Issuu

MONDAY 21st December, 2020

' No.106220

Lowenfield sent on leave SEE PAGE 03

––Myers performing duties until further notice

Fire guts Eccles house SEE PAGE 02

$15B pumped into ‘Agri’ sector

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Gloomy Christmas for city vendors due to COVID-19

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A Sunday morning fire destroyed this house at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, devastating a family of four just days before Christmas Day (Photo: Vishani Ragobeer)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Eccles fire leaves family counting losses before Christmas By Vishani Ragobeer A Sunday morning fire at lot 94 ‘CC’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, in the street just before Industrial Site, has devastated a family of four, including two children-- a two-yearold toddler and an eightmonth-old baby, a mere few days before Christmas day. According to Samuel Ward, who lived in the house, his wife alerted him of a fire after she went into one of the rooms and noticed the breaker box was burning. The fire quickly spread to the

ceiling and then throughout the rest of the house. Neighbours told the Guyana Chronicle that they observed the thick black smoke emanating from the front room of the house around 08:30hrs. One neighbour, Ryan (only name given), said residents of the area attempted to mobilise and tried to control the fire, but it had already engulfed the entire house. It was reported that the fire service responded about 30 minutes later. The family, however, managed to escape unharmed. When this newspaper spoke to Ward via tele-

phone, on Sunday afternoon, he related that he is still stunned since all of the family’s possessions were lost in the fire. He said the two children were staying with their grandmother while their mother went to purchase some essential items, such as pampers, for them. “We’re just trying to see what we can do now… we lost everything in the house,” Ward lamented. The couple had been renting this space for more than a year now; their landlord lives overseas.

The burnt remains of the house following the fire (Photo: Vishani Ragobeer)

Bandits rob Anand’s Liquor Store

ANAND’s Liquor and General Store at Success Village, East Coast Demerara, was, on Sunday, robbed by three masked gun-toting bandits who took away cash, phones and other articles from proprietor Anand Persaud and

four of his employees. Persaud was outside of the business tending to some beer bottles when all he felt was a gun to his head and someone pushing him inside. Another employee, who was packing stocks into a vehicle outside

was ordered inside, along with one other who was attempting to ebb her way into a neighbour’s yard. A silver/grey ‘Fielder’ PXX 5970 was parked outside the business with one of the bandits as the lookout. He

was the one who ordered the women inside. Once inside, one of the bandits asked Persaud to take them to the office at the back. It was this request that made him feel that the criminals were people who were familiar with him and the shop. The bandits carted off a quantity of cash from the business, along with three cellphones. They also took Radha Budhu’s bag containing some money, a phone, her identification card, and other documents. Budhu, an employee, was especially traumatised after the incident and needed her friends’ help to get about her business after the men left. One of the bandits also

assaulted her with his firearm. Persaud told this publication that while one of the men appeared “mannerly” as he directed him what to do, another hurled insults and expletives at him. While grateful that no one was hurt, Persaud said the robbery is just another dent in his business since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. He is also dealing with some business debts that he was hoping to tie up soon. Meanwhile, it was the loud noise that the bottles outside made when they fell and broke that alerted neighbours to the possibility that something was wrong. A neighbour immediately called the Beterverwagting

Police Station and told the policewoman there that the robbery was in full swing. In an invited comment, the neighbour said it seemed the police could have cared less and showed no urgency in taking the report. Instead, the neighbour had to repeat one detail several times and all of the questions were instead being asked about the person making the report. The neighbour said had the police acted with some urgency, there is a high likelihood that the perpetrators could have been caught. The security cameras, for some reason, were not on during the time of the robbery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Lowenfield sent on leave –– Myers performing duties until further notice

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

By Navendra Seoraj CHARIPERSON of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh has sent the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, on his accumulated annual leave, pending investigations into alleged electoral fraud, and the completion of proceedings in Guyana’s courts. There have been mounting calls for Lowenfield and other officials of GECOM to be removed because of their alleged unlawful acts during the eventful five-month elections impasse, following polling day on March 2, 2020. Senior officials of GECOM, including Lowenfield, and Returning Officer for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo, are before the courts on charges of misconduct in public office. As reported, those who have also been charged with offences relating to electoral fraud and misconduct in public office are: Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence; Opposition activist, Carol Joseph; Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers; the CEO’s clerks, Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings; Elections Officer Shefern February; and Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan. They are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four, Guyana’s largest voting district, to give the A Partnership for National

Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Meyers

Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition a majority win at the March 2 polls, when in fact the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had won by 15,000 more votes. The ongoing investigations and court matters had prompted Justice Singh to send Lowenfield on leave. “He was sent on accumulated leave a while ago; I sent him since they were doing investigations,” the GECOM Chair told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, adding that the CEO had 141 days of accumulated leave. Justice Singh confirmed that Lowenfield was written to and asked to apply for his leave, and that he’d he complied with the request. With the CEO still on leave, Myers has assumed Lowenfield’s duties, and is currently tasked with helping to compile the Commission’s 2021 Budget, and to prepare for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE). The DCEO, while not having all the powers of the CEO, will perform most of the duties. “She stepped into his shoes, so she was given a responsibility allowance to complete the task… Remember, we have the continuous registration exercise, which we must do in relation to our preparedness for LGE, so she will guide the process until such time,” Justice Singh said, adding: “It is not a one-man process, so the commissioners will overlook everything.” When asked why Myers, who is also before the court, was not sent on leave, the

Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh

chairperson said: “We cannot just send home everybody right now; we do not have anybody else, and she is the only one there… You have to get somebody to do the work, and guide the process, and she comes from the secretariat.” Further deliberations on LGE and the role of Myers will be discussed when the Commission meets on Tuesday. Although GECOM is moving ahead with its work, there have been clear and continuous calls for persons to be removed immediately from the elections machinery. In responding to these calls on Saturday, Justice Singh told the Guyana Chronicle: “We have an election petition coming up, and we have people being charged in court… We are going to let that proceed first, and let the court take its course. You cannot just jump up like that; we are looking at the lawfulness in everything.” Either way, the decision to make any administrative change, as explained by the chairperson, lies with the entire Commission and not just her. In further explaining this, Justice Singh said: “That is for the Commission, and not me; the Commission will decide on those questions; I cannot decide on them. It is not a one-man Commission; it is the entire Commission which would know what they want, and decide on the way forward.” This issue has, however, not yet been raised at the level of the Commission, but the chairperson maintained that

such a topic would require serious deliberations and discussions. “We must follow the law; things may look slow, but it is not that they are slow; we are following the law… I do not know what they want us to do; we cannot just jump like that,” Justice Singh said. “It is not that we are going to hold back our people and not do whatever…wherever the axe falls, we will have to work with it,” she added. And while this issue is by no means secondary, the chairperson reiterated that the Commission has to be mindful of the petition, and the charges against individuals attached to the elections body. On August 31, 2020, the APNU+AFC coalition, through its lawyer, Roysdale Forde, S.C, filed the election petitions on behalf of Claudette Thorne, while on September 17, Attorney-at-Law Mayo Robertson filed documents on behalf of Heston Bostwick, who wants the High Court to determine the legality of the elections, and the results that led to the declaration and allocation of seats in the National Assembly. Stakeholders have since posited that this petition cannot be used as a means of delaying or postponing GECOM’s preparedness to hold an election. And, while Justice Singh was clear that GECOM will continue to follow the laws of Guyana, she said that the Commission is doing everything possible to prepare for Local Government Elections.

20 new COVID-19 cases GUYANA has now recorded 6,125 cases of the virus, COVID-19, after 20 new cases were recorded from 162 new tests, according to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry’s daily COVID-19 dashboard reflected that there are currently 806 active cases. The newer cases were recorded in 13 males and seven females. They were also distributed across Region One (one case), Region Four (eight cases), Region Seven (one case), Region Eight (one case), Region Nine (five cases) and Region 10 (four cases). So far, 5319 infected persons have recovered, an additional 14 persons over the 24-hour period. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting any symptoms. However, seven patients are now being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases hospital at Liliendaal, Greater George-

town. There are 20 persons in institutional quarantine, 36 in institutional isolation and 604 in home isolation. No additional deaths have been recorded; therefore the number of deaths remain at 159. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Nine) are in force from December 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020. They may 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 these current measures however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The current curfew is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

$15B pumped into ‘agri’ sector –– more lands to be opened for cultivation, livestock-rearing

By Navendra Seoraj CULTIVATING a productive and lucrative agricultural sector has been at the forefront of the new government’s agenda, with some $15 billion being expended over the past four months to drive growth in the various sub-sectors. The result of this expenditure, according to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, has been better drainage and irrigation in farming communities, higher yields and a renewed interest to invest in a sector which has been driving economic growth in Guyana for decades. Agriculture is one of the most important productive sectors of Guyana's economy; it accounts for approximately one-third of Guyana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 30 per cent of the country's employment. “We have expended over the last four months close to $15 billion in the agriculture sector and will continue to invest heavily in this area,”

Minister Mustapha said during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle. Having travelled to almost every region across the country, the minister has been able to identify and address crucial issues in agriculture-driven communities. In giving a recap of the past four months, Minister Mustapha said: “The past four months have been hectic for us in the ministry of agriculture. As I mentioned before in other interviews, when I came here this ministry was lacking leadership in terms of proper objectives and policies. And many agency heads and officers within the ministry, they were working, but they were working based on what they thought was correct. There was no coherent policy to guide the ministry, no objective like what we have now.” While it is still early days, the minister is confident that the ministry is “back on track,” and will continue to be progressive and dynamic. The fundamental plans of the ministry, as seen over the

Monay December 21, 2020 –– 10:00 HRS

past four months, is to invest heavily in infrastructural development, which would, in effect, lay the foundation for there to be advancement in various aspects of agriculture. “We have to ensure that we have more infrastructural and agricultural development in the country, in terms of farming, other crops, livestock, rice and sugar,” Minister Mustapha reasoned. The activities and policies of the ministry were centred on those core areas of agriculture, with major work being executed to add value and increase accessibility.

In most cases drainage and irrigation took centre stage, with over $100 million being allocated for infrastructural works in the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary - Agriculture Development Authority (MMAADA) scheme alone. “The first request that came to me was from the MMA scheme…the farmers there were complaining bitterly that they are not having drainage and that their irrigation system collapsed… I did an emergency assessment of the scheme and we came up with a budget of close to $100 million…that was the first request I took to

Cabinet,” Mustapha said. Today, in this scheme -which is the biggest rice-producing scheme in the country -- almost all the canals are cleared and additional work is being done to further improve the drainage and irrigation facilities there. Those positive developments have served as an impetus for persons who are interested in agriculture. “People want to go back to rice cultivation in that scheme because of the infrastructural work that they have done over the last three months…we have also put in place similar projects across the country,” Minister Mustapha said. Farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) had similar complaints about their farms being flooded; so, the ministry implemented a programme which improved the drainage and irrigation facilities in this region. The ministry dispatched machinery to desilt the canals and clear blocked trenches, so that water could recede faster. “Farmers now have better access to irrigation water as well, better access to drainage and we are expending over $29 million to do dam preparation for the crops,” Minister Mustapha said. Farmers, who would have ceased their operations, he said, have been hearing about the development and have started to return to the agricultural sector. The talk before August, 2020, was about oil and gas, but there has been a renewed interest in an ancient sector, agriculture, which remains lucrative to this day. “With what I’m seeing, it is encouraging me to open more lands and to develop drainage and irrigation systems across the country…we want to facilitate farmers, open more lands and provide better access to farmlands,” Minister Mustapha said. It was reported that the government, over the next five years, will be looking to

implement measures in the agricultural sector, geared at diversifying the economy, creating more jobs and increasing farmers’ incomes. To provide relief to “struggling farmers,” the government has reversed land- lease fees, land taxes and drainage and irrigation fees to 2014 rates. The government has also removed the Value Added Tax (VAT) from fertilisers, agro-chemicals and pesticides. Further, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in a quest to reduce the cost of inputs and at the same time promote climate-smart agriculture, will expend $15.8 million for the acquisition of shadehouse materials and sprinkler hoses. NAREI will sell the materials to farmers at cost price, saving farmers over 33 per cent ($5 million). Earnings from this investment will be utilised as a revolving fund for future purchases of required materials for farmers. “We will continue to promote agricultural diversification with a focus on coconut, and horticulture by engaging NAREI and Hope Coconut Estate. The coconut industry will be given prominence by promoting expansion in acreages, inter-cropping, utilisation of coconut by-products, and increasing production and productivity,” said Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, while presenting the 2020 Budget in September. In 2020, to increase access and reduce the cost of coconut planting materials, the government will establish two coconut nurseries: at Charity on the Essequibo Coast and Kairuni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, with the capacity to produce 25,000 additional seedlings per year. In addition to NAREI and Hope Estate providing planting materials, farmers will receive training on how to establish their own nurseries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Gloomy Christmas for city vendors --decreased spending power due to pandemic blamed By Naomi Parris CHRISTMAS in Guyana is one of the most highly-anticipated holidays of the year. Around this time, Guyanese are known to be extravagant with shopping and decorating for the holidays and the new year. However, with the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the holidays this year appear gloomy for some. The pandemic brought many of the festive traditions to which many have grown accustomed to a halt. The Guyana Chronicle recently took to the streets of Georgetown and spoke to a few vendors who described this year’s Christmas season to be a “blue” one, as many persons are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. Nicola Hazelwood, a vendor who has set up shop on Camp Street, told this publication that while the Christmas season is approaching, business is still very slow. “For now, I don’t know what happen; I don’t know if people aren’t getting enough money yet or what, but they’re not spending that magnitude. And on the road, if you walk on the pave, you could walk freely,” she said. “Sales are a little slow right now; I don’t know if it gone pick up later

down in the month, but for now, it a little slow,” Hazelwood stressed. The woman, who sells top-tier seasonings, noted that although sales are not too bright, she will still be celebrating Christmas this year, but quietly and safely, and is advising other Guyanese to do the same amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am telling everybody, Christmas is not about how much thing you got in your house; it is about the peace and the love, and sharing with your family. It’s not about six thousand blind and them kind of thing,” she said. Anita Kendall, a young vendor who sells on the Camp Street pavement, said, “Since the COVID-19 has started, business has been onand-off; one time it slow, but I work through that.” She added: “Things are much better now, because I’ve noticed people are shopping a little, and are maneuvering as usual around the town.” Meanwhile in Bourda Market, Jean Balram, who sells egg,s noted that business has been “tough” this time around as opposed to last year. Balram is accustomed to getting the ‘rush’ during this season, as many Guyanese are usually stocking up on ingredients to prepare their cakes and holiday meals.

Jean Balram (Photos by Delano Williams)

“Everybody scared to come out to buy; the price right now is the same price for a long time; it isn’t raised,” the woman said. Ms. Roberts, a fruits vendor in Bourda Market disclosed that this year, the holidays does not feel very “Christmassy”, since business is very slow. The woman explained that the Christmas season is considered to be a peak time for her, since many Guyanese are known to stock up on juicy apples and grapes to add to their Christmas menus. However, she stated that sales have been slow. Another vendor who gave her name as Carol was asked how she has been managing during the pandemic. In response, she said, “Well for me it was kind of tough; you just have to fight your way to make it through. Right now sales are not of the best, but I am hoping that it will be better.” Carol who plies her trade on the Regent Street pavement said that even with the Christmas season upon us, sales have not yet picked up as she would have hoped. “People are buying, but things are kind of slow, and you know, we just trying with whatever. People aren’t really getting money to shop as they would like to, but everybody still trying,” she said.

Ms. Roberts (only name given) a fruits vendor at the Bourda Market

Nicola Hazelwood, a vendor who plies her trade on the Camp Street pavement

Carol (only name given) with some of the stuffed animals she has on sale for Christmas

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Education: Soul of Development

IN an interview with one section of the media, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had said: “There are now more trained teachers across the system who enjoy the best salary [sic] and most benefits than teachers have ever enjoyed before. The country has achieved universal primary education, and 85 per cent of its nursery-aged children are in school. Guyana is getting the best exam results we have ever gotten as a country in both the primary and secondary sectors; and there is a concerted drive to attain universal secondary education. More children from the hinterland can access a good education than ever before. These are simply facts that cannot be disputed.” Guyana’s history may not have taken the direction it did and colonialism could have been extended or probably still be the rule had it not been, to a large extent, for the initiatives of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The senior Jagan provided financial support, moral guidance and insisted upon and encouraged Cheddi to achieve an education despite greatly

penurious and socially challenging circumstances at the time. In the 1949 report of the Director of Education, the lack of resources and understaffing responsible for high illiteracy graph indices were admitted. However, Dr. Jagan identified the real problem for low literacy ratings among the offspring of Afro and Indo families (Amerindian children were unquantifiable statistics), as, “a result of discriminatory selection of candidates (for the acutely limited spaces in secondary schools), secondary schools remained accessible only to a few.” He continued, “At Queen’s College, the main government secondary school, many pupils of poor Indian and African parentage were rejected, mainly because the places were filled by children of the wealthy.” Those were the factors, and driven by his experiences that motivated Dr. Jagan’s relentless exertions to make educational opportunities available to all of the nation’s children. It was during the PPP’s second term in office that Cabinet initiated the passing of legislation for government to take

control of primary schools to allow for equitable opportunities for all the children in the country. Previously, although the government owned all the schools, except for private ones, they had been managed by Christian denominations, and the Christian Social Council decreed that pupils had to become Christians, with accompanying name changes, in order to gain entry. Under the auspices and guidance of the PPP’s Education Minister CV Nunes, during the term of office 1961-1964, technical education, teachers’ training and secondary education facilities were greatly expanded. In the West on Trial, Dr. Jagan wrote: “The University of Guyana was set up in September 1963 to provide higher education inside the country for a large number of students who, before, could not afford to go abroad. Many primary schools were converted into all-age schools, providing free secondary education to children up to the level of the General Certificate of Education.” Once cynically alluded to as “Jagan’s Night School,” now places are greatly coveted at the University

of Guyana -- Guyana’s main tertiary education institution In addition, more schools were built with enhanced facilities, accommodation and staffing, while teachers were afforded specialised training with better pay and benefits. Hinterland communities enjoyed, for the first time, equitable opportunities for acquiring education through scholarship programmes and dormitories to accommodate students from remote, far-flung areas. A love of writing and literature enabled prolific output and when he was imprisoned for six months in 1954 for breaking the movement restrictions order, Dr. Jagan produced “Forbidden Freedom” and many other pieces of literature. Martin Carter, Wilson Harris, Jan Carew and other literary persons were frequent visitors to the Jagans’ home. This may have been primarily because of the one luxury the Jagans indulged in -- a well-stocked library, for they never stopped searching for knowledge even in their later years. The literary grouping included Dr. Jagan and Arthur Seymour, all of whom attended the weekly

Discussion Circle of the Carnegie Library, now the National Library. In 1966, Dr. Cheddi Jagan published his autobiographical work, ‘The West on Trial,’ acclaimed as ‘a monumental study of the social, political and economic history of Guyana from the time of European colonisation to 1966.’ His ‘A New Global Human Order,’ published in 1999, advocating a new socio-economic dispensation on Planet Earth to eliminate poverty and hunger worldwide, has been adopted by the United Nations. Not only did Dr. Jagan lead the march for democracy and freedom, he also drove the paradigm for liberation of the mind through the provision of educational apparatuses to facilitate the availability of education to all Guyanese, irrespective of age or any divides in the nation. He undisputedly contributed prolifically to the drive for intellectual upliftment in the nation. Dr. Cheddi Jagan dreamt his dreams and the party he founded is concretising those dreams into reality.

Time for new and younger leadership in the PNC

Dear Editor,

IMMEDIATELY after the five agonising and harrowing months when a combative warfare was waged by members of APNU+AFC to remain in office through rigged elections, the former Minister of Public Health and Chairman of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Mrs. Volda Lawrence, was sidelined from the main decision-making process of the party. Throughout the five-month ordeal, Mrs. Lawrence and a few other PNC members were at the forefront fighting tooth and nail to make sure that the votes were counted accurately and in a transparent manner. Most of the senior members of the party were missing in action. So for the leader of the party to exclude the party’s top executive is clearly a reflection of his infantile and

silly behaviour. And to the surprise of many, not a single member of the 35-member PNC executive group had issued a public statement condemning his atrocious, vindictive and ruthless action. To add insult to injury, without any justifiable reason, the leader single-handedly excluded the PNC stalwart from Parliament and handpicked his surrogate to replace her. It was a horrible decision, which if not corrected urgently could lead to the demise of the party, which is on the verge of being fractured permanently. The reason why no executive member condemned his action is precisely because most of them were afraid of reprisals from the leader who demanded total loyalty from the PNC’s executives. Loyalty to the party leader has been one of the foundation principles of the party, but that was more

than 60 years ago when the party was founded. Today, the PNC has evolved and should make room for independent thinkers, but it has not. It is still the rule that those who had opposed the leader would face strong disciplinary action with the possibility of being expelled permanently from the party. This has and continues to be the carte blanche or absolute power wielded by leaders of the PNC over the decades. The executive must remain loyal to the leader or face the consequences. It is the leader’s way or the highway. In an earlier period, a similar treatment was meted out to Vanessa Kissoon and Sharma Solomon and like Mrs. Lawrence, who is the most popular leader of the PNC today, yet the executives have remained silent. Such undemocratic and dictatorial approach is absurd, offensive and outdated and must change if the PNC is to win elections long after

their leaders have expired. Several members of the 10 PNC groups in the Tri-State region have to follow the directive of the leader to tow the party line and pledged their loyalty to him, if not, they too will be shunned by the party and their respective groups in the diaspora. At the turn of the century, the PNC’s leadership established an umbrella organisation known as the North American Region (NAR), whose primary role is to make sure that its member PNC groups abide by the rules. NAR is supposed be a neutral organization, which means that it should not support any one candidate for leadership within the party, but it did so on several occasions. Its actions have led to major disagreements with several of its member groups in the New York diaspora, to the extent that many of them have rescinded their membership from NAR and are oper-

ating independently. Today, NAR has become redundant and is a complete failure. Contrary to the belief of many in the PNC, the party remains divided into two factions—the Volda Lawrence faction and the David Granger faction. To end the factions, the current leaders who are in their 70s must be prepared to pass the baton to a younger, enlightened, compassionate, selfless and talented leaders like Vanessa Kissoon, Sharma Solomon and Thandi McAllister and others, with Mrs. Volda Lawrence at the helm to challenge the government on all issues. Time for new and younger leadership in the PNC. Yours truly, Dr. Asquith Rose

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Police, politics, protocols and problems (Part 1 of 2) Dear Editor, GUYANA was listed as the 85th least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perception Index reported by Transparency International, after scoring 40 points out of 100. With all the former APNU+AFC administration’s corruption revealed by the PPP/C government since taking office, one wonders what the result will be for the current year. With so many ongoing investigations, the Auditor General is over tasked and overwhelmed with his duties and as a result, among other reasons, many audits have to be contracted to private sources. Guyanese patiently await the disturbing findings and the follow up actions. It is not strange but true, this was one of the damning reasons why the APNU+AFC, led by past caretaker President David Granger himself, was so adamant and persistent, to retain power at any cost and not to demit office. Overriding for a minute the pandemic tragedy; the suffering of the impoverished nation; the heat of the high crime wave; the relentless violence against women and the traumatic abuse of children, having a field day is the front line story of the sad state of affairs of the police department. They have been the subject of much discussion and, gradually but surely, more and more of their nature (underlying?), are being revealed and exposed. This should be worrying not only for the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs, but also for the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali himself, who is on a mission to clean up all unethical acts and behaviour in all the government departments and agencies. The past APNU+AFC administration disfigured the nation with the picture of a corrupt government, devoid of moral value, lacking the dignity of integrity, the intolerance of honesty and no respect for honour. This acknowledgement is acclaimed by all local, national, regional and international communities and remains a shame and disgrace to Guyana. The police department came in for severe criticisms and condemnations, especially under the management of a debacle, the former Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, himself a current subject of controversies and suspicion. The impotence of his authority cannot be misguided and his “rubber stamp” position was effected by the hierarchy of the APNU+AFC party and its “bigwigs” calling the shots. No wonder the true status of the police department undermined the nation during the past election period,

when their true colours were revealed. The timely and strategic changes simply underlined the guilt of that government and a president who never meant well for this nation. Inclusive in this way of thinking, were the appropriate and sly changes in the army to reinforce the safety and security of that party and its selected members. Who is policing the police, internally and externally, is an uncomfortable thought and leaves an open door for discussions, disbelief and deliberations. Without any exemption, the general consensus wants to agree without any hesitation that police officers should be the role models for society. But recent events leave much to be desired from the men and women in uniform, representing a disciplined force that exercises the control, execution and practice of law, order, rules, regulations, dignity, honesty, integrity, justice, fairness and equality. A display of sound judgement is required daily in the defence of their line of duty, whether officially or as a civilian. Here are a few selected and interesting observations, capturing the sour notes of a proud regime. The Guyana Police Force in a statement confirmed that a police commander and two other ranks were busted with smuggled alcohol in their possession. The commander originally denied any smuggling activity and later agreed to pay the taxes on the seized articles. All of them remain on the job. A policeman was charged with having sex with an under aged (13 years) teen and placed on a $150,000 bail. One cop was charged with causing the deaths of three friends in a motor vehicle accident, while under the influence of alcohol. A number of senior personnel are under investigation for the dragging case of the missing 150 guns. Another case of $150 million fraud within the police department is gaining momentum or is in abeyance. All these acts would have been under the watchful eyes and guise of the APNU+AFC party. The issuance of some 150 gun licences under the former Security Minister Ramjattan’s jurisdiction, leaves speculation and questionable diversion from common protocol. During the days of banned food items, the goods forcefully taken away from people ended up in the homes of many police officers. Citizens are known to be under police duress while paying with blood, sweat and tears out of fear. Many police officers are known to look the other way for multiple reasons while being adequately compensated. The execution of injustice in different forms is not an unheard-of thing.

Failing to take corrective action is widely broadcasted, especially during election time. Ignoring the plea for protection by women of a certain ethnicity is a common call during the fever of vandalism and blackguarded demonstrations. Encouraging hooliganism and molestation of females while being robbed and attacked brutishly, is historically recorded. Savagely beating demonstrators, seiz-

ing and damaging recording equipment and cameras from newspaper reporters, reflect the dark days of the force during the PNC dictatorship. A head of the crime squad was implicated in criminal activities. A prominent assistant police commissioner was reprimanded and removed from being the commander of a division for doing the right thing and upholding the law, while making a “ judgmental

call.” He was demoted to “Patrol Officer,” because he refused to allow a lower-ranked officer to bypass his authority and disrespect him and because he will not be a stooge to political autonomy. So many prison upheavals are most troublesome and the findings of illegitimate articles in cells are atrocious. Complicity of officials is worrisome and the sending on leave of the Prison Director

raises eyebrows. The callous advantages capitalised by the rogue elements in the force have materialised in various forms over a period of time, especially under the PNC’s rulership. This is only the tip of the iceberg, reflecting the down side of a force which needs the respect of society. (To be continued). Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Courtney Abel…

The judge transforming Guyana’s arbitration landscape By Richard Bhainie WITH Guyana rapidly transforming into an attractive commercial environment, every sector must be kept abreast to facilitate the ingredients conducive to the country’s development. The legal sector is no exception and with dozens of international powerhouses settling in Guyana, the country’s laws must encapsulate and reflect a contemporary jurisdiction. In Guyana, the thought of resolving disputes through the courts is often and culturally characterised by delays, backlogs and unsatisfactory results, resulting in a litigious climate deterring parties from pursuing their claims. This is where arbitration is an Alternative method of Dispute Resolution (ADR), alongside mediation, conciliation etc. that can be utilised by parties to a dispute, to facilitate a mutually acceptable outcome without resorting to the courts. It is extensively preferred in the commercial sectors as it is a private procedure which allows for confidentiality; is time efficient and is conducted through a party-led manner, in contrast to the traditional nature of the court system. The Guyana Chronicle on

Justice (ret’d) Courtney Ashton Abel

Saturday spoke with Justice (ret’d) Courtney Ashton Abel, the legal luminary contracted by the Government of Guyana to transform the country into the ‘El Dorado’ arbitration hub. A Guyanese by birth, Justice Abel departed the shores of British Guiana with his family from an early age to the United Kingdom. He completed his primary, secondary and tertiary education in England where he graduated from the University of Warwick with a Bachelor’s of Law (LL.B) in 1977 and then the Inns of Court School of Law from the Bar Vocational Course in 1979. He is a member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple and was called

to the Bar of England and Wales in February 1980, and had undertaken Pupillage at Four Pump Court, Temple, England. As a young lawyer, he had the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest legal minds in the world; in 1981 he represented the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) at the Lord Scarman Enquiry into the Brixton Disturbances, led by Lord Stephen Sedley, Q.C., researching and presenting a detailed legal advice on police accountability. He then moved on to the Brent Young Peoples Law Centre where he spent six years as counsel and project administrator dealing with a gamut of issues. He was responsible for community projects and generally represented the interest of young people at a strategic level. “My experience taught me what I wasn’t taught at university, it taught me the most important skill for a lawyer isn’t always fighting cases, it might be meditating, negotiating and arbitrating, and the law schools never concentrated on those skills,” Justice Abel explained. He added: “the good thing is I was trained in very good Chambers, they had about six Queens Counsel and I saw what they were doing, they were displaying these

skills that I wasn’t taught and I picked up as much as I could.” After spending eight years in the United Kingdom practicing, it was his desire to return Guyana, however, his friend John Benjamin Q.C. asked him to work with him in Anguilla. He spent seven years as Deputy Head of Chambers, Caribbean Juris Chambers in Anguilla from 1988 to 1995 before establishing his own law firm, Courtney Abel & Associates, which later developed into Carib-

civil litigants. He served as Chair of the very effective and well-operating National Court-Connected Mediation Committee; and was instrumental in overseeing the very successful introduction of a system of mediation into Belize. Justice Abel conceived and pioneered in Belize (and the Caribbean) and prepared the first draft of the innovative Court-Connected Arbitration Rules; he arranged and then oversaw the training of about 50 Arbitrators (both lawyers

Justice Abel receiving an Award for Distinguished Service to the OECS Bar Association

bean Associated Attorneys in 1998 where he practiced until 2012. During his tenure, he was twice elected to serve as president of the Anguilla Bar Association; he also served as secretary, vice president and as president of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Bar Association, and as treasurer and president of Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) as well as vice president of the Anguilla Financial Services Association. Justice Abel was appointed Judge to the Supreme Court of Belize in October 2012, having sat regularly as an Additional Magistrate in Anguilla from 2002 to 2012. As a Justice of the Supreme Court, he did extensive work in alternative methods of dispute resolution or as he likes to phrase it “appropriate methods of dispute resolution.” He innovated in Belize and has extensively presented regionally in the peaceful resolution of disputes by the mediation process. On behalf of the Chief Justice of Belize, he drafted the amendment to the Civil Procedure Rules of Belize to include Court-Connected Mediation as an additional option available to

and lay persons) and piloted the draft rules to the point of enactment by the Chief Justice. PLANS FOR GUYANA He has returned to his homeland and is excited to bring all of his expertise to prepare Guyana in becoming the ‘El Dorado’ destination in relation to ligation. “Arbitration can be a catalyst for transforming the whole country, it provides a manageable and orderly way of leveraging the phenomenal recourses that we have, alongside a managed participation by outsiders in the process, a lot of expertise can be brought from outside and be deposited here,” the judge noted. He added: “it’s a service industry; on top of the resource richness we have, you have to have the servicing structure for it to function in a global economy.” The judge explained that he intends to ‘carve out’ within the legal system of Guyana, a very well regulated and managed space for resolving, particularly commercial disputes, using various means of dispute resolution, inclusive of mediation and arbitration. He has so far met with the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C, and recommended

that Guyana sign onto and ratify into its domestic jurisdiction, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985), which he explained is the gold standard model legislation. “The infrastructure has got to be right and state of the art; that’s why I made the recommendations, but then you have to make people feel like the system here will operate fairly independently, in a cost-effective way and efficiently, you have to bring all these things together,” Justice Abel explained. He added: “What I’m trying to do is not just set up the rules but set up the whole architecture for the whole system, I am creating the early stage of the institution; I am starting very gently because I think something like this has to evolve.” Justice Abel explained that good arbitrative practice creates a space where the arbitrative system is supported by the court but the court has as little direct interference with it as possible. “The difference between arbitration and the court is that you don’t have a judge, you have a trained arbitrator who makes an award which is enforceable,” Justice Abel explained. He noted that this system is ‘party led’ and is sympathetic towards the parties, which results in it being the first choice method of dispute resolution for the commercial sector. He foresees the myth of ‘El Dorado’ becoming a reality for the legal sector, but emphasised that not only will the legal sector be transformed, but every industry will be able to benefit from Guyana becoming an Arbitration hub. “I feel very privileged that the confidence has been reposed in me to carry out this very function and I do not take it lightly, it’s not the easiest job to do but despite that I am confident of what we will achieve,” Justice Abel said. While is he cognisant that he may not be able to predict all the difficulties that may arise during this transformative process, he is equipped and ready to face them as they come. Justice Abel will be presenting at a Webinar titled “Guyana, The Next Arbitration Hub: The Journey Begins” with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Guyana Bar Association on Monday, December 21 from 16:30 hours via Zoom.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

New contractor recommences Hunter Street road works

By Tamica Garnett

AFTER weeks of inactivity, road works have recommenced on the derelict Hunter Street, under a new contractor. The new company now has the uphill task of rectifying some of defective works that were done by the previous contractor, including the removal and replacement of the sand-filling. Vieira 66 Logistics was recently awarded the contract to complete the project, which focuses on the section of the street that stretches from West Ruimveldt Front Road to Mandela Avenue. “I’m doing the road, so that’s the capping of the road and the sidewalks,” explained company owner, Mark Vieira. Vieira, while estimating that it will take less than two months to complete the project, said that factors such as the weather, which is beyond the company’s control, could affect the timeline. “It depends on the weather and everything else, but maybe a month, [a] month and a half, it should be completed,” Vieira noted. Hunter Street is one of a few alternative routes connecting the East Bank Demerara to the city, and therefore has become a major road for many commuters looking to avoid the heavy East Bankbound traffic. Given the heavy amount of traffic traversing the roadway, the decision was taken to

effect repairs and upgrade the street . The initial contract for $86.6 million was awarded in May 2019 to Surrey Paving and Ideal Engineering for the geometric improvement of the street, which included raising the level of the road above the drains to prevent flooding and the upgrade of the sidewalks. The contract was initially scheduled to conclude in December 2019. The contractor was given several extensions , even though works on the project were at a standstill. Last month the Ministry of Public Works noted that moves were being made to terminate the contract. It is unclear how much money was paid Surrey Paving and how much is being paid to Vieira 66 Logistics to complete the project. It is

Efforts to contact Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill for a comment proved futile. Under Surrey Paving the road had been expanded and sand- filled, but remained in a deplorable state, even as vehicles continued to traverse the thoroughfare. According to Vieira, the sand-filling done by the previous contractor was not sound enough and as such, his company now has to rectify this before it is able to move forward. “There’s a lot of impurities in it, wood, plastic, mud, so to make sure we get a fantastic job, we’ve basically got to take out the sand they put in and add fresh stuff. In these conditions with the weather this was very, very difficult, but we’re hoping to

Sand- filling which contains impurities being removed by an employee of the new contractor

also uncertain why the original company was unable to complete the project.

get that finished between now and Wednesday, and then from there we move forward,”

Journalist robbed, beaten after colliding with motorcyclist A journalist is nursing injuries after being beaten and robbed at First Avenue, Dairy Old Bridge, on the West Bank of Demerara, on Saturday. Based on information provided by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 54-year-old Michael Benjamin was reportedly driving his car, PMM 2732. along the Number One Canal Public Road, heading west, when he collided with a motorcycle, causing the rider and pillion rider to fall to the ground. Benjamin, a journalist, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, further told the police that he exited his vehicle to check on ‘the victims’ and offered to compensate them for any damage caused. In a twist of fate, the ‘victims’ became hostile and demanded that Benjamin pay them $40,000 for damage caused to the motorcycle. Benjamin, unfortunately, could not meet this demand immediately because he hadn’t that amount of money “in his pocket.”

The ‘victims’, recognising his conundrum, allowed Benjamin to travel home for his money and return. Officers said the journalist returned with G$30,000 and informed the ‘victims’ that the balance would be paid at a later date, at which point, the two ‘victims’, turned bandits, became angry and dealt Benjamin several punches and kicks about his body, causing him to fall to the ground. The journalist further alleged that once he had collapsed, one of the suspects retrieved his grey iPhone and $30,000 from his left pocket. The two bandits then escaped in an easterly direction along the Canal Public Road, using the motorcycle. The brand and registration number of the said motorcycle are unknown. Several persons in the area were questioned by the police about this incident, but this garnered no useful information, ranks said. The area was checked for evidence and CCTV cameras, but this proved futile.

Road works being done on Hunter Street

Vieira explained. Last Sunday, the company’s workers were seen busily removing the sand-filling. Project Foreman, Matthew Vieira said notwithstanding the challenges, the company is looking forward to doing a good job. “We are going to try to work through the night to get it finished as fast as possible, and we look forward to giving the people of the neighbourhood a beautiful road. We don’t know why the

past contractor took so long to do the road, it could’ve been completed a while ago,” Matthew shared in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. In addition to changing the sand- filling, Matthew Vieira said there are other aspects that the company has to work to correct. “We’re trying to fix the bad work the last contractor did. They gave us more stress than if we had to do the project from scratch,” he commented.

He further explained: “The foundation was bad, the drainage wasn’t good either and they broke some pipes and just throw sand over it [sic]. We already made a call to GWI and hopefully they come next week to look at it.” He said that due to the Christmas season and heavy traffic, the decision was taken not to close the road even though work is being done.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

When dreams become reality

“AS a child, I watched Walker, Texas Ranger on TV and admired the character, Alexandra (Alex) Cahill. Alex Cahill was a Deputy District Attor-

ney who advocated for the rights of people and children. I didn't know back then how I was going to do it, but I was sure that that was the right job for

me.”Those were the words of Telisha Williams, Legal Officer and Attorney at Law attached to the Childcare and Protection Agency, (CPA) Broad and

Dr Yeaswantie Beekhoo

Charles Street, Charlestown. Realising that a social work background would assist her in her mission to help others, Ms Williams studied social work before pursuing Law. Five years later she qualified and started the career she dreamt of as a child. “I have always wanted to represent those who do not have a voice,” she said. The Childcare and Protection Agency wasn't her first job, but she jumped at the chance of an interview when she heard that a vacancy existed at the CPA. “An ex-colleague was aware of my desire to help others when she told me about the vacancy. Luckily, I got the position, and four years, 10 months later, I'm still here. The bulk of applications I receive are protective interventions, such as children being abused or neglected, or the removal of a child from their current circumstances to be reunified with a family member. I also work on adoptions and offer attendance and guidance in respect of custody and access matters. “Some parents don't understand their roles and responsibilities towards children and the fact that children have rights that should be afforded them. Because they don't understand, they infringe on those rights. It is their job to help children realise their rights. When it comes to children, parents allow their interpersonal is-

sues to overwhelm them, but it's not about them; it should be about the best interest of the child,” she said. Ms Williams has come across a variety of cases during her tenure at CPA. However, one that resonates is that of a family that never hugged. She explained, “The children were not encouraged to show emotions or gestures of affection. It felt like a success story; to see how far they had come. By the end of the case, they were genuinely, naturally embracing each other. Unfortunately, their parents did not partake of the children's newly learnt token of warmth and regard for each other.” Ms Williams concluded, “For the future, I would like to see more parents exposed to our Parental Training sessions where they will learn the significance and joy of raising well-rounded children.” Dr Yeaswantie Beekhoo has been working as a psychologist at the CPA for the past four years. “The CPA wasn't the only place I applied for work,” she said. Still, she was thrilled when offered a position. “Most of the cases referred to me are cases of neglect. Neglect is the root cause of most things. Neglect is why children are sexually abused; neglect is why children run away from home and become delinquent; neglect is why we have teenage pregnancies, and the list goes on,” she noted. Dr Beekhoo continued, “I mainly do assessments with children; we have a Family Unit here that works with families. When children come to see me, I make them feel relaxed before explaining to them, why they are here and why I will be asking the questions I ask. They have the opportunity to express themselves during the session, and I teach selfhelp skills, so they have something to think about when they leave. Eventually, they fix their situation by themselves. I move it around a little and have them see a different perspective. I may ask, what do you think you should do here? Or where

do you think you are going wrong? The approach I use is guided by the client and the situation in hand.”

Telisha Williams

As a child, Dr Beekhoo said she was fascinated with the way people think and their emotional reaction to situations. She was even enthralled with the way she used to think, which led her to examine what lay behind the thinking mind. It was this initial fascination that led her to study psychology. “As a professional, I have to understand what is going on in my head before I can help others. Sometimes I meditate to get in touch with myself,” she explained. “I've seen improvement in the cases I've worked with, but the children should get the credit because they're the ones who accomplished the real work; when they leave they are leaving with some knowledge. My job helps people to understand why they behave, or think the way they do, without making them feel judged.” Both Dr Beekhoo and Ms Williams join the Director and rest of the CPA staff in wishing all readers SEASONS GREETINGS! If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Mabaruma gets 24-hour electricity

THE standard of living for residents in Mabaruma is set to be enhanced with a 24-hour electricity supply to the Barima-Waini (Region One) township effective Sunday. This is as a result of the installation of a new generator set at the Mabaruma Power Station, which will address the ‘blackouts’ residents were experiencing. During an inspection of the equipment on Saturday, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, expressed his approval for the swift manner in which staff at the power station installed the genset. “I am extremely satisfied that the engine arrived on Thursday, and today—Saturday-- it is already installed and functional. So, that is immediate relief for the people of Mabaruma,” Minister Edghill was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI). Accompanying the Public Works Minister was Chairman of the Region One Regional Democratic Council,

Brentnol Ashley, who provided the background to the past electricity crisis in the township. “The bearing in the crankshaft of the 750kVa genset would have mashed, and other problems would have developed as a result of that which has caused us to have the intervention of government to have a new generator be procured, so that the people of Mabaruma would not be able to suffer from additional power outages. “With this engine up and running… we will be able to put the electricity to 24 hours for our residents,” the Regional Chairman said, according to DPI. Region One’s Regional Executive Officer, Regional Vice-Chairman, and the Mayor were also part of the inspection of Mabaruma’s new genset. The current administration has made other significant strides to increase the nation’s power generation. Recently, 10 new generator sets valued nearly $500 million were acquired by the

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, inspects the newly acquired genset at the Mabaruma Power Station

Guyana Power and Light Inc. Six were successfully installed at the Onverwagt

and Sophia substations. The government has also outlined a series of plans to

transform the energy sector, including, but not limited to, a gas-to-shore facility

and the off-grid supply of electricity from renewable energy sources.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

$299M in COVID grants distributed in Region Four APPROXIMATELY $299 million of the government’s COVID-19 relief cash grant has, so far, been distributed to 11,968 households in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The government aims to disburse $3.4 billion to 136,000 households in the region. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Regional Executive Officer (ag) of Region Four, Deryck Persaud said that with 6,641 households receiving the cash grant on the East Coast Demerara, an estimated $166,025,000 has been disbursed on the coast. Cane Grove, Hope, Victoria, Unity and Supply (Mahaica) are some of the East Coast communities that have benefitted from the grant. A total of 969 pink/query forms have been issued. On the East Bank Demerara, 5,327 households have received the grant, with $133,175,000 already disbursed. Some 201 pink forms were also issued. The DPI noted that communities along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and the Demerara River have also benefitted. Minister of Local Government and Re-

Distribution clerks present this resident with her COVID-19 $25,000 cash grant

gional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had said the Government’s position on disbursing the cash grant would remain constant. The names, addresses and contact information of persons who were not at home during the distribution have been collected, and arrangements will be made for them to collect their grants at a later date. Primary household owners have been advised to have a valid form of

Security is a priority during the distribution exercise

identification in their possession to receive the grant. A valid Guyana identification card, a valid driver’s

licence or a valid passport are all effective forms of identification.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Construction worker dies after crashing into cow AKRAM HACK, a 22-yearold construction worker of Crabwood Creek, East Berbice-Corentyne is now dead following an accident on the Crabwood Creek Public Road on Saturday evening. Police said that Hack was driving motorcycle, CJ 9153, along the Crabwood Creek Public Road when he collided with a “spotted brown cow, branded EC 48” at approximately 23:00hrs. Hack fell off the motorcycle upon impact and sustained multiple injuries about the body. Police ranks, who responded, picked up Hack in an unconscious condition and rushed him to the Skeldon Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the young man was being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital but succumbed along the way. Police stated that he was pronounced dead at the Port Mourant Hospital around 01:50hrs. During an interview with this newspaper, the victim’s distraught sister, Razeeka Hack- Singh, made an impassioned plea to owners of animals to keep them off of the roadway.

“If people are minding animals, they should have [somewhere] to put [them]. [Animals] shouldn’t be on the road. If they know they don’t have place to put them, they should avoid rearing animals; it’s dangerous and irresponsible,” Hack-Singh said. She said her brother was the youngest of six siblings, and, at the time of the accident, he was making his way home. Singh’s husband rushed to the hospital upon learning of the accident. “When he reached, my brother was still unconscious and his face puff and he was bleeding. The nurse try with he and put him on oxygen and stuff, but he was still unresponsive. When the ambulance come to take he, he died along the way at Number 48 Village. He vomit a lot of blood before,” the grieving sister said. She said her brother was a lover of cricket, and described him as a “hardworking and easy-going person.” Police investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Bandits pounce on Mahaica businesswoman

POLICE are on the hunt for two bandits who attacked and robbed three women on Saturday at Riverview, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that Pramkumarie Singh, 49, a businesswoman who operates a grocery shop in the lower flat of her house, was robbed of $300,000 in cash, a quantity of GTT and Digicel phone cards, a gold ring and a gold band valued $20,000, and one iPhone. The other victim, Nadia Singh, 29, was robbed of a wedding band and gold chain valued $46,000, along with an iPhone, while Kuntie Singh, 24, was robbed of two gold rings valued $30,000. According to the police statement, one of the victims was selling in the shop at around 12:15hrs when the two suspects

entered and ordered two beers; she handed over the beers to them and one of the suspects requested a change of beverage. Police said the victim was about to hand over the beverage when the suspect, who was armed and unmasked, jumped through the hole at the counter, held them at gunpoint and demanded cash and jewellery. He then lashed the victim to her chin and left side face. Police said the other suspect then entered the shop through the southern door. They two bandits then took out the cash and cellphone cards from a draw, proceeded to assault the other victims and took away their personal items. The bandits then took another victim to the upper flat of the house and later returned to the lower flat and made good their escape.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League to be bigger and better in 2021 USA-based Ralph Green, sponsor of the annual East Bank Football Association Under-11 League, has informed that the fifth edition of the tournament, which should have been played this year but suffered like many other sports, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be bigger and better in 2021. While stating his disappointment with not being able to have the youths engaged this year, Green said that the safety and health of the future

stars, who exhibit their skills during competition, is priority and promised that next year’s edition would be exciting. “I want to assure the EBFA and players that whilst many would have been disappointed given the fact that the tournament did not come off this year, next year we would be coming bigger and better. I am in discussion already with coordinator, Franklin Wilson, looking at ways of enhancing the tournament. We have already procured two sets of goal [post] for the

tournament and looking at other ways of making the experience for our youngsters, more memorable.” A total of twelve teams participated in the 2019 edition of the tournament which was won by Vurlon Mills Academy, who edged Riddim Squad FC 2-1 in the final; all the matches were played at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Timehri Panthers won the

third-place game, getting past Kuru Kururu Warriors, 3-1. The other competing teams were Agricola, Eagles FC, of Stewartville; Swan FC, Friendship All Stars, Diamond United, Samatta Point/ Kaneville, Grove Hi Tech, and Fruta Conquerors. An increase in teams from 12 to 16 is being considered as well as teams receiving complete uniforms. Currently, teams are presented with branded shirts ((inclusive of the EBFA logo) to play whilst branded size 4 balls are also

used. The 2019 edition saw each player collecting a knapsack whilst Coaches were outfitted with polo shirts. Each player from the first and second placed teams was presented with replica trophies while the third and fourth placed teams got medals. Plaques were presented to the Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Promising Player, Most Disciplined Player and the Best Coach.

Thompson beats Fraser-Pryce to top of T&F News 2020 100m podium ELAINE Thompson got the gold over Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in Track and Field News’ Podiums for 2020. The magazine, considered the bible of the sport, has selected the three best athletes in each discipline ranking them for gold, silver and bronze, based on their

performances during the season. The three athletes selected in the Women’s 100m were unbeaten during the season but for T&FNews, Elaine Thompson was their gold medalist by virtue of her world-leading 10.85 in Rome on September 17. The 2016 double Olympic champion

also ran 10.87 in Doha on September 25 to close the season. The Jamaican national record holder also had another sub-11 clocking in a 10.92 run at the National Stadium in Kingston on August 22, near where she ran a wind-aided 10.73 at Jamaica College on July 25.

Southee, Seifert and Williamson earn NZ series win despite Hafeez heroics THE efforts of Tim Southee, Tim Seifert and Kane Williamson ensured Mohammed Hafeez’s unbeaten 99 was in vain as New Zealand earned a T20I series victory over Pakistan.

Hafeez played with typical class as Pakistan, who lost the first of three matches by five wickets, to steer Pakistan to 163-6 in Hamilton. But paceman Southee (421) took three wickets in the powerplay as Pakistan toiled to 33-3 and never found a partner able to stick around with Hafeez. Seifert, fresh from a fifty in the first match, then smacked the ball to all areas of the ground, scoring eight fours and three sixes in his 84, while Williamson added 57 as the Black Caps reached their target with four balls to spare and nine wickets in hand. Southee’s first spell included a stunning outswinger that had the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan (22) caught behind, with Haider Ali (8) and Abdullah Shafique (0) quickly sent

packing. Hafeez judged the pitch to perfection, taking on singles early doors, before pummelling the short balls over square leg and sending the full ones to cover. The issue was those at the other end offered little and New Zealand’s reply saw the wonderfully gifted Seifert settle at the crease after an opening in which he swung and missed at plenty. Anything Pakistan bowled short, Seifert would pull and cut away and – after Martin Guptill (21) – was dismissed in the fourth over, he had the perfect foil in Williamson, whose own knock included eight fours and a six. New Zealand consequently hold a 2-0 lead ahead of the third and final T20 in Napier on Tuesday.

The silver medal was awarded to the four-time World 100m champion, whose season-best 10.86 came at the National Stadium in Kingston on August 22. The two-time Olympic 100m champion also ran 10.87 at the same venue earlier that month. Upcoming star Sha’carri

Richardson was the bronze medalist based on her 10.95 run at the Montverde Academy in Florida on August 11. The 2019 NCAA 100m gold medalist and U20 world record holder also had wind-aided times of 10.79 and 10.83, times that galvanizes the legitimacy of her 10.75 personal best.

Charles and Gayle lead ... From back page rocked back the middle order. He had Steven Taylor (one run) caught in the 15th over, before he picked up two wickets in the 17th, that of Param Patel and Johnson. South African cricketer, Wayne Parnell however played a few shots towards the end, which pushed the total forward. Parnell’s 27 from 12 balls, included five fours. Rutherford finished with 3-24 from four overs, while Barnwell and Ashmead Nedd picked up one wicket each. Devendra Bishoo, did not bowl, but he was instrumental with three catches. In the chase, another Guyanese, Trevon Griffith had a solid start, but he and his opening partner Ahad Malek were a bit too slow. Malek stuck 28 from 22 balls, and Griffith 42 from 33 balls including two sixes and an equal amount of fours. Andre McCarthy also took a while in the middle, his 22 runs took 18 balls and included two sixes, while Rutherford could only reach 11 from eight balls (1X4). It was not until Barnwell came to the crease that the runs started to flow and a victory looked possible. But the DCC cricketer was run out in the second ball of the last over for 35 from 20 balls. He struck three fours and two sixes. When he fell, Sinclair struck a maximum before he fell, but it proved to be too late. Parnell picked up two wickets, while Gayle and Evroy Dyer finished with one wicket each.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Indian press, ex-players rue ‘massacre’ in Australia Warne tweeted. Former India pacer R P Singh expressed optimism about the rest of the fourmatch series: “We have

By Bhuvan BAGGA (AFP)- The Indian press and former players savaged the national cricket team on Saturday after they slumped to their lowest-ever score in a “humiliating” and “jaw-dropping” Test defeat in Australia. India were bundled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test in Adelaide as Australian pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins put the visitors to the sword. In cricket-crazy India, The Times of India dubbed the performance and the defeat -- the hosts cruised to an eight-wicket victory on just the third day -- the “massacre in Adelaide”. “India did almost everything right on Day 2,” the paper said. “Day 3 however saw the Aussie fast bowlers especially Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins come out with a vengeance.” The Indian batting performance -- no player even reached double figures -was a “jaw-dropping act of meek surrender,” the paper said, calling Hazlewood with his stellar figures of five for eight the “wreckerin-chief”. The Indian Express wondered if the “summer of 36” was “Indian cricket’s lowest point”, adding tongue-in-cheek that the players had at least “buried the ghost” of 1974, when the previous record low of 42 was set. Forty-six years ago when India were thrashed by England at Lord’s, that innings at least saw one player -- Eknath Solkar making 18 not out -- reach double figures, the paper recalled. The Republic TV channel on its website called the batting performance “humiliating”, with the middle order of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane “badly exposed”. Virat Kohli said he was confident that the team would bounce back, but the talismanic Indian skipper is now returning

Jasprit Bumrah trudges off after becoming one of Australia’s victims as India crashed to a historic low of 36 runs. home to be with his Bol- bowlers!” lywood star wife for the Parthiv Patel, another birth of their first child. former player, called it With Kohli absent, and “India’s most shameful a “question mark” over the performance”. fitness of key batsman Ro“Players like Virat hit Sharma, “Team India Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, have a lot to think about,” Ajinkya Rahane, have all the Times of India said. played on the biggest of stages, “ Patel told Cric- GRACIOUS buzz. TENDULKAR “Even if you are facing Former India great Hazlewood, Starc, CumSachin Tendulkar was mins, someone could have gracious about the defeat, put their heads down and congratulating the Austra- at least stitched one partlians. nership.” “With the way India - Some sympathy batted & bowled in the Indian batting great 1st innings, they were in Sunil Gavaskar defended the driver’s seat, but the Kohli’s men, saying that Aussies came back really any batting side would hard this morning,” he have struggled against tweeted. Australia’s “simply superb” bowling attack. “That is the beauty of “I mean, any team that Test cricket. It’s NEVER is all-out for its lowest over till it’s over. India Test score since the time was outclassed in the 2nd it started playing cricket, half. Congratulations to that’s never good to see,” Australia!” Indian media quoted GaFormer India pacer Ir- vaskar as telling Channel fan Pathan said though he 7. was “very disappointed”, “But having said that, adding: “We all expect the if any other team had been Indian team to play better facing that kind of bowlcricket.” ing, they would have also Kris Srikkanth, a for- got out.” mer India opener, captain Australian spin legand selector, was similarly end Shane Warne hailed unforgiving. the “outstanding” bowl“All the hard work ing but also expressed done by india in the 1st some sympathy for the innings lost by pretty visitors. pathetic batting in a span “Have to feel for the of 20 overs! Congrats @ Indian batsman as never CricketAus,” Srikkanth saw that coming - it was tweeted. one of those days where “Time for our boys to the batsman nicked everydig deep and put a decent thing & didn’t play and total on the board for our miss at all ! Unbelievable,”

bounced back in past and this team can do that too.” But former England captain Michael Vaughan was having none of it.

“Told ya ... India are going to get hammered in the Test Series ... #AUSvIND #4-0,” he tweeted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Don’t ban the bouncer, fix batting technique instead By Ian Chappell

A Test match, especially one played between two skilful and evenly matched teams like Australia and India, is appropriately named. Each game is a searching test of the players’ skill, cricket intelligence and courage. In the first Test, at the Adelaide Oval, it also became a test of everyone’s patience while Cheteshwar Pujara was in a state of glacial progress at the crease. In the lead-up to the Adelaide match, the players’ courage was in the spotlight. The rash of concussion subs resulting from blows to the head is on the rise and it’s looming as a major headache for cricket. Replacing a concussed player is not such a perplexing problem during the pandemic because teams are carrying extended squads. However, in normal times, the touring party will be se-

less; it’s always going to be difficult to please all parties. It’s akin to driving in Sydney and letting a car into your lane because you know in five minutes’ time you’ll require the same courtesy from another commuter. However, just addressing the concussion-sub issue doesn’t get to the heart of the matter - it’s the rising number of batsmen hit on the head How would umpires adjudicate the matter when a that then leads to the need for batsman ducks into a bouncer, like Will Pucovski a replacement player. did? (Getty Images) Following the tragverely disadvantaged if they This concept has already ic death of Phil Hughes, only have 15 players for a se- caused an international dis- Cricket Australia conductries while the home side can pute when India allrounder ed a safety review. Incredchoose from a wider range of Ravindra Jadeja was con- ibly, this process didn’t replacements. cussed while batting during include a look at technique, It may be that, when (if) the first T20I and was re- which is the most important things return to normal, placed by leg-spinner Yuz- aspect in ensuring fewer each team has to nominate vendra Chahal. The heat rose batsmen receive blows to a batting and a fast- and in this argument when Chahal the head. The time is ripe for a spin-bowling replacement claimed three wickets and the before each match in case a player-of-the-match award in worldwide review into onfield safety, including batsconcussion sub is required. India’s narrow victory. That then raises the matComplaining about a men, bowlers and umpires, ter of like-for-like replace- player not being a like-for- with batting technique a top ments. like replacement seems point- priority. In conducting this

review it would be appropriate to strengthen any law regarding the protection of tailenders in facing shortpitched bowling. Any talk of completely banning the bouncer should be dismissed as quickly as bowlers removed New Zealand batting bunny Chris Martin. There were rumblings in the ‘80s about banning the bouncer, when the West Indies were dominating. This wouldn’t have slowed the West Indies’ superiority, but it would have resulted in regular batting exhibitions that were boring to watch and commentate on. Such a change would also create problems for umpires in adjudicating on a no-bouncer law. Often batsmen duck into a short ball and get hit. Many times a ball only bounces between waist and chest height but still hits a batsman in the head because he has taken his eye

off the ball and ducked. Will Pucovski’s latest concussion is a case in point. Banning the bouncer would place even more responsibility on the already overburdened umpires. In reality, if a top-order batsman gets hit, he’s to blame, not the bowler. A fast bowler is attempting to disrupt the batsman’s footwork and his thinking; he’s not deliberately trying to cause an injury. That being said, with concussion replacements now mandatory, there could be the temptation to bombard the opposition’s best batsman in the hope of having him replaced by a lesser player. In this case umpires would need to remind the bowlers their job is to dismiss batsmen, not dismember them. The thing to remember in any discussion on bouncers is the cricketers’ adage: if you don’t want to get hurt, then don’t walk through the gate .(Cricinfo)

United thrash Leeds 6-2 to move up to third By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes scored two each as Manchester United turned on the style, thumping Leeds United 6-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to move up to third in the Premier League. United are now on 26 points, above Everton on goal difference and trail from leaders Liverpool by five points, having played a game less. It was the best display this season from United who responded to Leeds’ well known pressing game and relentless running by playing through the press with crisp, swift passing and matching Marcelo Bielsa’s side for work-rate. It had been 16 years since the two Northern rivals had met at Old Trafford in the top flight and United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not help but reflect how a crowd might have reacted. “Just imagine if there were 75,000 people in, it would have gone down in history as one of the great performances against Leeds,” said the Norwegian whose

70th minute after Martial had been brought down in the box by Pascal Struijk. Still Leeds continued to push forward in numbers and they were rewarded when Stuart Dallas beat De Gea with a wonderful curling shot from over 20 metres out. With an animated Bielsa still urging his team forward despite being 6-2 down, Leeds left space for United to exploit and it was only a series of fine saves from Meslier that stopped an even heavier loss. Leeds striker Patrick Bamford said the perforManchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their sixth goal with teammates Pool via REUTERS/Clive Brunskill team executed a clear gameplan almost perfectly. “We had to earn the right by running as much as them, that’s a challenge. It could have been 12-4! It was that kind of game,” he said. McTominay fired United ahead after 67 seconds in emphatic fashion with a thundering low drive from outside the box after he had set up by Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder then became the first player to score twice in the opening three minutes of a Premier League match when he collected a

clever pass from Anthony Martial and beat Illan Meslier with a left-foot finish. Fernandes made it 3-0 in the 20th minute, drilling home after the ball fell to him at the back post, after a swift United counter-attack. Victor Lindelof added the fourth in the 37th minute, converting at the back post after Martial had flicked on a Luke Shaw corner. But Leeds gave themselves a small foothold in the game when defender Liam Cooper headed in a Raphinha

corner, four minutes before the break. That goal gave Marcelo Bielsa’s team some encouragement for the second half and United keeper David De Gea had to be at his sharpest to keep out a Raphina header. But United put the game beyond Bielsa’s side when the impressive McTominay found Dan James with crisp pass and the Welsh forward beat Meslier at his near post. Fernandes added United’s sixth -- and his second -- from the penalty spot in the

mance was simply well below the standards Bielsa expects from his team. “I’m almost glad the fans weren’t allowed in to watch because it would have felt even worse sending them home after watching that. It’s tough because 6-2 - it could have 6-6 if you’re an optimistic Leeds fan or it could have been 10-2. We couldn’t do ourselves justice,” he said. United had not scored more than five goals in a Premier League game since their 8-2 win over Arsenal in August 2011.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 21, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK, STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Jermaine Blackwood-104 (First Test, Hamilton) (2) Kane Williamson-251 (First Test, Hamilton)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What were the best innings figures by a WI in the just-concluded WI/NZ Test series? (2) Which NZ bowler had the best innings figures?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2020

Bangladesh series ideal test for young Windies brigade –– Shepherd, DaSilva could be breakout stars in 2021 By Clifton Ross THE West Indies will be squaring off against the Bangladesh tigers in their first assignment of 2021, next month, and newbies like Joshua DaSilva and Romario Shepherd could be among the Caribbean side’s breakout stars of the New Year. New Zealand was a great learning experience for the young West Indies brigade, who, despite the odds, manageD to give some reasonable accountability during their time in ‘Kiwi land’. Most of the time spent overseas since the summer was basically trials and learning for the Caribbean Boys, who, like most other players from around the world, just managed to re-adjust their lives after Covid-19 disrupted normalcy around the globe. Now, with all systems on go for the first series of 2021, Bangladesh could present the ideal opportunity for the’ Windies newbies’ to further press their cases and somehow infiltrate the ranks of the starting XI. One player, in particular, that will be keen on continuing from where left off is Joshua DaSilva, who officially opened his Tests account with a classy 57, which gave his side some hope in the last Test match against New

Joshua DaSilva Zealand recently. The Trinidadian is also the first white player to represent the West Indies since Australian-born Brendan Nash and, given his 133 not out and 56 not out during his initial start to Test cricket back in July against England, makes him one of the key placeholders in the middle-order should he maintain his form. Guyanese Romario Shepherd could also be a beneficiary of a place in the team for the

Romario Shepherd Bangladesh series, having exited the Windies’ A team series versus New Zealand A as one of the leading performers. The hard-hitting all-rounder smashed 133 during the A series, where he played more as a batsman than a bowler, returning just 2 wickets compared to his 232 runs scored from the pair of games. Having also played a few T20I games and ODI’s, Shepherd has certainly placed his

Shami out of rest of Australia Test series with fractured forearm FAST bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the rest of India’s tour of Australia. It is understood Shami has suffered a fracture on his right forearm, which was revealed after he underwent scans immediately after the Adelaide Test ended. The news will come as a crushing blow for India, who lost that Test inside three days after being bowled out for their lowest Test total ever. The BCCI is yet to make an announcement on the development. As for Shami’s replacement, the team management has to pick one from the trio of players: Kartik Tyagi, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur. Incidentally neither of these three fast men were part of the original Test squad. Both Natarajan and Thakur stayed back after the whiteball leg of the Australia tour to join Tyagi as net bowlers. Shami, who batted at No.11, sustained the injury while fending awkwardly at a short delivery from Pat Cummins on Saturday. After being taped on his right forearam Shami decided to bat on, but then signalled he could not continue and walked back to the dressing room. He didn’t return to bowl either in the fourth innings.

Mohammed Shami was struck on the hand while batting and had to retire hurt (Getty Images) At the post-match presentation, India captain Virat Kohli said Shami was in “pain” and could not even raise his bowling hand. Shami’s absence means the Indian fast bowling attack is now left with only Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj. Both Saini and Siraj are uncapped in Test cricket. In addition to Shami’s absence, India will be without Kohli, who will miss the rest of the series as he returns home on paternity leave. Who should replace Shami? The Indian team manage-

ment has a difficult choice to make on who should replace Shami in the Test squad. Thakur, who plays for Mumbai, is the most experienced seamer among the reserves, with 206 wickets at an average of 28.55 in first-class cricket. Natarajan, a left-arm seamer, forced his way into India’s limited-overs squads for the Australian tour on the back of his impressive performances in the IPL for Sunrirsers Hyderabad. In first-class cricket, Natarajan, who represents Tamil Nadu, has limited experience having picked up 64 wickets in 20 matches at 27.03. Twenty-year-old Tyagi was part of the India Under-19 side that made the World Cup final in South Africa earlier this year. A right-arm fast bowler, Tyagi played for the Indians in the first warm-up match against Australia A recently, going wicketless. He has played two matches for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, picking up three wickets. The Ishant Sharma question Shami’s injury might also force the selectors and the team management to reflect on their decision to not to include Ishant Sharma in the Test squad despite him being declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in November.

Sharma, who picked up an injury during the IPL while playing for the Delhi Capitals, went to the NCA in Bengaluru in September and was ruled fit around November 19. However, in its assessment report to the BCCI and team management, the NCA noted that Sharma would need to build on his bowling workload in order to be completely fit to be selected for the Test series. In his first media briefing on the eve of the Australia tour, in November, even Kohli wondered why Sharma was not completing his rehab with the rest of the squad which would have kept him in contention for the Test series. It is understood the BCCI wanted to ensure Sharma was completely fit and ready in the long-term as India are scheduled to play a four-match Test series against England at home soon after the Australia tour. India will then tour England for another five-Test series in mid-2021. On November 26, the BCCI said although Sharma had “completely recovered” from the side strain he sustained during the IPL, he “is building up his workload in order to achieve Test-match fitness” and he was “ruled out” of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.(Cricinfo)

name at the top of the selection pile for the Bangladesh assignment. The Kiwis exploited the Windies mental and physical hurdles, which they were victims of, having a number of their players, if not all, being a part of various Bubbles, dating back to the restart of cricket in July. Both Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul had been under watch during the Kiwis series, with Hetmyer being under concussion watch after being hit during the T20 series. Paul, meanwhile, was recovering from his niggles, thus keeping both Guyanese stars from possibly performing against New Zealand. But with the New Zealand tour being the final for 2020, Captain Jason Holder recently admitted that his team was mentally exhausted due to life in the ‘Bubble’ and was optimistic that the Xmas holiday season would help the players to refresh themselves ahead of the Bangladesh series. It is likely that the West Indies will certainly field a new-look side, possibly slightly altered with the inclusion of a Shepherd or a returning Shai Hope, or some of the key members from the West Indies A team, who will use this upcoming tour to get their team back on track as they prepare for the 2021 schedule.

ICC Test rankings

Hazlewood breaks into top five, Kohli narrows gap at the top with Steven Smith JOSH Hazlewood has climbed to the fifth spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings following his astonishing 5 for 8 against India in the second innings of the day-night Test in Adelaide, which Australia won by eight wickets. This is the first time since March 2018 that Hazlewood has been among the top of five Test bowlers in the world. Hazlewood was at No. 9 before the start of the Test. After the Adelaide Test, he jumped four slots to reach 805 points. Pat Cummins, who picked up seven wickets in the match, continued to head the table with 910 points. His gain of six rating points opened up a 65-point gap between him and second-ranked Stuart Broad (845). For India, R Ashwin took four wickets in the first innings to become India’s top-ranked Test bowler, going past Jasprit Bumrah. Currently at the ninth spot, Ashwin was the only spinner in the top ten. Among batsmen, Marnus Labuschagne’s 47 and 6 helped him achieve his best-ever rating - he was at No. 4 with 839 points. Virat Kohli, who ended the year without an international hundred - for the first time since 2008 - gained two points courtesy his 74 in the first innings. This, and a rare failure for Smith (1 and 1*) that saw him lose ten rating points, narrowed the gap somewhat between the two at the top. However, Smith still has a lead of 23 over Kohli, who wouldn’t be playing a part in the rest of the series as he returns home for the birth of his first child. In other significant movements, Tim Paine’s unbeaten 73 lifted him to a career-best 33rd place, while Joe Burns’ unbeaten 51 in the second innings helped him to the 48th spot.

Vurlon Mills Academy captain, Christian Enderson, receives the fourth EBFA Ralph Green U-11 League champions trophy from Ralph Green

EBFA Ralph Green U-11 League second-placed team, Riddim squad

EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League to be bigger and better in 2021 See story on page 20

Charles and Gayle lead Atlanta Paramveers to US Open T20 cricket title

Elaine Thompson (right) and Shelly-Ann Fraser

Johnson Charlles blasted 70 from 50 balls with 9 fours and one six.

…Guyanese cricketers’ efforts in vain WEST Indies cricketers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle put together a 107-run second wicket partnership, to lead Atlanta Paramveers to a 10-run victory in the final of the 2020 US Open T20 Cricket competition, which concluded yesterday at the Central Broward Regional Park in Florida. The game against 22Yards, which had six Guyanese players, proved to be an entertaining encounter. Paramveers lost the toss and were inserted to bat, but with Charles and Gayle firing from all cylinders, the side was able to post 182-6

from their allotted overs, 22Yards in reply, reached 172-7 before their overs expired. The St Lucian Charles, who flew into Florida after helping Jaffna Stallions win the Lankan Premier League, was able to bat himself to 70 from 50 balls (9X4s, 1X6), while Gayle had struck three sixes and four fours in a score of 49 from 36 balls. It was Barnwell who denied Gayle his half century, before West Indies cricketer Rutherford with his right arm fast medium See page 20

Thompson beats Fraser-Pryce to top of T&F News 2020 100m podium See story on page 20

Don’t ban the bouncer, fix batting technique instead Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story on page 22

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020