Issuu

TUESDAY 28th DECEMBER, 2021

No. 106588

OMAI secures over CAN$4M to fund local operations SEE PAGE

- acquires over 1,500 more acres of land for prospecting, mining

PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage raises bar on standards

CEO of PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage (PSSCB) Inc, Phil Surooj and his wife Alisha Singh display the two ISO certificates received

Surinamese expert: Guyana will be oil producer for next 100 years SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

Vice-President: Oil revenues will fuel private sector growth, expansion

Mayor Narine allegedly ‘fires gun’ during domestic altercation SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

Coming soon to the airwaves, 99.9FM!

- as MoE takes learning to the next level

SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Guyana will be oil producer for next 100 years

THE oil-and-gas industries of Guyana and Suriname could last for at least the next 100 years, according to Rudolf Elias, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Staatsolie, Suriname’s Stateowned oil company. Elias, in a recent radio interview on Guyana’s Oil and You, attributed the likely lifespan of the oil industry to the “sweet characteristics” of the oil resources in both countries. “Suriname and Guyana have a lot of nice, clean, light oils, and we have a lot

of gas, so I think if you ask me my personal opinion, both Suriname and Guyana will be producers of oil for the coming 100 years,” Elias said, adding: “Because we are low cost producers, that means that by the time all the high-cost producers are already stopped because they are too expensive, or bankrupt because they are too expensive, we will still be producing.” He also pointed to the fact that the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are also well-positioned to drive the global

energy transition. “Nowadays, everybody talks about renewables, and everybody talks about the transition, and the fact that oil and coal are finite parts of the energy mix,” Elias said. “It is very good that we have a good look on how we can contribute to that,” he added. The foregoing sentiment falls in line with the government’s mission to make Guyana the energy capital of the region. As it is, Guyana has plans to achieve the coveted use of 70 per cent

- Surinamese expert predicts renewable energy with the implementation of a comprehensive energy mix, driven by ‘hydro’, solar, wind and natural gas. This was outlined in the expanded draft LowCarbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which also indicated the establishment of a US$900 million gas-to-shore project, which will see natural gases offshore Guyana being transported to an onshore plant, using state-of-

the-art pipelines. After this process, the gas will then be treated and converted to power, after which it will be received by a power plant to supply the national grid. More importantly, this modus operandi will minimise the environmental impacts of Guyana’s oil operations. Further, as Guyana continues to balance its oil wealth with its global climate change commitments, the government is also pursuing the eventual establishment of a second hydropower plant similar to that which is being constructed at the Amaila Falls, in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). Once up and running, this proposed second hydropower plant is expected to provide some 370 megawatts of electric capacity by 2035, and a further 150 megawatts of capacity by 2040. In the meantime, Amaila Falls will be the focus of the hydropower programme. The average lifespan of a hydropower system, according to the expanded LCDS, is 100 years, which will coincide with the minimum projected lifespan of the oil sector. “Within the renewable energy resources available in Guyana, ‘hydro’ will be important to the provision of firm capacity and short-term energy storage to compensate daily and weekly fluctuations from solar and wind,” the document noted. CHEAPER SOLUTION It said, too, that in the long term, hydropower will provide a cheaper solution than any other technology, due to its long lifespan. In addition to the two giant plants, Guyana will also be implementing a number of small hydropower projects. To this end, efforts are already underway to implement three such plants: A 150-kilowatt initiative at Kato in Region Eight; the rehabilitation of the Moco-Moco hydropower site in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), which would increase the capacity up to 0.7 megawatts; and a new 1.5-megawatt hydropower plant in Kumu, also in Region Nine. “The Moco-Moco and Kumu hydropower projects will provide energy to the Lethem grid. It is expected that those two projects, in combination with an ongo-

Rudolf Elias, former Chief Executive Officer of Staatsolie, Suriname’s stateowned oil company (Global Capital photo) ing solar PV project, will provide the Lethem grid with 100 per cent renewable energy in 2023,” the LCDS 2030 predicts. The document noted, too, that through other small hydropower projects established to support regional grids and Hinterland villages, Guyana has a potential for 8.5 Gigawatt (GW) of hydropower on 33 hydropower plants, including storage capacity and run-of-river. Added to that, Guyana has also managed to secure US$75 million in funding to establish solar farms in eight grids, with the intention of producing some 27.8 megawattspeak (MWp) of solar power to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). The farms are expected to be up and running by 2023, paving the way for solar-generated power to replace 30 per cent of the electricity being supplied to areas along the Essequibo Coast, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Leguan and Wakenaam. Moreover, Elias has also pointed to the need for preservation of the forest and biodiversity resources of both Suriname and Guyana; this, too falls in line with the plans of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which has set out to pursue the sale of carbon credits. Estimates have suggested that the value of Guyana’s forests is between US$40-$54 billion. It has been noted that by refusing to clear its forests, Guyana foregoes opportunities for agriculture, mining and infrastructure, in favour of providing ecosystem services to the world and sequestering carbon to mitigate the rapid warming of the earth. Guyana’s position is that its people, and those from countries with similar forest endowments, must be recognised for this contribution to the world in a tangible way.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

OMAI secures over CAN$4M to fund local operations

- acquires over 1,500 more acres of land for prospecting, mining By Navendra Seoraj WITH the new year fast approaching, OMAI Gold Mines has increased its capital base by over CAN$4 million to further finance its local operations. The company completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAN$4,882,566 through the issuance of 44,386,972 units at a price of CAN$0.11 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. From the gross sum, the company was required to pay cash finders’ fees of CAN$173,644.02 and issued 1,578,581 finders’ warrants, each of which entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of CAN$0.11 until December 17, 2023. “The net proceeds of the offering will be used to fund exploration on the company’s Omai gold project in Guyana and for general working-capital purposes,” OMAI said in a recent statement. After ceasing operations here years ago, the company made a return to Guyana, specifically to its worksite in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, where it intends to make an initial investment of US$12 million. It was reported that the company had wrapped up operations in 2015 after 24 years of service in Guyana. OMAI, during its “glory days,” was listed as being one of the largest gold mines

in Guyana and in the world, with estimated reserves of 3.7 million ounces of gold. Since its return to Guyana, the company has discovered large deposits of high-grade minerals during ongoing geological surveys at the Wenot Pit. The assay results from the first two holes at the pit, 12WED11 and 12WED13, which were never logged or sampled, indicate that highgrade mineralisation extends below the Wenot Pit, and there is expansion potential of gold mineralisation to new sedimentary targets. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai, Elaine Ellingham, was reported recently as saying: “Our recently completed drilling (10,000 metres), mostly focused on Wenot, confirmed that the gold-mineralised Wenot shear corridor continues to a considerable depth below the past-producing pit, along the full 1.7 km strike. “With the independent Qualified Person (QP) preparing our initial NI 43-101 report on this Wenot deposit, we have commenced our next phase of exploration.” According to the CEO, drilling restarted in November, with a new focus on the strike extension of the Wenot pit, both east and west, as well as some initial scout holes on the large Broccoli Hill target, and other unmined areas with potential for near-surface gold deposits amenable to open-pit mining. In a move that will further expand the company’s operations, OMAI, on De-

THE nude corpse found on Thursday last with a gaping head wound on the De Hoop Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has been identified as that of Neville Parbhu, 43, called “Plunga” of Lot 7 Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. Police said his body was identified by his two cousins on Monday. Parbhu, according to his cousins, was of unsound mind and would take random journeys on his own.

According to the cousins, Parbhu left his home in early December and did not return. A report was not made, they said, because it was normal for the man to leave and return weeks after. It was only after a photo of his body was published on social media seeking identification that relatives became suspicious and decided to investigate. Police had reported that Parbhu’s body was found naked, lying on the Mahaica

Past production at Omai is summarised in several Cambior Inc. documents available on Sedar.com, including March 31, 2006 AIF and news release August 3, 2006 (Photo and caption courtesy of OMAI)

cember 22, closed the acquisition of the “Eastern Flats” property, a 1,519-acre property consisting of prospecting and mining rights, located immediately east and contiguous to OMAI’s 4,590-acre prospecting licence, which includes the past-producing OMAI Mine. “The Eastern Flats property is strategically located along strike of the Wenot shear corridor that extends 1.7 km along the axis of the past-producing Wenot pit,” the company said. Recent airborne geophysics over the Eastern Flats, consisting of magnetics and radiometrics, highlighted several prospective targets bearing geophysical

Body found in Mahaica identified as man of unsound mind Public Road. The body had what appeared to be a gaping wound to the forehead with bruises about the body. His right eye appeared to be pushed out of its socket and brain matter was on the road. Police are investigating the matter.

signatures which are similar in nature to those associated with gold deposits on the adjoining OMAI property. OMAI’s chief geologist, John Spurney, said: “The broad gold-in-soil geochemical anomalies at Eastern Flats, impressive as they are, saw little follow up investigations during the 1990s mine

era, even though at greater than 100 ppb [parts per billion] gold and, in some instances, up to 500 ppb.” Moving forward, the company’s short-term priorities are to verify and expand the known resources, while advancing exploration on key targets, providing a solid opportunity to cre-

ate significant value for all stakeholders. It was reported that the company will not only be engaging and potentially supporting small miners, it will also hire hundreds of people as over 1,000 persons were employed during the company’s early days of operations in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Floodwaters receding in city, environs - through swift response from Agriculture Ministry, National Flood Task Force

One of the city pumps in action (Carl Croker photo) By Naomi Parris HEAVY and prolonged downpours on Monday resulted in inundation of several areas of Georgetown, but the heavy w a t e r- a c c u m u l a t i o n quickly receded after the authorities took swift action to ensure that all city pumps and sluices were in operation. In what has become a common occurrence, many persons in Georgetown woke up on Monday morning to water in their yards and lower flats, in the streets and on the

roads, due to the heavy rains which began in the wee hours of the morning. High levels of water were evident in several city streets and walkways. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, said that the pumps and sluices across the city are in operation and are being closely monitored to drain the excess water from the city. “We have 13 pumps in the city and all are operable; we had 91.1 mm of rainfall between 8am and

City residents navigate their way through the accumulated water (Carl Croker photo) 2pm and it was very highintensity for a short period of time. That is why the water accumulated.” At the time of the interview, the minister assured citizens that the water level in the city was slowly receding. “The water in the lowlying areas is draining off because the pumps have been working in the morning. We are monitoring the pumps on a 24-hour basis. Operators are at the site to give whatever

assistance to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e NDIA said that the kokers/sluices were opened from 14:00hrs to 18:30hrs to ensure the speedy drainage of floodwaters. Meanwhile, members of the National Flood Taskforce, including its head, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, visited several locations across Georgetown to assess the impact

of the water build-up. Up to press time the water level in residential areas such as Albouystown; West, East, North and South Ruimveldt; Bel Air Park; Wortmanville and downtown Georgetown was steadily receding. The Hydrometeoro-

logical Service forecasts frequent rainfall along the coastland over the next 12 hours, and as such, all relevant agencies are on standby to respond to any impact or hindrances as a result of the rains. Residents countrywide are advised to remain observant and take all necessary precautions during this time and report incidents of flooding to the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500. The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that there will be a high chance of wetter than usual (above-normal) conditions across all 10 administrative regions of Guyana for the period of December 2021 until early February 2022. According to a seasonal forecast and advisory for the secondary rainfall season issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, rainfall amounts and frequency are expected to increase as the season progresses.

Teenager recants allegation of rape A TEENAGER who initially claimed she was assaulted and raped on Christmas Eve night in Berbice, has recanted her story to police investigators, saying that her actions were consensual. The incident allegedly occurred around 22:00hrs on December 24 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) between an 18-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man. According to police, it was reported that the girl left her home that night unknown to her mother and was walking on the road when the suspect approached on a motorcycle. The teen initially alleged that she and the suspect start-

ed to converse, even though they are strangers. During the conversation, the teen claimed that she went with him to a bar where they consumed alcohol. It was further alleged that the suspect took the teen to his workplace where they consumed more alcohol in the company of others. The teen alleged that afterwards, the suspect raped her and stabbed her on the right leg with a screwdriver. She was escorted to the hospital where a medical examination was done by a doctor on duty. However, on December 26, detectives visited the alleged scene of the crime in the company of the victim and her mother, where the young lady confessed that she had not been raped nor was she stabbed. According to the police, the teen is now claiming that she willingly had sex with the 23-year-old.The police are continuing their investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Coming soon to the airwaves, 99.9FM! As such, the ministry took a decision to expand the Learning Channel to better cater for the different levels of learning, and the more far-flung locales.

Some $664.697 million was catered for in the 2021 Budget to go towards the roll-out of the expansion of the Learning Channel.

- as MoE takes learning to the next level

Commander Persaud brings joy to children in Kumaka Waterfront

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand THE Ministry of Education (MoE) is expected to launch its education radio station, 99.9FM, early next year, as another avenue of getting learning content out to learners in varying parts of the country. The channel will be entirely dedicated to providing educational and teaching material, and, like the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC), will be managed by the National Centre for Educational Resource and Development (NCERD). “We will launch, shortly, 99.9 FM’; that will be a radio channel dedicated to educational content, that is currently being set up with a new studio, as well as the technical and logistical arrangements that have to be made. But we’ve already bought those services,” Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said Monday, while speaking at a media brunch. The coming on stream of the radio station, she explained, will supplement the simultaneous expansion of the GLC, which is being expanded to include five additional channels, all of which will

be dedicated to 24-hour educational content. The development of unconventional means of teaching has been fasttracked over the past few months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, where mandated school closures highlighted the need for alternative modes of education delivery outside of the traditional faceto-face classrooms. After schools were closed in March 2020, in September of that year, the ministry began utilising the GLC as part of a multifaceted educational delivery approach that allowed for schools to be reopened virtually. Timetable teaching for all the grade levels were being delivered on the GLC, however, the ministry ran into issues with having to provide teaching material for the varying subject areas across the 11 grade school levels, and two nursery school levels. Additionally, the existing facility had proven to be somewhat deficient in terms of accessibility to children across the country, particularly those in the hinterland and riverine communities.

MORE than 100 migrant children at Kumaka waterfront, Mabaruma, Region One, on Christmas Eve received hot meals, snack packs, drinks and toys as Divisional Commander, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud celebrated his 54th birth anniversary. He was accompanied by his wife, Lolita Persaud, who prepared the food and snacks, and ranks from the Mabaruma Police Station, including Detective Sergeant Melville; Sergeant Harry; Corporal Kanaya and Constable Peters who assisted him in making the event a success. The children reside at Kumaka Waterfront, Mabaruma, North West District farmers wharf and the hostel in the sub-region. “You could have seen the joy in the children’s faces when they received

their gifts and food. They, along with their parents were happy for such a kind gesture. The majority of the migrants at the Kumaka Waterfront are unemployed and finding it hard to feed their family,” one resident said. The Commander, the resident said, had observed this during his many visits to the Kumaka Waterfront area which is listed as an area of concern for the police at Mabaruma due to the high number and steady influx of Venezuelan migrants. Commander Persaud was very happy to see the joy on the faces of all who benefitted. “Christmas is a time for sharing, caring, and merriment and everyone should enjoy,” the superintendent noted. The Commander is encouraging others who can afford it to help the migrant children.

Parents and children flocked the police vehicle at Kumaka Waterfront, Mabaruma where Commander Persaud and team spread the holiday cheers

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

The Passing of a Legend

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of South Africa on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu. He was 90 years old at the time of his passing and was the first black Archbishop of Cape Town and the leader of the Anglican Church in South Africa. A r c h b i s h o p Tu t u w a s awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his contribution to the ending of apartheid rule in South Africa. He was the face of the liberation struggle, especially during the period when Nelson Mandela was in prison. He remained the voice of reason until his death which earned him

the respect and admiration of people not only in South Africa, but also in the world at large. In his message to the President of South Africa, the Guyanese leader described Archbishop Tutu as ‘the embodiment of faith and dedication, who contributed his time and service to the well-being and goodwill of others. His immeasurable contributions to South Africa’s antiapartheid movement will forever resonate with many around the world. The Government and People of Guyana, President Ali said, join in mourning a true patron [SIC], and our prayers are with the Tutu family, friends and loved ones.’ Guyana and South Africa have had close and fraternal

relations even before the African National Congress (ANC) took power in 1994 following the dismantling of apartheid rule. Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years for his opposition to white minority rule, became the country’s first democratically elected President. He resigned in 1999 after having served a single term in office. He was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki, who along with several others which included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Oliver Tambo, Joe Slovo and Walter Sisulu were the main architects of the struggle against white minority rule. Several activities were held by the PPP in solidarity with the people of South Africa during the difficult

years of the anti-apartheid struggle. The ANC gained power in the elections of 1994, the first free and fair elections in nearly five decades. Democratic rule was restored to Guyana in 1992 under the leadership of Dr Cheddi Jagan after some 28 years of minority authoritarian PNC rule. Several tributes have been pouring in from several world leaders including United States President Joe Biden, who said that Archbishop Tutu ‘was a true servant of God and of the people and whose legacy transcends borders and will echo through the ages. In a message of condolence, Queen Elizabeth 11 recalled her meeting with him and remembered with ‘fondness her meeting with him and his

MoE has measured success finding NGSA dropouts - over 100 of the 559 located to date

By Tamica Garnett

OVER 100 of the more than 559 Grade Six pupils who did not write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) have already been located by the Ministry of Education (MoE), while efforts are still ongoing to find the others, and have them properly educated. Speaking on the issue on Tuesday at a media brunch, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson reported that welfare officers in the various regions have been mandated to locate the children, and thus far a number of reasons have been unearthed as to why they did not write their examinations. “We found in excess of 100 of those children, but it’s a very tricky situation. We had welfare officers go out into the communities to find them, and we have discovered that some of them would have migrated during the ‘COVID’ period; some of them actually moved from one community into another community, and so what we did was issue a document, which REDOs would have complied with, where, once the children have been found, they are to be placed in a secondary school, accordingly, so they are not left hanging,” Dr. Hutson explained. It was in October, at the announcement of the 2021 NGSA results, that it was revealed that while 14,380 pupils were scheduled to

write the examinations, only 13,821 had eventually turned up to do so, which meant that some 559 pupils would have missed the bus, and were possibly on the verge of dropping out of school. “As I know it, over 100 of them were located and placed into schools, but we are constantly searching for these children, and we will find them,” Dr. Hutson vowed, adding: “It is for their parents now to respond to what we are asking of them, and, of course, help will be forthcoming if they need that.” STARK REALITY Dr. Hutson acknowledged that the harsh economic circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic did contribute to the dropping out of some of the children, since, in some cases, the parents cannot afford to send them to school, or they would have had to go on to assist in contributing to the household. These situations were particularly common in the case of single-parent households. “Some of them, we heard things like they went on to have to support their families. Some people have lost their jobs and so on, and the child went to support them; some people went into smallscale farming, especially in the hinterland, and we had the issue of single parents, and that also affected the children, because it’s not a case that both parents were there, so the pressure was

on,” he explained. However, in those cases where pupils are out of school due to economic circumstances, the ministry will be looking to assist them. “The Minister did say if it is a financial issue that they have, we are willing to help; if it’s an issue of transportation or food or clothing, at the level of the minister’s office, the decision was taken that once we find these people, and they have these kind of difficulties, whatever help can be given to them financially to help alleviate the problems that they are experiencing, that will be given to them, so that they can be in the school; because we believe the best place for them to be right now, is in the school system. So we will continue to look for them,” Dr. Hutson said. HIGH DROPOUT RATE Guyana has a high dropout rate at the primary school level, with the repercussions showing up in the workforce. According to data from the Bureau of Statistics, as of 2020, over 55 per cent of the country’s workforce has primary-school level education or less. The country has maintained this high percentage since 2017. As Guyana develops as an oil-and-gas nation, the education deficit poses a challenge and impediment to lobbying for local content policies, as there are not many qualified Guyanese to fill many roles in the industry.

Commenting on what would be done about the situation with the 559 dropouts, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand at the time the announcement was made pledged that the MoE will be assiduously investigating to find where the pupils were, and the reasons why they did not write their NGSA. She emphasised that not a single child will be left to drop out of school. Addressing the issue on Tuesday, Minister Manickchand noted that the MoE is not only looking at school dropouts at the primary school level, but looking to put in place programmes to address school dropouts throughout the school system. “We don’t want children at the Grade Nine level gone, and we don’t know where you are. We are looking at more individualised teaching and learning going forward. Everybody sitting in a class is not going to be able to bring in 12 Grade Ones for a particular stream,” she said, adding: “The children finding themselves leaving school at Grade 9 and Grade 8 because they really don’t think they are going to be that student who produces 15 subjects, and are struggling with English and Math, as it is, specific programmes are going to be built around them, making sure that those students can leave with value added to them at the secondary school; value that would allow them to earn.”

great warmth and humour.’ Guyana and South Africa share a number of similarities both at a cultural and political level. At the political level, Guyana played an active role in support of the end of apartheid rule in South Africa and the African liberation struggle as a whole. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the African National Congress (ANC) have had long-established fraternal relations. The late Dr Cheddi Jagan received, posthumously the Oliver Tambo Award in 1995 in recognition of his leadership role in the liberation struggle of South Africa. The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Gold, South Africa presented posthumously to Dr Jagan in April 27, 2005 read as follows: ‘The Order was initiated in 2002 to award heads of state and senior diplomats of other countries for showing friendships towards South Africa. It was awarded to Dr Jagan for his exceptional contributions to the struggle against racial oppression and

colonial exploitation.’ Other world leaders who were awarded the Oliver Tambo award included India’s first-ever Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Indonesia’s founding leader, President Sukarno. Like Nelson Mandela, Dr Jagan faced imprisonment for his strong advocacy role in the anticolonial struggle and he and his party were denied political power for nearly three decades by the PNC administration. Today, under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, that friendship has been rekindled. Guyana and South Africa entered diplomatic relations on November 4, 1994 and since then relations have been growing steadily. The whole of humanity is poorer for the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who will be missed not only by South Africans, but by all those who cherish the ideals of a free, democratic, just and dignified world.

Mayor Narine allegedly ‘fires gun’ during domestic altercation -- placed on $20,000 station bail; gun lodged at police station M AY O R P a n d i t U b r a j Narine was on Monday arrested and later released on $20,000 station bail, while his firearm was confiscated by police after a confrontation with his in-laws at Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara. This was confirmed by head of the Guyana Police Force Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Mark Ramotar, when contacted by this publication. Ramotar noted that the mayor’s hands were swabbed and will be sent to the laboratory today to be tested for gunpowder residue. Meanwhile, according to a source close to the investigation, the confrontation between the mayor and his relatives started after he was accused of an unsavoury relationship. Police were reportedly

Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine called to the home on a complaint that an individual had discharged several rounds from a firearm during a domestic altercation. Police met his in-laws and other relatives at the home. He was escorted to the Beterverwagting Police Station where his weapon was confiscated. His attorney was also present.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Environmental protection to be taught in primary schools

By Tamica Garnett

THE care and protection of the environment is scheduled to be incorporated into the curriculum at the primary school level by the Ministry of Education (MoE). The decision is in keeping with a new strategy being adopted by the ministry to create a culture that helps to tackle illegal garbage dumping and be more climate conscious. According to Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, the President himself, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is eager to see a cultural change in the attitude of Guyanese towards environmental preservation, and believes that it can best be inculcated if started at a young age. “We have a mandate from the president himself, that we have to incorporate into the primary school curriculum Care For the Environment, because we believe it has to happen from there… as well as material and learning that takes us closer to his vision of ONE Guyana at the primary school level. And that is being worked on as we speak,” Minister Manickchand said while speaking at an event recently. Noting that work on this new project has already begun. The minister said: “We are working in collaboration with international experts, as well as Major General Joe Singh, who has a deep interest in the environment, and knows that we need to understand from very young why we can’t throw boxes through the window and clog up our drains.” With Guyana’s most populous region, the Low Coastal Plain, being below sea level and vulnerable to climate

- in bid to nip ‘garbage dumping’ in the bud

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall

change, and Guyanese having a persistent propensity of indiscriminately dumping garbage, the protection of the environment is a pivotal issue affecting the entire nation. This culture among our countrymen to indiscriminately dispose of waste not only makes for some very unsightly aesthetics, but poses a health hazard as well, as it often leads to the clogging up of the waterways, and contributes to flooding in many areas across the country, particularly in the city. A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT With community development, including solid waste management coming under his authority, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall says he welcomes this new development, and looks forward to seeing how it will help to improve communities. “I believe that it is a fantastic initiative, and we will support it fully. Solid waste management is something that should be part of the culture of our people, and the best way for us to grow that culture is for us to start at the level of school, because school is one of our first institutions of

learning,” Dharamlall said in an invited comment. He noted that his own ministry already has an initiative of sorts, whereby environmental protection sensitisation is being carried out in schools, though not on a large scale, “We actually have a programme, and activities under the solid waste management programme of the ministry, where we usually go to schools and give them advice on composting and overall solid waste management. So I think we will be able to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Education in this initiative,” he said. Dharamlall shared that dealing with the illegal dumping of garbage across the country is an issue that has become a huge burden on his ministry, given that even as it continues to put measures in place to tackle the issue, it can’t keep up with the rate at which the dumping is being done. “It’s an expensive undertaking,” he said, “not from the level of the ministry alone, but across different levels of government; central, regional as well as local government levels.”

This being the case, he is of the opinion, therefore, that the issue is not so much at the level of the authorities, but more to do with individual citizens. “Solid waste management is a responsibility of the individual; it is part of their responsibility to dispose of garbage properly. We have created these landfills, and are providing a lot of resources in terms of collection,” he said, adding: “The unfortunate thing is we have people who continue to wantonly dump garbage across practically every area in Guyana.” The minister noted that

A typical ‘garbage dump’ in Georgetown aside from individual households contributing to the solid waste issues, the dumping of waste by commercial businesses is also a big contributing factor.

In the circumstances, he noted that his ministry has also been working along with the private sector to tackle the issue from that angle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Oil revenues will fuel privatesector growth, expansion – Vice-President Jagdeo tells Private Sector Commission

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo addressing members of the Private Sector Commission By Rehana Ahamad GUYANA’S eventual use of its oil earnings will create more room for private-sector growth and expansion, according to Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. At a breakfast hosted for members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last week, Jagdeo explained to those gathered at State

House in Georgetown that government’s use of the petroleum revenues ultimately means that it will rely less on borrowing from the domestic banking system, which would leave more room for the private sector to access increased loans and support from local banking institutions. It was noted too that even with the hefty sum of

US$534 million in Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF), this represents just a mere fraction of what is to come. As a matter of fact, the former Head of State said that deposits into the country’s petroleum account would only see significant increases after a few years. “… Until next four to five years, oil resources won’t be a lot,” Jagdeo noted.

He said that spending from the NRF will go a far way in creating a conducive space for private sector growth and investment. “That is something that is crucial for us,” he posited. The Vice-President also assured attendees that with the eventual passage of the new legislation to govern the NRF, the oil revenues can be utilised for only developmental projects which would more likely boost private-sector operations even further. SUPPORT FUTURE GROWTH “A lot of the oil and gas money [that] comes in will be to support future growth: the highways, the bridges, the power plants of the future; a lot of expenditure on the capital side,” Jagdeo said. As a matter of fact, the NRF 2021 Bill, which was recently tabled in the National Assembly, stipulates that the country’s oil rev-

Mabaruma Hospital almost ready to go into ‘SMART’ mode RESIDENTS of the Region One (Barima-Waini) community of Mabaruma are set to benefit immensely from improved medical services due to the modernisation and conversion of the medical facility there into a SMART Hospital. Making the disclosure on Monday on his Facebook page, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said: “We have completed the refurbishment of the operating theatre, the ICU, the recovery room, and the maternity wards. The emergency department will be completed shortly, and then the hospital will be fully operational by January 2022.” According to the ‘SMART Hospital’ concept, the term refers to a medical facility that is both safe and ‘green’ in its operations. In the case of the Mabaruma Hospital, the upgrades are being done as part of an $835M (US$4.175M) pro-

ject funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), which involves the refurbishment of four other regional hospitals. Earlier this year, Minister Anthony had explained that the conversion of the Mabaruma Hospital was estimated to cost approximately US$800,000, and will see the facility boasting a spanking new Accident and Emergency Department, a renovated recovery room, a state-ofthe-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a refurbished kitchen, a sterilisation room, and not one, but two surgical theatres; one small and one large. Minister Anthony had also said that the project to convert the five local hospitals was expected to be concluded by the end of this year. Already, the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the Lethem Hospital have been upgraded as SMART hospi-

tals, while work is currently being done at the Leonora Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and the Paramakatoi facility in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Outside of the conversion of the Mabaruma Hospital into a ‘SMART’ facility, Dr. Anthony said that the government has also invested in the construction of a new storage bond in which to house the region’s pharmaceuticals. “The actual building has already been completed, and will become operational by next month,” the Health Minister said. Added to that, Minister Anthony said that efforts are being made to ensure that Region One not only has an adequate supply of medications and proper facilities, but also enough qualified medical practitioners. He said that construction has already begun on new living quarters for doctors

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony who are being sent to work in the region. “Right now, they are doing the foundation for the building,” the Health Minister reported, and that when construction works are completed, “the Ministry of Health will deploy a surgeon to the region.” At the moment, he said, the Mabaruma district has general physicians, but no one specialised to conduct surgeries.

enues can only be used to finance developmental works and/or respond to major natural disasters. The newly proposed law seeks to repeal the ‘inadequate’ NRF Act of 2019, which was hurriedly implemented by the former Coalition Government, even after it was toppled with the passage of a no-confidence motion in December 2018. Nonetheless, once this new bill is passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Dr Irfaan Ali, it will enable the government to make an immediate 100 per cent withdrawal from the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund to kickstart further development. Thereafter, however, all other withdrawals will be capped to ensure that a substantial portion of the petroleum revenues are saved for the benefit of future generations. The proposed cap on withdrawals will take effect at 75 per cent of the second US$500 million deposited into the NRF during the preceding fiscal year of its passage, followed by 50 per cent, then 25 per cent, five per cent, and finally, three per cent of any amounts in excess of $2.5 billion. Added to that, Dr Jagdeo told the business community that the caps were proposed as a means of ensuring that all Guyanese are able to calculate and keep track of how their country’s oil earnings are being spent. The proposed law follows an observation made by one of Guyana’s leading financial partners, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which had said that the design of the 2019 NRF Act “departs from good practices” and that its complexity may “conspire against fiscal transparency and public understanding.” RIGHT THE WRONGS When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government assumed office in 2020, it pledged to right the wrongs of the Act before any withdrawals are made. Dr Jagdeo also informed the PSC that in keeping with proper financial regulations,

the new law proposes that all withdrawals of oil revenues be first and foremost deposited into the Consolidated Fund, from which the government could then begin to spend. Added to that, requests for withdrawals would also have to be made as part of the country’s annual budget. The Vice-President said too that the bill seeks to limit the powers of every Finance Minister of the country, by proposing that the fund be governed by a Board of Directors, comprising no less than three and no more than five members, including the chairperson, who shall be appointed by the President. The bill also requires that all appointments and changes to the NRF Board of Directors be published in the Official Gazette, on the website of the Ministry of Finance and in at least two of the local daily newspapers. The board itself is proposed to have a lifespan of two years, after which it shall be “eligible for reappointment.” It will be responsible for overall management of the fund; reviewing and approving policies of the fund; monitoring performance of the fund; ensuring compliance with the approved policies of the fund; exercising general oversight of all aspects of the operations of the fund and ensuring that the fund is managed in compliance with the act and all other applicable laws. Additionally, the board members will be required to adhere to a strict Code of Conduct while executing their duties. Dr Jagdeo also highlighted that new legislation calls for the establishment of a Public Accountability and Oversight Committee as well as an Investment Committee, which will give members of the private sector a much deserved seat at the table. As previously reported, Dr Jagdeo also encouraged members of the private sector to be vocal on issues that affect them and to continue advocating for betterment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

President, Foreign Minister spread Christmas cheer at Dharm Shala

President Dr Irfaan Ali distributing gifts to children of Albouystown PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, took joy to the residents of the Dharm Shala in Albouys-

town, Georgetown, on Christmas Day. The President during the annual Christmas luncheon donated $1M to the charitable organisation which celebrated its 100th

anniversary last April. He also distributed toys to the children of Albouystown. The Dharm Shala in a statement said the luncheon was a festive occasion punctuated with music

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, serving residents of the Dharm Shala in Albouystown, Georgetown, on Christmas Day by well-known musician, CAMO. The President on behalf of the government extended Christmas greetings to all residents and at the close of the func-

tion, he, Minister Todd and businessmen Gerry Gouveia and Edward Boyer assisted in serving the Christmas lunch. During the function, P a m e l a R a m s a ro o p ,

while thanking the President for his attendance gave an overview of the work of the Dharm Shala in 2021, making special mention of its 100th year anniversary.

FAO welcomes $10 million contribution from U.S. to fight COVID-19

THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has welcomed a $10 million contribution from the United States of America to its COVID-19 response efforts and to help counter other challenges that threaten human, animal and environmental health, including future pandemics. In a letter to the FAO, the U.S. State Department said the funding is intended to support the agency’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, part of its broader One Health programme. More specifically, the funding aims to help strengthen national and international One Health systems through enhanced multisectoral early warning, risk assessment and risk reduction, and the progressive management of emerging and endemic zoonotic and high-impact animal and plant pests and diseases, including those with epidemic and pandemic

potential. “We thank the Government of the United States of America (USA) for its generous support to FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme and One Health Tripartite risk assessments at national levels,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. “A sciencebased One Health approach across agrifood systems is critical for early warning and prevention of zoonotic diseases.” The contribution from the United States will benefit countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near East. FAO’S RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PROGRAMME Launched in mid-2020, the FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme aims to proactively and?sustainably address the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. In line with the UN approach to “build back better,” and in pursuit of the Sustainable Development

Goals, it aims to mitigate the immediate impacts of the pandemic, while strengthening the long-term?resilience of sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. A key priority area focuses on preventing future pandemics, given that an estimated 60 per cent of all infectious diseases are caused by zoonotic pathogens, with the majority originating in wildlife. FAO’S ONE-HEALTH PROGRAMME A hub of technical knowledge, One Health helps safeguard human, animal, plant and environmental health right through the food-value chain, from production to consumption and waste management. With its expertise in implementing the One-Health approach, FAO supports countries in strengthening integrated surveillance, earlywarning and information systems; developing better biosecurity for pest and disease management; reducing risks through multisectoral partnership for preparedness,

anticipatory action and response; enhancing capacities in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control; and more broadly, shoring up OneHealth systems at national,

regional and global levels. FAO collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the FAO-

OIE-WHO Tripartite and expands its collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to mainstream and support One Health imple-

FAO is helping to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in agrifood systems (FAO photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage raises bar on standards

By Elvin Carl Croker

PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage (PSSCB) Inc has become the first local company to acquire the ISO 45001:2018 Health and Safety Certification in Logistics, Customs Brokerage and Transportation Services in Guyana. The company has also simultaneously acquired ISO 9001:2015 for quality in those services. At a simple ceremony and cocktail event held in observance of the achievement, PSSCB Chief Executive Officer Phil Surooj said while other companies have been ISO certified in quality management, his company is proud to be the first in Guyana to receive ISO certification in health and safety.

The CEO explained that with the two ISO certifications and his company being 100 per cent Guyanese-owned with a 100 per cent Guyanese workforce. Surooj is encouraging other local companies to ‘step up’ and join in the journey to get certified, noting that the industry is large and no single company can handle the logistics needs of the oil and gas sector. Surooj said he was inspired to ‘step up’ the performance of his company because of encouraging words he heard from President Dr Irfaan Ali. “It was at a recent Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) awards, when he said ‘businesses must remodel and build capacity and stop being small-minded,” he recalled.

CEO of PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage (PSSCB) Inc, Phil Surooj and his wife Alisha Singh display the two ISO certificates received

The former customs officer said with knowledge of the customs laws, brokerage and logistics experience, he started his company in 2019 with 39 clients. These, he said, rapidly grew to 300 clients per month. Surooj also garnered experience in the field after serving as a part-time lecturer at the University of Guyana teaching management science. The health and safety certificates mean the company must observe all the protocols of health and safety. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, said the chamber is continuing to push heavily for local content, noting that companies have to face the reality of the new sector. “We as Guyanese must know our limitations but must not be limited in our thinking.

This is why the GCCI created joint ventures to allow Guyanese businesses to partner with companies around the world to do work in the oil industry at any level,” Tucker said. Tucker further noted that with almost 207 areas of demand in the oil and gas industry, only 40 Guyanese are currently capable of doing. This, he said, is a clear indication of a need for businesses to rise to the call of capacity building and certification. “We have a company here that is capable and ready to provide service to any industry,” he said, as he congratulated the PSSCB for reaching this important milestone. The company noted that achieving the two ISO certifications shows that local companies can offer worldclass services to the sector.

Charity teen dies in Boxing Day accident

Dead: Vickash Kevin Fredericks VICKASH Kevin Fredericks, 19, of New Road, Region Two, tragically lost his life on Boxing Day. He was struck down by a car around 19:00hrs on New Road, while making his way home on a motorcycle. According to reports, neighbours heard the loud impact of the crash and rushed to the scene. They picked up Fredericks in an unconscious state and took him to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital. “When we saw he was in a pool of blood, we just assisted him and then rush he to the hospital,” an eyewitness said. Fredericks was later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. His body is at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a postmortem. Friends described him as a good person. The driver of the car is currently in police custody.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

President proves he’s a man of his word - as $30M road works commence in Reg. 6

TRUE to President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s promise to residents just over a week ago, rehabilitation works have commenced on the badly deteriorated roads in the Kilcoy/ Chesney New Housing Scheme on the Corentyne. It was while he was in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to attend a function that residents of the housing scheme made it their duty to meet with President Ali and bring the state of a number of roads in their community to his attention. To his credit, President Ali’s response was swift, as he immediately pledged to have the issue addressed as early as possible. True to his word, work on the roads commenced two days before Christmas, and is estimated to cost approximately $30 million. Word is that when completed, the roads will not only be paved, but boast an asphalted surface as well. “It’s actually three roads we are doing; two in Port Mourant, and one in Kilcoy/Chesney,” Regional Chairman of

Region Six, David Armogan told the Guyana Chronicle. “During the President’s visit,” he said, “the people raised the question of the road, and he allocated $30M to do the roads. It has already been awarded, and the contractor has already been mobilised to get the work started.” He seized the opportunity to express the gratitude of the residents of Region Six to the President for making good on his promise, and for the swift action he took. As he explained, “It would have been in the budget for next year, but the President said. ‘Don’t worry about that; let’s get it done now.’ We are very thankful to the President for these on-the-spot decisions, whereby people can benefit almost immediately rather than have a drawn-out process. So we want to really praise and thank him for this. The people will be very happy to see the completion of this road, because it has been a bugbear for quite some time.”

11 Machinery on the Kilcoy/ Chesney road, ready to begin the rehabilitation process

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

A stress-free Christmas 2021 for Guyanese By Vanessa Cort

(Photo courtesy of https://www.whcawical.org)

THE sound of drums rang out over Georgetown – by Regent and Camp Streets, by the Berbice car park and in front of Demico House and the masquerade bands danced in the

City streets. They commanded the intersections at Orange Walk and South Road and Cummings Street and North Road, while drivers showed their appreciation by slowing down to give the young dancers a ‘small piece’

and shoppers stuffed cash into the money boxes of the drummers. The pavements were jammed with stands selling everything from clothing to carpets and toys to food and the sellers loudly invited shoppers to stop and buy. Traffic moved at a snail’s pace with horns blaring from time to time and music pounded from store fronts, vehicles and music carts and the thrum of people talking, calling out or laughing added to the cacophony of sound. While the new Omicron Variant of COVID-19 swept across The United States and Europe, Guyanese were gearing up for the kind of Christmas we celebrated two years ago before the pandemic The majority of shoppers still wore face masks and businesses still required customers to have their temperature taken (in some cases) and sanitise or wash their hands at the entrances. It seems that our level of vaccination has been in large part responsible for dropping numbers of infected and a decrease in the death rate. But more than anything else Guyanese are ready for life to return to relative normalcy. Christmas celebrations have provided a welcome release valve from the constant stress of the pandemic. And while statistics are not yet available, it seems likely that the sum spent this year may well surpass that of 2019, in much the same way as has happened in the United States. As the US President said recently in an address to the nation on the pandemic, “I know that you’re tired… I know that you’re frustrated.” And certainly this applies to people the world over and particularly in those countries which are approaching winter and are experiencing an explosion in COVID-19 cases.

The highly transmissible, though reportedly less severe, Omicron Variant has caused a rapid escalation in those infected to the point where many countries report figures higher that at the start of the pandemic in early 2020. With greater socialising over the Christmas season, it is likely that there will be an increase in both deaths and those infected. And the postseasonal figures will certainly ‘tell the tale’. It seems that the unvaccinated are more at risk than those who have been fully vaccinated and have received booster shots and it has been reported that 73 per cent of new cases in the US are the result of the Omicron Variant, which is now overrunning the country and overwhelming health facilities. And while the vaccines do not always prevent infection, they have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms and the necessity for the infected to be hospitalised. Health experts have been issuing dire warnings to those who choose to remain unvaccinated, with one doctor declaring in no uncertain terms that the pandemic will not be brought under control as long as large numbers of people continue to resist vaccination. So Guyanese be warned that there is a highly transmissible variant now causing an alarming spike in cases of infection, which will ultimately drive up the death rate. So while we enjoy this Christmas season and a welcome respite from pandemic stress, we still need to observe pandemic protocols and safeguard ourselves. And we need to be mindful of the US President’s plea to the American people, “Get vaccinated now…I honest to God think it’s your patriotic duty.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

IBA praises Ninvalle, ‘Shakes’ return - Kremlev optimistic of boxing’s development in Guyana and St Lucia

FROM PAGE 24 has some of the best boxers in the English-speaking Caribbean. That could’ve been seen when they won a bronze medal at the last World Championships,” Ninvalle said. He added “Guyana, Trinidad and St Lucia, along with several other Caribbean countries, will be putting our heads together in order to ensure that we have a

developmental plan, that is across the board and to ensure that we do not work in a haphazard or an ad hoc way. It’s a collective approach that we’re having towards developing boxing.” First vice -president, Malissa Parris, daughter of Guyana’s only Olympic Medalist, Michael Parris, along with Seon Bristol (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), are the new members of the GBA’s executive Committee, while

everyone else would’ve previously served alongside Ninvalle. Major Gordon Nedd is the Second Vice-President, while Carl Graham is the third vice-president. Stacy Correia is the Association’s Secretary and Dexter Paterson is the Treasurer. Ninvalle, who also serves as a vice-p resident of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC), highlighted that seeing the realization

KL Rahul to lead India in ODIs vs SA if Sharma remains unfit

India’s opener KL Rahul INDIA’s current Test vice-captain KL Rahul is having some fine time of late and his heroics with the bat also doesn’t seem to cease. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, he was appointed as Virat Kohli’s deputy in the longest format of the game. With Rohit being uncertain even

for ODIs, it has been reported that KL will lead the Indian side in upcoming ODIs again the Proteas. It has to be noted that Rohit couldn’t make it to the Test series due to a hamstring injury and his participation in the upcoming ODIs also looks uncertain. Talking of India’s current Test deputy, he is maintaining great rhythm with his bat and bagged all the attention after scoring a ton on the first day of the first Test at Centurion. “It is truly special, every hundred really takes something out of you and gives you joy. There are so many emotions you go through when you score a hundred. You bat for 6-7 hours, those are the kind of innings that stand out and as players, we

really cherish these. This is what is expected out of me. Once I got off to a good start, I started enjoying my batting and I did not think too far ahead,” Rahul said in a video posted by BCCI.. Rahul opened up on his special innings and added that his preparation has been really good and he was very happy that he was able to keep his calm on day one of the opening Test match against the hosts. “Preparation has been really good, all the batters that batted on Day 1 were really focused. I just try to stay in the moment when I am out there in the middle. I was on 99 and with a spinner bowling, I thought it was a good opportunity to take a single or just go over the top because everybody was inside. (CricTracker)

Pele discharged from hospital

Pele discharged from hospital. SAO PAOULO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazilian football great Pele was discharged from hospital on Thursday last after two weeks of chemotherapy for a colon tumour, the Sao Paulo hospital that treated him announced.

The 81-year-old ex-player known as “O Rei” (The King) “is stable and will continue the treatment of the colon tumour that was identified in September of this year”, the Albert Einstein Hospital said in a statement. Pele underwent surgery for the tumour on September 4, spending a month in the hospital before being discharged to continue chemotherapy. It is the latest in a string of health troubles for the aging star, whose public appearances have grown increasingly rare. Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento — Pele’s real name — is the only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962

and 1970). He burst onto the global stage at just 17 by scoring dazzling goals, including two in the final against hosts Sweden, as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time in 1958. He went on to have one of the most storied careers in sport, scoring more than 1,000 goals before retiring in 1977. Pele announced on Instagram on December 9 that he would stay in hospital for just “a few days” for chemotherapy. He ended up staying for two weeks. “Don’t worry, I’m just getting ready for the holiday season!” he said in a message to fans.

of the proposed ‘Home for Boxing’ is top priority on the GBA’s agenda. According to the returning GBA president, while a location is still being deliberated, a timeline of three years is given for the completion of the first-of-a-kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. T h e a p p ro x i m a t e l y $120M facility, when completed, will have a 20-room dormitory, kitchen area, and a state-of-the-art gym.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Record 103 new Covid cases announced by Premier League a 2-1 defeat at Brentford on 10 December. Wolves’ scheduled trip to Arsenal on Tuesday has

Premier League and EFL clubs opted not to vote for a shutdown following a number of recent postponements. A record 103 Premier government, local authorities League players and staff and supporter groups, while tested positive for Covid in being responsive to any futhe seven days up to and ture changes to national or including 26 December, local guidance.” new figures show. Premier League and EFL The previous weekly clubs recently chose to fulfil league record was 90 cases, festive fixtures despite onannounced a week ago. going Covid-19 disruption. A total of 15,186 tests The Premier League’s were carried out between 20 clubs met last week to 20 and 26 December, as the discuss the fixture list folPremier League has reintro- lowing a number of postduced daily testing of players ponements. and staff. No vote took place, with Fifteen English top-flight two rounds of fixtures regames have been called off maining in place across five so far during December be- days from 26 December, cause of coronavirus cases. while the EFL will play A P re m i e r L e a g u e games “where it is safe to statement said: “The Pre- do so”. mier League’s Covid-19 Clubs were advised if emergency measures in- they have 13 fit players, plus clude protocols such as a goalkeeper, they should wearing face coverings fulfil their games. while indoors, observing Manchester United were social distancing, limiting set to visit Newcastle later treatment time, as well as on Monday to play their the increased testing. first game in more than two “The league is continuing weeks following a Covid to work with clubs to keep outbreak within the squad. people safe by helping mitWatford’s game against igate the risks of Covid-19 West Ham on Tuesday will within their squads. We are also be their first game since also liaising closely with the

No play on Day 2 in Centurion

NO play was possible on Day 2 of the first Test between South Africa and India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, on Monday due to rain. Umpires decided to take stumps around 13:56 local time with the ground unlikely to be ready in inclement weather. The forecast is of much better weather on Day 3. Earlier in the Test, KL Rahul had led India’s dominance with the bat courtesy a patient unbeaten 122, which helped the team reach 272 for 3. The opener had set the platform for a strong total with a fine 117-run opening stand with Mayank Agarwal after India had elected to bat. For the South Africans, Lungisani Ngidi was the only bowler to bag wickets, picking all the three scalps to fall on the Boxing Day. Mayank’s innings was halted on 60 after he was trapped legbefore, while Chesteshwar Pujara followed soon after for a golden duck, inside edging the ball on to his pads, which then lobbed and was caught by Keegan Petersen at forward short leg. Virat Kohli looked assured during his stay in the middle, but after a series of dot deliveries, he lost his patience and went for an expansive drive to a delivery very wide outside the offstump, only to be caught by the slip fielder. (Cricbuzz).

been postponed because of Covid-19 cases in the Midlands club’s camp, with Leeds United’s top-flight

game against Aston Villa on Tuesday has also been postponed because of an outbreak at the Yorkshire

club.Several EFL fixtures on 29 and 30 December have been called off too. (BBC Sport).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Cricket Australia adamant to complete series despite COVID-19 outbreak

DAY two of the Boxing Day Test was delayed by 30 minutes as England’s players were asked not to leave their hotel rooms before a negative COVID-19 report comes out. This measure was taken because four non-playing members of England’s team tested positive for COVID-19. Three of Channel 7’s commentary panel were also absent from the daytwo broadcast. Ian Botham, Mel McLaughlin, and Ricky Ponting were deemed close

contacts to a case in their broadcast staff. These incidents are of real concern regarding the completion of the series. All the English players will undergo another RT PCR test after completing day two. Also, extra provisions were taken by the English staff that included the wearing of masks and gloves outside the boundary. Cricket Australia is adamant to complete the series despite these concerns. “We just need to remain

calm and get the facts,” CA boss Nick Hockley said as quoted by Daily Mail. “Everyone needs to follow the medical advice. On that basis, we keep going. We’ve been working on the plans for this tour for over six months,’’ Hockley added. In the past two years, two of England’s tours were called off due to COVID-19 concerns. Also, a home Test against India was called off after four staff of the Indian team tested positive for COVID-19. However,

Hockley mentioned that the situation in Ashes was completely different. “Our protocols are designed for absolutely this set of events. We’ve got strong protocols. We’ve got very comprehensive testing regimes,” he said. In case of an outbreak, teams can call like-to-like

replacement for players showing symptoms. It was approved by ICC last year. But a massive outbreak might mean a huge financial loss for Cricket Australia. The next two Tests are scheduled to be played in Sydney and Hobart. Under current rules, the England team will need to isolate

for seven days if anyone is deemed close contact, which means that the remaining matches would need to be called off. Cricket Australia has decided that players from both sides will be taken from Melbourne to Sydney in a chartered flight and put up in private accommodation. (CricTracker)

FROM BACK PAGE muscleman mode as he celebrated the inevitability of Australia’s victory. It was the sixth time in as many innings of this series that Root nicked off to catches behind the wicket, and even though he finishes 2021 with a new calendar year Test runs benchmark for his country – 1708 at an average of 61 – he is yet to master batting in Australia.

From there, what had become a procession transcended into pure pantomime. Mark Wood bunted a return catch to Boland to complete the debutant’s fivefor which equalled Stuart Broad’s famed Trent Bridge spell as the fastest five-wicket haul (19 balls) in Test history. At that stage Boland had 5-5, which became 6-5 two

balls later when Ollie Robinson nicked to third slip. It was only Green’s intervention, pegging back last man Jimmy Anderson’s off stump, that prevented Boland returning the best Test debut bowling figures for Australia since Jason Krejza claimed 8-215 in vastly different circumstances against India in Nagpur in 2009. (cricket. com.au)

Boland’s blitz, 6-7, seals...

SCOREBOARD

AUSSIES RETAIN

ENGLAND 1st innings 185 Australia 1st innings Marcus Harris c Joe Root b James Anderson 76 David Warner c Zak Crawley b James Anderson 38 Nathan Lyon c Jos Buttler b Ollie Robinson 10 Marnus Labuschagne c Joe Root b Mark Wood 1 Steven Smith b James Anderson 16 Travis Head c Joe Root b Ollie Robinson 27 Cameron Green lbw Jack Leach 17 Alex Carey c Jos Buttler b Ben Stokes 19 Pat Cummins c Haseeb Hameed b James Anderson 21 Mitchell Starc Not Out 24 Scott Boland c Zak Crawley b Mark Wood 6 Extras 2b 4lb 5nb 0pen 1w 12 Total (87.5 overs) 267 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-57 Warner, 2-76 Lyon, 3-84 Labuschagne, 4-110 Smith, 5-171 Head, 6-180 Harris, 7-207 Green, 8-219 Carey, 9-253 Cummins, 10-267 Boland Bowling: James Anderson 23 - 10 - 33 - 4, Ollie Robinson 19.2 - 4 - 64 - 2 (4nb), Mark Wood 19.5-2 - 71 -2, Ben Stokes 10.4 -1 - 47 -1 (1w 1nb) Jack Leach 15 - 0 - 46 -1. ENGLAND 2nd innings o/n 31-4 Haseeb Hameed c Alex Carey b Scott Boland 7 Zak Crawley c Alex Carey b Mitchell Starc 5 Dawid Malan lbw Mitchell Starc 0 Joe Root c David Warner b Scott Boland 28 Jack Leach b Scott Boland 0 Ben Stokes b Mitchell Starc 11 Jonny Bairstow lbw Scott Boland 5 Jos Buttler Not Out 5 Mark Wood c&b Scott Boland 0 Ollie Robinson c Marnus Labuschagne b Scott Boland 0 James Anderson b Cameron Green 2 Extras 0b 5lb 0nb 0pen 0w 5 Total (27.4 overs) 68 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-7 Crawley, 2-7 Malan, 3-22 Hameed, 4-22 Leach, 5-46 Stokes, 6-60 Bairstow, 7-61 Root, 8-65 Wood, 9-65 Robinson, 1068 Anderson Bowling: Mitchell Starc 10 - 3 - 29 - 3, Pat Cummins 10 - 4 - 19 - 0, Scott Boland 4 - 1 - 7 - 6, Cameron Green 3.4 - 0 - 8 - 1. ............................

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Head coach Reifer impressed with young players’ maturity and preparations KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – West Indies Under-19 head coach, Floyd Reifer has reported improvement in the team’s understanding of what it takes to be professional athletes and is happy with their preparations for next month’s ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Speaking ahead of the Youth One-Day International Series against South Africa Under-19s which began Sunday in St Vincent, Reifer said he has seen vast improvement over the past year and is doing what is necessary to be ready for the January 14 to February 5, 2022 tournament. They’ve been preparing very well mentally, physically, and skillfully. Even off the field, they’re eating better, they’re hydrating better, so they understand the importance of being elite athletes. I think they’re on the right road, they’re on the right path in terms of understanding,” he said.

“So, I think they’ve come a long way in terms of where we started in January to where we are now – there’s vast improvement, vast development. It’s good to see that these young men have adapted and adjusted to the lifestyle of being a professional.” The head coach added that he was impressed with the interaction between members of the squad. “The conversations that they’re having amongst one another are very mature conversations so I’m very happy to hear that as well. All in all, we’re doing well and continuing to prepare,” he said. As the team prepares for the World Cup, Reifer said the focus would be on the tactical side of the game, to improve game awareness and team members’ understanding of their roles. According to him, they have already made progress in that regard. “Even in the discussions

that we’ve had over the last two days, they understand their roles and responsibilities within the team, they understand about having that killer instinct and that positive mindset to go out there and do well,” Reifer reported. The World Cup will feature 16 teams in 48 matches. The defending champions, along with Bangladesh, England, Canada and the United Arab Emirates form Group A, with debutant, Uganda, placed in Group B alongside India, South Africa and Ireland. Group C comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea; and Group D is comprised of West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka and Scotland. Reifer said the Caribbean youngsters “understand what they represent and who they represent” when they go out on the field for the upcoming tournament. Their first match will be against Australia Un-

The late Lallman Kowlessar VETERAN cricket administrator Lalman Kowlessar was hailed as an icon who had a lifelong passion for cricket and gave his all for the game. This was the tribute paid to Kowlessar by Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath during his funeral at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva on Sunday. Kowlessar, 80, died on December 23. Recalling that their friendship extended over 25 years and as a young umpire he learnt invaluable lessons from Kowlessar, Bassarath said there was no doubt that cricket was Kowlessar’s life and his love for the game

continued to the end. “He was an icon. He died with his boots on.” Reflecting on the role that Kowlessar played between 2005 and 2009 when the TTCB was going through a challenging time, Bassarath said Kowlessar told him the TTCB’s leadership at the time did not have cricket’s best interest at heart. He also recalled the support which Kowlessar gave him since he was first elected TTCB president in 2009. From across the region, Bassarath said from Cricket West Indies to all the other smaller bodies, tributes have been pouring in for Kowlessar. “He was a unique individual.” He promised the TTCB would consult with Kowlessar’s family about an appropriate honour upon him posthumously, for the lifelong contribution that he made to cricket. Presentation College Chagunas school teacher Anthony Hosein said he was a student at the college in 1974 when he first meet Kowlessar. He remembered being amazed that Kowlessar was able to teach history lessons without using a textbook or

writing on a blackboard. While cricket season saw him being deeply involved in the game, Hosein said Kowlessar somehow managed to get the best out of his students in the classroom as he did the school’s cricketers out on the pitch. “In 1979, we got 29 A’s in Cambridge Level History.” He brought laughter from the congregation as he recalled how Kowlessar had a passion for Louis L’ Armour western novels and the school built a chain-link fence as a crash barrier for a car Kowlessar had, which he did not know how to stop. “I never thought Lalman would die. I thought he would be an eternal person.” Hosein also recalled the role Kowlessar played in nurturing cricket talents like Ravi Rampaul, Dinnanath Ramnarine and Adrian Bharath. He also amused the congregation when he told them that while Kowlesslar’s knowledge of cricket was second to none, the same could not be said of his skills as a player. “Lalman couldn’t play cricket at all.” (TT Newsday).

TTCB president Bassarath hails late Kowlessar as an icon

der-19s in Guyana on January 14. “They know they represent the six to eight million people in the Caribbean, they know they represent the millions of people that follow West Indies cricket around the world as well, so they know what they’re playing for,” he said. “They know the importance of the World Cup.” The West Indies are using the December 26 to January 3 ODI series against South

Africa as preparation for the World Cup which will be played in Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, and Guyana. They lost the first match by 18 runs. The second match is scheduled for today, at Arnos Vale Stadium here, followed by the third at Cumberland Playing Field on December 30. The last ODI comes off on January 3 at Arnos Vale Stadium.

West Indies Under-19 head coach, Floyd Reifer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

The bewitching hour:

Starc, Cummins, Boland, and a spell to remember for the MCG crowd

… After another forgettable year for Melburnians, 12 pulsating overs by the Australia quicks was something to savour By Alex Malcolm TEST batting doesn’t get any harder. TEST cricket doesn’t get any more compelling. In one glorious hour, in one of world cricket’s great amphitheatres, on a day of Test cricket threatened by Covid-19, in the world’s most locked-down city, the MCG, which has been silent for almost two years, found its voice again as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland delivered a brutal, pulsating spell of fast bowling, the equal of any, to put England on their knees again. A crowd of 42,626 sounded like double that number as Starc went within millimetres of a Test hat-trick and England slumped to 2 for 7. That soon became 4 for 22 when local hero Boland got in on the act, striking twice in his first over, the second last of the day. England finished 4 for 31, 51 runs behind with just six wickets in hand in their second innings trying to avoid a 3-0 series defeat inside 12 days of cricket. England will lament their batting woes, but Australia’s attack is ruthless and irrepressible. The sheer quality of the fast bowling on display was something to behold, and the cacophony that accompanied it made it appear gladiatorial. Except this wasn’t a

fair fight, it was lambs to the slaughter. Cummins nearly took Haseeb Hameed’s head off with his first ball, Hameed fending it in hope just over David Warner in the slips. Cummins made mincemeat of Zak Crawley. Every ball was a step in a slow torturous march towards an inevitable conclusion. A legcutter nipped past the groping edge. An offcutter thundered into the thigh pad. Another one cut him in half. He survived one nick, as Alex Carey opted not to dive in front of first slip for the second time in two Tests and it clean bowled Warner on the half-volley for four desperately needed runs. At the other end, Starc’s searing pace whistled past Hameed’s low hands time and again. England’s two youngest batters were rabbits in the headlights, all hands and no feet, hopelessly trying to survive as every ball seemed to have one of their names on it he crowd sensed the moment. Starc gave them what they came for. A perfectly pitched delivery that threatened to shape in and held the line scratched Crawley’s outside edge and handed Carey a simple catch. Dawid Malan entered the cauldron and departed one ball later. Another 140kph missile darted in off the seam and

Mitchell Starc was on a hat-trick after removing Dawid Malan, and missed the mark by a whisker ( Getty Images) thundered into the pads. Umpire Paul Wilson went up with the 40,000-strong appeal. Malan reviewed in hope, ball-tracking sided with the umpire to have it clipping the top of the leg stump. England’s talisman, Joe Root, walked out with the weight of a nation on his shoulders again. Starc’s hattrick ball was as good as anything he’s faced in this series, full and threatening to shape back into off and zipping away at the last moment to beat the edge by a hair’s breadth. The threats kept coming. Hameed was hit twice on the pad by Cummins, but the steep bounce in the MCG track saved him on both occasions. Starc continued to torment Root. He edged one between third slip and gully. He edged another short of Carey, who dived full length

to his right this time. Respite finally appeared to have come in the 11th over when Boland replaced Starc. No chance. The Victorian sent the home fans into raptures as Hameed nicked a peach to Carey to end a tortured 31ball 7. Jack Leach was sent out as nightwatchman but he nearly played on first ball from Boland and then allowed the second to hit the top of off stump. The frenzied Melburnians were restless and vociferous, hungry for another victim, as Ben Stokes took an eternity to emerge from the bowels of the MCG to face the final ball of the over. Boland received a standing ovation from Bay 13, much like those reserved for Merv Hughes in his heyday, as the Australians sprinted around to allow Cummins six more balls. Root was beaten again

fect teams throughout the NBA. On his first start of the season, Cavaliers’ Kevin Love scored 22 points. Cleveland have now won seven of their past eight games, while the Memphis Grizzlies broke a three-game losing streak with a 127-102 win at the Sacramento Kings, as the hosts equalled their largest margin of defeat at home this season. The Detroit Pistons only had nine players - missing 11 and coach Dwane Casey because of injury and COVID-19 protocols - as they lost 144109 to the San Antonio Spurs.

In Chicago, Zach LaVine returned from a two-game absence because of health and safety protocols and scored 32 points in the Bulls’ 113-105 win against the Indiana Pacers. Joel Embiid’s 36 points helped the Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-96 away win at the Washington Wizards, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 117-112 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. Returning from an eight-game injury absence, Jimmy Butler had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Miami Heat’s 93-83 win against the Orlando Magic.(BBC Sport).

Scott Boland received the sort of cheer from the MCG crowd that was reserved for Merv Hughes in his heyday. (Cricket Australia via Getty Images) and then forced to wait, as in the over, that was brilliant. the opposing skipper sensed That was a great atmosphere. the mood, pausing for an age That is something you dream before the final ball to let the of as a kid to be a part of.” crowd noise crescendo as James Anderson was left they thumped their hands on in awe of what the Austraanything within reach. lian quicks had produced. But Root kept it out. Ac- “I thought the spell from cording to ESPNcricinfo’s Starc and Cummins was outball-by-ball data, England standing,” Anderson said. were in control of just 44 of “But that’s what you expect. the 72 balls bowled in the They’re world-class bowlers. final hour. But, at the ground, They’ve done it in Test crickit felt like it was just two: et for many, many years. So Root’s final straight drive for it shouldn’t take anyone by three only bettered by a stun- surprise that they bowl like ning off-drive off Cummins to that. And it’s just disappointget off the mark ing to lose four wickets in that “That was absolutely period.” bouncing,” Marcus Harris It was another forgettasaid after play. “For 40,000 ble hour on another forgetit felt like there was 100,000. table tour for England. But When Starcy was on a hat- after another forgettable trick, it was unbelievable. year for Melburnians, one And then when Scotty Boland pulsating hour of cricket ran down to Bay 13 at the end was something to savour. then after those two wickets (Cricinfo)

Jokic helps Denver beat LA Clippers as Covid hits teams

Denver’s Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists against the Los Angeles Clippers. N I K O L A J o k i c ’s 2 6 points helped the Denver Nuggets edge to a 103-100 win at the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Will Barton, Davon Reed, Austin Rivers and Monte Morris also all

scored double figures for the visitors. The Cleveland Cavaliers claimed a comfortable 144-99 win against a depleted Toronto Raptors as injuries and COVID-19 protocols continued to af-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday December 28, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-

83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 952/6 dec (SL vs IND, Colombo, 1997) (2) 26 (NZ vs ENG, Auckland, 1955) Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest ODI innings total to date? (2) What is the lowest ODI innings total to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

GFF/K&S Super 16 football championship

GDF humble Milerock 3-1, Den Amstel conquer Fruta

By Joe Chapman DEFENDING champions Guyana Defence Force marched past Milerock 3-1 while Den Amstel All Stars defeated Fruta Conquerors by a similar score-line to set up a semi-final clash following encounters in the Guyana Football Federation/ Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Super 16 footfall championship staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Boxing Night in front of a large crowd. The respective wins ensured a semi-final showdown, set for tomorrow evening at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. The other semi-final will see Police clashing with Western Tigers. Playing in the first game of the evening, Den Amstel All Stars were up 1-0 when Gideon Payne fortuitously scored in the 15th minute. Payne latched on to a through-ball which stopped in the mud as he pressed forward, thus stranding the hesitant Conquerors defence, allowing him time to score from within the 18-yard box.

Scorers for Den Amstel: Keavanu Laurence (left) and Gideon Payne Den Amstel acquitted themselves well on the heavy prevailing ground condition and doubled the score against their opponents. In the 26th minute, Kevanu Laurence received a cross which he headed to score and two minutes later he once again breached Fruta Conquerors defence. The first-half ended with Den Amstel leading 3-0. Under the testing condition, it was an uphill task for Conquerors and the only respite they got was a consolation goal, netted by Ranshaun Ritchie in the 51st minute.

According to Den Amstel’s coach, Oneil Haywood, “we really trained hard to come out and execute. Our intention was to run the ball down at every moment and to the last minute.” In the second game, the home fans were rooting for a Milerock victory and when forward Denzil Fordyce, after a nice build up, showed composure to shoot the ball into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Denzil Smith no chance; a victory seemed possible after the 25th minute. This advantage remained in Milerock’s favour in the second

half although it was clear that the GDF unit was displaying better physical conditioning on the heavy outfield. The constant pressure took its toll and was evident when midfielder Jobe Caesar was fouled and Sherwin Caesar stepped up to take the penalty to tie the score in the 68th minute. Ten minutes later, from a right side cross, Benjamin Opara would tilt things in favour of the Army, making it 2-1. As the pressure took its toll on Milerock, they were unable to hold off the marauding defending champions who took complete control. Forward Sherwin Caesar, playing wide, sprinted across and planted a shot that gave his side a 3-1 cushion in the 83rd minute, which they held to the end and secure a solid victory in the process. Coach Kavin Pearce said: “Our performance tonight was one we were prepared for. We

GDF scorers: Benjamin Opara (left) and Sherwin Caesar knew the conditions would not Lane Auto Spares, Bakewell, have been easy, but we were up Pegasus Guyana, C MOBILE, Jim’s Variety Store, New GPC to it.” This year’s GFF/K&S Su- – Bobby Ramroop, Secure per 16s was made possible Innovation and Concept Inc, through the following sponsors: SIMEXTRA TRADING GUYMinistry of Culture, Youth, ANA, Stars Party Rental, Naand Sport; KFC Guyana, milco, Capelli Sports, Fireside Mohamed’s Enterprise, MVP Grill N Chill, Cevons waste Sports, Dinar Trading, DDL Management, Tony’s Jewellery with Pepsi, Gatorade, Diamond Store, Daphness Foundation of Water, Statement Investment New York, Superior Concrete, Inc., HJTV & 94.1, Ground Fitness Express, Banks DIH Structural Engineering, Fast and Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales.

Boland’s blitz, 6-7, seals Ashes before lunch on day three 24

AUSTRALIA have retained the Ashes in barely a week’s worth of Test cricket after debutant quick Scott Boland produced the most remarkable debut spell witnessed at the MCG to destroy England for 68. The carnage carried Australia to victory by an innings and 14 runs despite having posted just 267 in their one turn at batting and lands them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Vodafone Series with games to play in Sydney and Hobart. Boland finished his long-hoped-for entry to Test cricket with the extraordinary second innings figures of 6-7 from four overs to deservedly (and symbolically) claim the Johnny Mullagh Medal as player of the match. It was the best debut bowling at the MCG since Test cricket was born there in 1877, and represented a triumph for the 32-year-old who on Boxing Day became just the second man of Indigenous descent to represent Australia at Test level after former fast bowler Jason Gillespie. England had arrived at the ground after both teams received negative PCR tests overnight in response to the COVID scare that had engulfed the tourists’ camp yesterday, knowing they had a struggle on their hands to challenge Australia’s hold on the Ashes.. But nobody could have foreseen the abject capitulation under bright morning sunshine in which Joe Root’s team surrendered their final six wickets for 22 runs in less than 11 overs. The tale of woe, which began when Mitchell Starc rattled Ben Stokes’s stumps in the day’s fifth over, saw nobody in England’s lower order post a score above five as the game and series were wrapped up in just over an hour’s play. Following the welcome negative news dispensed overnight, Root and Stokes began the long haul back into the series with decidedly positive intent. Root sent the fifth ball of the morning to the long-off boundary with a classical off-drive, and Stokes followed his skipper’s lead in Starc’s next two overs with a couple of duplicate drives that also yielded boundaries. But as has been the theme since day one of the Ashes in Brisbane, no sooner had England dragged themselves to their feet than they were sent back to the canvas. Two balls after Stokes smoked him dismissively

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Scott Boland took 6-7 on Test debut and Australia retained the Ashes down the ground, Starc angled a delivery into the lefthander that found its way between pad and blade and smashed into the leg bail. It was precisely the same result as Dawid Malan would have suffered first ball he faced on Monday evening had the England number three not got his leg in the way, and provided graphic evidence to counter the conspiracy theorists who claimed Malan had been stiffed. It didn’t prevent them singing the same tune when Jonny Bairstow was adjudged lbw from the fifth ball of Boland’s opening over of the day, with umpire Paul Wilson determining the ball that jagged off the pitch and crashed into Bairstow’s back leg would also have hit off stump.

Bairstow seemed convinced he’d been struck outside the line of the stumps, but given he’d been lucky not to be caught at gully off Cameron Green and then dropped in the same position by the same player off Boland’s first delivery of the day, it should have been blessed relief to be on his way. If England were to make Australia bat a second time, let alone a fist of their lamentable Ashes sojourn, it was inevitably up to their skipper to see them past that point of ignominy. But Root became the next to fall under Boland’s spell, pushing hard at a delivery that decked away and into the hands of David Warner at slip who went into full TURN TO PAGE 20

Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly known as AIBA, congratulated Guyanese Steve Ninvalle and David ‘Shakes’ Christopher, on their return to the helm of Amateur boxing in Guyana and St Lucia respectively. Both the St Lucia and Guyana Boxing Associations held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections on Monday December 20, Christopher and Ninvalle returned unopposed at the end of the voting process. Kremlev says he remains optimistic about the future of boxing in Guyana and St Lucia under the guidance of Ninvalle and Christopher, while adding that he’s looking forward to meeting the two presidents at the next IBA event. The IBA’s next event is

tions. We will ensure that we both work within guidelines and the mandates set out by the IBA.” Looking ahead, with the GBA set to announce a new National Coach, Ninvalle said they plan to host a series of events around the country, in their attempt to decentralize the sport. Ninvalle highlighted that with the GBA planning to send a team to the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championships in Ecuador in March, their hope is to host an international competition in February. The returning GBA president was keen to point out his desire of “working closely with other Caribbean nations to help fast-track boxing. There are several Caribbean countries who would want to come here and have their fighters prepare, but we’re

IBA praises Ninvalle, ‘Shakes’ return - Kremlev optimistic of boxing’s development in Guyana and St Lucia

Steve Ninvalle - GBA president

their AGM and Elections in June of 2022, while the Women’s World championship will take place in Turkey. Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Ninvalle pointed out that “it’s not a coincidence that we had our elections on the same day. Guyana and St Lucia work very closely and we expect, and we have schedule, and we will work towards making boxing better not just in our own two countries, but throughout the Region.” According to Ninvalle, the GBA and St Lucia Boxing Association had their elections results certified by the IBA, as he explained that “the IBA has a mandate that you must send the minutes of your meeting and send the return from the returning office. So, it’s not that you have an elections and that’s it; the IBA has to certify your elec-

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David ‘Shakes’ Christopher - SBA president also working with them to have a system on how we do our preparations.” “I’m glad to say the president of the Trinidad Boxing Association (TTBA) is also very much (apprised) of our developmental plan. Trinidad SEE PAGE 18

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021