Issuu

Lethem Mash showcases ‘Rupununi Splendour’ 15 PAGE

No. 105204

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018

Price: $80

( VAT I n c l u s i v e )

Ceres opens US$8M office – commits to supporting youth development

PAGE

Mash fever hits Linden Police close in

on Berbice cattle rustling ring 12 PAGE

Pensioner killed in Melanie accident 13 PAGE

Minibus drivers, 09 touts could be nuisance PAGE

This float captured the attention of Lindeners when the mining town hosted its Mashramani celebrations on Sunday. The event brought the town alive as hundreds of Lindeners turned out to witness the beautiful floats and be part of the merry atmosphere (Carwyn Holland photo)

–– when responding to a blaze, says fire prevention officer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

680 receive medical care –– as Flying Doctors wing out of Guyana

By Svetlana Marshall THE Flying Doctors of America successfully completed their mission in Guyana treating close to 700 residents in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo district. For a period of four days – Monday, February 26 to

the Guyana Chronicle, Dr Arledge explained that last Monday, the team flew from Georgetown into the village of Annai, where they treated 440 residents, not only from Annai, but other neighbouring villages, over a period of two days. “They (the local healthcare system) actually do a

jecting somebody’s shoulder, there was one in the wrist and a whole bunch of knees, people are having a hard time walking,” he recalled, while adding that “with the pain medication they could potentially walk pain-free for up to six months”. On Wednesday, the medical team then journeyed to

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, expressing her gratitude to the Flying Doctors of America Thursday, March 1-- the 13member medical team led by Dr John Arledge, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Flying Doctors of America, treated 680 residents from Annai, Surama, Iwokrama, and Fairview. The 13-member team comprised a rheumatologist, emergency room doctors, family physicians, paediatricians, dermatologists, orthodontists, paediatric dentists and an adult dentist. In an with interview with

very good job with vaccines and the basic health care, but there were a lot of people who had teeth that needed to be extracted…. There was a lot of significant arthritis where we needed more than medications,” the CMO said. He explained that with a rheumatologist as part of the team, persons living with arthritis received much-needed medication that could see them enjoying pain- free lives for up to six months. “I saw her one time in-

the village of Surama, where an additional 120 people were seen. For the Flying Doctors of America, this was a major achievement, given that the village has a population of 320 persons. “In Surama, there were some lung infections [and] a lot of women who were concerned about their pregnancies. Our gynaecologist had an ultrasound machine, so she was able to do ultrasound on the pregnant women, reassuring them that their

babies were in the right positions and everything looked right,” Dr Arledge reported. On Thursday, the team visited Fairview – a community which, though not located in Region Nine, falls under its administration because of its geographical location. There, another 120 persons, many of whom were children, were treated. “There were many children who needed dental work, and we were happy to help,” Dr Arledge said. Usually, the Flying Doctors of America team would comprise 20 medical personnel, but because of the geographical location of Region Nine, and the transportation logistics, only 13 doctors came to Guyana. The CMO said although they worked with a much smaller team, they were able to meet their objectives. TARGET MET “Our goal was to see more than 600, and because of the way the countryside is spread out and it is much easier for us to go to the medium-size villages and then for all of them to come see us, that is one reason we spread it out over four days,” he explained. Dr Arledge, who became the CMO for the Flying Doctors of America Mission in 2014, said he first got an idea to execute a medical mission in Guyana in 2013, and had been working on it ever since. In 2017, he visited Guyana to put systems in place and secured the support of

See page 8

Dr John Arledge (left), the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Flying Doctors having a discussion with Denroy Tudor, Coordinator, International Desk Public Health Ministry, before the farewell ceremony

Dr John Arledge holding the portrait of St.George's Cathedral presented to him by Minister Dr Karen Cummings

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Ceres opens US$8M office – commits to supporting youth development

By Svetlana Marshall VETERAN geotechnical engineer Charles Ceres on Saturday opened a new office at Liliendaal as he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc (GSEC), a company he built from scratch. Pegged at US$8M, the GSEC office will house a staff of 33 persons, as it continues to nurture young people to ensure they are responsive to the development thrust of Guyana. The company provides services in geotechnical engineering and groundwater hydrology, in addition to environmental compliance. On Saturday, Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge joined Ceres and his family and friends to commission the multimillion-dollar facility, which will be a training ground for engineers in the field of geo-technology and groundwater hydrology. In delivering the keynote address, Minister Greenidge underscored the importance of nurturing a country’s human resource intellectual capital at all levels of society. He said it was that support that Ceres received that allowed him to enter the private sector, “undertake, establish, run and maintain” a business for 25 years. Ceres, he added, has not only maintained the business, but has adapted to changing

technology in a field that is rapidly evolving. “I am pleased, very much pleased to see the extent to which Charles [Ceres] in setting up his business seems to bring youth, relatives, other skills into the enterprise, so that it can remain vibrant and relevant,” Minister Greenidge posited. Noting that economists are recognising that skill-in-

of highly technical skills, packaged them into an enterprise, into a business, and is seeking to utilise those human resource skills to sell data, analysis of data and other forms of analysis and information to enterprises… involved in building banks…as well as building power stations…ensuring that civil work is done in an adequate fashion,” Minister

for the country to develop an engineering culture. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Ceres said the company in fulfilling its commitment to Guyana places major emphasis on youth development in the field of engineering. “We only ask that they be self-starters and demon-

Charles Ceres

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge (third left), Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc proprietor Charles Ceres (second right) and his two sons Abdel and Assad look on as his daughter Chidimma, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the company’s Liliendaal office. (Photos by Adrian Narine) tensive services are critical to development of countries such as Guyana, the foreign affairs minister said grooming of human resource skills have become even more important for the mastering of industries, and Ceres has done just that. “You are looking at a man who has taken a set

Greenidge pointed out. Ceres, who was hailed by Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited, Guyana Goldfields and Fugro, as a man of impeccable professional character, told those present that he developed his company 25 years ago on February 27 after recognising that it was critical

Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc multimillion dollar office at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara

strate a sense of humility. Humility is important, since it recognises that knowledge is not something over which we are granted exclusive domain. Knowledge is something which we are responsible to share with others, including colleagues and clients. Humility also creates a thirst for additional knowledge, because we fear failure and the associated consequences,” he explained. Over the 25 years, Ceres posited that GSEC has directly expanded the horizons of engineers in areas of geotechnical engineering. “Our staff members are the only persons in Guyana who have been introduced to the intricacies of numerical modelling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport. We plan to expose additional members of our staff to surface-water flow and transport and air-quality modelling to address the immediate needs of our prac-

tice,” the veteran engineer pointed out. He added: “We have provided soils and materials laboratory training for young Guyanese in a stateof-the-art soils and materials laboratory to the extent that we have provided support on most major projects in Guyana, starting with Skeldon II and including Amaila Falls, Guyana Goldfields, Sandspring Resources, Huawei 4-G Project and the Cheddi Jagan Airport expansion.” Some of these young professionals, he further pointed out, have had the privilege of working on projects in the Gulf of Mexico and on the East Coast of the U.S., in addition to the Caribbean. On Sunday, three staff members were dispatched to Houston, Texas, for additional training. SUPPORT But Ceres made it clear that the success of his company would not have been possible without the support of his family and friends. After achieving the ‘American Dream’, Ceres and his two sons Abdel and Assad returned to Guyana to start all over again. “One element of that desire was to not be residing outside of Guyana on my 40th birthday. Another was the sense of being Guyanese and contributing to Guyana’s development, motivat-

ed by the vision of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham who, like all individuals, myself included, was not without his faults. It also includes the vision of the now deceased Haslyn Parris, who granted me authority as a 26-yearold to start a geotechnical services department at the then Guyana Bauxite Company,” he told his audience. Being from Springlands, Berbice, is also critical to the success of Ground Structures, he added, noting that some in the U.S. had criticised his decision. “These persons were unaware of the strengths I possessed, instilled in me by people from Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. Some of these people are here today and I wish to thank them and to recognise them for those strengths. Uncle Ernest and Auntie Norma, teacher Joyce then (granny now), Ms Doreen Ferdinand (Auntie Doreen). We would not be here today if I was not nurtured and influenced by you. You represent the people of that small but loving village and I would like to thank you. Shine rice and tilapia work, as my good friend and fellow countryman Keith Lowenfield can verify,” he pointed out. His company’s success is a result of both assistance and adversity, Ceres said, noting that adversity being probably the greatest motivator of all.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Slovak investigative reporter, Vatican treasurer in Australian court girlfriend found shot dead for hearing on sex offence charges A Slovak investigative reporter and his girlfriend were shot dead in their home in an attack likely linked to his reporting on tax evasion, Slovakia’s top police official said yesterday. The bodies of 27-yearold Jan Kuciak and his partner were found on Sunday evening in their house in the town of Velka Maca, east of the capital, Bratislava, national police force president Tibor Gaspar said. Police went to the house at the request of a worried family member. Gaspar said the slayings “likely have something to do with his investigative activities.” He declined to elaborate. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said if that if that were the case, it would be “an unprecedented attack on freedom of the press and democracy in Slovakia.” Fico announced his gov-

ernment was offering €1 million ($1.23 million) to anyone who helped the authorities find the people responsible. Reporters Without Borders, a watchdog group based in Paris, noted that

Jan Kuciak (AP Photo )

Kuciak was the second journalist killed in the European Union in five months. Daphne Caruana Galizia, a reporter in Malta who

investigated corruption, was killed in October by a bomb that destroyed her car. The crime drew attention to financial corruption on the island nation. Three Maltese men believed to have triggered the powerful bomb that killed Caruana Galizia were ordered in December to stand trial for murder. Investigators think the men were working for someone, but no mastermind has been identified. In Slovakia, Gaspar said the reporter was shot in the chest and his girlfriend was shot in the head. He said the killings were estimated to have taken place between Thursday and Sunday. He added that Slovakia “has never faced such an unprecedented attack on a journalist.” Kuciak was working for Aktuality.sk news website. He focused mainly on tax evasion.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell arrived in an Australian court on Monday for the start of a fourweek pre-trial hearing on charges of historical sexual offences. Pell, 76, a top adviser to Pope Francis, did not speak as he was escorted to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court by police through a group of media and protesters. Pell has so far not been required to

ROME (Reuters) - Italy’s national election produced no outright winner on Sunday, according to

Monday, March 5, 2018

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

05:00 hrs

9 12 14 15 13

05:00 hrs -

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Saturday, March 3, 2018

09:00 hrs 12:00 hrs

Saturday, March 3, 2018 24

committed to a full trial. Court authorities have said they will close the court in Melbourne to the public for most of the first two weeks to protect the privacy of people giving evidence. Pell is on a leave of absence from his Vatican role as Pope Francis’ economy minister, which he started in 2014. The pontiff has said he will not comment on the case until it is over.

Italy elections deliver hung parliament, gridlock: exit polls

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

DATE: Saturday, March 3, 2018

enter a plea. Pell was summoned by Australian police last year and is the most senior Catholic official to face such charges. Details have not been made public. Pell’s lawyers have said at past administrative hearings that he will plead not guilty to all charges. He is not required to enter a formal plea until a magistrate determines if prosecutors have enough evidence for a case to be

exit polls that pointed to possible political gridlock, with voters backing anti-establishment and far-right parties in record numbers. A rightist alliance emerged with the biggest bloc of votes, ahead of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, the largest single party, polls showed. The ruling centre-left coalition came third, hurt by anger over poverty and mass immigration. Full results are not expected for several hours, and Italian exit polls have previously given misleading initial readings. Heavily indebted Italy

Saturday, March 3, 2018

is the third largest economy in the euro zone and a prolonged political stalemate could make it the focal point of market concern, now that the threat of instability in Germany has receded thanks to the revival on Sunday of a grand coalition under Chancellor Angela Merkel. The euro edged marginally higher in Asia early on Monday, with investors awaiting clearer results from Italy. A poll for RAI state television said a bloc of centre-right and far-right parties would win 33-36 percent of the vote, short of the 40 per cent analysts have said is the minimum needed to secure a majority under Italy’s new electoral law. Within the alliance, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia (Go Italy!) was seen winning 12.5-15.5 percent, the same as the League, which has allied itself to anti-immigration, anti-Islam parties across Europe.

Saturday, March 3, 2018 1 3 4 5 7 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Landmark ruling - Convicted drug dealer to pay State $17.5 M lifestyle penalty – judge,in landmark ruling

JAMAICA GLEANER A High Court judge, in a landmark ruling, has ordered a Westmoreland man convicted for drug possession, nearly five years ago, to pay the Government $17.5 million as a penalty for the benefits he derived from a criminal lifestyle. Justice Vivienne Harris made the pecuniary penalty order against Ralph Gregg under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) on Wednesday,

marking the first time such an order has been made in Jamaica. “It, therefore, sets the precedent for how matters of this nature are to be conducted and is the first step in developing the jurisprudence in Jamaica,” said the Financial Investigations Division (FID), which applied for the order. Gregg has until August 28 to make the payment. Court records indicate

that he was convicted in the then Westmoreland Resident Magistrate Court on April 23, 2013, for possession of and dealing in cocaine. Following the conviction, the FID sought and obtained an order for Gregg to be committed to the Home Circuit Court for an examination of any benefits he may have derived from his criminal conduct. The agency argued before Justice Harris that because

of the conviction, Gregg was deemed to have a criminal lifestyle as defined in POCA. “The offence of dealing in cocaine is listed in the Second Schedule of POCA. Pursuant to Section 6 of POCA, a person convicted of an offence listed in the Second Schedule shall be regarded as having a criminal lifestyle,” FID explained. The agency said that once an individual is determined to have a criminal lifestyle,

Section 8 of POCA allows the courts to assume, among other things, that any property transferred to such person or the expenditure the individual makes “after the relevant day” was obtained as a result of criminal conduct. The ‘relevant day’, as defined in POCA, is the 10-year period that elapsed before criminal proceedings commenced against the convicted person. The FID revealed that

as part of its case, it had obtained financial records showing deposits and expenditures made by Gregg as well as assets he acquired over the 10 years. Gregg indicated in court that all his assets and expenditures came from his legitimate employment as a carpenter in Canada. However, according to court records, he presented no documentation to support this assertion.

Haiti cancels participation in UN cholera meeting

PORT AU PRINCE – A day after recalling its United Nations ambassador for consultations in protest over a UN official’s remarks about oil-loan corruption allegations, the Haitian government has cancelled its participation in a high-level UN retreat on cholera in New York. Hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Special Envoy for Haiti Josette Sheeran, the overnight retreat at Greentree on Long Island opened last week. The gathering involved

some of the world’s leading innovators in public health, finance and business, who discussed eradicating the deadly waterborne disease from Haiti. Several Haitian government ministers were scheduled to attend, along with Haiti President Jovenel Moïse, who was to give the keynote remarks, along with Guterres at dinner on Wednesday, and open and close Thursday’s session. However, following a recent diplomatic row with the UN, the delegation’s appearance at the cholera

meeting was cancelled. The dispute erupted after Guterres’ special representative in Haiti, Susan D. Page, issued a statement welcoming a judicial corruption inquiry into how US$2 billion in oil loans from Venezuela was spent by former Haitian government officials, the Herald said. Page is the head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti — known by the French acronym MINUJUSTH. Haiti Foreign Minister Antonio Rodrigue said Page’s communique, which

Big $$ losses after Pigeon Point takes a pounding

TRINIDAD EXPRESS The clean-up continued at Pigeon Point, Tobago on Saturday, after the damage by rough seas last Thursday. Kareem Anthony one of the owners and managers of Renmars Restaurant and Bar, which has been operating at the beach for the past 10 years, said while rough seas occurred in the past, it was the first time he saw the sea water reach more than 30 feet inland. On Saturday he was still sweeping sand out of the establishment. Anthony said he suffered $40,000 in loses after two of his chillers were damaged and there was also damage to the windows and the side of the bar. Tobago Waterholics, a water sport business, was also affected.

Anthony also lost potential earnings from the tourists who came to Tobago on a cruise ship on Thursday. Anthony said that of the 4,500 tourists on the ship, between 800 to 1,000 were expected to visit Pigeon Point. He however said most were unable to disembark the boat because of the rain and those who did arrive on the beach,had to leave early because the sea water covered most of shore. “It was supposed to be a very productive day for everybody on the beach. We had roasted a pig and had different activities planned but around 1.30 p.m. the weather changed badly. First rain started falling and the sea started to change. The waves started getting huge. They came directly into the building and also disrupted the customers who were lying

on the sand. It overthrew the pig we were roasting, destroyed some of the doors on the building and also the side of the building. Water was going inside. It was a rough day for us.” He said they had already been facing challenges for the past months. “From since November, it was a really tough season for us due to the boat situation, the plane situation and the lack of tourists.” The entrepreneur said on Friday, officials from the Tobago House Assembly (THA) visited and surveyed the damage caused by the rough seas. He was not present to speak to them directly but was later told that they promised to implement measures to prevent any further damage.

also called on authorities to look into alleged human rights violations by Haiti National Police, went beyond the UN’s role to support the French-speaking Caribbean

country in the enforcement of rule of law and justice, the Miami Herald said. Moïse later told reporters that he pulled his ambassador to protect Haiti’s image.

“The country is fighting to defend its image,” said Jovenel Moïse. “I will do all I can do to ensure that Haiti’s image is respected.” (CMC)

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

West Demerara overtopping SOME citizens’ reaction to the issue of sea-level rise and related seawall overtopping has oftentimes been ambivalent. While they may agree something would eventually have to be done, we often hear remarks such as: “We’ll have to leave that one to future generations.” With the recent overtopping on the West Coast of Demerara, it certainly seems, far from this being our children’s challenge, that the time to look systematically at our sea defenses is coming. Social media was rife with images of overtopping this weekend, the awesome energy of the ocean on full display. Overtopping is nothing new, however, and there has certainly been

an acknowledgement that climate change is causing sea- level rise. But there have been recent studies which add details to the broad strokes we already know, and it is important to make them known. CNN recently featured an article about sea-level rise due to global warming, which focused specifically on the impact Greenland’s glaciers are having. The numbers are stunning: during the 1990s around 34 gigatons (or 34 billion metric tons) of water were released into the ocean annually, due to glacial melting, but since the early 2000s that number has skyrocketed to 280 gigatons! The article goes on to say that in real terms, that equates to enough fresh-

water for every person on earth to drink 107 litres of water a day, every single day. Can you imagine! This means that there must truly be massive melting in the Arctic, fundamentally changing those landscapes and the broader world ecosystem. Finally, what it relates that is perhaps most interesting is that this water is not being distributed evenly throughout the earth’s oceans. Rather, the majority gathers around the equatorial regions, increasing their rate of sea-level rise disproportionately. It is no wonder, then, that we are seeing more and more overtopping. As this trend, clearly biased towards impacting tropical countries such as our own,

will certainly continue for the foreseeable future a national plan to strategically approach overtopping is certainly something we should consider. The administration has made several laudable efforts to boost our disaster preparedness and the Civil Defence Commission was on hand this weekend to help mitigate the damage. If we put our minds to the task, there is little doubt we will identify the appropriate solutions and we would imagine a consultation with engineers from the Netherlands is in order, given that country’s perpetual efforts to reclaim land. The Dutch have recently emphasised, rather than building higher and higher walls, mitigation

efforts which expand waterways and wetlands. This programme, entitled Room for the River, works with water rather than against it, recognising that more water means more space may have to be dedicated to containment. Awareness that we will increasingly face such overtopping challenges is the first step we have for many years

striven for, but this must be matched by an effort to identify potential solutions. In time, these conversations must lead to broad strategic action to ensure we do not just address today’s overtopping, but expected future sea-level rises. Overtopping is a challenge we certainly can’t put off for “future generations” to address.

With all due respect, Mr Commissioner Dear Editor,

SHOCK and awe reverberated through the nation last week, precipitated by the Guyana Chronicle’s riveting revelation that Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, “late January applied to himself and granted approval for his business, Professional Outdoor Supplies, to be granted permission as a registered firearms dealer, as well as being licensed to carry various calibre of weapons.” In local parlance, talking to yourself is not insanity, but it is when you answer back. The commissioner of police would later say in another report that he saw nothing wrong with his actions. He said there was precedence, since other outgoing commissioners had granted themselves similar facilities. An indictment that the commissioner belonged to a different era, a different time. The high drama continued when Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan ordered the commissioner to revoke his own licences. The pomp and ceremony

of his farewell parade which brought an end to the Top Cop’s 33-year career were overshadowed by the commissioner’s latest controversy. And sadly, the longevity which accompanied his life as a policeman was not to be had as a businessman, as no sooner by his own hand had his venture begun, that it was undone. The only thing which could steal the thunder at the time was the security minister’s subsequent, ‘Haul yuh @$$’ comment when “provoked” by veteran journalist Denis Chabrol, who had pressed him on aspects of the Seelall affair. The minister subsequently apologised. I would argue that the likes of Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, Ron Robinson, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, and Maria Benschop or any of our other theatrical minds do not have the individual or collective capacity to dream up this quality of national satire. Times have changed and public officials need to understand this, posthaste. This is a different dispensation. It is no longer the 1960s. Information is instant and so is censuring.

Likewise, things must be different for a government elected on a mandate of CHANGE. Few things stay hidden, especially in an era we hope to be characterised by such themes as accountability, transparency and good governance. And I would think that by even the standard of the draft Code of Conduct of the Granger Administration, there is still a measure for all ministers of government, members of the National Assembly and public office holders. The draft Code of Conduct reads, “Public office holders are duty bound by this code in all aspects of their public life. This code does not seek to regulate the conduct of public office holders in their private and personal lives. Public office holders have a duty to uphold the law, including the general law against discrimination and sexual harassment, and to act with propriety on all occasions in accordance with the public trust and confidence placed in them. Public office holders have a general duty to act in the interest of the nation as a whole and owe a special duty of care to their constituents, and citizens.”

Under the section related to Conflict of Interest, the code states, “A conflict-of-interest situation arises when the “private interests” of the public office holder compete or conflict with the interests of the State. “Private interests” mean both the financial and personal interests of the official and staff or those of their connections, including: family and other relations; personal friends; other companies or business interests which they hold or own (both in part or in whole)….” The draft code has been published since 2015. It is time to have it enacted. Additionally, only last month President David Granger told the Guyana Police Force’s conference, “Lawless policemen have no place in a lawful force. A force, which is contaminated by corruption, cannot safeguard the security of our citizens. Service in the force must be based on the values of commitment, competence and incorruptibility… If corruption is concealed, it will continue. Transferring a corrupt officer from one branch to another or posting him from one division to

another, or promoting or demoting him from one rank to another cannot guarantee that he will change his wicked ways.” President Granger is on the right path and I have every confidence he will remain there resolutely without fear or favour, affection or ill will. In times like these, I remember what former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar referred to as “the measure of value-based leadership”. Her words are etched in memory when she fired Minister of the People and Social Development, Dr Glenn Ramdharsingh: “I am always aware of the higher expectation upon which this government was elected and the immense responsibility each of us has to uphold public trust in all we do every single day of our lives. It is not a responsibility we can choose to have one day and lose the next. I am reminded of Gandhi’s identification of one of seven social sins as being ‘politics without principle.’ I have insisted from the moment we took office that everyone of us must display a sound character of public

integrity, fairness, humility, compassion and human dignity. No man, nor woman for that matter, has been allowed nor will be permitted to deviate from the very principles upon which we were elected by the people into office. I know there will be arguments put forward by some as to what was condoned in the past administration to allow for continuity, but I disagree. There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency. Regardless of whether the decisions I take hurt me politically or not, I have the strength and courage and independence of mind to measure every tough decision on the basis of what is right and just. As I have always said, regardless of the consequences, I remain resolved to do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do.” #MayTheForceBeWithYou! Regards, Sherod Duncan

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Seelall, Ramjattan and legalising of marijuana Dear Editor,

LAST week the nation was set upon by a hydrogen bomb that sent accusatory ripples of malfeasances across the country with revelations that the Top Cop had granted himself licences to use and trade in firearms. The commissioner of police (CoP) is of the view that he did nothing wrong. As ugly and awkward as this is, he may be right if his application received vetting from both the minister and the Firearm Licensing Board (FALB). The CoP claimed that he followed a decades-old tradition, whereby outgoing CoPs self-granted firearms. As it should be, the action was reversed by ministerial edict. This should not be the end, the system cries out for a change in procedure. Changes in the law together with the force’s SOP should ensure that gun licence certificates are cosigned by the either the min-

ister or the chairman of the FALB, or both. As it is, firearm licences require only the CoP’s signature, giving plenty room for abuse of process. There were accusations against some former CoPs that they took it upon themselves to sign firearm licences without it having passed through the legal process. I have heard stories of ministers in the past administration calling the CoP directly and licences were issued to people on the spot. This episode exposes cracks in the system, which the minister should take urgent steps to rectify. As a privilege of the office, the CoP upon retirement should be granted automatic right to own one defined class of firearm by simply writing to the minister to exercise the said privilege. Subsequent firearms should be applied for the usual way after he leaves office. Otherwise, the CoP can grant himself enough weapons to start his own private force. I have received reliable informa-

tion that former CoP Henry Greene had granted himself five high- calibre personal firearms. It has been over two years since a software was developed to enhance police records, it contained a firearm record-keeping module that monitors firearm applications. There was strong resistance to the use of the software and particularly strong resistance to the implementation of the firearm module from inside the force; word is that this software is still not being used by the police, it begs for a question. The President should contemplate a forensic audit of all firearm licences. When responding to the media, Mr Seelall Persaud took sharp political jabs at the government for its stance. In a politically laced remark he essentially accused the government of political double standards in revoking his licences, indicating that a sitting CoP did the same during the PNC

administration of the 1980s. It wasn’t wrong then, why should it be wrong now. Minister Ramjattan came under fire for his abrasive media response on the issue; he has since apologised and that should be the end of the matter. This speaks to a wider issue: Ramjattan is genuine when interacting with the media, he usually doesn’t employ subtleties intended to convey veiled messages, as we say in local parlance; he is a straight shooter (no pun intended), that’s his personality. Such personal traits give rise to less political correctness, this frankness and willingness to let the guard rails down should somewhat be celebrated by the media rather than exploited: egging on and teasingly baiting the minister into banter that did not reflect his finest self. Having said that, Minister Ramjattan and several of his Cabinet colleagues who aren’t hitting the bullseye with the media should surrender their public pronouncements

and off-the-cuff utterances on sensitive subjects to an imbedded handler, someone capable of skilfully stepping in and dealing with the media before things go south, otherwise the blessings that come from being genuine can be a curse (pun intended for sure). During the course of the week, the Rastafarian movement staged a protest exercise to raise awareness and to make demands for the decriminalisation of marijuana, claiming among other things, that it is part of their religious sacrament. In full view of law-enforcement officers and running cameras, they were lighting up, smoking and passing ganja spliffs among themselves. This is a blatant disregard for law and order and high disrespect for law enforcement. This should not have been condoned. It is distasteful and doesn’t help their cause. Surely, they want the law to be changed (and they enjoy some public

support) to decriminalise or have non-custodial sentences for possession of small quantities. While this putters on, the existing laws on the books should be respected and obeyed. This is no small matter; an automatic minimum jail sentence of three years is imposed if found guilty of marijuana possession. The Rastafarian community and organisers of the march should apologise for this lapse. Their target was the President, but why should His Excellency engage a group of people who are not willing to display simple public courtesy for established legal institutions. After correcting this lacuna, this group should be engaged and listened to by the government and a national conversation should take place between citizens and law makers as part of a larger attempt at reform. Regards, Lenno Craig

An incident-free Mash Dear Editor,

AS Guyanese, we are well aware as to the naysayers and prophets of doom, whose daily, fervent hope and prayers are for failures to be the daily lot of the current government, even at a national event such as Mashramani. For these people -- and they know who they are -- the well-known, and perhaps, accepted, tradition of grudge politics is often extended to even national events that will have a bearing on the socio-economic life of not only citizens, but also the national good as well.

But I must be specific, as I wish to focus on the recently concluded Mashramani 48 celebrations. The common message was one of unity, the biggest, and most nationalistic, because of the presence and participation of all the country’s ethnic groups in all the regions. For, even the Chinese, better known for their reclusive style, social wise, could have been seen among the huge crowds. And this would have been apart from their contribution to the cultural show at the D’Urban Park stadium. Editor, at times, tragedy is an unannounced, unexpected and brutal

intruder; particularly the type that is premeditated, such as the murder of the Japanese tourist in Trinidad and Tobago, during the Carnival season of 2016; also, the tragic accident that claimed the life of a young female American mother, participating in Antigua’s Carnival in 2016.

Both tragedies shocked the respective island-states, as they would, especially at a time when such had not been expected to happen. However, Guyana’s carnival had no such visitation of the unexpected, though I should mention that there was a fire on the city outskirts that reportedly claimed

the life of an octogenarian. This incident,was one that was beyond the remit of state security personnel and may have been caused by human error or some other related instance. Our security was assured for a virtually crime-free Mashramani 48; kudos must

go to those in charge of protecting Guyanese lives and property -- the Guyana Police Force. Thus, the haters who want Guyana to continue to be divided have had their expectations dashed. Regards, Troy Garraway

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Better sea defence, D&I needed –– say Uitvlugt, Leonora residents in wake of overtopping on Friday IN the aftermath of the high tides that overtopped sections of the West Coast Demerara seawall on Friday, residents of the villages of Uitvlugt and Leonora are calling for improved sea defence and proper drainage and irrigation in their communities. They contended that many of the drains were filled with debris and this prevented a smooth flow of water off the land. The Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (Cottage Hospital) was closed due to flooding in the lower flat of the building. The hospital is expected to re-open today. While closed, the Den Amstel Health Centre, Uitvlugt Health Centre and De Kindren Health Centre operated on a 24-hour basis. Residents noted that the poorly kept drains and irrigation canal around the hos-

pital resulted in the flooding, pointing out that surrounding areas of the hospital were not flooded. On Sunday, affected residents had cleaned up their homes and premises of the debris deposited by the flood, which included mud, water and other articles captured by the ferocious waves some estimated as high as 15 feet. Several families were displaced and extensive damage was done to goods and household items. Over 300 households in Uitvlugt on Saturday received cleaning supplies to safeguard against water borne diseases and other hazards. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, had distributed bleach and jeyes fluid among other supplies to the residents of the community. High tides overtopped

680 receive ...

From page 2

Iwokrama conservation development Centre as a co-sponsor and the Public Health Ministry. On Friday evening, a farewell dinner was held at the Marriott Hotel for the Flying Doctors of America and was attended by the Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and U.S. Ambassador Perry Holloway. Minister Cummings expressed gratitude to the medial team on behalf of the people of Guyana. “We at the Ministry of Public Health continue to work through our various programmes to deliver public health care and services of the highest quality to every person living in Guyana. This quality health care delivery is done with the support of local and international partners,” Dr Cummings said, while taking note of the important role played by missions such as the Flying Doctors of America. To show her country’s gratitude, the minister within the Ministry of Public Health presented the team with a portrait of St. George's Cathedral. Dr Arledge, who on behalf of his team thanked the Public Health Ministry, the Iwokrama Conservation Development Centre and the Marriott Hotel for their support, singled out Denroy Tudor, Coordinator, International Desk, for working beyond the call of duty to assist the team. He also presented the minister with a token of appreciation. The other mission for 2018 includes Panama Mission, St Vincent/ Caribbean Mission, Peru Mission and Jordon Mission (Syria Refugee Camps). Flying Doctors of America was founded some 28 years ago by Allan Gathercoal with the stated goal of bringing together physicians, dentists, nurses, chiropractors and other health professionals and non-medical support volunteers to offer care for people who otherwise would never receive professional medical care.

One of the clogged drains behind the Leonora Hospital which caused the complex to experience prolonged flooding during the overtopping of the sea defence at Uitvlugt on Friday (Samuel Maughn photo) sections of the West Demerara seawall on Friday inundating the communities of Leonora, Stewartville and Uitvlugt. Several portions of the upper part of the Uitvlugt

seawall’s concrete crest broke under the pressure of the above-normal tides, resulting in flooding in the area. The Guyana Chronicle on a visit to the site had observed

that efforts were underway to minimise the problem, as workers were seen placing rocks and mortar at sections of the damaged seawall. The Civil Defence Committee (CDC) has said it

is working to organise relief efforts within the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), having conducted an on- theground assessment of the flooding.

Saving the nation from deafness By Shabana Shaw BLINDNESS they say cut us off from things but deafness from people. And so 20 years ago the Audiology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) embarked on a campaign to save the nation from deafness and internal social isolation. Today the move is bearing fruit. Deafness across the country begins for many people, sadly, not through injuries, repeated exposure to loud decibel of sounds from the ubiquitous ‘boom boom’ boxes or industrial noise but from the womb, Dr. Ruth Quaicoe, Audiological Physician at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) explains. “If you are born with hearing impairment, it’s like you are not going to be able to develop speech

if you’re not identified in time”, Dr. Quaicoe said. “Hearing impairment is very serious; it depends on what time it is acquired and the person’s lifestyle and if the rehabilitation service is available,” the audiological specialist said. Fortunately in Guyana, rehabilitation services are available from birth to help arrest and/or reverse congenital hearing loss. According to Dr. Quaicoe, studies have proven that if a child with hearing impairment does not receive a hearing aid by the age of five years they will not develop speech for the rest of their live. “It has to do with the brain and sounds going in to develop speech and language, so we try to fit everybody before the age of five years old”, Dr. Quaicoe explained. Each child born at the GPHC, the country’s premier referral hospital, is subjected to See page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Minibus drivers, touts could be nuisance –– when responding to a blaze, says fire prevention officer By Lisa Hamilton

MANY burning questions relating to the operation of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) were answered by Fire Prevention Officer Andrew Holder, at the Fifth Annual Electrical Conference held at the Umana Yana last Thursday. Although Holder delivered a presentation on the safety measures associated with solar-powered systems, several attendees steered the discussions to matters such as rapid response time, water supply tactics and adherence to emergency sirens. Referring to the most-recent fire at Plaisance, on the East Coast of Demerara where an elderly man died and some 30 individuals were left homeless, some members of the audience queried the Fire Service’s ability to respond to a blaze fully equipped with water. The questions were asked since many believe that the Fire Service was not quick enough to source waste and that resulted in the total destruction of the building. In response, Holder said that one of the most common misconceptions is that the fire tenders arrive late and without water. “A fire tender carries

450 gallons of water, that’s a black tank of water. The rate at which we have to pump that water onto that burning fire is 250 gallons per minute,” he explained. This, he said, can only last for about two to three minutes combatting a large fire like the one in Plaisance, and the pump mechanism is so designed that it requires fluid in the casing to get started. Running dry, even for a short while will cause damage to the mechanical seal and even possible pump failure, which is why the Fire Service makes finding a source of water at the scene of a fire their first priority. “Please understand that our first and foremost responsibility is to find an unlimited source of water, even if we have [water]. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have [water], but the job at hand requires us to fight fire continuously. “So, it is better for us to lose that five minutes sourcing or acquiring that unlimited source of water than to use what we have and then we all sit and watch the fire,” Holder said. He was also asked why the Fire Service does not provide more tankers with an ample supply of water. To this, he said: “If we

Fire Prevention Officer, Andrew Holder receive a call of a fire… initially, one tender will roll. But then shortly after, our control room receives two, three, four calls. It says to us, this is a working job and probably it’s something big. And then our water bowser would roll with the excess of 1,200 gallons of water. That is what saved the day at Plaisance, as a matter of fact, because we sourced water from nowhere else. THE CULTURE OF

DRIVERS The attendees also raised concerns about the length of time it takes for the Fire Service to arrive at the scene. To this, Holder blamed minibus drivers and touts who crowd key passageways. Speaking of the Fire Station near the Stabroek Market, Holder said although the department has written to the Traffic Chief and the City Constabulary Department sits right next door, the chal-

lenge continues. “If you’re ever around the Stabroek Market area in the afternoons, its chaos. Fire tenders with their sirens blaring have to wait until the minibus and the touts full and pack their bus and until they feel they should move to the side before they can give us the way to pass,” Holder told the audience. He expounded further: “Time and time again, we admonish drivers since you hear the siren be it fire, ambulance or even police emergency, give the right away, pull over, stop and allow us to pass. Because when it will hit is if one day, you decide that ‘Oh, the Fire Service isn’t going anywhere’ and don’t move and at the end of it you realise it was your home we were responding to. “Right now, we have a driver of the Fire Department who is in court with a hirecar driver because he didn’t want to move for the truck to pass, while [it was] blaring the siren.” Both the fire prevention officer and the audience agreed that more is needed to be done to deal with those obstructing the traffic of emergency services. WHAT CITIZENS CAN DO

Speaking on the sidelines, Holder told the Guyana Chronicle that the department’s concerns in regards to fire prevention and precaution, is not a case of the public being uninformed but rather negligent to what little acts of carelessness can cause. “Most of the dos and don’ts as it relates to fires in our homes we know what not to do and we know what to do. However, ever so often, we tend to tell ourselves ‘I’ve been leaving my kids alone at home to run to the market for years and nothing never happen, so why I can’t do it today?’ or ‘I’ve been leaving cooking unattended to look at soaps on the television for years and nothing happened, so why can’t I continue?’,” Holder said. He added: “Every day that we continue to engage in these aspects of malpractice and nothing happens it brings us closer to the day when something will actually happen.” He said every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. “There is no cost that you can put against the protection of your home. A fire extinguisher is about $15,000 –$20,000 the most. It is sold at most of the big stores,” Holder said.

Saving the nation ...

From page 8

undergo an automated optoacoustic emission (AOE) screening within the first 24 hours of birth. This test is again repeated within the first three months to ascertain the final diagnosis. Caring our hearing is a lifelong mission Dr. Quaicoe counselled a warning to workers who must earn their living in a thundering industrial sector. “If you work at an environment where there is loud music or machines are loud, after the first few days your ear will try to repair itself so the hearing comes back so we have a temporary threshold shift whereby you lose your hearing and then it comes back. But after about 10 years the hearing doesn’t come back, the threshold will be lost and all you can rely on is your resid-

ual hearing”, Dr. Quaicoe explained. For adults, hearing loss can also be attributed to their chosen lifestyle which includes non-communicable disease (NCDs), smoking and listening to loud music repeatedly, working in noisy industrial settings and of course old-age. Losing one’s ability to hear does have devastating consequences - physically and socially -especially on the latter where one will be exposed to the disgrace and infamy of stigma. “Hearing loss can be insidious and has been linked to social and health consequences. This has further triggered disturbing repercussions such as social isolation and inability to work and travel,” Dr. Quaicoe said. She said while hear-

ing aids have helped to restore hearing for the older persons, the department makes it a priory to ensure that each patient receives counselling to help them to deal with the stain of living with a hearing ailment.

TO THE RESCUE The US-based firm, Starkey Hearing Foundation, has plugged millions of dollars into the audiological sector to help restore hearing among Guyanese. In the past two years, Starkey has given out some 700 hearing aids to Guyanese and will be back this week to donate another 400 to hearing-impaired persons. On March 6th the team will be at Fort Wellington Hospital, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and at the Sophia Exhibi-

tion Centre in the capital city on March 7. The free gift of hearing devices comes with lifetime warranty and free batteries for each recipient, and Dr. Quaicoe is hoping that future visits by Starkey will target other Regions of which also desperately need their hearing restored. DOs and DON’Ts. Dr. Quaicoe reiterated that while early screening is best practise in preventing hearing loss, there are simple dos and don’ts to follow for maximum care of the human ear. “Don’t clean your ears with cotton swabs; avoid listening to loud music; and when necessary, wear ear protection while working at industrial plants. “Do not consume alco-

hol,” Dr. Quaicoe warned pregnant women. No one wants to cut off from things or people, especially the latter. Guyanese must pay

heed to Dr. Mark Ross statement that “when someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”

Several arrested in Phagwah Day drug bust SEVERAL persons are expected to be charged today after they were apprehended in different villages on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) in connection with a drug bust on Phagwah Day. According to reports, they were nabbed in a law-enforcement operation which lasted some five hours. The operation commenced at De Kenderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD), when ranks swooped down at a known drug outlet. With the use of detection dogs, the police were able to unearth some 2600 grams of cannabis stashed in a large container. Other persons were arrested in Goed Fortuin and Tuschen, where hundreds of grams of cannabis were also found.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Can religion save vulnerable children? IF you belong to a religious body or you attend religious services, then you are in the perfect position to change the lives of underprivileged and vulnerable children in your community. But the fact remains that change can only come about if people whol-heartedly put their minds to it and seize the opportunity. In every community, there are children who suffer abuse and/ or neglect at the hands of their parents or caregivers. We see these children and adults in our communities every day. There are neighbours who are no doubt aware of certain inappropriate ‘goings-on’ in certain families, but choose to not say anything. Many people do not want to take the responsibility of informing the authorities, neither do they care enough to get involved in child protection. Children who are not

immediately related to them are usually seen as someone else’s problem. As a nation we are not taught to embrace them collectively as ours and to look out for them and their well-being. This measure of protection and nurturing is usually ‘expected’ from parents and family members, teachers or the authorities, (The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ministry of Social Protection. However, in every community there is a religious body and quite naturally the church, mosque or temple that abide there are visited by members of the community. Here is a good place to initiate assistance for abused/ neglected and vulnerable children. Some religious bodies already have community outreach work in place to some degree. For instance, families are helped with school supplies, school uniforms or

food. Adults and children are counselled or given advice by an imam, pandit or pastor. Or an after-school programme may be in place to help children who are lagging academically. But where abused and neglected children are concerned, there needs to be a more structured approach. One that firstly highlights the severity of these ills in the community and society as a whole; and secondly there needs to be a partnership between religious bodies and the authorities. This partnership will work hand in hand with the CPA to educate parents in the hope of preventing and eventually eradicating the ill-treatment and abuse of children in communities. It is a fact that children are being abused and neglected in every region of Guyana on a daily basis. This could eventually have a devastating impact on our

society as they progress into adulthood. Aiming to address the atrocities that children face now, through any means possible, including religious means, would always be the best option for safeguarding theirs and the nation’s future. Therefore, partnerships and collaboration between entities that are visited by families and children could only serve to enhance child-safety.

Adults from all religious backgrounds can contact Ms Juliet Perreira-Smith at the CPA (227 4420) with suggestions, advice and opinions on how they could incorporate more information and education on child rights and child protection in to their communities. When it comes to protecting the nation’s

children, every possible effort should be made to give them the best childhood possible. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Surinamese cops discover narco-submarine off coast with Guyana THE Suriname police have arrested three Colombians in connection with the find of a narcotics submarine in a remote river last week and more arrests are expected. According to the authorities, “it is likely that Surinamese nationals provided support (to whoever operated the boat) for drug transports.” The flat, semi-submersible vessel was found by a “Special Team of Investors” who launched a search after a tip. The boat was stuck in the mud of a shallow river in District Saramacca, just off the coast with neighbouring Guyana. The police reported that the engine of the submarine appeared broken. It is also not known when it entered Suriname. The Colombians were apprehended in its immediate vicinity. However, their identities and involvement with the boat were not provided. According to the police, they are con-

cerned as the drug trade can disturb the social and economic order in the country. The law officers also stated that they are in the process of identifying criminal gangs “to prevent our country from being characterised as a place where it is easy to ship narcotics through. [But] our open borders represent a big challenge”. The authorities say the Colombians were cooperating with neighbouring countries to be able to battle the transshipment of illegal drugs in a targeted manner.” This is not the first time a narcotics submarine has been found in this section of South America. The first vessel of this kind was found on August 14, 2014 in a tributary of the Waini River, near the country’s north-west border with Venezuela. It was believed that it was part of a large-scale operation by transport groups that were serious about trafficking illicit goods across the Atlantic Ocean. (CMC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Drum Fest billed for June

DRUMMERS young and old across Guyana are gearing up to participate in the country’s first-ever ‘Drum Fest 2018’ reviving widespread support for the art form and s10. natching up to $1.5M in cash, trophies and other prize At a press conference held on Sunday to promote the event organised by Corwyn Fitzroy Williams (CFW) Entertainment, several individuals and drumming groups showed up to demonstrate their eagerness to participate. Bearing different drums and clad in various uniforms and cultural wear, some of the groups who turned out hailed from Pouderoyen, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara; Belladrum, West Coast Berbice and Victoria and Buxton, East Coast Demerara. CFW Entertainment Vice President, Marlus Hendricks, said there is a need for more recognition to be drawn to the art of drumming locally. “I am of the view that more emphasis should be

Drummers from far and wide are preparing themselves for Drum Fest 2018 geared at bringing all our drummers together in unity, as well as ensuring that this tradition is escalated to the very top of the recognition ladder where it so rightfully belongs,” he said. Pleased to be a part of the event was Public Relations Officer (PRO) Alex Williams, who revealed that the projected date of the festival is June 3 and it will be hosted at either the Durban

“Drum Fest 2018 is geared at revitalising, resuscitating the drumming art form in Guyana. It lends towards keeping our traditions and connecting with our roots,” Williams said. He added: “We don’t want to keep it to the African drumming only; it’s a fusion of cultures. We know the Chinese, to some extent, even the Portuguese are moving into the drumming

CFW Entertainment Vice President, Marlus Hendricks, (left) tells of the rationale for the festival. Also at the table are CFW Entertainment President, Corwyn Williams (centre) and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Alex Williams (right) placed by the relevant authorities on drumming and more methods implemented to effectively promote, develop and sustain the traditional art of drumming, not only in Guyana but the Caribbean,” Hendricks said. With the right efforts, he believes that Drum Fest is set to become an annual event and a platform to promote Guyana’s wide variety of culture. “Drum Fest 2018 is also

Park or National Park. The festival is divided into two segments, individual and group performances with the restriction that a drummer can only represent one location. Williams reiterated that the event, which aims to resuscitate the practice and showcase local talent, is free, open to all races and to those performing any style of drumming permitting that the participants are Guyanese.

art form. So it’s open to any culture basically. If you’re into the tassa drumming, which mostly resonates with the East Indians, you can enter the festival as well.” Concluding the programme, the group leaders expressed their gratefulness and excitement for the upcoming festival. They showcased their exceptional drumming skills through a united performance of rhythm and singing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Police close in on Berbice cattle rustling ring

POLICE sources say that the two men shot dead in the foiled robbery along the Berbice River and three others in custody, may have been part of a ring responsible for a series of robberies along the Berbice River and Canje Creek. On Friday last, police responded to a distress call from a businessman whose ranch located at Pottoco Creek was under siege by six

armed men who stole a quantity of cattle and other items and escaped. The police in responding promptly to the scene apprehended two of the suspects and acting on information provided by the two captured men, they utilised the businessman’s boat to go after the other suspects. The lawmen managed to intercept the suspects further up the Canje Creek. Before they were intercepted, the

Killed: Amar Bissoon

The boat recovered by the police suspects opened fire on the policemen who returned fire, killing the two suspects who fired at them. The dead men were identified as Inderjeet “Danny” Sham, 37, a father of three of Betsy Ground, East Canje and Amar “Punk” Bissoon, 21, of Adelphi Settlement. According to a relative of Sham, he was a cane harvester attached to the Rose Hall Estate. He recently received Killed: Inderjeet Sham a transfer letter to work at the Albion Estate. stock were stolen. Bissoon was a former The modus operandi of ‘A’ level student of the New that attack was similar to Amsterdam Multilateral the one on Friday, leading School and was described as detectives to believe that a promising individual who the strings of cattle rustling followed bad company. along the Corentyne were The police in a press committed by the said gang. release stated that during Meanwhile, police have the operation, they were confirmed that the investigaable to recover 23 sheep, 15 tions have led to the capture ducks, a solar panel, a radio, of a third suspect that may be a quantity of rope, and other critical to the operation. valuables belonging to the Commander of ‘B’ Disaid businessman, as well as a camouflaged aluminum boat in which the items were found. Additionally, a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, a .32 pistol, 11 live cartridges and five live.32 rounds were found in possession of the bandits. Also three spent cartridges and a .32 spent shell were retrieved at the scene. Police sources have confirmed that the aluminum boat used in the robbery was stolen six weeks ago. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the boat was in the Manrabisi Canal at Number 66 Village. The vessel belongs to a contracThe weapons and ammo tor from the Corentyne who recovered by the police would use it to transport fuel and other supplies to his workers in the area. vision Lyndon Alves, told According to reports, the Guyana Chronicle that on the same night the boat the files are currently being was stolen, another camp in prepared to be sent to the Diproximity to where the boat rector of Public Prosecution was located was attacked by (DPP) for advice. gunmen. Cattle farmers have During that attack, the been complaining of huge watchmen stationed at the losses due to cattle rustling cattle camp were tied-up but have been unable to while the camp was looted positively identify the perand several cattle and live- petrators of these acts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

First Math Olympiad sees robust competition

STUDENTS from Grades Six and Nine, from several schools in Region Four on Sunday afternoon tested their knowledge of Mathematics as they competed in the inaugural Math Olympiad created by Brain Central (BC), an online educational portal. The two-day (February 3-4) collaborative initiative between BC and Scotiabank saw 45 students, going online and simultaneously taking two (2) timed quizzes, consisting of 40 questions set to be completed within 50 minutes. Lance Hinds, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BC, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the implementation of such an initiative aims to help the students prepare for their examinations. Hinds noted that the participants answered the question in “exam-like conditions” on both days “and

Left to right: Haresh Rameshwar (winner), Daniel Jacobs, Hanifa Ali, Daniel Singh (runners-up). BrainCentral (BC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lance Hinds and Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani with their team based on their results, they will receive prizes.” The event, held at the University of Guyana’s (UG) Information and Communication Centre, quickly dwindled to six participants, as opposed to the anticipated five

finalists. This was due to a tie for fourth place. Haresh Rameshwar was adjudged the winner while Daniel Singh, Daniel Jacobs and Hanifa Ali were the runners-up. They were all awarded tablets.

Responding to enquiries regarding those participants who did not attend the second and final rounds of the examination, Hinds opined that, “these things happen, sometimes they may have felt little jitters, nervousness

or they may not have liked taking live rounds .” The CEO said following conclusion of the competition, his team will conduct a review and analyse each step taken during the event. This review will also include

advertising of the competition, using Facebook. The CEO noted that based on the conclusion, decisions will be made on whether there is a need for any adjustments to be made, going moving forward. Jennifer Cipriani, Marketing Manager, Scotiabank, said that sponsoring the initiative is “a great fit” for her organisation, as it aims to become more technologically ready in its services. “We are a bank that is striving in technology and banking. And since technology is the future for all, we can also use it to teach our children. So we can promote technology among our future customers who are those children that are competing right now, that will help us as a bank,” Cipriani said. Additionally, Hinds said that his organisation also plans to launch an English Language competition similar to the Math Olympiad. (DPI)

Guyanese urged to remember their history

–– at 8th Annual Ghana Day celebration THIS year’s Ghana Day celebration was well attended and commenced Sunday morning with a parade moving from the Square

Feature speaker, acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, reflected on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

extricably linked, not always visibly but they have been inextricably yoked and that yolk has touched on many aspects of our lives, what may

been an icon to much of the world in leading his nation and inspiring West Africa and elsewhere in Africa to seek their independence, to value their cultures … and on the political front [he] was very inspirational, publishing the Class Struggle in

Ghana Day Queens and Courts being escorted to Congress Place by African drummers of the Revolution proceeding along Durban Street, Lodge and culminating at Congress Place, Sophia, for a grand cultural show. The Ghana Day Queens and Courts were greeted with the sounds of African drums. This was followed by the cultural programme which featured dancing, singing, poetry and more drumming. This year’s event was held under the theme, “Designing a strategy in recognition of our rights to demand justice over two hundred years of unrewarded labour and for affecting our development through unity.”

and how slavery impacted Caribbean Culture and lifestyles. He told those gathered that in order to know where they are going they must learn and have an appreciation for history. Ghana Day is celebrated in Guyana, since it was the first country on the African Continent that attained its Independence. Minister Greenidge said that most of the remnants of the African culture in the form of music, dance, food and dress in Guyana, was adopted from Ghana. He explained that, “Guyana and Ghana have been in-

be called the Rights of Passage for example. The process of growing up, marriage, funerals, culinary things, the foods we prepare and consume and the songs and the mode of dancing.” The Minister noted too that the structure of Caribbean English has been affected by the African influence on it, particularly that of the Creole dialect. The work and influence of the Ghanaian politician and the revolutionary Kwame Nkrumah were highlighted by the acting Prime Minister during his address. “Nkrumah himself had

Africa for example, which addressed the challenges of trying to live through domination,” he pointed out. Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, having led it to Independence from Britain in 1957. An influential advocate of Pan-Africanism, Nkrumah was a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity and winner of the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962. Former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, in his address at Ghana Day echoed similar sentiments, while pointing to the negative effects of the slave trade, specifically the exploitation of natural resources. He noted that, “the British decided that they will control all of West Africa and so when the Asante

King died, who has been the catalyst of the resistance movement, they saw the opportunity to continue the process of accumulation. They increased their effort of exploitation of four items… gold, cocoa, timber and palm oil, and they virtually raped the gold coast.” Green too called for an appreciation of culture and history. The event also featured an education talent pageant, performances by Queen Makeda, and the audience participating in the fashion show. An exhibition was held on the lawns with a colourful display of African wear, accessories, pottery, figurines and more. African foods such as cook-up, white and black pudding, drinks and other treats were on sale. (DPI)

Pensioner killed in Melanie accident

LYDIA Rodrigues, 87, of Lot 51 North Melanie, East Coast Demerara, has died after she was struck down by a minibus while attempting to cross the Melanie Public Road on Sunday. Reports indicate that the minibus BKK 6714 was proceeding west along the southern driving lane of the aforementioned road, while the pedestrian was standing on the northern side of the road. As the minibus approached, the pensioner began to cross the road from north to south and ended up on the

southern driving lane and the minibus crashed into her. As a result of the hit, she fell onto the road and sustained injuries to her head and lost consciousness. The pensioner was picked up by public-spirited citizens, placed into a police pickup and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyser test on the driver indicated that he was not intoxicated. He is in police custody as an investigation continues.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Indian Commemoration Trust hosts Phagwah mela

IN celebration of Phagwah, the Festival of Colours, the Indian Commemoration Trust on Sunday hosted an evening of Indian culture at the Indian Monument Gardens. Unlike the Trust’s previous Holi celebrations, which were marked by the playing

“This year we decided to do something different and it’s really good,” she said. The mela began at 16:00hrs and patrons were treated to Indian cultural items from local singers, dancers and chowtal groups. The treasurer of the Trust Radhika Sankar said the

A young singer performing at the mela of Phagwah, this year the committee sought to showcase local talent, particularly that of the younger folk. Secretary of the Trust, Nadira Naraine, told the Guyana Chronicle that due to the number of events hosted on the actual day of Phagwah, it was decided that this year a mela would be held after the holiday to give patrons something fresh to enjoy.

promotion of youth and their talent is the way forward for Guyana. “That’s what we’re gearing the use of the gardens for in the future -- promoting the talent of youth in music, dance, drama or anything,” she said. The Trust is also preparing for the 180th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana, which will be observed on May 5.

This young dancer thrills the gathering at the Indian Monument Gardens

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

West Ruimveldt residents benefit from urban agriculture project

THE West Front Road community conducted its second seed-planting exercise at their cooperative garden in the compound of the Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) office at Lot 274 Ebenezer Drive. According to YCG’s Executive Director Dimitri Nicholson, the Urban Agriculture Project is aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and talent of the residents to advance food and nutrition security in the community. It has seen residents cultivating beds of ochro, bora, tomato and callaloo. This second seed-planting exercise is aimed at expanding the yield production for those participating in the community project. Nicholson noted that the “cooperative garden has been a great initiative for those who wish to create their own little gardens filled with seasoning and vegetables”, as a way to move away from chemically produced crops. According to the YCG Director, the venture is supportive of the Guyana School

develop, manage and operate farms and undertakings of an agricultural nature. Currently, the bora cultivation at the garden is covered with ant-borne Aphids, a common enemy to bora, that sucks the sap of the plants. The insects have a symbiotic relationship with ants which ‘milk’ the Aphids to retrieve some of the sap. Nurse explained that the residents will be using an organic solvent that includes onion juices and garlic

among other ingredients to remove the insects, and later tackle the ant issue to ensure the crops’ safety. The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to a few of the participants who were grateful to be involved in the project. They said that much was learnt through the project, especially with regard to the protection of garden crops through organic means, as opposed to chemical means.

Dimitri Nicholson, Executive Director, Youth Challenge Guyana of Agriculture (GSA), which provided seedlings to start the West Front Road Community Urban Agriculture Project. GSA representative Oswald Nurse has been equipping participants with the necessary technical skills to cultivate the garden. Nurse said this is in keeping with GSA’s mission of offering theoretical and practical training in agriculture and helping to

An overview of the garden

Residents assisting to plant the new seedlings

Lethem Mash showcases ‘Rupununi Splendour’ A KALEIDOSCOPIC riot of colours of rich, bright costumes transformed the streets of Lethem, Region Nine, into a vibrant spectacle on Saturday, as the border town celebrated Guyana’s 48th Republic anniversary with its annual Mashramani Float Parade. Five bands represented St. Ignatius Secondary School, the region’s health, education and agriculture departments, the Mayor and Town Council, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). All locally designed, the floats in large, medium and small groups displayed the splendour of the Rupununi-waterfalls, the Kanuku Mountains, flora and fauna, gold and diamond minerals, and several other facets of the Region. Also portrayed were the transformation of Lethem into a township, and the upcoming construction of the Linden to Lethem Road. The energetic revellers braved the heat as they ‘tramped down’ the streets, from the Republic Bank area onto the Lethem Community Centre Ground, dancing and gyrating to the rhythms of soca and calypso music. Leading the Lethem Town Council Band was out-going Mayor Carlton Beckles, who told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he was delighted to be part of what he

described as one of the ‘best’ costume and float parade ever held in the region. Mayor Beckles also explained that all the materials used to create the floats were local and in keeping with the Government ‘Green State’ agenda. Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock expressed pride in the creativity shown in the designs of the bands and costumes, particularly the depiction of the Linden to Lethem road, made by the students of the St. Ignatius Secondary School. Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock commended the organisers and participants for pulling off a spectacular event. “This year’s activity was bigger and better,

The Regional Democratic Council float

The Mayor and Town Council band

The Department of Health float

and I am very proud of the creativity shown”, he said. Minister Allicock used the opportunity to highlight some of the developments taking shape in the region, and urged the people to use the unity displayed to further develop the township, and by extension the region. “There is unity in diversity, Region Nine is on the verge of development and we all have a part to play. Region Nine is not only going to be on the map of Guyana but on the map of the world”, Minister Allicock told the people. The event culminated with a concert which featured local artistes, Jomo Primo and Granny Ivelaw.

Revellers from the Mayor and Town Council band

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

After three CARIFTA Trial Meets, 10 make the cut By Michelangelo Jacobus AFTER three separate CARIFTA Trial Meets hosted by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), 10 athletes have made the qualifying standards and all should be well on their way to making an appearance at the CARIFTA Games in little less than five weeks in the Bahamas. Among those 10 athletes is World U-18 400m silver medalist, Daniel Williams; South American U-20 long jump gold medalist Chantoba Bright and South American Youth Games 400m gold medalist Deshana Skeete.

Yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, Jermaine Simmons added his name to the contingent by qualifying in the Boys U-20 Shot Put event; he threw some distance beyond the qualifying mark of 17 meters, Simmons best effort was recorded at 17.17m. His nearest competitor, Osafo Dos Santos, was way behind at 15.08. Also qualifying for the U-18 Boys High Jump was Police’s Tortque Boyce who cleared the bar at 1.93m just ahead of the 1.90m CARIFTA standard. Deshana Skeete was in tremendous form running 24.27s in the Girls

U-17 200m, well within the qualifying standard of 24.7. She faced no competition in that event as no other athlete managed to make the qualifying time. Meanwhile, in the Girls’ U-17 category, she ran 56.95s two weeks ago, just under the standard of 57s flat to qualify for the 400m on her first attempt. In the previous Trial Meets, Chantoba Bright, Daniel Williams, Princess Brown and Anthony Williams had already qualified in their respective events; Daniel in the Boys U-20 200m and 400m, while Bright booked her place on the team in the Girls U-20 long jump, along with

Brown. Anthony Williams, meanwhile, continued to improve steadily in the Boys U-20 long jump and booked his spot in that event as well. The long-jumper bettered his 7.10m jump from the first weekend of trials, increasing that to 7.14m. He was joined by Lindener Tremain Browne who leapt some 7.07m to join Williams in the top-two bracket of Boys’ U-20 long-jumpers. Daniel Williams had bettered his 200m time from the first meet just two weeks ago at the second meet by running 21 seconds flat, well within

the CARIFTA Standard of 21.60s. Meanwhile, on the same day he ensured that he booked his spot in the 400m by running 48.35s, well under the qualifying standard of 48.50s. The CARIFTA Games will be hosted by the Bahamas in Nassau this year and will run from March 30 to April 2. Guyana’s probable contingent to the Bahamas will comprise Daniel Williams, Chantoba Bright, Deshana Skeete, Shaquka Tyrell, Princess Brown, Anthony Williams, Tremaine Brown, Jermaine Simmons, Murphy Nash and Tortque Boyce.

Windies women narrowly lose to New Zealand CMC – CAPTAIN Stefanie Taylor missed out on a sixth One-Day International hundred as West Indies Women narrowly went down by a single run to New Zealand Women, in the opening One-Day International here Sunday. Asked to chase a challenging 279 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, West Indies

ended on 277 for nine off their 50 overs with Taylor carving out a top score of 90 off 93 balls. The Caribbean side required 11 runs from the last over with Kyshona Knight and tailender Tremayne Smartt (5) at the crease but only managed to eke out nine, after losing Smartt and failing to get the four runs required for victory off the final delivery. Kyshona Knight chipped in with a busy 44 off 31 deliveries while twin sister Kycia Knight, struck a patient 38 at the top order and Chedean Nation, 29. Sent in earlier, the White Ferns had earlier piled up 278 for nine off their 50 overs, with veteran Sophie Devine striking 108 – her third one-day century – and opening partner and captain Suzie Bates getting 44. Off-spinner Taylor (354) and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher (3-55) claimed three wickets apiece while off-spinner Hayley Matthews supported with two for 68. It was the opening stand between Devine and

Bates which put New Zealand on their way, as they added 76 to deny West Indies any early success. The right-handed Devine stroked eight fours and two sixes in a 103-ball knock while Bates faced 46 balls and counted four fours. Matthews got the breakthrough in her third over – the 15thof the innings – when Bates paddled swept an ordinary delivery to give Nation a simple catch, standing next to the square-leg umpire. The Windies failed to capitalise, however, as Devine anchored two successive half-century stands to keep New Zealand on top. First, she put on 60 for the second wicket with Amy Satterthwaite who made 27 off 34 deliveries before pulling Fletcher to square leg where Matthews took a sharp chance. Katey Martin (22) then joined Devine to add a further 63 for the third wicket, a stand which took the hosts to the verge of the 200-run mark. However, once Martin perished in the 35th over, lbw to seamer Deandra

Dottin, New Zealand lost seven wickets for 52 runs to decline. Devine reached her half-century off 53 balls in the 20th over with two consecutive boundaries off Fletcher, and raised three figures off 99 balls in the 36th over when she sprinted a single to short mid-wicket. She eventually departed, stumped by Merissa Aguilleira after missing a charge at Fletcher in the 37th over. In reply, Windies Women lost Matthews cheaply for 18 off 19 balls with three fours, bowled off the fourth ball off seamer Holly Huddleston’s (240) opening spell, after being kept scoreless off the first three deliveries. The right-handed Taylor, arriving at number three, then hauled her side back into the contest in an innings dotted with eight fours and a six, as she put on 57 for the second wicket with Kycia Knight and a further 64 for the third wicket with Nation. Knight faced 74 balls and counted five fours before falling in the 21st over, lbw to off-spin-

ner Leigh Kasperek (251) missing a defensive prod. Nation, whose knock required 44 balls and included three fours, departed in the 35th over after failing to beat a throw to the non-striker’s end in an attempted quick single with Taylor. When three wickets fell for 33 runs to leave Windies Women on 185 for five in the 39th over, a couple of small partnerships kept them in the hunt. Taylor posted 30 off 25 balls with Aguilleira (20) for the sixth wicket before scooping a catch to short backward point off seamer Kate Ebrahim, and Aguilleira added 33 with Kyshona Knight for the seventh wicket before holing out to long on off Huddleston. With Kyshona Knight still at the wicket, the visitors kept the White Ferns honest to the end but she took a single off the penultimate delivery of the match and Shamilia Connell (2 not out) was unable to muster the winning runs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Ireland trounce Netherlands in Qualifier (ESPNCricinfo) - IRELAND opened their World Cup qualifiers campaign with a 93-run win against Netherlands in a rain-affected game in Harare. After a fifty from Andy Balbirnie had anchored Ireland’s full 50-over innings, Netherlands fell nearly nine overs short of batting 41 overs in their hunt for a revised target of 243. Seamers Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin were Ireland’s most effective bowlers. Ireland began with a series of contributions from their top order, most notably a 101-run stand for the fourth

wicket between Balbirnie and Niall O’Brien. Their partnership followed stands

of 59, 35 and 24 respectively for the first three wickets before Netherlands staged a

comeback in the slog overs, picking up 4 for 49 in the last 7.2 overs. During the course of his innings, Balbirnie was hit on the helmet by a bouncer and had to undergo a scan that eventually ruled out concussion, much to Ireland’s relief. Netherlands, meanwhile, did not find partnerships from their top order. Inside 16 overs, they’d lost five wickets and any chance of recovery was regularly thwarted by Ireland’s bowlers. Timm van der Gugten’s 33 off 25 at No. 9 was their most significant contribution as they folded for 149.

MacLeod helps Scotland past Afghanistan (ESPNCricinfo) - IT only took one match to affirm the wide-open nature of the World Cup Qualifier. In a spectacular opening-day heist, Scotland downed Afghanistan by seven wickets, with Calum MacLeod scoring his sixth ODI hundred and subjecting Rashid Khan, the world’s No. 1 ODI bowler, to one of his worst days as an international cricketer. Chasing 256, Scotland got there with 16 balls to spare, with MacLeod scoring an unbeaten 157 off 146 balls. He scored 108 off 118 against Afghanistan’s other bowlers, and 49 off 31 against Rashid’s legspin, off whom he hit eight of his 24 boundaries. Rashid finished with figures of 1 for 68 in nine overs - this was the first time he had ended up with an economy rate of above 7 in his 38-match

Starc puts Aussies in command (Reuters) - AUSTRALIA moved one wicket from victory in the first test against South Africa on Sunday after Mitchell Starc’s swing bowling decimated the hosts’ lower order and dampened their hopes of an unlikely recovery. South Africa were 2939 at the close of the fourth day, still 123 runs adrift of Australia, who will return on Monday to wrap up what appears an inevitable victory and a 1-0 lead in the fourmatch series. South Africa’s opener Aiden Markram provided some stout resistance, scoring 143 runs, while Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 81 also helped frustrate the visitors as South Africa recovered

from a horrid start to their second innings. Australia looked to be heading to an easy win when they set South Africa 417 for victory before taking four key home wickets for just 49 runs before lunch as they devastated the home team’s top order. Dean Elgar was the first to go for nine before Josh Hazlewood claimed the wicket of Hashim Amla — the sixth time he has done so in the last four tests between the two countries. AB de Villiers was run out after facing a single ball and then captain Faf du Plessis scored only four before having his stumps knocked out of the ground by Pat Cummins.

SCORECARD

Australia 1st innings 351 all out South Africa 1st innings 162 all out Australia 2nd innings 227 all out South Africa 2nd innings Aiden Markram c Tim Paine b Mitchell Marsh Dean Elgar c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc

143 9

Hashim Amla lbw Josh Hazlewood 8 AB de Villiers Run Out David Warner 0 Faf du Plessis b Pat Cummins 4 Theunis de Bruyn c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood 36 Quinton de Kock Not Out 81 Vernon Philander c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 6 Keshav Maharaj b Mitchell Starc 0 Kagiso Rabada b Mitchell Starc 0 Morne Morkel Not Out 0 Extras: 2b 3lb 1nb 0pen 0w 6 Total: (89.0 overs) 293-9 Fall of Wickets: 1-29 Elgar, 2-39 Amla, 3-39 de Villiers, 4-49 du Plessis, 5-136 de Bruyn, 6-283 Markram, 7-290 Philander, 8-290 Maharaj, 9-290 Rabada Bowling: Mitchell Starc 16-1-74-4-4.62-1nb, Josh Hazlewood 4-1-57-2-4.07, Nathan Lyon 32-7-86-0-2.69, Pat Cummins 153-47-1-3.13, Mitchell Marsh 7-2-21-1-3.00, Steven Smith 5-3-3 -0-0.60 South Africa trail Australia by 123 runs with 1 wicket remaining

ODI career. He also scored a first-ball duck. All this happened on a day when, at 19 years and 165 days, he became the youngest man to captain an ODI side. MacLeod came in with Scotland 16 for 1; they lost their other opener

two overs later to slip to 21 for 2. Both wickets had fallen to the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. It was here that Richie Berrington joined MacLeod. The two proceeded to add 208 in 223 balls, with MacLeod by far the

dominant partner, Berrington scoring 67 off 95 balls before falling lbw to Rashid in the 43rd over of Scotland’s innings. By then, they only needed 27 off 44 balls, a task MacLeod and George Munsey completed with ease.

American Racing Tips Laurel Park Race 1 Dutch Blitz Race 2 Battle Of vSaratoga Race 3 Saint Penny Race 4 Springtime Wind Race 5 Joyful Noise Race 6 Chancee Race 7 Polo Del Sol Race 8 Kaitain Race 9 Malibu At Midnight South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:25 hrs Euan’Me 08:55 hrs Thirtytwo Squadron 09:25 hrs First Sea Lord 09:55 hrs Harrison 10:30 hrs Satin Rock 11:00 hrs Chief Sioux English Racing Tips Kempton

10:00 hrs Brahms De Clermont 10:30 hrs Tommy Silver 11:00 hrs Simona 11:30 hrs Zubayr 12:00 hrs Onefortheroadtom 12:30 hrs Peter The Mayo Man 13:00 hrs Volpone Jelois Lingfield 10;10 hrs Skyline 10:40 hrs Kupatana 11:45 hrs Remiluc 12:15 hrs Hansupfordetroit 12:50 hrs Brother Morphin 13:20 hrs Finnegan’s Garden Southwell 10:20 hrs Good Man Hugie 10:50 hrs Zamparelli 12:25 hrs Sartene’s Son 13:00 hrs Ardmayle 13:30 hrs Northern Girl

20 GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 26, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018 21

PROFORMANCE Why mobility is just as important strength Dig deep with functional coreasTraining With Neil Barry

Imagine yourself the RECALL yourself on on the track, in the pool, on the homestretch of a long run court, field or on your bike, strongly, versus when you inches behind your closest struggled finish. As rival, readytotothe make the deyou approach end strong, fining move of the your race. Just with still, chest as youyour starthead making that big effort, ‘pop!’ goes the musupright, and breaths powercle you behind your and ful, sprint pastthigh, the finish suddenly every movement line and decelerate yourself is a painful as you to to complete stop.struggle Compare the finish. These experiencthis to your off days, when es are unfortunately major you mightinfind head moments the your careers of and twisting, manychest athletes, so thisbreaths edition shallow and legs wobbling as of ProFormance will explore you limp toreasons the finish. Now the typical for these injuries and why safe do ways to ask yourself, most prevent them. sprinters have tight abs? must first that the TheItanswer liesbeinsaid consistent feeling of ‘pulling up’ occurs functional core training.

with primarily muscular injuries. Your muscles are designed THE CORE? to WHAT produceIStension and force, The core your controlled by connects what is called lower and upper limbs. These the neuromuscular system--the muscles attached to your brain andare spinal cord interacting with spine your muscles. These lumbar (in the lower are typically injuredand by either back), your pelvis hips. external internal factors such The coreorcan be divided into as direct blows orinstrains. the abdominals the front,

gluteals and other large musWHAT HAPPENS WHEN clesAofMUSCLE the back, the diaphragm ‘PULLS’

Muscle strains occur when your muscles are ex-

posed to excess tensile force, as the roof, the pelvic floor and i.e. - shortening/lengthening hip girdle as the bottom, and with tension. When you are the obliques,athip abductors and competing high levels, you rotators sides. better may tryontoyour perform

than you have before, but unWHAT DOyour ALLbody THOSE fortunately might not beMUSCLES ready for these DO?forces. It isThe important NOT to develcore has many imop the belief that giving your portant functions when it best effort is always comes to movement, butgoing what to result in injury. Instead, is easily overlooked think of these injuriesisashow an important the core is of to your Anindication of aspects ti-Movement. These muscles preparation that need to be help to stabilize your spine addressed. during So your why daily is theactivities, muscle length-tension relationship and especially during intense important?They A good to viactivity. alsoway help to sualize compressive your muscles working absorb forces like is to imagine pulling on alifting loose those experienced when string, versus pulling on thick heavy as instring the squat. rubber weights band. Loose does If notyou’re resistplaying being racket pulled sports apart or cricket, you know you until you reach its fullthat length, need be still through your but ittoalso doesn’t develop core ensure Alternatively, you hit with muchtotension. you canIffeel increasing tension power. you’re weightlifting, the moment pulling you wouldn’tyou try start performing on the overhead thick rubber band, but heavy presses withthe being maximum not out tight tension throughisyour at its full length, so beyond a core because be certain length,you’d it willeither become unable to lift the weight or get weak, and start to burst. Research shows that many strains reoccur at the same location,

are like the band, and in early returning to through hurt the after process. There are theirthick corerubber is the differand inactive muscles are sport, so how do you prepare also occasions when you need ence between taking a hit like and your muscles for the work you the string. Active muscles to explode powerfully through moving on or getting hurt. and can produce more force need them to do? your core, as in the football Even the less common“Champions do notpass become throw in, or the chest in ly trained muscles like the champions when they win basketball. With all these im- andiaphragm and pelvic floor event,functions, but in theit’s hours, weeks,muscles ensure you are able portant critical and ways months, and years they to breathe optimally, manage to find to address each

movement by shortensome of thehabits key components. ing, so they can become Kinesiologists have agreedoverthat stretched at shorter lengths. your core essentially has three Therefore your muscles need functional non-movto both be unitsstrong,the and long. ing Good parts,coaches the moving parts, can tell you and anactive important sensory unit about isolated stretches, and dynamic that determines howstretches you use for warm while physical your core ups, to produce, reduce

duce acute hamstring injuready for movement training, ries by 50% in footballers, but don’t forget to train the and can be highly beneficial sensory by adding unacross unit sports. Othersafe great stable surfaces like bosu balls exercises include the split to this aspect of core training. squat, romanian deadlift and to keep a and flat the Being single able leg hip-hinge, what’s more, during they can be back position theallbear done as pure bodyweight excrawl through a given distance therapists and other trained may ercises or with spend preparing for it. The prove muchsmall moreloads, chalprofessionals can help with lenging while still highly victorious performance itself andbeing rewarding forbenthe passive stretches that elite core eficial and loads and of fun beis merely a demonstration of than athe sit-up, this can athletes will say help with cause of challenge to do their championship character” be done in multiple directions muscle recovery after intense them correctly. – Michael Jordan, Six time NBA suretake you away preparehere for fatigue, and prevention of to make The big Champion. planesstretching, of movement, as muscle strains during long all is that when in the firstadequate article of seasons of competition. Pro- discussed combined with fessionals will tell you that this functional column. range of movelargely used muscles in your ment To strengthening really step it up, exerask a respective sport should be pri- certified cise, should be encouraged trainer about using oritized for stretching--often kettlebells, in your preparation for the medicine ball, your hamstrings, hip flexors, Indian high level competition to clubs and suspension quadriceps and calves. What prevent the injuries before training and finally, do not many elite training systems they happen, and also forfrom reps, reoccuralso train now encourage is full range just stoptrain them time. of movement exercise train- for ring in your career. Ask Good sprinters will proconing that incorporates strength, a qualified exercise flexibility, and motor control sistently fessionalbeabout using stretchthe core West Indies U-19 Wicketkeeper/Batsman Tevin Imlach performing multiplanar and to during botha acceleration ingensure techniques and solely functhey are Former National Schools Track and Field 400M record deceleration. tional rangevast of amounts movement BearCarlwyn Crawl (Photo: TopEnd Performance Training Systems) holder, CollinsCompliments performing aof single leg swiss channelling of strength exercises Ball Hamstring (Photo complimentsTopEnd of them in training.CurlBoxers bowel and bladder functions, or transfer force. energy to propel the such body as the nordic hamstring Performance Systems) and rugby players know thatTraining and also support your spine If FUNCTIONAL you’re worried about forward as powerfully as TRAINING curl to learn how to safely beingRATIONALE able to brace themselves during heavy lifting. training your diaphragm or they can. A wobbly runner FOR are less susceptible to tearing Research has shown e.g. program them into your all these different floor, you should know may be using a lot ofjust energy STRETCHING untilWith overstretched, however pelvic that the nordic hamstring training regimen, like it makes that that longbeen as you’re breathing Ideally, active muscles functions, your muscles adaptsense to your curlashas shown to re- as thelimbs pros.flail in multiple disimply doing crunches will well and pulling your abdomen rections, thus being slower, neither best prepare you for inwards in most of your work- less powerful, and far less the rigors of sports, or give you outs, you’re probably already efficient. Therefore, the lonthe well sculpted midsection of using them. ger you’re able to be tight athletes. non-moving, an- through your core, the place more for the event which got under- many open category. Fifth Anthony. the The veterans’ category ahead So do youstage trainwhich your ti-movement aspects of your powerful you can be. Funcwent to Cho-Wee-Nam, while way in Berbice on February 18 of Junior Niles and jaikarran Forhow the second for function? lie deeply but can be easi- tional training can help with the first stage from Cor- core Waltercore Grant-Stuart placed wheeled off from Linden, core Sukhai, respectively. A strong core concluded allows you ly trained during exercises like you improve yourYearwood strength, riverton to New Amsterdam. fourth, Jeumel Region 10 and Berbice’s Andrew Hicks Despite not winning that to third and Johnand second. ondig Homestretch Avenue in the placed in the power, deep and perform when deadsixth bug, overall plank oblique, speed even aesstage, he placed second and others Georgetown, was wide plank and hip bridge. thetics. By addressing the may beDeNobrega tired. A good CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday February 26, 2018) secured a bunch time like win- place involved in atraining bunchitfinish to start is by Being able to hold a flat-back components of the corener and teammate, Michael dividing and received the bunch time, core training into position in these exercises for movement, anti-movement, COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The placing among the top three City Mall 225-9230) & movement, and anti-move- upwards of(Tel: 1 minute without and sensory components, you finishers overall. CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL LTD-83 Garnett ment, and into thenthe focusing on shaking suggests you may beCOMPANY are training like a pro.Street, Going final stage Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Evolution’s DeNobrega wins Forbes Burnham Three-Stage By Michael DaSilva

TEAM Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega was yesterday declared winner of the Forbes Burnham memorial 10th Annual Three-Stage Cycle Road Race.

The race was sponsored by the Forbes Burnham Foundation and coordinated by the Flying Stars Cycle Club. Despite not winning any of the three stages, DeNobrega clocked an overall time of five hours 23 minutes 48 seconds

yesterday which began on Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to Belfield, East Coast Demerara and returned to the place of orTHERE bigDeNobrega wins for igin for thewere finish, Xtremefifth, Campbellville finished but receivedand the Tiger time, Bay as the Corona bunch making him the Beer Futsal competition conoverall winner. Theon winner of the first tinued Saturday evening stage Anthony. Stage two at thewas National Gymnasium. was Playing won by Trojan’s Romello the second game Crawford, while Curtis Dey, of the night, Xtreme Campalso of Berbice, placed second bellville downed New Market and Hamza Eastman placed Street 10-2 in a goal fest. A third. pairInofthehat-tricks from Oziel final stage, Crawford Small (10th, 14thwinning and 16th) dominated again, by and Shane almost 600 Jones metres(6th, from16th the bunch, which DeNoand 18th) gaveincluded the Campbellbrega. ville side the impetus they The for junior category was needed a big win. That, won by Adelie who coupled with a Hodge brace each clocked six hours, 10 minutes from Ceon Richardson (12th 26 seconds. Second was Briton and 15th) and Carl Griffith John and finishing third was (11thGopilall. and 13th) was enough Ajay to ensure the largest margin Paul Cho-Wee-Nam won

Big wins for Xtreme, Tiger Bay as Corona Fustal continues

Part of the action in the final stage of the Forbes Burnham memorial 10th Annual Three-Stage Cycle Road Race. (Stephan Sookram Photo)

of the night In the opening game, Alexander Village beat Broad Street 6-0 with four goals coming from Leon Yaw (13th, 14th, 15th and 18th) while Gordon Henry and Leroy Jonas chipped in with strikes in the 19th and 28th. Game three featured a Ti-

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shane Shillingford-21 wickets (Windwards) (2) Khary Pierre-6/34 (Trinidad vs Hampshire)

ger Bay true to its ferocity as Brandt (1st and 7th) and Carl Today’s Quiz: they mauled Plaisance 10-3. Tudor (18th) accounted for the (1) What was the highest team score in the preliminary round of Deon Alfred goals scored. the was CWI unrelenting Regional Super505Tournament 2018? How many centuries were scored in the preliminary in(2) his onslaught, scoring four Sparta Boss wasround? on the goals(7th, 10th and two in the delivering end of a beating IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE 16 )to lead theANSWERS charge. Jeffrey in a 6-2 beating of Mocha in English Newton added a hat-trick the fifthRacing gameTips of the evening Lingfield (9th,11th,14th) with Jeremy and American Racing Tips 09:55 hrs AngelinaGarrett D’ Or WhileValley Jermaine Scott Jermaine Junior scoring Mahoning 10:25 hrs Ertidaad Race 1 a Replay 10:55 hrsin The scored brace in the 3rd and braces theSpecial (17thOne and 18th) Race 2 Buster’s Boy 11:30 hrs Sayesse 17th Orin as well (5th and 7th) reRace and 3 Kiva Girl Moore’s lone 12:00 hrs as Sotomayor Race 4 Silver 12:35 hrs La Fortuna strike in theBuckeye 13th brought spectively. Court Birthin’s Racetotal 5 Wisdom Of The Duke the to 10. On the op29th minute strike coupled Race 6 Ohio Silver Plumpton posing end, thereSpire were single with own goal Race 7 Corinthian 10:00 an hrs Royal Ruby in the 19th Race 8 Goodzapper 11:00 hrs Sheelbewhatsheelbe strikes each from Akeem accounted for Sparta’s tally. 11:35 hrs Not Never Thomas (8th), Denzil king Mocha Teon Jones and South Africa Racing Tips 12:40 hrs had Mickieblueeyes Flamingo Park 13:15 hrsRamsey Hawthornon Cottage (15th) and O’Neil Clarke Amos target in 08:20 hrs Rock Burner (18th). the 13th and 4th. 08:50 hrs Rich Approval Ayr California Square over- 10:15Old School Ballers went 09:20 hrs Machismo hrs Nando 09:50 hrs Riverof North 10:45 hrs Teddy Tee turned theKlondike challenges down 3-4 to Future Stars in 10:25 hrs Caribbean Bay 11:15 hrs Skipthescales East in an 8-5 contest where the last game of the night. 10:55 hrs Class Protector 11:55 hrs Our Lucas Dillon Kelly (11th and 18th) Aaron Anthony spurred and Ned Fraser (9th and 13th) Future Stars on with a hateach scored braces. The oth- trick in the 2nd, 3rd and er goals came through lone 12th while Shane Morris strikes from Levi Canterbury iced the cake with his lone (2nd), Meshack Brandt (14th), strike in the 8th. Old School Christian Benjamin (11th) and had Omari James, FabiWesley Garraway (6th). For an Crawford and Rashuan North East, Kelvin Moore (3rd Ritch on target in the 15th, and 12th) along with Keifer 13th and 17th.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Georgetown Grand Prix Round one -Early Championship leads for Carpenter, Persaud

The various winners of the first round of the Georgetown Grand Prix. By Stephan Sookram IT was a night of close and intense racing in some quarters as the First round of the GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix took place on Saturday evening. A constant battle ensued throughout the evening with several newcomers staking their claim to the various championship titles early. One such competitor is Gianni Carpenter, 125cc first round Champion driver and current leader. Carpenter’s 52 points is one more than current second placed Faraud Mohamed, with Rayden Persaud further back in third with 47 points. Elan Rahaman and John Phang are tied on 40 points for fourth with last year’s winner Mikhail Persaud yet to score a point. In the first junior race, it was a battle to the first hairpin and a tangle of karts. Elan Rahaman emerged winner ahead of Mohamed and Carpenter. Race two saw the usual re-

verse 50% inverted grid which meant that Carpenter started on pole which he carefully converted into his first win of the night ahead of Mohamed and Persaud. The final race of the night for that class was where things were hottest with Rahaman leading for most of the way before kart failure saw him relinquish the lead. The race was eventually won by Persaud with Pure Racing’s John Phang picking up his first podium of the night ahead of Mohamed. In the Senior 125cc, the battle was even more intense with Persaud, Phang and Rahaman each elevating themselves to match the touring posse of Trinidad’s Zachary Boodram and Kristian Boodhoosingh. Starting from Pole, Persaud was untouched in this race, racing from flag to flag untouched with Kristian Boodhoosingh second and Zachary Boodram third. Race two saw the inverted grid and Boodoosingh pull off a blistering launch to take the second

ahead of Jhon Phang and his brother Matthew, sponsored by First Global Money. Race three, however, belonged to Persaud, ahead of Boodram and Matthew after race leader Boodhoosingh, benefitting from a tremendous start, did not finish the race due to a racing incident. After Saturday’s round, Persaud, who picked up the class champion for the round, leads with 50 points, ahead of Boodram (45), Boodhoosingh (43), John Phang (39), Matthew Phang (33), Raymond Baksh and Elan Rahaman (18). In the Masters 125cc class, a win a piece for Shan Seejattan and Haniff Mohamed in races one and two meant that race three would be the decider and champion driver of the night, Seejattan shone. A crisp under–over move through the final section of the track was how he took the lead from Mohamed and never looked back; winning the final race. He now leads the newly instituted championship with 68

Charity edge Henrietta as ECPFA Football continues By Elroy Stephney

THE Essequibo Coast/ Pomeroon Football Association (ECPFA)- sponsored under-15 football tournament continued on Saturday at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground. In the lone fixture, Charity United F.C edged past host Henrietta F.C 1-0 during the 70 minute encounter. The first half went scoreless as both teams tussled without success. It was Charity though who created more

opportunities and was clearly the better team. Smart passing and superior athleticism saw Charity gaining four corners and five direct kicks to goal. In comparison Henrietta F.C struggled to maintain possession of the ball as they found themselves disunited. When play resumed in the second half, Charity F.C continued their clever passes and was rewarded in the 68th minute when Ravindra Welcome pierced the net to register the lone goal of the game.

The competition will continue with more matches slated for various grounds along the Essequibo Coast as the ECPFA seeks to promote the game at all levels. Meanwhile, in the senior competition at the same venue, Charity Extreme got a ‘walk-over’ from Good Hope United who failed to turn up when the whistle was blown. Henrietta United has an unassailable lead in the competition after completing their round of matches unbeaten.

points to Mohamed’s 61 and Mahendra Boodhoo’s 30. Easy Cup Super was the Stefan Jeffrey show as he picked up two wins from three races to take the Champion Driver trophy and the championship lead with 60 Points. Steven Nobrega, finding himself on the second step of the podium on all three occasions, is second with 54 points, with third place in the championship being held by Brian Ten Pow (42). Ten Pow picked up two third place finishes on the night. The other winner, Dharmendra Dharmo is fourth in the standings with (37), his competition number as well, with newcomer Sachin Narine on 25 points, Rameez Mohamed on 16, Mike Gonzales

on 8 and Nirmal Sukhram on 6. In the Sunburst 60cc Kids cup, the rivalry was between Jeremy Ten Pow and Nathan Rahaman, both having scored wins in the first and second races respectively. The final race would be the decider of the championship honours for the night and Jeremy took off like a rocket, driving like a man possessed to put distance between himself and Rahaman. While he managed to have some amount of comfort, his kart failed to go the distance, falling out on the last race and leaving Rahaman to an easy win and the championship. Nathan leads with 68 points to Jeremy’s 53, with Justin Ten Pow, who picked up a third and second place on the night,

on 45 points. Paige Mendonca who picked up two thirds is fourth in the standings on 42 points with Josh Khan, who joined the fray this year on 32 points. In the 60cc baby cup, it was Nicholas Sawh who stole the show and the hearts of those watching when he picked up two wins on the night. In a race where the winner was decided on the fastest lap rather than the first across the line manner, it was Sawh who was able to go quickest on two occasions with Ben Phang winning the other. Caleb Paul picked up two second and one third place finish. Sawh’s 65 points leads the championship with Phang on 58 and Paul on 51.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

Berbice U-15 cricket team awarded for GCB haul - Permaul, Bramble and Hetmyer honoured By Colin Bynoe

BERBICE Cricket Board (BCB) in its mandate to recognize the efforts of our cricketers, Saturday last held a prize-giving ceremony for the triumphant Berbice U-15 team which was recently crowned champions of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports inter-county 50over U-15 tournament. The 14-member squad and manager were present to receive their awards. President of the BCB, Mr. Hilbert Foster gave the feature address to the young cricketers, stressing the importance of showing appreciation to young talents by adding, “the little things do matter, even if it’s just a medal; it will go a far way.’’ Captain of the victorious team, Zeynul Ramsammy thanked the BCB for awarding them. All 14 players were each presented with a BCB polo T-shirt, medal, and educational

materials. Also present at the ceremony were Guyana Jaguars’ Veerasammy Permaul and Anthony Bramble. The two cricketers topped the charts in the 2017/18 WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-day Tournament. Permaul was outstanding in the bowling department, collecting 50 wickets from 10 matches with an average of 18.90 and an economy rate of 2.28 runs per over. Bramble had the most dismissals for wicket-keepers with 45 dismissals (42 catches and 3 stumping). In addition, Shimron Hetmyer was credited for his rise to the West Indies team. Hetmyer made his test debut on the 20th April 2017 against Pakistan; his ODI debut on the 20 December 2017 against New Zealand. He later went on to make his T20 debut on the 1st January 2018 against New Zealand. Bramble and Permaul were both in high praise to the BCB for recognizing their efforts.

BCB U-15 team decked out in blue BCB T-shirts Their manager (far left) poses with their medals.

BFA/GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson U-15 League…

Falcons, N/A United & Cougars remain winners By Colin Bynoe Jr.

THE second round matches of BFA/GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson U-15 League kicked off on Friday at the Esplanade Park with five more matches (of 70 minutes duration). In similar fashion as the opening round, Orealla Falcons inflicted a 6-0 drubbing over Arsenal FC. Orealla’s goals came from Xavier Edwards in the 6th and 47th minutes, and one each from Brett Sarius(25th), Rayon Peneux (34th), Shano Edwards (52nd) and Carlton Hamilton(59th). The second match resulted in a 9 – 0 hammering of Hopetown United Rangers at the hands of NA United. The young NA United team looked a lot more purposeful in this encounter. Five goals came off the boot of Jamal Lyte in the 3rd, 5th, 25th, 30 minutes. The fifth was a spell binding free-kick from 35 yards in the 60th minute. Lyte was supported by Nicquan Samuels’ goal in the 20th and a brace from Tyrick Ogleton in the 36th & 54th minutes. Match three saw Monedderlust FC inflicting an eight 8-0 beating on a spirited young East Bank Gunners team. This came through a hat-trick of goals from Michael Jordon in the 14th, 15th and 36th minutes. Tyrone Delph made his mark in the 27th, 28th & 47th with one each from Jaden Fraser (41st)

and Rayon Casey (51st). In the fourth match, the trend of hat-tricks continued for Cougars FC, with Keron Hamilton (not Kevon Hamilton as previously stated in round one) scoring in the 1st, 8th & 57th minutes to help Cougars record an easy 3-0 victory over Young Strikers FC. The final match of the day saw Orealla Falcons in competition for a second time in one day due to their travelling situation.

The Falcons continued where they left off by inflicting a 5-0 stinging on the Rosignol United FC team. Rosignol United held their own in the first half of the encounter, matching attack and defense to limit the scoring to 1-0 in favour of Orealla. Daniel Alexander opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Upon the resumption, Orealla stepped up their offense and was rewarded five minutes into the second half through a Shano Edwards-goal in the

40th min. Ronaldinho Felix netted home in the 44th, and then Daniel Alexander completed his double in the 47th. The fifth goal of the game came through Carlton Hamilton one minute later. Corriverton Links then battled Hearts of Oaks on Saturday and won 4-0, compliments of Mortland Peneux’s lone goal in the 10th, Matthias Lewis brace in the 12th and 60th and Mhichah Gurdin goal in the 37th minute.

The points standing for the BFA/GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson U-15 League

Tiwari wins Kissoon’s Mega Golf tourney KALYAN Tiwari beat off the competition to win the coveted Kissoon’s Mega Store Golf Tournament trophy and one of four gift vouchers on offer on Saturday last at the Lusignan Golf Club. The early morning heavy showers did little to prevent the course from being playable due to the great improvements to drainage and dams now in place. Past club president Hemraj Kissoon, along with some family members, was on hand to present the winners’ trophy. “The Course was good, the weather was fine and I had consistently good driver strokes, along with a great short game” said Tiwari. He was able to produce a net 67. Other winning performances for the tournament were Longest Drive – Richard Haniff – 320 yards; Closest to The Pin – Mike Mangal; Best Gross – Mike Mangal - 78; and Net Scores: 4th place – Gavin Todd, 71/19; 3rd place - Mike Mangal 70/8; 2nd place – Shanella Webster, 69/17; and 1st place – Kalyan Tiwari 67/12. Other notable contenders in the top 10 net performances were Parmanand Persaud 72/11; Aasrodeen Shaw 73/17; Brian Hackett 73/18; Mohanlall Dinanauth 74/6; Roy Cummings 74/11; David Harry 74/12 and Aleem Hussain 74/12. Mr Kissoon, in his congratulatory remarks to the winners, again noted the Kissoon Group of Companies delight in assisting the

golf club via sponsorship and in whatever way they could, and reiterated his great support for all the improvements taking place at the Lusignan Golf Club under President Aleem Hussain. Kissoon’s Furniture Complex - also officially known as Modern Industries Limited - of Lot #3-6 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Tel: (592)223-0958/59; Fax: (592)227-5265, is a Guyana Household name with the memorable slogan “Never knowingly undersold” as well as being a proud Guyanese business producing world class furniture. The company has been associated with the LGC for some 50 years, and is still a valued and faithful supporter of the LGC. Mr Kissoon also commended Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whom he noted was one of Guyana’s greatest sportsmen, for being on hand to observe the day’s play. Shiv indicated that he was happy to be part of golfing in Guyana, and he was very pleased at the great improvements he saw at the golf club compared to his last visit, a while ago. He gave his commitment to having a Celebrity Tournament in the next few months (August 2018), which would involve many great cricketers who also play golf. He assured those present that once that tournament is a success, he would be mindful to have it become an annual feature of the LGC calendar of events.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 5, 2018

SIXTEEN goals were scored at the Ministry of Education Ground Yesterday when the Milo Schools U-18 Football tournament continued. In the first game of the day, Uitvlugt overcame Cummings Lodge 11-2. Ruben Danty (10th, 23rd and 50th) was the chief destroyer with Jonathan Leitch (19th and 20th) and Scion Prince (21st and 26th) each scoring braces. Single strikes also came from Charles Benn (14th), Tadius Edwards (39th), Micheal McKend (55th) and Moses Best (56th). On the opposing side was Nathaniel Williams (28th) and Keno Todd (53rd). Christianburg Secondary were also winners when they beat Annandale 2-0 thanks to a double from Jermaine Mason in the 37th and 48th minutes. Morgan’s learning Center needled Pure Master through Derwin George (14th).

Sixteen goals scored as Milo Football continues

Milo Schools Football action continued at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue

Berbice Cricket Board name under-17 CPL 2018 is perfect timing for Paul squad Young Warriors’ Shultz is skipper By Rajiv Bisnauth

BCB under-17 squad poses with a few under 19s with assistant coach, Delbert Hicks after training (Colin Bynoe Photo)

By Colin Bynoe Jr.

THE Berbice Cricket Board has named a 14-member team for the National Inter-county under -17 tournament. The 2018 tournament will see Essequibo coming up against Demerara at the Lusignan Community Centre ground when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-sponsored Under-17 Inter-county tournament starts on Wednesday. The BCB U-17 squad was involved in training

sessions with a selected group of Under 19 players at the Albion Sports complex on Sunday under the watchful eyes of Coach Andre Percival and manager/assistant coach, Delbert Hicks. The Berbice team squad: Jevon Shultz (Captain), Marvin Prashad (vice-Captain), Ricardo Ramdehol, Fawaz Gafoor, Jarron France, Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Chandeepaul Gobin, Mohabir Seeraj, Abdul Ramsammy, Gourav Ramesh, Saif Amoi, Doorsammy Madadeo, Quin-

cy Auldles. Delbert Hicks will perform duties of manager/assistant coach while Andre Percival is coach. The tournament will feature Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice and an Under-15 select team. The players will seek to make an impression given that the competition will be used to select the national team for the upcoming regional tournament. Matches will be played on March 7, 9 and 11 at various venues in Georgetown.

PRIOR to the start of the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2013, former West Indies captain and batting legend Sir Vivian Richards believed the League would provide young cricketers an opportunity to display and hone their skills in a competitive environment. Richards had also said the tournament should give the young players an opportunity to assess their professional career. And over the years the tournament has definitely proved to be the gateway for a number of young professionals, not only in the Caribbean, but also in most cricket-playing nations. This year’s sixth edition will commence on August 8, and, as usual will be no different, with a number of young players having the opportunity to further enhance their cricketing career. One such player will be the talented Guyanese all-rounder, Keemo Paul, who has proven to be quite a force at the regional scene. At present he can be compared to the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Dwayne Smith – bowling right arm medium pace. The 20-yearold was one of Guyana’s most valuable players during the recently concluded regional tournaments, where he performed creditably with bat and ball under extreme pressure.

Keemo Paul

His performances did not go unnoticed, as he was drafted into the West Indies A team for the current series against England Lions and subsequently snapped up by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League. While the CPL is still some distance away, Paul says he’s definitely looking forward to the tournament, and thinks it is a great prospect for any young person, or any player in the Caribbean for that matter, to get himself out there. “Well, it’s a great feeling to be a part of the biggest party in sport, so I’m definitely looking forward to CPL this year. I’m looking forward to the packed stadiums and energetic crowds, but I’m also looking forward to putting in a consistent performance and making an impact this year,” the former West Indies Un-

der-19 player stated. The Warriors will boast a strong team with the likes of international Twenty20 stars such as Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Cameron Delport and Imran Tahir, international and regional players like Luke Ronchi, Chadwick Walton, Rayad Emrit and Jason Mohammed. They will be joined by an array of local stars, including Veerasammy Permaul, Shimron Hetmyer and Devendra Bishoo. Paul says he believes the Warriors possess the ability to go all the way in the tournament. “Well, the squad looks pretty good...very balanced, so once we play the quality of cricket we know, our chances of winning are definitely possible, so I just backing the team to do it this year and to win the title which has been evading us,” he said.

Georgetown Grand Prix Round one -Early Championship leads for Carpenter, Persaud See Page 21

Easy Cup super was one of the largest fields of the night (GTRidez Photo)

After three CARIFTA Trial Meets, 10 make the cut See Page 19

Anthony Williams has been in terrific form and is Guyana’s leading male long-jumper set to travel to the CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Big wins for Xtreme, Tiger Bay as Corona Fustal continues See Page 20

Sparta Boss (Grey) were winners against Mocha as action in the Corona Futsal continued on Saturday night

Tiwari wins Kissoon’s Mega Golf tourney See Page 22

Daniel Williams will be leading Guyana’s contingent to the Bahamas for the CARIFTA Games from March 30-April 2.

Winners and officials pose with the sponsors: From left: LGC president Aleem Hussain, ‘LD’ Richard Haniff, Shiv Chanderpaul, winner Kalyan Tiwari, Mrs Kissoon, ‘BG’, ‘NTP’ and 3rd place winner Mike Mangal, Mr Hemraj Kissoon, and 4th place winner Gavin Todd. (Missing from the picture is 2nd place winner Shanella Webster.)

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018