Issuu

THURSDAY 9th DECEMBER, 2021

No. 106570

Housing Ministry to close 2021 with over 10,000 allocations - mil ions of dollars to be spent next year to enhance Balthyock, as ministry distributes 170 lots in this area - GWI to construct mega water treatment plant, establish sub-office in Region Five 03 ‘Open skies’ agreement paves way for Guyana-Colombia flights SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Wednesday, led the charge in taking the ‘I CAN’ pledge to fight against domestic violence. Joining him were several government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps along with representatives of the religious community and civil society (See story on Page Four)

Above-normal rainfall anticipated up to early February

SEE PAGE

Almost all grades slated to resume physical learning from January SEE PAGE

West Demerara Secondary School now offering CAPE SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

Housing Ministry to close 2021 with over 10,000 allocations - millions of dollars to be spent next year to enhance Balthyock, as ministry distributes 170 lots in this area - GWI to construct mega water treatment plant, establish sub-office in Region Five struction of your homes,” he said. Like other regions, he said that Region Five has a growing list of persons who want low-income housing and access to potable water all day. “We are doing our level best to bring this to you within this five-year period. In the new year, more allocations will be handed out and more communities will receive treated water. And you will see more infrastructural development Mohammed Hussein pulled his lot number from a bag held by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal. He received a lot in the area Block ‘A’ Balthyock WITH 2021 coming closer to an end, the Ministry of Housing and Water has reported that it is well on course to achieving and even surpassing its target of 10,000 allocations. This announcement was made at the final major land allocation exercise under the “Dream Realised” Housing Drive for 2021, which was done on Wednesday, with 170 lots being allocated in Block ‘A’ Balthyock, Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). Speaking at a ceremonial land allocation exercise on Wednesday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said Block A Balthyock is on a development trajectory, and the allottees will set the pace for others to follow. Since assuming office last year, Minister Croal said the new government began development works in Region Five, and so far contracts to the tune of $455 million have been awarded for infrastructure development in the Experiment Housing Scheme. Those works, he said, include the construction of the main access bridge, internal roads, culvert structures, and pipe network. “In Block D, Bath, $18.8 million is being spent to upgrade the roads. And here in Balthyock $19.7 million is being spent on road upgrades... those works include construction of access and internal roads and pipe and drainage networks,” Minister Croal related.

In addition, he said, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been engaged in the installation of new and replacement connections in several villages in Region Five. “Many residents of Big Biaboo, Good Faith, Weldaad, Number 30, Number Eight, Number Five, and Number Three Villages are receiving potable water for the first time. Very soon we will complete a new regional sub-office of GWI which will serve the entire region. “And in 2022, we intend to construct a mega water treatment plant in this region which will service over 5,000 households from Number Seven Village to Onverwagt,” Minister Croal added. He continued: “Those of you, who will receive your titles of certificate or transport, thank you for your patience and congratulations on this achievement. The Ministry of Housing and Water is committed to fulfilling President [Dr. Irfaan] Ali’s promise of 50,000 house lots by 2025, and we are on target to fulfilling that promise. “In this regard, I am pleased to report that as the year comes to a close we will achieve our target of 10,000 allocations.” NOT AN EASY YEAR Describing the first year in government as not being easy, Minister Croal said operating in a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than a thousand citizens is something that must

be taken very seriously. “I want to urge you to get vaccinated. Take the vaccine folks; protect yourself and your loved ones,” he noted. Further, he said that the weather was also a challenge in Guyana, as many farmers lost their farms and livestock to flooding as a result of heavy rains. “Thankfully, this PPP/C government has provided cash grants to help you get back on your feet as well as school uniform assistance and COVID-19 cash grants, among other similar interventions by our sister ministries, all of which are intended to help you and your community recover,” he reflected. Minister Croal said that as persons begin the process of constructing their homes, they will face rising costs because of supply chain challenges facing the local business sector. “Our government has already signalled its intention to help you through this too. You will recall that in our first budget, we removed VAT from building and construction materials, increased the mortgage ceiling from 12 to 15 million dollars, and made it easier for you to access credit by encouraging more banks to offer low-interest mortgages. “I want to thank the banks that are here today, and encourage you to meet with them so that they can help you find the best financial solutions for the con-

through third parties. “Please note that payments for house lots can only be made at CHPA’s main office in Georgetown or its regional offices. There is absolutely no need to pay a third party for your house lot. If anyone approaches you with an offer, please contact the Heads of CHPA or the Ministry of Housing and Water,” he said. House lot recipient, Mohammed Hussein, thanked the Housing Ministry and noted that he had applied since 2008. “When I received the call from the Ministry it was true jubilation to have that feeling of ownership

House lot recipient Lennox Crandon within Region Five,” he said. UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE As work progresses, Minister Croal advised persons to be wary of unscrupulous people who continue to take advantage of unsuspecting citizens, many of whom are poor and vulnerable, by duping them into paying for house lots

House lot recipient Sasenarine Jalim and a great feeling knowing that I can give my family shelter. I am just waiting for the moment to put down my foundation with eagerness and it is no better time to receive it at Christmas,” Hussein said.

Another recipient, Sasenarine Jalim, said: “After eight years, I feel so happy to be here to uplift my house lot. Now I feel more like a family man and soon I get through with everything I will start the building because right now I am at my aunt’s place. “I am so happy I don’t even know how to explain what I feel right now. I want to thank the government and minister who made this possible,” Jalim said. House lot recipient, Lennox Crandon, also said: “I have been waiting for approximately nine years. I feel overwhelmed, I know that I will make the best of it to provide for my family and make them comfortable.” A mother of six, Zaheeda Dawood, who also received her house lot, related: “I have been waiting since 2012 and today I received my house lot. I am renting and my husband is doing domestic work at the Blairmont Estate. I will now build a home for my family.” Also at the event were Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues; Member of Parliament, Faizal Jafarally; Regional Chairman of Region Five, Vickchand Ramphal and CEO of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves.

A section of the gathering at the ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive in Blairmont, Mahaica-Berbice

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

PM Phillips, others pledge to fight against --as Human Services and Social Security domestic violence Ministry launches advocate network

Signatories of the ‘I CAN’ pledge examining their new responsibilities PRIME Minister, Briga- officials and members of ety, who pledged to play a led the charge in signing dier (Ret’d) Mark Phil- the Diplomatic Corps, as greater role in ending do- a pledge to always stand lips, was among several well as the religious leaders mestic violence in Guyana. up and speak out against high-ranking government and members of civil sociPrime Minister Phillips domestic violence, thereby

signalling their support for the Community Activism Network (CAN) initiative which was launched by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in the compound of the Parliament building, on Wednesday. “Violence against women and girls has no place in the 21st century and no place in a developing Guyana. I take this opportunity to add my voice against violence against women and girls in our society,” the Prime Minister said. This initiative, seen as Guyana’s newest measure in the fight against domestic violence, was launched in celebration of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ to eliminate violence against women and girls. Opened for members of the public to join, CAN will see residents on the ground within communities across the country signing up to work alongside welfare and probation officers in helping to identify and deal with domestic violence situations as they arise within communities. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who spearheaded this initiative, hailed the signing of the pledge and the launch of “CAN” as a historic moment in the country’s fight against domestic violence. “Today is a very symbolic day indeed, a historic day. It’s a day when we harness the energy, passion, commitment, voices and hands of all of you who will sign onto this important initiative called CAN. When we say CAN it solidifies our dedication and commitment to a cause that existed before all of us,” Minister, Dr. Vindhya noted, as she delivered remarks at the event. The pledge calls for persons to commit to listening to persons experiencing domestic violence, to break the violence, to educate and share resources, take informed action and support victims of domestic violence.

“This is a social issue that cannot be ignored anymore in any way. It’s not a pledge to sign on to, it’s an action-oriented pledge where we work on prevention, intervention and have the kind of infrastructure that exists that extends beyond the formal infrastructure in our country,” Dr. Persaud said. In Guyana, according to United Nations (UN) statistics, one in every two women between the ages of 16 and 64 years have experienced such violence at least once in their lifetime, accounting for some 55 per cent of all Guyanese women. “The world still remains a dark and dangerous place for our girls. We need to ensure families offer protective structures,” Dr. Persaud said. She also highlighted the need for everyone to get involved in the fight against rooting out domestic violence incidents, and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions. “We need to not be blind, not be dismissive, we need to hear the repeated cries for help, look beyond the physical and understand emotional scars. We need to hold people accountable. That is why this network is so important,” Dr. Persaud related. Among those signing the pledge included US Ambassador, Sarah AnnLynch; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Canadian High Commissioner, Mark Berman; European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Fernando Ponz Cantó and a representative from the United Nations. Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, were also present at the event to take the important pledges. Members of the public are also encouraged to go online and sign the “I CAN” pledge to join the fight against domestic violence.

‘Open skies’ agreement paves way for Guyana-Colombia flights 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

--nation also in talks with Nigeria for direct air link

IN keeping with the gove r n m e n t ’s a g e n d a t o connect Guyana with the rest of the world, an “open skies” air services agreement was signed on Wednesday with the Republic of Colombia, to promote and facilitate airlines operating between the two countries and beyond. According to a statement issued by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the agreement was signed in Bogota, Colombia by Jair Orlando Fajardo, the Director of Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority, and Juan Edghill, Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, during the thirteenth ICAO Air Services Negotiation (ICAN2021) event being held from December 6 – 10, 2021. “In this Agreement, we have agreed to remove all restrictions on market access, capacity, frequencies,

Aviation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Sirika Hadi. It was explained that once signed, the agreement will promote and facilitate airlines of both countries to operate and connect the two continents, thereby leading to greater socio-economic benefits to the peoples and economies of Guyana and Nigeria. The two officials also discussed several other matters of joint interest including tourism, infrastructural development and strengthening bilateral relations. “With infrastructural developmental works in aviation, Guyana is working towards becoming the hub that connects Africa to the rest of the Caribbean and South America,” the GCAA said. Guyana is a signatory to over 50 air services agreements with other ICAO states for the development of air-link among nations.

Guyana’s delegation to ICAN2021 included Minister Edghill; Director-General of the GCAA, Lt. Col (ret’d) Egbert Field, and Aisha Semple, Foreign Service Officer III at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and pricing to create for a give route rights to our reThe GCAA said, too, According to the more open market and to spective airlines,” Minister that while there are current- GCAA, there were disEdghill related. ly no direct flights between cussions between Minister The agreement also Guyana and Colombia, Edghill and the Minister of encompasses standard ar- the recently signed agreeticles of grant of rights; ment puts in place the legal designation and revocation; framework that opens maruser charges; recognition ket access for airlines to opof certificates and licences; erate and enhance compettariffs; commercial oppor- itive air transport services, tunities; fair competition, trade, and economic growth inter alia. between the two countries. “Consistent with gov“The signing of this ernment’s model of open Agreement is complemenskies agreements, the agree- tary to the bilateral engagement facilitates acceptance ment held on the side-lines of the principal place of of the 76th Session of the business as a means of United Nations General designating an airline in Assembly in New York, contrast to the traditional between Guyanese Head restrictive requirement of of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill inks substantial ownership and his Colombian counterpart, the notable agreement with Jair Orlando effective control by nation- Iván Duque Márquez,” the Fajardo, Director of the Colombia Civil als of either country,” the GCAA said. Aviation Authority statement outlined. During discussions, This means that airlines the two world leaders had could benefit from foreign agreed to strengthen bilatshare capital and invest- eral relations and techniment, once they establish cal co-operation between their main economic and Guyana and Colombia. The operating base in either two countries established Colombia or Guyana. diplomatic relations on DeThe principal place of cember 18, 1970. business condition for airMeanwhile, representaline designation is now a tives of Guyana and Nigeria common inclusion in air have also agreed to expedite services agreements and their internal procedures creates a very advantageous to facilitate the signing of Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Juan position for small states an air services agreement Edghill (right) and the Minister of Aviation with limited capital or fi- which was negotiated since in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator nancial resources. 2014. Sirika Hadi

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

A More Equitable Society PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has committed himself and that of his administration to the creation of a more equitable and just society. This is consistent with the political and philosophical outlook of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which, since its formation, has pledged to create a society in which the wealth of the country would be distributed in a fair and equitable manner. That philosophical outlook has informed all the policies and programmes of the PPP ever since it won political power in 1953. However, that victory was shortlived mainly because of the working class orientation of the PPP, which at the time, did not go down well with the western powers. Consequenly, the Constitution was suspended by the British Government a mere six months later.

Those were the days of intense political rivalry between the United States and the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Both of the two world powers were battling for ‘spheres of influence’ and the PPP, with its leftist polices, was seen as a threat to strategic interests of the United States in the region. The PPP, like several other countries that embraced leftist policies, were forcibly removed from office by western vested interests. Guyana became one of the early victims of the Cold War which was raging at the time. The PPP, despite some initial setbacks, never departed from its working class orientation. When it was returned to office in 1957, it began a major overhaul of existing colonial policies to reflect a more balanced growth and development trajectory with emphasis on agricultural diversification, job creation, housing,

supply of potable water, education, health and a host of other policy interventions to enhance the working and living conditions of the Guyanese people. Those were the days when development financing was hard to access, mainly out of ideological considerations, but the PPP still managed to lift the quality of life of the Guyanese people, especially the working people. The international environment has changed markedly since the days of the Cold War and Guyana is once again moving along the path of sustainable development and economic and social progress. The country is still to fully recover from the aftermath of 28 years of PNC authoritarian rule characterised by economic and social decline and a rupture of the democratic fabric of the society. Thanks to committed and visionary leadership by the PPP/C after it was

returned to power on October 5, 1992, the country has changed course and Guyana is now regarded as an important member of the international community. Its low-carbon development model has gained the attention and respect of the international community and the country is now ranked among the best in the hemisphere in terms of forest conservation and as a net carbon sink. In his keynote address to the Harvard Business School on the macroeconomics of competitiveness, President Ali outlined a menu of measures to reduce economic disparities in the country and to create a new development paradigm in which all Guyanese would benefit from the impending prosperity, fuelled by the emerging oil and gas sectors. According to the President “an essential and indispensable element of my government’s agenda is

the building of a more equitable society. One in which every Guyanese person irrespective of the region in which they live, irrespective of their ethnic or religious background, would have an equal opportunity and stake in the development of our country.” These are indeed lofty ideals that connect with the whole of Guyana. Already there are positive and encouraging measures taken by the government to give effect to those commitments especially in the sphere of human development. This is manifested in the government’s robust housing policy; its delivery of quality education at all levels of the education system; better and enhanced delivery of healthcare, especially at the primary level, job creation and measures to protect the poor and vulnerable by way of strengthening our safety nets. As noted by Pres-

ident Ali, only recently Guyana was recognised by the World Bank as having one of the broadest cash support systems for vulnerable and atrisk people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guyana is in safe hands under the leadership of President Ali and his PPP/C administration which, over the decades, have a proven track record of pursuing pro-poor policies while at the same time creating a framework for wealth creation. In the final analysis, it is the extent to which we can grow the economy and create wealth that will be a critical variable in the overall improvement in the quality of life of the Guyanese people. The foundation of accelerated and sustained growth is now in the process of being firmly laid and the country is now on the point of economic takeoff to higher levels of prosperity for all.

Disappointed in Shuman Dear Editor, I cannot believe that according to Deputy Speaker, Lenox Shuman, the “PPP has no respect for Amerindians”. So I will seek to prove the opposite, and hopefully ‘jog the memory’ of this leader and politician who is very influential and, therefore, must be mindful of his utterances. I go back to February 2021 when Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for

Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, informed the nation that “The long-delayed Amerindian Land Titling project will be expedited through the budgetary allocation of $630 million.” He detailed at that time, that “We spent the last few months of 2020, preparing the groundwork for re-energising the Amerindian Land Titling programme to achieve its aim of providing titles to 68 villages.” Now, I am hoping this suf-

fices to show that there is no ‘disrespecting of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples by the PPP government. But it gets even more convincing that Shuman’s accusations are unfounded. I remind all that the Amerindian Land Titling Project, which is about securing lands and natural resources for Amerindians, actually began under the previous PPP/C administration and was funded by a $2.2 billion (US$11M) United Nations

Development Programme grant. However, this project was insensitively terminated in 2016, just a mere one year into the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Administration, leaving several communities without their titles. So, as expected, my question rings loud as regards Lenox Shuman and his fulminations that the PPP/C Administration has no respect for Indigenous peoples.

Shuman recently had to remove his Facebook post that accused the PPP/C of promising a 50 per cent salary increase to public servants, when this was never so, and he has not yet apologised. Now he adds to his unsavoury rhetoric even further.

He surmises that “In the supposedly re-invented PPP post- 2020 elections, it was my sincere belief that the PPP was a transformed or-

ganisation and that they were open to dialogue on issues surrounding Indigenous peoples. I can say with absolute conviction, nothing is further from the truth.” Wow! I ask that Shuman check up on recent history and do the comparison with the recent APNU+AFC era. It is clear that under the PPP/C Guyana’s first people are always treated better. Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

West Demerara Secondary School now offering CAPE

Head teacher, Harrinarine delivering remarks at the launch of the CAPE programme THE Caribbean AdFurther, the Education vanced Proficiency Ex- Minister spoke about the amination (CAPE) pro- education sector relative gramme will now be of- to Region Three. She said fered at the West Dem- that the region currently erara Secondary School in has 14 secondary schools, Region Three (Essequibo but noted that there is still Islands-West Demerara), a need for one more. following a ceremonial According to Minislaunch by the Ministry of ter Manickchand, though Education, on Wednes- the region has managed to day. close many of the Primary Speaking during the Tops, there is still one Prilaunch of the Caribbean Ex- mary Top -- Saraswat Priamination Council (CXC)’s mary School -- with over programme, Education 300 students. Minister, Priya ManickOver the next four chand, said that it was im- years, the Ministry will be portant for this programme working to achieve Univerto be taken closer to stu- sal Secondary Education. dents in the region who are This would mean that studesirous of pursuing the dents will no longer have to programme. be placed in Primary Tops, She said that previously, but all secondary-aged chilthe only alternative to pur- dren will have access to a sue CAPE was for students secondary school wherever to travel the long distance they are located. to attend one of the schools She said that the region in Georgetown currently also needs a primary school offering CAPE. This, she in Tuschen and Parfaite said, had put a lot of strain Harmonie. She added that on some families as it re- the need for those schools is lates to transportation and to accommodate the growother associated costs. ing population within the Already, some 12 stu- two communities. dents are registered to purShe said, too, that a sue CAPE at the West Dem- centre for the Cyril Potter erara Secondary School. College of Education will Minister Manickchand soon be completed in the told the students that they region and will accommohave made a bold step. date 120 students, thereby But she said that support making teacher-training from the government and more accessible. This, she the Ministry of Education said, is being done while will not end there, as schol- two teachers’ quarters are arships will be available being built at Leguan and through the government’s Wakenaam. 20,000 Scholarships ProThe Education Minister gramme. added that the Leonora She urged the students Secondary School dorm is to perform with excellence also nearing completion. and vindicate the decision She said that the facility to have CAPE offered at will house 65 students and the school. She said that the will cater to those students ministry will be following who live along the Demtheir progress and will offer erara and Essequibo Rivers support where necessary. who can attend school in

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand entering the new CAPE wing at the school following the ribbon-cutting exercise (Ministry of Education photos)

the region. Meanwhile, the headteacher of the West Demerara Secondary School, Harrinarine, said that his school is elated that the CAPE programme will be offered there. He said that this has been in the school’s improvement plan for quite some time and is finally being realised. He said that initially, the school will offer an Associate Degree in Arts and an Associate Degree in Business. He reported that the initial 10 subjects that will be offered are Biology, Chemistry, Pure Mathematics, Integrated Mathematics, Management of Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Communication Studies, Literatures in English and Environmental Studies. Harrinarine said that the school has teachers for all of the subjects and with the assistance the Education Ministry will be offering, the capacity will be there to offer additional subjects in the future. He added that his school has been consistent with its performance at the level of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), achieving a 93 per cent matriculation rate in 2020, with 18 students passing with eight grade ones or more for the first time in the school’s history. He said that the school was established in 1965 and will continue to strive to produce well-rounded students. (Ministry of Education)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

The Political Economy, and Economic & Finance Issues

A Contextual Analysis of the Public Sector Wage Increase Growth/Expansionary Philosophies of the Tax Base: Vertical Versus Horizontal Growth SINCE Independence, Guyana has only had two governments. Both governments have fundamentally different political ideologies and economic philosophies altogether. The economic philosophy of the Administration of the day, essentially serves as the guiding principle of the economic policies that it implements. To this end, the economic philosophy of the current Administration is quite clear wherein the regime pride itself as a business-friendly government, while the other (previous) regime, is the opposite. This is where the author describes these two different philosophies in terms of the growth/expansion of the tax base (current revenue), as one being the vertical approach and the other, the horizontal approach. In the vertical approach, which is the non-business friendly policies (increased level of taxation, increasing the tax burden not only for the business sector but also the household), is economically detrimental in the long term, while the horizontal approach (more business-friendly policies, less tax burden) is the economically sustainable option to grow the organic tax/revenue base of the government. These assertions are evi-

denced by Guyana’s own political and economic history where, in the pre-1992 era, under the previous regime (vertical approach) Guyana moved from one of the most thriving economies in the region to a bankrupt State. This was followed by the implementation of the IMF’s economic reform programme, the birth of the private sector in 1992, and with significant debt forgiveness / debt writeoffs brokered under the current Vice President during his tenure as Finance Minister and President, in the early and mid-90s, have significantly contributed to where Guyana is today, economically. Guyana graduated from a less than US$200 million economy from the early 90s era and a per capita income of less than US$200–to GDP of US$4 billion by the end of 2019 (preoil production), representing 1900% GDP growth and over 2000% growth in per capita income in just over two decades (the horizontal growth approach). The above discussion points to historic evidence to support the argument put forward by the author on the vertical growth method versus the horizontal approach. Further, let’s examine some other empirical evidence, drawing from data in the banking sector for the period 2007–2020, the past thirteen years. The author is contending that in the previous regime’s economic philoso-

phy, described as the vertical approach in which the tax burden on companies and households are heavily increased, eventually another 10 – 15 years of this continued approach would have eventually resulted in the detriment of the private sector or all enterprises operating within the productive sectors of the economy. The State, in turn, would not be able to collect sufficient taxes to service its national debt, pay wages, cover other recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure on developmental projects. To test this theory further, an examination of the private sector deposits in the banking sector was conducted and the empirical evidence are as follows:

banking sector over a period of time. The reason for selecting this ratio is because, normally, companies pay corporation taxes in quarterly installments, PAYE is also remitted to the tax authorities on a monthly basis and the other taxes incurred on transactions such as customs duty etc., are paid within the fiscal year. As such, it is safe to use the deposits held in the banking sector which would be reflective of cash in the bank after most of the companies’ tax liabilities have been paid over to the tax authorities for the fiscal year. The story that the private sector deposits to current revenue ratio tells is essentially how much cash/profit companies have left after pay-

Source: Author’s calculation / data extracted from BoG Reports. The author performed an analysis of the private sector deposit to current revenue ratio and the growth rate of private sector deposits in the

ing their tax liabilities. From looking at this ratio for the period 2007-2014, the ratio averages 1.72 or 172% while for the period 2015 -2019, the ratio averaged 1.42 or 142%, 30 percentage points lower. Notably, however, in 2020, with the immediate fiscal measures implemented in budget 2020, this ratio went up back to 1.6 or 160%. A simple way to interpret the findings of this ratio is: for the period 2007-2017 where the ratio averaged 1.72, it means that on every dollar of taxes paid by the private sector, private sector firms had 1.72 or close to $2 remaining. So, for the period 2014-2019, the lowest ratio of 137% means that on every dollar of taxes paid by firms, they had $1.3 remaining, less than the $2 dollar in the period that experienced horizontal growth versus vertical growth. Additionally, looking at the growth rate of private sector deposits in the banking system, it tells virtually the same story. From looking at the graph, private sector deposit growth rate for the period 2007-2014 (horizon-

tal growth) averages 14% while in the period 2015-2019 (vertical growth) averaged a low of 3%. As such, this is another piece of empirical evidence that validates the argument that vertical growth is detrimental in the long term – and can potentially lead to bankruptcy of the State, while horizontal is more broad-based, sustainable, and viable in the long term– and can result ultimately in greater prosperity of the country, for its people, private enterprises, and the overall economy. Interestingly, just for comparison, the author conducted similar analysis for the same period for Trinidad & Tobago, and it was found that in Trinidad, every dollar of taxes paid by firms, companies had $4 dollars remaining. That means Trinidad & Tobago private sector deposit to current revenue ratio averaged around 400%. Put differently, it can be said that the average Trinidadian company is four times richer than the average Guyanese company. Hence, the higher this ratio, lesser the tax burden on firms, thus firms having more capital at their disposal for expansion of their existing operations and new investments. In the process of doing so, more employment is created by the private sector, firms declare more profits and in turn pay more taxes generally (PAYE, corporate income taxes, VAT & Excise etc.). Source: Bank of Guyana

would quickly dismantle such an argument because if one were to look at the balance of payment account for the period 2007-2020 there has been no substantial capital outflows by the private sector. In fact, the net capital flow position of the private sector exclusive of FDIs is a net inflow position. Which means, the local private sector, during this period would have obtained financing from external sources – that is outside of the local capital market. Another counter argument that the former finance minister could contend, which he usually boasts of, is the fact that during his tenure as finance minister in the period 20152020, the previous regime reduced the corporate tax from 30% to 27.5% or by 2.5 percentage points. Yet, during the same period, the previous regime added 14% VAT on water and electricity (two items that never attracted VAT previously). Effectively, these two items would amount to 28% additional tax burden on the operating cost for companies despite the reduction by 2.5 percentage points in corporate tax. For example, a manufacturing company like Banks DIH with an electricity cost of about $4 billion would have incurred an additional $560 million in operating cost. The same would be the outcome for the water rates of

Reports The counter argument that opponents may want to put forward is that this selected ratio is perhaps not 100% accurate because there is a notion that private sector deposits in the bank is not reflective of their deposits in offshore banks or out of the jurisdiction. However, the evidence

that company, hence, the 2.5 percentage points reduction by the previous regime was counter productive and in fact resulted in companies having to incur billions more in operating cost thus inhibiting their competitiveness and deterring future investments. To be continued

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

$226M sea defence works at Uitvlugt completed

AS Guyana prepares for yet another rainy season, construction of rip-rap sea defences at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, has been completed, according to a post made on the official Facebook page of President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Uitvlugt project, which costs $226 million, covers 300 metres of sea defences, and forms part of a comprehensive set of sea defence works being undertaken in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). Those works, totalling $620 million altogether, also stretches across the communities of Anna Catherina and Zeelugt, covering a total of 800 metres of shoreline across the West Coast of Demerara. The contracts for works at Uitvlugt and Anna Catherina, which surpassed $459 million, were awarded to Puran Brothers Disposal Incorporated, while the $159,899,600 contract for work at Zeelugt was awarded to Platinum Investments Incorporated. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, had previously said that the government recognises the discomfort and dangers that inadequate sea defences could bring to a community. It was only in May of this year that the rainy season wreaked havoc across the country, forcing President Dr. Irfaan Ali to declare a National Level Two Disaster due to flooding. The floodwaters, which surpassed 15 feet in some areas, devastated in excess of 52,000 households across 300 communities, whilst destroying thousands of hectares of farmlands. It was reported that, in the community of Zeelugt, more than 4,000 residents, who were involved in subsistence farming, suffered significant losses to their produce and livestock during the May floods. The impact of the disaster prompted the government to set aside some $5.1 billion to respond to challenges facing the country’s sea defences. Minister Indar had said that it was important for the

A section of the completed rip-rap works at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (taken from the official Facebook page of President Dr. Irfaan Ali) government to ensure that breaches to those critical structures were remedied with urgency, especially since the cost to fix those breaches increased exponentially once the damages are left unattended. “The entire sea defence on the shoreline is vulnerable, and there are spots that keep opening up as the high tides come in. So, you have to make sure you remedy it quick. A breach starts small but it will continue to open and open. And the longer you take to respond to that breach, the more expensive that repair will be… so that is why you have rapid response when you have breach to any shoreline,” Minister Indar related. During an earlier visit to the construction site at Anna Catherina, the minister said that rip-raps are a very expensive but necessary solution for strengthening the country’s sea defences. Rip-raps describe a range of rocky material being placed along shorelines, or at the foundation of bridges, steep slopes, and other shoreline structures to protect from scour and erosion. He said that when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government assumed office in August 2020, the entire sea defence on the coast was vulnerable due to frequent high tides that continuously ‘bash’ the

existing defences. As a result of such challenges, the Dr. Ali-led government has set out to craft a comprehensive maintenance plan for the country’s sea defences. “If something starts small and you allow it to open and open and open, the

longer you take to respond to that breach is the more expensive the solution will be. That is why you got to make sure you have rapid response when you have breach to any shoreline and that is something we are cognisant of…that is why we continue to monitor it

as we go along,” Indar said. As it is, Guyana’s riprap sea defence is being established for a minimum performance period of 30 years, according to the government’s Department of Public Information. “It’s an expensive venture and an elaborate rip-

rap,” minister Indar emphasised. Since the commencement of the West Coast Demerara projects, Indar and his team from the Ministry of Public Works have been constantly visiting the construction site to ensure that contractors are operating in accordance with their contractual agreements, especially given the many previous instances where contractors were being paid under the previous government for a host of incomplete and/or substandard works. “…when taxpayers are spending their money, as representatives in government, we have to make sure that when we spend money, we see the reality of that spending on the ground,” Indar said. The maintenance and protection of Guyana’s sea defences are most critical, given the fact that some 90 per cent of the country’s population reside along the coastland, an area that is below sea level, and highly susceptible to flooding.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

Local experts: Holistic development key to reducing youth involvement in crime who benefit from great sports programmes for example, but never get very far because of unresolved behavioural challenges,” he added. Campbell noted that there is the issue of inadequate, if not non-existent parenting, as many parents come from backgrounds where trauma and family dysfunction are normal.

By Rabindra Rooplall YOUTH crime and juvenile delinquency are part of a multifaceted issue often incubated in dysfunctional households and communities. This is according to the Co-ordinator of the Guyana Help and Shelter, Colin Marks, who recently spoke to the Guyana Chronicle about criminality among juveniles and youths. According to statistics from the Guyana Police Force, 1,322 juveniles were charged and placed before the courts between 2011 and 2020. Juvenile delinquency is the act of committing a crime at a very young age, particularly a teenager under the age of eighteen. The Help and Shelter official explained that youths and teenagers who are unsupervised and unengaged for a prolonged period eventually fall prey to delinquency. “There are not enough engagements that pander to their interests and their exuberance especially in their teenage years where youths are now discovering themselves. We have to find ways to keep our youths engaged in things that they are interested in and mandate recreational and educational activities,” Marks emphasised. Additionally, Marks said some youths also look at crime as an enterprise as they see it as an avenue to earn wealth instead of choosing a career or path that will develop and enhance society in a legal and positive manner. “Youths need things that will spark their interests, they need nutrition as they will be less angry and combative when their stomachs are filled,” he said. He explained that when many children are acting out of the ordinary in school, their community, household and parenting may be responsible.

Co-ordinator of the Guyana Help and Shelter, Colin Marks Communities with serious issues of unemployment, he said, also have major issues of truancy, delinquency, and criminality while police are also outnumbered in their mandate to maintain law and order. “I don’t think COVID-19 has done anything good for us, because it has made all communities even more unsafe and, in some cases, dysfunctional,” he added. Meanwhile, University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer and Psychologist, Wil Campbell, noted that the sad reality is that the average age of perpetrators of street-level crime globally is 14-25. Campbell explained that the majority of persons in this age range live in urban or otherwise highly populated areas where opportunities and even support systems (gangs) for criminal behaviour can be found. He also noted that these young people often live in poverty and they perceive crime as a way to solve their problems. HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Further, he explained to this publication that many programmes do not address the holistic development of the target population so psychoemotional needs are left unaddressed. “That’s why we have so many talented youths,

UG Lecturer and Psychologist, Wil Campbell Such parents, he explained, often have nothing better to offer their own children so the cycle is repeated. Some parents, he noted, are so engrossed in providing for their children’s material needs that no time or energy is left to form meaningful and very necessary parent-child relationships. He expounded: “We are often so consumed with a product that we neglect process and we pass this value on to our children. By this I mean we want our children to have things but we never teach them that there is a process of necessary effort involved in achieving and acquiring. Such children become frustrated when the real world does not offer success on a platter the way they think it should. So what do they do? They go out and hustle and hustle by definition involves minimum investment of time and effort and instant maximum returns.” Further, Campbell

said the youth/crime correlation arises out of a very complex mixture of causative factors, and as such, the solutions cannot be simple. Noting that any approach to tackling this issue must be both holistic and multifaceted, he said it must take into consideration the social environment at micro and macro levels. Therefore, he added that issues like poverty, lack of education, and deficiencies in social services must be properly addressed. “Support for families must be addressed. Special facilities and programmes that compensate for shortfalls in the home environment must

Sociologist and Pastor, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth be provided. Programmes geared at behavioural reform and rehabilitation are needed. National pride and a sense of personal and social responsibility must be inculcated,” the psychologist said. This, he said, will help move families and communities from existing in a perpetual survival mode to a more purpose-driven state of being. All of this, he explained must be designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team of experts collaborating to provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of target populations and communities. “A disjointed, inadequately resourced and

inexpertly executed effort will not succeed,” he highlighted. FAMILY IS CRITICAL Sociologist and Pastor, Patricia SheerattanBisnauth, said a family is the first crucial group in the life of the child as it nurtures a child’s social and personal growth. Underscoring that within the family lies tremendous forces for producing or presenting antisocial behaviour, Sheerattan-Bisnauth explained that this is because it has exclusive contact with the child during the period of dependency. She explained that when a family is rejecting or neglectful the child learns distrust, hostility, or hatred of people. Many times in broken homes such emotions are caused by death, desertion, or divorce/separation of parents, the negative impact is felt on the children who tend to find it difficult to conform to social rules. Sheerattan-Bisnauth, who is also the Regional Head of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation Ltd (CFPA) which covers 12 islands in the Caribbean, noted that many studies have pointed to the high incidence of structural breaks in the family backgrounds of delinquent youths. In disharmonious families, she said children are often pushed from home because of disturbances. They seek outside contacts for resolving feelings of insecurity and frustration. As such, she explained that the child becomes aware of the basic values of their society and adopts those characteristics. Each family training, it was noted, influences strongly the implantation of these values. The child must learn which action is permitted or prohibited. Further, the sociologist noted that poverty in the family is also a contributory factor to crime.

However, most of those who commit the offence was not driven by hunger, rather by envy and ambition that stimulate petty crimes in the same way that greed urges on adult criminals. She added that conditions of affluence are no sure guarantee against violations of the law by youths. Because of poverty and poor circumstances, she explained that the options for some children are severely limited. In families larger than the average with little living space and inadequate facilities, children are driven to seek their recreations on the streets. Emphasising that parents in poor and strenuous situations take little or no interest in their children, it was explained that when there is little money within the family to provide for the minimum basic necessities of food, clothing and education, it imposes extraordinary strains on the family. It was also noted that the proper nourishment of a child’s mind is very important and there is growing concern that the mass media have also become a source of unhealthy influence, particularly on children. “There needs to be a national strategy with all stakeholders; results are needed,” she said before adding, “We also need men to commit to spending time with at-risk young men to guide them in the positive aspects of manhood.” The sociologist recommended that a model similar to national service with new agenda, policies opportunities and directives to assist at-risk youths can be created to teach them life skills and how to be productive members of society. She said, too, that the social safety net offered must be focused since many youths fall through without being caught.

Above-normal rainfall anticipated --farmers advised up to early February to take precautions

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

THE Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Agriculture has predicted 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. “The above normal rainfall outlook this season is being driven by the strong likelihood of a La Nina (85 per cent confidence) phase continuing through the first quarter of 2022,” the forecast stated. The Hydrometeorological Service noted that as

the season progresses, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs and inland rivers in Regions One to Six (north), Seven and 10 are expected to reach maximum capacity. Flooding in Regions One to Five, Seven, 10, northern Six and Eight is also expected as a result of persistent rainfall during the forecast period, with, Regions Eight, Nine and 10 anticipated to

experience the least amounts of rainfall during this period. Against the backdrop of the unusual weather and flooding in the named regions, the Hydrometeorological Service has recommended drainage intervention where and when possible and has urged farmers to take all necessary precautions to secure their crops and livestock.

“The above-average rainfall is expected to recharge reservoirs, conservancies and aquifers, limiting local concerns of drought in northern Guyana. Water accumulation in poor drainage area is expected; this can lead to localised flooding, an upsurge in mosquito breeding and other moisture related pests,” the advisory noted.

Shade houses and appropriate containers were recommended for cultivation of vegetable crops, while mound agriculture is recommended for root crops to avoid root rot, and plantation crops such as plantains and bananas should be stabilised using poles where possible. Further, livestock farmers are advised to build berms to keep cattle away from flooded conditions and identify shrubs, rice straw where available, and other Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA)-recommended available greenery, to feed livestock if grass becomes scarce. “Food processing techniques such as pickling, drying of fruits, dicing, packaging and freezing of vegetables and fruits can be applied to extend shelf life and avoid wastage of farm produce,” the advisory noted.

The Hydrometeorological Service will provide updates to its seasonal forecast as new information becomes available, and recommended that special attention be paid to short-range forecasts provided to plan daily farm activities such as fertilisers and pesticides application. In addition, the extension staff of the various departments of the Ministry of Agriculture remains available to provide advice using social media, rural radio, and television (TV) programmes. For short-range forecasts and weather analyses, stakeholders are advised to follow the daily weather briefs, outlooks and advisories produced by the National Weather Watch Centre or visit www.hydromet.gov. gy. The forecast desk could also be reached at 261-2284 or 261-2216.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

Almost all grades slated to resume physical learning from January

- once Ministry of Health grants approval

Students of the West Demerara Secondary School (Ministry of Education photo)

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, has announced t h a t c o m e J a n u a r y, 2022, when the new school term begins, all Grades Eight, Nine, 10, 11 and 12 students will be expected to resume learning in a physical setting, once the Ministry of Health grants approval. Minister Manickchand made this announcement at the launch of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at the West Demerara Secondary School. The Education Minister said that as it is now, the rotation, shift and blended learning methods are not producing encouraging results and that a continuation of these practices will not properly prepare children for examinations and movement to the next level. She said: “The school doors will not be locked to students who are not vaccinated. But, we can no longer continue with the level of distancing that we have been doing. We can’t finish the curriculum and if we can’t finish the curriculum, we are failing

you. “It means you are going into that examination room without knowing what is on that paper or onto the next level without competing the current level.” According to Minister Manickchand, Guyana has vaccines for all the Guyanese aged 12 and over. And she urged that parents who have not yet consented for their children to be vaccinated, use the time between now and January to do so. Even with this advice, the Education Minister made it clear that students who are not vaccinated will not be locked out of schools. She said that students will continue to be sanitised, and soap and washbasins will be provided along with masks to ensure the safety of students. Minister Manickchand said that if a child chooses not to attend physical classes, the ministry will make all its resources available online and that parents will have to take the responsibility to ensure that material is used wisely. As it relates to the

Grade Seven students, Minister Manickchand said that they will not be allowed back into school as yet because many of them are not yet 12 years old (the minimum age to receive the Pfizer vaccine). But she said that when that cohort is of age, they will be expected back in the classroom fully. She added that the same measure will be applied to the five to 11-year-old pupils when the vaccine is available for them. Minister Manickchand said that Guyana is fortunate to have a variety of vaccines that are available for free to adults and adolescents. She said that although vaccination is not mandatory and that the government will respect the choices of those who refuse to be vaccinated, the country and its education system can no longer wait on the people who cannot decide on taking the vaccine. The minister said that the mandate of the government and the Ministry of Education is to do what is in the best interest of the nation’s children.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

Man freed of Agricola 2008 murder

FREED : Sylvester Vanderhyden S Y LV E S T E R Va n d e rhyden, who was on trial for the 2008 murder of Melissa Payne, was, on Wednesday, acquitted of the crime by a jury.

Vanderhyden, of Block ‘A’ Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence which

read that, on November 5, 2008, at Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Payne during the course or furtherance of a robbery. After deliberating for almost two hours, the 12-member jury found Vanderhyden not guilty. He was represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas, while prosecutor Lisa Cave presented the State’s case. According to reports, on the day in question, at about 08:30 hours, Payne, along with her reputed husband, Devon Thomas, were in a canter truck heading to Georgetown to conduct business. As the couple approached Agricola, the truck encountered mechanical problems. Fraser came out and tried to fix the truck, while Payne stood and watched him. A few moments later, one of the two bandits came

up to them with a gun and demanded their money. The armed man snatched Fraser’s gold chain and attempted to pull away Payne’s handbag. Payne resisted and was fatally shot in her chest. The men then escaped with some $110,000 in cash that was in the woman’s bag, along with her jewellery. In November 2017, Jermaine Savory, formerly of Second Street, Agricola, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a High Court judge after he was found guilty of killing Payne. Savory had confessed to investigators that he had participated in the robbery but was not the trigger man. In 2016, after being on the run from the police, Vanderhyden was finally arrested and charged for the offence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

Guyana Energy Chamber inks agreement with Ghana Petroleum Commission

THE Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), on Tuesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana to initiate co-operation in the area of oil and gas. “The objective of this MoU is to provide a framework for co-operation, between the agency and the association, to facilitate a collaboration that will lead to an exchange of information and sharing of resources between the agency and association within the oil and gas sector,” the MoU states. The signatories to the document were President of GOGEC, Maniram Prashad, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghanaian Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr. Ghana’s commission regulates and manages the use of petroleum resources in Ghana, and coordinates policies in the upstream petroleum sector, while GOGEC promotes trade, investment and knowledge transfers in Guyana’s energy sector.

This is just one of several agreements signed between Guyanese stakeholders and government officials of Guyana and Ghana, while the delegation, led by Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was in Guyana. Co-operation between the commission and GOGEC is also intended between the wider private sector representatives of Guyana and Ghana, who had met over the past few days. At the level of government, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, participated in the signing of several agreements among the two governments, on Tuesday. The three agreements signed were a Framework Agreement on co-operation between Guyana and Ghana; a MoU between the Ministry of Natural Resources of Guyana and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana on co-operation in the petroleum sector, and a MoU on mutual cooperation in investment promotion between the Guyana Office for Invest-

Education Ministry investigating incident at city school

THE Ministry of Education has issued a statement noting that it is investigating a number of incidents involving students of one of its “top secondary schools” in Georgetown, and has reminded that it is illegal to share any of the contents related to those incidents which are emanating from the school.

While not explicitly naming the incidents or school, the ministry said: “These occurrences are being investigated and treated with the utmost seriousness as it relates to the management of students’ care, well-being and supervision.” The Education Ministry added: “Given the sensitivity of these issues relative to the long-term implication it may have for young teenagers who wittingly or unwittingly were engaging in acts, the ministry wishes to re m i n d m e m b e r s o f the citizenry that it is against the law to share material or use a device in a way that may have disparaging effects for someone.”

ment (Go-Invest) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC). The four-day visit by the Ghanaian delegation ended on Tuesday. (DPI)

GOGEC President, Maniram Prashad (right), and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghanaian Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr. (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 9, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

Pakistan beat Bangladesh ...

FROM PAGE 23

himself turned their arm over from the other end. But it was Sajid who had the final say as Taijul found himself struck in front, with the review failing to provide the stunned hosts any respite. A sensational bowling performance by Sajid last night was topped up by three early wickets for Pakistan - eight in the innings for Sajid - to bowl Bangladesh out for 87. That meant, with a lead of 213, Pakistan could enforce the follow-on, and the visitors weren't done yet. Much as Pakistan have done almost all tour, they ripped through the top order, Afridi and Hasan Ali sending the top four back to the pavilion in under nine overs. Bangladesh began the day needing 25 to avoid the follow-on. But Sajid hadn't finished his first over before he had his first wicket of the day, trapping Taijul in front for the first time on the day. With Dhaka bright and sunny after a few grey days, Afridi was allowed to operate from the other end, and took just two deliveries to uproot Khaled's stumps, and forced him on strike after a mix-up with Shakib off the over's first ball. Shakib, for his part, tried to shield No. 11 Ebadot while

looking to be reasonably positive in a bid to cross the follow-on mark. The approach wasn't without its risks, and he ended up spooning one to Azhar Ali at short cover. With the home side now suddenly needing to bat a full day to salvage a draw, they required something conspicuously absent all series - a contribution from their top order. It wasn't to come, though. Debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy was done for by a trademark Hasan dismissal to right-hand batters, drawing Joy on the front foot before the ball shaped back in, sneaking through the gap between bat and pad to knock back the stumps. The other opener, Shadman Islam, was trapped in front by Afridi, who had set him up with away-swingers before bringing one in that clattered into his pads. Pakistan were prowling, and it wasn't long before more wickets fell. Each new ball bowler picked up one more, Hasan, thudding one into Mominul Haque's pads in front of the stumps, before a brute of a short delivery, saw Najmul Hossain Shanto helplessly scoop one up to gully off the splice of the bat. It brought together the two men who contributed Bangla-

Russell to... Match performance of 90 not out off just 32 balls (nine fours and seven sixes) that helped propel Deccan Gladiators to victory in the Abu Dhabi T10 final last Saturday night. He will call the injury-plagued Stars his home for the first time in the BBL, having represented the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades previously. The Jamaican played 19 games for Thunder across three seasons from 2014 to 2017, with his last BBL appearance coming in early January 2017 when he was stretchered off Spotless Stadium in a game against the Stars. The next month Russell was banned from the sport for a year for three doping whereabouts rule violations dating from 2015 and had not been back to the tournament before now. His BBL career to date has yielded 296 runs from 17 innings at an incredible strike rate of 166.29 and included 21 sixes. He has also taken 23 wickets with an economy rate 7.97.

FROM PAGE 24

Russell has scored 6 430 runs in 387 games across his career in T20 cricket – with a highest score of 121 not out – at an average of 26.24. The right-arm fast bowler has also taken 343 wickets at an average of 25.69.

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desh's finest passage of play with the bat all series. Mushfiqur and Liton had batted more than two sessions and added 206 runs for the fifth wicket in the first Test, and once more, they offered the most significant resistance to the Pakistan bowlers. Liton, in particular, did well to unsettle the spinners on a pitch that, with capable batters at the crease, appeared to cast its demons off. There was a moment of fortune for Liton against the luckless Nauman, Ali who drew his outside edge, only for no one to realise it and appeal for caught-behind. They saw off what was left off the new ball, and looked to score off Sajid when introduced, adamant not to repeat the mistakes of the first innings. They continued in much the same way post-lunch, stretching the partnership to 73 before Sajid - who else? - provided the breakthrough as Liton pulled

him straight to Fawad Alam at square leg. For once, though that wicket didn't open the floodgates, with Shakib partnering Mushfiqur for handy partnership, combining for 49. Mushfiqur battled on while Shakib opted for a more conventional, sedate approach compared to his high-risk strokeplay in the first innings. All of that was overshadowed, though, by a decision to come through for a highrisk single minutes before the tea break. Mushfiqur put in a dive, but his bat had popped up before grounded, and after lengthy deliberations, the third umpire sent him on his way. It set up that frenetic final session, and in a game where cloudy weather and grey skies dominated the narrative, it was against the Dhaka sunset that the most famous moments of the game were produced.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

Sharma replaces Kohli as ODI captain

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Rohit Sharma has been appointed India's ODI captain, ending Virat Kohli's five-year-long white-ball reign. The decision to displace Kohli was taken by the Indian selectors. In a media release yesterday, without detailing the reasons, BCCI only said the selectors had "decided" Rohit should take charge of the ODI and T20I teams "going forward". Rohit will also take over from Ajinkya Rahane as the Test vice-captain. In September, days before the T20 World Cup, Kohli announced he was stepping down as India's T20I captain after the marquee tournament. India eventually failed to make the knockouts, following losses to Pakistan and New Zealand in the group stage. In his statement, Kohli said he was stepping down to deal with his "immense workload". Kohli "felt" that decision would also allow him to be "fully ready" to lead India in Test and ODI cricket. Rohit was among several players who had sat out of the New Zealand Test series to manage workloads. Among those who were back in the Test squad alongside Rohit, were Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who missed out on the New Zealand Tests with an injury, was also back in an 18-strong squad. As reported earlier by ESPNcricinfo, none of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shubman Gill was considered for selection because of injuries. The ODI line-up will be named later.

Rohit Sharma is now India's full-time white-ball captain (PA Photos/Getty Images)

Hanuma Vihari, who had been sent to South Africa with the India A team and has so far gone past fifty in three out of four innings on tour, is also back, and could slot in straightaway into the middle order, especially with Jadeja absent. Pant's return means Wriddhiman Saha will go back to being the reserve wicketkeeper, after having done the job in the New Zealand Tests. Jayant Yadav, who impressed during his Test comeback

after four years, retained his place as the second frontline spinner behind R Ashwin. Also back in the mix was Shardul Thakur, with the squad having six fast-bowling options to go with the two main spinners. India's middle-order bears a familiar look with all of Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane retained from the line-up that played against New Zealand. With Vihari back in the squad, Suryakumar Yadav has been left out. Vihari is the only one to have been brought in from the 'A' squad currently on tour, although four of the players with India A will remain with the senior team as part of the reserve bowling contingent: fast bowlers Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar and Arzan Nagwaswalla, and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar. The selectors also kept faith in Saha as the second wicketkeeper, despite KS Bharat's strong showing in Kanpur, where he came on a substitute for the injured Saha and effected a number of sharp dismissals. Meanwhile, with both Rohit and Rahul back, Mayank Agarwal will move back to being the reserve opener, a slot that has seen a lot of competition of late, especially with all of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Priyank Panchal and Prithvi Shaw being among the runs on the 'A' tour. Agarwal finished the Mumbai Test with a Player-ofthe-Match performance, leading India's batting with 150 and 62 in a victory that helped them take the series.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh in last-day thriller (ESPNCRICINFO) - What might have been a routine win turned into a fifth evening thriller in Dhaka, with Pakistan sealing an innings win moments before bad light drew the curtain on the second Test match between these two sides. Fittingly, it was Sajid Khan who ended the day as he'd begun it - by trapping Taijul Islam in front. It was his 12th wicket of the game, and as Pakistan raged against the dying of the light, they found themselves rewarded with a Test match win, and 12 crucial World Test Championship points. Bangladesh looked as if they might just hold on, after all, in the final session when Shakib al Hasan - who scored a battling, valiant 63 - and Mehidy Hasan Miraz saw off the first hour of the final session

Sajid Khan is delighted after dismissing Liton Das with a long-hop (AFP/Getty Images)

without incident. But Babar Azam - don't readjust your reading glass-

es - provided Pakistan with a breakthrough out of thin air as he coaxed Mehidy into a sweep

that didn't connect, Pakistan succeeding with the review to have him trapped in front. Soon after, Shakib, who played two very different innings in the last 24 hours or so, paid for a possible lapse in concentration as he played inside the line of a quicker one from Sajid. There was still time enough in the game, and Pakistan had burrowed their way into the tail. The great heist was on, and even more when Khaled Ahmed feathered one to Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan were suddenly just one wicket away. At the same time, Bangladesh were creeping up to the

magical 213 mark, at which Pakistan would be forced to bat again. With light soon poor enough to rule the fast bowlers out of the contest, Bangladesh would likely have only needed nine more runs to effectively seal a draw. Taijul and Ebadot Hossain decided against that option, preferring to block their way through until light came to their rescue. A frantic Babar whizzed through his bowling options; while Sajid was a fixture from one end, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nauman Ali and even Babar TURN TO PAGE 22

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

Cummins bowls England out for 147 on day one (ESPNCRICINFO) – Past Ashes have been defined by the first ball of the series at the Gabba. Think Michael Slater clattering Phil DeFreitas for four in 1994-95 or Steve Harmison bowling the first ball to second slip in 2006-07. The 2021-22 Ashes series may well be defined by Rory Burns being bowled around his legs first ball from Mitchell Starc as England collapsed to be all out for 147 at tea on the opening day of the first Test, with Australia captain Pat Cummins claiming 5 for 38 after Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat. A thunderstorm then washed out the early part of the final session to pour salt into a gaping wound, as England were given no chance at redemption with the ball. A wet outfield and bad light combined to end the day's play. Root won't be lambasted for life for the decision at the toss in the manner that Len Hutton and Nasser Hussain have in Ashes Tests of the past at the Gabba. Cummins admitted he might have batted too despite a distinct green tinge to the surface and

some moisture both in the pitch and in the atmosphere. But he would have been regretting it after he joined Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Strauss as England captains to make first-innings ducks in Ashes Tests at the Gabba. Root fell victim to a superb piece of bowling from Josh Hazlewood, who now has a stranglehold on the England skipper having claimed him eight times in Test cricket. He also may regret leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the side for the first time in five years and the first time in an Ashes Test since 2006, as England's top order capitulated on a surface that gave the bowlers plenty of assistance. But some played their own part in the procession of wickets that fell in the first hour after slumping to 26 for 4. Burns lost all bearings of where his stumps were, stepping way outside off, to expose leg stump to Starc who did shape the ball back down the line after it looked to be veering down leg. But Burns will rue the day as his error could be replayed for decades to come. He also claimed two re-

Pat Cummins holds the ball aloft after claiming his first Ashes five-for (Getty Images)

grettable records, becoming the second man in history to fall first ball of an Ashes series while registering his sixth duck of the calendar year, the most of any Test opener. Hazlewood then went to work testing the defence of England's top order and they were found wanting. Dawid Malan nicked a ball he could have easily left alone on length, handing Alex Carey his first Test

catch, while Root wasn't allowed to breathe for eight unwavering deliveries before one straightened off the seam to catch his outside edge. Ben Stokes entered at 3 for 11 needing to produce another Ashes miracle. He was undone after the drinks break by Cummins from around the wicket, squared up by a ball that climbed from a length and Marnus Labuschagne held a very sharp chance diving to his left at third slip. Haseeb Hameed fought impressively in the face of

some outstanding fast bowling. Hameed and Ollie Pope steadied the ship momentarily prior to lunch to prevent any further loss. Hameed was obdurate in defence while Pope was busy, pushing balls into the off side with positive footwork and weight transfer to rotate the strike well. But neither could lay a glove on Hazlewood who bowled seven overs in the first session and conceded just three singles while collecting the scalps of Malan and Root. The lunch break did Hameed no favours as Cummins struck again. He went wide of the crease and angled into off stump forcing Hameed to play, a hint of seam movement away caught the edge and again it was well held at slip, this time by vice-captain Steven Smith. England's only moment of joy for the day came with the arrival of Jos Buttler. Having pledged pre-series to play fearless cricket he followed through on his promise and counter-attacked in typical fashion. While England could barely defend Hazlewood before lunch, Buttler took the long handle to him launching

him through and over the offside with control. Buttler and Pope's positivity changed the atmosphere briefly as Australia turned to Nathan Lyon for containment. The pair shared a 52-run stand and Pope passed 1 000 Test runs in the process becoming the sixth-youngest English player to do so. But Starc returned and dismissed Buttler with a superb delivery that threatened to shape in but left him off the seam to catch the outside edge. Cameron Green then claimed his first Test wicket to raucous celebrations after going wicket-ess all last summer. Pope failed to control a hook shot and Hazlewood ran in from fine leg to complete an outstanding diving catch. It was the first of two for him in the deep as he took another to help Cummins complete his five-wicket haul. Cummins returned to take the last three wickets of the innings as England lost their last five for just 32 runs. Cummins became the first Australian captain to take a five-wicket haul since Richie Benaud in 1962 and the first captain of either nation to do so since Bob Willis.

Russell to join BBL side Melbourne Stars

(CMC) – West Indies T20 superstar Andre Russell will join Melbourne Stars for the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), returning to the tournament for the first time in four years, the franchise announced on Tuesday. The 33-year-old all-rounder will join the Stars for a five-game stint, beginning with their first home game of the BBL when they host Sydney Thunder – for whom Russell previously played - at the MCG tomorrow. In the season-opener on Sunday, Stars suffered a competition-record 152-run defeat at the hands of Sydney Sixers, and Russell, who is ranked fifth in the T20 Player Index, said he hoped to be an asset to the squad as the 11th edition of the tournament continues. “The guys went down in the first game and I’m definitely here to give the guys a boost, and hopefully I can contribute and help them cross the line,” he said during Channel 7’s broadcast of day one of the Ashes Test at the Gabba. “Playing at the MCG, I always try to test my skills…. I’m just here to experience and to showcase my talent, so (I’m) happy to be part of the Big Bash once more. It’s been a couple of years so I’m looking forward to go.” Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey and general manager Blair Crouch said they were looking forward to see Russell entertain the crowd at the MCG.

Andre Russell

“To have someone of Andre’s quality play for the Melbourne Stars is a huge signing for our club,” Hussey said. “We want our Stars family to watch the best players in action at the MCG and Andre is world class. I can’t wait to work with him in the time that he’s here and look forward to his debut on Friday (tomorrow) night.” Russell is currently completing his mandatory 72-hour quarantine following his arrival in Sydney. The right-handed power-hitter is coming into the BBL on the heels of a Man-of-theTURN TO PAGE 22

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

SQ Apparel is official Bonner jumps 17 uniform supplier for places in Test batting Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic - MVP Sports puts up Steph Curry sneakers and cash for 3-point contest FORMALLY known as Squadra, the Florida-based SQ Apparel was announced as sponsors and official uniform suppliers for the 16-team Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic. The event which will be launched tomorrow, is set for February 19 – 20, 2022, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. SQ Apparel’s Director of Operations, Colin Baker, said they’re more than delighted to sponsor the custom uniforms for all 16 participating teams. The company said their custom apparel innovations are a combination of style, quality materials and craftsmanship and “the result is an innovative, bespoke product line that stands out above the brands who push blanket designs to the masses.” While they’re more known for their supplies in football for many clubs and national team, including the Golden Jaguars, the company said their custom apparel product line includes sports teams, school, fan gear, restaurant, all types of corporate uniforms, athleisure outerwear and our recent global expansion into the military, police, hospital uniform market. Event organiser, Rawle Toney, said with Baker being a Guyanese and also hailing from Linden, it made for easier negotiations as he thanked the company for showing interest in his event. Meanwhile, MVP Sports was also announced as a sponsor for the tournament,

and will show their love for basketball at tomorrow’s launch with the MVP Sports 3-point contest. Tomorrow, Linden, Ravens, Colts and Eagles basketball clubs will match-up in an exhibition tournament, while Kwakwani females and their Georgetown counterparts will feature in a best-in-three series. However, a cash prize and a pair of Steph Curry sneakers will be up for grabs when some of the best shooters in the game collide. Managing Director of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo, said: “It’s heartening for me personally to see our athletes get a chance to get back out after a very long time of little competition and little play time. So we’re very happy to be part of this tournament.” The company has also committed a cash prize to the FIBA-endorsed tournament, which is making a return after a two-year hiatus. For Guyana to boost their chances of contesting more FIBA 3X3 tournaments, and most importantly entering the main draw stage, there is a need for more FIBA-endorsed local 3X3 tournaments. The upcoming Classic will aid Guyanese and Caribbean players to get much-needed rating points. Exciting, urban, and innovative 3X3 is inspired by several forms of ‘streetball’, played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport.

rankings

Nkrumah Bonner

(CMC) - West Indies middle-order batter Nkrumah Bonner has jumped 17 places in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, after ending the recent Sri Lanka tour as the most successful batter for the Caribbean side. He is now 42nd in the rankings released by the ICC yesterday. Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite was the only other West Indies batter to make gains, moving into the top 40. He now stands at position 39, up 10 places in the rankings. This week’s update takes into consideration the performances from the Galle Test that Sri Lanka won by 164 runs to complete a 2-0 series victory and remain atop the ICC World Test Championship points table. Despite the whitewash, the 32-year-old

Bonner who made his Test debut for the West Indies in February this year emerged as the regional side’s top run-scorer, amassing 148 runs at an average of 49. The right-hander’s undefeated 68 on the final day of the opening Test was the highlight for the touring side. That innings lasted 220 balls and just over 4-1/2 hours. In the second Test, Bonner was again the standout with scores of 35 and 44. He and Brathwaite, who put 119 runs on the board over the course of the two Tests, were two of just three players to pass 100 runs overall and only two of three to hit half-centuries. Meantime, Jason Holder remains the leading all-rounder in the Test rankings. He also advanced one spot to reach 14th among bowlers.

Juventus beat Malmo to advance to CL last sixteen

(BBC) - Juventus beat Malmo to finish above Chelsea and advance to the Champions League (CL) last 16 as Group H winners. Ex-Everton striker Moise Kean headed the winner from a great cross from the right wing by Federico Bernardeschi, using the outside of his left boot. Malmo offered little as an attacking threat and finish bottom of the group. Juve had looked set to finish second but Chelsea conceded a late goal in their 3-3 draw at Zenit St Petersburg to send Juve through as group winners. Chelsea would have taken top spot if they had finished level on points with the Italians, courtesy of a better head-to-head record after beating Juve 4-0 at Stamford Bridge last month. However, Magomed Oz-

doev's 94th-minute equaliser for Zenit in Russia handed Juventus top spot, and sparked scenes of celebration at the Allianz Stadium. It means they will avoid Manchester City, Liverpool, Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and whoever wins Group G in the next round in February. The draw for the last 16 takes place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday at 11:00 GMT. This was a routine victory for Juve, who had already missed chances with Daniele Rugani heading wide and Kean shooting wide, before the latter grabbed his first CL goal for the club. After the break, Adrien Rabiot's effort was just off target, while Bernardeschi forced a fine save from away

Moise Kean (21 years and 283 days) is the fourth-youngest player to score a Champions League goal for Juventus, after Alessandro Del Piero, Dejan Kulusevski and Paul Pogba

goalkeeper Ismael Diawara. Malmo, managed by ex-Newcastle striker Jon

Dahl Tomasson, are now out of European competition for 2021-22.

However, they clinched the Swedish league title earlier this week and will

be in the first qualifying round of next season's Champions League.

Balgobin slams unbeaten ton for Meadow Bank CC in East Bank 40-over competition

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

Grand Coastal signs onto GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021

GFF and Grand Coastal representatives pose for a photo

GRAND Coastal Hotel has added its name to the huge corporate support to rally behind Guyana Football Federation's (GFF) end-of-year football bonanza, with the purchase of some beds for the GFF National Training Centre dormitories to accommodate more than one female team at a time for the GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021. In expressing gratitude to the hotel for coming on board, president of the Guyana National Women’s Football Association (GNWFA), Andrea Johnson, noted that the partnership of not only Grand Coastal Hotel, but also all stakeholders is important to effectively showcase the talent of Guyanese footballers. “We want to acknowledge the contribution of Grand Coastal for coming on board and partnering with the GFF and the women's association in order for us to have a smooth running of the GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021,” she said. Grand Coastal’s Human Resources Manager, Maria Khan, shared the company's interest in being part of the women’s festival

and noted that, “Grand Coastal Hotel came on board with the GFF to further support females in sports as well as to help fund necessities to ensure they can continue to strive. And as such, the partnership will be ongoing whenever we can facilitate and support the GFF, be it food, accommodations, etc.” GFF has asked for further corporate support to ensure that all female players, match officials and coaches have the accommodation resources they need during the GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021. The theme of this year’s women’s tournament is We Rise Against Domestic Violence. “We want to spotlight our commitment to educating and eliminating domestic violence in our communities,” said Johnson. “We must take note of the issues in our communities and do our part to make life better. GNWFA stands against domestic violence.” The GFF-GNWFA Women’s Super 16 Tournament commences on Saturday, December 11 at the St Cuthbert’s Ground where St Cuthbert’s Mission will play against Swan FC.

(BBC) - Five-time European champions Barcelona lost to Bayern Munich to miss out on the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in 17 years. Barca have not been absent from the last 16 since 2003-04, when they did not qualify for the competition at all. This exit continues a miserable campaign for the Spanish giants after financial issues forced them to let club legend Lionel Messi leave on a free transfer and then join Paris St-Germain in the summer. Barca needed to match Benfica's result to advance, but the Portuguese side won 2-0 at home to Dynamo Kyiv, leaving Xavi's men third and facing a Europa League knockout round play-off. The game, played in snowy conditions and without fans because of a rise in Covid-19 cases in Germany, had got away from the visitors by half-time. Bayern scored their first when Robert

Lewandowski's cross found Thomas Muller and his header just crossed the line, before they doubled their lead thanks to a superb 30-yard strike from former Manchester City forward Leroy Sane. Jamal Musiala added a third goal in the second half with a routine finish after a pullback from Alphonso Davies. Barcelona had chances to take the lead when it was goalless but Jordi Alba, who later went off with a hamstring injury, had a shot saved by Manuel Neuer and Ousmane Dembele also wasted a chance by firing over. Bayern advance as group winners with a 100% record. Benfica finished on eight points, with Barcelona, who only scored twice in the entire group stage, on seven points. The draw for the Europa League takes place on Monday at 12:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland and Barca will play one of the Europa League group runners-up, with Rangers one of their potential opponents.

Barcelona knocked out of Champions League by ruthless Bayern

Ushardeva Balgobin has been in good form

PROMISING Demerara Youth player Ushardeva Balgobin proved his dominance with the bat yet again when he represented Meadow Bank Cricket Club recently in the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 40-over knockout cricket competition. The 18-year-old, who was awarded the International Cricketer’s Award at the Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) Cricket Club New York annual award ceremony last month, for his stint in NY this season, led Meadow Bank to a seven-wicket victory against Peter’s Hall Sports Club. Peter’s Hall batted first and although five of their batters got into double figures, none played the big innings that was needed. C. Ramcharran led the attack with 23 runs. Bowling for Meadow Bank CC, Stephon

Wilson, Rivaldo Phillips and Bryon Bowen picked up two wickets each, which helped to restrict Peter’s Hall to 144 in 26.3 overs. Although the eventual winners needed to score at just 3.65 runs per over, Balgobin, playing in his first game for the club, was in an all-out aggressive mood. He belted a whopping 10 sixes and seven fours from 60 balls for a top score of 111 not out. His teammates were just spectators. Fellow opener Brandon Jaikaran scored 13 runs from 22 balls (1x6), while Navindra Persaud added three runs, K. Persaud five and Phillips one unbeaten from two balls. By the start of the 16th over, Balgobin’s power-hitting had pushed his team to victory. Deonarine Dindial led Peter’s Hall’s attack with 2-28.

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021

Powell half-century in vain as Kandy Warriors crash to third defeat (CMC) – West Indies batter Rovman Powell lashed a 15-ball half-century – the fastest this season and second fastest in Lanka Premier League (LPL) history – but his Kandy Warriors crashed to their third straight defeat after going down by 14 runs to Jayden Seales’ Jaffna Kings here yesterday. In a game reduced to 14 overs per side due to rain, Warriors failed to overhaul their DLS-revised target of 181 at the R Premadasa Stadium, despite the right-handed Powell’s amazing 61 off just 19 deliveries, ending on 166 for five. He put on 81 for the second wicket with fellow Jamaican Kennar Lewis whose 41 from 36 balls also underpinned an opening stand of 64 with Charith Asalanka who blasted a 19ball 42. Gifted West Indies seamer Jayden Seales continued his excellent wicket-taking in his first-ever

Gurbaz fell cheaply for eight in the second over with the score on 15 and in-form Englishman Tom Kohler-Cadmore followed for 14 in the fifth with 32 on the board. But Fernando belted seven sixes in a 23-ball cameo and Perera joined in with two fours and half-dozen sixes off 21 deliveries, the pair putting on a rollicking 105 for the third wicket. Needing to score at nearly 13 an over, Warriors received the perfect start with Lewis clobbering three fours and two sixes and Asalanka, five fours and two sixes in a robust partnership. When Asalanka fell at the end of the sixth over, Powell arrived to sustain the tempo, launching two Blaster Rovman Powell

overseas T20 tournament with two for 40 from three overs, to lift his tally to seven wickets from three matches. Earlier, Kings raced to

181 for six from their allotted overs thanks to Avishka Fernando and captain Thisara Perera, both of whom pummelled 53. Afghan Rahmanullah

fours and seven sixes in an entertaining innings – his final one for Warriors before joining up with the West Indies squad on the tour of Pakistan starting next week. He combined with Lewis to plunder 22 runs from Seales’ second over and the tenth of the innings, before smashing 19 from the next over sent down by leg-spinner Hasaranga de Silva. His dismissal, however, yorked by veteran fast bowler Suranga Lakmal in the next over, erased Warriors’ hopes of overhauling their target, especially after Seales rebounded to remove Lewis and Kamindu Mendis (9) within the space of three deliveries in the penultimate over.

GUYANA CHRONICLE. Thursday, December 9, 2021 GFF and Grand Coastal representatives pose for a photo

Grand Coastal signs onto GFF-GNWFA Super 16 Women’s Festival 2021

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Managing Director of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo (centre), tournament coordinator Rawle Toney (right) and Compton Babb display the Steph Curry sneakers that would be up for grabs at the three-point shootout tomorrow at the Sports Hall. The team uniforms are also on display

SQ Apparel is official uniform supplier for Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021