 batsmen in the world and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni thinks his bold approach and versatility will

Hales benefit England.

“The last few times he’s played Twenty20, he’s shown he’s definitely a fantastic batsman,” Dhoni said.

“He’s a tall guy with excellent reach and he also plays the spinners well. It will be a good acquisition for the English side.”

and two Tests remaining.

Gazi, who has played ten Test matches, 19 ODIs and nine T20s since his international debut in 2012, was reported once, two years ago, by an umpire in a tournament in Bangalore where he was playing for Bangladesh A. Gazi is the fifth bowler

- and the fifth off-spinner - to have been reported for a suspect action over the past few months. Zimbabwe’s Prosper Utseya, Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal are the others. (ESPN Cricinfo)

not only go forward as 12, we go forward as a pool for USA Basketball. As a staff we want to thank the players who are not going forward.

“I’m excited about the 12 players selected and feel we have excellent versatility and the makings of a really good defensive team.”

The U.S. will be aiming to become only the third team after Brazil (1959 and 1963) and Yugoslavia (1998 and 2002) to win back-to-back world titles.

The U.S. team: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors).

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

Bolt’s season comes to an early end OLYMPIC 100m champion Usain Bolt has brought his 2014 season to a premature end, organisers of

the Diamond League have confirmed.

The Jamaican world record holder - who ran 9.98

Russell added to Windies squad for final ODI starting here today.

Russell’s addition pushes the squad to 14 and is the only change to the unit which contested the opening games in Grenada last week.

The 26-year-old is a lively seamer and a powerful lower order batsman, and is also a brilliant outfielder.

He has played 35 ODIs, the last of which was against New Zealand on the West Indies tour there last January.

The Windies hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first game by three wickets and the second by 177 runs.

Today’s game will be a day/night contest, bowling off at 14:30hrs at Warner Park.

Andre Russell

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – All-rounder Andre Russell has been called up to the West Indies squad for the third and final One-Day International against Bangladesh

SQUAD: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons.

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER

(Monday August 25, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 356 sixes (2)Ross Taylor & Andre Russell (9 catches each) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODIs the WI and Bangladesh have contested against each other in Bangladesh?

(2)Who is the first player to captain the WI in an ODI game against Bangladesh?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Usain Bolt

seconds indoors in Poland on Saturday - will not compete in Thursday’s final event in Zurich.

The decision was made by the 28-year-old’s coach, Glen Mills.

Bolt, who has run only three races this season, won gold with Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the Commonwealth Games.

“Usain’s body has delivered tremendous performances over the last years,” said Diamond League Final meet director Patrick Magyar.

“But it is a body and not

a machine.

“If an athlete of that level and his coach feel more rest is needed, we are certainly not going to question this and fully support this decision.”

Bolt only ran his first 100m of the year in an exhibition race on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach on August 17. He posted a time of 10.6 seconds before turning out in Warsaw on Saturday.

His last competitive individual appearance at the 100m came in Brussels last year. (BBC Sport)

Lyles gives U.S. track and field win at Youth Olympics NANJING China (Reuters) - American teenager Noah Lyles stormed to victory in the men’s 200 metres sprint yesterday to provide the United States with their first gold medal in track and field at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

The 16-year-old lived up to his billing as the pre-race favourite as he charged to victory in 20.80 seconds.

“I took the win from the Jamaicans. I took the win from everybody else. I definitely wanted to prove that we’re (U.S.) still on top,” he said.

“Coming in with a big target on your back, there’s always pressure. But you can’t worry about it, you’ve just got to run your own race and do the best you can.”

Jamaica did win the women’s 200m final when Natalliah Whyte scored in 23.55 seconds on the busiest day of the Games, with 33 gold medals decided, including 12 in athletics.

Anatoly Ryapolov won the men’s long jump with a distance of 7.54m while Kenya’s Gilbert Kwemoi Soet won the men’s 1500m, and celebrated by performing a series of karate kicks.

Gabriel Luis Moreno made it the archery field just in time to join forces with China’s Li Jiaman and win the mixed international team event.

Moreno almost missed his event after his taxi driver got lost but got there in the nick of time.

“I had to go into the

Noah Lyles competes in the men’s 200-metre at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games yesterday in Nanjing, China.

New Zealand’s Emily quarterfinals with almost no warm-up time,” he said. “But thankfully, that did not harm my performance.”

Britain’s Giarnni Regini-Moran and Nikita Nagornyy of Russia each won his third gold medals in men’s gymnastics in Nanjing.

Regini-Moran, who won the all-around and floor gold medals earlier in the Games, won the vault while Nagornyy added the parallel bars to his earlier wins in the pommel horse and rings.

China’s Wang Yan picked up her second gold when she won the balance beam while Brazil’s Flavia Lopes Saraiva and Japan’s Kenya Yuasa both struck their first gold.

China’s Yang Hao won the men’s three-metre springboard diving final, sealing the victory with a forward two-and-a-half somersault.

Alexandr Lifanov of Russia took the gold in the men’s modern pentathlon individual event.

Singapore claimed two gold on the water when 15-year-old Samantha Yom and Cheok Khoon Bernie Chin won their sailing events.

Argentina’s Francisco Cruz Saubidet Birkner won the men’s windsurfing gold on a count-back from Russia’s Maxim Tokarev while China’s Wu Linli dominated the women’s event.

China’s Xu Shilin won the women’s tennis singles gold, beating Iryna Shymanovich, who won the doubles on Saturday 6-3, 6-1, while Orlando Moraes Luz made amends for his loss in the men’s singles final when he teamed up with his fellow Brazilian Marcelo Zormann Silva to win the doubles.

Fraser managed to break Europe’s domination of the equestrian events when she won gold after a jump-off.

“It was nerve-racking,” Fraser said. “My horse was jumping during the warmup before the jump-off, and I was hoping everything would go right.”

The Czech Republic beat Italy by the smallest of margins to win the international mixed relay, the last cycling event of the Games.

Belarus won two of the four gold medals on offer in canoeing and kayaking sprints with Kamila Bobr taking the women’s C1 and Stanislau Daineka winning the men’s K1.

Serghei Tarnovschi of Moldova won the men’s C1 while Russia’s Inna Nikitina was the winner of the women’s K1.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 25, 2014

31

‘World’s fastest kid’ lights up Youth Olympics (REUTERS) - Zambian sprinter Sydney Siame laid claimed to the title of the world’s fastest kid when he won the 100 metres final at the Youth Olympics on Saturday.

The 16-year-old African took out the blue-riband event by the barest of margins in a time of 10.56 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of Japan’s Kenta Oshima.

There was drama in the women’s final when the prerace favourite, Poland’s Ewa Nikola Swoboda, was disqualified for a false start. Swoboda was ushered away from the starting blocks after she appeared to tumble forward before the gun went off.

When the race was re-started, China’s Liang Xiojing showed her rivals a clean pair

Zambia’s Sydney Siame celebrates winning the men’s 100m at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. of heels by storming to victory in 11.65. “I didn’t expect the

Polish athlete to be disqualified today,” Liang said. “I just want-

ed to run as fast as I could.”

China won four of the 13 gold medals on offer on the first day of track and field at the second edition of the summer Youth Olympics, extending the host-nation’s lead in the medals table.

British gymnast Giarnni Regini Moran collected his second gold medal in Nanjing when he added the men’s floor to the all-around title earlier in the week.

“It is unbelievable to come away with two gold medals so far and I am going to try my hardest to come away with more,” said Regini Moran.

Russia’s Seda Tutkhalyan, who won the women’s all-around title, picked up a

second gold when she won the uneven bars on Saturday.

As expected, China won the table tennis mixed final, linking the men’s individual winner Fan Zhendong with the women’s winner Liu Gaoyang.

Wu Shengping easily won the women’s 10m platform diving competition for the host-nation, finishing off with a backward two-and-ahalf somersault.

China’s Zhong Xiuting stormed home on the final leg to win the women’s individual modern pentathlon, a sport she only took up because of her love of horses after being told she would never make it as a swimmer.

Poland’s Kamil Adrian Ma-

jchrzak was a surprise winner of the men’s tennis title, beating Brazil’s Orlando Moraes Luz 6-4, 7-5. Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina teamed up with Iryna Shymanovich to win the women’s doubles gold after they faced off against each other in the singles on Friday.

Armenia’s Simon Martirosyan was an easy winner of the men’s 85 kilograms-and-over weightlifting competition. He posted a total of 391kg, 55kg more than his nearest rival, and broke the world record for a junior in his weight class in the clean and jerk.

“I wish I had more competition, I do a better job when I am challenged,” he said.

Persaud wins `Dash For Cash’ feature, Pybus: Franchise makes but Greaves carts off the lion’s share

players coachable

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Director of cricket at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Richard Pybus, says that the new system for regional cricket proposed by him will make regional cricketers coachable.

Pybus, who a couple months ago took over the post of director of cricket, had a 20-point plan for West Indies cricket development and it was adopted by the WICB. The only one which caused some concerns was the franchise system for regional First Class and Super50 cricket.

According to Pybus, “They needed some clarification on some of the points within that proposal and in the end, they bought into it.”

Under this franchise system, which follows the Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament, each territory will be able to choose 10 players to put on one-year retainers. They would then be able to bring in five other players from around the region into their squad.

The thinking behind this is to allow for stronger teams spread across the region and this is expected to lead to better quality cricket.

Recently there has been a major shake-up in West Indies cricket with a new selection panel, as well as a new coach coming into the job soon. All these changes are in a bid to move the team from the depths of eight in the ranking in both Tests and

WICB Director of Cricket Richard Pybus ODIs, to the top of the ladder. after four years.

There has been a lot of Asked whether a new coach would be able to make speculation as to who will a difference to the West Indies become coach and there have players, Pybus said: “Every- been a number of names thing has to work hand in hand making the rounds including in order for us to climb back the South African Mickto the top. Some have said that ey Arthur, Trinidadian Phil our players are not coachable, Simmons and the former T&T-born Indian InternaI am of a different view.

With the franchise system tional Robin Singh.

“We have been in contact the competition will be keen for places at the territorial lev- with prospective candidates el and this would lead to guys over the last few days but working harder at their game nothing has been finalised in and taking a serious look as terms of giving anyone the far as coaching is concerned. position.

“I would love someone “Everyone who is retained will have to report to someone who has knowledge of the and if they don’t keep their part culture of the different counof the bargain, then they can miss tries in the Caribbean but you out. So this new system is sup- still cannot rule out a coach from outside the region. posed to help us in this regard.”

“We are interested in The former Pakistan and Bangladesh coach did not give getting the best coach for any hints as to who will re- the West Indies in order to place Ottis Gibson as regional take us back to the top.” head coach. Gibson and the (Trinidad Guardian artiWICB parted ways last week cle).

ROBIN `The Park Ranger’ Persaud won the feature 40lap event of the United Bike Cycle Shop annual cycle programme, but third place finisher Alanzo Greaves carted off the lion’s share of the prize money that was up for grabs during the event.

The activity, which was organised by United Statesbased cyclist Horace Burrowes through his club United Bikers, attracted most of the country’s top cyclists and was well supported by cycling fans and supporters.

From the start of the event, Greaves and Junior Niles went on a break that was short-lived, as, after leading for three laps, they were both pulled in by the main chasing pack The lead kept changing from there on, as everyone wanted to cash in on the $1 000 prime prize money that

Robin Persaud was up for grabs for each lap as well as the $3 000 prime that was on offer for the first person to cross the finish line for every three-lap.

In the end, Greaves who outsprinted the chasing pack to occupy the third spot, walked away with $20 000 - $11 000 more than the overall winner, Robin Persaud.

According to Greaves, when the race started, all the participants concentrated on the primes because that was

where the money was, and so there were several breaks during the 40-lap event, but when the bell sounded for the final lap, Persaud jumped the tightly knitted pack and opened a slight lead from the back of the course (rugby field) and maintained that until the finish.

Marlon `Fishy’ Williams staved off Greaves to the line to place second.

Burrowes told Chronicle Sport he would stage another `Dash for Cash’ meet next Sunday at the same venue.

He said this is one way of giving back to the sport and he will continue to do it.

In the other race that was staged yesterday, Alexander Leung won the BMX boys two-lap race ahead of Nicholas Dhanraj and Christopher Goring respectively.

Benn eyeing first T20 in four years BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Combative leftarm spinner Sulieman Benn is set to play his first Twenty20 International in more than four years, after being named in a West Indies 13-man squad to face Bangladesh in the one-off T20I at Warner Park on Wednesday.

Benn, 31, has not featured in the Windies set-up since 2010 when South Africa toured West Indies.

However, he was recently recalled to the Test scene following a protracted period on the sidelines,

leg-spinner Samuel Badree’s omission because of injury.

Badree, a T20 specialist, has been effective up front with the new ball, taking 31 wickets in 22 appearances.

Former Test and one-day captain Darren Sammy will lead the squad.

SQUAD – Darren Sammy (captain), Sulieman Sulieman Benn is Benn, Dwayne Bravo, recalled to West Indies Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Twenty20 set-up.

Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil picking up 14 wickets in Narine, Kieron Pollard, three matches against the Denesh Ramdin, Andre touring New Zealanders Russell, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne earlier this year.

B e n n b e n e f i t s f r o m Smith.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

‘World’s fastest kid’ lights up Youth Olympics See Story on Page 31

Caribbean Premier League 2014

CPL committee rubberstamps result of disputed final THE Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) cricket tournament committee has ruled that match referee Denavon Hayles properly applied the relevant rules in the rain-hit CPL final on August 16, which Barbados Tridents won by 8 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

In a release announcing the committee’s finding, the CPL also confirmed that Guyana Amazon Warriors had indeed filed a complaint - as was widely speculated in the media following the match “with regard to the outcome of the final”.

It is understood that Amazon Warriors had issues with the officials’ application of the rules regarding the time allotted for the match in the face of several rain delays.

The committee had decided on the matter after reviewing the match referee’s report and “the arguments raised by the Guyana Amazon Warriors in their several written representations”. It could now be es-

calated to the ICC, though, if the “contending parties” wanted as much, the CPL release said.

“Having carefully considered the report of the match referee and the arguments raised by the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the (committee) has concluded that there are no grounds for the result of the final to be reversed or nullified,” chairman of the cricket tournament committee, PJ Patterson, said, adding that the image of the tournament should not be muddied.

“The CPL has succeeded in reinvigorating the passion for cricket across the region and has in two short years established its own distinctive brand and earned exciting market appeal. Nothing must be done to impair its image or erode its credibility.”

In the rain-marred match, Tridents got to 152 for 6. Amazon Warriors had batted out 15.5 overs in the chase when the rain came down again and play The CPL’s cricket tournament committee, after reviewing reports from the contending was eventually ended there. parties, has ruled that the result of the final cannot be reversed or nullified.

Guyana successfully defend men’s and women’s CASA titles Sunil Seth

… Barbados take overall team title

Mary Fung-a-Fat

DESPITE managing to defend their titles in the men’s and women’s categories, Guyana were unable to sum up enough points to stop Barbados from regaining the overall team title at this year’s Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Squash Championships.

Playing with home court advantage, Barbados refused to endure the shame of losing before a home crowd and ended with 24 points to retake the title from Guyana on Saturday evening at Marine Gardens in Christ Church, Barbados.

This counts as the island’s seventh overall team title, and their fourth in five years.

It was last year when the Guyana team, then being the team with the home court advantage, collected the title from See Page 26 Barbados, when the competition Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

MODDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014