Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24-11-2023

Border controversy…

‘Guyana is not taking anything for granted’ - President Ali affirms; says country is doing everything that needs to be done to remain in a state of preparedness

‘Essequibo is we own!’

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- Guyanese continue to unite on efforts to uphold country’s territorial integrity

Guyana working with allies EU ‘pumps’ €19M into to plan for any eventualities new programme to - Dr Jagdeo says; maintains country has always been in favour of peaceful solution to border controversy SEE - two teams from US Department of PAGE Defense expected in Guyana next week 4

SEE PAGE

enhance Caribbean’s agri-food systems

SEE PAGE

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500 projects being implemented in Amerindian communities 11 SEE PAGE

- through carbon-credit funding, Vice-President Jagdeo says

Essequibo belongs to Guyana! This is part of a series of information on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and forms part of the national education campaign on this topic: The land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was settled by the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.

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Guyana will not ‘roll over,’ succumb to Venezuela’s bullyism

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

- Dr Jagdeo says, blasts Venezuelan VP for ‘blatant lies’

By Trina Williams

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday slammed the Venezuelan Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez, for spreading “blatant” lies and painting themselves as victims while their actions have stated otherwise.

During a press conference at the Office of the President, Dr Jagdeo maintained: “We’ve never threatened the peace... Venezuela has been an aggressive country.”

Dr Jagdeo further said: “I’ve seen the vile rhetoric from Delcy Rodriguez, calling President Ali names…

And I think Delcy Rodriguez cannot speak with such certainty when you talk about providing food for people or jobs for them because you have thousands of people fleeing their country.”

He then went on to say: “If she [Venezuela’s Vice President] thinks we are going to roll over and succumb to their imperialist ambitions in Guyana, then they’re false.”

Highlighting the fact that the Venezuelan

government had issued stamps and maps with their correct boundaries, which does not include Essequibo, Dr. Jagdeo said that this fact now poses as an “inconvenient truth” to the current Nicolas Maduro administration.

“There has been a huge concern in our country given Venezuela’s aggressive positions on our border, and their entire campaign historically, but more recently, has been based on misinformation and lies,” the Dr. Jagdeo firmly said.

While reflecting on the facts of the Guyana-Venezuela controversy, the Vice-President said: “For over 60 years those borders remained unchanged until they raised a false allegation that there was some corruption at the tribunal. After that, the Geneva Agreement was signed,” adding that the purpose of the Geneva Agreement was to deal with Venezuela’s falsehood that the 1899 Arbitral Award was flawed.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking

affirmation of the legitimacy of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela, taking a defiant stance, initially claimed that the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the international court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the merit of the substantive case.

Even as this substantive case remains before the court, Guyana contends that the recent announcement of a referendum by Venezuela is a thinly veiled attempt by the Bolivarian Republic to gather support for abandoning the ongoing ICJ proceedings, and unilaterally assert control over the Essequibo region.

In response, Guyana swiftly approached the ICJ seeking urgent provisional measures to prevent any action

by Venezuela that could jeopardise the status quo until the court reaches a final verdict on the matter.

The ICJ is expected to rule soon on Guyana’s request for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from

proceeding with its planned referendum on the Essequibo. Meanwhile, the substantive case, highlighting the historical context

in the annexation of the country’s Essequibo as a result of the upcoming referendum.

In her presentation to the World Court on

honourable court over the territorial dispute concerning Guayana Esequiba…,” she said.

Rodriguez went on to tell the World Court:

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Adrian Narine photo)

and the 1899 Arbitral Award, remains before the court.

Rodriguez had, however, expressed her nation’s complete disregard for the authority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in addressing the ongoing border controversy with Guyana.

She expressed her c o u n t r y ’s p o s i t i o n during the ICJ’s hearing of Guyana’s request for provisional measures, to restrict any action that would result

November 15, the Venezuelan Vice-President, in defiance, began her presentation by emphasising that Venezuela’s participation in the hearing should not be misconstrued as recognition of the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the territorial controversy concerning “Guayana Esequiba.”

“I wish to begin by emphasising that our participation in this hearing in no way implies recognition of the jurisdiction of this

“Nothing will prevent the referendum scheduled for the December 3 from being held.”

Venezuela’s position is contrary to the stance of CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and other reputable institutions and countries, which have expressed their firm views that the judicial process should be respected as a solution to the controversy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Border controversy…

‘Guyana is not taking anything for granted’ - President Ali affirms; says country is doing everything that needs to be done to remain in a state of preparedness

By Shamar Meusa PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, said that the Government of Guyana is taking nothing for granted in relation to the ongoing Venezuela-Guyana border controversy.

form taking anything for granted so everything that is required of us as a people, as a government, as a military, we are in a state of preparedness,” he affirmed.

Notwithstanding this, Dr Ali said that the government does

behind the scenes, in addition to men and women on the ground, there is a lot more work that is going on and as the situation unfolds and analyses continue, they will determine what strength and what level of physical presence is needed.

Dr. Ali, during an engagement with residents of Mabaruma, Region One, said that everything that is required is being done and the country remains in a state of preparedness.

The Head of State was accompanied on his visit by Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan and National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia, among others.

While addressing the residents, Dr. Ali said that there is a lot of tension based on the rhetoric coming out of Venezuela and the attitude of the Venezuelan authorities leading up to their December 3 referendum.

“Now, we are not in any way shape or

not expect Venezuela to act in a reckless way and assured Guyanese that Guyana’s position remains that the matter must be settled peacefully at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Commander-in-Chief said that all systems are being put in place, including monitoring systems, and there are a lot of partners working with Guyana on this front.

Guyana is adding to its strength based on the situational analysis and as it is now, the GDF has done its analysis and what is required is being put in place based on that analysis.

While he indicated that they do not want any overreaction or overreach, Dr. Ali assured Guyanese that

“But we are sparing no effort; everything that is needed we are making available but we don’t want to sound alarm bells, as I said we are not taking anything for granted because we are listening carefully to the rhetoric that is coming out of Venezuela,” the Head of State said.

He went on to add that Guyana has stepped up its monitoring systems significantly and is currently paying close attention to what is taking place at the border.

Meanwhile, President Ali said that they want the population to be assured of what is being done and assured that Guyana’s partners are solidly behind the country. Further, he said that a series of activities

will be seen that will demonstrate how solid these relationships are.

The government, Dr. Ali said, has been engaging many leaders internationally and, in the region, and they have all once again strongly condemned any action or behaviour by Venezuela that leads to recklessness.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the ICJ, seeking affirmation of the legitimacy of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela, taking a defiant stance, initially claimed the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the international court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve

going ICJ proceedings, and unilaterally assert control over the Essequibo region.

In response, Guyana swiftly approached the ICJ seeking urgent provisional measures to prevent any action by Venezuela that could jeopardise the status quo until the court reaches a final verdict on the matter.

The ICJ is expected to rule soon on Guyana’s request for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its planned referendum on the Essequibo. Meanwhile, the substantive case, highlighting the historical context and the 1899 Arbitral Award, remains before the court.

Giving the residents

ary measures must be sought and that is what Guyana approached the court for.

Based on the case presented, Dr Ali said that the government remains confident that the court will issue those precautionary measures and if Venezuela acts outside of those measures, then they will be acting recklessly and outside of international law.

Against this backdrop, he added: “The world would not, our partners would not sit by and see them acting outside of international law. So, we have all of this on our side, international law on our side, democracy on our side, we have peace on our side and we have our neighbours.”

into the merit of the substantive case.

Even as this substantive case remains before the court, Guyana contends that the recent announcement of a referendum by Venezuela is a thinly veiled attempt by the Bolivarian Republic to gather support for abandoning the on-

of Mabaruma some clarity, he indicated that Guyana did not approach the ICJ to stop Venezuela’s referendum as any country can do referendums as it is internal business. However, when questions in the referendum can affect Guyana and its territory, then precaution-

Over the coming days, weeks and months, President Ali said that Guyanese will see major collaborations with Guyana’s international partners as the country is currently strengthening the defence cooperation and collaboration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Guyana working with allies to plan for any eventualities - Dr Jagdeo says; maintains country has always been in favour of peaceful solution to border controversy - two teams from US Department of Defense expected in Guyana next week

By Trina Williams VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the Government of Guyana is exploring all options including working with its allies, to ensure that the country plans for all eventualities as the border controversy with Venezuela continues.

During a press conference at the Office of the President on Thursday, Dr Jagdeo said: “Guyana has always been in favour of

a peaceful solution to this controversy. We’ve acted as good neighbours with Venezuela. We’ve acted in consort with the international community. We have the solidarity of the world on this issue.”

The genesis of the controversy goes back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that delineated the land boundary between British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela.

However, despite the historic arbitration, tensions have

persisted, with Venezuela repeatedly challenging the validity of the award.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking affirmation of the legitimacy of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela, taking a defiant stance, initially claimed the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the international court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the merit of the substantive case.

Even as this substantive case remains before the court, Guyana contends that

the recent announcement of a referendum by Venezuela is a thinly veiled attempt by the Bolivarian Republic to gather support for abandoning the ongoing ICJ proceedings, and unilaterally assert control over the Essequibo region.

In response, Guyana swiftly approached the ICJ seeking urgent provisional measures to prevent any action by Venezuela that could jeopardise the status quo until the court reaches a final verdict on the matter.

The ICJ is expected to rule soon on Guyana’s request for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

planned referendum on the Essequibo. Meanwhile, the substantive case, highlighting the historical context and the 1899 Arbitral Award, remains before the court.

Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez however expressed her nation’s complete disregard for the ICJ’s authority in addressing the ongoing border controversy with Guyana.

Guyana, in the light of Venezuela’s posture and actions, remains vigilant but also committed to a peaceful resolution to the controversy.

“Guyana will be working on greater defence co-operation with a number of countries and next week, Guyana will have from the US Department of Defense, two visits to Guyana by two teams,” Dr. Jagdeo said, adding that in the month of December, there will be several other visits and high-level presence from the United States’ Department of Defense.

Shifting his focus to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Vice-President elaborated on how the military arm has evolved.

“The army has grown in Guyana’s case tremendously,” Dr Jagdeo said, adding:

“The army’s budget [has] grown by leaps and bounds, and that is in spite of the fact that we had to address this massive debt overhang.”

On Saturday, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, reaffirmed that his administration is “sparing no effort” to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Head of State made the declaration during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where he noted that Guyana is actively engaging its foreign partners. “…What is necessary at this time is for us to do everything at every level to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are kept intact,” he said.

The President then firmly stated that Guyana’s strategic partners will not stand aside and allow its territorial sovereignty to be trampled upon.

“As your President, I am confident that the course Guyana is taking will not only bring us success, but will ensure that our region remains a region of peace,” Dr Ali said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Essequibo will be protected against Venezuelan aggression - AG says, urges public not to panic

By Clestine Juan IN response to the escalating tensions with Venezuela, the Guyana government has put protective measures in place for the Essequibo regions as a reassurance to those who live there and the rest of the nation that there is no need for panic.

During a panel discussion and public awareness session held at the Queen’s College auditorium on Thursday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall highlighted the ongoing efforts to safeguard the territory ahead of Venezuela's December 3 referendum.

Guyana is currently awaiting a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the application for provisional measures that would prevent any action by Venezuela to annex Guyana’s Essequibo.

AG Nandlall highlighted the active monitoring of the situation by the members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)

and President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s visit to border communities on Thursday.

“Our army is already on the border. We have troops in Essequibo and we are monitoring the situation very carefully. The commander-in-chief himself, I believe, is on the border …right now,” he added before emphasising that there “is no need to get into any panic mode.

Arrangements are in place that will ensure the protection of Guyanese not only in Essequibo but across the country.”

Addressing concerns about rising tension and alleged acts of aggression, Nandlall cautioned against misinformation on social media, emphasising the importance of dispelling rumours and remaining patriotic.

“This is a serious matter and every Guyanese should take this matter seriously, and must be vigilant. That's the first thing. Secondly, we must not panic.

“We must not go into a mode of hysteria. We must not do irresponsible things and say irresponsible things that can

escalate the matter further,” Nandlall said.

He warned that there has been a rise in misinformation on social media, which will heighten individuals' hysteria.

CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR Meanwhile, Attorney-at-law Kim Kyte-Thomas echoed Nandlall’s comments and advised members of the public not to succumb to fear induced by Venezuela's “bullyism” tactics.

She urged the Guyanese public to replace fear with faith as Guyana has done everything lawful to manage the situation.

“I do not believe fear or hysteria would assist us in any way. We all know when we become fearful, how useless we are. That's human nature. And I know that it is easy to allow fear to control you,” she said.

Just like a bully on the p l a y g r o u n d , Ve n e z u e l a , Kyte-Thomas said, wants to instil “fear” to “control” Guyanese using their aggression.

She explained that the faith she speaks of comes from

the United States, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the European Union and Brazil among others who are backing Guyana.

The attorney highlighted that Guyanese must not forget the “strategy of a prayer.”

Kyte-Thomas used the opportunity to encouraged Guyanese to participate in the National Multi-Religious Day of Prayer on December 3 to foster faith and unity.

“Let us have faith and move forward as Guyanese knowing that we will not back down. We will not give up even a drop of water, not even a blade of grass,” she said to loud cheers.

Also speaking was Opposition parliamentarian, Khemraj Ramjattan, who stressed the need for national and international unity against Venezuelan aggression.

He also spoke about the importance of education to ensure community awareness and support as government works to secure the border with Venezuela.

“We have to stay strong on the issue! Strong on a personal level, strong at community level, strong at the national level…. We also have to ensure that we carry this matter internationally and regionally for support from our allies,” he said.

He added that Guyana must remain a “zone of peace” against Venezuelan aggression.

BASELESS CLAIM The genesis of the border controversy goes back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, a land-

mark decision that delineated the land boundary between British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela.

Despite the historic arbitration, tensions have persisted, with Venezuela repeatedly challenging the validity of the award.

During the panel discussion, Nandlall pointed out that Venezuela’s claim is baseless and lacks evidence.

“Years after they came up with this story about it being fraudulent and still they have not been able to say, where is the fraud,” Nandlall said.

He pointed out that the “Nancy Story” narrative that Venezuela continues to push that the agreement is “null”, is one-sided.

Among other things, Nandlall pointed out that Venezuela’s former president, Hugo Chavez, who was a friend of Guyana had described the border controversy as an “empiricist ploy.”

The Attorney General reaffirmed that Guyana stands on the right side of the rule of law, a position that has attracted international support.

“That is why we enjoy hemispheric support,” Nandlall said.

In 2018, Guyana took a de-

cisive step by approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking affirmation of the award’s legitimacy.

Venezuela, taking a defiant stance, initially claimed that the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the World Court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the substantive case’s merits.

Recent developments have heightened the geopolitical situation, as Venezuela, through its National Electoral Council, unveiled plans for a “Consultative Referendum” on December 3.

Guyana contends that this move is a thinly veiled attempt

by Venezuela to gather support for abandoning the ongoing ICJ proceedings, and unilaterally assert control over the Essequibo region.

Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, has expressed her nation’s complete disregard for the ICJ’s authority in addressing the border controversy.

The substantive case which highlights the historical context and the 1899 Arbitral Award, remains before the World Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Protecting our women

TOMORROW, the world will commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which marks the start of 16 days of activism.

Unfortunately, this is a daunting issue that transcends all borders and cultures, and despite the herculean efforts, it remains a major bugbear.

Here in Guyana, we have not been spared the harrowing effects of this global scourge as we have a long history of violence against women.

While lots have been done at the level of the government and by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), both local and international, more needs to be done to protect our women from physical abuse and

emotional trauma.

In less than two weeks, violence in the most vile and cruel form has been unleashed on four women under different circumstances and in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, three of those women are dead and the other is hospitalised.

There have also been other publicised cases earlier in the year.

Thirty-two-year-old Romona Lall of Corentyne, Berbice was reportedly killed by her husband, Sadesh Appaddu, also known as “Vishal” at the Sunset View Hotel in Kitty, Georgetown.

She was found dead on the floor on November 12, with a broken bottle near the body and what appeared to be blood stains on the bed and walls of the room.

Her family subsequently said that she endured years of abuse and was repeatedly advised to end the relationship.

The suspect is believed to be hiding out in Suriname.

One week later, 48-yearold Daniele Charles of Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was found naked and lifeless in a clump of bushes at Experiment New Housing Scheme. Her clothing, including her undergarments and a used condom and wrapper were found next to her body which had stab wounds to various parts of her body including the throat and chest. Her killer is still at large.

On Wednesday, around 06:30hrs, 48-year-old Cherriel Fredricks, was brutally chopped, allegedly, by her partner, Michael McClen-

non, at Parika Backdam.

The woman, who lost four of her fingers during the incident, had left the home she shared with McClennon three weeks ago following a disagreement. Neighbours caught him as he tried to flee the scene and handed him over to the police.

Just over an hour later, 38-year-old Chooromanie Tulsie called ‘Anita’ was discovered dead in the lower flat of her Mahaica, East Coast Demerara home with a piece of cloth stuffed inside her mouth and a knife stuck in the centre of her throat.

Her five-year-old son was found locked in the upper flat. There were no signs of forced entry and family members are at a loss as to who could have committed the crime and what was the

motive.

The brutality of the above mentioned incidents is worrying and is indicative of large scale problems that have been allowed to fester.

Like many parts of the world, the Government of Guyana has been making investments in the interest of all women. Many programmes have been created to empower them, make them independent and allow them to take up a financial role in their family.

Many governments have rolled out similar programmes and have strengthen laws to protect women, but UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed believes greater investment has to be made.

"Investment in prevention is to invest in our col-

lective well-being. It means creating conditions where women and girls can thrive, unburdened by the fear of violence," she was quoted as saying in a video message.

According to her, investment will address root causes and drivers of violence, challenge discriminatory norms and practices and promote holistic prevention policies and programmes.

While true, this should be coupled with multi-national, multi-sectoral, well-coordinated and well-resourced goals each with a long-term vision.

The enforcing of existing laws and robust education campaigns, particularly at the school level, could help put a deep dent in this scourge. For now, the conversation continues.

Satire through the lens of a magnifier

Dear Editor, A big shout out to yu all goodly and Godly people. A hear dem turkey chuckling and cackling a lot and dem gobbling how dem glad dem living in Guyana and not in de US. Nowadays, yu can’t even afford to buy chicken, much less turkey.

De news said 46 million turkeys are killed around dis time of the year. Some 270 turkeys are slaughtered around the world in a year.

Dem overseas Guyanese giving thanks fo plenty things. I hope dem rememba dis bowl I holding when dey having dem Thanksgiving dinner is not fo de bones!

Plenty people vex when we had we General Council meeting. Dem say we said nuff nuff things about nothing and nothing about plenty things. Yu know yu can never satisfy Guyanese people. Dem say we draw rings around de circle and we involve in window dressing.

But Christmas dey right

around de corner and yu know how we Guyanese does stop work a long time ahead. Congress and election gon stay on de back burner because who gon mind de store ain’t gon make any difference. Pandit said how we palm done grease from de aisle. Now it look like we overseas visitors put an end to de window shopping fo a leader.

Now, plenty of we have no ‘interest in conflict’ while we avoid any ‘conflict of interest.’ It look as if de new book write about a good cook up story to hook up some of dem crook. But we all know de aisle issue come from muddy water.

We ain’t got no blue wata but we got plenty Guyanese waita serving dem wid blue eyes. At the rate we going, we got to ask Guyana’s idol to discover all the covers so that we can able to uncover what we need to recover!

I always warn dem guys to watch where dem put dem

mouth. When dem fall in trouble, don’t blame me. De Housing Ministry doing a good jab, far betta dan what we ever dream of doing. What we do in 5 years dem do in less than one year.

I tell yu, dat is progress and good fo de people and de nation. Yu see how dem foreigners’ eyes does open wide when dem see all we fancy houses and all dem bush land now converted to house land?

As a Guyanese, I does smile and feel nice and I does take de credit too.

Every bady want a roof over dem head. People always strive to protect dem family from de sun and rain and, when de night come, dem happy dem have somewhere dey can put dem head and lie down in peace.

The proletariat does perceive the homeless as poor.

The political bourgeoisie dialects are full of diatribe.

When yu get a house, you feel a sense of pride and people can’t say yu living in pover-

ty. Dis Govment do a lot of good things fo all Guyanese, regardless of kit and kin. Le we give Jack he jacket and don’t call a heart a clubs. I know cards.

We all know behind every good man is a woman (or two). But dem bais say how we moustache neighba in de West don’t wear de pants.

He rattling and prancing and panting while dancing to somebody else tune. But he in a show business not to entertain we.

Because of he, we fren Mia find she self in some mud wata. But all of we in de Caribbean have to stand tall, firm and together in dis thing fo we own peace. Is nice de Big Guy had lunch wid dem families who have relatives braving de weather as frontliners.

Yu all see what happen to some of we when we greedy and see green only? Yes, we scraven and I ain’t talking about dem who does go to party and walk wid dem own

doggy bag too. We eye big, especially dem lawyers who does turn liars and wan to milk honey from water. Some people think we firing and flying on six FPSO’s already.

Dem lawiars does use only US calculators and dem like to play Lord Invader’s “Working for de Yankee Dollars,” when is time to pay.

Heaven and hell help you if yu got to go to a lawyer.

Yu got to take out a mortgage to pay dem fee and dey don’t provide hire-purchase service. The US still has 50 states and we ain’t no Porto Rico.

Is a good ting, de Commish do he ting and full up de place wid police fo de holidays. People can breathe a sigh of temporary relief.

We need de horse guards, especially around de market square. Now de place don’t smell like Christmas because we getting ice apple and grapes throughout de year.

But it looking like Christmas because of the decora-

tions and Christmas trees.

Is de high season for some people? Dem bandits rampant and dem rabbing plenty supermarkets. Is a good thing one good policeman fire at one of dem. But what happen to de hired security guard all de time? He freeze up or? Dis place got to be treated like ‘Little Guyana’ in Liberty Avenue where police cars patrol de area 24 x 7.

Dem bais say de mayor looking fo ‘breathing space’ while pedestrians begging fo ‘walking space.’ Shoppers searching fo ‘parking space’ and business owners crying fo ‘off-loading space.’ Truckers, drivers and bikers don’t have enough space but vendors using any space available. The mayor ain’t sure of he place because is a race without any pace while de CJ hold de ace!

Loo better run before he get replace and de Red Cross come out wid dem bucket.

Yours respectively, Jai Lall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Venezuela: Tiny thinking can be a dangerous thing

ONE of the most popular quotes taken from the writings of Alexander Pope in 1709, has been in use since then, always in a cynical way.

It goes like this: “A little learning can be a dangerous thing.” What Pope meant was that the little learning you have can cloth you with the delusion that you know more about the subject you expound on, but you actually know nothing about it.

After Guyana signed a contract with ExxonMobil and oil began to pump, we saw a plethora of “experts” on petroleum engineering, international oil markets, international negotiations, and climate science.

When you ran a check on the curriculum vitae of these people, you found they were no experts at all; just people with a tiny idea about oil. And this tiny idea becomes a delusion that they have knowledge about the subject they dwell on.

The identical situation exists after President Maduro initiated his referendum of Guyana’s territory of Essequibo. We are now seeing in this country “experts” on international relations, international realpolitik and

“But man, proud man, Dress’d in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he’s most assur’d” William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”

political theory.

One well known letter-writer, particularly in the Stabroek News has suggested that Venezuela and Guyana should seek dialogue based on a statement former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made on his official trip to Guyana.

It is said that President Chavez echoed the sentiment that the border issue was an imperialist design by the Americans to create strife between Venezuela and Guyana.

To discuss the current Venezuela aggression against Guyana within the context of a statement by a previous president is a mediocre understanding of political theory.

Mr. Chavez ruled from 1999 to 2013 and in those 14 years he never made an official statement renouncing his country’s claim on the Essequibo.

If Mr. Chavez felt that it was indeed a 19th century imperialist divide and rule stratagem, the most gratifying thing in his anti-imperialist repertoire was to denounce the claim by way of a parliamentary motion before his state visit to Guyana.

Interestingly, on his

visit to Guyana, my column for that day was a question to him to renounce the claim on Essequibo. Mr. Glen Lall the owner of the newspaper informed me that the column would be dropped because Guyana should not be seen criticizing Chavez on his visit. I still have that column and will look for it and reprint it on my Chronicle page.

Alternatively, he could have done the same after his return to Venezuela.

He came in 2004 and died in office in 2013. There was no parliamentary motion for the ratification of the renunciation of the claim. Chavez for all his popularity in Venezuela did not do it. He could have done it. I am postulating that the reason was because he simply did not want to do it.

There is no basis then to call for a diplomatic covenant with Venezuela within the context of Chavez’s statement to discuss good neighbourly relations.

Based on traditional diplomatic rules that have long existed, Guyana and Venezuela should as soon as possible have a meeting of minds to strategise

on future improvement of relations with the distinct intention of having friendly closeness.

This diplomatic initiative must be based on an inflexible conditionality on Guyana’s part. There must be an acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the boundaries between the two countries. This columnist is advocating the position that any diplomatic covenant between Guyana even if Maduro says he won a referendum on Essequibo, must be based on that conditionality.

There is no basis for Guyana and Venezuela

to discuss trade and increased cooperation if Venezuela maintains a claim on the Essequibo.

Here is what I believe.

Maduro is going to rig the referendum and use it to bargain for a part of Essequibo.

He is going to say to the Guyanese President that the Venezuelan people have spoken. In negotiations with President Ali, he will say that he has to take something back to his people.

Whatever he wants to take back, Guyana is in no position to offer a parcel of land to him, no matter how small. Please remem-

ber this column after the referendum. Maduro is going to call for a dialogue with Guyana, and he will ask for a concession of land in exchange for a settlement.

There is absolutely no feeling among the Guyanese people for such an outcome. The 1899 award is now international law and Maduro must be told by Guyana that Essequibo will never be discussed now and forever. There can be no intimate relationship between the two neighbours once Venezuela’s claim remains.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Forests continue to be central to Guyana’s low-carbon vision -Vice President, Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

WITH funding from the US$37.5 million REDD+ carbon-credits scheme, over 500 projects are currently being implemented in indigenous villages all across Guyana. Guyana’s national carbon-credits programme is demonstrating how forests continue to be central to Guyana’s low-carbon vision and implementation.

During his briefing on Guyana's Carbon Credit Programme and Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030) last Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the Vice-President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, shared Guyana’s progress on the implementation of the LCDS and the roll out of the carbon-credits programme.

At the briefing, Vice-President Jagdeo expressed that the nation has gained valuable knowledge from the 2009 Norway-Guyana Partnership. “We said let’s create a model to show that all the issues that were raised by the developed world, particularly regarding the inclusion of forests as part of a market-based mechanism, and there were several aspects that have to be further developed at the level of the UNFCCC.” It is anticipated that there would be some movement on that at the upcoming Conference of Parties meeting of the UNFCCC, scheduled for early December 2023, in the UAE. The Vice-President outlined that implementation of the national carbon-credits programme is already see-

ing rapid implementation at the village level. He recalled that 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.

“We’re seeing implementation of over 500 projects this year in Indigenous communities using a model where community involvement is central … in fact, we’re building capacity in these villages to ensure this,” the Vice-President underscored.

Dr. Jagdeo also highlighted that capacity is being developed to effectively manage projects that are

being provided by supporting leaders with the task of developing their communities and providing them with the tools necessary to assure sustainability and effective management of their projects.

According to the Vice-President, "it is a very important task for us now and in the future, as more and more funds go into these villages, not only through the LCDS 2030, but directly through the central government... Capacity-building to manage projects and to account for finances is more important, and I have seen the growth of that in these villages.”

In attendance at the briefing were Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President overseeing Finance; Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources; Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Amerindian Affairs; Zulfikar

Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture; and Derrick John, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC).

Dr. Jagdeo informed the public in an earlier press conference held in September 2023, that Guyana has been making significant revenues from the sale of its carbon credits. These funds are designated for important projects related to adaptation and development in the hinterland regions of Guyana.

“All the resources are channelled through a designated account that follows all required legislative requirements.”

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. “So, the 15 per

cent that goes to the indigenous people, they will have management responsibility for that. And of the 85 per cent for 2023, that remains, we said we want to use it mainly for adaptation in this current period,” he noted.

The Vice-President went on to describe the particular initiatives that will gain from the 85 per cent allotment, which include bolstering the capacity for water management in different areas, revitalising koker networks, and improving canal systems.

Dr. Jagdeo also added that Guyana's devotion to combating climate change and advancing sustainable development in the area is exemplified by Guyana’s accelerated implementation of the LCDS 2030.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Kopinang witnessing improved economic prosperity

– as more than $20M injected into the community

OVER the last three years, the lives of the residents of Kopinang village in the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight, have been significantly improved with the injection of more than $20 million in capital projects in the community.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, while engaging villagers during her four-day outreach to the North Pakaraimas district over the weekend, highlighted the substantial investments made which have expanded economic growth in the community.

Through support from the government, the village received a tractor along with other implements, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and a cassava-processing facility. A benab was also constructed which will advance the tourism product in the community.

“In 2023, an ATV has been awarded to this village under the capital projects…it is coming in the batch of 35 that we expect before the end of the year…that (ATV) and the truck may come together,” the minister revealed.

Additionally, the village has benefitted from some $24 million from the carbon-credit funds, and as part of this initiative, a $6.5 million sewing centre to be utilised by residents is expected to be constructed under the $3 billion supplementary fund provided in 2022; the village’s fish-rearing project is also being expanded.

Through the Presidential Grants, Kopinang also received $7.5 million to support several development-driven projects including the renovation of a multipurpose building which was facilitated at a cost of $1.6 million, $1.8 million for the establishment of a lumber yard enterprise and $1.8 million to enhance the village’s market.

In 2023, a total of $2 million was provided for the construction of another benab as well as a waiting area at the airstrip.

“When you put together, within three years what the government has provided to Kopinang, it is a significant investment in the village…Most of the monies are provided to

Over the last three years, the lives of the residents of Kopinang village in the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight, have been significantly improved with the injection of more than $20 million in capital projects in the community

the village for community participation to take off…

So the money circulates here” Minister Sukhai noted.

“I am very happy to support the venture and if young people can stand up to the rigors of the village and challenges…

We’re readily available to help them,” the minister expressed.

The youths of Kopinang were also presented with football kits for an upcoming ministry-sponsored competition in the North Pakaraimas district. (DPI)

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Venezuela’s actions are unjustifiable in international law

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

- Bar Association shares national view that the Bolivarian Republic’s recent steps constitute unjust interference with Guyana’s right to peace, economic development

The following is the full text of a statement from the Bar Association of Guyana on the topic at hand: “THE Bar Association of Guyana wishes to join the national concern regarding the proposed announcement by the Gov-

ernment of Venezuela that it will carry out a Consultative Referendum to ask the Venezuelan public to consider several questions related to the legal validity and binding effect of the Arbitral Award of 3 October, 1899.

The questions raise is-

sues about Guyana’s sovereignty over the territory between the Essequibo River and the internationally recognised western boundaries of Guyana; the purported creation of a new Venezuelan State encompassing the Essequibo region; as well as other

legal and political matters.

These actions appear to be a precursor to the forced annexation of Guyana’s territory and have the effect of aggravating or extending the controversy that has been referred to the International Court of Justice.

In which referral an approach by the Government of Guyana for provisional measures in the proceedings currently pending before that Court.

Venezuela’s actions (generally and those which are the subject of the request for provisional measures) are unjustifi-

able in international law.

Whatever the motivations or intentions of the Venezuelan Government, they are repugnant to the spirit of goodwill and peace which ought to pervade amongst neighbours.

We share the concern of the Guyanese people that Venezuela’s actions are an unjust interference with our right to peace and self-determination and a regrettable fetter on our economic development aspirations. The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana stands in full support of the Government of Guy-

ana’s actions to defend Guyana’s territorial integrity in the referenced judicial proceedings and the wider diplomatic efforts.

The Executive Council of the Bar Association of Guyana intends to host a symposium with national legal experts on December 4, 2023 to discuss the legal issues before the International Court of Justice. This will address not only Guyana’s application for provisional measures, but also the wider principles in the principal proceedings.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

500 projects being implemented in Amerindian communities - through carbon-credit funding, Vice-President Jagdeo says

By Melissa Gordon G U Y A N A ' S ground-breaking deal to sell carbon credits earned as a result of its pristine rainforests, has begun to deliver substantial positive results in indigenous communities across the country.

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, during his weekly press conference on Thursday, said that the first disbursement of funds under the agreement has already resulted in 500 transformative projects being implemented for advancement of the welfare and development of Guyana’s indigenous population.

He said: "$22.5 million was given to 242 Amerindian communities, $5 million to the Guyana Forestry Commission and $122.5 million remains in a bank account to be used for adaptation funding.”

Speaking to the projects being developed and implemented under the village administrations, Dr Jagdeo said: "These projects, I must say, are making a huge difference; the 500 projects to these villages."

Highlighting the meticulous planning process for development of the projects, Vice-President Jagdeo said villages utilised a consultative process to develop proposals,

with each community holding meetings to derive sustainability plans for utilising the funds.

“We insisted that they would have to have the minutes of the meeting held at the village to approve the plan, along with an attendance record of the participants in the village, the villagers to show a buy-in at the level of the village, [among other things]," he said.

Monitoring mechanisms are also a core component, according to Vice-President Jagdeo, noting that finance and monitoring committees must be established in each village to oversee disbursements.

Dr Jagdeo also contrasted the efficiency of the direct payments to indigenous villages to past funding through international intermediaries, for instance, the Norway payments.

The Vice-President said too that the argument is not just to have funding for initiatives, but also mechanisms for getting funds which are fit to purpose.

“We have demonstrated this through this arrangement now, because we have changed that mechanism… all the funds will be placed in an account that is under our national jurisdiction, but to be audited by international audit

firms and presented to our Parliament to see that their funds are secure.

“So, we've changed the model a bit. And because of that change in the model, we have had 500 projects in one year under implementation when it took us sometimes two or three projects from the international community 13 years to get invented,” Dr Jagdeo said.

In line with the government's ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, a noteworthy commitment has been made to allocate 15 per cent of all revenues generated from forest-carbon markets to Amerindian communities.

This allocation is contingent upon their voluntary participation and development of Village Sustainability Plans.

T h e a g re e m e n t stipulates that the Hess Corporation is set to acquire 37.5 million high-quality REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) carbon credits from Guyana. This transaction, spanning the period between 2022 and 2032, is valued at a minimum of US$750 million, emphasising the substantial financial support directed towards the LCDS objectives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

EU ‘pumps’ €19M into new programme to enhance Caribbean’s agri-food systems

THE European Union (EU) is providing €19 million to enhance the resilience and sustainability of food systems in the Caribbean, promoting food and nutrition security, particularly for groups in vulnerable situations.

This, according to a press statement from CARICOM, is part of the EU’s larger €600 million effort to step up support to the most vulnerable African, Caribbean and Pacific countries hit by the global food crisis.

The EU-CARIFORUM Food Security Programme was launched on 23 November in Guyana in the presence of the Secretary General of CARICOM/ CARIFORUM, Dr Carla N. Barnett, and Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister for Agriculture of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, representing the President of the Republic of Guyana, lead head for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification and Food Security in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.

Under this food security programme, the EU and CARIFORUM will work hand in hand with their respective national partners to target some of the most pressing bottlenecks to achieving a sustainable solution to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean region.

This includes sustainable and climate-smart production processes of locally produced food, efficient and reliable regional distribution mechanisms, healthy consumption patterns, and resilient social protection structures.

The programme will also advance the CARICOM joint commitment to reduce the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and the Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy of the OECS.

For this purpose, the EU is collaborating with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), in coordination with CARIFORUM, CARICOM and the CARICOM Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security.

The ITC component will strengthen selected value chains and market linkages, while IICA will focus on enhancing sanitary and phytosanitary systems. In parallel, FIIAPP will work with Caribbean countries on the issues of nutrition and healthy diets and supporting inclusive social protection systems.

The CDB component will focus on attracting investment, supporting agri-tech solutions and enhancing distribution channels, in particular through intra-regional maritime transport.

This programme is also in line with the new EU Global Gateway strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

European Commission Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships Mrs. Myriam Ferran affirmed: “In this dire context of global food crisis, I want to stress, the European Union’s commitment to supporting regional efforts towards more sustainable and resilient food systems in the Caribbean.

“The new EU programme that we are launching here today has consulted with national, regional and international partners and will promote food and nutrition security, particularly for groups in

vulnerable situations. It will have a strong focus on facilitating investment as a key driver of growth and development of the agricultural and fishery sector.”

The Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Carla Barnett, noted that food and nutrition security is now one of the highest priorities for CARICOM. “The Programme is expected to contribute to several critical outputs, including supporting research and investments in food production solutions, strengthening selected agriculture and fisheries value-chains at local and

regional levels, and improving food processing capabilities to increase regional food distribution,” she said.

Minister for Agriculture of the Cooperative Re-

public of Guyana, Zulfikar Mustapha said: “This EU Caribbean Regional Food Security Programme is expected to have a wide cross-section of beneficiaries such as regulatory

and inspection services, competent authorities, laboratories and private sector, small producers, fisher-folk, agri-business operators, cooperatives and producer organisations with special consideration for youth, women and other [vulnerable] persons through social inclusion.”

He said that CARICOM’s expectation is that the project will provide on-the-ground, accelerated results towards achieving Vision 25 by 2025. Implementation of the project will start in December 2023 and will last for four years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Housing Ministry commits to thoroughly investigate genuine reports of misconduct THE following is the full text of a statement from the Ministry of Housing and Water on the matter at hand: “IT has been brought to the attention of the management of the Ministry of Housing and Water that there are a number of allegations, which are circulating on social media, about corrupt activities by certain employees regarding housing matters.

The ministry is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and service in the exercise of our mandate in the housing sector, and

we take these allegations with utmost seriousness.

We encourage anyone with solid evidence of such corrupt activities to come forward and report it immediately to the Guyana Police Force, the ministers or the permanent secretary.

All information received will be treated with strict confidence and will be used in our internal investigations. We are committed to thoroughly investigating any genuine reports of misconduct within the ministry.

We would like to reassure the public and firmly state that the Ministry of

Housing and Water will not condone any form of unethical behaviour or corruption. Any employee who is found to be engaging in corrupt transactions will face serious disciplinary action and also the full force of the law, where appropriate.

Furthermore, in response to the allegations made, the ministry has intensified monitoring of the activities in the areas highlighted to ensure that all procedures are strictly followed.

Members of the public are also reminded that all applications for house lots are processed di-

rectly at the Ministry of Housing and Water and its regional offices by authorised employees.

The ministry does not have any middlemen or external agents who are authorised to conduct business on its behalf.

The Ministry of Housing and Water remains committed to its mission to empower citizens through our housing programmes.

We wish to thank the members of the public for their vigilance and for helping us to maintain the integrity of our processes.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Science and innovation core elements of FAO’s efforts to fight hunger - FAO Director-General tells panel on harnessing science and technology at Global Food Security Summit in London

FIGHTING global hunger requires greater and better investments in science, technology and innovation to ensure that our agrifood systems are able to produce more with less while leaving no one behind, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) told a Global Food Security Summit in London on Monday.

QU Dongyu was invited to attend a panel discussion on "Harnessing science and technology for food security" by the government of the United Kingdom, together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), as part of a global summit designed to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition.

The summit focused on the best of science and innovation to prevent food insecurity and malnutrition.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the United Arab Emirate's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Almheiri, were among those addressing the summit's plenary.

Qu was invited to set the scene for the panel discussion, which focused on the unprecedented challenges facing global agrifood systems. These include ongoing conflicts, and the impacts of the climate crisis leading to extreme weather events that are reducing crop yields.

In this context, science and technology have the potential to unlock substantive growth in the Global South, reduce global food prices, tackle hunger and enable healthier diets by improving food availability, accessibility and affordability. It is also essential for tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.

Qu noted that science and innovation are at the core of the FAO Strategic Framework for the next decade, and key accelerators for meeting the aspiration of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Qu called for a “stable and consistent commitment from politicians” to deliver the benefits of science and technology to all, as well as the right investments at the right stages.

“Let’s work together hand in hand,” Qu said.

The panel discussion was opened by the United Kingdom's Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Andrew Griffith, who talked about the hurdles facing the need to feed a growing population amid the climate crisis.

“There has never been a greater imperative to act,” Griffith said, noting that his government was committed to delivering a “bold” transformation of agrifood systems.

Also taking part in the panel discussions were Beth Dunford, Vice President of the African Development Bank, who spoke about the need to develop technologies at scale; and David Ernest Silinde, Tanzania's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, who also emphasised that technology and innovation should be available for all. Investing in human capital should also play a key role, he said.

FAO’S WORK FAO will launch a Global Roadmap for the simultaneous achievement of a world free of hunger by 2030, while not breaching the 1.5 Celsius degree threshold, at the upcoming COP28 meeting in the United Arab Emirates.

The Organization is already using innovative applications such as Artificial

Intelligence, Big Data and diverse high-quality data and information sources needed for impactful digital solutions that benefit small scale producers. Digital tools developed by FAO are also being adopted to improve early warning, risk forecasting, biosecurity, and mitigation measures for health threats within the One Health approach.

All of these were highlighted at the recently held FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2023.

The panel discussion focused on the unprecedented challenges facing global agrifood systems and on how science and technology can help tackle hunger and the climate crisis

The Forum noted that science, technology and innovation must be tailored to local conditions across national agrifood systems; there is a critical

need to embrace inclusivity and equitable partnerships and engage youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples in shaping the future of agrifood systems;

and the critical need for cross-sector collaboration to achieve transformative change was reinforced.

(FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Newly released ‘Thunda Whine’ sets mood for 2024 Soca season

‘THUNDA Whine’ is the name of the latest song written and released by local singing sensation Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo to set the mood for the rest of the songs to come for the 2024 Soca season.

Officially released last Wednesday, the song was produced by Timon Fraser of Fraser Recordz and is basically about a female who has a seductive and tempting whine.

“This is because Carnival and Soca music is all about the waistline and good vibes,” Jumo told Buzz this week.

“Every year, I do either power or groove songs. Even though this is a groove song, I wanted to have a storyline and give the song longevity, meaning that it can be played at any time and not just for Mash or Carnival,” he added.

The release is a fusion of artistes who live both in and out of Guyana and it is a collaboration of voices showing unity amongst artistes, according to Jumo.

He is expecting a positive

‘Thunda Whine’ was officially released last Wednesday

Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo

response from the public as, according to him, it is that type of “feel good Soca.”

“And it’s early, so this is just to set the mood for the rest of the songs to come, as in Trinidad, they started releasing music since September. We need to start doing the same in order to build

our Mash vibes and create a momentum for Mash 2024,” he said.

Jumo’s future plans include reopening his 592 Club which was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have renovated the entire building, giving it a new look and it will be avail-

able also for renting for wedding receptions, parties and other events,” Jumo shared.

Following the pandemic, Jumo had said he was happy to be on the road again for Mash, Independence, and Cricket Carnival.

Even as he pays attention to his business, and his nightclub, Jumo said number one on his list is his music.

“My focus is on my music because that is what I love.”

Instead of leaving the country for ‘greener pastures’ he prefers to stay here and contribute to moving Guyana forward.

Earlier this year, he released ‘Cockroaches’ that had as its message: “Cleanse your life. Sanitise your life.

Protect yourself from these cockroaches.”

Jumo had said it’s time people rid themselves of negative traits that others exhibit. “Anything that is unwanted, negative, would cause you pain, that don’t want you to succeed. I am saying to spray them out your life. Cleanse them.”

DJ Stress’ boat cruise back again – from Parika to Bartica

TWENTY years ago, there was hardly any boat cruises in the country when Paul Adrian Bonar Jnr. hosted his first one from Parika to Fort Island. As he gears up to host another on Sunday, December 3, nothing has changed in terms of his passion and drive in promoting an event he knows meets the needs of his loyal supporters.

Popularly known as “DJ Stress,” Bonar, the first events promoter to get a boat cruise on the Chinese ferry, is currently in full promotion mode as the event nears, especially on his ‘Morning Drive with DJ Stress’ radio show.

Reflecting on how the idea of a boat cruise started,

Bonar is currently preparing to host his 26th boat cruise

Paul ‘DJ Stress’ Bonar

Bonar told Buzz this week: “I didn’t see any being done for a certain niche of music lovers in terms of Bollywood music, Chutney, 70s and 80s music. I was only seeing boat cruises with other genres of music but not for the people who like [this kind of music].”

Unlike other events,

Bonar said persons are allowed to walk with their coolers to his cruise. Even as he ensures a well-stocked drinks and food bar, he said he understands that people like to walk with their own food and drinks.

With entertainment being provided by 71 Sounds, tickets are available in

Georgetown, on the East Bank of Demerara, West Coast Demerara, on the Essequibo Coast, East Coast Demerara, Mahaicony, West Berbice, East Berbice, and in Bartica.

Although numerous arrangements must be put in place to pull off one of his events, Bonar often resorts to organising most of the details himself. Even as he sees delegation as necessary, Bonar had told this publication in a previous interview that he likes things done in a certain way and in accordance with a particular timeline.

“Maybe this explains why he has often been told that he is always a step ahead in the entertainment industry, and why fans and

partygoers often meet him to let him know how much they enjoyed his events,” a previous article had said.

In organising his events, Bonar had said it is not always as easy as it looks.

Many arrangements have to be put in place in order to ensure a smooth running show including providing security through the police, scanning people for firearms, providing parking space and vehicle security, having floodlights in place, DJs, cleaners, special lighting effects, and a temporary medical outpost.

“I do all of the organisation and then I delegate to others. Sometimes I prefer to do everything on my own,” he had said. (Telesha Ramnarine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Kuru Kururu gears Joel Perry is Miss East Bank 2023 up for youth talent fest, Christmas tree light-up on Dec. 9

Yesania Dalgety, Miss Professional 2023

Last weekend, Joel Perry was crowned Miss East Bank 2023. Lisa Hassan and Demetreia Blair copped first and second runners-up, respectively. Twelve beautiful, talented and courageous young women participated in the pageant (NCN photo)

SMITH’S Plaza in Kuru Kururu, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, will be hosting their first Kuru Kururu Youth Talent Fest, with the final performance scheduled for December 9, at their 3rd annual Christmas tree light-up The auditions for the talent show will be held on November 26, at Martin’s Place 123, Kuru Kururu.

Coordinator of the event, Jeanette Frank, told Buzz that, for the past three years, Smith’s Plaza has hosted the Christmas Village and Christmas tree light-up, among other initiatives.

“Every year we focus on a particular group. The first year it was just open to the public, everybody could come. The following year,

we focused on the seniors; we highlighted seniors who made enormous contributions to the community and ensuring its growth.”

Last year, the emphasis was on the future of Guyana the children who would have excelled academically at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

This year, however, the focus will be on the youths and expanding their talents.

Yesania Dalgety, a teacher at the Kuru Kururu Primary School who gained the title of Miss Professional in May will be in the spotlight this year.

This event aims to create a platform for Yesania to work with talented youths who can hopefully get sponsorship from the Ministry of

Culture Youth and Sport.

Frank also stated that the purpose of the auditions is to ensure that the persons they are placing on stage are able to perform for their audience.

The winner of the talent competition will receive a cash prize of $50,000.

Registration forms are available at Smith’s Plaza until today. For more information persons are encouraged to call 646-5553.

The coordinator said that, in addition to the talent show, they will host their Christmas Village, where business owners will have an opportunity to display their products and services. With a small payment of $3,000, they will have a tent and table with chairs.

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Paint and Pour by Pinch Creative Expressions set for Dec. 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Tickets are currently on sale for the Paint and Pour event

PINCH Creative Expressions will be hosting ‘Paint and Pour’, an evening of painting at the Hibiscus Restaurant on December 9, 2023 from 17:30 hours.

Join them for a delightful evening of artistic expression with partners, friends, family, children and parents. The event will be facilitated by their trained artist, Christina, who will guide persons through the fun-filled painting experience.

“Whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned artist, we're here to make sure you enjoy every moment.

Let's create masterpieces together on the canvas,” the organisers have assured.

Moreover, they promise an evening with a difference with no need for persons to feel self-conscious of their

piece. “It’s your interpretation and masterpiece.”

Tickets cost $9,500, and are available for pickup at Pinch Creative Expressions located at Kalyan Building on Lamaha Street, between Camp and Waterloo streets Georgetown.

Moreover, the organisers can be contacted via WhatsApp number +592 616 2104 to reserve a ticket or visit Pinch Creative Expressions’ Facebook page.

The ticket includes all materials necessary for the artistic experience, two cocktails and finger foods.

Pinch Creative Expressions has over 15 years of experience in art, and is here to provide Guyanese with art supplies and boost their love for art.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

The Yutes join Popcaan for European tour; release single The Streets

THE Yutes have joined Popcaan for a nine-date European tour to build support for their forthcoming debut album, Ghetto Yutes.

‘The Streets’ is the latest single from The Yutes forthcoming debut album.

Produced by JP Soundz, the track offers a gritty outlook over tough instrumental.

The Yutes (Jamaican patois for The Youth), the brother duo composed of Chris and Santris, deftly combine their Jamaican heritage with modern trap elements into a dynamic sound with eclectic appeal. The sons of dancehall legend Mr Lexx, The Yutes leverage an unparalleled authenticity and heightened musical sensibility to consistently push the creative envelope.

They are scheduled to support Popcaan in various European cities, including Berlin, Paris, Oslo, Stockholm, Dublin, Manchester,

and Amsterdam. They plan to stop over in the UK, meeting gatekeepers within the scene and diving into the heritage of Jamaican music whilst in London.

During their tour, The Yutes will have a promotional window in London from November 22-24, 2023.

This period will be dedicated to engaging with UK radio stations through interviews, sessions, and other promotional activities. The aim is to introduce their music to a wider audience.

Chuck Wilson, CEO of legendary NYC-based independent hip hop label Babygrande, said: "We've been building The Yutes for a minute in the US and Caribbean, and are now looking forward to sharing their music with a broader international audience. They're keen to connect with UK audiences in a meaningful way

building bridges for future collaboration whilst on this huge Popcaan EU tour."

The Yutes made 2021 theirs, as they quickly followed their Curren$y-assisted High Grade collaboration with the mesmerising Shomi Patwary-directed Bring It Back official video and In The Kitchen featuring Stove God Cooks.

The Jamaican style-benders' unique artistry earned them a collection of accolades, including placement on A3C Volume 7 with Trap Don Dadas, and a show-stealing performance at Art Basel Miami 2022.

Now, following their 2022 debut Get Money with Masicka and the Govana-assisted single Riches & Power, The Yutes drop Better Days, the third and final single from their forthcoming album. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Marlon Samuels banned from all cricket for six years for breaching anti-corruption code

FORMER West Indies batter, Marlon Samuels, has been banned from all cricket for six years by the ICC, after he was found guilty of corrupt behaviour during the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2019, where he was part of the Karnataka Tuskers but did not play.

An independent tribunal found Samuels guilty on four counts, including accepting favours that brought himself and the game into disrepute and concealing information from the investigating authorities. He had been punished for a similar offence 15 years ago.

"Samuels played international cricket for close to two decades, during which he participated in numerous anti-corruption sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes," Alex Marshall, the head of ICC's HR and Integrity Unit, said.

"Though he is retired now, Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules."

The Abu Dhabi T10 is an Emirates Cricket Board-run tournament [and]as such it is their anti-corruption code that is in operation. By their

Marlon Samuels was charged on four counts in September 2021 and was found guilty in August (2023 • Getty Images)

rules, the ICC conducts all investigations into breaches made and they found Samuels had made four of them.

Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) - Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision)- Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of

hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.

Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) - Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official's investigation.

Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) - Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official's investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.

Samuels' ban takes effect from November 11, 2023.

He was initially charged by the ICC in September 2021 before he was found guilty of the offences in August this year.

Samuels, who topscored for West Indies in the final of both the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup, last played international cricket in 2018 and announced his retirement in November 2020 with over 11,000 international runs across formats. He was no stranger to controversy during his career, the lowest point of which was his two-year ban after being found guilty, in May 2008, of "receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute".(Cricinfo)

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 24, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 2 times (1983 vs WI & 2011 vs SL) (2) 2 times (2003 & 2023 vs AUST) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many centuries were scored in the 2023 World Cup? (2) Who was voted Man of the Match in the 2023 World Cup final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Harmanpreet details challenges ahead of much-awaited home Test season

Harmanpreet Kaur

INDIA Women skipper Harmanpreet Kaur discussed the excitement and challenges ahead of a home season featuring two Tests.

Test cricket will feature for the first time in India women's home season since 2014 when they take on England and Australia. In 2014, they defeated South Africa by an innings and 34 runs in Mysore.

They’ve played only two Tests since, both away fixtures, against England and Australia in 2021. The side performed well in both games and managed to walk away with honours even.

Harmanpreet Kaur led India’s recovery with the bat against Australia in the semi-final at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

Harmanpreet, who has featured in merely three Tests in her career so far, was enthusiastic about featuring in a home Test for the first time since 2014.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, she said that there was excitement about the upcoming Tests, but at the

same time, the side faced the challenge of having not played any red-ball cricket in recent times.

Anjum Chopra joins ICC Digital Insider, Sanjana Ganesan, to reflect on taking a moment to console Harmanpreet Kaur after India's loss to Australia in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023.

“The Test series is something which we are really looking forward to because I haven't played in front of a home crowd [since featuring against South Africa], so I'm really excited for that," Harmanpreet said. “The challenge for us is that we haven't played with the red ball.

“We have been playing with the white ball for so many years, even in domestic cricket also we don't have red-ball cricket back home.

So, the challenge for us is to make yourself ready in such a short time.”

While the all-rounder, in the middle of a busy Women’s Big Bash League campaign, wished to get some

red-ball practice before the Tests, it turned out to be an impractical consideration.

“I had that thought if I can simultaneously do some red-ball practice also, but because it's such a packed schedule you can't mix things.

“We're playing T20 cricket and the Test game is a totally different kind of game, so I didn't want to mix it.

When I'm going back, I have ten days to prepare myself.”

Commentary team select their favourite moment of World Cup | CWC23 England’s tour of India is slated to begin from 6 December with a three-game T20I series. They will feature in a one-off four-day Test from 14-17 December at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Australia will tour next, beginning with a four-day Test at the Wankhede stadium from 21-24 December.

This will be followed by an ODI and T20I series between the two sides. (ICC Media)

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

BCB Premier T/20 tournament

Five teams register victories Windies U-19 Girls’ spinner, Munsieur, takes 4-18

FEMALE West Indies off spinner and Skipper, Ashmini Munsieur, took 4-18 for Rose Hall Canje against Young Warriors CC as play in the BCB Premier 20/20 tournament continued last Sunday with five matches across the County. Munsieur shared the spotlight with club mate, Sanjay Algoo who scored 64 while Anthony Bramble scored 77 and Police pacer, Irwin Barton, took 4-7.

The final match of the round-robin format between Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt and Port Mourant will be played on Saturday at the Area H ground.

The tournament involves 12 teams, divided into three zones with the top two in each zone advancing to the second round.

Albion defeated the BCB President’s X1 by 122 runs at Port Mourant.

Albion reached 193-3 in 20 overs with Bramble top scoring with 77.

Berbice player, Adrian Sukhwa, scored 44 while Afraz Budhoo hit an un-

Ashmini Munsieur had 4-18 for Canjie

beaten 31.

Arlinge Rogers took 2-24 for the President’s X1 which was dismissed for 71 in nine overs with Tameshwar Mangal with 24 being the only batter to put up a fight. Budhoo had 3-17 while off spinner, Karran Arjpaul, took 2-8.

Rose Hall Canje created a huge upset with a 50-run victory over

Young Warriors at the Canje Welfare ground. It was the first time that the home team had defeated the Cumberland line-up in a first division match.

Canje scored 158 for seven with national under 17 all-rounder, Sanjay Algoo, scoring a blistering 64 with five sixes as Suresh Dhanai took 2-34.

Young Warriors, in reply, were bowled out for 108

Anthony Bramble made 77 for Albion

in 18 overs with only Ricardo Ramdeholl offering resistant to Munsieur as she spun webs around the Young Warriors batters with 4 for 18. Algoo followed up his fifty with

3-28.

Tucber Park, led by West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd beat hosts Blairmount by 31 runs.

Tucber Park reached

Ireland but did not feature in the Ashes, before returning to the white-ball set-up for September's rain-affected Ireland series.

He has taken two wickets in a short ODI career so far, having only played three matches in the format.

But the seamer had an impressive summer, playing a crucial role in

Durham's promotion to Division One of the County Championship, taking 54 wickets in 21 matches.

140- 9 in 20 overs with Zeeynul Ramsammy hitting 40 and Garfield Benjamin 29. Blairmount, in reply, were bowled out for 109 with Leon Swammy taking 3-14 while Ramsammy and Kwesi Mickel grabbed two wickets each.

West Berbice defeated Police by 62 runs at the Cotton Tree ground.

West Berbice scored 1688 from 20 overs with Leon Andrew 43, Rashad Gaffoor 48 and Nickel Fraser 28 being the principal scorers for the home team. Barton took 4-7 in a fiery spell for Police.

The lawmen, in reply, were restricted to 106-9 in 20 overs with in-form Kereen Mentore with 52 and Fraser (24) leading the fight against off spinner Andrew Dutchin (422) and Gaffoor (3-31).

At the Skeldon ground, Skeldon lost to Upper Corentyne by six wickets. Upper Corentyne scored 91- 4 in 13 overs in reply to Skeldon’s 88-9 in 20 overs.

Rishi Persaud led the charge to victory with 53 not out.

Matthew Potts replaces Josh Tongue in England squad for Windies ODIs

DURHAM seamer, Matthew Potts, played the most recent of his three ODIs against Ireland at Bristol in September.

The three-match ODI series begins in Antigua on Sunday December 3.

It is followed by five T20s, starting on December 12.

The series against West Indies is England's first action, following their disap-

pointing World Cup exit at the group stage, with only six players from that squad featuring.

Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes have been dropped for the ODIs but are included for the T20 leg, while Dawid Malan has been left out entirely.

Tongue remains uncapped in white-ball crick-

et. He made his Test debut against Ireland in June, taking 5-66 in the second innings of England's 10-wicket win.

He also played in the second Test of the Ashes that followed but missed September's T20 series against New Zealand with injury.

Potts, 25, also played the one-off Test against

England v West Indies fixtures Sunday December 3: First ODI, Antigua Wednesday December 6: Second ODI, Antigua Saturday December 9: Third ODI, Barbados

Tuesday December 12: First T20, Barbados Thursday December 14: Second T20, Grenada Saturday December 16: Third T20, Grenada Tuesday December 19: Fourth T20, Trinidad & Tobago Thursday December 21: Fifth T20, Trinidad & Tobago

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Davis Cup Finals 2023:

Novak Djokovic seals Serbia's win over Great Britain

By Jonathan Jurejko GREAT Britain are out of the Davis Cup after Cameron Norrie was unable to inflict a rare defeat on Novak Djokovic to keep alive their semi-final hopes.

Britain's Jack Draper lost 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) to Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening match of the best-of-three tie.

That result meant Norrie had to beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic for the first time in his career.

But Djokovic showed his class as he cruised to a 6-4 6-4 win and set Serbia up for a semi-final against Italy.

"It's difficult knowing that Cam has to go and play Djokovic after, and that's seemingly a must-win match for me," Draper, 21, said.

"I back Cam but it's definitely a tough challenge to go out there knowing that there is a lot more pressure on me to win the match.

"That's the kind of pressure that if I want to be a top player, I have to cope with and perform under. It's tough not to get the

Kecmanovic did not face a break point in the opening set, winning 21 of his 25 first-serve points and backing that up with a reliable second serve which gave nothing away to Draper

win today."

Britain, who last won the Davis Cup in 2015, will not automatically qualify for the 2024 knockout stage after their quarter-final exit in Malaga.

Unless they receive a wildcard for the Final Eight, Leon Smith's team will have to negotiate the same path as this year - a qualifying tie early next year, followed by the round-robin stage.

Djokovic takes another step towards another trophy Despite being in the twilight of his career, 36-year-old

Djokovic's powers are showing little sign of diminishing.

In another extraordinary season, Djokovic has won the Australian Open, French Open and US Open titles, with his only defeat at a major coming against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

On Sunday, the world number one further underlined his superiority by rounding off the tour season with a record seventh title at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Now he is aiming to cap a spectacular year, even by his

standards, by adding the Davis Cup to his enviable trophy haul.

Djokovic's supremacy this season - and the gulf between him and most of his rivals - was further emphasised by a dominant performance against Norrie.

Norrie has been a fixture inside the world's top 20 for three successive seasons but was short of the quality needed to really damage Djokovic.

Djokovic took two of his 12 break point opportunities, while Norrie was only able to win eight points on the Serb's serve.

Serbia will now face Italy after world number four Jannik Sinner inspired them to victory over the Netherlands earlier on Thursday.

Draper edged out in decisive moments in vital opener Considered one of the rising stars of the ATP Tour, Draper is still a novice in Davis Cup terms.

But the 21-year-old lefthander had been thrust into the pressurised situation of knowing he would likely have to win his singles match if Britain were going to advance - barring Norrie inflicting a first Davis Cup singles defeat in 12 years on

Djokovic.

Following injuries to Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Draper was the natural choice to open the tie against Serbia even though he only made his playing debut in September's round-robin stage.

Possessing a thunderous serve and clinical forehand from the baseline, Draper is ranked 60th in the world on the back of strong form in recent weeks.

Injuries ruined his first eight months of the season, but a run of 17 wins from his 21 previous matches going into the Davis Cup tie left him feeling confident in his body and mind.

There was little to choose between Draper and 55th-ranked Kecmanovic - but it was the Serb who executed better in the crucial moments.

An opening set full of hard-hitting and intense rallies showcased the power of the pair, with Draper holding off two break points at 3-4 and two set points at 4-5.

That led to a tie-break where two double faults by Draper - for 2-0 and 5-2 respectively - proved costly.

Kecmanovic, 24, served out the set - much to the delight of the vocal Serb contingent - but it was a bitter blow for Draper, who had played well in a hourlong opener without being able to penetrate his opponent's superb serve.

The second set followed a similar pattern, without Draper facing the pressure he did in the opening set.

The Briton trailed 5-2 after a nervy start to the tie-break, but Kecmanovic could not capitalise before Draper saved a match point with a composed volley which clipped the sideline.

But a wide forehand - after which Draper threatened to smash his racquet into the court - set up another chance for Kecmanovic, which he took after landing another first serve.

"I wouldn't say I returned amazingly well today, but when I did get the return back it seemed like he had the answer most of the time," Draper said.

"His tennis level at times is, I think, top 10 in the world.

He doesn't miss many balls.

His ball speed is good off both sides, very consistent."

Rinku seals thriller after SKY trumps Inglis ton

JOSH Inglis smashed his maiden T20I century, but Suryakumar Yadav responded masterfully in his captaincy debut to lift India past Australia in a tenseT2OI series opener.

Just four days after being part of Australia's World Cup title, Inglis tore apart a new-look India attack in batting-friendly conditions in Visakhapatnam with 110 off 50 balls.

(Scores:India 209 for 8 (Suryakumar 80, Kishan 58, Sangha 2-47) beat Australia 208 for 3 (Inglis 110, Smith 52, Krishna 1-50) by two wickets) He dominated a second-wicket partnership of 130 with Steven Smith, who made 52 and was the only other Australia player fronting up from the World Cup final.

But Suryakumar also shrugged off World Cup weariness with a belligerent 80 off 42 balls. There was a late twist after Suryakumar's dismissal with India losing a slew of wickets and they needed one run off the final delivery.

But Rinku Singh calmly bludgeoned a six off seamer

Rinku Singh is congratulated by Suryakumar Yadav after taking India home • Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images

Sean Abbott, who had delivered a no-ball, as India drew first blood in the five-match series.

Inglis equals Finch's record The tight scheduling of this series has been widely mocked and underscored by both teams fielding second-string teams. But with the T20 World Cup just over six months away, there was plenty at stake for a number of players.

Smith and Inglis had points to prove. Smith has openly stated his desire to bat at the top having auditioned for the role late in last season's BBL and peeling off

Josh Inglis hit a century off just 47 balls•Getty Images

consecutive centuries.

Opening a T20I for the first time, Smith relished a grassless surface and quick outfield with three boundaries through the off-side in his first eight deliveries.

Tough captaincy start for Suryakumar After a remarkable lapped reverse to the boundary from Inglis, all Suryakumar could do was grin. It was a tough initiation for Suryakumar, who was captaining India for the first time, having been in charge of Mumbai 36 times across formats in domestic cricket.

He was proactive and rotated his bowlers in the powerplay, getting spinners

Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi into the attack. But nothing worked amid Inglis' onslaught as Suyakumar resorted to giving his team a pep talk during the drinks break.

Things could have been more grim had it not been for seamer Mukesh Kumar, who bowled superbly at the death.

But Suryakumar stands up with bat Suryakumar did not enjoy batting on a slow Ahmedabad surface in the World Cup final. He was unable to do much against Australia's clever tactics of bowling slower bouncers.

Suryakumar much preferred this harder surface, while facing up to a sec-

ond-string Australia attack.

He hit two sixes off his first six balls to get India back on track after the early wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was run out without facing a delivery.

On such a flat surface, Australia didn't revert often to their slower ball bouncer tactic, but Suryakumar almost holed out on one such delivery bowled by left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff.

He was well supported by wicket-keeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who only played in two early games at the World Cup. They slammed a 112-run partnership with Suryakumar taking over after the wicket of Kishan with a trademark assault to all corners of the ground. He also overcame cramps in what proved to be a memorable captaincy debut.

Sangha impresses under pressure With Adam Zampa resting, legspinner Tanveer Sangha had his opportunity after not being used during the World Cup. It loomed as a baptism of fire with Sangha copping a thumping from Kishan in the ninth over. Wade boldly

reintroduced Sangha four overs later with Kishan and Suryakumar well set.

But Kishan could only hit straight to deep extra cover after Sangha changed his line and Wade decided to stick with him for the 15th over.

Sangha repaid the faith by removing Tilak Varma with a googly to finish with 2 for 47 from 4 overs.

But he was completely overtaken by a rampaging Inglis, who came in at No.3 after the wicket of opener Matthew Short in the fifth over. Playing as a specialist batter, with skipper Matthew Wade taking the gloves, Inglis hit a boundary off his first ball and didn't slow down from there.

He toyed with the quicks and spinners by unleashing his full range of strokes around the wicket. Inglis' superb knock was highlighted by pinpoint placement, while he showcased a liking to get deep into his crease and hit over extra cover.

Having reached his century off 47 balls, Inglis equalled Aaron Finch's record that had been set a decade ago.(Cricinfo)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Haynes contradicts his ‘age policy’ for selection Windies has to win ranking point to qualify for 2027 W/Cup

By Sean Devers FORMER West Indies opener, Barbadian Desmond Haynes, and his selection panel are again under fire from the West Indian public for the non-selection of 34-year-old Daren Bravo for the three-match ODI series against England which commences on December 3 in Antigua.

Haynes, who played his last ODI when he was 38, told reporters that it was a tough decision to make, adding that Bravo has proven not only this year but also last year that he can perform at this level.

Haynes further explained that his panel has invested in younger players, adding that in selecting this team they had to take into consideration that the World Cup in 2027 was in their mind.

“We have invested in these players and we want them to get the opportunity to play against a strong team and that is why Daren was not selected” informed the

Darren Bravo

chief selector.

The left-hander followed up his good showing from last year’s tournament with 416 runs from nine matches with a highest of 139 in the final and three fifties at an average of 83.20 to help Trinidad & Tobago lift their 14th Regional 50 overs title.

While Bravo (who along with Shai Hope are arguably the best all-formats batters in

the West Indies) will be 37 by the next World Cup, the team must win matches and accumulate ODI ranking if West Indies hope to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. When Australia beat India in the 2023 World Cup to win their sixth title, West Indies, for the first time since 1975, were not a part of this premier ICC Event. We must not forget that.

Desmond Haynes

While we need to build a team for 2027, we have to win matches and must play our best team…and Bravo has to be a member of our best team presently.

But while Bravo was not selected due to how old he would be by 2027, the Trinidadian is in a small pool of batters who demonstrates batsmanship, plays spin well and his presence and ability

could have helped the team to get some ODI wins under its belts as it heads to World Cup which is still far away.

If age was a factor in not picking the best batter in the Regional Super50, then it’s a contradiction to that ‘age policy’ to select 33-year-old Kjorn Ottley and 32-year-old Shane Dowrich, who, like Bravo, will be too old for the next World Cup.

Ottley, who turns 34 on December 9, has played just two ODIs and none in three years and Dowrich has played a single ODI. They have both been selected for the England home series.

Haynes defended the decision to pick Dowrich in the squad by talking about his Test Match credentials.

Dowrich, who has an average of 29.07 from 35 Tests, has not played a Test match since 2020 when he prematurely left the New Zealand tour.

The young players will see that players who dominate a tournament which was used as yard stick for selection to international cricket were not selected and players with a string of failures and who were even dropped by regional teams gain selection.

It should not be a surprise when those players show little interest in West Indies cricket and gravitate towards the lucrative Global T20 leagues.

Bowlers set up chase of 224 for Windies A – on 3rd day, 1st Test

BENONI, South Africa, (CMC )– Openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Zachary McCaskie batted resolutely through four overs before the close and ensured West Indies A safely began their chase of 224 to win the first “Test” against South Africa A today.

McCaskie was not out on five and Chanderpaul was not out on one, and the Caribbean side reached eight without loss in the second innings before stumps were drawn on the third day of the four-day contest at Willowmoore Park.

The visitors’ bowlers had earlier defied a sixth first-class hundred of 104 from South Africa A captain Neil Brand and dismissed the home team for 250 in their second innings inside the final hour on another intriguing day’s play.

Akeem Jordan The 27-year-old left-handed opener struck 14 fours from 219 balls in almost six hours at the crease, but his example of

resolve was a lesson that his teammates failed to emulate, and it has opened the way for their opponents to push for

victory.

Pacer Akeem Jordan was the most successful West Indies A bowler with three for 58 from 22 overs, while fellow pacers Shermon Lewis and Jayden Seales, and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair ended with two wickets apiece.

Joshua Da Silva’s side had the South Africans under pressure from early after they resumed from their overnight total of three without loss.

Seales set back the hosts early when he got left-handed opener Tony de Zorzi caught at gully for a duck in the second over of the day.

West Indies A were put on the defensive when Zubayr Hamza came to crease and put on 64 for the second wicket with Brand, but he was one of two wickets that fell inside the final half-hour before lunch

that had South Africa A 81 for three at the interval.

Sinclair trapped Hamza lbw for 30, essaying a paddled-sweep, at the third ball in his third over, and Jordan bowled Keegan Petersen for nine when the batsman offered no stroke to a delivery moving back two balls before lunch.

After the interval, the Caribbean side had limited success when Brand, whose 50 came from 123 balls when he drove Lewis through cover for the fifth of his 14 fours, and David Bedingham knuckled down and grinded out a stand of 55 for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings of the South Africans.

Lewis broke the stand when he trapped Bedingham lbw for 23, and the home team laboured to 173 for four at tea with Brand not out on 83.

After the break, three wickets – two to Jordan – in the span of 34 balls had South Africa A reeling on 193 for seven before Brand decided to take matters into his own hands and tried to reach his hundred, which came from 202 balls when he drove Seales through wide mid-off for two.

Jordan got Clyde Fortuin caught behind for 20 and trapped Mihali Mpongwana lbw for eight before Sinclair bowled Hardus Viljoen for an eight-ball duck.

Lewis got Brand caught at mid-wicket a few overs after he reached his milestone, and there was token resistance from the South Africans’ tail that helped to beef up their final total.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

England Test captain Ben Stokes to skip 2024 IPL to manage fitness and workload

ENGLAND Test captain Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for the 2024 Indian Premier League in order to manage his workload and fitness.

All-rounder Stokes, 32, is due to have knee surgery before England's five-match Test series in India next year.

Stokes was Chennai Super Kings' most expensive signing for the 2023 IPL but played just twice due to injury issues.

A statement from CSK said their "management is supportive" of Stokes' "decision to manage his workload."

Stokes scored only 15 runs and bowled one over for 18 runs in his two appearances for the Super Kings in the 2023 com-

ment is expected to take place from the end of March through to the end of May. Stokes has been hampered by a persistent knee issue

throughout recent years, although he declined to reveal more about the exact nature of the injury or the operation when asked about it during the World Cup earlier this month.

He made a shock u-turn on his one-day international retirement to play in England's World Cup defence and after doing so, said he had a "very good plan in place" to fix the injury problem.

Stokes has not bowled since 1 July -- day four of the second Ashes Test at Lord's -- which has left England with difficulties balancing their Test and 50-over teams.

England's Test series with India is due to begin on 25 January in Visakhapatnam.

Other players might decide

to follow suit - Analysis BBC chief cricket writer, Stephan Shemilt This isn't a huge surprise.

Stokes joined Chennai for a whopping £1.63m price tag in late 2022, but only played two games as Super Kings won the IPL this year.

Even though Stokes is having surgery to hopefully ease the pain in his troublesome knee, there are fitness concerns from both parties: Stokes for his workload, CSK for having on their books an expensive overseas player that they might not be able to fully utilise.

This is also a unique period for multi-format England players, given the lengthy amount of time they could be required to

spend in India. The World Cup, followed by five Tests from January, then the IPL might mean six months in India between October and May. As well as Stokes, the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook and Mark Wood might decide that is too much.

For any English player at the IPL, there will be a clash with home internationals against Pakistan in May that will form the final preparations for the T20 World Cup in June. After such an awful 50-over World Cup, it will be interesting to see how Rob Key manages those players in the build-up to the defence of the title in the Caribbean and USA. (BBC Sport).

November 22, at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara, will unveil the preliminary round pathways for the participating teams.

The drawing starts at 18:00 hours and will be witnessed by representatives of the football clubs Beacon (Bartica Football Association), Beacon (Georgetown Football Association), Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association), Dartmouth (Essequibo/ Pomeroon Football Association), Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monnederlust (Berbice Football Association), Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association),

Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association) The competing teams will be segmented into three groups of three, engaging in a round-robin format where each team plays against the others within their group.

Following the round-robin phase, the stakes will escalate as the group champions and the top-performing second-place teams from the three groups will advance to the knockout stage.

The semi-final matchups will be drawn randomly from a pot containing the names of the group winners and the best sec-

ond-place team, intensifying the suspense and drama.

Matches are planned for Saturdays, offering fans across the country an opportunity to witness sensational clashes at Eve Leary, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Centre, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Secondary School Ground, and Wadapna Ground.

Following the final on January 6, the GFF will award a preparation grant of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) to the club or clubs promoted to the Elite League.

However, Peters noted, “The promotion hinges on the club(s)

meeting the GFF/Concacaf Club Licensing prerequisites. We’ve been collaborating with clubs nationwide to ensure their documentation meets the requirements for Elite League qualification.”

GFF President Wayne Forde’s administration has allocated millions of dollars to Member Associations through the Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) to ensure the continuous progression of club football, which serves as the pathway for senior players to earn selection into the national team programme.

(GFF)

All-rounder Ben Stokes was bought by Chennai Super Kings for the 2023 IPL for £1.63m

petition.

The dates for the 2024 edition of the IPL have yet to be confirmed but the T20 tourna-

Elite League playoff set to kick off December 10

THE Elite League Promotional Playoff starts on December 10, with the nine victorious teams from the Member Associations’ Leagues clashing for coveted positions in the Elite League Season Six in 2024.

Competitions Director, Troy Peters, confirmed that preparations for the playoff’s launch are advancing according to plan and emphasised that the tournament serves as a highly competitive platform for senior men’s club players across the country to show their skills.

“Over the past few weeks, preparations have been going smoothly. The playoff provides a competitive platform for senior

men’s club players across Guyana to showcase their skills. We are poised to deliver an electrifying year-end programme to thrill players and fans,” Peters shared.

From June to November, the GFF’s nine Member Associations hosted thrilling Senior Men’s Leagues, featuring exciting matches for top clubs to earn their shot at participating in the Elite League Promotional Playoff.

The playoff will ultimately decide promotions and relegations for the upcoming Elite League Season Six, scheduled to commence in February 2024.

Peters explained that an open draw, scheduled for Wednesday,

21 students successful as ASK-G holds final exam

THE Association-do Shotokan Karate - Guyana (ASK-G), held its final examination for the year 2023 at the Albion Dojo on the Corentyne, where 21 students were successful.

Shihan Amir Khouri conducted the grading with the assistance of veteran 6th Dan instructors, Clinton Moriah and Hazrat Ali. Ethan Anamayah (white to orange belt), Shanaya Meghan, and Salih Ali (yellow to green belt), were the three outstanding karatekas who skipped grades.

The instructors graded the students according to their abilities in the areas of kata, and sparring. During the event, Shihan Khouri made several observations, and at one point, he even took the time to demonstrate how power

Berbice karatekas and ASK-G examiners at Albion

punches should be correctly thrown at an opponent.

All of the students were graded at the 'Kyu' level, and Khouri commended the instructors for doing a good job in ensuring that the karatekas were well prepared for their examination.

Speaking with this pub-

lication, the Master said: "I know at this time there are lots of hardships; the children are preparing for end-of-term tests at school, and they have to balance their academics with their training."

Khouri said he was pleased that the karatekas were able to make themselves available

for grading, and expressed gratitude to the parents and guardians that were present at the event.

"Even though our instructors maintained a very high standard of training, the success of these children [karatekas] would not be possible without the support of their

Chief ASG examiner -Amir Khouri

parents. Their inputs were very important, and I must thank them for allowing their children to be a part of this grading," Khouri expressed.

The other successful students were: Ejaaz Ali, Javier DeFreitas, Rashmi Rampersaud, Ariana Anamayah,

Isabella Anamayah, Seraphina Anamayah, Natasia Marks, Aaron Anamayah, and Nathaniel Supal, who moved from 10 Kyu white belt to 8 Kyu yellow belt. Chad Denny, and Omia Lyte (yellow to orange belt), Hailey Peters (orange to green belt), Zarifa Mahinudin (green to blue belt), and Jurisa Deochand (blue to purple belt).

In the brown belt category, Vasu Meghan, Viren Meghan, and Vanessa Kamalall moved from 3rd Kyu to 2nd Kyu, and Saafir Ali was elevated from a 2nd Kyu to a 1st Kyu brown belter.

Those who are interested in joining the ASK-G clubs in Berbice, which are part of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD), can call Hazrat Ali on: 616-6470, or Clinton Moriah on: 613-8045.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 24, 2023

Top Jamaican school team added to KFC Goodwill Football series

KFC Guyana Marketing Manager, Pamella Manasseh, hands over the sponsorship to Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, in the presence of Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson (second from left), Nicholas Fraser (second from right) of the Allied Arts Division, Ministry of Education, Competitions Chairman at the Guyana Football Federation, Troy Peters (far right) and Referee Coordinator, Wayne ‘Harry’ Griffith (far left)

THE KFC Goodwill School Football series will reach a new tier this season when a top Jamaican School football team, Clarendon College, will contest the championships starting December 12.

The Jamaican joins teams from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, which will battle

against the top teams from Guyana in the tournament's fourth edition.

Petra Organisation, coordinators for the series, launched the event on Thursday, and Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, hailed the expansion as significant, more so given they have attracted the quality of a Jamaican football

team.

Mendonca indicated that the Guyanese teams have performed well over the years, and this will be a further test of their character and skill.

The former national footballer hopes that, in years to come, more schools from the Caribbean and Latin America will visit to compete.

According to KFC Guyana Marketing Manager, Pamella Manasseh, Petra’s vision for the sport profoundly aligns with the company’s goal. It is committed to being part of the continued growth of the tournament.

Clarendon College will join St. Benedict’s College from Trinidad and Toba-

go and VWO 4 College of Suriname, D.C Caesar Fox Secondary (Waramadong), St. Ignatius Secondary along with the top three teams from the ongoing Limacol School League.

Teams will be split into two groups of four, and the top two will progress to the semi-finals.

The top school cops a prize of US$2,500, followed by US$1,500 (second), US$1,000 (third), and US$500 (fourth).

Matches will be staged at the Ministry of Education Ground and the National Insurance Scheme Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Marlon Samuels banned from all cricket for six years for breaching anti-corruption code See page 22

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| FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023