Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-12-2023 by Guyana Chronicle

3rd DECEMBER, 2023

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No.107283

Guyana’s borders will remain intact - all options on the table for the defence of the nation - VP says

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Guyanese continue to unite in large numbers across the country, following the World Court’s ruling on Friday that Venezuela should not take any action to seize control of Guyana’s Essequibo region

Guyana could earn a minimum of US$2.5 billion more in the next 10 years SEE PAGE

…for protecting forest, VP Jagdeo says

‘Agri.’ Ministry dismisses false, malicious accusations by APNU+AFC SEE PAGE

Essequibo belongs to Guyana! Guyana has received overwhelming support from its traditional partners and from the CARICOM and Commonwealth Organisations in support of the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Guyana’s borders will remain intact - all options on the table for the defence of the nation - VP says

By Trina Williams WITH Venezuela openly defying the unanimous ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and going full speed ahead with its planned referendum, that is scheduled for today, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, says that Guyana’s borders will remain intact and

whatsoever,” if Venezuela, or any other country think they can alter the boundaries established by the 1899 arbitral award. Shifting his focus to the subject of Venezuela’s referendum and why the Nicolas Maduro administration is still forcing it despite the ICJ’s ruling, the Vice President highlighted the manner in which a national issue is being manipulated by them as a campaign tool.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

all options are on the table to protect the nation’s territorial sovereignty. During an interview with the News Room on Saturday, Dr Jagdeo highlighted Venezuela’s “aggressive” intent on Guyana’s Essequibo region and said if the Spanish-speaking country decides to act in contravention to the ruling, no efforts will be spared to protect what is ours. “… All options are on the table for the defense of our country… So far, we have robustly explored the legal route and we’ve had success there, we’ve explored the diplomatic route and we’ve had overwhelming success there…And we’re now exploring defense co-operation with several countries,” the Vice President said. Noting that Guyana is not a belligerent country, the Vice President emphasised that the government will “defend our country by any means

“For them, it’s an internal matter. It’s a matter of pride for the Venezuelan leadership now. For them to back down at this stage will mean that they’ve suffered a defeat and it may harm them politically because they’re contesting elections next year…” the Vice President noted. The court ordered that pending the decision of the substantive case, Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails with the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo. As an additional measure, the court also ordered that “both parties refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.” RESPECT THE ICJ’s RULING In the aftermath of the ICJ granting Guyana provisional measures to

prevent any action by Venezuela that could lead to the annexation of the Essequibo region, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali called on Venezuela to respect the international rule of law and the binding order of the court. In an address to the nation, on Friday, shortly after the ruling was delivered, the Head of State said that Guyana remains a staunch advocate for adherence to international law, while pointed to the need for collective efforts to ensure a peaceful and stable region. President Ali expressed Guyana’s satisfaction with the outcome of its request for provisional measures, “We welcome this unanimous ruling by the ICJ.” “Today’s ruling is legally binding on Venezuela. Both the UN Charter and the Statute of the Court, to which Venezuela is a party, require its strict compliance,” President Ali affirmed. “This is an opportunity for Venezuela to join Guyana in demonstrating respect for international law and the principles that govern peaceful coexistence. Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process and the rule of law,” the Head of State said. He expressed confidence that the ICJ’s final judgment on the merits of the substantive case will uphold Guyana’s rightful claim to the disputed territory and stated that Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process and the rule of law. President Ali underscored the commitment to a peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy, emphasising the role of justice over force in international relations. As Guyana prepares to join the UN Security Council, President Ali

said that Guyana is conscious of the responsibility that comes with this role, that is to “encourage and support international peace and stability and the rule of law and encourage all peace-loving nations to insist on Venezuelan respect for the Charter of the United Nations and the UN’s highest court.” UNWAVERING SUPPORT The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called on Venezuela to respect the ICJ’s order, which bars it from taking control of Guyana’s Essequibo region by any means, including the planned December 3 referendum. “Venezuela cannot, by a referendum or otherwise, violate international law and disregard the Order of the world’s highest Court.” “CARICOM expects Venezuela to uphold the ICJ’s Order of 1 December, 2023. It also insists that Venezuela complies with international law in all respects, and the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this connection, calls on it to take no actions in violation of them,” CARICOM said in a statement. CARICOM also demanded that Venezuela pursue its claims within the law and the legal process. Moreover, the Commonwealth has offered its “full support” to Guyana in wake of the ICJ ruling granting Guyana provisional measures regarding the Bolivarian Republic’s planned December 3 referendum. Commenting on the court ruling, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC., said that the body “offers its full support” Guyana which is a “valued Commonwealth member” and is encouraged by the support also shown by its brothers and sisters

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali

in CARICOM, and by many other states. She said that the Commonwealth reiterates its “collective faith in due process, respect for national territorial

sovereignty, international law, global order, peace and security and cordial international relations in the Caribbean and the Latin American region.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Tribute to the late Dr Samuel Rudolph Insanally …by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

It is with profound sorrow and deep respect that I extend this tribute to the late Dr Samuel Rudolph Insanally, a distinguished diplomat and statesman who dedicated his life to serving Guyana on the global stage. His passing marks the end of an era and leaves a void that will be felt in our nation and across

the international community. Born on January 23, 1936, in Georgetown, Guyana, Dr Insanally's journey was one of commitment to education and diplomacy. Before embarking on his illustrious diplomatic career, he imparted knowledge as a language teacher in Jamaica and Guyana. His dedication to education

laid the foundation for a life devoted to fostering understanding and cooperation between nations. Dr Insanally's diplomatic career could be considered extraordinary. From his early days as Counsellor to Guyana's Embassy in the United States to his role as Guyana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he exemplified the values of diplomacy, statesmanship, and commitment to international cooperation. His tenure as Ambassador

to Venezuela and subsequent roles in Europe showcased his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes with grace and tact. As the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations from 1987, Insanally played a pivotal role in various capacities, including his service as Vice-President of the United Nations Council for Namibia and his significant contributions during the Special Session of the General Assembly on International Economic

Cooperation in 1990. His presidency of the Forty-Eighth Session of the United Nations General Assembly from 1993 to 1994 highlighted his leadership and dedication to global development and equitable representation. Not only did Dr Insanally excel on the international stage, but he also served as Chancellor of the University of Guyana from 1994 to 2001, contributing to the intellectual and academic growth of our nation. In May 2001, he assumed the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, guiding Guyana's diplomatic endeavors with wisdom and foresight. Even as he faced health challenges, his dedication to national service remained steadfast until his resignation in March 2008. Guyana owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Rudolph Insanally for his

Dr Rudolph Insanally

indelible contributions to diplomacy, education, and nation-building. His legacy will endure throughout our history as a testament to a life well-lived-in service to others. On behalf of the government and people of Guyana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr Rudolph Insanally. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

‘Agri.’ Ministry dismisses false, malicious accusations by APNU+AFC - threatens legal action if statement is not withdrawn

THE Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday fiercely debunked “malicious, false, and libelous” allegations of the smuggling of chicken made by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition APNU+AFC. The political opposition, in a statement issued, claimed that “major corruption was unearthed in the Ministry

of Agriculture where it is alleged that the Minister of Agriculture and at least one other senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture linked to the PPP are accused of smuggling truckloads of chicken and then instructing the police to release their booty.” The Opposition did

not provide any evidence and only cited a “police source.” This cause the Ministry of Agriculture to vehemently deny the allegation, noting that a decision was made by the government to import chicken given the fact that local chicken consumption has vastly increased, resulting in the local supply being unable to meet the

growing demand. The Agriculture Ministry released the Application for Import Licence which was issued to the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); the supplier was Simextra International from Suriname. The ministry also released the document

from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which basically granted permission for the chickens to be imported. The GMC was also granted an import permit from the Guyan Livestock Development Authority. In justifying its decision to import the chicken, the ministry explained that the local chicken industry

was seriously affected by an outbreak of

avian influenza in the United States of America earlier this year. It was also noted that the outbreak, in turn, negatively affected the importation of hatching eggs, which led to the depletion of an already inadequate supply of chicken in Guyana. “The decision to import chicken was to not only ensure adequate supplies but also to stabilise prices in an effort to protect consumers. “In the circumstances, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), a Public Corporation, owned and controlled by the Government of Guyana and which falls under the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Agriculture was duly instructed and authorised to import chicken in order to meet the demand of the local market,” the ministry contended. Considering that there are relevant documents that support the legal importation of the chicken in question, the Ministry of Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

called on the Office of the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw the “baseless, reckless, and libelous allegation immediately. The statement has already been sent for legal advice. Unless withdrawn, legal proceedings will be instituted.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Justice has prevailed!

ONE doesn’t have to be a lawyer to understand that Friday’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) favoured Guyana, as it granted the most important interim measure requested that Venezuela’s referendum today should not, in any way, alter the status quo while the court adjudicates. As President, Dr Irfaan Ali noted on Friday, as a responsible member of the international community about to assume membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Guyana remains absolutely committed to a peaceful solution of the ongoing controversy over Venezuela’s ridiculous claim to more than half of Guyana.

This is not a controversy over whether Essequibo is part of Guyana, but one over Venezuela’s claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award was binding on the parties involved. One of the major tragedies of this sorry episode is that President Nicolas Maduro is causing both Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez to turn in their graves, as neither would ever have imagined or entertained even the most remote thoughts of invasion, occupation and colonization of Guyana. Maduro, facing a Presidential election, is naturally putting his party’s political survival ahead of everything else, but promising to deliver the Essequibo as an election campaign item is a tall

order that he will simply never be able to deliver. Guyana doesn’t want even one person -- Guyanese or Venezuelan -- to die over Venezuela’s impossible quest to forcefully change the name and citizenship of Guyanese in Essequibo. Gaza today is the most telling example of what follows forcible occupation, as every one of the over 15,000 Palestinians killed since October 7 leaves to mourn at least one family member seeking vengeance. So, is that what Venezuela wants to breed in Guyana’s Essequibo, where islanders have made it abundantly clear they don’t want to artificially change their nationalities?

Guyana doesn’t want a war, but will definitely not remain defenseless against the most serious threat from Venezuela since 1899, this time from a Bolivarian Socialist administration turned European-type neo-colonial conquistador in search of new lands to conquer. Guyana has taken a responsible approach in its response to Venezuela’s ridiculous claim, but Caracas continues inventing interpretations of the ICJ’s ruling while gathering troops for action and agitating citizens to support colonial territorial expansion. But time and history are both on Guyana’s side and global support is both real and serious -- in which case today’s

referendum, no matter the result, simply cannot be used by Caracas as an excuse for taking any action whatsoever that will change anything while the case is still being heard by the World Court’s judges. That’s the bottom line for now. But what of tomorrow? The Maduro administration’s stoking of neocolonial tendencies in the name of nationalism is a far cry from the rich history of Venezuela’s long fight for independence. It’s neighbours – Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago -- are today gateways for the long and difficult trek of Venezuelans seeking better lives elsewhere than what’s on offer at home. That said, Guyana

remains fully committed to defend itself the best it can, with the most help available, even while maintaining that the only sustainable solution is a peaceful, negotiated and non-violent one. As predicted by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, justice has prevailed at the World Court and the interim measures granted will remain in place for as long as the case remains pending before the ICJ. And as he also intimated, today’s referendum won’t change the price of sugar or rice, so Guyana “will continue to resolutely do all things possible to ensure our territorial integrity is guarded and our people are safe.”

President and Vice President are right to be at COP 28

Dear Editor, The least opportunity that some people get to become an overnight expert, they step right up to the plate, but only to end up bent-double in ignominy, wasting our time. All these gambits turn out to be porous, flaccid, inconsequential, and utterly devoid of substance. The latest iteration has surfaced in the form of criticising President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo for attending COP 28. Their thesis, if one wants to be exceptionally generous to

call it that, is the Commander-in-Chief should not leave the country in a time of crisis. This is pure bunk! Firstly, we do not have a crisis here. What we do have is an ongoing controversy with the Venezuelan government. In international politics, a crisis is defined as a situation of high uncertainty, with possible severe consequences, and with limited time, few options, and inadequate resources with which to respond. When President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo left

for COP 28, this specific configuration of elements was not present. Yesterday, the ICJ issued a ruling to constrain Maduro’s December 3rd ill-advised referendum. President Ali was correct in his assessment that the ICJ would hand down the ruling it did. No uncertainty here. Further, the President has political and military intelligence that only he and his national security team has and should have. His decision to attend COP 28 is based on all the information he has in his hand. Good leaders are

never constrained by fear. Secondly, COP 28 is a major international and global event, one where Heads of State meet. Guyana is a big player in two aspects of climate change - international relations and global politics. With respect to the former, we are a highly forested country that has earned valuable financial resources from that source. As for the latter, our Oil & Gas industry compels us to participate in this multilateral forum to articulate and defend our national interests. Much of Guyana

is potentially threatened by rising sea levels, and for this reason also, we must be at the table. Third and finally, there is a long tradition in international diplomacy whereby citizens do not criticize their own leaders when these leaders are abroad. Most culturally civilized citizens follow this unwritten rule. In Guyana, of course, you can never bet on the army of overnight experts in foreign affairs and national security to have some modesty, or some much needed discipline. They will seek

the limelight no matter the consequences. P re s i d e n t A l i a n d Vice-President Jagdeo are in the exact place they should be, that is, at COP 28. They are there doing the business of this nation. In the meantime, the flyby-night- experts, some of whom went as far as to produce an AI video on the subject, should think critically about the harm they are doing. Sometimes modesty is the best policy. Sincerely, Dr. Randy Persaud

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

There’s a traitor in our midst

Dear Editor, The ICJ has ruled and as expected, Venezuela is barred from taking any action to challenge Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo and it will come to pass that the 1899 Arbitral Award will be reinforced by the same the International Court of Justice which the Maduro Administration must a c c e p t o r b e c o ndemned. However, it would now seem that our greatest challenge is the enemies within whose Machiavellian lust for power know no limit. This is not

limited to the Opposition whose support was given only relevant within the walls of Parliament but from a few whose hate for the PPP has now made them difficult to discern and understand their duties and responsibilities as citizens of Guyana. On 30th November, an unpatriotic and treacherous article which can be deemed treasonous, was written by GHK Lall and published in the Kaieteur News, it was supposed to be ‘hard truths’ and was captioned, ‘Annexation by different action’. Stoking fear in his

opening statements, he then placed himself in ‘Maduro’s shoes’ and scripted an unbelievable strategy which he is convinced can be used for the successful annexation of Essequibo. He stated that ‘manpower, money, military and means’ are to Guyana’s disadvantage and even though the international community becomes ‘adversarial’ in the event of an invasion by Venezuela, the deed would have been done and concluded that nothing can change that thereafter. He further stated that Maduro must

“seize the moment and deliver what has eluded all other Venezuelan leaders for many lifetimes.” According to Lall, it is better to move “recklessly than aimlessly…take a chance and deal with the consequences later…since the world will take an eternity to reverse whatever has happened.” According to him, the time to invade Guyana is now than later. Lall, in transforming himself into Maduro, has offered him such a great thrust of encouragement and tactical advice that Maduro’s advisors and strategists

would have thought twice to offer. It is unimaginable and incomprehensible that this is coming from a so-called intellectual who is supposed to be defending his country’s sovereignty, advising and supporting the Guyanese government and people against Venezuelan propaganda. He concluded his missive by resorting to a new theory of annexation-pure rubbish. Will this kind of statement be accepted anywhere in the world? What if a Venezuelan openly and in writing advise the Guyana government on what can be

done to counter-attack Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo? Why did Lall not put himself in President Ali’s shoes and advise him? Lall’s hate has now totally consumed him to such an extent that he is willing to commit himself to compromising his patriotic duties. But some people like GHK Lall have no loyalty, except to themselves. This man has attacked religion, ethnicity, culture and now even his own country of birth. Not a blade of grass. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Guyana is composed with a clear conscience

Dear Editor, Joan of Arc’s human courage was more significant than her political and military contribution in the 14th Century, during the one hundred years war between England and France. As a young, female general, she was successful in holding off the English from occupying France. Her place in history is thus guaranteed. On December 1, another Joan came into a bit of historical activity also. All keen eyes and attentive ears were focused on the American, Joan E Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, as she delivered an anxiously, awaited announcement for the ruling on Venezuela’s December 3rd referendum. His Excellency, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali along with Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and entourage, are currently in Dubai, attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). Global warming is

indeed a crisis as temperature continues to rise due to human input. Small countries are gravely and greatly affected and leaders gracefully anticipate the big nations to make good of their promises in saving the world from nature’s consequences. A different kind of temperature was climaxing throughout Guyana the whole week. Although the temperature was slowly adjusted as Guyana went to bed on the night of November 30, anxiety still surfaced in the minds of all Guyanese. The timely hosting of Dr. Tara Singh’s New York program on Thursday night, “The Guyana Dialogue,” helped to allay some degree of fear as Chief Guest, Honorable Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, assured the 15,000 odd viewers that Guyana has a winning case against Venezuela and the ICJ will pronounce favorably for Guyana. Her words came to pass as Guyanese would say, and, Guyanese reacted jubilantly

Friday morning as the ICJ’s President, Joan E. Donoghue, pronounced favorably, the decision Guyana was praying for. Successful with this primary hurdle in the recent development, Guyana overcame much tension which was aggravating the daily lives of all Guyanese. This relief brought smiles and laughter to the faces of all as Guyana digested the repercussion of this significant decision. Without much reservation and as was expected, it was not surprising to listen to the ruling of the ICJ Friday morning regarding Guyana’s appeal for temporary measures to be executed, refraining Venezuela from their military aggression, political agenda and geo-economic development of Guyana’s land. In layman’s term, Venezuela is prevented from taking any action or resorting to any measures that may affect Guyana’s control of her land. Regardless of the outcome of their referendum if it takes place on 3rd December as

proposed by Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro, Venezuela cannot advance an inch on the soil occupied currently by Guyana. They can participate in their referendum, Guyana has no qualms about that, but they cannot take any follow through action which may be deemed detrimental as to the loss of Guyana’s area. The other ruling from The President of the ICJ involves the court’s instruction referring to non-action from both countries. Both countries are directed to refrain from taking any follow up action as a result of the court’s decision, which may make the controversy difficult to resolve. Guyana never had and certainly does not have any intention to take any actions that may disrupt or interrupt the process of the law. Guyana resorted to the good office of the ICJ for a final resolution to Venezuela’s absurd, abusive and alarming claim, invalidating the 1899 Arbitral Award, a land mark decision which delineated

the land boundary between British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela. His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali has always and will always ensure that Guyana stands on the right side of history, politics, economics, geography, the law and of course, democracy. No wonder the well-liked President of Guyana is always accepted honorable at all and any international forums and is requested to address such gatherings. Guyana’s peaceful position is well articulated and documented and the world is aware of this Government’s tranquil nature to protect the people of Guyana through peace and non-violence. It is therefore not surprising that, Guyana enjoys the solid support of friends throughout the world who have guarantee to extend a helping hand and to come to the country’s assistance to defend its border issues with Venezuela. All Guyanese are ecstatic and thank the ICJ for the sensible, sensitive and sane

decision made on Friday. Guyana is both humbled and happy and unhesitatingly wishes well for the welfare of the people and country of Venezuela. Guyanese feel sorry for the deplorable condition Venezuelans have to endure and live with under Maduro’s leadership. That is why, Guyana is extending a helping hand to thousands of refugees escaping from that land with compassion. Guyana awaits the outcome of December 3rd, if any, with a clear conscience, comprehensive conviction and complete confidence. Joan of Arc’s legend grew, and, in 1909 she was beatified in the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris by Pope Pius X. In 1920, she was canonized by Pope Benedict XV. Guyana adores Joan E. Donoghue and appreciates her hard work and diligence in bringing a quick and punctual decision to Venezuela’s insane and sensational drama. Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

2023 in-review: Capacity-building for Guyanese remains a priority

AS 2023 comes to a close, a reflection on the developments within the oil and gas sector for the year shows several wins for local content, the industry’s growth, and the people of Guyana who are benefitting from the proceeds of the sector. High on the agenda for ExxonMobil is the company’s commitment to local content development. In fact, in the most recent update, it was disclosed that nearly 6,000 Guyanese workers are supporting their operations in country, and two-thirds of the oil and gas workforce are locals. Additionally, over US$1.2 billion was spent in G u y a n a ’s e c o n o m y

since 2015 on more than 1,500 Guyanese suppliers. These remarkable accomplishments speak to the extent of investment in building the capabilities of Guyanese and local businesses. The company’s support and empowerment through training programmes have been vital in driving workforce and supplier development in the country. The efforts to groom local talent and build capacity of the Guyanese workforce have been channelled through one of their initiatives, the establishment of the Centre for Local Business Development in 2017, which serves as a business hub for the oil and gas sector.

The Centre has been instrumental in delivering training which is designed to enhance the competencies and skills of individuals and businesses in various sectors. Presently, there are seven courses and three mentorship programmes that are offered. These programmes cover a wide array of areas such as Offshore Oil and Gas and Gas to Energy, Procurement, HSSE, Cashflow Management, QuickBooks, Costing, and Budgeting, while the mentorship programmes cover HSSE Management Systems, Project Management and Entrepreneurship. So far, over 5,000 Guyanese have accessed courses that the

CLBD offers. Of the over 7,000 companies that registered with the Centre, 66 percent are local businesses. Through these efforts, ExxonMobil and its co-venturers have ensured that Guyanese citizens can access valuable resources that will enhance their business’ growth. In 2023, the CLBD continued its series of outreaches to benefit individuals who may not have easy access to training or resources. The aim is to educate persons and businesses on the available opportunities in both the public and private sectors. This year, outreaches were held in Berbice and Linden. By actively engaging

with the communities, the Centre was able to create meaningful partnerships, foster local development through training and mentorship, and bridge some of the existing gaps to empower more individuals with knowledge and skills. There have also been multiple Requests for Information (RFI) sessions facilitated by the CLBD which allowed potential bidders to ensure that they correctly interpret the requirements and also provided a platform to gain clarity. The impact of these efforts is tangible as we witness a growing number of successful local businesses emerging in Guyana and serving the petroleum sector.

The capacity-building initiatives implemented through the Centre have not only created employment opportunities but also fostered innovation and economic diversification. As we reflect on the events of 2023, it becomes evident that capacity-building of Guyanese companies has remained a top priority. The training programmes made available by the CLBD have played a significant role in facilitating this. By investing in education and training, the full potential of our Guyanese people can be unlocked, paving the way for a prosperous future.

Let’s all talk

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

LAST Monday, after my article appeared on men not talking, I heard a celebrity talk openly about his feelings in a ‘no-holds barred’ chat. Tyrese Gibson, world-famous actor and rapper revealed his hurt and disillusionment at the breakup of his marriage on the popular Joe Budden podcast. Whether one agrees with all that he had to say about the circumstances surrounding his divorce, one statement resonated with me. He contended that while discussion on mental health was now being encouraged, “the door was still not open” for men to talk freely about their feelings. And there was no mistaking the fact that the actor

was still struggling to come to terms with the aftermath of his divorce and the myriad emotions he was experiencing. He referred to one instance where he broke down in tears on social media for all to see. For him, an effective part of his therapy was to talk it out and the same view was reflected by a store worker on a Facebook reel, who was asked about the troubles he was currently facing. The young, single father revealed his worry over his son, who was hospitalised with no visitors, and the pressure he was feeling, to the interviewer – a complete stranger. The point is, regardless of our social status or environment, we all need to

unburden ourselves from time to time, especially when situations threaten to overwhelm us. In the case of the store worker, it was simply the fact that the interviewer, who was seeking random people to help financially, had asked him, ‘How is your day going?’ – and it all came out. Sometimes a simple question or some small matter is all it takes for the walls we have built around our emotions to come tumbling down and we may find that once we start, we cannot stop talking about our mental distress. Whether man, woman, child or couple, we all need to be able to talk to someone about those things which affect us psychologically or

emotionally and ultimately take a toll on our mental wellness. Experts tell us that women find this easier to do than men, because for so long it was not considered ‘manly’ to discuss or even admit to having ‘feelings.’ We are advised to take small steps when first we begin to discuss the way we feel. A simple statement like, ‘Ah vex about this’ or ‘Ah feel bad about that’ can lead to further talk about the matter. Over time it also becomes easier to express these feelings, leading to further and more detailed conversations. KidsHealth also tells children, “No matter how you feel – good or bad – it helps to put your feelings into

words. Talking about feelings can help you feel close to people who care…Putting feelings into words helps you use self-control when you feel mad or upset.” And this applies to us all. Even if you do not know the reason for why you feel a certain way you can say, ‘Ah vex about this, but ah don’t even know why’. In doing this we begin the process of talking through what we feel and seeking solutions.

There are times, however, when we need to decide who to talk to. Children may choose a friend, a parent or grandparent or even a pastor. We as adults may ‘go the same route’ in choosing someone close to us. However, we also should recognise when professional help is needed from someone qualified to listen closely to us and assist us in finding solutions.

shown and demonstrated today, as it prepares to navigate what may very well be challenging times ahead for this nation. All the world’s eyes are watching Venezuela’s action following this neo-imperialistic referendum that it pulled out of the blue as an internal tool to whip up sympathy and put back popular appeal to the dying and drowning Venezuelan administration. Will it be poorly attended or boycotted by right thinking citizens of Venezuela who knows that those are not the issues that should be on the ballot? Will Venezuela show respect for international law and respect for the top international court? Will Venezuela finally join the proceedings at World Court and defend its spurious claims against Guyana leading to another

finalised settlement? How will Venezuela prepare to deal with all of its man-made problems of basic food shortages, poor governance, super inflation, human rights violations, the US impending sanctions on Venezuela oil and gas industry and deals, US political and local prisoners, elections, and now the border controversy? Will Venezuela continue the current status quo and continue its claim that it was cheated but not willing to show how to the ICJ? How will Venezuela act in the post referendum period? Guyana does not hold its breath but watches closely relying on the world bodies and international law that protects small states like Guyana.

The world is watching The World Court has spoken, delivering a binding ruling in favour of Guyana against the aggressors, Venezuela. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) made it explicitly clear that Venezuela must take no actions that seek to “modify" the territory under dispute and administered rightly by Guyana which is referred to as the region in the Essequibo. It ordered both countries in the long-standing controversy, unanimously, to refrain from taking any measure to aggravate conditions related to the 1899 arbitral award case currently before the court. The Court ruling is being celebrated by all countries in the world including those in CARICOM, the Commonwealth, Latin America and South America who stand on the side of international law, diplomacy and respect for territorial sovereignty. At home, Guyanese are now joyous and upbeat about the Court's ruling much more than some have been in recent weeks. They know now

that the world is on their side and that Venezuela has been sternly warned about doing things that are tantamount to aggression and annexation of the Essequibo. While some Guyanese are still not fully happy with the orders handed down in Friday’s ruling, which did not deal with the question of the sham referendum being exercised in its current form today in Venezuela, they are generally satisfied and more at ease because the Court's ruling is definitely in its favour and understands Guyana's worry over the controversy. This brings today's activity in the two countries into sharp focus and should offer the world a better picture as to how Guyana and Venezuela are treating with the ruling of the Court. In Guyana, citizens showed up in their numbers lining the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo counties to show people that Guyana is united in its conviction that the Essequibo region has always belonged histori-

cally, geographically and factually to Guyana. They were peaceful and patriotic in their cause, sending another strong message to the Maduro Government that Guyanese are not prepared to give up one ounce of territory to them. Guyanese have shown that they are prepared to stand on principle, law and justice. The circle of unity was a sight to behold and breathtakingly refreshing to see people from opposition unite with their counterparts from government and the ordinary people to send the messages of support, peace and solidarity with all inhabitants of the Essequibo. Holding hands, praying and calling for peace and good sense to prevail is good and just but must not be mixed up or confused for weakness or a lack of affirmative action. Guyana, from the standpoint of diplomacy and defence, stands with a plan of action that conforms to international standards of law. No one was forced or coerced into supporting

the circle of unity that took place earlier today and throughout the remainder of the day and weeks to come unlike the sham referendum taking place right now in Venezuela, which in itself, partially goes counter to international law and respect for the ICJ's ruling in general. Today is a day to be proud of the fact that we are Guyanese and one. We must put our differences that divide us aside, for the moment, and stand up continuously in peace and law for Guyana as we prepare to defend every inch of Guyana's Essequibo and territory following the outcome of this sham and disrespectful referendum in Venezuela. Whichever way the wind will blow, Guyana’s Government must have the full and unfettered support of its people, as

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Please go about your business today

TODAY, President Nicolas Maduro holds a referendum asking Venezuelans to support the country’s ownership of Essequibo. Guyanese should not be bothered with its results. Venezuela cannot invade Guyana. Venezuela will be told by powerful countries that they will not accept such a violation of international law. Here are two reasons for the referendum. The first one I adumbrated in my column of October 26, 2023 titled, “Maduro’s game is as old as the sea.” This is the recurring story in international relations where an unpopular prime minister or president facing loss of power initiates war with his neighbour to invoke the patriotism of citizens and prevent further anti-governmental instincts from toppling him. It will not work for Maduro because he is so unpopular that the mathematical configuration against him in the next election is deadly

accurate. The second reason is that if Maduro rigs the election and saddles Venezuela with more crippling sanctions, somewhere down the road when he is about to fall, he will invoke the old game again. He will seek a confabulation with the Guyana Government and say to it that there was a referendum in which the Venezuelan people accept ownership of Essequibo and thus he wants negotiations that would yield a parcel of land. The Guyana Government will naturally reject that and by the time Maduro can attempt to use the old game for the third time, he will be out of power. Here now are the reasons why now and in the future, there will be no invasion of Guyana, so please live a normal life in your country until you go to your final reward. First, there is not even an infinitesimal comparison with Guyana and Venezuela and Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine was once a part

of the USSR which really had at its centre – Russia. Russia invaded using two pretexts. One was that there are millions of Russians in Ukraine that are facing threats to their future and Russia has to protect them. Russia also says that Ukraine was about to join NATO and if they did that then Russia’s security system will be threatened because NATO will now be right on Russia’s doorstep. The world has not accepted these two pretexts and the war is entering its third year. With our conflict here, Venezuela is arrogating to itself the right to change an international treaty signed 100 years ago with Great Britain. Guyana has no military pact with a neighbour that Venezuela considers an enemy. Also, there are no Venezuelans living in the Essequibo who require Venezuelan protection. The second reason why there will be no invasion is because they are powerful countries with geopolitical

and geostrategic interests in South America that simply cannot afford to let Maduro invade Guyana. It is not within their security interests to allow such lawlessness. One of those countries is the USA. With a vast oil find in Guyana and with a colossal investment by ExxonMobil, it is unthinkable that the US would just stand aside and let Venezuela take Essequibo. Leaving aside the oil stake, unchecked Venezuelan aggression will have implications for the superpower credibility of the US and it can trigger similar aggressions on other continents where US has geopolitical and other interests. Another country with high stakes in South America is Brazil. It borders all countries in South America

except two. Perhaps over a hundred years or more there have been no border issues with Brazil and its neighbours but there has been invisible questioning of lines of demarcation by some South American countries. These interests have never reached the surface. A Venezuelan incursion and annexation of 70 percent of Guyana’s territory will never be accepted by Brazil because it will bring back from the dead, issues of border demarcations in South America. Thirdly, after the ruling of the ICJ, it is almost certain, the international community will not remain unmoved by Venezuela’s invasion. There will be severe sanctions because the very foundation on which international laws stand will

crumble. Here is a country that is not a major military force in the world, ignoring international laws and annexing 70 percent of another country. The implications for global stability will be horrendous. Once Venezuela gets away with it, then the stable doors are open throughout the world. My belief is that Maduro has been warned by very important countries and that has not been made public. There will be no annexation of Guyana’s territory now or even in the distant future. Guyana should ignore the things that people like GHK Lall wrote and was given coverage by the private media. Just live your life as normal today and long after today.

Guyana’s health allocation increased by 15.2 per cent in 2022 - Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 report says

In recent years, Guyana’s health sector has climbed to new heights and in 2022, while health expenditures decreased in most of the Latin America and Caribbean countries, it increased in Guyana. This is according to the Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 report by the Social Development Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). In 2022, an analysis of these figures in relation to all social functions revealed that six countries allocated 30 per cent or more of central government social spending to the health function. Notably, Guyana was among the few countries with the largest shares, with a 31 per cent allo-

cation. Also, while health expenditures decreased in most of the countries analysed, Guyana was among the few countries that were reported to show an increase relative to 202115.2 per cent. According to the report, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) affirmed that in order to attain progress towards universal healthcare, it is pivotal to allocate public expenditure equivalent to at least 6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards this goal. Earlier this year, President, Dr Irfaan Ali reflected on the achievements of his government since entering office in 2020 and stated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) promised

in its 2020 manifesto to transform the health of the people of the country by providing a world-class healthcare system. He added that a promise made included ensuring people can live long and productive lives in Guyana. The subcomponent of these promises is having diseases diagnosed earlier and having access to the best treatment available, reducing child mortality, and improving patient and family experience in the health sector. To this end, Dr Ali said that thus far Guyana has seen an improvement in life expectancy in spite of COVID-19 which caused a dip in life expectancies in countries around the world. He revealed that the country has maintained a life expectancy of 70 years old as compared to

68 years old in 2020. In relation to the reduction of child mortality rates, he said it has slowly improved and currently stand at the lowest it has ever been in Guyana’s history. Child mortality rates now stand at 13 per every 1,000 births as opposed to 19 per 1,000 births in 2020. Additionally, the Head of State revealed that maternal mortality has improved to its lowest ever as those rates now stand at 96 per 10,000 deliveries compared to 170 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017. This, he noted, results from investment as he showed that the government is making actual results that provide real benefits and transformation for the people of the country. Among improvements

made in the country’s healthcare sector, it was also noted that cardiac surgery is now being provided in large numbers both in the private sector and at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). With this, Dr Ali said that paediatric cardiac surgery is now not only established but stands as a regular programme at the GPHC. Some 12 children benefitted from open heart surgery this year and there are expectations of increasing that number to over 40 children per year in the coming year. The number of overall surgeries has increased and is now approaching over 22,000 per year. President Ali then took the time to recognise the efforts of the nurses and

doctors and other healthcare workers as he noted that these are the qualitative results of the investments being made in the sector. Further, he disclosed that the government is also working on the transformation of the physical infrastructure of the health sector in the country. This, he said, is why people will see more health centres and health posts being constructed across the country. With the rapid expansion and extension of the country’s health sector, he noted that this cannot be done without the expansion and improvement of the human resource assets in the sector. Additionally, across the country, 12 new hospitals are on the cards for construction.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

The Essequibo belongs to Guyana!

Guyanese continue to unite in large numbers across the country following the World Court’s ruling on Friday that Venezuela should not take any action to seize control of Guyana’s Essequibo region

Guyana could earn minimum of US$2.5 billion more in the next 10 years

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

…for protecting forest, VP Jagdeo says MAINTAINING that forests are central to tackling climate change and must be coupled with robust efforts and not just philanthropy, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Saturday said Guyana could earn, at a minimum, US$2.5 billion more in the next 10 years. Guyana recently earned US$750 million for protecting its forest, according to Dr Jagdeo, who was speaking at the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai under the theme “Protecting Nature for Climate, Lives, and Livelihoods.” He shared the stage with the Presidents of Indonesia and Ghana and also speaking at the event were Brazilian President Lula Da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others. After listing the four elements that are vital in preserving all forests, Dr Jagdeo

highlighted the strides that Guyana has been making such as the integration of forests into a national development strategy, making Indigenous people and those who live in the forests apart of the solution to climate change and identifying a revenue stream for an alternate use of the forests. He said: “… In Guyana’s case, we’ve been [keeping] our forests intact; 86 per cent of the country is covered with forests. We have one of the lowest deforestation rates,” adding that the government has recently been able to certify the entire forests certified at the jurisdictional scale through the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART). The Vice President also outlined that implementation of the national carbon-credits programme, which is already seeing rapid implementation at the village level.

The world’s first TREES credits were notably awarded to Guyana by the ART in December 2022. It was the first time a nation had received carbon credits created especially for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for effectively preventing the loss and degradation of forests, a procedure known as jurisdictional REDD+, which was a significant milestone. Guyana received 33.47 million TREES credits

from ART for the five-year period between 2016 and 2020 after the Board of Directors of ART approved the project and concluded an independent evaluation and verification process. This made it possible for Hess Corporation and the Guyana government to reach a historic deal in which the oil giants decided to buy one-third of all Guyana’s credits—both issued and projected—up until 2030.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva In February 2023, Amerindian communities received the first allocation from the sale of carbon credits in their dedicated village bank accounts. Subsequent to this, villages identified priority areas of investments in village plans that were developed by the villages themselves. Dr. Jagdeo also highlighted that capacity is being developed to effectively manage projects that are being provided by support-

ing leaders with the task of developing their communities and providing them with the tools necessary to assure sustainability and effective management of their projects. He also outlined how the funds would be allocated, explaining that 15 per cent of the total would go towards Amerindian villages and communities and that the remaining 85 per cent would be used mainly for efforts to adapt to climate change.

‘Guyana can count on Jamaica’s support’ - Government of Jamaica affirms in ongoing border controversy

IN welcoming the ruling handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Government of Jamaica has thrown its unequivocal support behind Guyana and called on Venezuela to be engaged in peaceful resolutions and follow international law. This was said in a statement, published by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. “Guyana can continue to count on Jamaica's support of the CARICOM position in defence of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity,” the Jamaican Government said. “The Court's Order strongly supports the position of Guyana, which is

shared by Jamaica, that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, should refrain from any action which would seize, acquire or encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over the Essequibo region or any other part of Guyana's national territory,” the statement read. According to the statement, Jamaica supports the Court's Order that both parties are to refrain from any action that aggravates the current situation, Venezuela’s trail of events which are aimed at annexing Guyana’s Essequibo region, were in the spotlight. “…It is Jamaica's hope, as we have expressed on previous occasions, that Venezuela will participate meaningfully in that adjudication process,” the Government of

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith Jamaica said. The statement further added, “Jamaica expressly supports the statement issued earlier today by President

of Guyana, His Excellency, Irfaan Ali, which welcomes the ruling and "calls on Venezuela to join Guyana in demonstrating respect for

international law and the principles that govern peaceful co-existence. “We too view the ICJ adjudication process as a positive signal towards a peaceful resolution of this issue, and one which will give validity to future outcomes.” The Government of Jamaica also echoed its firm commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. It was said that Jamaica fully supports the work of the ICJ and its ability to deliver justice where there is breach of the United Nations' founding principles, in an impartial, transparent and independent manner. The ICJ on Friday granted Guyana provisional measures to prevent any action

by Venezuela that could lead to the annexation of Guyana’s territory. The decision was handed down by the President of the ICJ, Justice Joan E. Donoghue, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The court ordered that pending the decision of the substantive case, Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action that would modify the situation that currently prevails with territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over the Essequibo. As an additional measure, the court also ordered that “both parties refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance NDC pleads with residents to dispose of garbage properly

By Cindy Parkinson

WHILE expressing his gratitude to the government for its commitment and dedication towards the infrastructural development of the respective communities under the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the chairman, Mr. Jagroo (only name), asked that the people of these communities desist from disposing of their garbage in the waterways and along the roadways. In an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Jagroo

not interested in that type of work. “It is not that we do not want to get the work done, but it is difficult to get the people of the community to collect the garbage or a drainage crew, and that is the issue. I would also like the people to know that our mini excavator is down at the moment, but Mr. Lionel Wordsworth (Chief Executive Officer at NDIA) promised that he will ensure that an excavator is loaned to us as soon as it becomes available,” related the chairman. The Sunday Chronicle spoke with the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Musta-

that their objective of maintaining and adding comfort to the communities are met. “With the government’s help and support, we are also adding to the development and progress of the nation by playing our part,” Jagroo added. Additionally, the overseer of the Mon Repos/ La Reconnaissance NDC, Vishal Ramkissoon, emphasised that the dumping of garbage by businessowners and residents is an issue throughout the communities. According to him, “we asked for assistance, and we also engaged with the environmental protection

Overseer, Vishal Ramkissoon (extreme left), Chairman, Jagroo (right of Ramkissoon), Councillors, Eresha Rampersaud, Vishnu Rampersaud, Marlon and another member of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance NDC

explained that being the past Vice-Chairman and now the Chairman of NDC, he is pleased to have a young, vibrant team who is willing and able to get the job done. According to him, even though the people of the NDC have been working relentlessly to ensure that the residences of Mon Repos, La Reconnaissance, Annandale, Lusignan, Two Friends, Good Hope, and D’endragt are living in a cleaner and healthier environment, they are also challenged by the lack of human resources. “As the chairman of the NDC, there are a number of young, brilliant, and new councillors who are working very hard to elevate the NDC and the relationship with the people of our communities. We are currently working on clearing the bushes in the burial ground, getting rid of some bees that were there, and we are also working to get the garbage removed at least once a week. Even though we publish the vacancies and inform residents, they are

pha who said that he will see to it that the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance NDC gets temporary access to an excavator until they get theirs. According to Mr. Jagroo, the Attorney General, Anil Nandalall, and other government officials are working on getting some of the reluctant vendors off the tarmac and into the new facility of the Mon Repos Market. He related, “we have always wanted a market, and even though there are some works to be completed, the People’s Progressive Party Civic has built one for us; however, some vendors are still selling on the tarmac, and there is some hesitation to move in. The Attorney General had a meeting with them last Sunday, and we will hear from him as soon as possible, as we know that he is very busy with the border controversy, but he promised that he will get back to us soon.” Meanwhile, the chairman urged homeowners to pay their rates and taxes, noting that the NDC depends on the finances so

agencies (EPA); they visited us with our work community; they also visited the communities throughout the area; and they spoke with the residents about the right ways of disposing of their garbage. We placed some no-dumping signs in some of the areas, and we also cleared some dump heaps along the roadways. Some people are doing the right thing, and some people just aren’t.” He added, “by littering the waterways, it will affect us all, including you and your families. We are in the dry season now, but think about the issues that we will have when the rains come. The government is doing its part; we all have to dispose of your garbage properly, it matters to everyone, and it reflects on you as a person.” While acknowledging the magnitude of the government’s input in society, he is also requesting that the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, assist them in developing the 11 playgrounds that are in their communities.

Attorney General, Anil Nandalall during a recent visit to the Mon Repos market

“We have two main grounds, which are the Mon Repos and Lusignan Community Centre grounds, but we are also

asking for the playing field in the areas to be developed, especially for sports. These communities are very big, and families can

have a space to relax and enjoy with their children, so we are asking for these grounds to be resuscitated for those purposes.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

CARICOM acknowledges importance of civil society in fight against HIV/AIDS

OFFICIALS from the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Headquarters in Turkeyen, Georgetown, have acknowledged the importance of civil society and local communities in delivering HIV services and information, such as testing, prevention, and treatment, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on World AIDS Day. The Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, stated in his remarks on Friday at the organisation's headquarters that the significance of this year's theme, "Let Communities Lead," lies in its emphasis on the importance of community involvement in improving the lives of AIDS-affected individuals. “The 2023 observance of World AIDS Day is happening at the critical junction of public health within our region. We have seen our communities, particularly

Representative from the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+), Jason Shepherd, at the CARICOM headquarters (Cindy with communiParkinson photos) ty-based organisaArmstrong explained. tions and groups to He continued, “From this reach the most vulnerable with lifesaving HIV medi- experience, our region now cations during the mandated has several best practices COVID-19 lockdowns,” Dr. that could be applied to other public health initiatives, but the key to this approach is the central involvement of communities; hence, the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day could not have been more appropriate. Civil society has worked hand in hand with the Ministry of Public Health and the national AIDS programme to ensure that vulnerable populations receive HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and most recently to ensure

The Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, in his remarks on World AIDS Day at the CARICOM Headquarters civil society, play an integral role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many lives were saved, thanks to the effort of our national AIDS programmes, which strategically collaborated

the continuum of care during the pandemic." Dr. Armstrong further added that the mantra of ‘leaving no one behind’ actively described a strategic approach to the region’s HIV response, which is characterised by the unique relationship that is formed between the government and civil society organisations, along with other peers in the field. “Today we can proudly we can proudly reflect on the progress made because of the successful collaboration and the tremendous work done by our civil society partners,” he added. Meanwhile, the representative from the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+), Jason Shepherd, also encouraged the community to play their part in eradicating the stigma that is attached to HIV and AIDS. According to him, “It is an emotional day to remember all those important people who we have lost and to reflect on the valuable contributions they made along the journey. It is also a day to think about actions, to act, and to talk about the important work that still needs to be done in our communities." Finally, according to the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO), in order to achieve an undetectable viral load and break the chain of transmission, communities

must be given the tools they need to create their own plans and reach the people who need them the most with education, HIV self-testing, antiretrovirals as a preventive measure (known as PrEP), and treatment. According to them, “We are on the home stretch when it comes to ending AIDS as a public health challenge, but we will only achieve this goal if we empower the most affected communities that are being left behind,” Luisa Cabal, Regional Director of UNAIDS for Latin America and the Caribbean, said. “Community leadership is essential in all HIV plans and programmes, which must also have financing and protective regulations for their operation.” They also added that community-led services, being stigma- and discrimination-free zones, also boost acceptance and retention in care for gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, and drug users—populations that are important in the HIV response and among which the greatest number of new infections are recorded. Finally, PAHO said, “In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 2.5 million people live with HIV. In 2022, about 130,000 people acquired the virus and 33,000 lost their lives from AIDS-related causes."

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Taijul's six-for gives Bangladesh first home Test win against New Zealand

...He finished with a match haul of 10 wickets as Bangladesh scripted one of their finest Test wins TAIJUL Islam scripted one of Bangladesh's finest Test victories, as he took six wickets in the second innings to complete a 10-wicket match haul to help beat New Zealand by 150 runs in Sylhet. The home side needed 86 minutes to take the remaining three wickets of the visitors on the fifth morning. New Zealand added 68 runs, but Taijul took two of the three wickets that fell. Overnight on 113 for 7 with Daryl Mitchell as the only one from the top six surviving the rout, New Zealand needed a miracle to survive on the final day. It was also the first time in the game that the pitch offered uneven bounce. (Scores) :Bangladesh 310 and 338 (Shanto 105, Mushfiqur 67, Patel 4-148) beat New Zealand 317 and 181

(Mitchell 58, Southee 34, Taijul 6-75) by 150 runs Mitchell was watchful during his stay in the morning and also reached his ninth Test fifty. But his resistance ended when he couldn't connect a sweep off Nayeem Hasan properly, giving Taijul a tumbling catch halfway from deep square leg. Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi then resisted for the next 52 deliveries. It ended when Southee gave a low catch to midwicket off Taijul's delivery. Southee struck a couple of sixes in his 24ball 34 to take his tally to 85 sixes in Tests, which took him past Vivian Richards' record of 84, and he is now ninth on the list of batters with most Test sixes. The end came when Ish Sodhi tried to block a Taijul

Taijul Islam got top, middle, and lower-order wickets • (AFP/ Getty Images)

delivery that turned a tad but ended up giving silly mid-off a straightforward catch. He had lasted 91 balls for his 22. Bangladesh are now on 12 points in the World Test Championship points table. Their only other WTC win

was also against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui at the start of 2022. New Zealand's hopes of a win diminished on day four. Shoriful had Tom Latham edging his pitched-up delivery that moved away slightly

and Nurul Hasan dived low to his left to remove the opener for a duck. Kane Williamson, who had scored his 29th Test hundred in the first innings, was going to be key to New Zealand's approach on the fourth day. But Taijul then got the prized wicket of Williamson, who was dragged forward on the defensive push, only for the spinning delivery to beat the inside edge and hit his front leg. Williamson opted for the review but found out quickly that he was plumb in front. Henry Nicholls top-edged a sweep off Mehidy Hasan Miraz and was caught by Nayeem at short fine leg. Devon Conway lasted more than an hour for his 22 before giving Taijul his second wicket. Shahadat Hossain

took the simple catch at short leg after the left-hander charged the left-arm spinner and got an inside edge onto his pad. Tom Blundell looked in trouble from the onset and didn't last too long. Taijul found vicious turn and bounce to have Blundell squared up and feather the ball to the keeper. The collapse continued in the 35th over when Nayeem trapped Glenn Phillips lbw for 12, before Taijul also trapped Kyle Jamieson lbw. Bangladesh had set New Zealand a 332-run target in the fourth innings, after getting bowled out for 338 runs in their second innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto's century had put the hosts in the driver's seat and Taijul drove them to the finish line.(Cricinfo)

Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

GCC Spice destroys YMCA Old Fort 7-nill By Sean Devers

A FAIR-SIZED turnout at the National Gymnasium for day two of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival on Friday, saw GCC Spice destroying YMCA Old Fort Women 7-0. GCC Spice were led by a hat trick from Skipper Marzana Fiedtkou, a brace from Julia Gouveia and one each from Aliyah Gordon and Princessa Wilkie as they destroyed YMCA Old Fort 7-0. The action began with the over-45 match between GCC Vintage beating Old Fort Generals 4-2. Alan Fernandes opened the scoring in the 3rd minute while Dwayne Scott soon made it 2-1 for the men from Bourda. Ellis Chance scored back-to-back goals to level

Skipper Marzana Fiedtkou scored a hat-trick for GCC Spice

the score at 2-all at halftime. Alan Fernandes netted his second goal in the 23rd minute while Scott completed a brace when he beat Audwin Graham in goal in the 30th minute. In the Women’s category, GBTI GCC beat GCC Spice as Vanessa Pires scored in the 26th minute to give GBTI GCC the lead before the talented Abosa-

ide Cadogan scored in both halves to seal the win for GBTI GCC. GBTI GCC’s women drew 3-3 with the visiting Trinidad & Tobago’s Policewomen. At halftime, the Guyanese ladies enjoyed a 2-1 after T&T’s Victoria Pierre produced the opening goal in the second minute of the exciting game. However, Sonia Jardine

Abosaide Cadogan was again among the goals

responded with a beautiful shot three minutes later to level the score with her first of two goals in the game, to the delight of home fans in the stands who were on their feet again when Sandy Roopnarine scored in the 12th minute to give Bounty GCC a one-goal lead at the halfway stage. The second half began with fast-paced Hockey being played by both sides

before the skilful Brittney Hingh scored twice in five minutes to push the Trini Cops to 3-2. Jardine would complete a brace when she beat Goolie Empress Charles in the 40th minute to end the riveting encounter 3-all. Trinidad & Tobago over-45 Masters were beaten 1-nill by GCC Vintage. Alan Fernandes scored in the first minute of the

game which saw excellent defence from the Guyanese seniors and fellas from Carnival Country. GCC the Sequel defeated Antonio’s Hickers 5-3 with Kevin Spencer (2), Peter DeGroot (2) and Orlando Semple (1) scoring for GCC while Hickers’ goals came off the sticks of Robert France (2) and Akim Toussaint (1). YMCA Old Fort got past Saints by two goals to none with Tamala Glen and Captain Carolyn Deane doing the scoring for Old Fort ladies. In the final game on Friday night Saints defeated Pepsi Hikers 5-2 as Skipper Robert France (2) while Devin Munroe (2) and Akim Toussaint (1) scored Pepsi Hikers’ goal. Leroy Geer and Shakeem Fausette scored for Saints.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Arsenal beat Wolves to move four points clear at top of Premier League

ARSENAL moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table with victory over Wolves at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, 6-0 winners over Lens in midweek, took an early lead when Bukayo Saka got the better of Craig Dawson in the penalty area before firing low into the bottom corner. It was 2-0 not long afterwards, Martin Odegaard finishing a magnificent team move involving Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to double the hosts' advantage. Gabriel Martinelli struck the outside of the post with a low shot, while Leandro Trossard and Jesus both went close as Arsenal pressed for a third goal that would have put the result beyond doubt. Wolves improved in the second half and Matheus Cunha tested David Raya's

Martin Odegaard finished off a superb team move to double Arsenal's lead against Wolves

reflexes with a powerful effort at the near post, before curling a superb drive into the top corner to give the visitors hope with five minutes remaining. Gary O'Neil's side were unable to complete the fightback, however, and Eddie Nketiah fired against the frame of the goal for Arsenal not long after Cunha's strike. Gunners get job done

Arsenal currently boasts the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League, but they are now beginning to exhibit more of the free-flowing attacking football that fuelled last season's title challenge. The Gunners' second goal was a thing of beauty, Zinchenko playing a neat one-two with Jesus before cutting the ball back to Odegaard for a first-time finish

beyond Jose Sa, who was injured while trying to save the Norwegian's effort. They could - and maybe should - have been further ahead at the break after Trossard was denied by Sa from close range and Jesus blazed over the bar at the far post. Martinelli was also denied by the woodwork at the end of another mesmerising Arsenal counter-attack. "It should have been a much bigger scoreline," Arteta told BBC Match of the Day. "We made a mistake and they take the chance, and it's game on in the Premier League. "We had chances and we didn't put them away, but we kept trying. We had some big, big chances to put the game to bed." The second half, as it was against Lens on Wednesday, was more low-key. Rice dragged a low shot off target

and Trossard shot straight at Wolves' substitute goalkeeper Dan Bentley from a good position, before Cunha halved the deficit late on. It was a nervier finish than Arteta would have wanted, but the 41-year-old cut a very happy figure at full time as his side stretched their winning run in all competitions to five matches. Too little, too late from Wolves Wolves were on the wrong end of another contentious VAR call in Monday's defeat by Fulham, but O'Neil's frustration will be directed at his own defence at Emirates Stadium after they conceded twice inside the opening quarter of an hour. Dawson was beaten far too easily by Saka for the opener, while Zinchenko and Odegaard were both given too much space in the buildup to the Norwegian's low

finish. "The first goal was disappointing," O'Neil said. "There were so many bodies around Saka. For him to wriggle through and for us to look hesitant in the penalty area is disappointing. "The second goal was a great goal. We should have prevented it, but it happens." Max Kilman almost gifted Arsenal a third late in the first half, but Bentley got down to his left to deny Gabriel Jesus. Cunha and Hwang Heechan both tested Raya as Wolves gradually started to carry more of an attacking threat after half-time, and Cunha's fabulous, curling strike gave them hope of claiming an unlikely point. But it was too little, too late from the visitors, who are winless in their last 13 Premier League visits to London. (BBC Sport).

Guyana-born Canadian Important wins for DR, St Lucia in effort to top their groups umpire to feature in Masters Over-40 World Cup

GUYANA-born Canadian umpire Suresh Budhoo has been chosen to officiate in the International Masters Cricket Over-40 World Cup, scheduled to be staged in Cape Town, South Africa, starting on February 19, 2024. He is scheduled to depart Canada on February 12. A West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) qualified umpire, Budhoo officiates in matches in Canada and the USA and only recently stood in matches in the USA Over-40 National tournament, used to select the USA World Cup team. According to the experienced Budhoo, his WICUA certificate was a major factor in him being given the nod to officiate in the 45-over tournament which will be played

Umpire Suresh Budhoo

in two groups with Group A comprising Canada, England,

Australia, USA, Zimbabwe and Namibia while Group B has South Africa, New Zealand, India, Wales, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates. An excited Budhoo disclosed that he’s eagerly looking forward to the round-robin tournament, especially with Canada being part of the action. Budhoo, who has been an active umpire in Canada for the past 23 years, served as umpires coordinator and also featured in last August’s Cricket Canada Masters Council (CCMC) four-nation over-60 tournament that included Australia, England and USA. He expressed heartfelt thanks to the Canada Cricket Masters Council (CCMC) for giving him the opportunity to officiate and also being the coordinator.

MIAMI, Florida, (CMC) – Mía Asenjo and Lucia Marte scored braces, and the race for first in League B, Group C tightened when the Dominican Republic crushed hosts Barbados 7-1 in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifiers on Friday. At the same time, Krysan St Louis notched a hat-trick and Arnicka Louis bagged a brace, and hosts St Lucia remained in the race for first in League C, Group B with a 5-1 win against Guadeloupe.

AT THE WILDEY TURF STADIUM: An emphatic second-half performance handed the DR their fourth successive win and put them second in the group on 12 points, one behind Bermuda, which gained three points after St Vincent & the Grenadines earlier informed the organisers they were pulling out of their match in Hamilton. The match was a genuine contest at half-time with the visitors leading 2-1, after Mia Asenjo connected with a pass over the top to beat Barbados goalkeeper Rhea Holder in the 21st minute and followed up with header in the 33rd minute. In between, Acacia Small

scored for the Barbadians in the 32nd minute after stripping a Dominican Republic defender and dribbling through the middle of the field to finish with a lobbed attempt from outside the box.

CONCACAF Alyssa Oviedo supplied the fourth for Dominican Republic with a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 68th minute, and Gonzalez got on the board with a free-kick that was struck with enough force to get past Holder in the 77th minute for the fifth. Winibian Peralta put the finishing touch on a build-up through the right flank from Jazmin Jackson in the 82nd minute, and Marte got her second with a curling free kick to add the exclamation point in the 87th minute. The DR will host the Bermudians on the final match-day on Tuesday at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo in the group decider. AT THE DAREN SAMMY CRICKET GROUND: The result put the St Lucians within three points of group leaders Cuba.

St Lucia can win the group with a win against the Cubans in the group finale on Tuesday at the Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba. Louis continued her love affair with the Guadeloupeans and gave St Lucia the lead in the seventh minute when there was a mad scramble in front of goal after a deflection had hit the post, and she slid in and slot the ball into the net. A counter-press from St Lucia ended with Louis firing into net in the 22nd minute to double the lead before St Louis got in on the scoring act. St Louis followed up her own blocked shot with a delicate chip into goal in the 39th minute to give the hosts a 3-0 half-time lead. After the break, St Louis split a pair of defenders and latched onto a ball in the area and finished past Guadeloupe goalkeeper Maina Mornal in the 57th minute. Guadeloupe were rewarded for their persistence with a goal in the 89th minute when Sydjalhia Garriba fired in a right-footed shot, but St Louis restored the advantage with a stoppage time strike.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

‘One Guyana’ King and Queen of the Sand football competition set to ignite Linden

OVER 3 million in cash and other incentives will be up for grabs when the inaugural One Guyana King and Queen of the Sand Football competition is contested in the Bauxite Mining Town

of Linden. Set to be staged at the PPP Party Office Compound from December 8th, and culminate on January 1st, the action will feature 52 male teams and a total of 12

female teams. No registration fee is required to enter the competition. An initiative of His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the competition is geared to further assist with

the development of the game in Linden and is expected to see fierce rivalry among both male and female teams. Many of the teams that competed in the People’s Progressive Party / Civic

‘One Guyana’ Beach Football championship are expected to contest this competition. To e n s u re t h a t t h e Match Officials are in tiptop shape for the action, the Organisers will be con-

ducting a Referee’s Workshop on Wednesday that will review the Laws of the Game; they will also analyse videos and be involved in a practical session in the afternoon.

Every related arm for sport’s resurgence will be tackled-Wilson

IN less than one week the direction the sport of football takes will be made clear when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) stages its Electoral Congress, at the National Training Centre, Providence. In what can only be described as an obvious attempt to hijack the process, the Wayne Forde-led GFF has shown total contempt for the football fraternity. The fact that the GFF and the Electoral Committee waited until seven (7) days before the elections to identify the list of eligible voters, resulting in the exclusion of four (4) members, who were deemed not to be in good

standing, demonstrates their indifference to a free and fair process. Had they been genuinely immersed in the tenets of good governance and fair play then every step should have been taken to ensure that all members of the electorate be clear about the eligibility procedures. Instead, because the GFF’s responses to queries for clarity on the crucial requirements were apathetic and vague, the four members are now debarred from participating in the process. They are: West Demerara Football Association, Guyana Police Force Football Club, Western Tigers Football Club

and Santos Football Club. However, Wilson in his outreach to all the eligible constituents have made it clear that, should they be given the mandate to govern, they intend to meet with stakeholders to address some of the contentious changes in the recently revised constitution. He cited the three-term modification as one of the main issues that will be up for discussion, while the lack of clarity on the eligibility of voters is another matter that will certainly be examined. Additionally, he stressed the importance of every member being able to vote at such an important Con-

gress, adding that every effort should have been made to apprise them of their obligations. Wilson informed that should they take the seat of office, going forward, extensive deliberations to make the process easier and transparent will be a top priority of his administration. “Our approach will be an all-inclusive one, where every stakeholder of the sport will be afforded the opportunity to offer their opinions in an effort to make the game safe, resilient, sustainable and proficiently managed, as outlined in our stated vision,” Wilson said. The Wilson-led slate has

also disclosed its areas of focus, key stakeholders who will be approached to drive the sport forward, while a robust plan for every component related to sustainable development of the sport has been shared to all stakeholders. “I think we have a very good strategy to pull the sport out of its current state. Very little has been done at the local level, the game’s reputation as one of the premier sports locally has suffered immensely and these are just some of the things we intend to address seriously.” He promised that every related arm for the sport’s resurgence will be tackled,

naming, coaches’ education, referees’ development, women’s growth at every level, enhanced facilities in every regional association, effective partnership with the corporate sector for sustainable funding, a solid working relationship with the government, on-going consultative and respectful engagements with its members. Wilson theorised that with his vast experience at the administrative level combined with those on his slate, voters will be able to evaluate where the sport is today against the vision, they have for it going forward.

Hand-in-Hand BMC 30 overs over-40 inter-county cricket

Magnificent Latif spurs President’s X1 to first win

By Sean Devers

A MAGNIFICENT unbeaten 110 & 4-39 from Man-of the-Match Richard Latif spurred President’s X1 to seven-wicket over Essequibo at Enmore yesterday in the third round of the Hand-inHand insurance of the BMC 30 overs O-40 inter-county cricket tournament. Latif, who in GCA cricket for MYO, stocked 11 fours and five sixes from 75 and shared in a 131-run opening partnership with Bheemraj Ramkellowan who made an important 38 to set their team, who galloped to 172-3 with 37 balls remaining in a game reduced to 25-overs due to late arrival of their team-

mates. Latif had earlier captured 4-39 and support from Kerwin Ross (2-11) Chien Gittens (2-47) as Essequibo from 77-6 to reach 171-9 with Latchman Singh hitting an unbeaten 45. Dharmendra Lachan (38), Mohammed Khan (32) and Vishal Lall (16) were the only batters to pass 15. In sweltering heat on very fast outfield Essequibo elected to bat and lost Lall, who two sixes and a four before in first over to Giddens at 17-1. It was soon 26-2 when Giddens bowled Ravi Beharry (0) before Ross removed Fazeer Khan at 28-3. Latif, bowled well flighted off-spin got rid

Raj Singh, CEO of Big Man Cricket, presents Richard Latif with Man-of-the-Match trophy

of Nayisall Pooran (15), bowled Ramesh Narine (1) and had Mohammed Khan caught in the deep as the team from largest and Mineral and Oil rich County 77-6. Abdool Salim (7) and Bisham Seepersaud was stumped for a first ball duck as Latif was on a hat-trick as Essequibo slumped to 95-8. Lachan and Singh staged a recovery with 64run stand before Ross dismissed Lachan at 153-9. Singh who 35 balls in unbeaten 45 saw Essequibo to what seemed a challenging total at the half-way stage. But Latif and Ramkellowan had other ideas and went after bowing, with Latif in particular being brutal as he flayed the hap-

less bowlers to parts of the Enmore sward under an almost cloudless sky. They brought up their century stand before Ramkellowan needlessly tried to hit Mohammed Khan for six and was on the mid-wicket boundary. Latif reached his from 70 balls with four fours and fours sixes and although Rohan Mangal (2) was lbw to Lachan at 141-2 and Narine trapped Gittens (11) lbw, Deo Ramdat (6) and Latif, who joined former Test batter and Demerara skipper Ryan Ramdass and Berbice and Guyana Stanford T20 batter Imran Khan as the centurions. To d a y a t E v e re s t , pre-tournament favorites Demerara face Berbice from 11.00 AM.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Softball stalwart Eric Thomas given ‘regal’ sendoff

MEMBERS of the Regal cricketing fraternity, including owner Mahendra “Anil” Hardyal and manager of the Over-50 team, Ian John, were among those on hand at the Sandy’s Funeral Home, yesterday to pay their last respects to one of their favourite and staunch players, Eric Mboya Thomas. It was a scene of grief as members, relatives and friends paid their final tribute to a softball player who made headlines for his prowess in the grassroot game, not only for his robust hitting and wicket-keeping prowess but also for his great camaraderie

Members of Regal form a bat arch as the body of the late Eric Thomas is borne out of Sandy’s Funeral Home

and sense of humour. A tower of strength in the Regal Legends Over50 batting lineup, Thomas played several memorable innings for the team, including a pulsating whirlwind match-winning 62 versus Toronto Blizzards in the final of the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) final, played in Fort Lauderdale in 2022. That knock contained eight huge sixes, including six consecutively in an eventful over. Following yesterday’s viewing, Thomas’ body, was borne out of the funeral home with members of Regal forming a bat arch at the entrance.

Thomas was also clad in his Regal uniform. A funeral service followed at a church at Samatta Point, East Bank, Demerara, where Thomas formerly lived and where he met what turned out to be a fateful accident on the morning of August 22 this year. The burial took place at Golden Grove, also on the East Bank, Demerara. Thomas passed away on Thursday, November 23 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, following a three-month battle with life-threatening injuries.

Marian Academy & St John the Baptist book final spots ... New Champion to be crowned on December 9

WITH the MVP Sports Girls U-11 Schools Pee Wee Football tournament winding down to the finish, the semi-finals were played on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground and saw last edition’s winners North Georgetown knocked out by Marian Academy while St John the Baptist sent West Ruimveldt packing to book spots in the final. Both games were relatively one-sided with similar scorelines of 2-0 in favour of the victors. First, the visitors from Bartica, St John the Baptist, faced West Ruimveldt with neither side finding goals in the first half. However, St John’s ever reliable Shemia Hing would capitalise on West Ruimveldt’s tired defence and opened her side’s account in the 27th minute while Neisa Lewis put the icing on the cake just

St John the Baptist’s Shemia Hing (No. 5) challenges for the ball during her side’s semi-final win over West Ruimveldt

four minutes later to seal their team’s final berth. This is St John’s first ever Girls Pee Wee outing and their path to the final has largely been

thanks to Hing’s tenacity and knack for finding goals. In the second semi-final of the day, Marian Academy also relied on late goals from

L-R: Neisa Lewis and Shemia Hing were on target for St John the Baptist in their win over West Ruimveldt

their emerging talismanic captain Skylar DeNobrega to beat North Georgetown Primary. Much like the first semi-final, the first half could

not produce a goal but De Nobrega changed that with a double strike in the 25th and 35th minutes respectively. Marian Academy, whilst they

have participated in the tournament before, have never won the title. In other exhibition matches Potaro Primary beat Smith’s Memorial 2-0 with Nazeema Lewis (18’) on target while the losers gifted Potaro an own goal as well. Tucville Primary dispatched Friendship Primary 3-1 with Wolete Griffith netting a hatrick (2’, 10’, 18’) while Queen-Nefer-Tarie Elisa (39’) scored a consolation goal for Friendship. One Mile Primary ended their tournament by needling Genesis Academy while FE Pollard had a walkover by virtue of St Aloysius Primary being a no-show. The tournament will conclude with the final and third-place matches being played next Saturday (December 9) at the same venue.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 3, 2023

Anderson shows his class with hundred against Emerging Ireland

COOLIDGE, Antigua, (CMC) – Kevlon Anderson gathered his second firstclass hundred to lead the Cricket West Indies Academy batting against Emerging Ireland in their second four-day, first-class match on Saturday in Antigua. The 23-year-old Guyana Harpy Eagles batsman was undefeated on 101, and his captain Nyeem Young made 80, and the CWI Academy reached 300 for eight in their first innings at the close on the first day of the match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Anderson struck 14 fours from 172 balls in a little under 4-1/4 hours at the crease and brought stability to innings with Young after it appeared at the crossroads at 111 for four in the middle of the session after lunch. A former West Indies Under-19 batsman, Anderson reached his hundred from 172 balls when he clipped a delivery from pacer Matthew Foster through mid-wicket for two. Young, 23, a former West

CWI Academy batsman Kevlon Anderson celebrates after he reached his hundred against Emerging Ireland. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Indies Under-19 all-rounder, cracked seven fours and five sixes from 115 balls in almost 2-1/4 hours and put on 133 for the fifth wicket with Anderson before he departed in the final session of the day and sparked another period of instability. The CWI Academy captain was one of four wickets that fell – two to pacer Tom Mayes – for 56 in the span of 61 balls in the final period,

but Anderson remained unflappable to bat through until the close which came when McKenny Clarke was caught at long-on off Foster. Mayes was the pick of the Irish bowlers with three for 62 from 20 overs, left-arm spinner Michael Frost ended the day with two for 71 from 25 overs, and Foster finished with two for 90 from 23.4 overs. The CWI Academy lead

the two-match series 1-0 after they won the first match, which ended this past Monday, by an innings and 134 runs at the same venue. They endured an early setback when left-handed opener Ackeem Auguste fell to Foster for two in the first over of the match. Teddy Bishop came to the crease and batted for almost the remainder of the morning period to put on 49 with

left-handed opener Matthew Nandu before he was caught at first slip off pacer Liam McCarthy from a top-edged cut and CWI Academy went to lunch on 51 for two. After lunch, the CWI Academy were just beginning to get into their stride when Nandu was caught in the covers off Mayes for 35, playing an uppish drive. Kevin Wickham joined Anderson and spent 40 minutes at the crease to carry the CWI Academy past 100 before he was bowled by Frost for 17, and the hosts went to tea on 135 for four.

After the break, Anderson and Young practically matched each other stroke for stroke to give their side a boost. Anderson drove pacer Foster over backward point for four to reach his 50 from 118 balls, and he celebrated the milestone with a lofted straight drive off the same bowler for a second successive four.

Young reached the milestone from 87 balls a few overs later when he clipped Frost through mid-wicket for a single before he was caught at backward point off Frost. Carlon Bowen-Tuckett made six before he was caught at mid-on off Mayes, and Joshua Bishop, a century-maker in the first match, got 22 in a hurry and ushered Anderson to his hundred, but he was caught behind, edging a loose, flat-footed drive. The series is an opportunity for emerging talent in the West Indies pathway system to gain high-quality playing time, along with the experience of playing against counterparts from another destination of the cricket-playing world. The CWI Academy squad comprises mainly of the players in the West Indies Academy programme with some first-class experience, and others that have graduated from the Under-19 level with some distinction.

Four members not in good standing ahead of GFF elections THE Electoral Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday announced that four members are not in good standing ahead of the GFF Extraordinary Congress, slated for December 9 at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara. It was also officially made public that two lists of candidates have been submitted, one headed by the incumbent Wayne Forde and the other by former president (ag) Franklin Wilson. The

Wayne Forde

Extraordinary Congress of the GFF will be held at 11:00

Franklin Wilson

hours. On the third, having re-

gard to the provisions of the GFF Statutes and the GFF Electoral Code, including Article 15.1 of the GFF Statutes, the Electoral Committee has determined that the following members are in good standing: Bartica Football Association, Berbice Football Association; East Bank Football Association; East Coast Demerara Football Association, Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association, Georgetown Football Association, Upper Demerara Football Association, Rupununi Foot-

ball Association; Guyana Football Coaches’ Association, Guyana Football Referees’ Council, The Women’s Football Association, Ann’s Grove Football Club, Buxton United Football Club, Den Amstel Football Club, Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Guyana Defence Force Football Club, Milerock Football Club; and Victoria Kings Football Club. Consequently, the following are determined not to be in Good Standing: west Demerara Football Association, Guyana Police Force Foot-

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ball Club, Western Tigers Football Club; and Santos Football Club. Article 15.1 (b) provides that the Member must have had an election of its decision-making body at least every four years. As such, although the respective entity rules or constitutions may provide for elections every two years, the GFF Statute would allow a party to be in good standing once their election was held within the previous four years. However, that was not the sole determining factor.

| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023