Guyana sees ‘record high’ rice production in 2024
–– Agriculture Minister discloses, says over 700,000 tonnes of rice produced –– over US$245M earned from export of this commodity, byproducts
Plans already in place for shakeup at GuySuCo
–– as gov’t places emphasis on production targets, Mustapha says
A ‘shakeup’ to the management of the Guyana Sugar Cooperation (GuySuCo) estates is imminent, as the government is placing emphasis on the production targets of the industry, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.
At a Monday press con-
ference, Mustapha candidly expressed his dissatisfaction with the sugar corporation.
“In sugar, I want to be very objective,” Mustapha said, pointing out that the industry has seen a diminishing production of just over only 47,000 tonnes with a shortfall of 21 per cent.
While acknowledging the challenges, such as the prolonged dry season which presented extreme droughtlike conditions, Mustapha believes that there is room for GuySuCo to improve its yield.
But, there must first be a shift in the management at
several of the sugar estates. He noted that the government has already begun talks to move some managers around, while others maybe relived of their roles altogether.
Mustapha said: “We are already contemplating to move managers, some managers will come out of
the system… so they themselves, without our intervention, have looked to assign people in the area they can perform better.”
Ultimately, the government is hoping that the GuySuCo production target should not be less than 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2025.
“I’m hoping in the new year, GuySuCo can turn around their fortune …we are hoping with all the support that we have given to GuySuCo they will ensure that they make the necessary progress that we want them to make,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Billions have been invested to revitalise the industry, with GuySuCo taking on an ambitious feat to mechanise its field operations and other aspects of its factory operations to boost production.
To assist with this, the government has employed the help of Indian and Cuban experts, sharing expertise in mechanical, technical, and electrical engineering. Experts in agronomy have also been providing assistance.
Only recently, President. Dr Irfaan Ali issued a stern warning to the management the corporation, stating that ‘heads will roll’ if the production targets are not met.
Prior to its election to office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government had promised to revive the sugar industry and re-energise local communities devastated by the
decisions of the APNU+AFC to decommission and close several grinding estates.
The President during another engagement had stated that the continued investments in GuySuCo is aimed at making the industry economically viable, but Guyanese must be reminded of the deplorable state of the sugar industry prior to the PPP/C administration.
“One must remember what we inherited when we came into office,” he had said, adding: “The fields were left abandoned, even the canals—big trees were in all the canals, all the punts were rotted. There was no dam. It was like a forest. So, we had to build back from the field, then we had to build back from all the factories.”
The Head of State urged that the sugar industry should not just be viewed as a financial product, but also from an economic perspective, citing the industry’s spin-off benefits to communities.
However, President Ali acknowledged that a major challenge lies in the ageing equipment and lack of spare parts for the sugar factories, which have caused significant downtime.
In addition to restoring the physical infrastructure, the President pointed out the need to create a new culture in the sugar industry—a culture focused on efficiency, productivity, and a sense of ownership among workers.
Guyana sees ‘record high’ rice production in 2024
–– Agriculture Minister discloses, says over 700,000 tonnes of rice produced –– over US$245M earned from export of this commodity, byproducts
By Naomi Parris
GUYANA’S rice industry has seen significant growth, with ‘record high’ production reaching 725,282 tonnes in 2024, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.
At a year-end press conference on Monday, Mustapha told reporters that this improved output reflects direct policies and investments made by the government to ensure that the country remains competitive on the world market.
“This is a record-breaking production,” the Agriculture Minister boasted.
The ministry increased its yield from 5.7 tonnes in 2020 to 6.6 tonnes per hectare in 2024 for the last four years.
This incremental increase in rice production has been ongoing since 2021, when production was at 559,789 tonnes. In 2022, it increased to 610,595 tonnes, and 653,706 tonnes in 2023.
Mustapha said: “Since the introduction of rice production in our country, we have surpassed the 700,000 tonnes, with an average national yield of 6.6 tonnes per hectare, the highest ever recorded in the country’s history.”
Meanwhile, the country exported 425,490 tonnes of rice and byproducts to 30 countries at a value of over US$245,000,000.
According to Mustapha, new markets
were also unlocked with Guyana now supplying rice to Africa, and retaining other markets within the Caribbean and across the region.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Crediting the massive production boost to the local farmers, Mustapha highlighted that the government has been able to offer assistance through training and providing inputs. He pointed out that the government was able to settle the former A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration’s mismanagement of the rice sector, which saw several rice farmers and millers being owed billions by Panama and Venezuela for rice that was exported back in 2015.
For the Panamanian market, the farmers
were owed $1.5 billion, he said, adding that this had put a strain on several rice millers, who had later gone bankrupt.
Earlier this year, the government was able to negotiate with Panama, and after several years, 17 rice millers received the money that was owed them.
Another 27 rice farmers and five millers recently received their payments that were owed them by Venezuela and Panama in 2015, totalling $437 million at the weekend. He noted that these farmers had waited nine years to receive their payments.
Outside of this, Mustapha further pointed out that farmers benefitted from decreased land rentals and drainage and irrigation charges. Further support in providing fertiliser, pesticide and other inputs amounted to $1.8 billion.
In addition to this, just over 5,000 rice farmers received training from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), covering a series of topics such as disease, pest control and crop management.
Another 1,046 farmers, who were found to have low yields, were grouped into a specialised programme aimed at boosting production.
Mustapha believes that it is due to these policies that the local rice industry has flourished over the past year.
He said: “In the rice industry, we have seen tremendous improvement; tremendous improvement this year.
I want to say that I’m very proud that we have reached that level
NEW VARIATIES
Meanwhile, to further advance rice production, Guyana, in the past four years, has been exploring new rice varieties to increase productivity, and enhance resilience to climate change.
This initiative, led by the GRDB, Mustapha said, had seen extensive research into varieties that offer higher yields, better disease resistance, and higher nutritional values.
“For this year, 2024, we have developed a new variety, GRDB18, with a yield potential of seven to nine tonnes per hectare. This was launched in October of 2024. Since 2020, we have released three new varieties, GRDB 16, GRDB 18, and the
biofortified zinc-infused GRDB17, which all have yield potential of between seven to nine tonnes per hectare,” Mustapha said.
The GRDB 17 was developed through conventional farming practices, without genetic modification, as rice naturally accumulates higher levels of zinc than usual. Zinc is essential for the proper functioning of people’s immune systems, and the fight against infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
The ministry has also seen an increased capacity of its seed paddy facilities at the various locations.
These facilities, located in Regions Five and Six, have the capacity to produce 152,000 bags per annum.
of production in rice.”
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
A Deeply Fractured Opposition
IN the annals of Guyanese politics, a new chapter is being written; one that paints a bleak picture of an opposition in disarray.
The People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R)-led coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) have earned the dubious distinction of being labelled “the worst opposition in history” by an increasingly frustrated public.
This scathing indictment is not without merit. The opposition’s recent performance has been a masterclass in political ineptitude, characterised by infighting, neglect of coalition partners, and a stunning failure to effectively represent their supporters. The result is a dangerous erosion of public trust.
At the heart of this political quagmire lies a deeply fractured opposition. The PNC-R, once a formidable political force, now finds itself mired in internal struggle. Reports suggest
that the party has not participated in strategic meetings for over two years, thereby raising serious questions about its commitment to coalition values and inclusivity.
This lack of engagement has not only weakened the opposition’s effectiveness, but has also alienated its partners.
The AFC, once a significant player in the coalition, has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
Allegations of corruption and mismanagement during its time in government have tarnished its image, leaving it struggling to maintain relevance and identity. The party’s past failure to assert itself within the coalition had rendered it ineffective, both as a partner and as a political entity. The opposition’s current predicament is inextricably linked to its actions during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
The APNU+AFC’s blatant attempts to undermine the will of the people, and influence the election outcome have
left deep scars on the Guyanese psyche. These actions, witnessed by people worldwide, have severely diminished the integrity of the parties now occupying the opposition benches.
Even more concerning is the opposition’s apparent unwillingness to learn from past mistakes. As another election looms on the horizon, there has been no indication that the collective opposition is prepared to recognise and respect the will of the people, regardless of the outcome. This stubborn refusal to accept democratic principles is not only disappointing, but dangerous for the future of Guyanese democracy.
The opposition’s failures extend beyond mere political incompetence; they represent a fundamental betrayal of the trust placed in them by their respective supporters and the broader Guyanese public.
In a healthy democracy, a strong and effective opposition is crucial; it
ensures accountability, encourages robust policy development, and fosters public trust in governance.
The current opposition has failed on all these fronts. Instead of engaging in healthy debates with the governing PPP/C, they have descended into a morass of infighting and ineffectiveness. Their inability to address the complex political and socioeconomic issues facing Guyana has also left them illequipped to challenge the government effectively.
For Guyana to move forward, it needs an opposition that is willing to engage in constructive dialogue, respect democratic norms, and put the interests of the people first. The current opposition has failed in this sacred duty.
It is time for them to either step up, or step aside, making way for a new generation of leaders who can truly represent the aspirations of the Guyanese people.
President Jimmy Carter, Carter Center helped restore democracy, ended PNC dictatorship
Dear Editor,
AS we bid farewell to former US President Jimmy Carter, all Guyana should never forget it was President Carter and the Carter Center which played a pivotal role in helping to restore democracy, ending the PNC dictatorship in 1992.
In 2020, President Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter was on the same flight with me going out of Guyana, and in chatting with him, I had the pleasure of thanking him for what his grandpa did in saving Guyana, and what he, the grandson, was now doing in heading the Carter Center’s observer team, as the PNC was returning to its old ways and trying to rig again.
Many of us fought for the restoration of democracy in various ways, but the Carter Center’s involvement in brokering free
and fair elections, and counting of votes at the place of poll was the tipping point for change.
(My wife and I were the only two people retrenched at our school under the guise that we were PPP people. The PNC government had done a national “retrenchment” exercise across the country to purge schools of “dissidents”, people they perceived as Opposition to their dictatorship).
In 1992, I had contacted a Dr. Robert Pastor, who was head of the Carter Center, volunteering to help with the observer team. He responded by letter indicating they could not use Guyanese on the team.
President Carter will be remembered for being in the GECOM building when PNC hoodlums were pelting up the building. His presence in Guyana during the election was what saved a bigger riot and derailment of
the democratic process.
In tribute to President Carter and the Carter Centre, I call on the President to keep his promise and honour all the “Guardians of Democracy” who guarded ballot boxes during the recount, and stood up against the PNC’s failed attempt to rig the 2020 elections and plunging the nation into deep trauma for five months.
President Carter’s passing gives us the opportunity to reflect that it takes people to rise up and take a stand for the preservation of democracy in Guyana. As we head into elections in 2025, who knows; the PPP might need us again to keep vigil, and it might need all of those who wrote letters constantly.
Dr. Vishnu Bisram, Robin Singh and I were the top three letter writers during those five months. The PNC has never apologised
for the 28 years of rigging, and it has never apologised for the attempted rigging in 2020, when its supporters had controlled the key positions and levers of power at GECOM, and it thought they could engineer a rigging.
The 28 years of Burnhamism were the closest we came to apartheid in Guyana. Our country was pauperised, our people fled to every little island in Caricom and in countries across the world.
Our culture and politics had become deformed, and vestiges of that era still remain.
Thank you, President Jimmy Carter.
You have done God’s will in helping to save Guyana! Rest in peace, dear friend of Guyana!
Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall Civil Society Advocate
Vieira’s assertion about the PUC is furthest from the truth/reality
Dear Editor,
THE Public Utilities Commission has noted the comments made in a letter to the editor penned by Mr. Tony Vieira in the December 24, 2024 edition (Page 22) of the Stabroek News newspaper.
The PUC notes the concerns raised by Mr. Tony Vieira as they relate to his experience of what may be allegedly an inconsistent electrical feed to his premises, and the damages it may have caused to his personal electrical and electronic equipment.
We understand the frustration and inconvenience such disruptions bring to citizens when they occur, and we take these matters seriously. Evidently, these problems cannot be rectified properly if not brought promptly to the attention of the service provider.
As it relates to the comment that ‘a government-appointed body cannot be a proper regulating agency for the government-owned corporation’, the law is clear.
The Public Utilities Commission Act states that the Commission, in the exercise and discharge of its functions, shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority (emphasis supplied).
It also has the power to do anything, which, in its reasonable opinion, is calculated to facilitate the proper discharge of its functions.
Failure to secure redress, the consumer has the option of contacting the PUC and filing a complaint.
Further, we have also noted with concern the comment by Mr. Vieira that “… there is no proper functioning Public Utilities Commission to which you can turn”.
Mr. Vieira may be aware that the Commission’s mandate includes addressing complaints, conducting investigations, and working with the service providers to rectify operational deficiencies when identified.
The Commission’s record speaks for itself. For the period 2023-2024, the Commission would have resolved 72 per cent
Honouring the memory of President Carter
Dear Editor,
THERE is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of the Guyanese people will remember and highly regard the historical role of former American President Jimmy Carter in restoring free and fair democratic elections in Guyana.
His passing has been noted in the condolence message released by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and this would also register the tributes of all sectors of Guyanese.
But it is also opportune to recall that Mr. Carter developed a strong bond with Dr. Cheddi Jagan, both as a Democrat as well as an advocate for human rights and peace.
These are traits, if we like, that are not often displayed in ordinary individuals, however intellectually gifted.
As a 20th – 21st Century reformer, Carter shaped historical forces in multilateral jurisdictions, including Venezuela, where
of the complaints filed with it in favour of consumers, inclusive of the two Stateowned enterprises.
Further, it would have received credits totalling $60.3 million on behalf of complainants for this period. Mr. Vieira, perhaps, could have checked the Commission’s website, which publishes the work of the Commission and includes its annual reports dating back to 1991, orders of the Commission, statistical information etc. prior to making such damaging and reckless statements in the public domain.
The Commission takes this opportunity to advise consumers who may have issues relating to a faulty service from the service provider to file a complaint immediately with the provider and follow
the company’s claim procedure to file for compensation for the damaged item(s). If dissatisfied with the outcome, then such persons should approach the Commission. We understand the significance of a reliable service to all consumers and we assure the public that the PUC remains committed to holding the service providers in the electricity, telecommunications and water and sewage sectors accountable, while at the same time seeking to ensure the improvement of the quality of service throughout Guyana.
Yours sincerely, Public Utilities Commission
the Atlanta-based Carter Center monitored elections in that country resulting in landslide popular support for Col. Hugo Chavez.
Here in Guyana, his mission extended into branches of legislation, including support and training for lawmakers such as modules for parliamentary improvements (workshops, seminars and technical facilities).
The award of this country’s highest honour, the Order of Excellence, during 1993 predated the Noble Peace Prize recognition of 2002.
Perhaps, a delegation of executives, including members of the current administration who are ‘eternal friends’ of Carter’s philosophy should be represented at the final tributes whenever these are held in the USA.
Long live the Carter model for democracy and social justice.
Yours truly, Lawrence
Rodney
Do not kill the animals this evening
MY wife was afraid of the encounter so she did not want me to go but I went anyway.
I went to see this very wealthy, young businessman. I am not going to name him or his business companies or identify his residence.
He belongs to the nouveau riche stratum due to inheritance from his father who was one of the earliest known personalities of the nouveau riche genre after it emerged at the beginning of the 1990s. The father attracted national curiosity about his assets.
As I stepped into the compound of his residence, I saw a typical majestic bourgeois structure, the type you see in affluent areas in Florida. I knocked on the door after I introduced myself to an official at the gate and was allowed into the compound.
You are not going to believe what this employee said on greeting me. When I told my wife how I was greeted she cracked up.
He said: “You’re Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, right?” Smilingly I said: “No, my name is Frederick Kissoon”. He blurted out, “oh, the columnist.” That was funny. I don’t have anything in my physical appearance that is close to Mr. Ramkarran’s who is far more handsome than I am.
I saw five vehicles in the open garage, none of which was below 50 million. Once you own a car you know the types that carry a price tag of 60 or 70 million. I do not know the gentleman; never saw him in my entire
life but I knew his father. Months before the father died, he said in front of my wife at the Woodlands Hospital that I am welcomed to a huge discount should I need anything. I can’t go further for I will reveal who he was.
This young nouveau riche personality floored me when he said that the residence I was in front of was his weekend hangout place. He made sure he echoed the point that it was not his essential dwelling house. I don’t know if that was an effort to tell me that he was superrich.
My complaint was the illegal fireworks he had used on Diwali Night and Old Year’s Night in the past that are so loud that it kills many animals, especially cats and dogs that are people’s pets. He agreed that he would tone it down but then he said; “but people use fireworks” to which I quickly retorted; “not people like you.”
Before I explained what I meant, I told him that some things are lost when some things are gained in living every day.
Then I explained what I meant. It was about his wealth and status and that such people do not use dangerous fireworks that kills animals. I belaboured the point that only lowlife people would set off illegal fireworks that kill animals.
The conversation ended smoothly and I was offered a promise of no dangerous fireworks on Old Year’s Night tonight. My wife was relieved that I came back in one
piece because I did not tell her I was going to his place.
I just hope that 2024 passes into 2025 tonight without cruelty to animals. Many veterinary doctors told me that there is an alternative to the loud fireworks. They have the same results but they do not make the terrifying noise that kills the animals. I am hoping the animals survive and I hope I don’t die in despair. I am afraid I might, given what I saw outside of Bourda Market on Robb Street last Sunday.
There was a vendor selling the same dangerous fireworks in full view of the public. The items were on a large table for all the shoppers to see. What is wrong with the Guyana Police Force? The police force has to know that on certain nights, particularly Diwali but more so Old Year’s Night, lowlife people engage in illegal fireworks and they kill animals.
The stuff is illegal. How much manpower it takes to police the alfresco markets on
those days. There is a police station in Fourth Street, Alberttown, not far from Bourda Market.
This lady (and obviously there were more; I only saw her because I was shopping where she was vending) was peddling her illegal merchandise in full view of the public. Even if the police cannot stop the foreign source of these illegal fireworks, they can certainly raid the open markets in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six where vendors sell these things. In many of the open-air markets, there are police stations nearby. There is a station in Leonora. There is a police outpost at Stabroek Square. I appeal to the police tonight – stop lowlife people from killing those innocent animals.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
$4 Billion in liquidated damages imposed on contractors for non-performance - AG Nandlall
ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has disclosed that dozens of contracts have been terminated across various sectors because of non-performance, with errant contractors facing over $4 billion in liquidated damages.
He made this revelation at his ministry’s year-end press briefing on Saturday last. “Dozens of contracts have been terminated. I remember the last time I received information— over $4 billion of liquidated damages have been imposed on different contractors...”
Liquidated damages are an exact amount of money,
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC
or a set formula to calculate the amount of money a party will owe if it breaches a contract or fails to deliver on a contract.
At a meeting held at 05:00 hours on November 4, 2024, at State House,
President Dr. Irfaan Ali convened with cabinet members, contractors, permanent secretaries, and engineers to tackle significant delays in government projects. During the session, he issued a firm reminder that the nation cannot afford continued setbacks in project execution.
“There is absolutely no excuse for these delays. All the projects that are beyond the contracted time, where they have exhausted justified extensions—we will issue a letter today instructing that the liquidated damages be instituted immediately. We cannot tolerate this... liquidated damages must be instituted,” the Head of State stressed. President
Ali, along with his cabinet members, has been visiting communities across the country to inspect various projects.
Meanwhile, AG Nandlall had previously explained that the enforcement of liquidated damages and termination of contracts are part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and efficiency in the execution of public projects. “Government will not countenance negligence from contractors. Government will not
countenance delinquency. Government will not countenance breaches of contractual obligations. These contracts are multimillion dollars in nature,” he said.
While acknowledging that some delays or breaches may be justified, Nandlall stressed that each case would be evaluated individually. He had clarified that the government’s intention is not to unjustly penalise contractors, but rather to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
Currently, several massive infrastructural projects are underway across the country. These include the rehabilitation of small community roads and the construction of major highways and bridges, schools, hospitals among other initiatives geared at improving the lives of all Guyanese. In some instances, justified extensions were granted to contractors; however, delays were persistent on some projects.
The imposition of liquidated damages is a measure essential to protecting taxpayers’ money and ensuring value for the substantial investments being made by the government, holding contractors accountable for delayed or substandard work.
Acting Chief Magistrate rules for fresh start in 2020 election fraud cases
– sets January 13, 2025 for decision on mode of trial
ACTING Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty on Monday ruled that the high-profile election fraud cases stemming from Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elections will begin afresh, setting the stage for renewed legal battles in the coming year.
Magistrate Mc Gusty explained that her decision vacates all prior trial proceedings by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who had overseen the case until her extended medical
leave in August 2024. “The previous trial basically is annuality,” she ruled.
The long-delayed trial, which began on July 29, 2024, has faced numerous procedural hurdles, primarily due to legal maneuvers by the defence and Magistrate Daly’s absence, raising questions about the continuity of the proceedings.
Magistrate Daly’s absence had sparked uncertainty about the way forward, prompting Mc Gusty to take over the matter.
The defence, led attorney Nigel Hughes, argued that a “de novo” approach was necessary to ensure fairness and compliance with legal standards.
According to the Legal Information Institute, de novo is a Latin term that means “anew,” “from the beginning,” or “afresh.” It explained that when a court hears a case “de novo,” it is deciding the issues without reference to any legal conclusion or assumption made by the previous court to hear the case.
At a previous hearing, Hughes had raised the principle of de novo, arguing that the case should restart entirely from the beginning,
now that it is in the hands of a new magistrate. According to him, this process should include formally reading the charges to his clients. He explained to the court that de novo means exactly as it suggests—it requires the case to return to the very beginning, as if the charges had just been read, with no prior determination made regarding whether the matter should proceed indictably or summarily (trial by magistrate).
For matters taken in-
dictably, the magistrate conducts a preliminary inquiry or paper committal proceeding to evaluate the strength of the evidence. Based on the evidence presented, the magistrate may commit the accused to stand trial in the High Court if the evidence is deemed prima facie. Conversely, if the evidence is inadequate, the accused will be discharged.
Hughes contended that prior rulings by Magistrate
Daly, including critical decisions about how some charges would be tried, should not bind the current court.
Magistrate Daly had previously ruled that some charges would be heard indictably—requiring committal proceedings to determine if they merit trial in the High Court—while others would proceed summarily in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The defendants also entered not guilty pleas during the summary proceedings,
which were initially under Magistrate Daly’s purview and are now being handled by Magistrate Mc Gusty.
In relation to those proceedings, Hughes emphasised that these earlier rulings should not carry over, asserting that legal principles outweigh procedural expediency.
He had remarked: “There is a practice driven purely by expediency. When people come to court…the [magistrate would ask them] Yuh want
this matter tried in the High Court or in the Magistrates’ Courts? Invariably, the defendant, represented or unrepresented, would say get it done here [magistrates’ courts] for many reasons… the penalty is less and pure expedition.
In contrast, the prosecution, led by King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani, advocated for continuity, stressing that the cases should proceed based on decisions already made.
Ramdhani argued that the rulings, particularly on
the format of the trial, were grounded in legal reasoning and should remain valid. Ramdhani also pointed out that reintroducing pleas and revisiting past rulings could create unnecessary delays.
He explained that while procedural restarts may be warranted for some preliminary matters when a case transfers to a new magistrate, the existing framework generally stands.
“I would urge this court that this has been the practice and should be recognised to be so,” the King’s Counsel submitted. He further noted that the de novo principle, if contested, should be addressed at the High Court level rather than in the Magistrates’ Court.
Drawing from his research, Ramdhani contended that jurisdiction over matters related to the de novo principle lies with a High Court judge rather than a magistrate. “If it is, for a moment, that you want to consider that we are not right, we say this is the case in which the court should not do anything but carry out a summary trial in these
proceedings,” he submitted.
Magistrate Mc Gusty, however, ruled in favour of the defence on Monday and directed Hughes to submit written arguments by January 6, 2025, detailing why he prefers the charges to be heard indictably rather than summarily. The cases were adjourned to January 13, 2025, when Magistrate Mc Gusty is expected to decide on the mode of trial.
Significantly, the prosecutor has indicated his readiness to commence leading evidence next month. The
charges, which allege conspiracy to manipulate the 2020 election results, have gripped national attention for years.
The defendants in this case are former District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former health minister under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government Volda Lawrence; People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) activist Carol Smith-Joseph; former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Collectively, they face 19 conspiracy charges and are represented by a defence team that also includes attorneys Ronald Daniels, Eusi Anderson, and Darren Wade.
The defendants have each posted a substantial amount of cash bail.
If convicted in the Magistrates’ Court, the accused could face up to three years in prison for each charge. Prosecutors plan to call approximately 72 witnesses, including Minister of Local Government Sonia Parag, to substantiate their case.
On the prosecution side, there is also attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat and several state counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecution’s case is that the defendants altered results for Region
Four, Guyana’s largest electoral district, to favour the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. The initial results, announced by Lowenfield, claimed an APNU+AFC victory, but a recount led by GECOM and a high-level Caribbean Community (CARICOM) delegation revealed a win for the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The recount confirmed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes against the APNU+AFC coalition’s 217,920.
The APNU+AFC coalition received 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C received 166,343 votes, according to former CEO Lowenfield’s election report. Following the PPP/C’s return to office in August 2020, criminal charges were filed against key election officials.
GECOM made the decision to terminate the contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021, after the allegations of fraud came to light, a move that was welcomed by many.
Volda Lawrence Clairmont Mingo Carol Smith-Joseph Keith Lowenfield
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani
Roxanne Myers
Attorney-at-Law
Nigel Hughes
Employment, other benefits to stem from $2.5B in contracts –– for roadworks in Region Two
By Indrawattie Natram
SOME $2.5 billion in road contracts have been awarded to 179 contractors in Region Two, where there will be more economic benefits and employment opportunities as a result of this investment.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, during his address at a simple contract-award ceremony at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, on Monday
afternoon said the initiative responds directly to residents’ requests to improve community infrastructure.
“The giving out of small contracts is not to destroy big contractors; it’s bringing more equity to the region,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “Secondly, employment will increase; think about it, 179 contracts mean more and more persons will be employed.”
The minister said that the initiative will stimulate economic activity within commu-
nities as contractors carry out their projects.
“When these contractors go into the community, even the vendors will benefit,” he said.
The minister urged contractors to complete their projects in a timely manner, while ensuring quality work. Similar contracts have also been awarded in Regions Six, Three, and Ten.
After these projects are completed, Edghill revealed that there are plans to award
13 major road contracts worth $800 million.
“These larger projects will be divided into several parts to allow contractors to cooperate with each other,” he said, adding:
“We will engage every contractor, and pre-qualify them into manageable lots
worth $15 million and under, so everyone will benefit.
“This is one way of creating employment in the region. Think about it; almost 200 people getting contracts.”
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva called the day “historic” for Region Two. She encouraged contrac-
tors to deliver quality work on schedule, noting: “The government is investing heavily to improve the infrastructure in the region.”
Contractors expressed gratitude for the opportunities, thanking the Ministry of Public Works for its investments in the region.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill
State of emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago
ACTING Attorney General, Stuart Young, has outlined the specifics of a State of Emergency (SoE) declared to address escalating criminal violence in Trinidad and Tobago.
During a media conference at the Ministry of National Security in Portof-Spain, Young emphasised that the measures aim to target violent criminal activity, particularly involving illegal firearms, ammunition, and explosives, which escalated with a spate of killings over the weekend, while also ensuring that law-abiding citizens’ rights are minimally impacted.
“The focus is on those engaged in criminal activities.”
Under the emergency regulations, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will receive enhanced powers, including the authority to search premises and individuals without warrants if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Individuals found in possession of illegal firearms or in the company of those carrying such items can also face detention.
The regulations allow for the detention of individuals for up to 48 hours without charge. Beyond that period, a magistrate or senior po -
“There will be no curfew or restrictions on public meetings or marches at this stage,” Young stated during a media conference.
lice officer may authorise further detention for up to seven days while evidence is gathered. These provisions aim to facilitate thorough investigations into suspected criminal activities.
Additionally, the regulations suspend bail for individuals detained under the SoE. Police officers will also be empowered to stop, search, and detain individuals, vehicles, and vessels without warrants in public or private spaces.
Young confirmed that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) will be deployed in a support role to the police. Members of the TTDF, under the instructions of the Chief of Defence Staff, will have pow-
ers equivalent to those of police officers while acting under the SoE regulations.
A tribunal will be established to handle matters arising from the SoE. Young has been in communication with Acting Chief Justice, Justice of Appeal Barrow, to ensure the legal framework is in place.
Young dismissed claims that the SoE is linked to the recent mobilisation of Defence Force reserves by President Christine Kangaloo. He clarified that such
mobilisations are routine during the Christmas and Carnival periods to bolster national security efforts.
The SoE, Young explained, was necessitated by intelligence indicating threats of retaliation from criminal elements. These threats involve the continued use of illegal firearms in a manner that poses heightened risks to public safety, he said.
“This is a targeted response to brazen criminal activity and the escalat -
ing use of illegal weapons that endanger the lives of law-abiding citizens,” he stated.
The Acting Attorney General assured the public that the Government remains committed to maintaining order and addressing the root causes of crime. The regulations are expected to be published shortly, outlining the scope and application of these emergency powers. (Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
GCCI partners with Canadian organisation to develop ‘micro’, women entrepreneur learning centre
THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has announced that it has partnered with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC), with funding from Global Affairs Canada, to develop a groundbreaking Micro and Women Entrepreneur
Learning Centre in Georgetown, housed at the GCCI’s Secretariat.
According to a press release from GCCI, the centre is anticipated to be completed and operationalised by the second quarter of 2025.
Over the last two-and-ahalf years, the GCCI has been
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has announced that it has partnered with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC), with funding from Global Affairs Canada, to develop a groundbreaking Micro and Women Entrepreneur Learning Centre in Georgetown, housed at the GCCI’s Secretariat
collaborating with WUSC to undertake capacity-building projects with farmers across the country through outreaches.
On December 20, the two organisations inked an agreement to institutionalise this initiative into a permanent programme through the establishment of the learning centre.
The agreement was signed by Senior Vice-Pres-
ident of the Chamber, Kathy Smith and Country Coordinator (Guyana and Suriname) for the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project, Krysten Sewett in the presence of the Chairperson of the Chamber’s Agriculture Committee, Brian Edwards; Secretary and Councillor, Melisa McRae-George, and WUSC’s Agribusiness and Marketing Officer, Parmanan Chandranauth.
This Micro and Women Entrepreneur Learning Centre was conceptualised by the GCCI in a bid to further support Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME), which make up about 75 per cent of the Chamber’s membership, while supporting the enhancement and advancement of the agriculture sector.
“The centre will provide farmers with opportunities
for skills development in areas such as sustainable farming practices, business management, marketing, and technology adoption. Through tailored courses, the objective is to help farmers increase productivity, improve supply chains, and access new markets—ultimately enhancing their economic viability,” GCCI said.
Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, Edwards, who has been leading in the countrywide outreaches, emphasised the importance of a sustainable approach to capacity-building, which the Centre will provide.
“It’s a dedicated space for women and youth in agriculture to learn, grow, thrive and build their capacity. It will empower MSMEs,” he said.
Senior Vice-President Smith emphasised the importance of providing resources for women farmers in Guyana.
Chandranauth commended the GCCI for its commitment to the development of farmers, particularly as it relates to enhancing their operations as food producers.
Sewett further lauded the Chamber, saying, “We want to thank the GCCI for leading a lot of the key initiatives in agriculture,” later adding, “You have demonstrated your ability to be a convener in working with women, youth and small-scale male farmers to help them improve their economic prosperity.”
Pensioners begin receiving $100,000 grant at Melanie Office
SCORES of pensioners turned up at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) office in Melanie, East Coast Demerara, on Monday, to collect the long-awaited one-off $100,000 cash grant.
The initiative, part of the government’s broader effort to improve the quality of life for Guyanese, is injecting over $60 billion into the pockets of citizens.
The disbursement, announced to begin on December 30, 2024, will continue until January 3, 2025, targeting pensioners in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Ten. While many had hoped to receive the grant before Christmas, the government assured that most pensioners would have their funds before the New Year.
Among the first recipients at Melanie were Donald Gritten, a 76-year-old pensioner from Paradise, and
Nancy Tanner of Victoria Village. Gritten expressed gratitude for the grant, saying, “I must thank the Government for this initiative, the $100,000 that they’re giving people. Hope that we will all put it to good use.” Tanner, similarly appreciative, shared her plans to save the money for future needs. “I tell myself that I would take the cheque and put it in the bank to put it to good use. Because God is with me and He’s providing for me, and I have Him in my life forever,” she stated.
Prior to Monday’s distribution, more than 100,000 pensioners had already received their grants. For those unable to collect by January 3, 2025, the government has committed to making alternative arrangements to disburse funds within their respective villages.
Pensioners are reminded to bring a valid form of iden-
Tragic fire claims life of three-year-old in Albouystown
A DEVASTATING fire in Albouystown early Monday morning claimed the life of three-year-old Amanie Abrahams, leaving a family and community in shock and mourning.
The blaze, of as-yet-unknown origin, completely destroyed the home of 28-year-old clothes vendor Tandica Bailey at Lot 146 Cooper Street.
According to initial investigations, Bailey resided in a modest 15x10 wooden house raised on concrete blocks with her three children, ages 11, 4, and 3. On Sunday evening, at approximately 19:00 hours, she left home to work on Regent Street, leaving her children in the house.
Around 01:36 hours, Bailey received a distressing call informing her that her house was engulfed in flames. She rushed home to find her eldest children outside the burning structure. The children explained that after the fire started, they managed to escape but were unable to rescue their youngest sibling due to the intense heat. Three-year-old Amanie had been left on a bed in the room and could not make it out.
Emergency services, including the Guyana Fire Service and EMTs, responded promptly and managed to extinguish the fire. Tragically, Amanie’s remains were discovered in the bedroom area, burnt beyond recognition. Dr. Ponwa pronounced him dead at 02:31 hours.
The child’s remains were transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination is pending. Authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the fire.
This tragedy highlights the vulnerability of children in fire emergencies and underscores the importance of fire safety precautions.
The Albouystown community has been left heartbroken by the loss of young Amanie, and many are rallying around the family to offer support during this difficult time.
tification, such as an ID card or passport, when collecting their grants. Additionally, those who missed the registration period will have an opportunity to register in January 2025, with details on registration sites to be announced.
To streamline the process, pensioners are encouraged to check the status of
their grants beforehand using the online tracking link: https://cg.gov.gy/track.
The cash grant underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of Guyanese citizens, particularly senior members of society, ensuring they enter the New Year with a sense of financial support and security.
Pensioner, Donald Gritten after receiving his cheque
Nancy Tanner holding her cheque on Monday (Delano Williams Photos)
PPP/C has a rich history of delivering on its promises
GUYANA’S progress under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to be glossed over by some sections of society, which fails/refuses to acknowledge how far the country has come after being stifled by the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC/R)/A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For change (APNU+AFC), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo has highlighted.
Jagdeo, during a recent press conference, challenged the claims made in a recent Stabroek News editorial that there is a fear of retribution in the Guyanese society.
The editorial made the claim that Guyana’s fear of retaliation stems from the colonial past, when a small number of people held political power and dissent was punished severely, and that this fear was further cemented in the country after independence when political parties, especially the two main ones, began to stand for more than just ideological differences. The editorial claimed that the parties became symbols of ethnic and regional divides
The tendency of government critics to ignore the differences between Guyana under the PPP/C and the PNC, and APNU+AFC was not allowed to go unchecked
by Jagdeo, unlike in the editorial.
He thoroughly reflected
Rodney’s death ricocheted across the world, and is a major political assassination in the history of the AngloCaribbean Region. He was an outstanding international scholar, a crusader for political justice, and a globally respected advocate for democracy in the Third World.
He noted that the hallmark of the PPP/C and its campaign has been delivering on its promises. But this cannot be said about the Opposition, Jagdeo said.
on Guyana’s journey from undemocratic and dictatorial rule towards democracy on October 5, 1992 – a date synonymous with the “return of free and fair elections” to Guyana after the 28-year-long rule of the PNC.
Jagdeo recalled: “So first of all, they rigged elections to stay in power; two, in that period, we had the killing of political opponents.”
The PPP General Secretary then referenced the deaths of political activists, Walter Rodney and Father Darke, and how their killings showed how the-then government impeded on basic human rights such as free speech.
Father Darke, a British citizen who wrote for the Catholic Standard newspaper, and was covering a street protest on Brickdam in Georgetown at the time, was stabbed to death.
Speaking further on the death of Rodney, Jagdeo, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice President, said: “ Political opponents were killed for their politics and their belief. Scores of people were thrown in jail for what they said about the government.”
Rodney died instantly when a bomb disguised as a communication device exploded in his lap as he sat in his car.
Cementing how dark these times were for Guyanese, Jagdeo said: “ We had in that period [under the PNC-R] the doctrine of the paramountcy of the party where the party flag flew over the courts in our judiciary, higher than the national flag…We had in the very same period, no free media where people had to smuggle newsprint into the country to print their paper.”
With all of these infractions brought to light, the Vice President said that the editorial glossed over this period and instead blamed two parties when it was just one, the PNC-R, in office.
He then said to equate the PPP/C and the PNC-R is giving them a “ free pass.”
FREE COUNTRY
Addressing how Guyana has moved from darkness to progress, Jagdeo pointed out how political parties now have to work for the votes of the people and the arms of government are separated unlike in the past.
He said: “Look at the contrast today, we have a free media.
You don’t find people when they criticise us that you’re going to get them to go get locked up or anything like that… This is a free country.”
PPP DELIVERS
While the editorial made it seem that both the PPP/C and PNC-R just echoes promises without materialising them, the Vice President proved otherwise and said this is not the case for his administration.
Citing just a few examples, Jagdeo said: “ I can go through their manifesto in 2015 and they did not achieve five per cent of what they promised… they promised less taxes , they increased taxes. They promised more jobs, t hey took away jobs from people. They promised greater welfare, and [they] took away welfare [from] children, pensioners, the public, the joint services, etc…”
Comparing the previous coalition’s stint during 2015-2020, to the ruling PPP, Jagdeo noted that all sectors have seen betterment such as an increase in the children’s grant that APNU+AFC took away, more scholarships, more jobs, among other things. He said: “ It’s easy to check our promises now. What did we promise? We promised to restore to joint services bonus. Look at our promises. I can bring them. It’s black and white. We did it. We promised [to] increase the children’s grant, restore it and increase it to $50,000. It will get to that next year. We promised free university education, we’re doing that in the five years “ We promised 20,000 scholarships, we did 28,000 on GOAL already, but in four years 50,000, if you add the other programs W I IN and BIT etc., we promise to restore the pensioners’ water subsidy and electricity subsidy. We did it. We promised to resume the land titling activities, we resume d it. We promised to remove all the taxes on production, machinery and equipment.”
With that said, Jagdeo said that the editorial attempted to downplay its accomplishments while normalising the Opposition’s transgressions.
PPP General Secretary and Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
President Carter will be remembered for dedication to peace, justice, democracy
FITUG says
The following is the full text of a statement from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana:
“THE passing of former US President, Jimmy Carter, leaves us with a heavy heart at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).
His death signifies a profound loss not only for his family and friends but also for all of us who have admired his lifelong dedication to peace, justice, and humanitarian efforts around the globe.
President Carter was a true advocate for the poor, marginalised, and disenfranchised. His impact transcended the walls of the White House, as he championed
Human Services Ministry announces 2025 distribution of pension, disability books
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) has announced that booklets for Old Age Pension (OAP) and Permanent Disability for 2025 will be distributed to beneficiaries throughout January and February.
This update was shared via the Ministry’s Facebook page, emphasising its commitment to ensuring timely access to these vital resources.
workers’ rights, global health, and democracy – values that resonate deeply with our own mission at FITUG. We are committed to uplifting workers’ livelihoods and promoting fair labour practices, and we feel a kinship with his enduring advocacy.
In Guyana, President Carter was held in deep respect and admiration. His crucial role
in fostering electoral reforms that restored democracy in 1992 profoundly influenced our nation’s trajectory, helping us find our place within the democratic world. His efforts to unite people across political divides and the contribution of the Carter Center in shaping the National Development Strategy (NDS) are legacies that we treasure.
Under his compassionate leadership, the Carter Center accomplished remarkable work in conflict resolution, advocating for free and
fair elections, and tackling vital health and development issues. His commitment to social justice made him a steadfast ally to the working class, and we are grateful for his unwavering support.
As we reflect on President Carter’s incredible life, we remember him as a leader who valued the dignity of every worker and believed deeply in the principles of equality, fairness, and compassion as the cornerstones of a just society. His legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the
positive change that can occur when leaders prioritise the people’s needs.
In this moment of mourning, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Carter family, the American people, and the countless individuals around the world who were inspired by his life and work. We honour his memory and renew our commitment to the ideals he so passionately championed.
May his soul find eternal peace.”
Books for distribution next year
The Ministry confirmed that the distribution process will include persons who are shut-in and have registered for this service. For beneficiaries who miss the scheduled distribution dates or whose names were inadvertently omitted from the lists, arrangements have been made to collect booklets early in the year from any MHSSS office nationwide.
In addition, the Ministry has outlined the process for Public Assistance books, which will be issued in 2025 following reviews and approvals by the Local Board of Guardians. Public Assistance books are distributed biannually, requiring beneficiaries to reapply for each new issuance.
The MHSSS highlighted that these initiatives form part of its broader Social Assistance Programmes, designed to offer psychological, social, financial, and material support to senior citizens, the infirm, the indigent, and the destitute. These programmes aim to enhance beneficiaries’ ability to cope with life’s challenges and improve their overall well-being.
The Ministry’s mission extends beyond financial aid, encompassing training and rehabilitation services for vulnerable groups, including children, women, families, and the elderly. It also provides critical support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, individuals in conflict with the law, neglected and abused children, victims of human trafficking, teenage mothers, and single parents.
Committed to sustainable development and the economic and social advancement of disadvantaged populations, the MHSSS continues to formulate policies and implement programmes that ensure effective social protection ‘floors’ for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
GPHC records significant decrease in neonatal deaths in 2024
THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has achieved a major milestone by recording the lowest neonatal deaths, as of December 29, 2024.
The announcement was made by the Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Dr. Winsome Scott.
During the hospital’s year-end press briefing on Monday at the Centre for Learning and Innovation in Georgetown, Dr. Scott said that the hospital recorded 83 neonatal deaths out of 947 neonatal admissions in 2023.
She further disclosed that “as of December 29, 2024, the GPHC has recorded 955 neonatal admissions and 41 neonatal deaths, representing a 50 per cent reduction in neonatal deaths when compared to 2023”.
This noteworthy achievement is as a result of the institution’s commitment to strengthening training and education initiatives, the procurement of medical equipment, and applying a multi-disciplinary approach to patient management.
In 2024, the hospital trained 46 healthcare professionals in neonatal skills.
“We also had monthly neonatal death reviews aimed at identifying areas of improvement. During 2024, we have prioritised acquiring lifesaving equipment; 26 of the neonatal deaths for 2024 were among babies born prematurely, Dr. Scott said.
She further said that “infections or sepsis was another major contributing factor to neonatal deaths. To address the spread of infections among our babies, the hospital has ensured the consistent supply of personal protective equipment for its staff”.
By adopting these strategies, Dr. Scott said that the department achieved a NICU Hand Hygiene Compliance rate of greater than or equal to 96 per cent throughout 2024, the highest such rating at the hospital.
The Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit said that overcrowding, a challenge often associated with the spread of infections and an increase in neonatal deaths, is now a rare occurrence at the hospital. This is attributed to several factors such as the increased number of beds for babies, and the acquisition of new equipment.
Additionally, Dr. Scott highlighted that the GPHC has stepped up its services, and now provides telemedicine consultations with both regional and private institutions.
“And through these consultations, we are able to advise on care and management of neonates. We also have an effective referral system from the GPHC to other equipped facilities, if we find ourselves with too many babies at one time.”
Dr. Scott added that “in January, we had our first neonate in Guyana who would have received peritoneal dialysis due to his kidney failure. I am happy to say that the baby was discharged, and is currently thriving.”
Building on the success of 2024, Dr. Scott said that the hospital remains committed to making even more improvements to its neonatal unit in order to ensure that every newborn Guyanese child receives the best start in life. (DPI)
NICU Director Dr. Winsome Scott
Guyana cultivated 12,000 acres of corn, soya in 2024
–– aiming to be self-sufficient with black-eyed and red beans by 2025
GUYANESE farmers
cultivated 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024.
During a year-end press conference on Monday at the Ministry of Agriculture’s head office on Regent Street, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, said that while this is a remarkable accomplishment, the goal is to expand production in 2025.
“We are hoping by next year that this will be increased to 25,000 acres twice annually with a potential for further expansion because this is
the amount we need to be self-sufficient,” the minister noted.
To become self-sufficient, the government invested significantly in the Tacama, Savannah area [along the Berbice River] where more than 40 kilometres of road have been constructed, Minister Mustapha added. An 18,000-tonne silo has also been erected and a conveying system consisting of a wharf is currently under construction. This will ensure that
Guyanese farmers cultivated 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024
Guyana cultivated 12,000 acres ...
rom page 19
corn and soya are effectively transferred onto ships for export markets abroad.
Along with the two high-yielding produce, the government is also working to increase Guyana’s bean cultivation.
“We are also working aggressively to be self-sufficient by the end of next year to produce all our black-eyed and red beans. As I am speaking now, works are ongoing on roads in the Kimbia area [Region Ten] where we are working on a private-public partnership to harvest those beans,” the Agriculture Minister stated.
According to Minister Mustapha, 2,000 acres of land have already been earmarked for this mega project.
Land preparation and the application of limestone have already been completed and 32 kilometres of road have been constructed so far.
Like corn and soya, a silo with a storage capacity of 15,000-tonne has also been procured for the black-eyed and red beans.
With 200 hectares of beans about to be sowed, Minister Mustapha said he expects the crop will be ready for harvest as early as March of 2025. (DPI)
F
Pooran, Russell included in ESPNCricinfo T20 Team of the Year
BATSMAN Nicholas Pooran and all-rounder
Andre Russell were both included in the ESPNCricinfo T20 team of the year, the website announced on Monday.
Pooran enjoyed a career best year in the format, finishing with 2331 runs in 74 innings in the format in 2024.
He scored those runs at an average of 40.89 and an excellent strike rate of 157.39, hitting one hundred and 15 fifties.
In fact, the 29-year-old was the only batsman to cross the 2000 run mark in the format this year, with South African Reeza Hendricks
finishing a distant second with 1970 runs to his name.
Russell enjoyed another excellent year in the format, recording 1075 runs at a strike rate of 185.3 and 49 wickets at a strike rate of 26.2 with an economy rate of 9.4.
The full team is as follows: Travis Head (Australia), Phil Salt (England), Ti-
(India), Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka). (Sportsmax)
Caribbean magazine names Eastern...
(FROM PAGE 27)
body’s named Ralph and James as “Persons of the Year for 2023.”
Hall noted that previous Everybody’s “Persons of the Year” included Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, New York City Mayor, Eric Adams and Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell.
“Most of this magazine readers today are first-and second-generation Caribbean-Americans,” he said. “They were born and raised in America; therefore, their nominations are not necessarily someone born and raised in the region.”
Beginning in September every year, Hall said Everybody’s invites its readers to suggest someone or event for Person of the Year.
“There was a year when two hurricanes were our phenomenon of the year,” he said. “Remember, we have been announcing a ‘Person of the Year’ since 1978. At that time, it was called ‘Man of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’.
“In the old days, we actually had a dinner in their honour, with the proceeds going to charitable and educational institutions,” Hall added.
“Recipients who attended the Gala in their honour included Sir Arthur Lewis (late St. Lucian economist), when he won the Nobel Prize; Eugenia Charles (of Dominica), when she became the first woman to head a government
in a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) state.”
He said the first organisation to receive a donation was the Governor Children Fund in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the late 1970s.
“In recent years, we have not had an event to honour the recipient or recipients, nor have we met them,” Hall said.
He said Everybody’s commenced its “Person of the Year” Award in 1978 on the suggestion of one Helen B. Lucas “to celebrate the magazine’s first anniversary.”
That year, Hall said Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago, who, in 1977, became the first woman of colour to be crowned Miss Universe, “received the accolades.”
Hall said Commissiong shared the honour with Calypso Rose, “the first woman to shatter the male domination of calypso by winning the 1977 National Calypso King title, thereby forcing the renaming of the prestigious competition to the National Calypso Monarch.”
Everybody’s publisher said Sir Arthur and his wife attended the magazine’s 1980 dinner in his honour, “celebrating his 1979 Nobel Prize.”
Hall noted that Sir Arthur was the first Black person to win the Nobel prize for economics. Sir Arthur died on June 15, 1991.
lak Varma (India), Nicholas Pooran (WK) (West Indies), Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa), Tristan Stubbs (South Africa), Andre Russell (West Indies), Rashid Khan (C) (Afghanistan), Arshdeep Singh (India), Jasprit Bumrah
Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran
Herro helps Heat beat Rockets before being ejected
TYLER Herro played a key role in helping Miami Heat rally from a 12-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets before being ejected in the final minute.
Herro scored a gamehigh 27 points and nine assists as Miami won 104-100 in Texas.
The 24-year-old was one of four players ejected in a heated final 47.4 seconds after being involved in a skirmish with Amen Thompson, Terry Rozier and Jalen Green.
Miami Heat sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with the Rockets third in the Western, despite back-toback losses.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma City Thunder strengthened their grip on top spot in the Western Conference after beating second-placed Memphis Grizzlies 130-106.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points to help Oklahoma extend its winning run to 11 games.
The Minnesota Timber-
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS VAAL
08:35 hrs. Miss Scaletts 09:10 hrs. Annewithan E 09:48 hrs. Francilien
10:25 hrs. Prince Of Kildare
ENGLISH RACING TIPS LINGFIELD
08:14 hrs. This Farh
08:44 hrs. Early Release
09:14 hrs. Kylian
09:44 hrs. Royal Champion
10:14 hrs. Zandita
10:47 hrs. Supreme King
11:22 hrs. Lost In Time
WARWICK
08:20 hrs. Lord Of All Saints
wolves made it three wins on the bounce and held off a fightback to beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-110.
Victor Wembanyama registered 34 points for the Spurs with Donte DiVincenzo scoring a season-high 26 points.
The Indiana Pacers earned revenge against NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, as Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points in a 123114 win.
08:50 hrs. Crazierthandaisy
09:20 hrs. Top Ville Ben
09:50 hrs. John W Creasy
10:20 hrs. Land Genie
10:55 hrs. Bollywood
11:30 hrs. Big Bert
UTTOXETER
08:30 hrs. Star Of Diamonds
09:00 hrs. Benassi
09:30 hrs. Hill Of Scarriff
10:00 hrs. Nedzor
10:30 hrs. Croagh Patrick
11:05 hrs. Knockanore 11:40 hrs. Let's Mingle
IRISH RACING TIPS PUNCHESTOWN
08:35 hrs. High Class Hero
09:05 hrs. Folly Master
09:35 hrs. Saint Lucie
10:05 hrs. Saint Sam
10:35 hrs. The Nagger Reidy
11:10 hrs. Bishbashbosh
11:45 hrs. Jolie Folie
Clinical New Zealand clinch series
NEW Zealand went up 2-0 against Sri Lanka to clinch the three-match T20I series with a match to spare. Starring for the hosts was pacer Jacob Duffy who struck at regular intervals to completely derail the chase, leaving Sri Lanka 45 short in the chase of 186.
New Zealand had a more rounded batting performance in the second game which was an improvement from the first. Being put in to bat, they lost Rachin Ravindra in only the third over but both Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman kept up the attack. Their 69run stand off 47 balls built up a good base for New Zealand in the first half of the innings.
The Celtics claimed a comfortable 142-105 victory when the two sides met on Sunday.
Cole Anthony drove for a lay-up with 1.3 seconds remaining to complete a huge comeback win for Orlando Magic against Brooklyn Nets.
Host, Orlando, trailed 17 points in the fourth quarter before rallying to record a 102-101 triumph.
The Toronto Raptors slumped to a 10th successive loss against the visiting Atlanta Hawks.
Trae Young collected 34 points and 10 assists as Atlanta won 136-107.
On a pitch that wasn't easy for strokeplay, this proved to be invaluable. Both batters got the early boundaries when Maheesh Theekshana erred in lengths inside the powerplay with Chapman even surviving an LBW review in the same over. Chapman had slices of luck being put down once but kept going at a healthy rate.
Robinson slog-swept Wanindu Hasaranga for a six before being done in by the googly in the same over. It resulted in a couple of quiet overs before Glenn Phillips got going with back-to-back boundaries against Pathirana.
Theekshana proved to be an easier bowler to go after and both Phillips and Chapman helped themselves to a six each in the following over. But just as they were settling in, Hasaranga struck with his googly once more, having Chapman out stumped. Phillips too fell
quickly thereafter leaving New Zealand wobbling at 122-4. But a mindful Daryl Mitchell steadied the ship at that point. The innings got a big fillip in the final three overs where Mitchell Hay went berserk. Theekshana was taken for 17 runs in the penultimate over with Hay smacking a couple of sixes followed by two boundaries in the final over from Binura Fernando. The 34 runs in that last two effectively put Sri Lanka on the backfoot straightway.
They, however, started on a good note. The top order gave them a good base to mount a challenge but the lower-order fell away like ninepins as Jacon Duffy finished with a four-wicket haul. It was Mitchell Santner who gave the hosts a breakthrough after the openers had been going steadily at eight an over for the first four overs of the innings. Kusal Mendis could not keep a drive down and he was out caught off the first ball bowled by Santner.
Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka steadied the ship allowing for a breather. But the latter was deceived by a slower one from Duffy who struck around the halfway stage of the innings for the first time in the day. Kusal, meanwhile, took a liking for the spinners attacking both Bracewell and Phillips. But New Zealand was able to strike at regular intervals even then with Bracewell accounting for Kamindu soon after. Kusal and Charith Asalanka put on some quick runs before the innings went downhill in the final five overs.
Duffy who had figures of 2-0-7-1 in his first spell got rid of Kusal with his first ball, yorking the well-set batter. Santner complemented that by prising out Asalanka in the following over. Duffy struck twice more in the penultimate over to finish with figures of 4-15 in New Zealand's series-sealing victory. (Cricbuzz)
Referees to announce VAR decisions to fans in semi-finals
REFEREES will announce any video assistant referee decisions to football supporters inside stadiums in England for the first time during the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
As part of a trial, referees will announce final decisions following a visit to the VAR pitchside monitor or when rulings are made on factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside offences where the attacker touches the ball.
Such announcements are common in other sports such as rugby union and American football and the system was trialled during the 2023 Women's World Cup.
The Premier League said in a meeting last summer that in-game VAR announcements would be put in place at some
The Premier League said the overall number of correct decisions in matches was at 96% last season, compared with 82% before VAR was introduced
point this season.
Both legs in each of the cup semi-finals - Arsenal v Newcastle and Tottenham v Liverpool - will be included in the trial.
The first legs in the EFLrun competition will be played on 7 and 8 January 2025, with the return fixtures on 5 and 6 February.
Refereeing authority PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) says the move is part of its "commitment to transparency" and hopes it will provide greater clarity and understanding around key decisions.
Referees have been preparing for the in-stadium an-
nouncements at training camps and have practised at stadiums already. The officials for the matches will be announced today.
The Premier League Match Centre account on X has posted "near-live" explanations of VAR decisions this season, but this will be the first time spoken announcements have been given to crowds, if there are any such calls to make.
The EFL said in a statement: "The new pilot embraces technological advancements for the benefit of match officials and fans.
"This latest pilot has the support of the EFL and follows earlier collaboration with PGMOL in 2018 to trial VAR in EFL competitions ahead of its introduction in the Premier League."
Tyler Herro was a first-round pick by the Miami Heat in the 2019 NBA draft
Duffy finished with figures of four for 15
WTC Finals Scenarios: India need SCG win and more
SOUTH Africa became the first side to qualify for the WTC finals after a tense two-wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion. Three teams - Australia, India, and Sri Lanka - are in contention for the remaining spot to join South Africa at Lord's next June. Six Tests remain in the cycle with each of the three teams in fray to feature in four of those. Here's how the scenario looks like after Australia's 184-run win in the Boxing Day MCG Test.
AUSTRALIA
Points table (as of Dec 26, 2024)
Australia has closed in to seal a chance to defend their title at Lord's with the win in the Boxing day Test at the MCG against India. A win at SCG next week will seal a spot for them irrespective of the two games in Sri Lanka as it will take them to a win
Zimbabwe thwart Afghanistan's victory push to hold on for draw
A LATE push for an unlikely win from Afghanistan was thwarted by Zimbabwe towards the end of the final day's play as the teams settled for a draw in the opening Test in Bulawayo.
The Test that was clearly heading for a draw with both teams putting up massive first-innings totals, suddenly sparked some interest right at the end with Afghanistan picking up a few wickets but the experienced duo of Sean Williams and Craig Ervine ensured that it ended in a stalemate. When play began on the fifth day, it was only a matter of time before Afghanistan fetched the first innings lead.
Hashmatullah Shahidi and Afsar Zazai continued to pile on the runs and eventually, the skipper brought up
his second double century in Test cricket. Zazai then became the third Afghanistan player in the game to reach three figures as Zimbabwe looked clueless on the field. While Williams finally managed to end the massive stand, Shahid carried on further before getting dismissed four short of 250. The skipper's dismissal though triggered an incredible collapse that saw the visitors lose their last five wickets in a matter of just four overs. Brian Bennett was the wrecker-in-chief as he first got rid of Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai off successive deliveries before picking three wickets in an over to bowl Afghanistan out one run short of the magical mark 700.
Even though Zimbabwe then came up with a strong
percentage of 57, which is beyond the reach of both India and Sri Lanka.
If SCG Test ends in a stalemate, Australia will need at least a draw in Sri Lanka to qualify, as Sri Lanka get the better of Australia if they win 2-0 and get to 53.85. In case of India pulling one back at the SCG, Australia will need at least one win against Sri Lanka to surpass India's tally of 55.26.
INDIA
From sitting on top of the charts at the end of the Tests against Bangladesh, India have been on a steady downward slide since and have dropped to third place with 52.78 with a Test in hand. They are now comfortably
behind the top two who are both well placed above 60. The defeat at MCG means for the first time in this cycle, they are no more in control of their fortunes. The best they can do is to win at the SCG to reach 55.26, and hope Australia don't win any Test in Sri Lanka.
If the scoreline against Australia ends 2-2 and both the Tests between Australia and Sri Lanka end in draws, both India and Australia will be tied on 55.26 with India progressing by virtue of more series wins (three for India to Australia's two). But if Australia gains anything more than eight points in Sri Lanka (two draws gives eight points), then they will finish ahead of India's 55.26.
A defeat or a draw in the final Test Down Under will end India's hopes of a third consecutive final appearance.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s chances got severely dented after the series loss in South Africa and a result at SCG will end hopes for Sri Lanka irrespective of the scoreline of their series against Australia in February. The only way for Sri Lanka to finish in the top two is if they win both the matches against Australia and hope for the SCG Test to finish in a draw. Sri Lanka will then finish on 53.85 while Australia will end on 53.51 and India on 51.75. (Cricbuzz)
Thirteen-year-old benefits from ‘Project Cricket Gear’
ALTAF Ali, a 13-year-old leg-spinner of Bush Lot Cricket Club, West Coast, Berbice, is the latest to benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana,” the joint initiative between Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA.
reply on expected lines, Afghanistan's late collapse perhaps came as a blessing in disguise as they suddenly found an opening out of nowhere to push for a win. When Zahir Khan broke the opening stand, Zimbabwe were still trailing by 40 runs.
There was then a rain delay for a while and once play resumed, the hosts needed to bat out just 14 overs. However, Ben Curran got run out and then Zahir and AM Ghazanfar struck once each to cause panic in the opposition camp.
One more wicket at that stage could have really sparked life into the contest but Williams stood firm and so did Ervine. The duo had to bat out just a few overs before the captains finally settled for the draw.
(Cricbuzz)
Ali’s coach, Rajbance Hemraj, approached the project for assistance and he was gifted one pair of cricket shoes. The initiative is pleased to be part of the development of young Ali and every other youth in Guyana. The aim is to keep young people off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular.
Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $460,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 31 pairs of cricket shoes, 35 pairs of batting pads, 40 cricket bats, 36 pairs of batting gloves, 26 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 12 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat, 13 boxes of white cricket balls, 11 boxes of red cricket balls and 28 footballs.
To date, 90 young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted directly from cash, seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 33 bats, four boxes, six helmets,
35 pairs of cricket shoes, 23 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 41 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and three pairs of wicket-keeping gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats.
Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also collected one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, two sets of stumps and bails.
Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach
Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans with 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union Cricket Club with two boxes of red balls, Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools with 12 red balls each.
Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
Afghanistan made a late dash towards forcing a result but ran out of time
Rajbance Hemra, left, hands over the cricket shoes to Altaf Ali
India lose seven in the final session, Australia snatch 2-1 series lead
EARLY in the final hour at the MCG, Australia won an epic Test that had been played in front of a record crowd to take a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, having snared seven wickets in the final session when it appeared India was on track to save the game.
Yashasvi Jaiswal defied the home side for 208 deliveries before falling to the herculean Pat Cummins while hometown star Scott Boland made three key incisions to secure one of Australia's most significant victories of recent history.
(Scores: Australia 474 (Smith 140, Labuschagne 72, Bumrah 4-99) and 234 (Labuschagne 70, Bumrah 5-57) beat India 369 (Reddy 114, Jaiswal 82, Boland 3-57) and 155 (Jaiswal 84, Cummins 3-28, Boland 3-39) by 184 runs
Nathan Lyon claimed the final wicket, when he pinned Mohammed Siraj lbw, sparking wild celebrations for the home side: a margin of 184 runs did not do justice to the tension and drama of the final day and the importance of the result to this Australia team which has turned its fortunes around after the crushing opening defeat in Pert
After India had slid to 33 for 3, Jaiswal and Rishabh
Pant added 88 in 32 overs to take India into the final session with seven wickets in hand, but Travis Head burgled the wicket of Pant and Australia seized their moment as India lost 7 for 34. The quick bowlers were immense, Mitchell Starc bowling in the mid-140kph region despite a back niggle, while Cummins and Boland added further chapters to previous MCG heroics. Cummins earned the Johnny Mullagh Medal as Player of the Match for an outstanding all-round Test in which he also contributed 90 runs alongside his six wickets. There was a dose of controversy, too, when Jaiswal's rearguard was ended via the DRS after he gloved a pull down the leg side against Cummins. Snicko did not register anything, but third umpire Sharfuddoula ruled he had seen a clear a deflection, which matched what was shown on TV. Jaiswal appeared to know he had hit it but spoke with the umpires on the way off. It meant India's lower order had 21 overs to survive and it proved too much.
The defeat means India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final are now out of their hands, but in terms of this series they can still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with
victory in Sydney. For Australia, a win in the final Test - and a 3-1 margin - would secure their spot in the WTC final alongside South Africa who qualified Sunday with their own gripping victory over Pakistan.
The final day dawned with Australia nine down and they opted to continue batting which added just a further six runs but removed four overs from the day's allocation. Lyon became the fifth wicket for Jasprit Bumrah, retaining his record of having the It all meant that India needed 340 in 92 overs and talk of the Gabba 2021 was never far away.
India was very cautious early on against some extremely testing new ball bowling; Rohit Sharma later said they set out wanting to lay a platform for a chase but
it always looked a long shot. Australia was made to wait for its opening incisions before, as has so often been the case, it was Cummins who came to the fore. He had the struggling Rohit edging to gully, where Mitchell Marsh took a sharp catch, and five balls later squared up KL Rahul with a superb delivery which ended in the hands of first slip.
In the final over before lunch, Starc was rewarded for battling through the pain barrier when he lured Virat Kohli into his latest drive outside off, the edge reaching Usman Khawaja. The wicket ended a controversial time in Melbourne for Kohli, and made it clear that there was no realistic chance of India chasing down the target.
Jaiswal and Pant played
Pat Cummins was awarded the Mullagh Medal after being named Player of the Match
very solidly through the afternoon to repel everything Australia threw at them. Jaiswal, who dropped three catches yesterday, including a vital chance off Marnus Labuschagne, survived a tight lbw appeal against Starc on 31 and brought up his second fifty of the match off 127 balls.
Shortly after tea, India was 121 for 3. Head, who was used partly to improve Australia's over rate which risked WTC points deductions, dropped a ball short outside off stump and Pant went for the pull, finding Marsh at long-on who took an excellent catch. It gave
Australia an opening. Cummins quickly returned to Boland and he soon made a delivery jump at Ravindra Jadeja to take the shoulder of the bat through to Carey. In the next over from Lyon, India's first-innings rescuer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, edged a delivery which went straight on and Steven Smith took a superb catch, low to his left at slip. Australia had taken 3 for 9 to crack the innings wide open. Jaiswal's dismissal will likely be dissected in detail over the coming days and the DRS was called into action again to rule that Akash Deep had got a thin edge into his pad which went to short leg. By then, Australia were firm favourites, especially with a new ball soon to be available, but in the end that wasn't even needed. Boland found Bumrah's outside edge, with Smith taking another superb catch, and then Lyon cannoned one into Siraj's front pad. Inevitably India reviewed but it was going nowhere but the stumps. When the decision was confirmed, Lyon did a jig of delight. Overall, the Test had been watched by 373,691 spectators, a new record for a Test match in Australia. It will go down as one of the more memorable. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Caribbean magazine names Eastern Caribbean Olympians ‘Persons of the Year 2024’
By Nelson A. King
NEW YORK, (CMC) –A POPULAR Caribbean-American magazine in New York has named Eastern Caribbean Olympians as “Persons of the Year for 2024.”
Herman Hall, the Grenadian-born publisher and owner of the Brooklyn, New York-based ‘Everybody’s magazine’, said that readers of the 47-year-old publication have chosen Eastern Caribbean Olympians for their “triumphs at the 2024 Paris Olympiad.”
Summer Olympics in Paris in the 100 meters and establishing a new national record of 10.72 seconds in the final.
In winning gold in the triple jump at the 2024 Summer Olympics, LaFond-Gadson, 30, also became the first-ever Dominican Olympic medalist. She was also the 2024 World Indoor triple jump champion.
champion in the discipline, in addition to being a multiple CARIFTA Games champion.
Specializing in the 400 meters, James, 32, Grenada’s first Olympic medalist, won the 400m at the World Championships in 2011 and captured gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
athlete to reach the final stage at an Olympic event at Paris 2024.
“On Monday [August 5] at the Stade de France, the middle-distance runner from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, barely missed out on a podium finish in the women’s 800m final,” it added.
vice-president Kamala Harris, Olympic gold and silver medalist Julien Alfred, Machel Montano and Beres Hammond. Others suggested persons in their community.”
Hall said Everybody’s also saluted the 2024 Jamaican Olympians.
They are Julien Alfred of St. Lucia; Thea LaFond-Gadson of Dominica; Lindon Victor, Anderson Peters and Kirani James of Grenada and Shafiqua Maloney of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Alfred, 23, won St. Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal, attaining gold at the 2024
Victor, 31, is the 2023 World and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist for the decathlon, and a two-time Commonwealth Games champion (2018–2022).
Meanwhile, the 27-yearold Peters won bronze in the men’s javelin at the Paris Olympics. He was also the 2019 and 2022 world
Additionally, James won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He, therefore, became the first athlete to attain the full set of three medals in the centennial annals of the Olympics.
According to Olympics. com, “in the space of about a year, Shafiqua Maloney has risen from desperate lows to becoming the first Vincentian
Maloney, 25, placed fourth in the final and holds the 800m national record in both indoors and outdoors for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“All enhanced their nation’s stature and inspired the youth of the Caribbean,” Hall told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Sunday.
“Many nominated US
“They brought home six medals – one gold, three silvers and two bronzes,” he noted, stating that previous Everybody’s “Persons of the Year” who are Jamaicans include Usain Bolt (2008 and 2016); Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (2019); and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph (2023), who was born in the US to a Jamaican immigrant.
Last December, Every -
(TURN TO PAGE 24)
Pat Cummins and company went 2-1 up at the MCG
(Getty Images)
St Lucian Julien Alfred is among the Eastern Caribbean Olympians named as Persons of the Year for 2024 by Everybody’s magazine
Drakes glut helps Milerock dump Winners Connection 9-3 –
DEFENDING champion Milerock FC, led by a destructive display from veteran Colwyn Drakes who hit a glut of goals smashed their way past Haynes and Lewis’ Winners Connection, 9-3, while Botafago continued its rich vein of form to hammer Capital FC, 8-3, in semi-final matches of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) Banks DIH / Jai Signs/ Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Year End futsal championship which was played Sunday night at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.
After limping through to the last four and not looking like the reigning champion, Milerock made
it their second successive annual trip with a resounding victory.
No doubt veteran Colwyn Drakes led their charge with an opening hat-trick in the first half, much to the appreciation of their fans. Nevertheless, Anthony Layne and Akeem Caesar would pull the Winners Connection back into contention, it seemed, as the first half break ended with a 3-2 scoreline, still in favour of Milerock.
Jona Simon would push Milerock to a 4-2 advantage and Drakes would add to the miseries of Winners Connect for his fourth goal, as Michael Jeffers sent them further ahead 6-2. Ronic Velloze would reduce that lead by scoring for Winners Connection, but the
rampant Drakes then netted again for his fifth strike, and Kamar McLaren entered the fray with a brace, as Milerock blasted themselves to a 9-3 victory.
However, the second semi-final did not produce a repeat win of last year’s clash, as was seen in the first, as Botafago turned the tables on Capital FC this time around wiping them out, 8-3.
The Botafago lineup proved too strong for their opponents as three players scored twice in Donovan Francis, Amaniki Buntin and Jamal Bentick pressured their younger rivals following a 5-1 half time lead. Jermaine Maison and Ronel Depution were the scorers in the first period of play along with Fran-
cis and Buntin and Bentick.
The trio of Francis, Bentick and Buntin would add the other goals for Botafago to reach this year’s final to be played on New Year’s Night.
After Devonte Tappin got the first goal for Capital FC in the first half of play, the other two in the second half were hit in by Duquan Wilson and Isaiah Adams.
In the first supporting game YMCA Under 20 scored an exciting 3-2 win over Amelia’s Ward Under 20. In the other game, a ladies encounter, Purple Stone scored a 3-1 win against White Stone.
Apart from the major sponsors Banks DIH, Jai Signs and Auto Spares, and the Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sport, other support for this championship are Jermaine and Son Supermarkets, S. Jagmohan Construction, Majors Rentals, New Era Entertainment, Orin’s Supreme Construction and D.Sookram and Daughters General Construction, Benny King Welding and Fabricating, Kelmon Enterprise, Semple and Sons General Store and Clive Chapman Associates.
The final and third place playoff in this $3M tournament which has $1M for the winners and other prizes at stake will be staged (tomorrow night) New Year’s Night at the Retrieve Hard Court with the third place game at 19.00hrs.
Root & Brook shortlisted for ICC cricketer of the year
FORMER England captain, Joe Root and batter Harry Brook have been shortlisted for the ICC men's cricketer of the year award.
Australia batter, Travis Head and India’s pace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, are the other male nominations.
Root, 34, is the number one-ranked Test batter in the men's game as a result of making 1,556 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 55.57 in 2024.
He was briefly displaced at the top of the rankings earlier this year by team-mate Brook, but a disappointing third Test in New Zealand for the 25-year-old saw Root regain his spot. Brook has otherwise enjoyed a
stellar year, which peaked with a maiden triple hundred in Pakistan in October.
The Yorkshire batter hit 317 off 322 balls in Multan to help England to their third-highest total in Test history.
Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2024 - with 71 at an average of 14.92 - while Head has scored three pivotal centuries and averages 40.53.
Australia's Annabel Sutherland, New Zealand's Melie Kerr, South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt and Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu have been nominated for the women's award.
Kerr led New Zealand to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year,
beating Wolvaardt's South Africa in the final.
The 24-year-old took a record 15 wickets during the tournament while Wolvaardt hit more runs (223) than any other batter in the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Athapaththu led Sri Lanka to success in the Asia Cup while Sutherland became just the ninth woman to make a Test double century in February.
Root and Brook are also nominated for the men's Test cricketer of the year award while seamer Gus Atkinson is on the shortlist for the emerging men's cricketer of the year.
Milerock goal scorers: From left, Colwyn Drakes, Michael Jeffers, Jona Simon and Kamar McLaren
Joe Root (left) is ranked number one and Harry Brook number two among men's Test batters Goal scorers for Botafago: From left, Jamal Bentick, Ronel Depution, Amaniki Buntin and Jermaine Maison