Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_11_22_2020 by Guyana Chronicle

22nd November, 2020

, No.106191

Chilean investors mull multimillion-dollar agri investment

Guyana expected to rake in about US$240M from rice industry

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Young GDF Lance Corporal establishes personal growth institute

Sunday, November 22, 2020

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is ramping up efforts to ensure that citizens are safe while conducting business during the Christmas season. Members of the GPF’s Mounted Branch and Canine Section on Saturday conducted patrols at the Stabroek Market and Vendors’ Arcade (Photo: Department of Public Information)

Three escape Lusignan Prison using bed sheets

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Visually-impaired Dawn Benjamin pursuing her dream of becoming educator PAGE

‘I am a proud Guyanese’ Lisa Punch launches new children’s book to teach young ones about Guyana

soon launch her first children’s Guyanese singing sensation Lisa Punch-Benn will Guyana” to teach young children book “The adventures of Tayshaun and Liya in Punch-Benn) about her home country (Photo courtesy of Lisa

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Chilean investors mull multimillion-dollar ‘agri’ investment –– Agriculture pegged to be fastest-growing industry outside of oil, says Dr. Ramsaroop By Navendra Seoraj OUTSIDE of Guyana’s nascent oil-and-gas industry, which is expected to catalyse widespread growth, agriculture is pegged to be the fastest growing sector in the coming years, and interest in this area has already started to “pour in”, with Chilean investors being the latest to signal their intention to invest in large-scale farming here. The investors’ intentions were communicated by Chile’s Ambassador to Guyana, Patricio Becker to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop during a meeting at Go-Invest on Friday last. The majority of investors over the past few years have gravitated towards Guyana’s oil and gas industry, but this show of interest by the Chilean investors is an indication that other sectors have immense potential as well, Dr. Ramsaroop told the Sunday Chronicle in an invited comment. The economy of Chile, like Guyana, depends heavily on agriculture; the country has a market economy, driven by supply and demand, and is ranked by the World Bank as a high-income economy. Chile is also considered to be one of South America's most prosperous nations, leading the region in competitiveness, income per capita, globalisation, economic freedom, and low perception of corruption. Specific to agriculture, Chile's main agricultural products include grapes, whole fresh cow milk, indigenous chicken meat, indigenous cattle meat, indigenous pig meat, apples, tomatoes, wheat, maize, and potatoes. There are 13,564 hectares of organic land in Chile, and approximately 550 organic farms operating in the country. “Chile is known for their agricultural exports, and there are some companies that want to take a look at Guyana’s agriculture sector, and to explore those opportunities,” Dr. Ramsaroop said. In Guyana, agriculture is one of the most import-

ant productive sectors of its economy, accounting for approximately one-third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 30 per cent of its employment. The Chilean investors are expected to add to Guyana’s productivity and production in agriculture, with potential investments anticipated to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Although discussions are still in the preliminary stages, Dr. Ramsaroop said the Chileans want to invest heavily in large-scale agricultural projects. Those potential investments at reference are aligned with Guyana’s vision for agriculture, he said, noting that the country needs large-scale agricultural projects. “We need large-scale farming; more value added projects…we already saw

CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop shares a light moment with Chile’s Ambassador to Guyana, Patricio Becker (Go-Invest photo)

this area. For years, Guyana’s ‘potential’ to become the breadbasket of the Caribbean has been under the spotlight, and while the rhetoric has outweighed action on this front, the country will be looking to realise its potential in the coming years, with immediate focus on tapping into at least 15 per cent of the US$4 billion regional food import bill. It has been reported that 10 commodities, namely food preparations, wheat, rice, chicken, non-alcoholic beverages, maize, soya bean, sugar and palm oil, account for more than 40 per cent of CARICOM’s food import bill. Immediately, based on this list, Guyana has the potential to supply rice, sugar and poultry, among many other things. And, there have

A lad assisting his father in their farm at Hope, East Coast Demerara, on a humid Saturday afternoon (Delano Williams photo)

that Guyana’s potential is significant in areas like poultry and so on; we have the land mass to do large-scale cattle farming, dairy, and those are the interests we are getting,” Dr. Ramsaroop said. While not divulging who it was that made it, the CEO said he has already received

a proposal to set-up a largescale dairy plant in Guyana. And with similar proposals “pouring in”, he anticipates that Guyana’s agriculture sector is going to be one of the fastest growing industries, outside of oil and gas, in the next year. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, when

contacted by this publication on Saturday, said there is a renewed interest in doing farming and other agricultural projects in Guyana. The government, he said, has been encouraging investments in this sector by developing agriculture-friendly policies, and removing impediments to growth in

already been attempts by the government to create a business-friendly environment, by removing Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the poultry industry, as well as removing VAT and duties on machinery and equipment for mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing.

These efforts are seen as part of a broader attempt at making Guyana a hub for business and investments. Dr. Ramsaroop even went as far as saying that Guyana is poised to be the “agriculture capital” of the world. “We have land mass for many produce and products, so if Guyana can go into large-scale plantation farming, it can easily absorb part of the Caribbean’s food import bill,” said the CEO in a past report. Director of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Odhu Homenauth, in adding his voice to this topic, had said that Guyana, in preparing to tap into the Caribbean region’s food import bill, would have to thoroughly examine it to see what is being imported and where we could have the competitive edge. “We have to determine where we have competitive advantage, and for which commodities… We also need to ensure that all the trade barriers are lifted; already, we are supplying a lot of commodities to Barbados, Antigua and some of the other small islands,” Dr. Homenauth reasoned. Although the country is already a major producer and exporter of rice and sugar, these commodities cannot be ignored in the effort to tap into the bill. “We can also supply rice and sugar to CARICOM… So, it is not just fruits and vegetables; we could supply significant quantities,” Dr. Homenauth said. In addition, the country is capable of exporting, and currently exports coconuts, coconut water, watermelons, ground provisions, plantains, pineapples, processed pepper and pumpkin among other foods. Guyana is capable of producing a lot more, not just for its people, but for the entire region. And, this was evidenced by the country’s ability to remain food-secure amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has toppled economies across the world.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

U.S. judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania (Reuters) - PRESIDENT Donald Trump faced a new setback on Saturday in his desperate bid to overturn the U.S. election as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by his campaign that sought to throw out millions of votes in Pennsylvania. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Trump’s campaign had failed to demonstrate there had been widespread voting fraud in the Nov. 3 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. “This Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations,” Brann wrote. The lawsuit, spear-

headed by Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, sought to stop officials from certifying Biden’s victory in the state, arguing that some counties wrongly allowed voters to fix errors on their mail ballots. Giuliani did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit is one of dozens filed by Trump and his Republican allies in the aftermath of the election. They are also seeking to invalidate or change the results through recounts and direct pressure on lawmakers in several states. The campaign has not provided evidence for its claims of widespread and coordinated electoral

fraud. The General Services Administration, run by a Trump appointee, has not recognized Biden’s victory, preventing his team from gaining access to government office space and funding normally provided to an incoming administration ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Critics say the delay and Trump’s refusal to concede have serious implications for national security and the fight against the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 255,000 Americans.

California imposes curfew as US cases hit 12-million mark (BBC) - California is to begin a night-time curfew on Saturday, in an attempt to curb a surge in coronavirus cases. The western state’s latest figures are now worse than the

Sunday, November 22, 10:30hrs - 12:00hrs

previous peak in August, the Los Angeles Times reports. Across the US, the daily death toll linked to Covid-19 has passed 2,000 for the first time since May. The country has now more

than 12 million confirmed infections, with more than 255,000 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. This is by far the highest death toll in the world. About 187,000 new infections were recorded nationwide in the latest figures - released on Friday for the previous day - which is an all-time high. Several states have imposed new mask mandates and restrictions to try to combat the rise, and in Texas the National Guard is being deployed to the city of El Paso to help with morgue operations there. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged Americans to avoid travelling for the Thanksgiving holiday on 26 November to prevent increased transmissions. Thanksgiving typically heralds the busiest week for travel in the US. Last year, an estimated 26 million people passed through the country’s airports in the week surrounding the holiday. California reported a to-

tal of one million cases last week, making it the second state to do so after Texas. The new daily curfew, from 22:00 local time on Saturday (06:00 GMT Sunday) until 05:00, will carry on until 21 December, with a possible extension if needed, according to authorities. Restaurants will be able to offer takeout and delivery outside these hours. The stay-at-home order affects 41 out of California’s 58 counties, covering more than 94% of the state’s population. Some 40m people live in California, the most populous state in the US. Some counties have also warned that a more severe lockdown could follow. The latest measures are not as strict as restrictions imposed between March and May, when all nonessential business and travel was prohibited. Other places, including New York City, are also operating a nighttime curfew. Bars, restaurants and gyms are allowed to open until 22:00, but schools have been closed.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

No Gov’t Christmas parties – private sector, families asked to do same (Trinidad Guardian) – PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said there is to be no Christmas parties in the public service in 2020 and has called on the private sector to follow suit. At a news conference in Tobago Saturday, Dr Rowley said he will tell the head of the public service on Monday to instruct all government ministries to carry out this directive and will inform the Minister of Finance, as Corporation Sole, to instruct State enterprises to do the same. He said the aim to have students return to school will be defeated if “we free up” during the Christmas period. “If we’re not careful, the Christmas cultural responses could put us in a

position where the January numbers could say to us ‘no school’ because we have behaved badly and the infectious rate would be so high that we can’t even think of bringing children back out to school,” he said. “Do not encourage congregation and mixing over the Christmas season,” he said. He urged the population to note that the Christmas season is not a time to relax measures that have been implemented to keep the country safe. Dr Rowley said that he has learnt that almost every villa in Tobago is booked for Christmas, adding that while that is good for Tobago from an economic standpoint, it means that there will be a rise in the potential for

cases to spread. He said it will just take a few cases of misconduct for the viral to get out of hand in Tobago. “It all has to do with the behaviour of people coming to Tobago or are in Tobago,” he said. Minister of Health Dr Terrance Deyalsingh also called for a “holy but quiet Christmas” without parties and family gatherings. He said the Ministry of Health has asked the private sector not to have office Christmas parties that can lead to a spread of the virus. He has asked that people reject invitations to parties and other events that require gatherings. “Let’s spend a very quiet Christmas this year so that in 2021 all of us will

be around and we will celebrate 2021 with all the bells and whistles and parang and so on,” he said. Meanwhile, Dr Rowley said his Cabinet will find $10 million to support people affected by the downturn in business because of the restrictions against gatherings at bars. He said he has also asked the Minister of Finance to find $20 million for Social Services to assist thousands who are self-employed and are now facing destitution because of the restrictions. He pointed out, for example, people who set up food stalls outside sporting events but who are no longer earning revenue because of the measures in place. Among other changes,

food services will be allowed in casinos and hunters will be allowed to hunt again. On Monday, the prime minister said, the Minister of Agriculture will take the steps to have

hunters registered so that at the end of next weekend, hunters will be allowed to hunt. There has been no changes in other measures, including those placed on gatherings at bars.

Protesters set Guatemalan congress on fire by two damaging storms, Eta and Iota. On Friday, Vice-President Guillermo Castillo expressed his opposition to the

(BBC) - HUNDREDS of anti-government protesters in Guatemala have vandalised and set fire to parts of the Congress building, before being dispersed by riot police. The building in Guatemala City was empty at the time of the attack, which lasted for about 10 minutes. The fire services have managed to put the fire out but the extent of the damage is not yet known.

The protesters are opposed to a budget which was approved by Congress on Wednesday night. They also want President Alejandro Giammattei to resign. The opposition says the budget prioritises big infrastructure projects to be handled by companies with government connections and overlooks the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The country has also recently been hit

budget and said that both he and Mr Giammattei should step down “for the good of the country”.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

(ag)

COVID-19 and the banking industry IT is without a doubt that the world’s economy has taken a turn for the worst at the beginning of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. This pandemic has negatively impacted many lives across the world, thus directly and indirectly affecting the world’s economy. The pandemic has caused many to either lose their jobs or work less, which influenced their earnings. This resulted in lower spending powers for some, increased loans, increased credit payment terms along with a decline in demand for luxurious items for households. On the other hand, the business sectors took a hit that caused some of them to become bankrupt around the world, putting many out of jobs along with unsettled debts. Studies have shown that this crisis has resulted in the largest and fastest decline in international flows in modern history. There is a 13-32 per cent decline in merchandise trade, a 30-40 per cent reduction in foreign direct investment, and a 44-80 per cent drop in international air travel in 2020. These numbers show a major push back of globalisation’s recent gains. In Guyana, the global health risk also poses a serious financial threat

to the banking sector. In maintaining its commitment to safeguarding and strengthening the resilience of the financial sector, the Bank of Guyana has committed and implemented a series of measures while collaborating with the Guyana Association of Bankers (GAB), to minimise the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Guyana’s entire financial system. The commercial banks in Guyana have agreed to provide general concessions in interest rates-- one per cent and up to two per cent-- on customers’ loans below GYD10M, until December 30, 2020. As for the lending rates, the existing ranges are between 6.5 per cent--16 per cent which some commercial banks have agreed to provide special consideration during this period. Commercial banks of Guyana have also dropped ATM and merchant bank charges to facilitate more banking transactions along with providing relief to senior citizens. These banks have also agreed to provide short-term capital loans to businesses in need so that they can maintain their obligations to pay staff, support daily operations and keep the company afloat during the COVID-19 period.

According to the half-year report prepared by Bank of Guyana, as of June 2020, 15,641 facilities have benefitted from the commercial banks’ relief measures. This accounted for $68.7 billion; 26.7 per cent of the bank’s total loan portfolio for the period. The services sub sector received the biggest amount of relief which amounted to$31.9 billion or 46.4 per cent of the total relief granted. Next in line for the highest relief sectors are the households and real estate sectors with $22.8 billion (33.1 per cent) and G$6.4 billion (9.4 per cent) respectively. Commercial Banks—Republic Bank Limited (RBL), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and the Demerara Bank Limited (DBL)-accounted for the greatest contribution to the services sub-sector with 69.5 per cent, 16.9 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively. Of the $22.8 billion relief granted to the household sector, the Bank of Nova Scotia was responsible for 85.2 per cent ($17.2 billion). With these unforeseen concessions put forward by the commercial banks, along with the Bank of Guyana, the profit of these institutions will be greatly affected. These banks will have to make provisions for their ex-

pected losses on loans and investment portfolios. In a recent article, Republic Bank made a statement that they have a decline in profits as of September 2020 compared to last year of US$101M or 42.8 per cent from US$235.9M. According to the bank’s chairman, this is due to a decrease in the economic activities, reduction in interest rate charges along with the measures implemented by the Government in order to have the economy flowing again. According to a stress test carried out by the Bank of Guyana, it is estimated that past-due loans could increase by 66 per cent while non-performing loans can increase by 18 per cent in a worst case scenario of 100 per cent deterioration of the services, households and mortgages sector. In conclusion, it can be seen that the banking sector took a hard hit for all during this COVID-19 pandemic season as the commercial banks were the ones to step up and provide assistance to their customers. Though they be seen to make a profit, they have lost millions compared to 2019. The household and business sectors have put pressure on the banks to maintain their financial objective of maximising their returns.

Is justice delayed, justice denied? Dear Editor, IF the saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” still stands true, then, in Guyana, one wonders if justice is actually being denied. There are two election petitions currently engaging the attention of the court from the last general and regional elections, held on March 2, 2020. This matter will come up for trial shortly. One can ponder also on whatever happened to the election petition from 2015 that was never called to trial! There is a lost interest because, any engagement will only be for academic purpose, the timeframe is meaningless and the challenging party is back in power. But the fact remains that it was never given a chance for the court

to decide on a decision. The PPP/C was left in limbo and denied the opportunity of knowing an outcome. Could the result have made a difference if the matter was dealt with expeditiously and promptly? Too late shall forever be the cry and we cannot cry over spilt milk. For the 2020 election petitions, there has already been a case management recall, the AG made a submission and the issue is now awaiting trial. Does this “early” time factor reflect an improvement in judiciary expedition or…? A look at what is happening in the USA is indeed “U.S. in distress.” What a comparison with good old Guyana! It has only been just over two weeks and there has been some two dozen court filings against the Biden victory by Trump

and his supporters. Guess what? Those matters were already heard by the courts, dealt with and decisions made. The inundated legal challenges were riddled with incoherent inaccuracies and conspiracies and the petitions were either thrown out, withdrawn, rejected or the appellants lost their cases. The perpetual call by all the judges ran a ring around “show me the proof.” Lack of evidence and immateriality were the leading and guiding factors to unhesitatingly lay the foundation so that the judges can come to quick, decisive and unchallenging decisions. Some of the decisions were already appealed and dealt with accordingly, with the original decisions being upheld. Is this food for thought and is there a lesson to be learnt?

Is there a precedent setting a standard or is this leading by example? Better yet, how open is Guyana to assimilate the urgent need for improvisation and to follow international patterns? Is Guyana willing to follow such a trend? But, in Guyana, there is always a big “but” and submerged underlying factors do stifle any free breathing space. Are Guyanese in for another spectacular treat in court drama, or, a tragedy in comedy, or, has the matter lost its essence, or, Guyanese have lost any interest, or, as far as Guyanese are concerned, the matter is a foregone conclusion? Perhaps, time will tell. Yours sincerely, Jai Lall

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Blacklist firms that are known for their deceit

Dear Editor, AS a patriot, a lover of my country, and a strong supporter of what is always right, I write this letter out of great concern. For years now it has been observed that there are some individuals who have a penchant for crime, dishonesty, lies, self-aggrandizement, gluttony, over-excursion, and womanising, to say the least, and who exhibit boldness, compunction, skills, talents, and the fearlessness of using deception to penetrate powerful government officials to get what they want -- even when they do not deserve it. We saw this in 2015, before 2015, and sadly still to this day. What boggles my mind is how unbelievable it is that government officials, without proper knowledge of these persons, their personalities, and their slimy dealings, allow such people to penetrate them. It is very upsetting because these people who seem to have their hands on everything, are often known not to pay their fair share of taxes; and who, due to favouritism and unethical dealings, are able to get away with their corrupt practices, even if they get caught. In other words, it is very easy for them to slime their way through things. (I use the word slime, instead of slide for emphasis.) In the security industry that I know so well, we saw a fugitive from American justice penetrate government officials and their families before 2015, and then change allegiance in 2015. Subsequently, he tried to receive contracts that he was not eligible to enter into because his company did not meet the three-year

requirements. The key operative was a narcotic fugitive from American justice – who, by the way, had also been arrested in Guyana for smuggling cocaine in fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. However, while on remand, the books at the Providence Police Station vanished, most conveniently. Consequently, through the security firm he established, he was able to secure some of the largest contracts in this country, such as Regions Five and Six. This was despite the fact that others who were far more eligible and who won the contracts fairly, could only be told that the sonin-law of the “big one” was part of the outfit and that was the strategy he used. Another company with a mere registration, and without any proven record of security training, expertise, education, or exposure was able to acquire 37 high-powered weapons without due diligence from the Firearms Board or the police department in 2015. Recently, a wellknown security operative and investigator has shown how certain companies get these high-powered security weapons when they are not needed, and that these weapons have been given to companies operated, controlled, and/or associated with known criminal elements. The same security outfit, a major real estate fraudster using the name of a relative, is also known to have shipped in significant quantities of money that was laundered through this security firm. Sadly, some security services are being used for money laundering. Of course, as I said above, these guys know how to use their slime to slide their way

in and some government officials seem to be addicted to the smell and stickiness of this slime. We have seen people who are known to be political manipulators with an utter lack of patriotism, and who are limited to themselves, being given some of the largest construction contracts without due diligence. In another case, we have seen at the opening of contracts, a particular construction company was given tens of millions of dollars in addition to the tendered amount or the estimation of the engineer. There is so much more I can say about these insidious, diabolical manipulations, tricks, and deceitful awards which inhibit human comprehension. For instance, in another scenario before 2015, forged GRA and NIS compliances were submitted to a government ministry. The person who submitted this has always been a well-known trickster, manipulator, and political operative who had obtained assurances and support from apparently government officials, whom he was merely using. And he used to show himself as a political worker. He had not been given any security contracts for that year but had behaved in unheard of and unseen ways in Guyana, throwing tantrums and even humiliating the government of the day prior to 2015. In the end, he also went as far as going repeatedly to the court, but subsequently lost the case. After 2015 however, he was awarded 10 regions to provide security for and the man turned around and laughed at everyone. He was then later arrested for stealing 100 laptops and other personal

belongings and he boasted that he would win the case. Even though this crime had gone viral and was transmitted worldwide on most news channels, the man still won the case and continues to enjoy political protection. As the new government assumed power in 2015, he changed his loyalty and is now changing again, while openly bragging about it. Another security company robbed the GRA with hundreds of millions of dollars, made arrangements to repay them, but never did. All they did was basically declare bankruptcy, change their names, and remain in the same spot with the same uniform while winning contracts around the country and making honourable companies feel immense pain, loss, and disappointment. To us who transact our business honestly and respectfully, this smacks of great humiliation that only those who are interested in deception and utter dishonesty will make progress. As I reiterate, these people who have slime on their hands and can spread it like a contagion, usually do not pay their proper taxes and/ or just a little bit of NIS, and a little bit of tax to pull the wool over the eyes of these agencies. Many of these companies had their books confiscated, but were somehow returned clandestinely. If these shenanigans continue to reign, then I feel sorry for you, Guyana, I feel sorry, my heart bleeds for you, dear beloved Guyana. With all of this in mind, many seem to forget that through the Security Act, the commissioner of police may suspend or terminate any security company for theft of PAYE taxes, failure to declare corporate taxes,

A personal vendetta? Dear Editor, THE steady attacks against the VP by a political aspirant

begs the question: is it a personal vendetta? The VP needs no defender, suffice it

to say as one writer puts it, he is here for the long haul and may outlive the aspirant’s political am-

bitions. Yours sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

and NIS theft. Many people do not know that the commissioner of police, as the security services administrator, has that authority and power. Additionally, I know that with our new government in place -- and I think we have the right president in place-- the proper vice-president, the prime minister, and several results-oriented ministers, my advice to them is to stay fresh, stay just. Look out for the honourable, look out for those who are true contributors to the national growth and development of our country, and for those who are true patriots to the country who would do nothing to harm the country, but who would do everything to uplift it in every way possible. My recommendation is that the government of the day remain sharp. In every industry where these fraudulent operatives are involved, they need to do the best they can to keep

them out and let the honourable, fair, and respectful companies get a fair share of the cake to operate. My advice is to blacklist firms that are known for their deceit. I beg the Government of Guyana to have a clean slate, not to encourage criminal agents to penetrate you as they did the former government. Keep criminal operatives at arm’s length; let them know they are being scorned. Let them know that this Government of Guyana will stand for only that which is right and that which is good for Guyana’s growth and development. Slimy criminals who like to penetrate as holy beings must be stopped at all costs from spreading their slime inside your government. Yours sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Prisoners use bed sheets to escape Lusignan prison POLICE are on the hunt for three prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan prison holding bay, East Coast Demerara, using a rope made from bed sheets. The escapees have been identified as murder accused, 48-year-old Phillip Jhogroo of Goed Intent, Leguan, Region Three; 18-year-old Mark Emanuel of Grove Squat-

ting Area, East Bank Demerara, who was charged with robbery, and Donald Baird, 40, of Hardina Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown who was imprisoned for murder. A statement from the Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, noted that the escape took place sometime between 01:28h and 01:48h Saturday. At 05:20h, the Officer

in Charge at the prison, Superintendent, Alstan Scott, discovered the rope made of bed sheets hanging from the south western corner of the prison fence. “This, then prompted a physical muster and it was discovered that three prisoners were unaccounted for. Further investigations confirmed that they escaped from that

Wanted: Mark Emanuel

Wanted: Donald Baird

Wanted: Phillip Jhogroo

prison location by scaling the said South Western fence where the improvised rope was found,” Samuels stated.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Prison Service is urging all family members and members of the public not to offer any

support to the escapees and to contact the nearest Police Station with any information on their whereabouts.

Palm Court gets ‘final warning’ for breaching COVID-19 measures

Palm Court

–– task force threatens legal action, suspension of licences

POPULAR “night spot,” Palm Court, located on Main Street, Georgetown, has received its “final warning” from the National Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Task Force (NCTF) for breaching the established COVID-19 emergency measures. The NCTF, in a letter dated November

21, 2020, said it is evident that despite being warned on October 30, 2020, the entertainment spot continues to defy the COVID-19 measures. The letter did not state specifically what measure (s) the night spot breached. These emergency measures were made pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145 and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement –B, on March 16, 2020. The letter, written by Director of the NCTF, Nazrul Hussain, said that Palm Court has continued to breach those guidelines and show blatant disregard for the COVID-19 measures. “This blatant disregard to the COVID-19 measures reflects your contempt for the Laws of Guyana, which may

result in the application of legal sanctions with the possibility of having all privileges suspended or licences revoked,” the NCTF warned. Palm Court was told to direct any queries or responses to either the NCTF or the Ministry of Health. According to health authorities, the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 8) will expire on November 30, 2020, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. Included in the gazetted measures is a national curfew, strict social distancing guidelines and restrictions on the operation of night clubs and other pubs/ entertainment spots, particularly those which have indoor operations.

Body of young labourer found in Pomeroon River THE body of a 24-year-old labourer, Danny Hendricks, was recovered from the Pomeroon River on Saturday. According to information from the Guyana Police Force, Hendricks, who resided at St. Monica, Upper Pomeroon River, left his house around 10:00hrs, on October 20, 2020, to drink with friends at a shop next to his house. He reportedly left the shop and went to his landing, where he met his 13-year-old sister who later observed as he dived over-

board and ‘disappeared.’ The police said Hendricks’ family formed a search party and eventually found his body floating in the river. His body was examined, but no marks of violence were found. The body was subsequently taken to the Charity Hospital where it was examined by a doctor and then placed in the mortuary. A post-mortem will soon be conducted to determine the cause of death.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Suspects caught after allegedly robbing businessman of over $3M QUICK action by ranks of the Guyana Police Force led to the arrest of three suspects who allegedly robbed a 42-year-old businessman of over G$3 million as well as $7,270 in Surinamese currency on Friday. The theft occurred at Number 66 Village, Corentyne Berbice around 10:15hrs. Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that Deonarine Harripersaud, called "Chona", who is a business-

man and a boat owner, visited two commercial banks in Corentyne, Berbice, earlier in the day and withdrew the money, after which he made several payments to workers in the Corentyne area. He left the cash in a haversack in the front seat of his vehicle as he made way into the Number 66 Fishing Complex to drop off a tool for his workers who were fixing his boat. Upon his return to the ve-

Businessman, Deonarine Harripersaud

hicle, the businessman noticed that the haversack was missing, and further checks found that the lock on the passenger side was tampered with. Harripersaud received information that a white Toyota Allion car stopped next to his vehicle and someone went into the car and took out his haversack. The businessman then made a report at the #51 Police Station. Based on intelligence received, ranks went to Liv-

erpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice and stopped a white Toyota Allion, which was proceeding west on the said public road. According to the police, the driver identified himself as a 40-year-old businessman of Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD); the two male occupants were identified as a 56-year-old taxi driver of Chateau Margot, ECD and a 38-year-old Labourer of Grove, East Bank Demerara.

“They were told of their suspicion, arrested and escorted to the Whim Police Station where a search was conducted on their persons and the said motor car. Police found, on the front passenger seat, a grey haversack which contained a quantity of Guyana and Suriname dollars,” the police report noted. Police also recovered Harripersaud’s passport and bank books.

More than 4,000 COVID-19 recoveries –– 88 new cases recorded A TOTAL of 4,018 persons have recovered locally after being infected with COVID-19, while 88 new cases have been recorded, according to the Ministry of Health. With these 88 new cases, recorded from 656 tests, Guyana has now recorded 5,093 cases in total. These new cases were recorded

from 33 men and 55 women. The new cases were distributed across Region One (five cases), Region Two (three), Region Three (five cases), Region Four (14 cases), Region Six (35 cases), Region Seven (15 cases), Region Eight (five cases) and Region 10 (six cases). Overall, there is a 78.9 per cent recovery rate here.

The total number of deaths remain at 143, while there are now five persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 79 persons are in institutional isolation, 848 in home isolation, 35 in institutional quarantine. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Eight) will expire on November 30, 2020, unless

earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic. As per these measures, all

persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The curfew is now 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Allegations of bullying send Bishops’ teachers on strike –– past students disappointed in action By Jared Liddell TEACHERS of the Bishops’ High School on Thursday commenced strike action following allegations posted on social media by former students that they engage in bullying and publicly embarrassing students. The allegations, which were posted on Instagram by a former student, went viral and were substantiated by current students of the school. Several screenshots of the allegations made its way to the teachers and an internal probe was launched by the administration of the school. The teachers, however, were not satisfied with the actions taken by the administration and subsequently engaged the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), which advised them on the steps they needed to take to pro-

Former student of Bishops’ High School, Anil Persaud

ceed on strike, General- Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, told the media on Friday. Teachers have not turned up at the school since Thursday and exam students who showed up were sent home; all virtual classes were also suspended. Former and current students of the school alleged that some teachers have

exhibited abusive tendencies, bullied students and embarrassed them publicly; others claimed that some of the teachers are also homophobic. A former student, Anil Persaud, who attended the Bishops High School from 2008 to 2014, stated that while he respects and loves his alma mater, he cannot deny that the allegations of

Bishops High School

mental and physical abuse are true. He stated that the school’s administration is cognisant of this and should definitely change their stance from a defensive position and try to take

note of the pattern the students are trying to highlight. Persaud recalled having similar experiences and stated that some of the teachers at the school “abuse their power” and oftentimes break the morale of the budding minds. Further, Persaud noted that while discipline is important in running one of the top education institutions in the country, many of the teachers blur the line between discipline and abuse. “The extent to which it is taken is sometimes questionable, questionable to the character of the teachers and the institution at large, because the extreme measures that is [sic] taken to handle the issues is not what you’d expect from an institution like that and from teachers who have been in the institution for that long. So it borders on the lines of being really abusive; verbally abusive, emotionally abusive. The way the teachers acted, it was bullying really when you think of it,” expressed the former student. He stated that the school has always taken a position to retaliate and punish any student, past or present, who would speak publicly on the atrocities that occurred at the institution. “I really think that it escalated to the point of the students creating an entire social media page for lack of intervention. I don’t think there was sufficient intervention from any level: from the ministry, from the school’s board, from the

parent teachers association, from none of the sub institutions within the school… just to protect the name of the school, no one ever said anything, it didn’t get out much and whenever there was an opportunity or an instance where information came out and people spoke, the admin. would shut it down,” Persaud explained. Persaud stated that he had a personal experience with the school where he spoke out following an instance of bullying by one of his colleagues. Persaud said he received several threats from teachers of the school of legal actions that will be taken against him if he did not remove the posts. He was also told that he would be banned from visiting the school if he did not retract his statements. Persaud further lauded the students for coming together in their fight against the injustices they have faced, since starting their journey at the Bishops’ High School. It is not known how long the strike will last for, but the Sunday Chronicle understands that the teachers want an apology and a retraction of the social media posts. The Ministry of Education has not pronounced on the matter; when contacted on Saturday, subject Minister Priya Manickchand said she was in a meeting and could not comment at that time.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Coordinated strategy needed to combat surge in domestic violence also. Beyond mobilising these groups, she related that community engagement is important as well. When people understand issues and alleviation measures and are empowered to act and provide some assistance, in some way, significant gains can be garnered, she contended.

By Vishani Ragobeer

OVER the past few months, it has been reported that the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications have exacerbated domestic violence, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, said a coordinated strategy to protect vulnerable individuals is crucial. Just recently, 28-year-old Amrita Rahim, a mother of three, was stabbed by her husband. It was reported that the woman was involved in an argument with him and before long, that argument turned deadly. What happened to Rahim was not an isolated incident. In fact, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said recently that 210,000, or three out of every five women, have experienced some form of violence, either sexually or physically. Domestic violence has long since been a pervasive issue in Guyana and it has been contended that the pandemic only exacerbated this scourge. Sheerattan-Bisnauth explained that a connection could be made between the ‘lockdown measures’ of the pandemic and the increased frequency of domestic violence cases. “With an abuser in the house with vulnerable persons like women and children, there is very much likely to be a surge in abuse and we’ve seen it in Guyana,” she explained, in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle. But this is not the only factor which has resulted from the pandemic and may have exacerbated violence in households. The loss of livelihoods, the Reverend said, could also have adverse effects since this may lead to tensions and conflicts. “There are other social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; it has shown up our inequalities, and especially in many homes in Guyana where people have suffered adverse effects due to loss of livelihoods; this has certainly exacerbated difficulties and conflicts in the home because it is very difficult to live in a tense situation,” Sheerattan-Bisnauth said. It is important to note that while domestic violence is usually used when referring to intimate partner violence, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that the term can also encompass child or elder abuse, or abuse by any member of a household. Within this pandemic, she lament-

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth ed, “Children who are vulnerable and are at home we have been hearing about increased sexual abuse of children in their homes because there are more opportunities to do this by perpetrators in the home.” Cognisant of these factors, the CEO stressed that there must be a coordinated strategy geared at tackling domestic violence. One mechanism, she said, which would help would be to provide relief to the loss of livelihoods. Another would be to focus on how vulnerable individuals, women in particular, have a reduced ability to report instances of violence. COMMUNITY MOBILISATION She said that despite rushing to figure how to limit the adverse effects of the developing pandemic in March, discussions on how to protect vulnerable groups should have been had since then. Nevertheless, she posited it is not too late. Sheerattan-Bisnauth explained that there are already groups and organisations in existence which engage in work which caters for vulnerable groups such as the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), of which she was an Executive Director; Help and Shelter and Child Link. “These are the organisations that should be engaged and I think it is really important that this (engagement) be initiated and supported by the government,” she emphasised. Moreover, she stressed that a coordinated strategy is necessary, since it is a lack of strategy over the past few decades which may have contributed to the limited impact of efforts geared at reducing domestic violence. “Instead, we are seeing the increases and how bizarre it is,” she lamented

NO COMPROMISE Her personal observation of the limited consideration given to vulnerable groups when planning for the pandemic is one which is of concern to her. But when asked if she believes that economic recovery

is being prioritised over ensuring citizens’ security, she reasoned that economic recovery is also important. “I think there has to be an approach where economic recovery is also important because people need to be feeding their children and earning a livelihood… but we also need that concerted effort with the gender considerations to ensure the economic recovery that we’re going for does not kind of compromise the essentials for our people,” Sheerattan-Bisnauth posited. She continued, “We cannot be compromising what would be so essential to our people’s livelihoods, their safety and their survival.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

‘BK’ sent packing –– as MoE takes control of incomplete Yarrowkabra school

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken control of the incomplete Yarrowkabra Secondary School on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway after the slothful rate of construction by the contractor, BK International Inc. In January this year, the MoE signed an $826.7M contract with the company for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School. According to a release from the ministry, this school is intended to benefit 600 children in Yarrowkabra and neighbouring communities along the Highway. These children would have been able to attend the school after its completion in March 2021, but it is only five per cent complete, four months away from that expected completion date. Thus, the school will not be finished in accordance with the contractual deadline. “The effect of this unreasonable delay is that the 600 students who are to benefit from the school and its modern facilities will be forced to

The five per cent completed Yarrowkabra Secondary School

travel long distances to attend other secondary schools, or to be placed in the Primary Top

Departments of some primary schools, which is a practice the Ministry of Education plans to

stop,” the release noted. It was also related that the Minister of Education, Ms.

Priya Manickchand had engaged the contracted company and pleaded repeatedly for it to complete the job within the stipulated time. Further, it was stated that the consultant on the project, Vikab Engineering Consultants Limited, had advised BK International Inc. to employ additional staff, so that more work can get done. Though BK International Inc. was given a second opportunity to remedy the situation, and other suggestions were made, it was highlighted that the government was forced to terminate the contract with the company due to the inordinate delays in the completion of the works. “On November 1, 2020, the Attorney-General and Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall wrote BK International Inc., informing the entity that the contract was terminated with immediate effect. He noted that the company had committed a fundamental breach of the terms of the contract, and as a result, the Government of Guyana exercised its right to terminate the contract,” the MoE said in the release. Even though the contractor was advised to remove all machinery and equipment from the site, when the consultancy firm visited on November 10, it was observed that the com-

pany was still progressing with works, despite the contract being terminated. Subsequently, the consultancy firm wrote the Managing Director of BK International Inc., Mr. Brian Tiwarie informing him that pursuant to Clause 40.5 [Termination], “the contractor is to stop the works immediately, make the site safe and secure, and leave the site as soon as reasonably possible.” In that letter, the contractor was ordered to stop work immediately, and was advised that any work done, or materials ordered beyond the date of termination, November 1, 2020, is done at the contractor’s own risk. Furthermore, on November 19, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Alfred King wrote B.K International Inc., instructing it that all work come to a halt with immediate effect, and the project site be vacated within 24 hours. On Saturday, the contractor was no longer on site. The Ministry has installed its own security, after taking possession of the site, with the help of the police. The Government of Guyana wishes to advise that any unauthorised person found removing materials from the site will be prosecuted accordingly.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Guyana expected to rake in about US$240M from rice industry –– National rice production set to surpass last year’s target, says Agri. Minister By Navendra Seoraj ONE of Guyana’s largest export commodities, rice, is projected to rake in close to US$240 million (G$51.6B) this year. The country is set to export close to 540,000 tonnes of paddy, rice and rice by-products by the close of 2020, said Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha in an invited comment on Saturday. The projected export earnings is 7.5 per cent more than what was recorded in 2019. The sector, in that year, had earned US$222.7 million from the exportation of 526,617 tonnes of paddy, rice and rice by-products. Already, for 2020, exports for the period January to October have reached 474,192 tonnes, valued at US$194.3 million. And, the country is also yet to receive payments for rice exported to Panama between 2018 and 2019. “We are trying to retrieve that money from Panama; $1.9 billion… We are optimistic that we can retrieve it

before the year ends; farmers are suffering, and millers want their money, because they owe GRDB [Guyana Rice Development Board], and the farmers, so we are trying to get those things,” said Minister Mustapha. There were two contracts with Panama; one in 2018, and another in 2019. In the 2018 contract, only a part payment was received, and for the second contract in 2019, not a cent was received. Despite this setback, Minister Mustapha said the rice industry is on a positive path, and will only get better as time goes by. He is optimistic that rice production will surpass what was recorded last year, clearing more than one million tonnes. “This is only the beginning. In Region Five [Mahaica-Berbice], we are doing infrastructural work, which will contribute to a record-breaking production in the first half of next year; it will start a trend,” said Minister Mustapha. With higher production, there will be greater capacity to supply existing and new

markets which are being pursued by the government. Available statistics show that Guyana currently exports rice to more than 35 countries. In October, GRDB General Manager, Nizam Hassan had said that there have been increases in several blocks, where produce was delivered. For CARICOM countries, including Dominica, St. Vincent and Jamaica, over 50,000 tonnes of rice was shipped at a cost of over US$25 million between Jan-

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

uary and August 2020, compared to the 44,355 tonnes sold during January to August 2019. Guyana also earned more than US$66 million from January to August 2020, for shipments to the European Union. In 2019, sales to the same location earned US$56 million, after 158,751 tonnes of rice was exported. When 2019 and 2020 exports to Latin America are compared, statistics show an eight and nine per cent

decrease in volume and value respectively. Hassan said this is because Cuba did not receive any exports this year, while exports to countries such as Panama and Honduras decreased. “But notwithstanding, there are other countries in which we did well. For example, we have sent 11,754 tonnes of rice to Colombia, compared to 2,204 tonnes in 2019. Exports to Venezuela were 90,328 this year, and last year for the same period, we sold 74,912 tonnes,” he said. Additionally, last year, the United States of America received 256 tonnes of rice, but the shipping amount increased to 3,006 tonnes this year. In Guyana, rice is an important source of livelihood. Approximately 6,020 farmers produce rice in several regions throughout Guyana. There are 43 licensed rice millers and 22 registered exporters of rice. Rice accounts for 3.3 per cent of Guyana's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20.5 per cent of agriculture GDP.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Young GDF Lance Corporal establishes personal growth institute

–– on a mission to help people achieve their dreams with good time management

By Richard Bhainie FOUR years ago, young Jahshawn Rutherford was partying with some friends when a fight broke out and he nearly died. That incident shocked him to the core and forced him into a lifestyle change – one which allowed him to befriend “the right people who had their lives figured out”. The incident has become the driving force behind Rutherford’s 24 Hours Left Institute – an entity which focuses on personal development and teaches the importance of time management, promulgating a remedy to fear of failure, inferiority complexes and self-doubt - to help individuals achieve their dreams.

Rutherford, 23, told the Sunday Chronicle that he was not someone of high moral standing as he struggled financially and was often involved with the wrong people, at the wrong place and time. He recalled that the incident four years ago drove him to do some critical thinking about his life and what he wanted to achieve. Rutherford started to observe successful people, who made their name from scratch, including the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos. “My own personal development came from reading about people’s lifestyle and from that I created a concreate belief in myself that I can do anything.” He places a special focus

GDF Lance Corporal, Jahshawn Rutherford, founder of the 24 Hours Left Institute

on the value of time, noting that how to manage one’s time has always been underestimated. Hailing from Highdam, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, to a farmer and a school teacher, Rutherford explained that growing up he had limited opportunities and a mindset confined to his environment. He graduated from the Mahaicony Secondary School in 2014 and with not much to do and being unsure of what he wanted to pursue, he enlisted in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) the following year. After completing his A-Levels in 2017, he enrolled for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with the University of London and was transferred to the Legal Services Department within the GDF. He is currently a Lance Corporal. Reading played an instrumental role in his development; he employed a strategy where he tried to read one book per month, dealing with human potential, entrepreneurship and self-management. “Books led me to a next level belief, beyond my environment; books allowed me to create an environment for myself. Books had a huge impact on me. From reading, my management skills heightened and I began to deal with issues better. I started to communicate in a new tone and even the way I dressed changed,” he explained. He started to network, exploring for likeminded people, who he can talk to about the principles he learnt and who were already applying them. “It led me to meet people who are conducive to my growth. Created a hunger in myself and I just wanted to feed it. It was like a drug. I liked it and I wanted more,” he told the Sunday Chronicle. He added: “One of the most fundamental things I gathered from reading the works of these prominent people was to have a new perspective in relation to time and how time can change

your life. “I realized that all these prominent people I was reading, and looking at had something in common; they all had the same approach to time. They valued time in such a way that was above their income.” Rutherford stumbled across an article about Warren Buffet, who is American investor, business tycoon, philanthropist, who was quoted as saying: “I could

share it. “I thought this guy was joking. We weren’t friends or anything at that time so I told him he might not be speaking to the right person. However, he was willing to learn these things,” Rutherford explained. From witnessing Paris’ development and growth, Rutherford realised that if one person can make such drastic changes, then anyone who applied the principles

Jahshawn Rutherford conducting one of his sessions

buy anything, but I can’t buy time” - a statement that fascinated him. “This captured my interest to investigate what does this mean,” Rutherford said. Based on this, Rutherford authored a manual, in which he wrote the principles taught by the individuals he looked up to. He set clear goals, placed his imagination on paper and developed a vision of how to pursue his dreams. He related that a colleague known as “Paris” observed him consistently applying the principles in his manual and asked him to

would be able to do so. Rutherford went on to refine his manual to accommodate people of every caliber, based on what is not taught in school and so he started the 24 Hours Left Institute to implement a “new style of education.” “We are acquainted with only one type of education, the academic component, which consists of math and English and these things, but what about self-development? What about goal setting? What about what to do when I fail?” he explained. TURN TO PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

$90M in uniform and school supplies voucher for Reg. 6 By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur OVER 22,000 students in Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne are expected to receive a $4,000 uniform and school supplies voucher, which will inject approximately $90M into the region’s economy and bring much-needed financial relief to residents. This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickhand, during the launch of the voucher programme at Tagore Memorial Secondary School in #63 Village, on Saturday. The $4,000 voucher represents a 100 per cent increase from $2,000 and can be redeemed at accredited stores across the region and used to purchase any school related items such as uniform, stationery, footwear and even text books. “This money is going to be spent in the region because people will cash the vouchers at stores in their communities or nearby. We are very pleased to bring this to the residents and this is just a small part of the kind of assistance we intend to give that will complement the high quality teaching

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, hands over a voucher to the headmistress (ag) of the Tagore Memorial Secondary School, Sabereena Supaul

we want in the classrooms,” Minister Manickchand said. She explained that approximately $650 million will be expended across the country TURN TO PAGE

One of the recipients of the voucher, Kayola Ramackhan with her son who attends nursery school

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

$90M in uniform and school ...

Parents in attendance at the launch of the school uniform/supplies voucher at the Tagore Memorial Secondary School

and over 160,000 students on the coastland will benefit; children in the hinterland will receive uniform fabric and/or some cash of the same value. “We want to be able to make sure people can have a better quality of life and, so, it’s not only the uniform voucher, because we give cash grants which come on board next year…but we have also removed VAT on electricity so the parents have less to pay on their light bill and we have also removed VAT from the water bills so you pay less on water. “We have given more to pensioners so that families where a pensioner exists

there is more income. We have removed VAT on Agricultural machinery and several items where VAT existed, so shopping generally will be a lighter burden and those are all things that will accumulate to make sure parents can better serve the needs of their students.” Minister Manickchand further revealed that the hot meals programme would be expanded and the ministry is currently conducting evaluation on what text books are currently being used and what are needed. At the end of the evaluation, a consensus can be reached by teachers on which are the best books for the respective

grades/levels so that students can be provided with the required books free of cost. Minister Manickchand visited several schools across Region Six to distribute the vouchers to the respective head teachers who will later give then to the parents. Meanwhile, one of the recipients, Kayola Ramackhan 40, a resident of Number 58 village, said she is grateful to the Minister and the government for the assistance provided. She said the voucher will ease her financial burdens as she is also looking forward to the $15,000 cash grant in 2021.

FROM PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Couple arrested in Sophia drug seizure

A 19-year-old mother and her partner, 33-year-old Nyron Wilson, were arrested on Friday, after ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered

suspected narcotics in the couple’s ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown house, during a raid. Seized were methamphetamines, amphetamines

in both powdered and pill form, along with a quantity of suspected marijuana. According to the narcotics agency, the young mother had her baby at the time of

the arrest and was allowed to place the child in the care of another individual. The drugs were found in a bedroom of the house. Last year, law enforce-

ment officials expressed increasing worry over the growing popularity of synthetic drugs. Over the last eight years, the amount of co-

The drugs which CANU reportedly found in the couple’s Sophia house

caine produced has more than quadrupled. In 2010, 35 metric tonnes passed through the region. The figure was 184 metric tonnes in 2018.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Investment opportunities abound for Guyanese diaspora

–– Minister Walrond says major focus on diversification & modernisation By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA’s rapid development has presented an abundance of investment opportunities for members of the Guyanese diaspora to capitalise on, and even get preference for, according to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond. At a recent diaspora engagement forum with the Guyana Georgia Tourism and Business Authority (GGTBA), the Minister highlighted, “Government feels tourism is one of the sectors which will help Guyana to develop.” Currently, she explained, the tourism sector is undergoing a period of recovery and rebuilding, given the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism, however, is only one sector which the government is tapping to help with diversifying the economy and positioning it for development. “We have major developmental and transformational projects that we have outlined in our 2020 budget, and we have started the work and we

are inviting people like yourself to get into consortiums and partner with the government to participate and take advantage of these projects that we’ve made available, especially to Guyanese,” she emphasised. In addition to the string of relief measures and incentives instituted through the 2020 emergency budget, the government has released expressions of interest for four branded hotels in Guyana, after receiving more than 30 proposals. This, Walrond explained, was another effort geared at developing a local infrastructure to support the tourism sector. “I must say to you as a diaspora, as the GGTBA, there is a lot, as Guyanese, right now to take advantage of,” she posited, explaining that hotel development is only one initiative the government will be providing incentives for. She even said that once investors have “good, viable” proposals, lands will be provided as well. DIVERSIFICATION Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pro-

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond

jected that Guyana’s economy is expected to grow by 26.2 per cent. Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean and Latin American region projected to have positive real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and this is due to the country’s nascent oil

and gas sector. “As a government, we decided not to hedge our bets on oil alone and we realise that an economy is resilient as it is diversified, so we are moving towards modernizing our country in the fastest possible time,” Walrond,

however related. And in order to achieve this goal of diversification and modernisation, she emphasised that investment opportunities are arising and the private sector and the diaspora have crucial roles to play. The resurfacing of the East Coast Highway and the Linden to Lethem Highway are noteworthy infrastructural projects which will not only boost the country’s transportation sector, but will also open up access to new areas, particularly for tourism, according to the Minister. “As the Minister of Industry and Commerce, I’ve been fielding a lot of these expressions of interest from different partners and I would like to see the diaspora involved in this. We are looking for Guyanese to help develop Guyana,” she said too, while half-joking that Guyanese are given preference. She, however, acknowledged that investment for major projects requires capital. This means that partnerships with foreign investors may be necessary. Even so, she said that once projects are “Guyanese-doing” and

“Guyanese-led,” priority will be given. Other major areas for development, according to her, include energy and housing. But while these and many other opportunities exist now, she indicated that hordes of foreign investors are already seeking to take advantage. Therefore, she urged them to capitalise swiftly. Representative of the GGTBA, Gairy Moore, noted that there is significant interest in the business and tourism potential of Guyana from the large Guyanese diaspora in Georgia. Earlier this year, the Guyana Tourism Authority, along with the then Ministry of Business, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Guyana Georgia Tourism and Business Authority. The relationship established is envisioned to add value to the tourism sector in Guyana, as well as lift business opportunities among ranks of the diaspora and investors from the State of Georgia.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Visually impaired Dawn Benjamin pursuing her dream of becoming educator By Jeune Vankeric EVEN though she became visually impaired at age 14 through a botched surgery, Dawn Benjamin, now 46, has not given up on her dream of becoming an educator for children with special needs. “Back then as a teenager, I had to cope with several challenges so as to adjust from being sighted to becoming visually impaired. So, I want to help, especially the children to become adjusted, so that they can quickly fulfil their aspirations,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. Dawn, who lives at Sandvoort Village, West Canje Berbice, is taking steps to realise her dream, having secured five passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Early Childhood Development with the Board of Industrial Training. On completion, she intends to pursue learning at the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana. “Learning online has its challenges. But my lecturers

Dawn Benjamin

are very patient with me as I am now learning how to use some of the platforms, especially Moodle. With respect to attending classes at CPCE, I prefer an online tutorage as I have my mother to care for,” she said. Recalling her earlier years, Dawn had just entered Third Form at the Berbice High School when she was diagnosed with an eye infection. She received treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital but her condition

showed no sign of improvement. As a result, her father took her to Georgetown, where another ophthalmologist examined her condition and opted to perform minor surgery on both eyes. “After the surgery my sight deteriorated. It was Dr Alphonso who recognised that the surgery had damaged the corneas. According to him, the surgeries were unnecessary. That’s when I got blind. I was just 14 going into

15. Thereafter, I lived a secluded life until 2001 when I joined a sightless group in Georgetown, where my confidence was regained,” Benjamin said. She added: “I had to get up and get. I could not wallow in pity. I had to learn to do things for myself. So, I learnt craft and thereafter computing, having accessed the JAWS programme.” JAWS is a computer screen reader programme for Microsoft Windows that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-tospeech output or by a refreshable Braille display. “I have since earned a certificate and I am now au fait with some aspects of computing. I had wanted to pursue Computer Science at the Adult Education Association (AEA) level. But because of the stigma associated with disability, I did not get to pursue that dream,” she said. Despite being visually impaired, Benjamin has no regrets. “I am proud of my achievements. I can do all things. I cook. I bake. I wash… I care for my mother. The only thing that brings fear is walking the streets alone with my white cane,” she said, as she erupted with laughter.

Former NICIL CEO remains in police custody over land deals By Rabindra Rooplall FORMER Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath-London, remains in police custody as the probe continues into a controversial land deal he authorised at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The Sunday Chronicle understands that Heath-London was arrested Friday and is expected to remain in police custody until Monday. The former CEO was arrested after investigators obtained statements about the role played by embattled attorney, James Bond, in the lucrative land deals. Bond, a prominent People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, allegedly benefitted from the flipping of state land at Peter’s Hall. Heath-London was recently relieved of his duties in light of a series of illegalities and failures during his tenure as CEO of NICIL. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had issued the termination letter on behalf of the government, citing alleged transgressions in relation to the land leases.

Heath-London had also served as Head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) which was convened under the former David Granger-led government after it closed four sugar estates. The unit was responsible for the privatisation and divestment of identified assets of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Investigators identified that Heath-London issued approximately 14 agreements of sale and leases for NICIL lands located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and the subsequent vesting of seven tracts of land without ensuring that full payment was received for those lands in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements. He is also said to have issued the agreements and vesting orders without ensuring that the vesting orders were drafted by an approved NICIL counsel or contained the usual and customary language sufficient to protect NICIL’s interests. Heath-London also reportedly failed to facilitate and procure the necessary NICIL account reconciliations in order to allow the Auditor General to audit NICIL’s accounts from 2014 to 2019.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Hunt intensifies for Marlon Primo

THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has intensified the hunt for wanted man, Marlon Primo, as investigations continue into how 11.5 tonnes of cocaine managed to leave the ports of Guyana undetected and made it all the way to Belgium. Law enforcement officers, on Saturday, confirmed that they have since checked several locations for Primo but came up empty handed. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Belgian police and CANU are working closely to find Primo, who is the shipper of the containers. During the investigation, detectives discovered that the scanner images of the shipping containers, which was conducted by customs officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), were deleted from the system. These images were unable to be retrieved after three GRA officers, including the one whose signature appeared on the documents, were taken into custody and questioned extensively. But after experts were unsuccessful in recovering the deleted scanned images,

arrival at the Belgian port of entry in Antwerp. The catch is “the largest overseas drug bust ever, worldwide,” federal prosecutors were quoted as telling the Belgian media, and that

Wanted: Marlon Primo

CANU had to release all the suspects, including a broker. The four containers reportedly left Guyana on September 25 and were shipped by Primo’s MA Trading of Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, to the consignee, Lotraco Recycling BV, in the Netherlands. Primo is suspected to have fled to neighbouring Suriname. The CANU will be offering Primo protection and security, since he has

expressed fear for his safety. His last know addresses are 701, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and 69 Atlantic Ville, ECD The 11.5 tonnes of cocaine were neatly packed into a safe inside the container, which was then covered with scrap metal. Counter-narcotics prosecutors in Belgium said they had tracked the trans-Atlantic journey of the cocaine from Guyana and seized it upon its FROM PAGE

Young GDF Lance Corporal ... He held his first conference in December, 2019, with only six participants in a small room. However, he said the response was phenomenal and motivated him to take a leap of faith and to continue. When the COVID-19 pandemic came in early 2020, Rutherford did not let that stop him. “When the pandemic hit, I just had the idea of establishing the institute, in 2020; I knew that I would have to do the classes, but I just didn’t know how. I didn’t have any means or equipment to get it done virtually, but I had to do it,” he explained. ‘MIND OF STEEL’ He took his classes virtual using the platform Zoom, which gathered over 20 participants for each session from across the world. Rutherford

shared a personal experience with managing time that led him to develop a ‘mind of steel’ where he was close to giving up but did not. “During the prison Riots in 2017, I had exams the following week. Armed with a rifle in one hand and notebook in another, in the rain, performing my duty and attempting to study, was truly a test of my faith,” he explained. He recalled a woman in the vicinity who invited him into her home to iron his clothes and offered him food. From this experience, Rutherford believed that “nothing is impossible. It is based on your burning desire and if you fit that desire within the 24 hours you have in a day, then you can get anything done, you don’t get more than 24, so how do you

use it?” Kimmora Ward, Senior Auditor, Office of the Auditor General, in Montserrat, is one of Rutherford’s former students. She shared her experience. “Jahshawn has a comprehensive understanding of the principles needed to maneuver this complex world we live in today and he has a dynamic way in which he disseminates the information to the participants,” she said. Recognising his commitment to personal development, a consultant from the Proctor Gallagher Institute, reached out to Rutherford and offered him professional coaching in the area. Classes from Rutherford’s institute is being offered virtually and persons who are interested can make contact with him on telephone number 697 – 2165.

the estimated street value of the drug load was €900 million. Three police officers, a port manager, and a lawyer were among some 20 persons to have been arrested

as part of the operation targeting the “well-structured” criminal organisation suspected of orchestrating large and “regular” drug shipments from South America to Belgium.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Wanted bulletins issued for murder accused, fraud suspect

THE Guyana Police Force, on Friday, issued wanted bulletins for two men in relation to the offences of conspiracy to defraud and murder. Police are seeking the whereabouts of Marcio Magalhaes Santos, 32, of Boa Vista Brazil and Balamani Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Jermaine Encomo Richmond, 44, of Lot 34 Third Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Santos is wanted by the police for questioning in relation to a murder committed on Vivian Lacruz on November 3, while Richmond is wanted for questioning in relation to conspiracy to defraud the State between March 1, 2017, and March 31, 2020. On November 4, 2020, goldminer Santos, an unidentified man, along with goldminer Vivian Lacruz, of Lethem, Region Nine, were consuming alcohol at a shop

Wanted: Jermaine Encomo Richmond

Wanted: Marcio Magalhaes Santos

at Balamani Backdam when an argument ‘erupted’. Reports are that Santos whipped out a knife and dealt both men several stabs about their bodies before escaping. The victims were subsequently taken to the Bartica Hospital by public-spirited citizens where one of the victims, the yetto-be-identified man, was pronounced dead while Lacruz was treated for his injuries and referred to the

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Anyone who may have knowledge of the whereabouts of Santos is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 777-5007, 777-4007, 911 or the nearest police station and anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Richmond is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 227-2128, 225-6940, 2269122, 227-1149, 911.

Guyanese-American elected to Georgia local government body By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANESE-AMERICAN, Lisa Cupid, was recently elected as the chairperson of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, in the state of Georgia in the United States of America (USA). Cupid, whose parents are Guyanese, is an attorney and, formerly, an engineer. She was first elected to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners in November 2012, ‘defeating’ a 3-term incumbent. She was the sole person of colour and the sole Democrat. “I decided to run for office after living here for some time and seeing disparities across the county,” Cupid said at a recent Guyanese diaspora forum. She ran for the position of chairperson and secured a substantial victory, which she said was “quite an accomplishment” given that she has an innate desire to serve the county. Cupid defeated the incumbent Cobb Commission Chair Mike Boyce, a Republican. “We have a great opportunity to ensure that everybody has a seat at the table, including members of district four [Georgia’s Fourth ], people of colour, people who really have not felt represented by the way our policies have moved forward in the county to make sure that the county is successful for everyone,” Cupid highlighted. There is a sizable Guyanese diaspora living in Georgia, and Cupid said that she was proud of her “roots”, stating, “I just feel like my upbringing led me to being able to serve.” Her presence at the diaspora forum signalled her support for the efforts being made by the Guyanese in

Chairperson of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Lisa Cupid

Georgia to strengthen tourism and business ties with Guyana. Cupid lives in Southwest Cobb with her husband Craig and two children, Nehemiah and Noah. According to her campaign website, some of her accomplishments include: bringing developers and residents together to negotiate tough land use cases, as well as working with businesses to navigate permitting challenges; advocating for a community-oriented policing and greater use of technology in policing, to better protect both citizens and police; and, supporting transparency, thoughtful spending and community engagement whether in assessing the county’s new stadium and its annual budget and millage hearings. She also led efforts to expand transit to areas that lost service during the recession, including the creation of a bus line from her district to the Cumberland commercial center as well as an expansion of service to Sundays.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

COVID-19 testing continues at Anna Regina Sec.

The COVID-19 team conducts testing at the Anna Regina (Multilateral) Secondary school

THE Ministries of Education and Health continue to provide rapid COVID-19 testing for students, teachers and parents attached to the Anna Regina (Multilateral) Secondary school in Region Two after two of its dormitory students tested positive for the new coronavirus recently. The school has been closed since November 16. One of the students, who tested positive is from Kabakaburi in the Upper Pomeroon while the other is from Bartica. The students are currently in the isolation unit at the Suddie Public Hospital; they are not displaying any symptoms of the virus.

Meanwhile, on Thursday last, the COVID-19 team from the Suddie Public Hospital was at the school as early as 07:30h where they conducted a number of tests. The samples will be sent to Georgetown, and, based on the results, a decision will be made by the Department of Education and the Ministry of Health on when the school will be reopened. The Pomeroon- Supenaam region has recorded a total of 97 COVID-19 cases, with Mainstay/Whyaka recording the highest number. The regional chairwoman, Mrs. Vilma De Sliva, said that the COVID-19 situation is under control in the region.

Audit into Police Force uncovers over 100 missing firearms - over $100M misappropriated By Rabindra Rooplall AN ongoing audit into the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has discovered that over 100 handguns are missing and over a $100M allegedly misappropriated. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has since raided the offices of the Finance Department and seized files and hard-drives. Several top ranks in the force are likely to be questioned in relation to their alleged involvement in the disappearance of the guns. The missing weapons include those that were lodged with the force by members of the public for safe keeping, along with others which were seized from criminals and form part of exhibits in court matters. The audit suggested that the weapons began to disappear in 2018. Meanwhile, four senior officers from the GPF Fi-

nance Unit were sent on administrative leave recently as investigators probe the alleged misappropriation of $150M. The Sunday Chronicle understands that the officers bullied and underpaid ranks their allowances which they were entitled to for additional duties they performed. “When ranks signed for their allowances or claims, they would force them to collect less and many people never said anything because they were bullied,” one policeman, who experienced this, told this newspaper. The policeman, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, said while documents were signed to say that the funds were released, they never reached into the hands of the ranks. “This happened to a lot [of] ranks in the interior regions,” one source said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Understanding Energy

Offshore rewards not without risks

SINCE the Liza discovery in 2015, Guyana has experienced an astounding 90% success rate in economically viable wells. Exxon and its Stabroek Consortium partners have made 18 commercially viable oil discoveries so far after an exploration campaign of unprecedented size. But we shouldnâ€™t forget that 40 wells were drilled offshore Guyana before Liza, and none of them found oil. The news last week that Exxonâ€™s first well on the Kaieteur Block, Tanager-1, failed to make a commercial discovery serves as a reminder that even in the richest basins, there are huge financial risks for those that decide to invest in exploration. Tanager-1 highlights the many unknowns that come with expanding into newer areas beyond the established Stabroek Block. An unsuccessful well can take two forms. First, a well can be dry, meaning that it does not really have any oil or gas. Second, a well can be deemed non-commercial if the drilling site would not produce enough oil to make further investments in drilling and well infrastructure economically viable. While a dry well becomes a sunk cost for a company, a non-commercial well could become viable if nearby exploration continues and is also successful. For example, Tanager-1, the deepest well ever drilled offshore Guyana, does not have sufficient oil to make it economically viable alone. But additional exploration to develop nearby blocks could uncover areas viable for development. However, this creates greater risks and costs for the developing company as nearby wells could be dry or not add sufficient economic gain to continue development. Although the Stabroek has seen unusual success, commercial discovery rates offshore in frontier regions globally are normally very low. A 2015 study found that in

frontier areas on the Atlantic margin, only 7% of offshore wells resulted in commercial finds. The amount of oil or gas needed for a find to be commercially viable varies based on the costs of production and development in a region. Offshore wells, especially those in very deep water, are expensive projects and so the minimum amount of oil needed for feasibility is high. As explained in recent weeks, the money that a company invests to explore a region can only be recovered if a company finds oil and moves forward to production. Companies taking on exploration incur risks the moment they begin work. These risks double or even triple if they continue to explore near a dry or non-commercial well and insufficient resources are found. If the money spent on continued exploration does not yield additional commercially viable wells, then that money is a sunk cost for the company. In the case of Guyana, the oil company bears the financial risk of exploration if the oil discovered does not lead to oil production. The government reaps the benefits without shelling out initial money. Despite the early disappointment on Tanager-1, Exxon says it will continue to evaluate the data and is still planning on an active drilling programme even though success is not 100 percent guaranteed. The company and its partners are planning to deploy a fifth drillship offshore Guyana, and drilling is expected in the Canje Block at the Bulletwood prospect by early 2021. Two more wells at the Jabillo and Sapote targets could also be drilled in 2021. Suriname is also working to repeat the successes found in the Stabroek Block and is eagerly seeking investment. The country expects to see Apache drill a fifth well in the Bonboni prospect in 2021.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Kwakwani now has 24-hour electricity

PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Friday, commissioned a 900-kilowatt generator set at Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI), which will lead to the community having 24-hour electricity. The Prime Minister described the event as momentous for community development, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported. “What we have done here is a shining example for the rest of Guyana. Kwakwani can boast now of having adequate electricity,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying. He said that the generator would provide the community with enough electrical power to sustain small industries, which can lead to lots of developmental opportunities. “With the commissioning of this 900-kilowatt gen set, you now have over two megawatts for a community of just over 4000 residents. That is

something big for Guyana, because I’m not aware that there are any other small communities with such large amounts of power.” Prime Minister Phillips noted that the current administration has big plans for the development of energy in Guyana. “What happened today is just a short-term delivery… we will have an energy mix that will encompass generator sets, solar farms, wind farms, hydro electricity and natural gas, because it is our aim to improve the way the people of Guyana live.” Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated, Leslie Sobers Jr., said that after starting 2019 at 16 hours of electric power daily, the community was able to keep the lights on longer by the end of the year, but KUI was still unable to produce a full day’s worth of electricity. “We will now be able to produce 24 hours of electrici-

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips (third from left) with Chief Executive Officer of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc., Mr Horace Williams (left); Store Clerk of the Kwakwa Utilities Inc. (KUI), Ashmin Daw (second left); General Manager of KUI, Mr Leslie Sobsers (second right) and Mr. Renger Van Dijk, Managing Director of Genequip and Farm Supplies Ltd (right)

ty to Kwakwani; we will see improvement in businesses,

in water distribution and in our very own homes,” Sobers added. Councillor of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Paris

Archer expressed his appreciation as a representative of the community. “We will always remember that this commissioning took place…we had a lot

of blackouts in the past… thanks to the management and staff of KUI and the Prime Minister, we now have 24-hour service”.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Over 700 lbs of illegal Brazilian meat products seized THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, on Friday, seized more than 700 pounds of meat products imported from Brazil at the Casa

With regards to foot and mouth disease, Brazil has been categorised as free but with vaccination, however, Dr Halley said he does not have confidence in that information as the country still has to vaccinate to prevent

Some of the seized meat products

Mato Grosso Supermarket, located on Robb Street, Georgetown. Dr. Grayson Halley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), made it clear that Guyana does not import meat from Brazil because of the presence of foot and mouth disease in that country, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported. “We have here at this store on Robb Street, over 700 pounds of imported meat from Brazil of different kind. We have mostly beef products, pork products and we have some tripe and other products, mixed meat products and so on,” Dr. Halley said. The CEO explained that there are times when officers exercise leniency if a person is found with a quantity of meat for personal consumption, “but when you have products coming in huge quantities like this one, that’s going to consumers, that is being sold without proper documentation, we certainly have a strong objection against those.” According to the DPI, Dr Halley said the GLDA is clamping down on errant supermarkets, especially when it comes to meat products. The raid and seizure are part of ongoing monitoring exercises, which have been ramped up for the Christmas season.

the disease. “Guyana is considered free without vaccination and we have to protect that status. We cannot afford now, when we want to develop our livestock industry, to lay back and allow people to bring illegal products that can possibly expose our cattle population and our livestock population in general, and then it can cripple our industry before it even takes off,” he explained. Apart from the dangers of foot and mouth disease, the meat products, imported only recently, are close to expiring. “They import them close to expiry, then they repackage them to give the consumer while they are expired because the labels are printed on to the packages so you cannot leave it there. You have to repackage them so consumers do not know what it is they are buying,” the GLDA head explained. Meanwhile, he is urging the public to be mindful when making purchases of imported meat. “We tend to not look for the expiry date. We tend to just pick up a pack of meat or sausage or whatever; we need to become more conscious and read the labels, see where it’s coming from and we need to educate ourselves. GLDA would be running off a series of educa-

tional programmes on TV so that people could be aware,” Dr. Halley said. The GLDA will also be engaging a legal team to prosecute persons found breaching its guidelines.

A Ministry of Health official examines the meat products

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

Assuria Insurance donates traffic signage for EBD corridor –– over $500,000 in supplies to Traffic Chief OFFICIALS of Assuria Insurance Company, on Friday, donated over $500,000 in supplies to Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram at the Traffic Department Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Assuria’s General Manager, Yogindra Arjune, said the company was fulfilling its corporate responsibility in observance of road safety week. He noted that the signage and other supplies would aid the traffic police in doing their jobs and minimise accidents on the roadways. “The signs were done a little different this time where the Traffic Chief gave us some advice where the villages were listed under the speed limit, which is unique. We also donated several fans to the department to ensure the ranks are more comfortable,” the General Manager said. A total of 20 road signs and 20 fans were donated to the Traffic Chief.

“This is just the beginning and we will continue to assist the traffic department and the new traffic chief in his endeavors,” Arjune said. Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Ramesh Ashram, said the insurance company did not hesitate to assist when he reached out to it seeking the sponsorship. “The signs will enhance the traffic guidelines, especially on the east bank corridors where speed limit signs will be placed between villages for all drivers to see since they are large and carry writing of the villages and the speed limits required during that journey,” the Traffic Chief said. The Senior Superintendent said that the donations were timely since National Road Safety Week activities will commence Sunday. Assuria General & Life Insurance Companies offer Motor, Fire, Liability, Life, Health and Pension insurances to the Guyanese market since March 2012.

Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram (centre), Assuria’s General Manager, Yogindra Arjune (second from right), with officials of the traffic department and the insurance company at the handing over ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

The Science of COVID-19

COVID-19 and Mental Health Dr. Davendranand Sharma

By Dr. Davendranand Sharma THE World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the next pandemic would be a crisis in mental health disorders. Mental health includes emotion, cognition (thought process), behaviour, and the personality of the individual, which all originate in the brain. Abnormal reaction to any one of the components of mental health can occur by three main mechanisms: gene influences, the influence of past experiences of trauma and conflict present in the unconscious, and external stressors. External stressors are often by events out of the control of the individual, which can impact the brain leading to emotional, cognitive and behavioral disorders. The COVID-19 crisis is an event which came unexpectedly and has led to significant changes to the lives of everyone, including children, who have to adjust to a new way of life that disrupts their social development in school and play. The COVID-19 crisis can affect an individual’s brain, causing mental health disorders in a number of ways: directly by the viral impact on the affected persons’ immune system and also by changes in brain function by direct entry into the brain, causing a wide variety of neurological problems, including delirium and vascular disorders. Neurochemical changes occur which can lead to emotional problems and behaviour problems, including aggressive behaviour and

confusion. Impulse control disorders and addiction disorders are included in the behavioral disorders; anxiety and depression in the emotional disorders; and poor concentration, overthinking and worrying in the cognitive disorders. Indirect effects are the secondary consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Depression and anxiety are felt as a reaction to financial difficulties and social isolation. Changes in schedules may cause sleep disorders with increasing tiredness during the day. A marked decrease in recreational activities may lead to family tension and persons may experience increased irritability and mood changes. Compensatory overuse of cell phones, which some persons are on for many hours of the day, can cause brain wave changes and in some cases seizure episodes. Fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus and dying can lead to panic attacks where persons experience short bursts of heart racing, shortness of breath, increased sweating, feeling as if everything is unreal, and experiencing extreme fear. Persons of different age groups show different reactions. The elderly, who are a vulnerable group, experience depression, which is insidious and presents quiet worry, loss of appetite, fatigue, and sometimes hopelessness with thoughts of dying. Working adults generally would experience more anxiety related to finances and parenting, with concerns about contracting the viral illness, leading to obsessional extreme cleansing and phobias, including fear of contamination. CHILDREN Children of different age groups show different responses. Young children age 1 to 6 years can experience helplessness, fear, sleep terror, nail biting and depression, manifested by withdrawal from social activities. Older children and adolescents may show mood changes, more social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and obsessional diversion by cell phone overuse.

The psychological consequences of the COVID-19 crisis can also be divided into acute and chronic effects, and can also be experienced by health workers and by those who are affected indirectly, such as the family of the

patients who succumb to the illness. Acute effects include emotional shock, acute grief reactions and acute stress disorders. These reactions consist of an intense period of confusion, disbelief, de-

nial, anxiety, agitation and mood changes. Feelings of de-realisation and de-personalisation may also occur and people often talk about this experience as being unreal and feel that it is a bad dream from which they

would wake up and find life as before. The time frame for acute reactions depend on the individual’s personality, life experiences, maturity, coping capacity, and professional support received. TURN TO PAGE

SUNDAYCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE, November November 22, SUNDAY 15, 2020 2020

Sunday Submission MyMySunday Submission

Khalnow Torabully ‘s views on the WeDr.have broken new ground poetics of indenture: 100 years later and overturned past stagnations

IN anticipation of 100 cades, to do a short inter- dian indentured experience? modernity. One was overrécit”, to quote M. Foucault. years of indentured servi- view on his conception and Khal Torabully (KT): whelmed by this “univerI decided to work through tude scholarcomfort Dr. contribution Coolitude, In 1989, I was in France sal” celebration. But then, in countries the archives, history, oblivcaused by these endorse this declaration. news thatI asked there will those whoofhave western-oriented universiKhal Torabully, from the the poetics of indenture. for the Bicentenary of the something cropped up in my trades. ion,This literature, human scitrans-disciplinary Furthermore, the Gafoor he Ameena Gafoor been trying to bring the ties “pay little or no little island of Mauritius, but Lomarsh Roopnarine French Revolution, which mind. Where was my own encesaims to reclaim theacoolie to create diaInstitute intends to hold an journal tute who for the study to standard with attention tofoundation the history, hasstudy been of living in up (LR): When did you reallaid the of French “narrative”? My own “grand or the voiceless of history. logue among scholars from annual International Conntureship at the Uniother Caribbean Studies lives, and efforts of indenFrance for the past de- ly start writing about the InThis gave the foundationon 1989, varty of Warwick, under Programmes and further tured labourers and their ference, publish a journal different al Caledisciplines, d’étoiles in aspects in of 1992, post-slavery eadership of Dr. Da- afield. Indeed, one premise descendants” according to of indentureship, create iouspublished through labour, to explore Dabydeen et al, should for the institution is that the institute’s dispatch. 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We hasU.S. Europe. Le Morne Heritage site was of importance lacksupport this endeavor. Dr. depths for its symbolical the spatial framework Farzana Gounder and this inginscribed of resistance against understanding where we writer have proposed a jour- for value slavery in 2008, I was innal named Bonded Labor and came from, what we have vited to devise the very first and where we the objective is to facilitate experienced methodology articulating going. We yet, albeitto discourse on all aspects of the areslavery andare indenture to put the of bonded labour trade with a exceptions, avoid concurrence sums of memtogether to understand specific focus on the creation parts ories and histories. LR: What can youdysay humancentric of contemporary societies the whole about the International Indenture Labour Route (IILR)? KT: In 2015, I did the preliminary work with Dr Doudou Diene, ex-direcAN accident on the Number tor of UNESCO’s Slave 8 public road on the West Route. Ultimately, UNECoast of Berbice, Friday SCO included coolitude’s philosophical tenets in the night, resulted in the death premises of the IIRL. What of pedal cyclist, 21-year-old a stride after thirty years of Shemar Nathaniel Nurse. inaudibility and invisibility! Police Headquarters, in a Since then more individuals statement, noted that a hire have joined the field such car, driven by a 48-year-old as Véronique Bragard and Shivani Gurunathan. male of Liverpool, CorenLR: You were the UNtyne, Berbice, collided with

namics of the study of Indian indentureship ESCO envoyand for beyond. the Commemoration of the like 100th Seems, however, we anniversary of the official have reached a juncture in abolition in 2020 whereofweindenture might soar Guadeloupe. Share some rather thanonslide addressthoughts this, in please. ing the lacuna and paroKT: In 2017, what a chial position of indenture great moment for pan-indenturism! I reminded the and related fields. We have, audience of the role of 100 years later, broken new UNESCO in promoting ground and overturned past an inclusive study of instagnations, but we through must be denture, namely, cautious of being powerless methodological approaches inarticulating producing new ideas of for the very first-time slavery and inintegration so much so that as denture. In 2018, with the the field grows the human reGOPIO, we organized the lationships of it should not be first International Festinarrower. We do not expect val of Coolitude in Guathe study ofOne indenture be deloupe. focus to was ARTICULATING SLAVhale and hearty. There will AND INDENTURE, beERY challenges, such as uniting a very first inand academia and the neglected unconnecthistory of indenture. Dr. edDoudou aspects,Diene, but themember possibility of ofthe moving the field forward Commission for Slavery isinmore than ever. Parisrealistic and ex-director of the Slave Route, was our Journals of indenture studies, guest of honour. We as area for example, will serve now witnessing a growth of platform for rigorous debates, publications, notably from international engagement, historians like yourself, openness, the from diverseintroduction countries. ofWhat new an modes and models of achievement! I believe that theideas. Indian Ocean thoughts and will become abelieve field of I soon personally equal interest as its Atlantic that, whatever perspeccounterpart in global histotives emerge from the new riography and humanities, initiatives, they will deepen through indenture, for a transoceanic, archipelic our understanding, castand old transdisciplinary approach. problems in a new light, What and LR: bring to is thesignificant surface of Coolitude now as we information hitherto commemorate 100 yearsobof scured. We wish the Gafoor indentured emancipation? Institute and othergave initiaKT: Coolitude a new on definition to theofword tives the study the coolie, giving dignity to indenture, 100 years later, those labour migrants, one the best of luck (lomarsh. to be proud of. It has elabroopnarine@jsums.edu). orated a theory which has

filled the gap in postmodern/ transmodern and postcolonial studies by evolving into a humanism of diversity through the oceanic centrality of thebut, paradigm avoid a collision despite and positing a new perhis effort, the right side front spective in hybridisation or portion of theperspectives, car collided creolisation where “Indian” or other with thethe pedal cyclist,” the minority elements police report noted. are posited in equality with other Police said Nurse landed components interacting, onrelating the bonnet of the car, then with otherness, both in plantocratic and present onto the front windscreen and societies.

Young pedalcyclist dies in accident

subsequently fell on the roadPAGE 31 way. HeTURN was TO picked up in an

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020 FROM PAGE

Dr. Khal Torabully ‘s views ... LR: What are some challenges we face in studying the poetics of indenture? KT: The younger generation has been able to work through our thoughts of complexity, as they live in an accelerated phase of globalisation, where even if identities, populism and nationalities meet and clash, new elements of consciousness have emerged. The recent elections in the USA point to that fact. After the BLM movement, a “coloured”, “brown” woman (Indo-Jamaican-American) became the first vice-president. This made history. Harris, truly, in her representation, overlaps identity markers, much in the way

This article is submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme

COVID-19 and ... Generally, acute reactions continue to be intense for several days and would usually last up to a month, during which time the individual would go through the stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and hopefully come to accept the reality of the horrific pandemic and associated loss which allows for resolution of symptoms. Supportive counselling is the usual method of helping individuals through this period. However, if a grief reaction continues to be intense after the first month and is associated with abnormal symptoms, including hallucinations, alcohol abuse, prolonged depression or persistence of denial and anger, this would be pathological grief and would require specialist treatment. PTSD Health workers are prone to experiencing “burn out” when their cognitive capacity could be compromised resulting in problems with judgement. Acute stress reactions which persist for more than a month are called post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a serious consequence. Post traumatic stress disorder, if untreated, causes significant distress and is associated with substance abuse disorders, especially alcohol abuse and dependence. Common symptoms of this disorder include feelings of de-realisation and de-personalisation, depressed mood, persistent high anxiety or arousal states, and nightmares. Avoidance behaviours could include fear of going outdoors and obsessive cleansing. Individuals who are particularly prone to

developing this disorder include children, the elderly, people with mental health problems, and frontline workers themselves. Frontline workers are a special group of vulnerable people primarily because of the denial of their own emotional feelings and the use of defences like isolation of emotions to cope with the enormity of the crisis, and to try to remove unpleasant visual images and memory . Unfortunately, these defences result in emotional numbing. PTSD may lead to alcohol abuse in an effort to block out painful memories. The management of PTSD requires specialist treatment and involves primarily psychotherapy, including treatment of associated conditions like substance abuse. Psychological consequences can be mitigated in their intensity by adequate preparation and response. This should include public education on stress management and information on the availability of support systems and on how to access these services. The training of personnel to be able to recognise and deal effectively with emotional reactions is of value. Utilising psychological first aid for frontline workers involved in the crisis may help to prevent stress reactions in persons providing relief and care. A national Mental Health and Psychosocial Support system (MHPSS) is recommended by the WHO and PAHO as valuable for preventing and managing emotional and other mental health problems associated with the COVID-19 crisis.

coolitude has been exploring in its inclusive stances. Harris brings plural India, Indias, to the Indies and the Americas. I am speaking about hybrid representations, outside the frame of politics which has other fields of interest and actions. LR: What would you say to readers regarding the future of coolitude? KT: After some thirty years of constant production of epistemology, I have been able to challenge the view the subaltern could not speak, as an echo of Spivak’s question “Can the subaltern speak?” Coolitude has developed a coral archipelagic thought to meet issues of ecology and

FROM PAGE

the Anthropocene. Dr. O. Ette calls this corallian poetology a “transtropical trope”. In our ongoing work, coolitude, proposes a new definition of universalism from the depths of our seas, from “below”, from the redefined tidalectics of pan-indenturism. One hundred years later, the spirit of our ancestors has enabled a complex vision, allowing us to move through modern cartographies of culture, migrations, identities, and the humanities (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums. edu). Dr. Khal Torabully

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 22, 2020

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Ronaldo double lifts Juventus into se-cond place

(REUTERS) - Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half double allowed Juventus to climb to second in the Serie A standings with a 2-0 win over Cagliari at Juventus Stadium on Saturday. After a relatively quiet international break for Ronaldo, with one goal in

three games for Portugal, he scored in the 38th minute in Turin, finding the net for the fifth successive league match. Four minutes later the 35-year-old forward brilliantly struck at the far post to double his side’s advantage, taking him to eight

league goals for the season, from just four starts. Ragnar Klavan thought he had got Cagliari back into the game in the second half but his header was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. Ronaldo turned provider on two occasions as Juventus looked to score again but

poor finishing meant the hosts failed to add to their tally. The win enabled Andrea Pirlo’s unbeaten side to close the gap to leaders AC Milan to one point, with Milan playing at Napoli today. Cagliari stayed 11th.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half double allowed Juventus to climb to second in the Serie A standings with a 2-0 win. Having won four of their previous five games in all competitions, Cagliari showed plenty of confidence in the early stages, with Juventus looking a shaky having won just three of their last seven before the international break. However, after recovering from COVID-19, then an ankle injury, before travelling to play for his country, Ronaldo looked sharper than all around him as he took charge. The finish for his first goal was a trademark one, cutting inside twice before driving a low shot into the net, but the second was even better, adjusting as the ball was diverted behind him before flicking it home. Elsewhere on Saturday, Atalanta were held to a 0-0 draw at Spezia and Lazio beat bottom side Crotone 2-0.

West Demerara Mavericks ...

From back page Jai Masters, piled on 139 for 6 in 15 overs, thanks mainly to a half-centurion Kamraj Sumair who thumped 2 fours and 6 sixes in his 58. Zahir Moakan pummelled an unbeaten 40 not out with 3 fours and 2 sixes, as Winston London returned 3-8 amidst the carnage for GM Masters. In reply, GM Masters could muster only 110 for 3 with Daram Hemraj, the lone star carrying his bat with 40 not out, as his team suffered a 29-run loss. Action continues today with RP Construction Legends playing Sand Piper Masters at Everest from 09:30hrs while Regal Masters take on Everest Masters from 13:45hrs. At Enmore, the Mavericks tackle KV Construction Masters in the first encounter, followed shortly after by WD Masters/Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec battle. (Clifton Ross)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

James, Jordan, Obama linked in auction of sports memorabilia LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) - A LeBron James autographed, rookie NBA season Cleveland Cavaliers jersey and a high school basketball vest worn by Barack Obama are among items expected to generate buzz at a December 4 auction in Beverly Hills. James’ jersey, signed and gifted by the NBA legend during his 2003-04 rookie season, is considered the earliest known LeBron James autograph on a game-worn jersey according to Juliens Auctions, which is estimated to fetch between $100 000 and $200 000 when it goes

under the hammer. Since coming into the league as a highly touted rookie, James has won four NBA titles with three different teams, most recently with Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida. He earned a fourth NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award - second only to the six of NBA icon Michael Jordan and reignited the debate as to whether he has, or can, supplant Jordan as the NBA’s greatest ever. Along the way he’s become an outspoken voice for racial justice, urging minority communities to participate

in the political process. His No 23 jersey will be auctioned alongside a Number 23 vest worn by former US president Obama from his 1979 senior year at Punahou School and the No 23 worn by Jordan on his official 1984 ‘Signing Day’ with the Chicago Bulls. Other NBA history featured in the auction includes an official game ball signed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and used in his final regular season game and used by him to score the final points of a record-breaking career. The Spalding ball is inscribed “Last Reg Season Game Ball 4/89” and

“38,387 Pts Lifetime” and is printed with “Los Angeles Lakers”. It’s mounted on a custom Lakers wooden pedestal engraved with a high-relief Lakers logo. Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA champion and six-time Most Valuable Player, played his final season NBA game on April 23, 1989 - his 1560th regular season game. The ball is estimated to sell for between $300 000 and $500 000. The auction also features artifacts from Brazil’s 1970 World Cup triumph, including a set of confidential documents

LeBron James of Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during the first half in Game Two of 2020 NBA Finals against Miami Heat at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in October. (Photo: AFP) unopened for more than Roberto Rivelino, Carlos 50 years detailing results Alberto, and Tostao, along of health examinations with details of the team’s of players including Pele, training techniques.

Toronto Raptors to start NBA season in Florida LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) - The Toronto Raptors will start the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) season, based in Florida, after the franchise failed to agree a deal with Canadian authorities over COVID-19 protocols, team officials said yesterday. A statement from Raptors President Masai Ujiri said the 2019 NBA champions would start the new campaign at a temporary home in Tampa to sidestep the thorny issue of quarantine controls between Canada and the United States. The Raptors had been scrambling to broker a solution to the issue of where they will play in the 20202021 season, with the December 1 start of preseason training camp less than two weeks away. The new season tips off on December 22. Although Raptors would

Fred VanVleet (left) of the Toronto Raptors works the ball against Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics during the first half of their NBA basketball game at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in August. (Photo: AFP) have been free to travel in the have been subjected to the U.S., the team would have measure. been subjected to a 14-day “The Raptors worked dilquarantine whenever they igently with public health ofreturned to Canada. ficials at the local, provincial U.S. teams visiting To- and federal levels to secure a ronto for games would also plan that would permit us to

Spurs go top with victory over Manchester City TOTTENHAM Hotspur went top of the Premier League after producing a display of clinical efficiency and tactical discipline to beat Manchester City. In the usual battle of wits between Jose Mourinho and his old adversary Pep Guardiola, Spurs manager came out on top as his team’s season gathered further momentum. Son Heung-min put Spurs in front after five minutes, finishing coolly from Tanguy Ndombele’s pass before Manchester City had a first-half goal ruled out by VAR for a handball by Gabriel Jesus after Aymeric Laporte’s finish.

City continued to enjoy greater possession but Spurs, as you would expect from a Mourinho side, were fiercely drilled and resilient, taking their chance when it came to double their advantage and finish the game. It came in the 65th minute after a dream substitution from Mourinho, Giovani lo Celso beating Ederson with a low finish from another Kane pass 35 seconds after coming on for Steven Bergwijn - the only cloud for Spurs coming with a late injury to Toby Alderweireld after an outstanding performance. (BBC Sport)

play our 2020-21 season on home soil and on our home court at Scotiabank Arena,” Ujiri said in a statement. “These conversations were productive, and we found strong support for the protocols we put forward. Ultimately, the current public health situation facing Canadians, combined with the urgent need to determine where we will play means that we will begin our 2020-21 season in Tampa, Florida. “We want to thank all levels of government and

their public health officials for their dedication to this process, and for looking after the health of Canadians. We commit to continuing our work together, planning for a safe return to play in Toronto.” The Raptors’ logistical headache mirrored the problems other Canadian sports teams in North American leagues have faced since competitions resumed after a COVID-19 shutdown earlier this year. In baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays were forced to

play their regular season games in Buffalo, New York, while Canada’s Major League Soccer teams were required to play regular season fixtures in the United States. The Raptors’ decision comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, where new infections have averaged out at 167,400 per day this week. The United States has the world’s worst COVID-19 death toll, with more than 253,000 fatalities from 11.8 million cases.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Write off Christopher Henry Gayle at your peril …

Will a Gaylestorm blow at the 2021 T20 World Cup? By Abhishek Sarda WHEN 41-year-old Christopher Henry Gayle declined to take part in CPL 2020 not for the first time many were quick to write off the Universe Boss. Yes, he had the IPL deal with Kings XI Punjab but he was seen as a bit part player who would struggle to make the final XI. When he failed to feature in the opening games this only served to confirm the doubts of the naysayers. KXIP went on to lose six of their opening seven matches and although they were not as bad as the results showed they lacked a spark to push results in their favour. ENTER THE UNIVERSE BOSS: Chris Gayle was selected in KXIP’s 8th match against RCB and responded by scoring a half-century in the run chase of 177 hitting five huge sixes. KXIP went on to have a five-match winning streak before two consecutive losses eliminated them from the playoffs. By tournament end, Chris Gayle had impressed all, yet again, scoring 288 runs at an average of 41.14 and strike rate of 137.14.

Chris Gayle His presence and experience helped a relatively younger KXIP side to turn the tides. In the process of the tournament he also reached the milestone of 1 000 T20 sixes. Once more the Universe Boss had shown he is at his most dangerous when he has a point to prove. What impressed more than his runs was his fitness and hunger for runs. He was as usual at his best while hitting boundaries but he was also taking quick singles and was pushing for couples. Even in the field he appeared more spritely than usual. He talked about maintaining his fitness in postmatch presentations and his frustrations after get-

ting out on 99 spoke of his overall desire. All of these are a very good omen for West Indies Cricket as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in 2021. The tournament will be hosted in India where smaller boundaries and batting-friendly wickets can be expected more often than not. Chris Gayle’s good record while playing IPL 2019 in India, where he scored 490 runs at an average of 40.83 and strike rate of 153.60, bodes well if he selected. Although Gayle has only featured for West Indies in five T20Is since January 2018, with the last in March 2019 against England, the success or lack thereof of the 10 other West Indian players tried

at the top of the order in T20Is since Janiary 2018 suggests Gayle cannot be overlooked. Given Chris Gayle’s form in IPL 2019 and 2020, the premier T20 competition, it makes it hard to argue that he wouldn’t be in a World Cup squad vying with Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons. His experience of playing in numerous T20 World Cups also works in Gayle’s favour with him featuring in all six editions held so far. His calming presence and his globe-trotting experience alongside that of T20 captain Kieron Pollard is invaluable. With West Indies locking horns with New Zealand in three T20Is, the series will likely see Andre Fletcher and Brandon King as the openers. It represents an opportunity for those on the fringes to stake a claim, but given Gayle’s form it will take exceptional performances to look past him. Perhaps the final word should be left to Gayle himself. When quizzed as to his future plans by KXIP teammate Mandeep Singh he answered in a quintessential Gayle way. (Caribbean Cricket)

Browne-John hails new dates for Women’s World T20 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Chief West Indies Women’s selector, Ann Browne-John said she welcomed the decision to push back the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup (WWT20) to 2023. Cricket’s World governing body, ICC, said this past week that the tournament will be contested from February 9 to 26, 2023. “I saw the decision and I could understand the rationale for it because with the COVID-19 everything has been pushed back … I think it is a good decision,” Browne-John told the Trinidad Newsday newspaper. “I understand it and I think it will be something that the players will gladly accept.” The move follows the decision in August to postpone the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 to 2022 meaning there would be three major events in 2022. Chief Windies There will be a Women’s selector Women’s T20 compeAnn Browne-John tition at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July that year and the WWT20 was originally scheduled to be held in November 2022. ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said since there were currently no major women’s events scheduled to take place in 2023, the World governing body agreed to switch for the WWT20 to better support player-preparation and to continue to build the momentum around the women’s game beyond 2022. Browne-John said she did not think staging three World tournaments in one year would have affected the standard of the cricket, but there are a number of benefits to the new schedule. “Once players go to a tournament they would play to the best of their ability, but I think that staggering the tournaments (will) give them enough time between each tournament to recover and then go on to the following tournament,” she said.

Stoinis eager to continue floating experiment against India SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Aggressive Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is confident he could become the ultimate floating batsman in limited overs cricket after a successful stint opening in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stoinis, who has fashioned a successful career as a hard-hitting middle-order batsman who can close out

an innings, was promoted to open for Delhi Capitals by coach Ricky Ponting on their journey to the final. Ponting has now joined Justin Langer’s staff for the limited overs series against India that starts on Novrmber. 27 in Sydney and Stoinis has told the former Australia captain he is willing to continue with the flexibility experiment.

“Punter’s (Ponting) a big believer in me and wants to give me responsibility in the teams that he’s been in charge of, but I’ve got to be adaptable,” Stoinis told reporters yesterday. “I’m just happy to be involved wherever they feel I can have my biggest impact in the game. “Whether that’s at the top or the middle ... and I’ve

had these conversations with Ricky and said ‘just let me know and I’ll put the pads on’.” Stoinis, who scored 352 runs in this year’s IPL at a strike rate of 148.52, added that Ponting had proved to be a major factor in helping him improve his batting while in the United Arab Emirates. “The confidence he in-

stils, the way he teaches you, he’s as good as you’ll get,” Stoinis said. “I don’t think he’s in the business of changing careers but like all those good coaches you don’t really know you’re being coached until you look back and realise (what he did was) bloody important.” Australia and India play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stonis in Sydney and Canberra before a four-Test series starts in Adelaide on December 17.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Medvedev beats Nadal to set up ATP Finals clash with Dominic Thiem DANIIL Medvedev fought back to beat Rafael Nadal and set up a title decider with Dominic Thiem at the ATP Finals. Nadal served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but the Russian, 24, hit back brilliantly to win 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in London. He was the more aggressive player throughout and was composed in the decider as errors came from Nadal. Earlier, third seed Thiem beat world number one Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-7 (10-12) 7-6 (7-5) in almost three hours. The Austrian trusted his big hitting and fought back from a 4-0 deficit in the deciding third-set tiebreak to win. Unlike Thiem, Medvedev, who had never beaten Nadal previously, is unbeaten throughout the week. Neither man has won the season-ending event before but Thiem will start today’s final as the narrow favourite, having won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in September. Were world number four Medvedev to win, it would be the biggest victory of his career. Increased belief helps Thiem rally Thiem, 27, has stepped up in recent months, winning his maiden Slam and producing some of the best tennis this week in London.

If Daniil Medvedev wins today it would be the biggest victory of his career.(Getty Images) Against Djokovic, his belief in his shot-making and ability to play the big shot at the right moment proved pivotal. He double faulted on the opening point of the deciding tie-break and Djokovic raced into the lead

before Thiem sliced his way back into contention. A fifth match point was cancelled out by a Djokovic ace but Thiem’s relentless backhand that hugged the baseline was key to his victory. Djokovic has not been at his best in London and he cut a frustrated figure throughout the decider, letting out a furious yell when he sent an easy return of serve long at 30-30 on the Thiem serve in the third. His groundstrokes were simply not as consistently composed as usual and his repeated moves to the net did not work. Usually, a 4-0 lead in a tie-break for Djokovic would mean game over. Instead, he was out-hit and out-thought by his opponent. “What he did from 0-4 in the third-set tie-breaker was just unreal. I don’t think I played bad. I made all of my first serves. He just crushed the ball,” said Djokovic, who had been chasing a record-equalling sixth title. “I was in a driver’s position at 4-0. I thought I was very close to winning it. He just took it away from me. But he deserved it, because he just went for it and everything worked.” Despite the loss, Djokovic finishes the year as world number one, having lost just five matches in 2020, and will now prepare to defend his Australian Open title in January.(BBC Sport)

I’m not part of a ‘Fab Four’ says modest Thiem By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Dominic Thiem says he is not yet part of a “Fab Four” at the top of men’s tennis despite becoming only the second player to record five career wins against Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic on Saturday. After several years spent knocking on the door, the 27-year-old Austrian joined the Grand Slam winners’ club this year when he won the U.S. Open, and at the ATP Finals in London this week he has beaten Nadal and Djokovic. Thiem said he got lucky against world number one Djokovic in a semi-final lasting almost three hours on Saturday, squandering four match points in the second-set tiebreak, then coming back from 0-4 in the deciding-set breaker to win 7-5 6-7(10) 7-6(5). The fact that he managed to shrug off the disappointment of double-faulting on one of his match points, then finish the match with a blaze of brilliance to stun Djokovic, speaks volumes for how far he has come. But the world number three says he has a long way to go to start being bracketed with Nadal and Federer, who have won 20 Grand Slam titles, and Djokovic who has 17 majors to his name. “Of course not, I’m so far away. I have one Slam and one Masters 1000 title, that’s it,” said the modest Thiem, who beat Nadal on Tuesday in the round-robin stage here. “But I love to play against them, these living legends.” Thiem is clearly now established as a major force in the men’s game and winning the year-ender for the first time on Sunday against either Nadal or Russian Daniil Medvedev would be another peak scaled for the man from the ski-mad

thing great for me. Every match against them is a privilege and a huge chance to learn, but to beat them is huge confidence boost.” Three-times Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is the only other player to have beaten Federer, Nadal and Djokovic at least five times each and he also topped the world rankings. Thiem’s record against Djokovic now stands at 5-7, against Nadal it is 6-9, while he leads Federer 5-2.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday November 22, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK, STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: ATP Finals - The O2, London, Britain - November 21, 2020 Austria’s Dominic Thiem reacts during his semi-final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs nation. “It’s super special (to have five wins each against the big three), and it’s special to have my 300th Tour win today,” Thiem told reporters. “To beat them all five times is some-

(1) Dwayne Bravo-59 wickets (71 matches) (2) Tim Southee-78 wickets (71 matches)

Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest individual score registered by a WI in T20 Int’l matches to date? (2) What is the highest individual score recorded by a NZ player in T20 Int’l games to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

GGA to host golf event as part of Enmore Orphanage development LOCAL golfers, in partnership with Guyana Golf Association (GGA)/Nexgen Academy, will stage its annual charity event, geared towards the development of Enmore Orphanage. The CURRY-Q and mini golf exposition features academy coaches Avinash Persaud and Dr Joaan Deo on deck, to cater to the needs of supporters giving them a chance to play or learn the game for half-hour, as well as winning prizes at no additional cost. Since 2001, Enmore Orphanage has been home to more than 100 children, ranging in ages from 3 to 20 years old, and has been working to provide them with a stable environment. Director of the organisation, Kenneth Finlayson

said that for many years the orphanage has been working towards building a new facility but work has been stalled due to lack of funding. “As always, we are grateful to Mr Hussain and his golfing supporters for their efforts and support over the years to make this time of the year special for our children.” The Orphanage hopes that other organisations and sports entities will follow the lead of the GGA and help them accomplish the dream of completing the building of a better home and life for their charges. Many major companies such as Grand Coastal Hotel, Hits & Jams 98.1 Real FM, Toolsie Persaud, Assuria General, New Trend Auto, AR Printery, Banks DiH,

Crown Mining, the Shafura Hussain Foundation, and Panko Steel have already thrown their support behind the activity that combines a worthy cause with a day of fun for families in a socially-distancing environment. Kerwin Bollers from HJ Entertainment said that his company has always been ready to partner with Hussain. Many of the top golfers from Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), including president Pur Persaud, Munaf Arjune, Romel Bhagwandin, Robin Tiwari, Carlos Adams, Chet Bowling, and Ramesh Dookhoo are among the many players who will be on hand to demonstrate their skills and try to win prizes. President of the GGA, Aleem Hussain, said, “There is no better feeling

The Enmore Orphanage will be the recipient of some charitable work, compliments of the local golf fraternity. than giving to those who are unable to experience what most people accept as normal and that is why I’m happy to see both golfers and non-golfers coming together on December 6 to help raise funds to give these kids a wonderful Christmas party.” General Manager of As-

Long road to recovery ahead for TTFA, Hadad says PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Chairman of Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee, business executive Robert Hadad, says it will be a long, arduous process to restore credibility and stability into the organisation and the sport in the two-island republic. Hadad was speaking on Radio I95.5 FM, after world football’s governing body FIFA announced on Thursday that T&T were free to return to international play, following the lifting of a suspension on the TTFA with immediate effect. The end of the suspension followed the recent decision of T&T Court of Appeal to reverse the ruling of High Court judge Carol Gobin that FIFA’s appointment of the normalisation committee was illegal, null and void, and of no effect. Recognition of the authority of the normalisation committee by the membership of TTFA was also another reason FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura gave for the lifting of the sus-

Chairman of the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee, business executive Robert Hadad pension. Hadad said he and other members of the normalisation committee were relieved that months of legal wrangling was now over, but they were now dealing with the reality of the magnitude of the work ahead of them. “We are ready to work, but we are very concerned that there is a lot of work ahead of us,” he said. “There is relief, definitely, because we are very happy that T&T is back into football and we can start playing again. But the work now starts for us.

We will surely follow our mandate (from FIFA).” TTFA was suspended this past September, after the executive committee at the time - led by William Wallace - took FIFA to court over its decision to appoint the normalisation committee to temporarily manage the sport in T&T. FIFA claimed that TTFA, under Wallace’s leadership, “had engaged in various acts of serious mismanagement”. Hadad said the work to restore credibility in the TTFA was divided into “four main buckets”. “The first is to get the operations of the TTFA up and running again, getting the committees in place, taking a look at the league in T&T from grassroots to the professional league and what they will look like because it is no secret that some of them are all over the place,” he said. “We also have to get the national teams - male and female at all age groups - up and running again and ensure we have the right staff in place to coach and manage these teams.” He added: “Another area is the past

debt, which is a big area. We have to sit down and put some committees together to deal with that immediately. “And the fourth area is the corporate governance. Thankfully, we have good support from CONCACAF and FIFA, so hopefully we will be able to get all of the governance issues rectified.” The TTFA suspension had put in jeopardy Soca Warriors’ participation in men’s qualifying competitions for 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2022 FIFAWorld Cup. But Hadad said players had already started to train again under the guidance of head coach Terry Fenwick and he expected things to be ramped up in the coming weeks. “We are going to definitely have to sit down and have discussions around the current coaching staff and this has been said to them already about what the roles are and we may have to tweak some and rearrange some, but I do not want to commit to what that would look like now,” he said.

suria General, Yogendra Arjune, explained that his company sees this as a great opportunity to give back to the less fortunate and he was happy to be a part of the activities. “I am a new golfer and our company supports many charitable efforts so placing our support behind this was a no-brainer for

me.” Tickets for the event are available at the Golf Academy, Scouts Association of Guyana ground, Assuria General offices located at Giftland, Church Street, Diamond, and Vreed-enHoop or by calling 645 0944 to reserve. (Clifton Ross)

Joe Root hits 77 in England warm-up match in South Africa ENGLAND Test captain Joe Root made 77 in as many balls as Jos Buttler’s team beat Eoin Morgan’s in a 40-over intra-squad game on the tour of South Africa. Root, left out for the three-match Twenty20 series starting on Friday, struck seven fours and a six and shared 103 with Sam Billings, who hit 52. Buttler’s team were bowled out in the final over for 255 as Tom Curran (4-25) claimed his fourth wicket. Root then had Ben Stokes caught for 10 as Team Buttler won by 50 runs. With the bat, Root pulled Stokes for six and then reached his half century with a reverse sweep for four. Billings, who Joe Root averages 50.10 from his 149 one-day joined him in the 16th internationals. over, fired sixes off Jake Ball and Moeen Ali in a 44-ball innings before he was caught in the deep off Stokes. In reply, Morgan hit two sixes before he was caught behind for 20 off Chris Jordan in the 15th over. After two sixes in 55 from 41 balls from number seven Chris Woakes, Lewis Gregory settled the match with two wickets in the 36th over, leaving Team Morgan 205 all out with 25 balls unused. (BBC Sport).

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 22, 2020

Athletes hopeful about restart of sports, training By Gavin Lewis AS athletes navigate the challenges and uncertainties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are welcoming the Government’s partial restart of sporting events. In mid-March, the National Sports Commission (NSC) closed all Government-run sports facilities, and other sporting organisations followed suit after the adoption of the COVID-19 preventative measures. As restrictions are eased and Guyana shifts into a new normal, athletics, bodybuilding, cricket and tennis are some of the sport disciplines that have gradually resumed competitions, in keeping with the preventative measures. Other sport fraternities have shelved their activities for the 2021 season. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr has said no spectators will be allowed at sporting events which have been granted permission to resume competitions. “The Task Force is the one that gives guidance. Their position, along with the government’s position, given the last guidelines that we had, was that certain sport events are allowable. And the condition the Task Force has outlined is one where it’s not for spectators,” he said. The minister made these statements during an interview on Kaieteur Radio on November 13. Speaking with DPI, national track and field star Mr Jonathan Fagundes said he supports the relaxing of the measures for athletes. “For me, it’s all about the youths and it would benefit me in a tremendous way whereby I’ll get to get more group trainings and push my ability to the next level,”

Vice-president of the Guyana Tennis Association, Ms Cristy Campbell he said. First vice-president of the Guyana Tennis Association, Ms Cristy Campbell, said while the pandemic has halted its annual Inter-Guiana Games she too is pleased about the restart. “I see no problem with opening. The responsibility is solely on the administrators and athletes to ensure that they follow the stipulated COVID-19 guidelines. I’ve no problem and I think it’s a good idea for them to open facilities so we can move forward,” she said. Access to training is particularly important as many athletes hope to benefit from the elite training programme the ministry plans to start, to hone the skills of those who are above-average.

Skill Thrill Freestyle Football Festival ...

Entries close today, Right Start Foundation gets support from WFFA AHEAD of its proposed inaugural Skill Thrill Freestyle football festival in Guyana, the Executive Director of the organising Right Start Foundation which is based in Linden, Mr Colis Gifth informed Chronicle Sport yesterday that plans are on stream for the playing of the competition. Information seen by Chronicle Sport indicated that the governing world body for the sport, World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA), through its Central and South America representative Mr Martin Alvear, last week informed that Colis Gifth contacted him in October 2020 regarding a very interesting project that involves the growth of freestyle football in Guyana, called Skill Thrill Freestyle Football Festival 2020, which is going to make a good impact on Guyana’s youths. The correspondence stated: “I am writing to support the activities of Mr Colis Gifth from The Right Star Foundation. Freestyle Football is taking the world by storm, with content being viewed by more than 80 million people every month on social

media and athletes now living full time from it too. The WFFA is World Governing Body for the sport and has created a world ranking system, which allows anyone in the world to pick up a ball and get involved. Further, WFFA has been searching for years for someone who’s eager to work on behalf of the sport in Guyana, and it believes Mr Gifth is the right person for the role. As the representative of Central and South America, WFFA representative added: “I am compromised to assist the event in these ways: 1. By working to make Guyana an affiliate member of the WFFA and to develop programmes to improve freestyle in Guyana. 2. By offering technical guidance and support to organisers. 3. By providing virtual judges and offering training workshops for local judges for the competition, so they have technical knowledge about Freestyle Football and 4. By assisting in marketing the competition on WFFA digital media platforms.” Entries close today and all

Executive Director of Right Start Foundation Colis Gifth participants must be Guyanese 16 years or older, living in Guyana,. They are to record and post a video introducing themselves and showing their freestyle juggling skills. It must be no more than three minutes long. They can visit the Skill Thrill Freestyle Facebook Page for registration and upload videos. The winner will walk away with $100 000 and the runner-up $50 000. (Joe Chapman)

Transport Sports Club cricket coach Sean Massiah Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Health granted permission for some competitions. “We have granted permission for cricket matches, but without spectators and along with this permission, bars at these events must be closed,” Minister Hon. Dr Frank Anthony said. Cricket coach at Transport Sports Club, Sean Massiah, is pleased about this as many young cricketers lost valuable training time due to the lockdown. “When you look at the game of cricket in particular, and the other sports that are non-contact sports, I think cricket could’ve gone ahead a little earlier because it’s a non-contact sport, and that would’ve played a major part in a lot of athletics. But I am so happy if they can open up sports now. I am looking forward to them giving the green light to restart those cricket and athletics competitions,” coach Massiah said. Sport organisations such as Guyana Cricket Board and Guyana Football Federation

Track and field athlete Jonathan Fagundes during a training session (GFF) have outlined their upcoming activities for the next few months. GFF has also appointed its own COVID-19 committee to oversee the safe return of the sport. As the country continues to reopen in the new COVID-19 environment, local sport organisations and athletes have pledged to observe the national preventative measures to ensure a safe return to sports. (DPI)

Bravo smashes stroke-filled 100 in strong second-day reply for Windies reserves RETURNING West Indies batsman Darren Bravo crafted an enterprising century to anchor the team’s efforts on day two of the three-day First Class match against New Zealand A.

Darren Bravo stroked 135 from 214 balls with 13 fours and five sixes. Bravo made 135 from 214 balls as the regional team ended the day at 329-6, inching 21 runs ahead of the Black Caps’ first innings total of 308 for 3 declared. Bravo, 31, one of the most capped members of the West Indies Test squad on the Tour of New Zealand with 54

matches behind him, batted a little more than 4½ hours at the crease after he started the day on eight. Bravo raced towards his hundred in a volley of strokes, mostly off left-arm spinner Michael Rippon. In reaching the target, Bravo struck 13 fours and five sixes and formed a third-wicket partnership with Shamarh Brooks that was worth 122. Brooks made 80 from 152 balls, with the team also receiving contributions from newly appointed vice-captain Roston Chase who made 41 from 62 balls. The New Zealand bowling lineup did not feature anyone likely to gain selection for the official matches and no bowler claimed more than one wicket. The first Test between New Zealand and West Indies starts on December 3 at Seddon Park in Hamilton and the second Test begins on December 11 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Scores: New Zealand A 308-3 declared (R. Ravindra 112, H. Nicholls 76, D. Conway 46 n,o., J. Carter 41 n.o.) v West Indies 329-6 (D. Bravo 135, S. Brooks 80, R. Chase 41) in Queenstown.

Tyson not included in Frank Warren’s top 10 greatest heavyweights of all-time FRANK Warren has told talkSPORT.com that Mike Tyson would be nowhere near the top 10 heavyweights of all-time and claims Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman would easily beat him. Tyson prepares to return to the ring after a 15-year absence in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr on November 28, and despite looking in great shape and looking monstrous on the pads, the boxing promoter has questioned his legacy in heavyweight boxing. Warren spoke to talkSPORT regarding Tyson, and about his in-ring ability, he said: “Mike Tyson, when he was young and first got into boxing, he was exciting. A bit like Daniel Dubois in some ways, he sort of captured the public’s imagination

in devastating style. “He won a world title, and everybody was talking about him. For me, he was one of the most exciting young heavyweights. However, he doesn’t get in my top 10 because he just did not last the course. “He was sodding around, drugging it and boozing, went to prison. He just didn’t do it for me.” Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20, but it all came crashing down when he lost to Buster Douglas in 1990, and from that point onwards, Tyson was never the same with his boxing. Warren continued to claim that young Tyson was exciting, but would struggle against the greats like Ali and Foreman. “As a young man he was very, very ex-

Mike Tyson (R) fights against heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick (L) to become the youngest heavyweight world champion in history on November 22, 1986 in Las Vegas © Carlos Schiebeck © AFP citing and you’ve always got those fights that you think about. “At his best, would he have beaten Muhammad Ali at Ali’s best? They would always have been great fights. “But I don’t think he would’ve beaten

Sonny Liston, I don’t think he’d have beaten (prime) Larry Holmes, I don’t think he’d have beaten Ali, I don’t think he would have beaten Joe Frazier and I certainly don’t think he’d have beaten George Foreman.”

GCB/Tropical Springs Water Over-40 T20 tournament

West Demerara Mavericks, Jai Masters open Round 1 with big wins … Play at Everest abandoned

Stafanie Taylor thanked Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes for statements made by the teams and praised individual players from other teams for adopting the gesture.

Taylor pleased with ‘fantastic’ support for Black Lives Matter in WBBL Officials having a chat following no play at Everest THE opening round of GCB Over-40 T20 tourney, bowled off yesterday despite the inclement weather, with strong wins for West Demerara Mavericks and Jai Hinds Masters. At Enmore ground, West Demerara Mavericks posted 94 for 6 in 15 overs with Lalta Sukhandan striking two fours and a six in his top-score of 40. Support came from opener Manishram Balgobin, who earlier set the tone with 35. Bowling for RP Construction Legends, Khaled Mohammed returned 2-5 while three

other bowlers grabbed a wicket each. They were then sadly kept to 73 for 8, losing by 21 runs, despite a fighting 31 from opening batsman Mohammed who returned to show his class with the bat. The Mavericks bowling was led by Nijel Vieira who snatched up 2-10 with three other bowlers grabbing one scalp apiece for good measure. It was a high-scoring affair at the Jai Hind ground in Berbice, where home team See page 46

WEST Indies women’s team captain Stafanie Taylor has praised players and several teams in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for their continued support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The symbolic gesture of taking a knee in support of racial equality spread around the globe an adopted by many sports in the aftermath of the death of an African American man, George Floyd, at the hands of the police earlier this year. To some extent, the symbolic action has fizzled out in the sport of cricket, with some teams claiming other more concrete options in pursuit of equality are being pursued. The WBBL has, however, continued to support the gesture and Taylor has been appreciative of it.

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“We have been taking a knee throughout the whole tournament and I am so pleased with the support I got from my teammate, it was really fantastic,” Taylor, who plays for Adelaide Strikers, told the Daily Telegraph. “Sometimes I even forget, and Megan Schutt will say to me; Stafanie, don’t forget we’ve got to take a knee,” she added. Taylor also thanked Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes for statements made by the teams and praised individual players from other teams for adopting the gesture. “While I wish that all players from all eight teams competing in the WBBL this year were taking a knee, BLM is a global movement and I’m proud that cricket is helping to stamp out racism on and off the field.” SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020