The Guyana Chronicle News 08-15-2021 by Guyana Chronicle

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15th August, 2021

No.106454

$40M packaging plant for Sophia

–– to provide much-needed support to agro-processors with limited PAGE capital 03

Suriname’s President for official visit to Guyana Tuesday 12 PAGE

All safe after daring crash-landing 11 PAGE

Five persons escaped with either minor or no injuries after a Roraima Airways aircraft crash-landed near President, Dr Irfaan Ali interacts with President of the Haags Bosch landfill site, aback Eccles, East Bank Demerara on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of an Eccles Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi during the latter’s last visit to Guyana resident)

Guyana pledges 04 assistance to Haiti following earthquake PAGE

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Mahdia to get first-ever industrial training centre 18 PAGE

Prime Minister of Haiti, Dr Ariel Henry

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

$40M packaging plant for Sophia

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

–– to provide much-needed support to agro-processors with limited capital

THE Government of Guyana is pursuing the construction of a state-of-theart packaging plant at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Georgetown, according to an advertisement issued early last week. The facility, which will be placed under the purview of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), is estimated to cost $40 million, with construction projected for a period of 60 days. This was confirmed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who said that even though a packaging plant already exists in Sophia, there is need for a more sophisticated, world-class facility that allows for the packaging of products fit for the export market. The new plant will, therefore, provide critical support to the packaging facility at Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). Minister Mustapha told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, that the construction

of a new packaging plant at Sophia will buttress the global effort of reducing food loss and wastage, as it will increase the country’s capacity to provide internationally marketable packaging for local agro-processed products. It has been highlighted that even though hunger affects close to 700 million people annually, an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food are dumped each year. This means that the global wastage and loss of food account for approximately 30 per cent of all food production. When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office in August 2020, it had committed to returning Guyana to its former glory as the bread-basket of the Caribbean. In doing so, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration had committed to the comprehensive development of the agro-processing industry. In keeping with its commitment, the government has been investing heavily in the

development of value-added products, from the processing of raw materials to the packaging of the finished product. It was only this year that the government allocated in excess of $800 million for the establishment of six agro-processing facilities across the country. These facilities are slated to be established particularly in farming communities, notably Aranaputa and St. Ignatius in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Black Bush Polder in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) and Leguan in Region Three. Minister Mustapha has also committed to ensuring such facilities are replicated in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). The government’s efforts also seem to be attracting notable support from members of the private sector. As a matter of fact, it was only on Friday that Caribbean International Distributors In-

With improved packaging, more of Guyana’s products can be exported

corporated, a member of the Rudisa Group of Companies, signalled its intention to build a whopping US$35 million ($7.3 billion) agro-processing facility at Enmore, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Mustapha said that that particular facility will accommodate the processing and packaging of a range of products such as pasteurised milk, natural fruit juices and water, as well as a myriad of bread-like products including hamburger buns, cookies, biscuits, croissants, bagels and donuts. SUPPORTING AGRO-PROCESSORS In the meantime, the Sophia Packaging Plant will be erected to support agro-processors who do not have the capacity to properly package their products for export. In addition to creating thousands of jobs and providing markets for local farmers, Mustapha said that the investments in agro-processing are intended to pave the way for Guyana to become a major food supplier to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). With immediate focus, the government is looking to tap into at least 15 per cent of the regional food import bill, which ranges between US$5 billion and US$8 billion. Consequently, the government is partnering with a group of local investors to establish a massive corn and soya bean farm, with the aim of converting these crops into proteins to supply the livestock industry. As it is, the feed that Guyana uses comprises 60 per cent grain (corn and rice) and

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha 30 per cent soya bean. President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had And, with the country’s said that even though Guyana annual feed consumption is gearing to become a major being at 113,000 tonnes, this oil producer, the country will particular value-added invest- not make the mistake of being ment is expected to signifi- reliant on the Oil-and-Gas cantly reduce Guyana’s de- Sector alone. pendence on the importation The Head of State has of feed material. often underscored the imOnce all goes well with portance and potential of the commercial farm, Guyana Guyana’s agriculture induscould possibly begin to export try, especially as it relates to feed – a value-added product agro-processing and investing – to the CARICOM market. in value-added. Currently, the $45 million Dr. Ali had also rectrial farm is showing positive ognised that investments in results. During a visit on Fri- value-added products depend day, Minister Mustapha said heavily on Guyana’s ability that harvest of the 250-acre to produce affordable enertrial farm, located at Dubu- gy. This has also influenced lay Ranch along the Berbice the government’s push for River, will commence in cheap and renewable energy September. production. In addition to improving As part of its plan to the country’s processing and transform Guyana into a powpackaging capabilities, much erhouse, the government has effort will be placed on pro- embarked on a mission to cut ducing products of a superior the cost of power generation quality and standard. by at least 50 per cent, using To this end, the Agricul- an energy mix, which will see ture Ministry will also be the creation of projects that investing in the purchase of will utilise various sources of critical equipment for the alternative energy. creation of “mini labs” to test The Amalia Hydropowthe products being processed er project and the pioneer and packaged in Guyana. Gas-to-Shore project are all Soon after taking office, examples of this effort.

Sunday August 15, 2021 – 10:00hrs - 11:30hrs

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Guyana pledges assistance to Haiti following earthquake

RESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, has expressed solidarity and support to the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked that nation on Saturday. According to a statement from the Office of the President, the Guyanese Head of State, in telephone conversations, Sat-

urday evening with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Dr Ariel Henry, and the Chairman of CARICOM, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, assured them that Guyana will provide assistance to aid the relief and recovery efforts. “Guyana's support will be part of a regional relief and recovery initiative that will be coordinated by the Chairman of CARICOM,” the release said. Prime Minister Henry thanked President Ali for of-

Prime Minister of Haiti, Dr Ariel Henry

fering assistance. An assessment is being done to ascertain the extent of the impact of the earthquake, and to identify the critical areas of need. Dr. Henry also said that the assessment report will be shared with President Ali and CARICOM as soon as it has been completed. It is estimated that the earthquake killed more than 300 people and injured almost 2000 others.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocks Haiti, dozens killed

(Reuters) - A MAJOR earthquake killed at least 29 people in southwestern Haiti on Saturday, reducing churches, hotels and homes to rubble in the latest tragedy to hit the impoverished Caribbean nation already mired in humanitarian and political crises. The 7.2-magnitude quake, which was followed by a series of aftershocks, struck 8 km (5 miles) from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes, about 150 km west of the capital Port-au-Prince, at a depth of 10 km, the USGS said. That made the temblor which was felt as far away as Cuba and Jamaica potentially bigger and shallower than the magnitude seven earthquake 11 years ago that killed tens of thousands in the poorest nation in the Americas. This one - which occurred around 8:30 hours local time - hit farther away from the capital, however.

In Port-au-Prince, it was strongly felt but did not appear to have caused major damage, according to Reuters witnesses, meaning there will likely be fewer fatalities than the devastating 2010 disaster. The nearest big town was Les Cayes, with a population of around 126,000, where many buildings collapsed or suffered major damage, according to authorities, who said they were searching for survivors in the rubble. "We've counted a total of 29 fatalities to date and an important number of injured," Civil Protection Director, Jerry Chandler, told a news conference. Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, declared a monthlong state of emergency. In Les Cayes, locals said water had briefly flooded the coastal town, causing panic amid fear of a tsunami, but then appeared to retreat. Haitian media outlets reported some people along the coast had already fled to the mountains.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning after the quake, lifting it shortly thereafter. U.S. President, Joe Biden, authorised an immediate U.S. response to the earthquake and named Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, co-ordinator of the effort.

'NEVER A BREAK' The earthquake comes just over a month after the assassination of President, Jovenel Moise, who had been ruling by decree, which deepened the country's political turmoil. Meanwhile, swaths of Haiti facing growing hunger and healthcare services are overwhelmed by COVID-19. Access to the southern region, where the quake struck, has been restricted by gang control of key areas. That region had only recently recovered from Hurri-

cane Matthew, which struck in 2016, killing hundreds and causing widespread devastation. Haiti is now in the cone of Tropical Storm Grace which could bring heavy rains early next week. "This country just never finds a break! Each year of mismanagement did not hurt but the cumulative effects made us vulnerable to everything," Haitian entrepreneur, Marc Alain Boucicault, said on Twitter. "It’s going to take years to fix things and we have not even started!" He exclaimed. In Port-au-Prince, residents traumatised by the 2010 quake rushed, screaming, into the streets and stayed there as the aftershocks rumbled on. "In my neighborhood, I heard people screaming. They were flying outside," a resident, Sephora Pierre Louis, said, adding: “At least they know to go outside. In 2010, they didn’t know what to do. People are still outside

A view of a collapsed building following an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, in this still image taken from a video obtained by Reuters on August 14, 2021

in the street.” The quake sent shock waves as far as Cuba and Jamaica although there were no reports of material damage, deaths or injuries there. "Everyone is really afraid. It's been years since such a big earthquake," Daniel Ross, a resident in the eastern Cuban city of Guantanamo, said. He said his home stood

firm but the furniture shook. "I feel it, man. It wake me up. My roof kind of make some noise," Danny Bailey, 49, said in Kingston The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also reported a quake in the region, saying it was magnitude 7.6, while Cuba's seismological centre said it registered a magnitude of 7.4.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Climate Change: An Existential Threat

THE latest Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its most recent report, has drawn attention to existential threats posed to humanity as a consequence of observable changes in the earth's climate. Interestingly, many of these changes are unprecedented, and, even more alarmingly, irreversible. There is, however, some hope. According to the report, strong and sustained reductions in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases could limit the change, even though this could take as long as two to three decades before temperature levels become fully stabilised. The report provides new projections of the probability of crossing the global warming level of 1.5 Degree Centigrade in the next decades, and found that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, it may not be possible to limit warming to the required levels. This is why it is so important to limit carbon emissions below current levels. Any increase could see heat levels below tolerable levels. Already, we are

witnessing extreme temperature levels in several parts of the world resulting in wildfires on the one hand, and floods on the other, as recently experienced in Guyana.

The Government of Guyana, cognisant of the dangers posed due to climate change, has implemented a number of policy measures with a view to reducing carbon emissions. The Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) was launched by the PPP/C Government in 2009, with the aim of transforming Guyana's economy on a low-carbon, sustainable development trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change. The LCDS aims at protecting and maintaining the forests in an effort to reduce global carbon emissions, and at the same time attract compensatory funds from the developed world to foster growth and development along a low-carbon emissions path. The LDCS strategy initiated by the PPP/C administration was not only visionary, but was intended to be a model for the rest of the world on how cli-

mate change can be addressed through low-carbon development in developing countries, provided, of course, that accompanying measures are taken by the international community collectively to reduce carbon emissions in their respective countries. It is unfortunate that the APNU+APNU sought to downplay the importance of the LCDS during its term in office. It aborted the Amalia Falls Hydro-electric project which, apart from providing cheap and reliable electricity to Guyanese, would have reduced carbon emissions to a significant degree. The action by the previous administration was, at best, short-sighted, and appeared to have been politically motivated. Thankfully, the project is now being given new life by the current PPP/C administration, and, when completed, will have a transformative impact on the economy, and by extension the economic and social life of the Guyanese people. The dangers posed by climate change cannot be underestimated; the evidence is there for all to see. Human activity is changing the climate in un-

precedented and irreversible ways, as the IPCC report so unmistakably points out. We are already seeing evidence of extreme heatwaves, droughts and floods. As the UN Secretary-General puts it, the report is a 'code red for humanity'. There is no time for delay; too much is at stake. Meanwhile, the Guyana Government is intensifying efforts to ensure that the country's development trajectory is done within the framework of its low-carbon strategy. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has signalled his intention to unlock some US$135M in climate-related funds to finance the country's sustainable development. Guyana has, so far, earned more than US$250M through a partnership agreement with Norway, initiated by former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Unfortunately, the country was unable to access the entire sum of money, due to political instability engineered by the then APNU+AFC coalition. President Ali has, however, indicated that measures will be put in place to have outstanding monies within the shortest possible time.

Scholarships were distributed evenly between the two major ethnic groups Dear Editor, OUR people were starved of opportunities during the period 2015 to 2020. The APNU+AFC officials hoarded the opportunities for themselves simply because they do not care about the people as they claim. I make reference to the Opposition MPs who received millions in scholarship awards to complete their bachelor’s degrees and even masters and PHDs at top universities in the UK and USA. While they were benefitting from advancements in their academics, the ordinary Guyanese people were left to suffer. However, following the PPP/C’s victory in the 2020 elections, we saw a different approach with regard to public service devel-

opment than that which we experienced under the Coalition. I write to you on this matter. I want to mention first and foremost that the current administration ought to be commended for all that they have done in the past year. They have focused on the people rather than themselves and I believe that is what sets them apart from the opposition. I bring attention to the GOAL programme which was rolled out earlier this year. We saw the government deliver on its promise of providing thousands of scholarships to Guyanese. Just recently, the government published the names of 6,000 scholarship awardees. This shows that the government is actively trying to provide Guyanese with opportunities to develop themselves and I think that deserves

all the adulation possible. A simple inspection of the list of scholarship awardees would also show that the scholarships were distributed evenly between the two major ethnic groups. I was able to decipher that just by examining the names on the list published and I am sure the actual percentages are close to what I estimated. The government should be commended for this because it shows that they are governing in the interest of all Guyanese. The same could not be said about the APNU+AFC. In fact, when the government began rolling out the GOAL initiative, it was the APNU+AFC Coalition that tried to hinder its success. Guyanese should ask themselves why the Coalition

was so against the GOAL to begin with. The programme will benefit so many of our young scholars so there ought to be no negativity surrounding it. Yet still, the Coalition was and continues to be critical of it to the point that they were encouraging persons not to apply. They also ran with the narrative that the government would discriminate against Afro-Guyanese when selecting who would receive the scholarships. As far as I can see, nothing of the sort happened and both Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese were treated equally. Yours sincerely, Erin Northe

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

GECOM must now prepare for LGEs Dear Editor, GUYANESE are now fully supportive of the actions taken by the Guyana Elections Commission to terminate the services of the notorious ‘Trio’. Gone are Keith Lowenfield, Chief Elections Officer; Roxanne Myers, Deputy Chief Elections Officer; and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Guyanese are fully cognisant of the clever and brutal maneuvers that the PNC did to survive in office. Ever since the passage of the no-confidence motion on that memorable night of December 22, 2018, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was supposed to be ready to hold general and regional elections. However, the Judiciary was brutally used to keep the defeated ANPNU+AFC in office. What, was most disgusting and frustrating was all the skullduggery that was used to perpetuate the Granger- led government in office. While the courts were laughing at as some of the ‘learned’ men and women who were unable to do simple addition and sub-

traction, Guyana was looked at as a nation of “low” people. Our students were having fun as they were tweeting and molesting lawyers who were looked at as ‘jokers’. Granger’s unilateral decision to appoint the ‘un-fit and improper’ Patterson as Chairman of GECOM was not accepted as the Caribbean Court of Justice ruled against his appointment. However, the PNC was able to remove Deputy (CEO) Vishnu Persaud and replace him with their own Roxanne Myers. Several bad decisions were taken in the employment of staff at GECOM. We must never forget the brilliant persons who did the training for polling day officials and training officers were never given the opportunity to work at GECOM. The PNC took full control of the recruiting of staff at GECOM as Lowenfield took complete control of the hiring of staff. It is imperative for the Commission to employ men and women with integrity and people who can win the confidence and trust of the nation. Lowenfield is presently before the court facing three counts of misconduct in public office

Cheap politics must have no place when it comes to saving lives Dear Editor, COALITION leaders are dissuading Guyanese from taking the COVID-19 vaccines, with scant regard for their health and lives, thus putting the lives of innocent people, even children, at risk. This is presumably to suit their agenda of making Guyana ungovernable under a PPP/C administration. David Hinds verbalised their intentions, “undermine the government”, which their avid supporters seem willing to do, even if it costs them their lives and the lives of their loved ones. The escalation of the coronavirus pandemic is decimating families, with seemingly no end in sight for the deadly virus, which seems to be increasing in ferocity, especially in third-world nations like Guyana. Prior to the advent of the PPP/C Government, there were scant governmental interventions and support for the afflicted, in particular; and the wider society, which had been forced into a lockdown, in general. The pressing needs of Guyanese from every community, for protection from infection by COVID-19 virus as well as nutritional sustenance – the latter need of which ensued from lack of employment and job opportunities, seriously exacerbated by the deadly pandemic, saw Dr. Irfaan Ali, who

was President-elect at the time, mobilising teams countrywide in mask and food distribution exercises, which was appreciated by even Coalition-supporting communities, especially in light of the fact that the then de-facto Coalition government was ignoring their pressing needs, while simultaneously illegally expending billions from the already depleted national coffers on an unnecessary vote re-count and fruitless legal challenges on nebulous and execrable charges of unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud committed by the PPP/C. Worldometer reports worldwide infections, last updated on August 13, 2021, as having surpassed 206,254,882, fatalities exceeding 4,348,282; while those recovered are numbering 185,105,477. Guyana’s below a million population has been hard-hit, with a Worldometer update listing current figures at 23,244 cases, with 569 deaths and 21,848 recovered. Those rejecting the vaccines do so at their own risk. Harmon and all the Coalition leaders are fully vaccinated. The urging of persons not to be vaccinated is putting innocent people’s lives at risk in this parlous state of affairs. Yours very truly, Anson Paul

and three counts of forgery, while Mingo is charged with four counts of misconduct in public office and Myers with two counts of misconduct in public office. Further, GECOM must deal with the others who are continuing to be at GECOM and contributed significantly to the attempted fraud. Persons, such as (CEO) clerks Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings; Elections Officer, Shefern February and Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan, are also before the courts. GECOM Secretariat was allowed to operate as they were untouchable. Corruption was the order of the day. Phantom workers and contracts must be fully exposed. Our experience since 2015 is indeed a revelation. In 2015, one staffer pulled out a broad sheet and we objected vehemently. However, that election petition is still sleeping in the courts. My further experience reminds me of 2018 Local Government Elections when the presiding officer, who was working at Peters’ Hall Primary School switched the PPP/C Constit-

uency votes and give it to the PNC. However, the very night we discovered the wicked act and the comrades went back and the presiding officer made the correction and give the votes to the PPP/C candidate. GECOM must immediately put proper systems in place and fill all the vacancies with men and women who will restore trust and confidence in the organisation. The immediate task must be to put LGE’s on the front burner. Hence, this nation is looking forward for a short period of continuous registration, followed with a Claims and Objection period and the preparation of a Register of Registrants. The PNC used the task force and after frustrating the LGEs for several years, there were no LGEs after the 1994 Elections. The PPP/C walloped the PNC at the last two LGE’s and expectations are high that the PPP/C will do better in this up-coming LGEs. Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Politics & Society Forum

I have a plan

THERE is an adage that says that you can take an individual out of an environment, but you cannot take the environment out of an individual. In my situation, I am referring to No. 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice where I grew up. Recently, I immersed myself in this village, not like a visitor, but like someone who wants to see some changes without interfering with long-held admired traditions. Further, what I am going to share here might very well be applicable to other villages and regions in Guyana. I notice that there is an urgency to deal with two of many issues: “Stray” animals and the development of a sort of “soup kitchen”. I will address both issues without any order of importance. To contextualise, the villages in the Corentyne region were designed and developed in a way where people and animals share the same public space, which is unlike urban areas in Guyana. It is normal to see people raise cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens for consumption, and dogs, birds, cats, and horses as pets, and for recreational purposes, in their backyard, or close to their homes. From all indications, this pattern of

living has been going on since colonial times, with its own organised rhythm, as, on some days, some animals are well-pastured, while on other days, they can be seen all over the place, including on the roadways, creating mayhem. One individual stated, “Hey man, the donkeys on the roads are ‘traffic police’ because they ‘control’ the flow of traffic.” The villagers have adapted well to these dynamics, so much so that one can safely say, “Hey, this is rural life.” The problem, however, is that some animals, particularly dogs and cats, are abandoned and subsequently morphed into an eyesore. I noticed that there were at least 25 ‘stray or abandoned’ dogs in No. 72 Village. I must admit that their condition is not easy on the eyes: Deformed legs, dislocated hips, discoloured skin, and so on, roaming the villages, feeding on this and that. One villager said to me, “People here do not treat animals well,” and pointed to a few dogs and informed me that “many of these dogs have not eaten for days”. He then threw a few biscuits to them. His fellow villagers call him “the dog man” in a sarcastic way. Such a remark reveals the crux of the matter. For the most part, Guyanese do not

embrace animals, whether as pets or not, in ways that individuals in developed countries do. Anyone familiar with North America will know that people there treat pets like humans, providing similar care and affection as they would treat other humans. One individual from a developing country living in the US once said to me that people in that country humanise pets. In my village, and especially during the pandemic restrictions, walking the dog outside the yard as a companion, to deal with loneliness, is a rarity. Further, Guyanese generally treat pets differently from other countries. Pet dogs, for example, are used for guarding and hunting, and they are not fed and sheltered in the home. What, then, accounts for the different approaches to pet caring in Guyana and elsewhere? Is it that when the necessities of life are met, then individuals would embark on other avenues of life, such as caring for animals within a stone’s throw of their environment? I am suggesting that an animal shelter be built at least every 30 miles in Berbice and in other counties to tackle the root problems, spaying and neutering, for instance, of having many stray dogs. I understand Essequibo has an animal shelter.

Professor lomarsh roopnarine

There are also some poor and unhealthy individuals, and how and why they have reached that stage in life would cascade us into various explanations that may or not do us or them any justice. The point should be made that they are visible, and we need to do something about it. I remember when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, seeing individuals begging from door to door, which, interestingly, was not frowned upon as it is today, but a tradition brought from India. Among the ‘beggars’ were religious men who preferred to live a holy life, rather than spend their time to facilitate the capitalist money-making routine of life. That tradition is long gone, and so, those who decide to beg for their daily bread find it difficult to succeed. Therefore, I suggest developing a sort of soup kitchen to provide lunches for these persons two times per week, until the right mechanisms are in place to serve lunches on more days of the week. I am willing to share the downstairs of my mother’s house in the village to develop a soup kitchen. The time has arrived in my life, which makes me believe that these two issues should be tackled. To be continued. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Understanding Energy

Oil industry likely to continue strong growth in second half of 2021 As vaccination roll out campaigns continue and the world begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana is already well positioned to be economically successful in the second half of 2021 and in 2022 due to its quickly growing oil and gas industry. With new oil finds, a second floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel on the way soon, and continued investment efforts both within the oil and gas industry and in spin off industries onshore, Guyana has much to look forward to. Over the last 18 months, the country has received revenues from seven oil lifts of about one million barrels each. According to the government, in the next 10 years, the country will be producing up to one million barrels of oil per day. Oil and gas sector growth has also been bolstered by several new commercial finds in the Stabroek Block. Most recently, the operating company ExxonMobil Guyana announced its twentieth commercial find at the Longtail-3 well in June. With this discovery, Guyana’s reserves reached nine billion barrels of oil equivalent. The Stabroek Block co-venturers have stated that they will continue to push forward in exploration and development in the second half of 2021, and additional exploration is expected in other blocks as well.

Guyana’s first FPSO, the Liza Destiny, which is capable of producing 120,000 barrels of oil per day, will soon be complemented by the Liza Unity, which has already been built in Singapore and is expected to depart for Guyanese waters soon. The Unity can produce 220,000 barrels per day, which will nearly double the country’s production capabilities in 2022. The Unity is also designed to avoid all routine flaring, which will help Guyana reach environmental goals and become a leader for cleaner energy development in the future. Guyana should also continue to benefit from elevated oil prices in the second half of 2021. Despite historic lows in 2020, Guyana was still able to generate significant revenues from oil production and was the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean to experience economic growth. The seventh oil lift, which arrived in the beginning of July, generated approximately US$80 million, the highest amount yet. Brent crude currently stands at over US$70 per barrel and analysts at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expect crude oil prices to remain high and hover around US$72 per barrel in the second half of 2021. Other agencies forecast prices reaching US$75 per barrel. This means that Guyana’s oil lifts

should continue to win even more money, increasing the funds in the country’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF). According to a report by Rystad Energy, which evaluates oil revenues at different price points, Guyana could eventually earn hundreds of billions of dollars from oil production. If oil prices were to average US$60 per barrel, oil revenues would be US$200 billion over time from the 9 billion barrels in reserve. This money, which will be funneled into the NRF, should give the government significant room to invest in new infrastructure projects, pay off debts, and invest in future generations. Unofficial reports have stated that the fund sits at over US$430 million, including revenues from the most recent lift. Contrary to recent claims about “debts” related to this money, the funds in the NRF represent final profits that belong solely to Guyana. Any money in the NRF has already had all costs accounted for and cannot be touched by operating companies. Guyana’s profit-sharing model, whereby it receives a royalty and 50 per cent of profits after accounting for development costs, lets development continue without the government investing anything. All projects are financed fully by the operating companies, which can only recover those costs from production reve-

nues. That leaves the government with no debts from oil and gas exploration, development or production operations, and a 50 per cent share of all the profits generated. Direct oil revenues will provide most of the opportunities, but continued oil development and a burgeoning energy sector could create other positive benefits. According to the International Monetary Fund, the country is expected to experience 16.4 per cent GDP growth year-over-year in 2021, driven by continued growth in the energy sector. New exploration by ExxonMobil, Tullow, and Repsol, among other smaller operators, have the potential to lead to new finds and new opportunities. Significant investment in the oil and gas sector, like the US$9 billion Payara project, should also drive job growth, opportunities for local suppliers and increased day to day economic activity in Guyana. The recently announced gas to shore project, which will use excess gas produced on FPSOs to produce cheaper and reliable electricity on shore, has the potential to support the development of spin off industries. With continued economic growth, steadily increasing revenues, and attractive conditions for new investment, Guyana’s future looks bright.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Knowledge is power for the asthmatic patient

FEAR, anxiety and helplessness are some emotions experienced during the first asthma attack, especially if you are not knowledgeable on this disease condition or its management. Asthma deaths amount to 3,500 annually in the US, mostly children. The airways or the passage to the lungs become inflamed and constricted, resulting in its narrowing and a struggle to expire/ breathe out; hence, presenting symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and having shortness of breath and or tightness in the chest. Asthma cannot be cured. In some cases, it is less pronounced later in life, but can be

considered a chronic illness like diabetes or hypertension for the majority. Despite its debilitating effects in severe cases, an excellent quality of life is still possible, but the onus is on the patient or care giver, his/ her knowledge and avoidance of triggers, along with the daily use of appropriate prescribed medications. Each patient is different, and identification of personal triggers is key. Some triggers are dust mites that thrive in carpets and linen, animal/ pet dander or cockroach waste, mold spores, pollen, viral colds, some meds (e.g. NSAID such as diclofenac/ ibuprofen, even aspirin and some heart-rate slowing pills like atenolol), exercise and

smoke. The latter is not just first or second hand smoke from cigarettes but in Guyana there is a garbage burning culture, an environmentally prohibited practice which has become a “norm” that can literally result in hospital admission for an asthmatic person. Hence, self-analysis to identify your triggers and keeping a diary are important in the management of asthma, especially charting re-occurring patterns such as time of night or the “morning dip” which occurs at 04:00 hrs or during the rainy season. There is also exercised induced asthma most visible when some athletes have to use their medication during a session of sports activities. Whilst inspiration is not a problem, the

inability of the lungs to force out air can be suffocating. Just like the sphygmomanometer and glucometer machines that measure the blood pressure and blood “sugar” levels respectively there are available peak flow meters, a portable device that measures the lung’s peak expiration levels. In some doctor’s offices a spirometer may be used. Refer to pic below. There are three (3) zones of readings, red zone (means you are about to get an acute attack), the yellow zone (means you need to increase medication dosage) and finally the green zone (means that at your current daily dosage your lungs are working just fine).

PEAK FLOW METER This tool measures the peak expiratory flow rate or simply put the maximum amount of air which you can breathe out.

approach having assessed the situation, adjusted your medication dose and reviewed the response. Dosage forms range from tablets, syrups, emergency use only injections, immunotherapy vaccines or inhalers. Inhalation route of administration is preferred because it delivers the active ingredients directly to the target organs and not through the blood causing fewer side effects. There are two categories of drugs in inhaler formulation; anti-inflammatory agents called corticosteroids (reducing the

inflammation in the airways creating more space for the passage of air) and bronchodilators (relaxing the constriction opening up the airways). The latter is classified as short acting (which has a fast onset of action) or long acting (a slower releasing with a longer duration of action). There is also the anti-leukotrienes in oral form. For the most efficient performance of the respiratory system the most effective medication combination may be prescribed including a bronchodilator and a cortico-

steroid in varying strengths and duration of synergistic action. The maintenance daily dose yields a steady state concentration of the drug(s) which is necessary to prevent any further attacks. So monitoring the lung’s capacity along with the number of recurring episodes guides the treatment for a brief period of two to three months before either stepping up or stepping down to the steady state level.

AEROCHAMBER OR SPACER This device is used along with the inhaler so as to enable an efficient delivery of the drug to the lungs from the metered dose inhaler. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Multiple dosage formulations recommended in a stepwise

For further advice, consult the pharmacist at Medicine Express PHARMACY, located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg. Tel #225-5142.

GECOM and what lies ahead

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has its work cut out, as it now embarks on a process of reformation. As excited as the public may be at the termination of the contracts of the infamous trio, it must neither become complacent or distracted. Many believe that GECOM's nightmare was over Thursday with the exit of the alleged riggers, but it is not. GECOM must now face the challenge of fixing its house through a series of reforms and bold declarations. Firstly, at the outset, the reforms have to see GECOM completing the cleaning exercise that it started within its Secretariat and regionally. The Commissioners must now look carefully at those who had played a role in aiding and abetting the trio to commit the alleged fraudulent activities. These persons are responsible partially for the five-month fiasco and should be penalised. After all, GECOM’s junior staff know the names of all who declared outright their political allegiance, who broke the rules, and who departed dangerously from the protocols. If GECOM is going to clean, it is best to sweep in

all the corners, nooks, and crannies. Secondly, there must be the highest levels of transparency and openness when GECOM is ready to fill the vacancies or hire new staff. Of concern here, apart from the qualifications, the persons must be technically competent and impartial. This criterion will be critical if GECOM wants to ward off accusations of its officers being politically biased and one-sided. Nevertheless, GECOM needs to fill five posts and doesn’t have the luxury and time to do so at its convenience. Reasonably, what happened with those officers must never be allowed again. Their partisan, undemocratic, and unprofessional actions within GECOM placed Guyana at risk of entering the league of pariah states. Thirdly, over the weeks to come, GECOM would have to turn its attention to the issue of electoral reforms. Before any elections, there must be a strengthening of the systems and legal framework within its bureaucracy. And, the whole information architecture at GECOM must undergo a positive change to meet its communications modus operandi. It needs revamping

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

to meet the new needs of the organisation. Similarly, the whole image of GECOM needs to be changed to create a paradigm shift in the minds of Guyanese following the 2020 elections. The public has to know and feel that things are happening at the organisation. This communications strategy or public relations strategy must inspire much greater public confidence in the reforms. And finally, once GECOM gets going on the reforms, Local Government Elections can be set for this year. But the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharmalall, made it clear that he will not have an election with irregularities and electoral problems. These things have to be settled before these elections, this time around. He said that transparency, accountability, and good governance must be the hallmarks of any local government election. As far as he can see, GECOM still has issues to work out.

Besides that, GECOM must look at the printing of ballot papers abroad. It will have to train hundreds of polling day staff. It must devise a strategic plan to establish and run polling places with all COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. The current list for the election expired in January 2021 and GECOM must decide how it will have the local government polls and with what list. This decision is critical because of the timeline for the election. GECOM cannot falter or allow its attitude of laziness and bureaucratic inertia to step in. GECOM must focus on the various tasks of implementing these reforms and holding the local government elections now that the debris is gone from its body and the way is much clearer now. The world is watching. This time there would not be any excuses if there is a repeat of the fiasco last year. A long walk lies ahead as the clock ticks.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

All safe after daring crash-landing

A RORAIMA Airways Ltd. aircraft (Britten-Norman Trislander), bearing Registration No. 8R GRE crash-landed on Saturday near the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Site, aback Eccles, on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), en route to the Eugene Correia International Airport at Ogle. The aircraft had departed Imbaimadai, in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), at approxi-

lic Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, told the Sunday Chronicle that officers from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) were dispatched to the site to ascertain what might have caused the plane to crash. He noted that while it is too early to do so, the crew members were taken to the hospital for drug testing to ensure that they were not under the influence of any substances that might have caused

The Roraima Airways aircraft which crash-landed aback Eccles, near the Haags Bosch landfill site on Saturday (Photo courtesy of an Eccles resident)

GCAA and police officials conducting preliminary investigations on the aircraft on Saturday (Delano Williams Photo) mately 10:20hrs, and was scheduled to arrive at the Ogle Airport, but on its way there reportedly experienced mechanical difficulties, forcing the pilot to effect an emergency landing. Upon crash-landing at Eccles, a search-and- rescue operation was immediately activated by the Timehri Control Tower, and operatives from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were mobilised and dispatched to the scene of the incident. According to reports, there were five persons aboard the aircraft; three passengers, inclusive of a child, and two crew members. All five persons managed to survive the accident, though one experienced minor injuries. They were all subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical evaluation. Minister of Pub-

them to lose control of the aircraft. “Investigations are ongoing; it’s still too early. The standard things have been done; the pilots have done their drug tests at the hospital to ensure that they are okay and not in any way impaired. My GCAA people are on the ground,” Minister Edghill said. The Public Works Minister noted that the terrain in which the aircraft crashed is kind of tricky to negotiate. “The plane crash-landed in an area that is swampy; you have aboveknee-high water, so getting in and out, for various people, is not as easy as ABC. They have to get their cargo weighed, and all the rest of it,” Minister Edghill said. He said that this has made accessing the aircraft for investigative purposes somewhat difficult, but the GCAA team has been working strategically to conduct their preliminary probe.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Suriname’s President for official visit to Guyana Tuesday

PRESIDENT of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi will, on Tuesday, begin a four-day visit to Guyana on the invitation of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said on Saturday. The official visit follows the visit by President Ali to Suriname in November 2020, during which the two Presidents launched the Guyana-Suriname Strategic Dialogue and Co-operation Platform (SDCP). They will review the progress made thus far under that mechanism in the areas of foreign policy co-ordination and political dialogue, environment,

health, infrastructure and transportation, agriculture, immigration, customs, security and private sector enhancement, the release said. The two Presidents will also discuss priority issues on the CARICOM agenda as well as the economic and social repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on their countries. “This sustained engagement between Presidents Ali and Santokhi is testimony to their shared vision and commitment to converging the collective energies of the two countries for the benefit of the citizens of both countries and the region as a whole,” the release said. President Santokhi

will be accompanied by Mellisa K. Santokhi-Seenacherry, First Lady of the Republic of Suriname and a delegation comprising Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Co-operation; David Abiamofo, Minister of Natural Resources; Parmanand Sewdien, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries; Riad Nurmohamed, Minister of Public Works; Albert E. Jubithana, Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism; representatives of the State Oil Company of Suriname and members of the private sector.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali interacts with President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi during the latter’s last visit to Guyana

WhatsApp group launched for tourism stakeholders –– GTA, THAG urge adherence to new COVID-19 measures

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) are urging the public to adhere to the COVID-19 Emergency Safety Measures, specifically those pertaining to dining. In addition, a WhatsApp group was established by the authorities, which will comprise owners and managers of establishments within the tourism sector, in a bid to address the concerns of those businesses in real-time. Section 8(3)(c) of the new measures mandates that for patrons to be admitted to dine at any restaurant or bar, indoor or outdoor, they must be vaccinated and have in their possession an official identification document and their vaccination card.

The tourism authorities said that through such measures, the Government of Guyana has implemented a more multifaceted, strategic approach to ensure that Guyana achieves herd immunity. “By reaching its 80 per cent – 85 per cent vaccination target, Guyana, and by extension, its tourism and hospitality sectors will be able to resume some semblance of normalcy again, as it works towards a safe reopening and operations,” the organisations said in a

joint media release. They related that they are cognisant of persons bashing restaurants, bars, hotels and other dining establishments which have implemented the COVID-19 measures and highlighted that these establishments are subjected to the law, so failure to comply will constitute an offence. “The GTA and THAG urge the public to co-operate and support these businesses that are already experiencing challenging times but are trying to stay in operation to save jobs, protect the livelihoods of single mothers, and continue to contribute to the overall recovery of the economy,” they said. The Director of GTA, Carla James-Vantull, reassured stakeholders in the tourism sector that the authority is aware of the challenges they are faced with

during these trying times and is available to provide whatever support that they might need. “As safety measures are rolled out, it is important to provide the most up-to-date information and get feedback on how these systems are working,” she said. “We are here to help, so we hope that businesses will continue to reach out to us. This pandemic is affecting everyone, so we are all in this together, and it is only together we will be able to make it through the end of the tunnel,” she added. James-Vantuall also reinforced the importance of persons being inoculated against COVID-19 and commended the establishments which have implemented the COVID-19 measures for taking the necessary steps to ensure that

their businesses provide safe services. President of THAG, Harrinand Persaud, said that the organisation recognises the consequences of the new measures for businesses; however, he highlighted that the measures are necessary for the health and safety of all. “Vaccinations protect us all from becoming very ill. It ensures that we can continue to safely reopen and operate our businesses, to support the livelihoods of our staff and families,” he said. “We call on all patrons to be supportive of the operations who, for their part,

are complying with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and National COVID-19 Task Force that they may continue to serve you,” Persaud added. The tourism bodies said that it is imperative that everyone plays their part to educate their peers and family or even themselves, to understand the importance of vaccination and how critical it is in curbing the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus and ultimately saving lives by preventing serious COVID-19-related illnesses.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Training, cultural change needed at NIS –– Dr. Singh says

MORE citizens are now accessing their pensions and other National Insurance Scheme (NIS) services, as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh continues to lead outreaches across the country. On Saturday, during an outreach at the Mon Repos Primary School, Minister Singh presented Michael Parris, Guyana’s only Olympic medallist, with his pension book, bringing an end to his three-year wait to access this benefit. Like many other persons, Parris had missing contributions, which prevented him from receiving his benefits when he turned 60 three years ago. He brought his matter to Minister Singh’s attention during a similar outreach held in July. “It is couple years I was not getting it, and I always pray and ask God to let the dream come through, and it come through when I met Minister Ashni Singh,” Parris said. “So, I feel great pleasure, because I always say I do this for the country and no pension. I mean, I have not met the age for old-age pension, but NIS pension. Mr. Ashni come and rectify it; it is a pleasure and an honour,” he added. Parris said the process was smooth and fast, and he is encouraging other members of the public to take advantage of the outreaches being held countrywide.

urday had various concerns addressed. These include compliance certificates, contribution statements and payments, registration and replacement of NIS cards, signing and submission of life certificates, and submission of claims among other matters. (DPI)

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh presents Michael Parris, Guyana’s only Olympic medallist, with his NIS pension book (DPI photos) “People who hear about this thing should come down, and get quick attention than when you are going to NIS. Here, you get through fast,” the Olympian said. Minister Singh, after he being presented with the facts of Parris’ matter, instructed the NIS Board and Management to look into the issue, which they did, expeditiously. “Let me emphasise that Mr. Parris is not the only such case; literally hundreds of similar cases have been going to the management and going to the Board, and have been approved,” the minister said. Dr. Singh noted that the various outreaches continue to highlight the challenges persons encounter when accessing their benefits at the NIS. However, he said the outreaches have also provid-

ed NIS with the opportunity to address them. “We need a cultural change in the NIS; a change that focuses more on addressing people’s concerns in a timelier manner, so that we get to the point where we do not need a big outreach like this, but in fact people can walk into any NIS office and get that quality of service. And that is where we want to get,” the minister said, noting that training is needed to effect that change. “I think there is room for customer service training, and I have raised that with the Board, and the Board agrees, fully, that there is room for training in rules and procedures, and options that are available for addressing disputes,” Minister Singh said. Persons who visited the Mon Repos outreach on Sat-

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh pays keen attention as this gentleman explains his case at the NIS outreach on Saturday

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Ministries collaborating on COVID-19 vaccine campaign for children

THE Ministries of Health and Education are collaborating to roll out the COVID-19 immunisation campaign for children, even as preparations are advancing for the September reopening of schools. According to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, consent would be sought from parents before children

between the ages of 12 and 18 years are vaccinated using the United States of America, FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine. “We need permission from the parents. We have started sending out letters to parents, and they will have to sign those letters and send them back with the child, so that we know whether or not

we can vaccinate the child. “So that’s a very important component of this programme because the persons under 18 cannot decide for themselves, their parents will have to give the clearance. We will be using different modalities to make sure children who are in school can get access to the vaccine,” Dr. Anthony said

during Friday’s edition of the COVID-19 update. Dr. Anthony noted that the vaccines will also be accessible at community health centres to youths of the same age group, who are not in the school system. On the arrival of the consignment of vaccines through the COVAX facility Friday, PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Dr. Luis Codina said Guyana is expecting 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccines in September. Guyana also received a quantity of Sputnik V vaccines it purchased, Friday. Meanwhile, Minister Anthony had said that Guyana has enough vaccines for the entire adult population and he urged the public to inoculate themselves against the deadly disease.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony To date, 282,586 persons or 55 per cent of the adult population have received the first dose of a

COVID-19 vaccine, while 146,500 persons or 30.1 per cent of the adult population are fully vaccinated. (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Guyana needs ‘cadre of skilled thinkers’ to lead its modernisation

–– Minister Edghill tells Nations’ graduating class MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has said that Guyana needs a “cadre of skilled thinkers” among its human resources to lead the country’s modernisation and transformation. The minister made this statement in his feature address to the 2021 Masters of Business Administration graduating class at the Nations University, on Friday. “You are going to walk out here today, and you’re going to be pursuing a future, advancing your careers, knocking on the doors for promotion, developing that entrepreneurial spirit… some of you pursuing your own businesses, becoming the new set of thinkers and in-

novators and philosophers in Guyana. “You are graduating at a time when Guyana needs tonnes like you; our human resource capital needs to be developed. Guyana needs a high cadre of skilled thinkers, movers and shakers, who will catapult our development and will contribute towards the modernisation and transformation of Guyana,” Edghill posited. Minister Edghill told the graduates to start “thinking big” and to use the skills and experiences they have acquired to make Guyana world famous. He also urged them to be creators of wealth and to use their knowledge to help others. “Don’t limit yourself to

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nations Incorporated, Dr. Dexter Phillips, presents the parchment to a graduate (DPI photo)

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, with some of the graduates (DPI photo) the place of looking for a job, think big, start employing people, be innovators, be creators of wealth and certainly use your knowledge and experience to teach others,” the Public Works Minister said. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nations Incorporated, Dr. Dexter Phillips, told the graduating class they must keep learning and move forward successfully. “Think of yourselves as lifelong learners, so keep learning, be patient enough to learn but impatient enough to take risk… so think big and move forward… be confident in your abilities yet humble enough to accept that you will not always be the one in the room with the most knowledge, exercise humility,” Dr. Phillips said. Additionally, Director of Nations Incorporated, Pamela O’Toole congratulated the graduating class for their hard work and dedication amidst the pandemic. “This is indeed a celebration not only of academic achievement but of resilience, determination, focus, commitment and perseverance. “The road to successfully completing a course of study is never easy, but in the middle of a pandemic made all the more difficult,” she said. Some 101 persons graduated in areas of Hospital and Health Services Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Oil and Gas Management. (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

GCCI anticipates transparent hiring process to replace sacked GECOM officials

WHILE expressing satisfaction and welcoming the move to hold “recalcitrant” officers of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) accountable, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) anticipates a transparent hiring process to fill the vacant positions with technically competent and impartial officers. The GECOM officers whose employment was terminated are Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, and District Four Returning Officer for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional

Elections, Clairmont Mingo. GCCI, in a press release on Friday, said that as an accredited observer of the March 2, 2020 Elections, the Chamber witnessed first-hand several acts of “obfuscation defiance to the instructions of the commission and the courts, as well as partial actions” and was, therefore, pleased when the motions for their dismissal were filed on June 1, 2021. After weeks of deliberation and multiple delays, on August 12, 2021, GECOM voted to terminate the employment contracts of the three statutory officers who have been accused of electoral fraud. The termination was possible after the motions received the support of GECOM’s Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh. The chamber describes the termination of Lowenfield et al as “a step in the right direction for Guyana,” as being accredited observers for the elections they also observed the “partisan and unprofessional actions” of the GECOM trio during the elections, which the GCCI posited “placed Guyana at a risk of entering into the league of pariah states.” Now that Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers are no longer in the employ of GECOM, the GCCI said that they look forward to

an open and transparent hiring process to fill the vacant positions with technically competent and impartial officers to execute the statutory responsibilities required of the offices. The chamber opined that the developments at GECOM present an opportune time for the nation to undertake necessary electoral reforms and highlighted that the reforms ought to be undertaken with urgency. “Thus, the GCCI calls on the leadership of Guyana to ensure that the electoral reforms process is undertaken as a matter of highest priority so as to ensure that there is no risk of the recurrences of GRE 2020.,” the chamber said. Further, the organisation anticipates the electoral reform process to be one which comprises the input and involvement of a wide range of stakeholder. “The chamber stands ready, as a partner in national development, to support the electoral reforms process and anticipates this important undertaking to be supported by all citizens of Guyana,” GCCI said. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) also registered satisfaction with the move by GECOM to terminate the services of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo for their purported attempts to derail the election

process and the will of the people. The PSC believes that the decision is a step in the right direction in restoring public confidence in GECOM, especially with Local Government Elections being budgeted for to be held this year. The organisation has publicly advocated that GECOM’s decisions be transparent and in compliance with the law and consistent with international standards and best practices. “The PSC will remain committed in its efforts to honor its role as a key stakeholder by promoting and advocating for a non-partisan, fair and democratic process in conducting elections in accordance with the law,” the commission said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Health Management Committee to be set up in Kaikan –– Health Ministry mulls establishment of testing site for dengue, malaria in Region 8

By Jared Liddell

TO tackle the daily health needs of the over 480 residents and 100 Venezuelans that make up the population of Kaikan, in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), the Ministry of Health has taken steps to set up a Health Management Committee in the indigenous community. Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, who made this announcement on Friday at a medical

We are empowering you to call to tell us what you need, to point us in the direction you want us to go if we don’t know the needs we won’t know how to help,” Dr. Mahadeo said. He noted that the village’s Toshao and Deputy Toshao would not be a part of the committee since it will report its findings to the Village Council, which will directly report to the Ministry of Health. The committee will meet once a month to

for cervical cancer and optometry. Dr. Mahadeo said that another major step the Health Ministry has taken to ensure that the health system in the region is adequate, is the provision of a resident doctor; this appointment filled a position which was vacant for some time. This, he said, is one aspect of the government's commitment to bridging the gaps between healthcare in hinterland and coastal regions. The ministry, Dr. Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, engaging officials of the Kaikan Village Council (DPI photo) els residents of the region would have to endure to conduct a test for either of those diseases. Both diseases, which are mosquito-borne parasitic diseases, are typically found in hinterland areas, so testing in these areas is a high priority for the residents. Toshao of Kaikan, Marlon Williams, ac-

coastland to do a “simple checkup.” He said residents would pay around $70,000 for the flight alone, and this would be compounded by the logistical costs they incur once “on the coast.” To address this issue, Williams suggested that a cottage hospital be built in the community to offer

by miners. Despite the challenges, Toshao Williams admitted that the appointment of a resident doctor improved the health system in the community. “We have had a lot of challenges before the doctor came in and now that he’s here, I think that would have eased a lot of stress health-

Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, conducting a health checkup on a resident of Kaikan, in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), during the outreach on Friday (DPI photo) outreach in the community, noted that the Ministry of Health is aware of the difficulty faced by persons in hinterland communities when it comes to accessing health resources. For this reason, the ministry is exploring innovative ways of ensuring that the needs of the people are not only documented but also addressed. “Our mission is to take healthcare where it is most needed and where it hasn’t been delivered over the years. So, we need you to be our eyes and ears on the ground to tell us when it is not happening.

ascertain the medical and health needs of the residents. It comprises a retired teacher, a village elder, one representative each from the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force who are stationed in the community, and the community’s resident doctor. On Friday, the Health Ministry took a team of four medical professionals to the region for a threeday medical outreach, to afford residents access to free health services ranging from dentistry and medical ultrasounds to visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) tests

Mahadeo affirmed, will work to ensure there is equal access to basic health services across the country. REDUCING DISPARITIES To further reduce the disparities that exist, the ministry has been identifying specific health issues in hinterland communities and crafting programmes to address them. Specific to Region Eight, Dr. Mahadeo said the Ministry of Health is setting up a testing site for dengue and malaria to eliminate the lengthy trav-

The Kaikan health post (DPI photo) knowledged the government’s efforts to enhance healthcare not just in the village, but also in the region as a whole. Williams lamented the cost of a flight out of the community to visit a healthcare facility on the

a wide range of services. This, he said, could easily become a necessity given the growing number of Venezuelan migrants who are living in the region, as well as the increased use of the community’s health post

wise… some of the illnesses or complaints by persons would have been dealt with on the ground by the doctor and I’m happy that we are getting a positive response by the residents,” Williams said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Mahdia to get first-ever industrial training centre –– facility to also be utilised as a regional labour office By Naomi Parris

THE Ministry of Labour, through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), was, on Friday, allocated a plot of land by the Mahdia

Town Council, to construct a training centre and labour office. The land, which is 100ft in length and 60ft in width, has enough space for the establishment of a facility

which will be equipped to improve the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Once completed, the facility, which will be locat-

ed along the airstrip road and 10 minutes away from central Mahdia, would be a hub for services offered by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health

The official documents for the land being handed over to Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, by councillor, Rikhiram Ramphal of the Mahdia Town Council Department, and the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies, which are all subsidiaries of the Ministry of Labour. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, said that the board had reached out to the township to procure a plot of land to construct a training centre in the region. Owing to the request, the Town Council identified a plot of land and, in an act of philanthropy, donated it to BIT. Although a space has been identified, Maughn said a timeline for construction has not yet been set. However, there are plans to fence the land by the end of the next quarter of the year. Moving forward, he said the possibility exists for a public-private partnership on this project. Further, Maughn said the establishment of such a centre in the region would afford young people the opportunity of benefitting from several forms of industrial training, as well as provide extensive services to the entire region. With the establishment of a centre, residents of Region Eight will no longer have to travel to the Georgetown to access labour services or file complaints of breaches to the labour laws. Following up on what the CEO said, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, added that the government's aim is have training opportunities

and labour services readily available in all 10 administrative regions. "The position is that every region must have similar services, and so for that to happen we have to have facilities and we have to have offices. And presently, I have officers who are working out of their vehicles and brief cases and we have to change that," he said, adding: "We have to work with Region Eight to ensure that we have officers here. We have the board of industrial training but we don't have an officer here… we have to employ occupational and safety officer because you know in the mining district there are a lot of deaths that occur and that has to end." The minister said that BIT is also in talks with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to obtain a plot of land in Kwakwani, Region 10, to establish a similar centre. Speaking about the establishment of a hub for labour services in Region Eight, Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams, said it will contribute significantly to the advancement of the people and the region’s economy. He added that BIT has been playing a significant role in advancing the lives of young people within this township and region, so the construction of an official building will be a continuation of development on this front in Mahdia.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Buxton Community Centre ground gets lights

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Saturday, handed over eight concrete lantern poles and sixteen 1000-watt lamps to the Buxton Community Centre Ground, during a visit to the community. For this exercise, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. While meeting with members of the community at the ground, the Prime Minister related that the government’s support for all communities is an integral part of its development agenda. “We have what we call a ‘One Guyana’ approach to everything that we do. Every community will be involved in our developmental initiative… all our developmental projects are people-centred, whether its health, education, sports or infrastructural development; the entire Guyana will benefit from our programmes,” the Prime Minister said. He encouraged residents of the community to organise themselves into a group to effectively manage the affairs of the community centre.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, with residents of Buxton after handing over lights to the administrators of the Buxton Community Centre ground (DPI photo) “As soon as possible, this ground will be rehabilitated, but what we need is for the community to organise yourself…to secure and maintain the facility that we provided for you. So, here is a case where

we are providing, but we want you to come on board in partnership with us, so what is provided is available and maintained for the youths of your community,” See page 20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Buxton Community Centre ground ... From page 19

Prime Minister Phillips said. The equipment handed over was purchased from an allocation of $10 million by the government for the rehabilitation of the ground. It is one out of 25 other community grounds that have also received an allocation of $10 million for enhancement works. Ramson said that the money allocated for the development of the Buxton ground is being managed

by the Regional Democratic Council of Region Four. “Only a portion of the money has been spent so far, the remainder of the money is at the Regional Democratic Council. They are doing the procurement. So, today [Saturday], for example, I saw some horses on the field, which means that there are some structural integrity issues in relation to the fence, so I’ve asked them to do a new fence there so that we wouldn’t have animals going on the field,”

the minister said. Minister Ramson added that shortly, his ministry will also be donating a lawnmower to the community ground and will be facilitating several other upgrades. Following the presentation, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture walked with residents along the access road which leads to the community ground, to examine the ongoing works being undertaken to resurface the street. (DPI)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, engages a resident of Buxton (DPI photo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Three persons die from COVID-19

THREE more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 573, the Ministry of Health has reported. The Ministry of Health said that the latest fatalities were two females and one male: A 54-yearold from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); a 47-yearold from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); and a 65-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They all died on August 12, 2021 while receiving treatment at a Ministry of Health

facility. Additionally, there are currently 961 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 111 new cases on August 14, 2021, after 1,503 tests. The newly-confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine and Ten. Region Four accounted for 31 of the new cases, while Region Two recorded 15 new cases; Regions Three and Ten each recorded four new cases; Regions Five and Nine each recorded one

new case, and Regions Six and Seven recorded two new cases each. Even as new cases were recorded, 14 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 21,927. The country has now recorded a total of 23,455 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020. Of the active cases, 16 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, 80 are in institutional isolation,

859 are in home isolation and six are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from August 1, 2021,

until August 31, 2021. They could be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic. As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and

physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 2267480; or 180/181 for assistance.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

Sod turned for construction of new CARICOM Secretary-General residence

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, on Friday, turned the sod for the construction of a new building to be used as the residence of the CARICOM Secretary-General. “We’re still in the design stage, where you know the architect will do their work and then a costing will be done and in consultation with the CARICOM Secretariat, and the Secretary General,” the Prime Minister said. He said too while a commencement date has not been confirmed, the project would start very soon. The building will be constructed in Pra-

doville, on the East Coast of Demerara. Meanwhile, Ambassador LaRocque said there has been a need for an official residence and that need has been recognised by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. “I think it’s a great, great moment, it’s not just a ceremony. I think it demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Guyana to CARICOM. “We have to remember that this is the seat of the headquarters of the Community… [and] the Secretariat has a meaning and here will have a meaning,” LaRocque said. He also said the plans for this building have not been in

the pipelines for a long time and as such he was honoured to do the sod turning, which is a step towards construction. Ambassador LaRocque said this will be his last official project as CARICOM Secretary-General and he believes that two terms in office is adequate. “[I am] passing the baton on to somebody with fresh ideas, fresh set of energy to go forward,” Ambassador LaRocque, who retires this year, said. Belizean, Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, is scheduled to take over soon as CARICOM Secretary-General. Also present at the simple ceremony were the

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque turn the sod for the construction of a new building to be used as the residence of the CARICOM Secretary-General (DPI photo) Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd; Foreign Secretary within the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Robert Persaud, and Permanent Secretary

of the Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Ministry, Elizabeth Harper. (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 15, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 15, 2021

Babar Azam unbeaten 54 keeps .... FROM BACK PAGE

Roach, however, had the last laugh in the last over before lunch, bringing one back in sharply to breach Azhar’s defence and crash into his leg stump. It heralded Kraigg Bathwaite’s side’s best passage of the day, with Jayden Seales welcoming in the post-lunch session with a sumptuous double-strike. Abid, who was set up by slightly short deliveries in the first innings, was presented another short one with the first ball of Seales’ spell. The extra bounce which the teenager’s pace extracted from the surface saw the opener slash straight to second slip, and Holder, who had put down Azhar

earlier, made no mistake this time. Three balls later, Fawad Alam fell to an outside edge after lacklustre footwork, and West Indies threatened to blow the Test wide open. Pakistan were now in the perilous position of having lost four wickets with the lead at just 29, and it was left to Mohammad Rizwan and Azam, arguably Pakistan’s two best performers over the past year, to take the sting out of the hosts’ momentum. Over the next hour or so, they did just that under blackening skies, the runs trickling along gradually. With an increasing amount of sideways movement for the pacers, it was anything but easy, and the 56 runs they managed before the

heavens opened may yet be the difference between success and failure. Two-and-a-half-hours later under clear blue skies, though, West Indies struck almost immediately upon the resumption. Holder drew Rizwan into a forward defensive push with seam movement producing the edge; West Indies once more appeared to be sniffing at the lower order. Faheem Ashraf, though has shown he isn’t a pushover with the bat, and while he possesses the flair he showcased on the first day, the steel was on full display this evening. Scoring just 12 runs in 79 deliveries, he happily played second fiddle to Azam, who brought up a high-quality half-century before the day was done.

West Indies may yet rue a dropped slip catch early into Ashraf’s innings - Jermaine Blackwood was the culprit - but Pakistan will be reassured by the relative solidity of the pair at the crease. As the light deteriorated and the umpires brought out the light metre after every over, the duo shut up shop completely, and did not look especially susceptible doing so. West Indies took the last five Pakistan wickets for 31 runs on day one. The home side will need a similarly explosive performance this morning to give themselves the best chance of a manageable chase. The weather would be relatively clear, but the outcome of this tantalising Test remains anything but that. (Cricinfo)

Amazon Warriors in preparation ... FROM BACK PAGE

in the United States. “We did some work on the pitch today and we are pushing them (players) a bit and we are getting results from them and they are up to the standard so far,” he stated. The coach added, “We are working on the guys to be mentally prepared and to go into games when they are tired, and they can pull through and win the big games when it calls for you to step up, with bat or ball. (It is) finding that extra push or extra mile you can go to win a title.” Amazon Warriors are

winless in five of the eight finals so far in the tournament. All 33 matches in this year’s CPL tournament will be played in St Kitts and Nevis. The players will depart Guyana on Monday to join the rest of the overseas players, and all players are expected to be available for selection for the first match on August 26 against defending champions, Trinbago Knight Riders. Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ulHaq, Romario Shepherd,

English Racing Tips

10:55 hrs Ventura Vision Chelmsford 11:30 hrs King Viktor 09:35 hrs Precious Plum 10:00 hrs Sky Blue Thinking Irish Racing Tips 10:35 hrs Star Jewel Dundalk 11:10 hrs Pop Favorite 11:45 hrs Doublethetrouble 08:30 hrs Phoenix Open 09:05 hrs Burning Lake 12:20 hrs Fury 09:40 hrs Offiah 10:15 hrs Butterfly Island Pontefract 10:50 hrs Major Power 09:35 hrs Possible Man 11:25 hrs Safecracker 10:10 hrs Keep Busy 12:00 hrs El C Wells 11:20 hrs Out Of Breath South Africa Racing Tips 11:55 hrs Alpha Cru Turffontein 12:25 hrs Lady Nectar 08:40 hrs Indigo Winter 09:15 hrs Light Without Southwell 09:50 hrs Senescence 08:35 hrs Elzaal 10:25 hrs Lucy In The Dky 09:10 hrs Safra 09:45 hrs Queen Of Kalahari 11:00 hrs After Hours 10:20 hrs Fossos

Waqar Salamkheil, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.

PAKISTAN 1st innings 217 West Indies 1st Innings (overnight 251 for eight) *K Brathwaite run out 97 K Powell c Imran Butt b Mohammad Abbas 0 N Bonner lbw b Mohammad Abbas 0 R Chase c wkp Mohammad Rizwan b Hasan Ali 21 J Blackwood c Mohammad Abbas b Shaheen Shah Afridi 22 K Mayers lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 J Holder c wkp Mohammad Rizwan b Faheem Ashraf 58 +J Da Silva lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi 21 K Roach lbw b Mohammad Abbas 13 J Warrican b Shaheen Shah Afridi 1 J Seales not out 0 Extras (b3, lb11, nb6) 20 TOTAL (all out, 89.4 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Powell), 2-1 (Bonner), 3-51 (Chase), 4-100 (Blackwood), 5-100 (Mayers), 6-196 (Holder), 7-221 (Brathwaite), 8-249 (Roach), 9-252 (Warrican), 10-253 (Da Silva) Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 22-9-43-3, Shaheen Shah Afridi 21.46-59-4 (nb1), Yasir Shah 13-1-46-0, Faheem Ashraf 14-6-37-1, Hasan Ali 19-4-54-1 (nb5) PAKISTAN 2nd Innings Imran Butt lbw b Roach 0 Abid Ali c Holder b Seales 34 Azhar Ali b Roach 23 *Babar Azam not out 54 Fawad Alam c wkp Da Silva b Seales 0 +Mohammad Rizwan c wkp Da Silva b Holder 30 Faheem Ashraf not out 12 Extras (b4, lb2, nb1) 7 TOTAL (5 wkts, 70 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Imran Butt), 2-56 (Azhar Ali), 3-65 (Abid Ali), 4-65 (Fawad Alam), 5-121 (Mohammad Rizwan) Bowling: Roach 15-7-15-2, Seales 13-2-50-2 (nb1), Mayers 124-19-0, Holder 14-5-27-1, Warrican 7-2-28-0, Chase 6-2-12-0, Brathwaite 3-1-3-0. Position: Pakistan lead by 124 runs with five second innings wickets intact.

On this day 2016: Usain Bolt wins third successive Olympic 100 metres title ON this day, August 14 2016, Usain Bolt won the men’s Olympic 100 metres final for an unprecedented third time. The victory underlined what was effectively already known – the sport’s greatest showman was also its best ever. At 29, Bolt had seen his supremacy challenged in the build-up to the Games. His best time of the year prior to Rio, 9.88 seconds set in Kingston, was only the fourth best, with Justin Gatlin appearing in better form. But Bolt’s semi-final winning time of 9.86 seconds in Rio was the fastest by anybody, and the Jamaican went into the final with a sense of expectation on his shoulders. He would be slow to get out of the blocks, slower than Gatlin, but Bolt had the power to surge through in the final 60 metres and win what was then his seventh Olympic gold medal – though he would later be stripped of his 2008 relay gold due to a doping violation by team-mate Nesta Carter. The winning time of 9.81 seconds was a long way from the world record of 9.58 he had set seven years earlier – a mark which still stands – suggesting Bolt had been right to declare before the Games that they would be his last. “It wasn’t perfect today, but I got it done and I’m pretty proud of what I’ve achieved,” said Bolt, who beat Gatlin by 0.08seconds with Andre de Grasse of Canada in third I expected to go faster, but I’m happy that I won. I did what I had to.” Bolt would go on to add to the 200m title and the 4x100m relay title to his collection in Rio. He did end his career as planned after the 2017 world championships, though he did not go out on the note he might have hoped. He settled for bronze in the 100m final, and then pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 4x100m relay final – being helped over the line for the final time in his career by team-mates Omar McLeod, Julian Forte, and Yohan Blake. (PA Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 15, 2021

On this day: Cricket’s most famous duck … Sir Donald Bradman’s final innings cemented his legendary and unbeatable career average of 99.94

AUGUST 14, 1948. On this day in south London, Sir Donald Bradman strides to the crease for his final innings in Baggy Green and is given a rousing three cheers by his English opponents. Two balls later, he’s striding back to The Oval dressing room, having recorded the most famous duck in Test cricket history. Bradman was bowled second ball by Eric Hollies, a Warwickshire leg-spinner for whom the rowdiest stand at Edgbaston is now named, and finished a legendary career with 6 996 runs, and the famous average of 99.94. At first glance, England may not have been too impressed by the 124th man to represent Australia in Test cricket. After all, the diminutive right-handed middle-order batsman with the unorthodox technique made just 18 and 1 batting at No.7 in the opening Test of the 1928-29 Ashes. Bradman was promptly dropped for

the second Test. By series end he had two centuries and two other fifties but didn’t even rate a mention in the Wisden report of England’s tour where all the spotlight was on Wally Hammond’s batting in a 4-1 series win for the visitors. Some 18 months later, however, the boy from Bowral’s name was on every Englishman’s lips as he eclipsed Hammond and scored 974 runs in seven Test innings at a tick above 139 – a record for the most runs in a Test series that still stands all these years later. For context, Bradman’s series aggregate was exactly 200 more runs, in the same amount of innings, that Steve Smith scored in his outstanding 2019 Ashes series in England. It was an iconic early chapter in the Bradman tale. Even now, there’s not a person alive with a passing interest in cricket who doesn’t know the story of that final-innings duck that

Hundreds turned out to watch Don Bradman net. (Getty)

secured the 99.94 average, or the tale of the young boy hitting a golf ball against the water tank with a single stump Much of The Don’s mythical qualities come from that batting average, a statistical representation of how far over and above every other player to play

Messi departure painful but Barca can’t live in the past, says coach

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Lionel Messi is now in Barcelona’s past and the club must live in the present, coach Ronald Koeman said yesterday, as his side prepare for a new La Liga season without their greatest-ever player - and battling through a financial crisis. Barca are still reeling from the departure of their all-time top-scorer to Paris St-Germain after being unable to afford to give the Argentine a new contract. But Koeman said it was time to look to the future with today’s game at home to Real Sociedad coming up. “It’s painful for all Barcelona fans, given what Messi has done for the club, but we cannot live in the past,” Koeman told a news conference. “I’m excited for the new season, and I hope the fans are enthusiastic too. We have to live in the present and not the past. “People have spoken a lot about Messi and that’s normal because of how effective he was and his

quality. We won’t have him around anymore, but we still have a very strong squad. There are no excuses now, we’ve got games to

FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman

play and points to win.” Barca did have some good news as they were able to register new signings Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay after Gerard Pique agreed to take a salary cut to help bring the club in line with the league’s financial fair play rules. The club said in a statement Pique had agreed to take a “significant” pay cut, adding they were in talks

with the other club captain Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto over a squad-wide reduction to help ease the club’s financial woes. “We all know the club’s situation and that it needs help so you have to appreciate the attitude of Gerard, of Sergi Roberto and Busquets,” added Koeman.

“It proves they are real club men.” The Dutch coach added that Pedri and Eric Garcia would be available to face Sociedad despite playing the Olympic final for Spain last week after a gruelling Euro 2020 campaign with the national team. But he is missing some important players, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen recovering from knee surgery, forward Ousmane Dembele out with a muscle problem and new signing Sergio Aguero expected to be out until October.

the game he has been. Bradman has become an obsession for Englishman Tony Shillinglaw, who has spent the past 30 years attempting to unlock the secret of what made Bradman so far above anyone before or since. “Here’s a man who was 66 per cent better than anyone who has played. I want-

ed to find out how he did it,” Shillinglaw told ABC’s Lateline. Shillinglaw, 80, began his Bradman obsession in his 50s, reportedly inspired by his own shortcomings as a cricketer, and started his quest to understand Bradman’s method Having studied Bradman’s grip, back lift and technique in perhaps more forensic details than anyone previously, Shillinglaw is at a loss as to why The Don’s style or fabled boyhood training method isn’t more widely adopted. “We found out that the key was the golf ball and stump - the ability to hit it and control it,” Shillinglaw said. “Bradman learned to control a fast, erratic, moving ball better than anyone else has ever done, and all I’ve discovered is you can’t do it from an orthodox style. “We were trying to locate the cause and the cause is the water tank and stand

- an eight-foot space, golf ball and stump at Shepherd Street (Bradman’s childhood home). “That’s where Don Bradman got his skill from.” The origin of the method may have been unorthodox but Shillinglaw says there could be merit in allowing Bradman’s technique to be taught rather than more classical strokeplay. “We feel it’s our duty that Bradman’s method should be made available to cricket generally, and anyone with the aptitude or the will to do it should be able to do it,” he said. “Because it’s not an idea that we’ve had, it’s proven; the runs are in the book - Don Bradman put them there.” Shillinglaw first labelled Bradman’s technique that landed him 6996 Test runs and more than 28 000 in first-class cricket, the “rotary method” in his 2003 book, Bradman Revisited. (Cricket Network)

Brentford beat Arsenal in Premier League opener, 74 years after last game in England’s first division

BRENTFORD have started their first top-flight campaign since 1947 by stunning Arsenal 2-0 in the opening game of the Premier League season on Friday. Sergi Canos put Brentford ahead in the 22nd minute and Christian Noergaard headed in the second in the 73rd after Arsenal failed to deal with a long throw-in, handing the promoted club a perfect start to life in the Premier League in front of nearly 16 500 fans at the Community Stadium. Those fans finally had a chance to celebrate inside the new stadium, which was opened last year during the lockdown when no supporters were allowed into games. But Brentford fans are used to waiting. The club’s last game in England’s top division was a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, in May 1947. Now the team is top of the league for at least a few hours, ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games. “Nobody who was here

Brentford’s Christian Norgaard celebrates scoring their second goal at Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain, August 13, 2021 (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)

will ever forget that. And I’m proud to be a part of that,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said. “I have such belief in this group of players, so even though I knew we were going to face Arsenal, a massive club with unbelievable players, I had a feeling I would be disappointed if we didn’t beat them It was another disappointing performance and a worrying start for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who finished eighth last season and showed little sign of having sorted out their previous problems. With strikers

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both missing, Arsenal again struggled to create any kind of clear scoring chances despite dominating possession for stretches of the game. And their defensive shortcomings showed again. Brentford’s opener came after right-back Calum Chambers hacked the ball off the byline, only for it to come back via Ethan Pinnock to Canos, who cut inside the defender and buried a low shot inside Bernd Leno’s near post.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 15, 2021

First mother-son duo to win gold in Olympics history

… JaVale and Pamela McGee struck gold at respective Olympic Games

ON Saturday, August 7, Pamela McGee and her son, JaVale McGee became the first mother-son duo to win gold medals in Olympic history after JaVale secured a gold medal in basketball at the Tokyo Games, with Team USA beating France 87-82. Thirty-seven years before JaVale made his country proud, his mother Pamela, a Hall of Famer and USC Trojans legend, was doing the same as a member of the 1984 U.S. basketball squad that defeated South Korea 8555 to win gold at the Olympics. Pamela proudly posted her son’s Olympic journey on her Instagram page, with one post reading, “Making History mother and son Olympians.. #LookatGod.” Pamela is a retired professional women’s basketball player and mother of two professional basketball

players. She is the first WNBA mom to have a son and daughter drafted in the NBA and the WNBA. JaVale has played in the NBA for more than a decade, while younger sister Imani McGee-Stafford played in the WNBA from 2016 to 2019. At age 34, she was the second overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft. Imani played in the league for two seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs and Los Angeles Sparks. Pamela grew up in Flint, Michigan, where she attended Flint Southwestern Academy before graduating from Flint Northern High School. Even during her high school days, she started to pave a career in sports. She won two back-to-back state championships in Women’s Basketball and Women’s Track. McGee started her professional career with the

Pamela McGee (Exposay Magazine - 2021)

JaVale McGee poses with his gold medal.

Dallas Diamonds in the Women’s American Basketball Association where she played alongside her sister Paula. She ended up setting the state record in shot put in track and field. She also was the MVP of the Parade All American game which hosted the top players in the nation. In 1984, she won the Olympic gold in Los Angeles before embarking on a

professional career including stints in Brazil, France, Italy and Spain. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and has been noted as one of the few women basketball players who have won on every level. She has also appeared in the reality Show, ‘Mom’s Got Game’. She is married to George Montgomery, who was drafted with the 35th pick in the 1985 NBA draft

Liverpool cruise past Norwich in opener NORWICH, England (Reuters) - Liverpool eased into the new Premier League season as goals by Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah earned them a 3-0 victory at promoted Norwich City yesterday. With defensive linchpin Virgil van Dijk back after nine months out with a serious knee injury, Liverpool enjoyed a relatively trouble-free evening at Carrow Road. Norwich had their chances but once Jota gave Liverpool the lead in the 26th minute the visitors were in command. Salah set up Firmino to make it 2-0 in the 65th minute and then sealed the points nine minutes later with a neat finish. The Egyptian striker has now scored on the opening weekend for the past five seasons - a Premier League record. But the focus was very much on Dutchman Van Dijk whose absence was a key factor in Liverpool’s disappointing defence of their Premier League title last season. “It was a tough game for many reasons and 3-0 sounds comfortable,” Van Dijk, who

signed a new contract with the Anfield club this week, told Sky Sports. “It’s about getting into normal habits, shouting at your team mates, repetition. I’ve made great steps in pre-season and this was an-

Minutes later Liverpool were ahead as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball in from the right was mis-controlled by Salah and the ball ran to Jota who tucked a shot home. There was an element of fortune about Liverpool’s

Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah has now scored on the opening weekend for the past five seasons - a Premier League record.

other big step today.” With a capacity crowd cheering them on Norwich matched Liverpool in the opening stages and could have gone ahead when Teemu Pukki got in behind Van Dijk but opted to try and beat Alisson at his near post and the Brazil goalkeeper made the save.

second as a rebound off a Norwich defender fell to Salah whose instant cross was an open invitation for Firmino to score. Norwich were deflated and they fell further behind when Salah curled in with his left foot, after a corner fell to him on the edge of the area.

although he never played there. Pamela successfully balanced her international basketball career with raising children, home-schooling, coaching and teaching school in the off-season. Before he bagged the gold at the Olympics, JaVale revealed that his mother was never satisfied with his career achievements as she always wanted him to reach for the stars like she did. “She always talks about, ‘Yeah, y’all really not doing anything until you get the championship,’” he told Daily News in July. “Then I got the championship, and she’s like, ‘Well, you don’t have the gold medal.’ And now I have an opportunity to get a gold medal. It’ll be amazing.” For JaVale, his mother was never “mom” to him but always “coach”. She was his first trainer and is at the

root of her son’s work on the court. In fact, she was so tough on him that JaVale grew frustrated with his mother and did not want to train with her when he turned 13 - a decision that Pamela accepted as she did not want her relationship with her son get ruined. Pamela said that she was most proud of the kind of person that JaVale has turned out to be. “One of the things that we all want when we look at our children: We want them to be resilient and good people,” she said. “All kinds of people, from the ushers, to the janitors, and the fans, to the lady in Cleveland who gave me my COVID test one time, say, ‘We love your son. He’s the kindest, nicest person we ever met.’ And they try their hardest to get to me, to go out of their way to tell me that.” (meeaww. com)

Premier League Football

Chelsea, Man Utd off to flying starts LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea served notice of their Premier League title intentions with a confident 3-0 defeat over Crystal Palace as the Premier League enjoyed a return to its familiar format yesterday. Manchester United got things going in the early kickoff with a 5-1 hammering of Leeds United with Bruno Fernandes netting a hat-trick and Paul Pogba making four assists. After last season’s staggered kickoffs and empty stadiums because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stamford Bridge, like Old Trafford earlier, was packed full for one of five 15:00hrs kickoffs. Thomas Tuchel’s European champions rewarded their fans with a commanding display with goals from Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah. It was a tough day for Palace’s new manager Patrick Vieira but Rafa Benitez marked the start of his Everton reign with a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Goodison Park. Former Liverpool man-

ager Benitez wore a frown when Adam Armstrong gave Southampton the lead on his debut, but it was all smiles at the end as Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all struck after the break. Leicester City, who fell agonisingly short of the top four last season, began with a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with the ever reliable Jamie Vardy on target. Watford marked their return to the top flight with an impressive 3-2 win over Aston Villa as Emmanuel Dennis and Cucho Hernandez both scored on their debuts. Danny Ings was also on target on his Villa bow but his late penalty conversion was a mere consolation. Brighton and Hove Albion won 2-1 at Burnley. Chelsea are earmarked as the side most likely to challenge champions Manchester City for the title and they did nothing to suggest otherwise as they outclassed Palace without the need for new signing Romelu Lukaku who is still observing quarantine restrictions after his £97.5-million ($135 mil-

lion) move back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan. Spanish left back Marcos Alonso fizzed a free kick into the top corner to put Chelsea in charge in the 27th minute while U.S. forward Christian Pulisic followed up on the rebound to double their lead five minutes before halftime. It was home-grown defender Chalobah’s goal that raised the biggest cheers though, having been out on loan for three seasons in England and France. “We were pretty sharp,” Tuchel, whose side won the European Supercup on Wednesday, said. “It looked easier than it was. “Some players we pushed with 120 minutes over the line already and they stepped up again. We set our standards as high as possible. It was a huge team effort.” Manchester United were equally impressive as they ran riot against Leeds United having been pegged back to 1-1 when a Luke Ayling thunderbolt cancelled out Fernandes’s first-half effort. Mason Greenwood fired United back in front before Fernandes added a quick-fire third to put Ole

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 15, 2021

High jumping for joy an iconic act of sportsmanship at Tokyo 2020 Olympics THERE were wild celebrations in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo after high jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi agreed to share the gold medal following a tense and dramatic final. The pair, who are great friends, couldn’t be split following an “exhausting two-hour competition”, the BBC reports. They both cleared 2.37m but had three failures attempting to match the Olympic record of 2.39m. A Tokyo 2020 official offered them a jump-off to decide the winner, but Qatari Barshim then asked the question: “Can we have two golds?”. The official nodded and Italian Tamberi “leaped into his rival’s arms, then

Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy agree to share gold instead of going into a jump-off during the men’s high jump.

belly-flopped onto the hard track, rolled around a few times and screamed.” “I look at him, he looks at me, and we know it,” Barshim said. “We just look at each other and we

Finch in race to be fit for T20 World Cup after successful knee surgery AUSTRALIA’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch has undergone knee surgery with the recovery expected to take eight to 10 weeks as he aims to be fit for the T20 World Cup. Finch missed the recent Bangladesh tour having suffered cartilage damage ahead of the series in West Indies. He managed to play the five T20Is in the Caribbean but aggravated the injury in the final game Having completed his mandatory two-week quarantine upon returning to Melbourne, Finch had the operation on Thursday with a Cricket Australia statement saying it was successful. “His recovery is expected to take 8-10 weeks meaning he should be available for the opening games of the World Cup in mid-October,” the statement added. The longer end of that timescale will push things tight for Finch with Australia’s involvement in the tournament due to begin in the final week of October. It is expected that tentative plans for warm-up matches against Afghanistan and West Indies will be cancelled due to logistical challenges with some players returning from the IPL which will be also be staged in the UAE ahead of the World Cup. In Finch’s absence, Matthew Wade captained the side in Bangladesh where, like many of the batters, he had a lean time. Pat Cummins, the official Australia vice-captain, will be part of the World Cup squad. Australia have lost their last five T20I series, against England, India, New Zealand, West Indies and Bangladesh, having previously climbed to No. 1 in the rankings. Their planning has been disrupted by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on player availability but the results have also raised questions about the depth available especially in the batting. They have never won the T20 World Cup with their best performance being a runners-up finish in 2010 when they lost the final against England in Barbados. (Cricinfo)

know, that is it, it is done. There is no need.” It was the first joint Olympic podium in athletics since 1912 and a “display of sportsmanship that delighted Olympics spectators around

the world”, says The Guardian. It is likely to be remembered as one of the “most heartwarming moments” of the Tokyo games. The triumph came after a tough road to Tokyo for both athletes. Barshim battled injury in the years leading up to the games while a career-threatening broken ankle forced Tamberi to miss the Rio Olympics in 2016. In the stadium he showed a plaster cast on which he had written “Road to Tokyo 2020”. “It is amazing,” said 30-year-old Barshim. “This is a dream I don’t want to wake up from. I have been through a lot. It’s been five years that I have been waiting, with injuries and a lot of setbacks. But we are here

today sharing this moment and all the sacrifices. It’s really worth it now in this moment.” Tamberi, 29, added: “After my injuries, I just wanted to come back, but now I have this gold, it’s incredible. I dreamed of this so many times. I was told in 2016 just before Rio there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete anymore. It’s been a long journey.” When the jumpers decided to share the gold medal fans around the world reacted to the scenes with many calling it the “best moment of Tokyo 2020”, Al Jazeera reports. However, not everyone agreed with the decision. TV presenter Piers Morgan criticised the men’s high

jump stars and “fumed” on Twitter, the Daily Mirror reports. He said: “They should have done the jump-off. It’s an Olympic final, not a tea party. Can’t share gold medals.” There would have been no shame for either Barshim or Tamberi in collecting a silver medal, says The Telegraph’s Jeremy Wilson. “As a one-off Olympic first for more than 100 years, this made for an undoubtedly compelling and human story. But the International Olympic Committee should minimise the possibility of a repeat.” The decision to share the medal was overwhelmingly well received on social media. (The Week)

Barbados Royals name Daniel Vettori as new head coach AHEAD of the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Royals Sports Group (EM

506 runs to his name in 25 T20Is with a strike rate of 149.70 since making his debut for the national team

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori

Sporting Holdings Ltd)-owned franchise Barbados Royals yesterday announced former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori as the team’s new head coach. The two-time CPL champions also announced the signing of New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips as an overseas recruit ahead of the 2021 season of the league set to begin August 26, 2021. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman represents Auckland domestically in New Zealand, and has

in 2017. Commenting on the development, co-owner of Barbados Royals, Manish Patel, said: “This is an exciting phase for all of us associated with the Barbados Royals, and to have a cricketing brain like Daniel assist the team as the head coach is a step forward for all of us. He ticks all the boxes when it comes to guiding the team both on and off the field, and we are delighted to have him on board.” Royals Sports Group CEO Mike Fordham ex-

pressed his delight and said, “We are extremely pleased to have a legendary cricketer like Daniel join us at the Barbados Royals. “He has spent over a decade in coaching through stints around the world, and we believe he is the perfect candidate to guide this exciting team forward and fulfil our ambitions for the upcoming season. We welcome Glenn Phillips as the newest member of our Royals family and hope that he can contribute to a very successful season for the franchise.”

Speaking at his appointment, Daniel Vettori said, “I’m delighted to be taking over as the head coach of the Barbados Royals. With the brand that they are building, and the ambitions that the team has, it felt like the right move for me, and I’m really looking forward to working with the whole group working along with Jason leading from the front.” Jason Holder-led Barbados Royals will start their CPL campaign on August 26, 2021 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, with this season’s final scheduled to take place on 15th September 2021. (Barbados Today)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 15, 2021) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Brian Lara-146* (Trinidad, 1996) (2) Martin Guptil-237* (Wellington, 2015) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI bowler has captured most ODI wickets against NZ to date? (2) Which NZ player has claimed most ODI wickets against the WI to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 15, 2021

Second Test at Lord’s

Root hits fifth ton this year; unbeaten 180 helps England to 27-run lead ENGLAND captain Joe Root reeled off his fifth Test century of the year at Lord’s, standing head and shoulders above the crowd and changing the face of the second LV= Insurance Test against India. After his match-saving hundred at Trent Bridge last week, Root went big again at the home of cricket, undefeated through the entire third day to finish on 180 not out. England reached 391 all out on the back of his stunning efforts, enough for a lead of 27 that had looked fanciful after India dominated the first day, and Root’s own average tipped back above 50 as a result. Since turning 30 in December, Root has been in revelling form, with knocks of 228 and 186 on the turning tracks of Galle, 218 against India in Chennai and 109 under serious pressure in the rain-affected draw at Nottingham. Among Englishmen only Denis Compton and Michael Vaughan have scored more hundreds in a calendar year and, with three more Tests remaining this summer, his current purple patch suggests he could join them on six sooner rather than later. His latest instalment was another high-class example of his craft, resuming

on his overnight score of 48 not out and adding another 132 in the next six and a half hours at the crease. Control was the hallmark of Root’s innings, absorbing everything India threw at him on a serene surface and collecting 18 boundaries in the course of a 321-ball epic. Root and fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow resumed with the score at 119 for three and proceeded to consign their opponents to a wicketless first session. They scored 97 chanceless runs in 28 overs, scoring busily as they refused to allow the seamers to settle on a safe line. Root reached his half-century off the seventh ball of the day, pushing Mohammed Siraj to the point boundary and raising his bat to acclaim for the first time. He would do so several more times before the day was done. Bairstow also played an important role in the opening session, shaping up well and scoring with authority. The number five was striking cleanly square of the wicket, leaned on one memorably classical straight drive and even swept the spin of Ravindra Jadeja over his shoulder as he followed Root’s lead to reach a first fifty in two years

Joe Root celebrates his magnificent ton against India on Day 3 of Lord’s Test. (Image credit: AFP)

and 20 innings. India used Siraj as a battering ram at the start of the afternoon session, a ploy that did nothing to ruffle Root’s feathers but unsettled Bairstow. After ducking into one bouncer and wearing it on the shoulder, he was undone by another, swivelling into a hook but gloving gently to slip for 57. Root was laser-focussed on reaching his hundred and even the arrival of the second new ball did not break his concentration. A sharp piece of fielding on the rope left him on 99 but he had enough composure to drop Jasprit Bumrah into the off-side and nod Jos Buttler through for the single he needed. Lord’s rose to fete a familiar hero and did so again

a few moments later as a flick to fine leg took him past 9 000 Test runs – the second youngest batsman to reach the mark after his predecessor Sir Alastair Cook. Root coasted through stands of 54 and 58 with Buttler and Moeen Ali, who both hit a couple of pleasing strokes before getting stuck. Ishant exploited a big gap between Buttler’s bat and pad to bowl him for 23, while Moeen managed an entertaining flurry before tea only to retreat entirely after the break. Ishant eventually snared his outside edge for 27 and condemned another left-handed all-rounder, Sam Curran, to a first-ball duck. Root, just as he had done at the start of his in-

INDIA 1st innings Rohit Sharma b Anderson 83 Lokesh c Sibley b Ollie 129 Cheteshwar Pujara c Bairstow b James 9 Virat Kohli c Joe Root b Ollie Robinson 42 Ajinkya Rahane c Joe Root b James Anderson 1 Rishabh Pant c Buttler b Wood 37 Ravindra Jadeja c Anderson b Mark Wood 40 Mohammed Shami c Burns b Ali 0 Ishant Sharma lbw Anderson 8 Jasprit Bumrah c Buttler b James Anderson 0 Extras: (b-8, lb-5, nb-2) 15 Total: (all out, 126.1 overs) 364 Fall of wickets: 1-126 2-150, 3-267, 4-278 l, 5-282, 6-331, 7-336, 8-362, 9-364. Bowling: James Anderson 29-762-5, Ollie Robinson 33-10-73-2 (nb-2), Sam Curran 22-2-72 0, Mark Wood 24.1-2-91-2, Moeen Ali 18-1-53-1.

nings, ensured there would be no hat-trick. Root had fought hard to for the chance to give his side an unexpected first-innings lead but they were still seven behind when Siraj had Ollie Robinson lbw. He had the satisfaction of overtaking the Indian total when he whipped yet another four off his pads just before 18:00hrs, but was partly responsible for Mark

ENGLAND 1st innings Rory Burns lbw Shami 49 Dominic Sibley c Rahul b Mohammed Siraj 11 Haseeb Hameed b Siraj 0 Joe Root not out 180 Jonny Bairstow c Kohli b Mohammed Siraj 57 Jos Buttler b Ishant Sharma 23 Moeen Ali c Kohli b Sharma 27 Sam Curran c Sharma b Sharma 0 Ollie Robinson lbw Siraj 6 Mark Wood run-out Ravindra Jadeja 5 James Anderson b Mohammed Shami 0 Extras: (b-5, lb-6, nb-17, w-5) 33 Total: (all out, 128.0 overs) 391 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-23, 3-108, 4-229, 5-283, 6-341, 7-341, 8-357, 9-371. Bowling: Ishant Sharma 24-469-3 (nb-1), Jasprit Bumrah 26-6-79-0 (nb-13), Mohammed Shami 26-3-95-2 (w-1, nb-1), Mohammed Siraj 30-7-94-4, Ravindra Jadeja 22- 1-43-0.

Wood’s run-out moments later. With James Anderson in place as his eighth partner of the day, Root produced some late fireworks – ramping Siraj outrageously over the slips then stooping to slog-sweep him over midwicket. The number 11 was bowled off the last delivery of the day, leaving Root fittingly unbeaten. (PA Sport)

GFF inducts new coaches with first online ‘Introduction to Coaching’ course THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has successfully delivered its first online “Introduction to Coaching” programme, sharing fundamental coaching principles with participants from all over the country as it accelerates its investment in coaches development ahead of the safe resumption of competitions. The introductory online course is designed to rapidly integrate as many coaches as possible into the GFF’s national coaching philosophy and pathway as part of ongoing efforts to further professionalise coaching standards in Guyana to spur the development of football. “My participation in

this introductory course has strengthened my resolve to develop myself as a coach,” said course participant and former Golden Jaguar Dwain Jacobs, who is based in the East Coast Demerara Football Association. “My main focus as a coach was on a tactical level, but now I have a holistic view of being a coach.” The online course, which received 61 registrations from aspiring and practising coaches across Guyana, provides a basic foundation for coaches to progress to the Concacaf ‘D’ license course and qualification – the first level of recognised professional certification. “The GFF is fully com-

mitted to improving the standard of coaching through structured and consistent education as we prepare for the return of play after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. “We have a huge pool of talented and passionate coaches around Guyana – the key is to provide a clear pathway for development so that they can all reach their potential and then produce better quality players for our clubs and national teams.” The online course was delivered by Greenwood, GFF Coach Education and Development Officer Lyndon France, GFF Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph and GFF Coach

Mentor Sampson Gilbert. “We continue to encourage our regional associations to put forward as many coaches as possible to receive this essential training, so that we can build on the excellent progress we have made so far in improving coaching standards at all levels of the game,” said France. After inheriting an ecosystem of coaches with no valid qualifications in 2015, the GFF has since facilitated the progress of 51 coaches to Concacaf ‘D’ licence or ‘C’ licence level and introduced a national coaching philosophy and pathway. The online course, rolled out over several weeks, featured 24 hours of training with a special

focus on coaching 6-12 year olds – the age range targeted for development within the GFF’s Grassroots programme. “This is my first coaching programme with the Federation and it has not disappointed,” said Linden Pickett, a former player and participant from the Georgetown Football Association region. “I’ve learnt key points that will help me to become much better than I already am. This could have only been done through the Federation.” The GFF plans to run courses for ‘D’ and ‘C’ licenses this year, alongside goalkeeping qualifications, fitness workshops and child protection training for coach-

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood

es in the coming months. “After these last few sessions, I’m better equipped in sticking to my session plans and being more patient with players,” said East Bank Demerara Football Association participant Orin Angoy. “The support from the GFF’s webinars and coaches – they have guided me along the path and they are still guiding me.” (GFF release).

Babar Azam unbeaten 54 keeps Test in the balance after Roach, Seales strike …Pakistan end day three with a lead of 124 after West Indies had nudged ahead by 36 in the first innings

Jayden Seales struck twice in the second session AFP/Getty Images

HE weather was as variable as the momentum swings, and as the last few chapters of this Test unfold, you sense there are still a few plot twists in it as a seesawing encounter approaches its climax. Pakistan still have half their side left, including - crucially - captain Babar Azam on 54 as they try and stretch out a relatively vulnerable 124-run lead beyond the capacity of the hosts in what should be an engrossing fourth innings chase. On either side of a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay, West Indies bowlers’ were characteristically patient and as consistent as they’ve been all Test, but will need one final effort to ensure their batters have a target within their reach. The day began in bright, cheery sunshine, and Shaheen

Afridi certainly made hay. He allowed just two more runs to the West Indies batters before cleaning up the final two wickets, the lead a slender 36. The prodigious inswing he found was much better directed than anything he had managed the previous day. Jomel Warrican had his stumps knocked back first, before - on just the 16th ball of the day - Joshua Da Silva was trapped dead in front. Thus, part one of Pakistan’s plan had been executed to perfection. West Indies then struck early themselves after the changeover, getting rid of the struggling Imran Butt for nought as he pushed his pad out at one that was crashing into middle stump. Thereafter, though, Abid Ali and Azhar Ali settled down, seeing off the pace bowlers without much trouble. Abid looked

Amazon Warriors in preparation mode for CPL 2021

National coach, Ryan Hercules

SOME members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors concluded a four-day camp at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday, ahead of this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament, which is scheduled to bowl off at Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis on August 26. The players present were mainly engaged in physical and mental sessions under

Skipper Babar Azam ended day three unbeaten on 54, having added 56 with Mohammad Rizwan (AFP/Getty Images)

to take the attack to Warrican early on, too, dancing down the pitch to deposit his fourth ball for the first six of the match; it was the shot that erased Pakistan’s deficit. Azhar was more circumspect - and less convincing through the early part of his innings. He found the fifth-stump line targeted as the pacers tested his footwork and his judgment, with the outside edge beaten on a number of occasions. When Kemar Roach finally induced the edge, Jason Holder put him down at second slip. Azhar followed it up with two aggressive boundaries either side of the wicket off Warrican as the shackles SEE PAGE 27 began to come ofF.

On this day 2016: Usain Bolt wins third successive Olympic 100 metres title

Guyana Amazon Warriors will be hoping they can win this year’s tournament.

the guidance of Strength and Conditioning coach, Clinton Jerimiah; trainer Dr Jason Pilgrim, and local coach Ryan Hercules. Operations Manager Omar Khan was also overseeing the training. The other players present were Nial Smith, Ashmead Nedd, Kevin Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble along with Jamaican Odean Smith.

Hercules stated in another section of the press, that players are building momentum and the main focus of this camp is on mental fitness. “Majority of the players are at a very high level. Although (some of them) have not been playing, they have been doing their personal work and a few of them have been playing in a T20 League SEE PAGE 27

SEE STORY ON PAGE 27

Usain Bolt took victory ahead of Gatlin and De Grasse. (Mike Egerton/PA)

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Sunday, August 15, 2021