Guyana Times Daily - August 14, 2015

SVN girl tops CSEC with 20 Grade Ones

Following dismissal of almost 2000 CSOs Amerindian lobby group files $10M lawsuit against Govt – PPP supports move

Meadow Bank man remanded for sex worker’s murder

Appointment of State Media Boards... PPP flails Govt on foisting of 3 “party hacks”

Mother of one killed in Eccles

Following dismissal of almost 2000 CSOs

Amerindian lobby group files $10M lawsuit against Govt

– PPP supports move

A$10 million lawsuit has been filed against Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock and/or his Permanent Secretary Wibert Welch for the alleged unlawful and wrongful dismissal of some 2000 Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs).

According to the court document, the termination of the services of the 1972 Amerindians CSOs who were employed under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) of the then Amerindian Affairs Ministry, is a blatant infringement of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Articles 40, 149, 149(A), 149(D) and 149(G) of Chapter 1:01).

The document also states that the firing of these individuals is against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the International Covenant on Economic and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Vienna Declaration, all of which impose an obligation upon the State of Guyana to preserve and protect in-

digenous people’s based on principles, inter alia, of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, non-discrimination, equal treatment, right to self-determination and right to work.

The lawsuit was filed by Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) President Peter Persaud on behalf of the CSOs.

In June 2013, the Government of Guyana, via the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, launched YEAP with the aim of supporting Amerindian youths within the age group of 18 to 40, in the various villages and communities through ap-

prenticeship attachments that allow for capacity building, and strengthening individual interests and entrepreneurial aptitudes.

One of the objectives of this programme was to create employment opportunities and generate income for young people in hinterland Amerindian villages.

The CSOs were entitled to a monthly stipend of $30,000. Reports suggested that this source of employment positively impacted upon the lives of 12,000 Amerindians in 2000 households in approximately 187 communities. Cumulatively, it constitutes approximately 16 per cent of the total Amerindian population in the hinterland.

The court document also claims that the CSOs, since the change in Government, have not been paid their monthly stipends for the month of April to date.

“That these CSOs and their dependents rely upon these monies as a source of their livelihood and the cessation of this revenue flow into the village economy will have devastating consequences upon the Amerindian communities throughout the hinterland,” the document asserted.

Payments have begun – Garrido-Lowe

But Junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe insisted that payments had begun some two weeks ago. Against this backdrop, the lawsuit was filed.

Persaud will be represented by Attorneys-at-Law

Euclin Gomes, Sase Gunraj, Manoj Narayan and former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.

The A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration fired the CSOs in the hinterland regions across the country because it was believed that their operations were political.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said it was always found that the programme, which has been in existence for several years, was being used by the previous Administration for political purposes. This being the case, he said, their sacking was justified.

PPP support

But the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it fully supported the legal action filed by TAAMOG, on behalf of the 1972 young Guyanese of

Amerindian descent who were recently fired by the APNU/AFC Government.

“It is the largest single act of ethnic discrimination in the history of post-independent Guyana and there may be few precedents of a similar nature around the world,” the Party said in a statement on Thursday.

It explained that the persons fired were almost three per cent of the population of indigenous people living in the country.

“Apart from the devastating impact that this discriminatory action will have on these individuals and their families, it removes from the Amerindian village economy at least $270 million per annum. This act violates all international practices, norms and laws relating to indigenous people,” the PPP argued, as it called on the APNU/AFC Government to immediately reverse what it described as a grave injustice perpetuated on Amerindians.

Meadow Bank man remanded for sex worker’s murder

The suspect in the murder of a male sex worker was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Forty-two-year-old Ron Forde, also called “Andel”, of Lot 19 Meadow Bank, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on July 22 at Quamina Street, Georgetown in the Georgetown Magisterial District, County of Demerara, he murdered Nephi Luthers.

Forde, who was previously on the run from Police, was arrested on Sunday evening at the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park in the mining community and was transported to Georgetown to be interrogated. The case file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack who advised that charges be instituted against Forde.

Luthers, 20, of ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was shot once to his chest during a confrontation with

Forde and another suspect, Kanand Ojha of Lot 2 First Street, Meadow Bank.

It is believed that on the night of the shooting, Ojha paid a sex worker in the vicinity of St George’s Cathedral, $5000 to perform a sex act.

During the act, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After

the act was completed, he left in his motor car, but subsequently realised that his phone and cash were missing.

Ojha, from reports received, collected Forde and went back to the location where they confronted Luthers, but he denied doing business with the man, which resulted in an argument.

During the argument, Ojha reportedly told Luthers, “You have to give back the thing”, but in response, the commercial sex worker said: “Me ain’t been with you”. At this time, Forde pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting Luthers to his chest. The sex worker fell to the roadway and the two men fled the scene. Luthers’ colleagues picked him up and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. From all indications, Luthers was mistaken for someone else. Forde was remanded to prison as investigations are not yet complete. He will return to court on August 21.

august 14, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 14 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, August 15 – 05:00h-06:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 14 – 16:40h-18:10h and Saturday, August 15 – 17:00h-18:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Winds: East to East South-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:09h and 16:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.57 metres and 2.52 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:06h and 22:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

New controversial recordings...

PNC denies teaching Sean Hinds how to kill

...PPP/C says it’s “not surprised” by revelations

By Michael younge

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Thursday strongly denied allegations that it taught and trained selfconfessed death squad member Sean Hinds how to kill innocent Guyanese and particularly persons from one ethnic group.

Hinds is in the spotlight again after a video recording of him implicating the PNCR in State-sponsored killings went viral on social media on Wednesday.

In the three-minute video, Hinds cited several infamous shootouts which plagued the country and provided detailed reports alleging PNC’s direct involvement.

PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke fixedly denied the allegations, noting that he was completely shocked that Hinds would make such declarations.

“I could only laugh … I am not aware of this. I as General Secretary of this party am denying these allegations,” he said.

Clarke made it clear that his party has never engaged in any sort of illegality that saw citizens being murdered or killed to stir up political turmoil in the country.

But PNCR Executive and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary Joseph Harmon, who is now the Minister of State under the new coalition Government, when asked to comment on the allegations, simply stated that Hinds should go to the Police with the information and let them deal with the matter.

“Mr Hinds must make these statements to the Police, we will not provide any amnes-

ty, let him go to the Police and make his claims and let the Police investigate it,” he asserted, noting that he had not yet viewed the video.

On Thursday, this newspaper contacted former PNCR Leader and Minister within the Desmond Hoyte Government Robert Corbin who was named in the recordings for a comment, but he declined expressing his surprise that Guyana Times would report on the matter without first seeking a response from him.

“I have nothing to say. I have no further comments to make on this matter,” an upset Corbin said before disconnecting the call for the second time.

Efforts by this newspaper to get a comment from former PNC Executive Aubrey Norton proved futile.

Interesting

When contacted for a comment on the statements made by Hinds, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee said that it was interesting to see all of these revelations coming out.

He said that the Party was not surprised at the names being called in the recording, because it always had the impression that there were political intellectual authors behind all of the murders and crimes that were being committed over a period of time.

“So I think now Mr Harmon should be the one to explain all of these things, because he said he knew that there was a criminal enterprise with political connections, so now the chicken is coming out to roost,” Rohee said.

Asked whether his Party concocted the recording to do damage control following

Hinds’ earlier statements, he denied this explaining that the PPP as a party only learnt of the recording after it went viral.

“I think there is more to come…we will certainly be following and monitoring the developments that are taking place because we have interest in any matter that is of national security importance,” Rohee explained.

He said that the Party welcomes any investigation or Commission of Inquiry into criminal activities over any period of time because he “knows that the PPP has never been involved in those things”.

Hinds claimed that during the early days of the PPP tenure, the PNC had on countless occasions killed innocent individuals as a part of its scheme to create havoc in the nation and cast a bad image on the then Government.

“Corbin is aware of this, Aubrey Norton is aware of this, cause at that time they used to control the place…. them is the people who taught me these things… them is the people who send me to train,” the ex-Policeman said, noting that many of the individuals involved in the killings back

then are now senior officials of the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

Hinds went on to say that he felt targeted by the new administration, but he cannot understand the reason why since it was the PNC (the majority party in APNU) that was organising the killings.

“I was Desmond Hoyte bodyguard way back in the PNC time … All that I know, all they said that I do and I know, is they taught me these things, they taught me to kill people … All these things that they saying I do is out of their camp I come,” he posited.

Hinds added, “I could remember incidents of when the PPP was in power back then, and they wanted a commotion, senior people in this Government right now asked me to go outside with a machine gun to shoot out … to cause a commotion,” he stated. Only recently, the death squad member came forward in a televised interview making startling and scurrilous allegations about political involvement in the crime situation in the country.

The death squad was reportedly responsible for going after criminal elements, particularly those who emerged after the massive jailbreak of February 2002, when five high-profile criminals escaped from the Camp Street Prison.

The controversial figure also claimed to know who was responsible for the murder of political activist Ronald Waddell.

Hinds had surrendered to the Police, but had subsequently been released after the 72-hour detention period had expired. He was represented by his lawyer Nigel Hughes, Chairman of the AFC.

Editor (Ag): Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Restoring Georgetown

This newspaper reported earlier this week that $300 million has been allocated in this year’s national budget towards the restoration programme for the capital city, Georgetown. We also reported Mayor Hamilton Green as saying in an interview with this newspaper that discussions are presently ongoing at the Mayor and City Council as to the disbursement of the funds and about the projects that are to be undertaken.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his budget presentation on Monday, had told the National Assembly that the money set aside for the restoration programme for Georgetown “will enhance the aesthetics of the capital, befitting the unique architecture of colonial buildings, tree lined avenues and canals that are attractive to all”.

This of course sounds good on paper. Everyone wishes to see Georgetown being transformed from its present deplorable state to a modern, clean and tourist-friendly city. So the fact that the APNU/AFC Government has set aside monies for this project is more than welcoming. However, while it is not our intention to be pessimistic about the Government’s plan to restore the city, it is worthwhile to note that for years Central Government has been allocating monies towards various projects aimed at restoring the city to its former glory. Unfortunately, citizens are not seeing the kind of results they expect.

The authorities must therefore ensure that this time around, a genuine bipartisan effort is made to spend this huge sum wisely. Central Government should not continue pumping funds to the City Council if results cannot be showed for it.

To begin with, there needs to be a long term plan to ensure the City remains in a proper state, so that come next year, residents would not have the same issues to deal with. For example, it makes no sense allocating millions every year towards cleaning the City and after a few weeks, residents have to endure the same things they have been complaining about previously.

In recent years, the public has criticised the Council for the state in which the city has been in, citing various complaints about health and safety hazards in a number of locations. Also, not so long ago, heavy rains resulted in severe flooding in most parts of Georgetown, inspite of millions being spent to clear the city’s drains and canals.

To this date, certain parts of the city are littered with garbage, there are clogged drains and canals, pavements are blocked due to illegal vending, preventing persons from walking freely, dilapidated structures could be seen in some areas, no order and decency at the bus parks and the list goes on.

There were previous calls made for all stakeholders to work collaboratively in order to arrive at practical and sustainable solutions as it relates to restoring Georgetown. First of all, there needs to be a national policy on the issue of plastics and Styrofoam. Plastic shopping bags, carrier bags or plastic grocery bags are made from various kinds of plastic. Also, the many plastic bottles that are thrown all around the place clog up drains and canals, collect water, breed mosquitoes and have a wider environmental impact. The same effect Styrofoam food containers have on the environment.

Secondly, the issue of recycling would also need to be looked at. The PPP/C Government had indicated a willingness to provide concessions to persons who import machinery for the purpose of recycling plastics. Unfortunately, the response has not been that favourable. However, we believe that given the apparent lack of widespread interest in the recycling initiative, the government should lead the way in this regard and promote a recycling initiative of its own and hopefully the private sector will join in.

Certainly, there is much work to be done at every level if Georgetown is to be transformed into a modern city. We had said before that it is clear that those tasked with managing the affairs of the City are more concerned about advancing their own interests as against those of the residents.

The JIT for the MH17 disaster should examine all the facts

Dear Editor, With reference to the excerpt from BBC News “Russian missile parts at MH17 crash site”, published in “Guyana Times” on August 12, 2015 I would like to clarify some misconceptions.

Russia is committed to the implementation by all sides of UN Security Council Resolution 2166, which was adopted upon Russia’s initiative and provides for a full, thorough and independent international investigation into the incident and demanded that those responsible for this incident be held to account.

The proposal for an international tribunal on the MH17 disaster was untimely and counterproductive.

Moreover according to the official information from the company which produce the air defense system that was used to shoot down a Malaysian airliner in east Ukraine, the plane was hit by a missile deployed by

Ukrainian army. AlmazAntey company (producer of BUK missile) said that analysis of the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines plane brought down on July 17, 2014, when 298 people were killed, indicated it was hit by a BUK 9M38M1 surfaceto-air missile armed with a 9H314M warhead. Russia was insisting on an objective open and independent inquiry into this tragedy over the territory of Ukraine.

The investigation came to the conclusion that shrapnel holes in the plane were consistent with that kind of missile’s warhead. Such missiles have not been produced in Russia since 1999 and the last ones were delivered to foreign customers, it said, adding that the Russian armed forces now use different warhead with the BUK system.

“Neither the company nor its enterprises could have supplied these rockets in the XXI century,” AlmazAntey’s CEO, Y. Novikov,

told a news conference at which 3D visuals and computer animation were produced.

According to the official information Ukraine’s armed forces had still nearly 1,000 such missiles in its arsenal and it held talks with Almaz-Antey on prolonging their lifespan.

It is regrettable that Russia’s proposals for organizing an international investigation in a maximally transparent manner and using the UN Security Council mechanism for this purpose were rejected. All attempts to use the UN Secretariat to monitor the implementation of Resolution 2166 were rejected.

No documents have been provided by Ukraine on communication between its air traffic controllers on the day of the disaster, information about the presence and possible use of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, the flight plans of Ukrainian military aircraft, data con-

cerning the redeployment of Ukrainian military equipment, and explanations regarding the enhanced radar activity in Ukraine.

Thus it is surprising that members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which includes representatives of only Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Ukraine states, have proposed, without discussing their plans with the other concerned parties, a far-reaching draft resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter (although Resolution 2166 does not identify the MH17 crash as a threat to international peace and security), which they propose adopting within days.

So before blaming «proRussian rebels» JIT should examine all the facts.

Petr V Sizov

Second secretary of the Russian Embassy Embassy of the Russian Federation in Guyana

The post of the DPP is constitutionally entrenched

Dear Editor,

An interesting legal issue has arisen in the tiny state of St. Kitts/Nevis where lawyers have filed a suit in the courts to block the Attorney General from removing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from office.

The result of this issue is of interest not only to the OECS states, but the entire Caribbean since under all the Constitutions in the region the DPP is protected.

Media reports state that the AG Vincent Byron, brother of Sir Denis Byron, President of the Caribbean

Court of Justice, personally went to the DPP’s office and ordered the DPP Travers Sinanan, to vacate and hand over keys and cell phone, but he refused.

Sinanan was also asked to remove from his Government provided residence, but he is adamant.

The post of DPP is constitutionally entrenched and the Attorney General is not in a position to simply fire him. Section 81 of the Constitution states that the DPP can only be removed if a high power tribunal set up by the Governor General,

and the Chief Justice make a recommendation to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission after carrying out a proper inquiry. It is a rather cumbersome procedure which will take several months if not a year.

The reason why the AG wants the DPP to be removed is not known, but reports suggest that he wants him to be replaced by someone of the government’s choosing. Sinanan was appointed by the previous administration led by Denzil Douglas.

In the claim filed by the

AG, Governments usually appoint persons who are sympathetic or supporting the administration as DPP, because it is extremely difficult to challenge their decisions. Here in Guyana the administration seems to be unhappy with the current DPP, Shalimar Hack, but because of the complexity to remove her, apparently decided for her to continue in office until she reaches the age of retirement which is not too far away.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Government should call on IMF and World Bank for technical support Government grant to Law Students

Dear Editor,

It was reported in the news media on August 12, that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) to conduct an independent review of Guyana’s Financial Sector Assessment Programme and that this is likely to be carried out in Yr. 2016.

Guyana’s economy is in a poor state and with the misallocation of scarce resources on dubious projects by previous administrations, the

APNU/AFC Govt. appears bewildered as to what should be done to grow the economy to create the jobs that are so badly needed. Therefore, Finance Minister Jordan should request the IMF/WB to extend their financial review to include the economy as well and for them to propose the right development strategies for the proper allocation of resources which the Govt. could then implement to create the jobs necessary to improve the living standards of Guyanese. In the 1950’s the WB had prepared such

a report for the then British Guiana and the recommendations made provided useful development strategies many of which were implemented by subsequent Governments.

The APNU/AFC Government has many complex issues such as failing industries, crumbling infrastructures comprising ports, drainage, irrigation and an unreliable country-wide electricity supply to deal with and it does not have the competent personnel to provide the advice as to how the problems related thereto should

be addressed and its scarce resources deployed for maximum benefits. This is where the experienced and knowledgeable staff of the IMF/WB staff comes in and the APNU/ AFC Government should seek their assistance. After all the aims and objectives of memberships of the IMF/WB organisations are to help member countries that are dire need to develop their economies for the well-being of their people.

Charles Sohan

Re: Journey at the Hugh Wooding Law School

Dear Editor,

As a former Guyanese student of the Hugh Wooding Law School, I have been fortunate to benefit from and witness my fellow Guyanese benefit from the generosity and thoughtfulness of members of the Administration at Hugh Wooding.

They realise the precarious financial difficulties experienced by many Guyanese students who venture to read for the Legal Education Certificate in Trinidad. They empathise with Guyanese and other foreign students who are saddled with the burden of paying the economic costs together with housing, food and transportation costs.

Over the years, students, both from Years 1 and 11, have been the beneficiaries of Bursaries from the school to assist with living expenses; a large percentage of whom were Guyanese. Besides this, students have also received assistance with rent, food and meals, among other things, all as a result of the generosity of members of the Hugh Wooding Administration.

There are instances where Guyanese students, past and

present, were granted extensions and concessions with respect to the payment of tuition, as a result of our inability to pay the total sums required before the commencement of the school year. There were instances where some of the members of the HWLS faculty and staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that financial difficulties didn’t deny Guyanese students the opportunity to complete their studies at the institution. They have even been a source of strength, support and encouragement to Guyanese students in spite of the circumstances and challenges. I truly can say that their care, contribution, support and encouragement made a difference to the lives of those who were personal beneficiaries of same.

There’s a popular saying that “as humans we emphasise the negatives and forget the positives”; we are more inclined to “complain and criticise than to praise”.

It was therefore disconcerting over the past month to read and hear so many negatives about Guyanese students and their sojourn at the

Hugh Wooding Law School. It was with great discomfort and consternation that I read articles such as Guyanese Hugh Wooding Law students complain of discrimination” and “AG promises to address Hugh Wooding woes published in the July 4 edition of KN and July 6 edition of the Guyana Times. It was also disheartening to hear the reports on the various nightly news with regards to the hardships of Guyanese students at the Hugh Wooding Law School, where some of the information provided were woefully skewed at best.

As humans we all have varying experiences and view situations differently; and may express our concerns freely with respect from others on our point of view.

Indeed the journey at Hugh Wooding is not an easy one. The major hurdle faced by Guyanese students, and students from other territories whose Governments are not contributing the economic cost to the Council of Legal Education, is the tuition. I will be the first to admit that more can and needs to be done to address the financial difficulties

of our students. However, the burden and responsibility of so doing lies in the hands of us as Guyanese, our Government, our financial institutions, businesses and the legal fraternity. Presently, the families of the students bear the brunt of that financial burden, to a large extent.

We cannot reasonably expect the Hugh Wooding Law School to bear this burden while tending to their operational and maintenance costs.

In life there’s always a lesson to be learnt, in every circumstance some good must be found. While the articles contain inaccuracies and present the Hugh Wooding Law School in a purely negative light, I am grateful for the discussion it has sparked with respect to financial aid for law students. They have also reignited the discussions on the establishment of a law school in Guyana, which is a positive move toward countering the financial burdens of Guyanese students desirous of pursuing a career in law.

Yours faithfully, TAW

Young people on the path to happiness

Dear Editor,

Modern youths are in a hurry- to grow up, to acquire education, to work and get married, to own a vehicle and a home and finally to arrive . But arrive where? Most young people don’t know. Nor have they discovered their ultimate goal in life.

Some may say that they’re trying to make the best of their life although they aren’t too sure how. They are in the run to find happiness and seek it from the many comforts available in modern society. But soon they realise that the things that ensured happiness yesterday cannot do so today, when the novelty has faded and everything appears ordinary.

The truth is that man-

kind is driven by desires, both good and bad. When one is accomplished, another is born. It is an endless sycle and every achievement brings temporary happiness.

But every failure brings frustration and hurt and ultimately, one realizes the futility of chasing happiness through desires of the body, mind and intellect.

There are millions of living beings around the world, of these, life as a human being is the most precious. Did God grant this form so human beings could fulfill their desires endlessly? Could this really have been God’s purpose? Hinduism teaches us that God grants life to human beings as a gift to enable a soul to reunite with Him through faith and devotion.

In Ramayana the writing

Dear Editor, My name is Rockquel Nicholson and I’m the Probation & Social Services Officer attached to Region Nine.

I refer to a letter published on August 8 in the Guyana Times, captioned “ Alleged Corruption under Regional Engineer, Region Nine” signed by R. Nicholson. Since this letter addresses a matter in Region Nine and bears a similar signa-

of Tulsidasji tells us: “The human form is the steppingstone to eternal happiness, it is great fortune that one attains the human form, the human form is a ship in the vast ocean of life, noble actions are like the breeze that pushes the boat.”

Since a human being can think, reason and choose, when confronted with diverse situations one tends to choose what is easy and pleasurable. The fault is in choosing what one sees and feels rather than searching for the eternal happiness that already exist with the individual.

All religious texts emphatically declare that the human form is very precious and valuable in the sight of the lord. Use it wisely- to serve

ture to mine, for clarification purposes I wish to disclaim it, as I am not the author of the letter.

Yours faithfully, Rockquel Nicholson

would be a wise investment

Dear Editor,

I write on the ongoing issue of the 38 percent increase on fees at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) and the inability of students entering into the final year of study to comply.

I had contemplated how the scales could be balanced and how students can assist in a meaningful way in the development of this nation in return for the Government's support. I understand the Governrnent's position that funding is an Issue. But I also know that in certain situations the Government would fork out money payments and projects of different natures.

This Government is striving to bring about a change in this nation of ours, which I welcome. However, positive changes will take place only when we have an educated work force and professionals. Our children are making tremendous sacrifices to educate themselves in foreign lands. We cannot imagine the hardships some of them go through yet they will make meaningful contributions to Guyana’s development.

I commend the Hon. Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams for making representations on behalf of these students and for setting up a committee to consider the viability of a local law school. While this is good, a local law school is the long term solution. The current situation needs a speedy resolution to deal with the students who will be affected for the academic year 2015/2016.

and to bring about happiness to all. “Service to humanity is service to God.”

Our young people should remember this in the paths of happiness they undertake.

Pt Surendra Tiwari

For years this sector has been starved of assistance from the Government. Can we not 'band our belly' and assist our students? These are the very students that make us proud when they

top the region be it at the CXC level or at other levels. I believe that the Government ought to assist at least the current students if not with all, with half of the tuition fees or alternatively, make the contribution to the school to offset the economic costs. We cannot allow their education to end prematurely. The expenditure can be included the National Budget so that there can be no excuse that it was not budgeted for.

Students who will benefit from such intervention from the State will obviously be required to provide their services to the Government in return. These students can be assigned to judges and magistrates as Judicial Research Assistants upon completion of their education. This in turn will speed up the process of the administration of justice since judges will be able to deliver their decision more readily and have more time to deal with the backlog of matters in the slothful judiciary. Further, there were reports that each Ministry/ agency will be equipped with a legal department. These young legal minds can be assigned to these agencies.

In the worst case scenario, if the Government were to assist each of the current students at the HWLS with half of the tuition fees, it will only cost them approximately $36 million.

I hope that these students will see the completion of their legal education and not be left standing alone at this juncture of their journey. I appeal to the Government to seriously consider this option and to do what it must when citizens need them.

Yours faithfully Concerned citizen

Saraswati Vidya Niketan girl tops CSEC

As the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination results were revealed on Thursday, a 17-year-old female student from the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) School was named the country’s top CSEC performer.

The Education Ministry has disclosed that some 172 students from regions across the country have attained Grade One passes in eight or more subjects from the Caribbean Examination Council. Of this a list was issued with those candidates who secured 11 or more Grade Ones, amount to 47 students.

Crediting hard work and support from loved ones, the country’s top CSEC performers were elated to learn about their achievements when they were contacted by <<<Guyana Times>>>>.

Seventeen-year-old Victoria Najab of SVN topped the country with a whopping 20 Grade Ones. She is currently out of the country but told this newspaper via social media that while she was excited about the news, she was expecting to do well.

“I was (expecting to do well) but still, it could have gone either way because there are many brilliant children who wrote exams this year… (But) the exams were all very easy not what I was expecting,” she stated. Najab noted that she was relaxed throughout the examinations and was confident afterwards that she would have done well. She recalled how stressful it was preparing for the exams and the difficulties she experienced; however, she managed to balance it all.

The teenager told Guyana Times that she opted to write 20 subjects because she wanted to achieve the best. “I didn’t want to write CSEC knowing that I could’ve done better,” she declared.

The aspiring Petroleum Engineer disclosed that she plans to further her studies and write A Level exams, after which she hopes to attend the Colorado School of Mines to pursue her desired career. She credited her success to her parents, teachers and God. Meanwhile her dad, Mohammed Najab of Najab Trading, indicated to this publication that he was not surprised at his daughter’s performance.

Another SVN student, Vamanadev Hiralall copped the second spot with 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. He told this publication that the news came as a surprise since he was not expecting to do this well.

The 16-year-old revealed that when his mother informed him of the news, he could not believe it. “It was chaotic in my mind… I was both excited and relieved; relieved because it was extremely difficult the past few weeks without knowing my results. I don’t think it’s good to overestimate yourself so while I knew I would do well, I didn’t think it would be this well,” he stated.

Hiralall pointed out that while he is still undecided about his career choice, he is sure it would be in the medical field, preferably a Cardiologist or a Radiologist. He expressed his gratitude to the SVN and his parents, whom he said “indescribably”, supported him.

Coming in third was Aliyah Rasheed from Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast. She secured 19 Grade Ones. The young lady told this newspaper that although the examinations were challenging, she is elated over her success, “Honestly, I am feeling overjoyed and ecstatic at the moment, I did not expect such good grades but God and the teachers made it possible,” she declared.

The aspiring Chemical Engineer extended gratitude to Sir Jerome Rajpersaud and ‘Sir Rishi’, who helped her to prepare for the exams. However, she noted that her greatest inspiration was her sister, Zameena Rasheed who copped first position for CSEC in the Caribbean in 2013. She said she received much needed encouragement from her sister who told her to never give up.

Topping Queen’s College was Joshanna Hopkinson, who noted that when she first found out, she was extremely elated, noting “It is just incredible that I achieved this and I felt very accomplished right now”. According to Hopkinson, her future plans entail her writing the CAPE exam and then furthering her studies at university, as she would like to become a lawyer or a legal journalist or both.

Meanwhile, Ashley Anthony, the daughter of former Culture Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, credited her success to her parents and sister for their unwavering support, as well as her friends for keeping her motivated. Anthony, who achieved 17 Grade Ones stated that “My results have made me eu-

phoric. However, it was a lot of hard work. Preparing for CSEC often means a lot of late nights and studying, but it isn’t impossible and is definitely worth it!,” the QC student remarked.

In sixth place is another student from Anna Region Secondary School, Jagindra Persaud of Adventure Village. He copped 17 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. The 16-year-old said that he is happy as this was what he was expecting. Persaud noted that he put in a lot of hard work into his preparations for exams and was glad it paid off, as it paves the path for him to pursuing his studies in the medical field.

Meanwhile, with 16 Grade Ones, Abigail Somrah said that it was difficult managing her studies and completing the SBAs at the same. Nevertheless, the Queen’s College student managed to get both done and come out successful but only with the help of her teachers, great friend and supportive family.

Another Queens College student, Paige Carter, said she is contented with her performance and feels as though all her hard work has paid off. The aspiring Paediatrician thanked everyone who contributed and supported her.

Meanwhile, her fellow schoolmate Kadesh Daniels achieved 14 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos. She was extremely ecstatic about her results, noting the road here was not an easy one; between the lessons, SBA’s and studying. “There were tears and many times I questioned myself but with

the support of my family, pastor, friends and teachers I was able to do it,” the aspiring Pathologist.

Finally, Shawn Shewram of St Roses High secured 14 Grade Ones and two Grade

Twos. The St Rose’s High student related that after hearing such exciting news, he was ecstatic as well as relieved. He credited his success to God, his teachers, friends and his mother.

QC lad outshines 960 others for top CAPE spot

Queen’s College highflier Cecil Cox has done it again, this time topping the country at the 2015 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

He secured six Grade Ones and one Grade Three. Following him were Larissa Whiltshire and Sasha Woodroffe, both of whom also obtained six Grade Ones each and are from Queen’s College. Coming in the next spot was Shonta Noel who attained six Grade Ones and one Grade Two.

Guyana Times caught up with these students to get their reactions. While efforts to contact Cox were futile, this newspaper managed to get hold of the others. Whiltshire expressed satisfaction with her results, noting that she was glad all of her hard work paid off.

“It took a lot of dedication and determination as I knew that CAPE would have been harder than [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] CSEC. I prepared for my exams for weeks and especially focused on each of my six subjects one week at a time preceding the exam,” she stated. However, she believes it was the final study period that really helped her in achieving this success.

Sasha Woodroffe told this newspaper that she was elated and proud of herself for achieving the results she did.

“It’s good to know that all my hard work would have generated positive results. I just want to thank God, my family, my teachers and all those who supported me along the way,” she noted. The young woman disclosed that the preparations for CAPE were not difficult, but it required a lot of focus and constant work to complete both studies and Internal Assessments (IAs).”

Noel of St Rose’s High related that she was overwhelmed, knowing that she put in hard work and has gained favourable results.

“My sleepless nights, the tears I shed and the hours of reading and research I’ve invested have all paid off. I made up my mind in 2013 (at my Fifth Form graduation) that I’ll be graduating Sixth Form as the valedictorian of my school,” she revealed, adding that henceforth all of her decisions were geared towards achieving that goal.

“I am satisfied that this goal will become a reality in a few months and I am thankful for everyone who believed in me when I barely did and who helped me along my journey,” she stated.

Other students whose performances were outstanding include Jonelle Europe with five Grade Ones and one Grade Two; Elisa Hamilton with five Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; Lisa John and Sharmila Ramlall both with five Grade Ones and one Grade Two; Rejean Sawh with five Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and one Grade Three; Amanda Singh and Nabeeha Ali both with five Grade Ones, and Phillipe Walker with five Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and two Grade Threes. All of whom are from Queen’s College.

A total of 961 students wrote CAPE this year from nine secondary schools and five private schools across Guyana. These students had a total of 4265 subject entries and were offered Units in 29 subject areas. Their overall pass rate was recorded at 87.54 per cent.

The 14 centres that wrote CAPE include: Mackenzie High School in Region 10; Berbice High and New Amsterdam Multilateral in Region Six; President’s College in Region Six, Saraswati Vidya Niketan in Region Three; and Bishops’ High, Queen’s College, St Joseph’s High, St Rose’s High, St Stanislaus College, New Guyana School, Adult Education Association, Guyana Private (Theatre Guild) and Chase’s Academy, all in Georgetown.

President Granger meets UNASUR Secretary General

President David Granger has pledged Guyana’s support to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), noting that his country can become a bridge between UNASUR and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Established in 2008, UNASUR is a multilateral organisation with membership coming from 12 of the 13 nations in South America. It is an intergovernmental union integrating two South American trade blocs Mercosur – a regional trade agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay –and the Andean Community of Nations – a trade bloc comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Guyana is the only English-speaking country within this grouping.

The UNASUR Constitutive Treaty was signed on May 23, 2008, at the Third Summit of Heads of State, held in Brasília, Brazil. According to the Constitutive Treaty, the Union’s headquarters will be located in Quito, Ecuador. On December 1, 2010, Uruguay became the ninth state to ratify the

Govt to conduct audits of Embassies, High Commissions

The Government of Guyana will be conducting audits into a number of its Embassies and High Commissions across the world as a part of the process to fully understand the dynamics of the administration.

In fact, a team has already travelled to India to perform the audit into the High Commission of Guyana in New Delhi, India.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was at the time speaking to media operatives about the issue of diplomatic postings at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Harmon indicated that Government was working as diligently as possible to identify suitable persons to take up ambassadorial positions across the world and will soon make these announcements public.

“We are working hard

and we are being very careful,” he said, indicating that several of these audits would have to be completed before any further action can be taken.

“All of these things are taken into consideration and at the appropriate time, we will make the announcement about foreign diplomats,” he said.

He added that applications for the diplomatic postings were currently being considered, but noted that this process would take some time.

“This is a process which takes some time, but we are in the process of considering applicants and their suitability for some of these positions,” he stated.

Harmon recognised that many were eager to know who would be the new people representing the country on the international scene, but reminded that the situation was a delicate one and rash decisions could result in diplomatic tensions.

UNASUR treaty, thus giving the Union full legality. As the Constitutive Treaty entered into force on March 11, 2011, UNASUR became a legal entity during a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador, where they had laid the foundation stone for the Secretariat Headquarters.

The South American Parliament will be located in Cochabamba, Bolivia, while the headquarters of its bank, the Bank of the South is located in Caracas, Venezuela.

On Wednesday, Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Guyana’s Ambassador

to Suriname, Keith George, met with UNASUR’s Secretary General, Dr Ernesto Samper Pizano, in the Surinamese capital.

During the meeting, Granger told Pizano that Guyana was committed to the infrastructural integration of South America. The Guyanese leader also

noted that the objectives of UNASUR can only be fulfilled under a framework of peace and mutual respect among the states of South America.

More importantly, Granger pledged his support to cooperate fully to ensure there is no disturbance of peace on the continent as he reaffirmed Guyana’s rejection of the use of threats and force to settle differences.

Meanwhile, Pizano emphasised the ongoing work of UNASUR in promoting peace, democracy and human rights. UNASUR, he noted, has a social agenda that stresses inclusiveness; an economic agenda that stresses competitiveness; and a political agenda that stresses participation. The Secretary General added that UNASUR will remain keen on promoting the free movement of persons on the continent.

friday, august 14, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Appointment of State Media Boards... PPP flails Govt on foisting

of 3 “party hacks”

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Wednesday called out the new Government on its appointment and imposition of three persons, whom they referred to as “party hacks” at the helm of the State Media grouping, following statements made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

The Party in a statement to the media said that it considers “laughable” recent statements made by Prime Minister Nagamootoo that “party hacks” will not be appointed to State Media Boards.

Nagamootoo was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “I am not going to be a Minister responsible for information and who puts par-

ty hacks into these boards, to just draw stipends for not working, but to do party propaganda”.

But the PPP maintained that “this statement rings hollow, especially since already, the Granger de facto Government has appointed a number of political hacks to key positions in the State Media”.

It pointed out that Beverly Alert, a candidate

on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) list, was appointed Head of the Government Information Agency while Imran Khan, a candidate on the APNU/ AFC List of Candidates was appointed Director of Public Information.

The PPP also noted that Mark Archer, a candidate on the APNU/AFC List of Candidates was appointed Director of Public Communications.

“All three of these individuals are party hacks. Therefore, Nagamootoo’s statements are demagogic and duplicitous, to say the least. Already the various State Boards are loaded with party hacks”, the Party alleged.

It said that it is convinced that the State Media Boards will be no different.

“The PPP therefore calls on the Granger-led Administration to stop duping the nation and to match their words with actions”.

Mother of one killed in Eccles hitand-run accident

Amother of one died on Wednesday evening after a car allegedly breached a traffic light at Eccles, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and slammed into a motorcycle.

Twenty-seven-year-old Latoya Thompson of Lot 113 Craig Village, EBD was the pillion rider and would have received the blunt of the impact. She broke her arms, legs and sustained lacerations to the head.

Thompson was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Also injured in the accident is her partner, 45-yearold Orwin Whittington of First Street Alberttown, Georgetown. He remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information received, Thompson and Whittington were heading up the East Bank on motorcycle bearing registration number CG 5455 when a

silver grey motorcar reportedly sped out of the Eccles Housing Scheme access road onto the East Bank Highway without paying heed to the traffic light.

The driver, according to reports received, did not stop to render assistance although he saw the two people on the roadway. Residents, upon hearing the impact reportedly ran

to the scene and offered assistance to the injured couple.

Akeem Thompson, the brother of the dead woman told Guyana Times that his sister worked the 15:00h23:00h shift at her place of employment and was heading home when the accident occurred. He noted that he received a telephone call at about 00:00h from a cousin on Wednesday evening who informed him that his sister was involved in the accident.

He immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he saw his sister’s motionless body, covered in blood, lying on a stretcher. He confirmed that from all indications, her legs and arms were broken and there was a big gash to her head which might have been the fatal blow.

The aggrieved bother added that based on information received, his sister’s boyfriend collect-

ed her from work at about 23:05h and they were on their way home. He stated the Whittington would drop her off and travel back to Georgetown. This he added was the norm.

He claimed that the last time he saw his sister was when she left for work on Wednesday. He was upset at the way his sister was killed and called on the Police to find the driver of the motorcar who fled the scene.

A Police source told Guyana Times that investigators were in the area on Thursday to enquire about surveillance footage that can lead them to the arrest of the driver. However, the Police are continuing their investigations.

Thompson leaves to mourn her only daughter and four siblings. Her body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

National Toshaos Conference set for

The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Government has announced that the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) will begin next Monday, with a series of activities aimed at improving the lives of the country’s Indigenous peoples.

The NTC, which is made up of Toshaos from several Amerindian villages, meets annually to form discussions with Government officials about issues and policies

which affect this nation’s first peoples.

Principal Regional Development Officer Anil Roberts told reporters that the meeting of the NTC was scheduled to be held in July, but due to the delay of the National Toshao Elections, the dates were pushed to August. He added that all Toshaos were notified and should be in the capital city by this weekend.

Outgoing Secretary of the NTC Basil Cornelius,

told Guyana Times that he is hoping for full support from the Government of Guyana for a more effective functioning NTC, and hopes that they ensure Amerindian villages benefit fully from any initiative they may wish to put forth.

Additionally, Cornelius stated that he hopes that the issues that Amerindians may bring forth as it relates to Amerindian land rights and mining in their communities, be taken in good

faith.

Monday

Another NTC Executive, Luke Simon, shared that he has high hopes for this NTC meeting and would like the indigenous population to try to work along with the new Government for the betterment of Amerindian people.

Toshao Douglas Cassimero shared that one of the main issues that he is sure will be raised at the meeting is the request for land extension.

Eyew tness

Crime and...

...no punishment

No... This Eyewitness isn't talking about the 60 youths - convicted and sentenced to jail for crimes on the books - but were pardoned by President Granger. Presumably wearing his ecclesiastical hat - well the Queen is both head of state and head of the Church of England, and what's good enough for the Mother Land... - the President magnanimously advised: "go thy way and sin no more"!

No... Your Eyewitness thinks something's seriously wrong with Law and Order in his country, when you have a fella CONFESSING to every crime in the book, but the police refusing to bring him to justice. We're talking, of course, about Sean Hinds - the fella who's singing the antiShaggy tune with gusto: "Damn Right was me!!" Now we know the police has to get evidence and all - but if you have the fella who literally knows "where the bodies are buried", what more evidence do you want?

Now after the first Sean Hinds' confessions made the rounds in the media's shark-feeding-orgy, up comes the singing ex-policeman on another tape, crooning the same tune - but with a different cast of characters. Hinds seem to be filling in the blanks about "How I became a hit man". Like most of the bandits and criminals - and hit men - who's been in the news during the last decade and a half, Hinds learnt about shooting and killing in the Disciplined Forces.

In his specific case, the Guyana Police Force during the fag end of the PNC long rule. He must've shown some talent because next thing he knew - he's transferred to TSU - the big and bad squad formed to dispense frontier justice. And now came the meat of the revelations. The PNC party itself, decides to utilise its talent and gets him to "do some hits" of some civilians out in Parika and elsewhere.

And as they say, once you've shown them the bright lights, how do you get them back on the farm? Like so many ambitious young men throughout history, Sean Hinds was now stereotyped - unfortunately as a hit man. And just as with most hit men, the folks that hired him weren't exactly enamored with his looks or bon mots. So the affronted Sean Hinds now calls the names of those in the PNC who wanted to use him just for his "muscle" and treated him like dirt.

Even hit men don't like to be treated like a piece of meat. It was rather poignant how Hinds related Corbin told him, "when yuh drinkin' milk, yuh drinkin' milk". But what kind of milk was Hinds drinking when he couldn't even "buy a tricycle?

Now someone will be punished eventually, no?

...dependency syndrome

One of the knocks on our independence era politicians and leaders was their tendency to rush to the U.S. and Britain to bail them out whenever they reached a sticky patch. That this dependency syndrome was cultivated by the said "great powers" just to prove their point that we "natives" weren't ready for independence, doesn't make the habit less demeaning.

Now you'd think with 50 years of independence staring us in the face - and allocating hundreds of millions to CELEBRATE the event - we'd start ACTING independent, no? No. At least not when it comes to fighting crime. With a crime wave drowning a weary and wary populace and with just three months into their term, the Government's spokesman announced they were "looking overseas" for help!!

The funny thing is the President himself was a member of a Disciplined Forces Commission which made 164 recommendations for reforming our forces, including the GPF.

Shouldn't we try implementing those before throwing up our hands?

... cyber security

OK...we know there's a cyber-threat out there. Remember the N. Koreans hacking the U.S. defense Computers?

But why does the National Security Minister Ramjattan make this announcement, while Harmon calls for overseas help in crime?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo youngsters killed in Lima accident

By IndrawattIe natram

Two youngsters who are cousins from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) lost their life tragically Thursday morning after the Spacio PSS 8494 in which they were travelling

veered out of control and collided with the Lima Bus shed and a resident’s fence.

Dead are Bidesh Mohabeer, 12, of Sparta Bamboo Dam and Rupesh Jadoo, 19 of Beni Street, Reliance.

Mohabeer was a Form Two student of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary and Jadoo was a self-employed businessman of Reliance.

According to information, the Spacio was proceeding south to

Anna Regina when Jadoo, the driver, reportedly lost control while negotiating the Lima turn. Jadoo smashed into the bus shed and damaged a private individual’s concrete fence that was under construction.

The contractor of the fence said that he had incurred an additional $30,000 in expenses owing to the accident since he has to re-do the contracted work.

The youngsters were reportedly under the influence of alcohol and Jadoo was said to be speeding at the time of the incident.

According to Mohabeer’s sister, Ruvina, family members received the shocking news around 01:00h Thursday. She said they did not believe the report, but after several calls it was confirmed indeed that her brother and her cousin were tragically killed on the Lima

Public Road.

The saddened sister further related that her brother left their home at Sparta around 17:00h Wednesday evening stating that he was going with his cousin Jadoo for a sleepover. The now deceased Jadoo went and collect Mohabeer after which they journeyed to Anna Regina.

The sister said that it was quite unusual for her brother to go for a sleepover, but as he was on summer vacation they allowed him. She said he was also preparing to return to school.

Mohabeer’s father, Edward

said that when he received the news, he immediately went to the scene where he saw Jadoo already dead and his son fighting for life.

“All I saw was Jadoo dead on

He said that when his son reached Suddie Public Hospital, he was pronounced dead. He explained that his son suffered injuries to his feet, mouth and head. Jadoo reportedly died on spot. Mohabeer was the fourth child and only son of his parents, while Jadoo was the third child for his parents. Jadoo’s mother is said to be overseas, while his father is in Georgetown.

the driver seat, my son was still breathing, there was blood everywhere, the teenager’s body, it appeared as if they were badly damaged,” the tearful father related.

Family members are currently preparing for the young men’s funeral. The police investigation continues. The damaged vehicle is parked at another relative’s home. The boys’ deaths bring to four the number of road fatalities thus far in 2015 in Region Two. Two other cousins were also killed in February on Richmond Public Road.

Top legal officials for Cybercrime Workhop in Brazil

Director of Public Prosecutions

Shalimar Ali-Hack and Justice Yonnette Cummings will participate in a Regional Cybercrime Workshop for Judges and Judicial Officers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 26th28th. They have been invited by the Embassy of the USA, and the Department of Justice. The Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistant Training will cover costs for travel and accommodation.

Shalimar Ali-Hack and Yonnette Cummings will join three other legal officials who are currently attending a similar workshop

in Miami, United States of America. This too, has been sponsored by the Justice Department.

The need for legislation to address and prosecute those who commit cybercrimes was highlighted by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, when he opened a workshop on the same issue, on August 12, at the Pegasus Hotel.

The two day event, facilitated with assistance from the Organisation of American States (OAS), was described by the Ministry of Public Security Permanent Secretary Angela Johnson as important because of the rising threat being posed by those who have Cybercrime

as their “modus operandi” in committing their illegal actions.

It is the responsibility of the authorities, she said, to implement strategies to deter these illegal activities. The Ministry official offered the assurance on behalf on her Ministry and the Government that measures are being taken to ensure Guyana is equipped to deal with these threats.

Over the past years, several ministries, agencies and business entities have been affected by computer hackers and phishing attacks on their networks. This has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars and information.

Jamzone Int’l delegates call on President Granger

The 2015 Miss Jamzone International Pageant delegates on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger and Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

A34-year-old man accused of being in possession of two grams of cocaine was allowed to walk out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts a free man on Thursday after he was found not guilty.

Edward Isaacs of Waterloo Street, Georgetown was freed of the possession of narcotics charge after Magistrate Fabayo Azore found there was a lack of evidence in the prosecution’s case for him to be tried.

The accused was charged in July after Police allegedly busted him on Waterloo Street, in the vicinity of his home, with the illegal narcotics. It was stated that he was celebrating his birthday on that the day in question.

From the inception, Isaacs pleaded his innocence, stating that the drug

the Police found was on the ground and not on his person as it did not belong to him. He said he had gone to buy food and talk to a friend.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Isaacs did have control and knowledge of the drugs.

Reports indicate that Isaacs had only come out of an 18-month sentence in June 2014. He was incarcerated after he was found guilty of stealing a forklift, valued $400,000 from Monaff Ali in 2013.

The facts of that case read that Ali had secured his home on Anira Street, Queenstown, when about 20:30h, he received a phone call that a thief was in his yard. Acting on the information, he and his workers went to his premises where they found Isaacs.

Alleged cocaine user set free Govt to conduct...

“The relationship between countries is not one which would facilitate you just removing somebody and not appointing anyone, because it will send a signal that you have a problem with that country,” he explained.

Reports indicate that Government already recalled its Ambassador to Mexico, Bayney Karran and its Ambassador to Brazil, Merlin Udho. It is unclear whether these individuals were replaced.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said his Ministry will revert to rotating ambassadors in keeping with international practices.

He explained that Heads of Missions should not be in-situ for 20 years or more as the normal practice is a

two to four-year rotation.

The intention is also for politicians who are not career diplomats and were given posts by the President, to bring their term of employment to an end when the President leaves office. He stressed that this has to be the case with Guyana. “There is nothing special about the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) politicians who are wearing the hat of diplomats today. They have to recognise that they served the President that appointed them, then they have to step down; there is nothing peculiar about it,” he had reasoned.

He added that it was obvious that a President has to appoint those persons that he trusts, that he has faith in, and who know and understand his initiatives.

Govt pulls together Constitutional Reform Committee – PPP not consulted, deems appointees “OP residents”

Government has established a Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC) which will be mandated to draft a work programme and a make recommendations for constitutional reforms.

The committee comprises of former Director of Transparency International and Attorney-at-Law Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magsitrate Geeta Chandan, former Chief Economist at the Central Bank Haslyn Parris, and will be chaired by Attorney-at-Law and Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Nigel Hughes.

Constitutional reform was a major platform for the coalition party during its campaign trail. The Party touted major changes to the governance structure including separate elections to elect a President and National Assembly members; a breakdown in presidential powers, changes to the composition of service commissions, among others.

“Constitutional reform has been a very hot campaign issue and we needed to put this on the front burner because there are some matters that we believe should be addressed earlier rather than later,” said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, to whom the committee will be reporting.

Nagamootoo emphasised that the steering committee will not be responsible for the implementing the reforms but will only be making recommendations to the relevant authorities who will then move to implement the respective reforms.

“The scope of the steering committee is to be able to tell us how broad the work will be, what are the priority areas to be reformed and how the reform process will do its work…this is not the committee that will actually bring in any of the reform,” the Prime Minister explained.

The steering committee, which was established by the subcommittee on parliamentary affairs, has until December to compile and submit it preliminary report which will be reviewed by the Prime Minister.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs subcommittee, will then report to that committee which will then report to Cabinet.

Thereafter, a constitutional reform commission will come on-stream and it is this committee which will effect the changes to the constitution.

According to Nagamootoo, the commission will have the involvement of civil society and political opposition.

Meanwhile, Attorney

General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, during a media briefing, commented on the establishment of this committee, noting that by the end of the year, government will have an idea of the shape of the constitutional reform and the appropriate manner of execution.

“Should we entertain a referendum, should we look to the parliamentary process which of course would require two-thirds majority in the parliament which of course certainly would require the signing on by the main opposition party,” Williams said.

However, should the opposition not lend its support for any of the proposed constitutional reforms in parliament; Williams noted that the only alternative would be to go to referendum.

In its elections manifesto, the coalition stated that “the Constitution, in its current form, does not serve the best interest of Guyana or its people. Within three months of taking up office, APNU+AFC will appoint a Commission to amend the Constitution with the full participation of the people. The new Constitution will put the necessary checks and balances in place to consolidate our ethos of liberal democracy. Freedom of speech, reduction of the power of the President and the Bill of Rights will be enshrined in the document.”

PPP/C not consulted

But when contacted, Peoples Progressive Party Civic General Secretary Clement Rohee said that his party was not consulted on the issue by the Government.

He explained that the PPP was not invited to field any representative to the committee while noting that at the moment the party has no interest in those matters as it is focused on preparing for Parliament.

Rohee, who was a former Home Affairs Minister under the PPP, said that the party views the persons appointed as “APNU/AFC hacks” and “residents of Office of the President”.

“None of those persons

are independent. They are all hacks and employees of the Office of the President in some shape or form. You do not have to even guess about which road they will venture down as it clear what their mandate is”, he stated.

He maintained that the PPP was proud of its accomplishments as far as constitutional reforms piloted back in the 2000s were concerned.

It is clear not whether other key stakeholders

were contacted to be part of the Commission or to field representative’s part from those hand-picked by the Government. No emphasis was placed on engaging the public and the terms of reference of the Committee had

not yet being made public.

The coalition, through its manifesto, also promised to address the powers of responsibilities of the President and the Prime Minister and make the necessary amendments that will “re-balance” the power and responsibilities to reduce abuse, avoid conflicts of interest and facilitate a more efficient execution of state functions.

It also promised to implement the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and implement checks and balances to protect the independence of key Constitutional Office holders and prevent Executive abuse. It also committed to protecting the operational and financial independence of the Judiciary and Constitutional Commissions.

Guyana records improved CSEC performances in Maths, English

Guyana has been struggling to boost its students’ performance in Mathematics and English, but this year the country saw improved performances in these subject areas.

Speaking at the press conference where this year’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) performers were announced on Thursday, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said that the Ministry was encouraged by the overall performance of the students, admitting that the pass rates at both CSEC and CAPE has been increasing over the years under the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

The Minister pointed out that while there has been a decrease in the number of persons who wrote the CSEC exams this year, the students continued to show an increase in their Mathematics and English performance.

“Performance in the key areas of English Language and Mathematics have consistently improved over the last three years and although we are by no means satisfied by the existing per-

centages, we are encouraged by the upward trend and we will not cease our strategic interventions in specific areas until these meet satisfactory output levels,” he outlined.

Furthermore, Dr Roopnarine expressed the desire to see more emphasis placed on technical and vocational subject areas, noting that they have direct national developmental implications.

The Education Minister explained that the Ministry was focusing on ensuring that the trend continued, as well as simultaneously maintaining the elements

that seem to be working while implementing new strategies to boost performance nationally.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam disclosed the Grades One to Three pass rates in English A and Mathematics: English A recorded a 49.36 per cent pass rate compared to 46.98 per cent last year and Mathematics’ pass rate was up to 45.07 per cent from 38.75 per cent in 2014. However, Sam noted that despite this increase, there is still much more work to be done.

“When Maths was at an abysmal 28 per cent, we told you that we would take certain specific strategic steps to ensure that the overall performance in Mathematics would increase. Last year, we saw some of that improvement; we see it again this year… We have said quite openly that we are not pleased with the level, but we will work very hard to get it where it needs to be,” he stated.

Congratulations come in Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand in a Facebook post extended her congratulations to the students. Manickchand was the subject Minister until the 10th Parliament was dissolved back in February

She took to social media to highlight that Guyana has recorded its highestever percentage pass in Mathematics at the CSEC level. “We can justly celebrate also the improved overall percentage passes, again the best we have ever done. Our matriculation rate, while not announced by the Ministry, would also be the highest it has ever been. This result was expected by us as it was worked for and invested in with the boosting of tested methods and introduction of new measures which included providing resources and improved monitoring of teachers, schools and re-

Region Two top CSEC performers...

Anna Regina Multilateral takes top honours in region

– says God’s blessing guided them

By IndrawattIe natram

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations students, who both attend the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School and are in the Science stream, attributed their successes to God, extra lessons and the support of their teachers.

Aliyah Rasheed from Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast said that although the examinations were challenging, she is elated over her success, saying “honestly, I am feeling overjoyed and ecstatic at the moment, I did not expect such good grades but God and the teachers made it possible”.

Determination

Rasheed said that achieving 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two at the examination is a great achievement for her. The ardent student during her interview with Guyana Times said that she is aspiring to be a Chemical Engineer and will pursue the field in the future.

Speaking about her studies leading up to the examinations, Rasheed said she received extra lessons which helped her in her preparation. The proud young lady said her greatest inspiration was her sister Zameena Rasheed who copped first position for CSEC in the Caribbean in 2013. She said she received much needed encouragement from her sister who told her to never give up.

Today, Rasheed said she is proud to represent Region Two and called on those sitting the examination next year to challenge themselves in every field. She said as an individual, one must also challenge one’s potential and never give up. Rasheed said apart from her academ-

ics, she enjoys participating in extra co-curriculmn activities such as youth camps, debating and essay competitions.

Rasheed’s mother Verna Rasheed, owner of Rainbow Pre and Nursery School at Anna Regina, said she had expected her daughter to excel at the examination, pointing out that her daughter studied in the wee hours. The mother said she would like to thank all the teachers at Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School for their support given to her two daughters.

Meanwhile, 16-yearold Jagindra Persaud of Adventure Village, who copped second position in Region Two with 17 Grade Ones and one Grade Two said that he is happy and was expecting such results. Persaud, who was the top performer for the Common Entrance examination –now the National Grade Six Assessment – in 2000 said that he studied late hours, finished all his assignments and also did extra studies for the examination. The teenager explained that he would be pursuing his studies in the medical field.

The brilliant young lad said that the examinations

were challenging but he approached them with a positive frame of mind. Persaud said that he knew he would have done well for Region Two and thanked his parents and teachers at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School for their support. He also noted that in his class, there was strong competition between Rasheed and himself but noted that he wished her well.

The youngster encouraged his fellow youths not to look at the amount of subjects and be afraid, stating that “once you have the abil-

ity, you go ahead, many persons are saying why write so many subjects but the truth is when you excel at a lot of subjects, then the avenues of opportunities and fields also increases”.

Persaud mother, Omawattie Seepersaud said that her son has always displayed a positive approach towards his studies. Seepersaud said she is happy with her son’s performance and wishes him well in the future. She said that it is her desire to see her son become a doctor and will give him all the support he needs.

child from his parents.

friday, august 14, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mix work and play to achieve success, say Region 6 top students

The top two Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) students both believe in the saying ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. They both mixed extracurricular actives with their studies to obtain a total 25 Grade Ones at the 2015 sitting of the examinations.

Simon Bactawar topped the region with 13 Grade Ones and five Grade Twos, while Ashmini Prasad obtained 12 Grade Ones and five Grade Twos. Bactawar mixed studies with playing in a band as the lead drum-

mer, while Prasad says she had to keep in the know on Facebook. “You can’t study all the time,” she told Guyana Times. “You have to go on Facebook and chat with your friends.” According to Prasad, she went to bed very late and sometimes not at all as she prepared for CSEC. The Skeldon Linepath Secondary School student said her aim was to match the 17 subjects obtained by the school’s top student last year. Although she was successful at Chemistry, Physics and Biology, the 17-year-old is disappointed that her school does not

Wanted bulletins issued for NA Prison escapees

Police have issued wanted bulletins for the two men who broke out of the New Amsterdam Prison on Wednesday night. In a release, the Police said Ravindra Samaroo and Lennox Patterson are wanted by the police for escaping from lawful custody on August 12, 2015, at the New Amsterdam Prison.

Samaroo’s date of birth was given as December 2, 1991. He is of mixed ethnicity and his last known address was given as Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Patterson’s date of birth was given as January 1, 1989.

He is of African descent and his last known address was given as 369 Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice.

The release added that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Samaroo is asked to contact the Police on phone numbers 225-8196, 225-6411, 333-2191, 333-2151, 911 or at the nearest Police Station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

The two broke out of the prison about 20:15h on Wednesday by removing boards from the external walls of the prison to the adjoining cells. At the time, both cells had four prisoners but only the two left. They got out of the building by using a bed sheet to lower themselves into the prison yard and from there made their way to the high prison fence which they climbed.

The escape was caught on camera; however, the other prisoners in both cells provided no information to investi-

gators. They all claim to have been asleep and saw or heard nothing.

As a result of the jail break, members of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit currently in Berbice were forced into action on Wednesday night. The sixman unit, which is being led by an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), was seen on Wednesday evening and in the wee hours of Thursday morning patrolling while being accompanied by ranks of the B (Berbice) Division.

Road blocks had been set up at several strategic points, but the law enforcement officers were unable to come into contact with the escapees. On Thursday, Police continued their search; however, several persons reported that there was no notable Police presence at either side of the Berbice River Bridge.

Both men are known to have been in possession of firearms. Patterson was recently placed before the courts after allegedly being found with a firearm and ammunition in New Amsterdam hours after armed men had robbed M Ali and Son Supermarket in New Amsterdam. Patterson was also charged for that robbery during which a firearm was used. At the time of his escape, he was on remand for those charges.

Samaroo, who is a member of the notorious “Scare Dem Gang”, has been before the court on several occasions on robbery-related charges. At the time of his breakout, he was on remand for his alleged involvement in a robbery perpetrated on Triple S Taxi Service in New Amsterdam.

offer Agriculture Science. “They don’t have the land which will allow us to do agriculture and more so, if you want to do the double award where you have to do poultry you just can’t… I feel it is something that the Ministry needs to look into.”

She explained that prior to the commencement of the CSEC, students spent six weeks preparing for preCSEC. “So we did not get much time to study and the night before exams, I would stay up late and when I had two subjects the next day I didn’t go to bed.”

The Number 72 Village resident was expecting to finish in the top 10 countrywide and she accomplished just that. Currently, the young lady is working as a Sales Clerk at a hardware store and is still to decide whether she will be attending university or go directly into teaching. She says she

wants the next batch of students from her school to better her grades.

On the other hand, Bactawar has his mind set on becoming a Neurologist.

The New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School student made that

decision five years ago when an uncle of his died after being unable to access brain surgery to save his life. Bactawar, of Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne is currently out of Guyana and while in the US, has been playing with a band and has been the main attraction at concerts.

Welfare Officer attached to the Education Ministry Stephen Bactawar refers to his son as a gifted individual. “He has a special ability for academic work.”

According to him, at the Primary level, Simon had just been an average student until the final year for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) when he started to excel. “When he went into first form he was at the top but then his grades started to drop until he got into fifth form when he started to take his studies seriously.”

Initially, he was prepared to sit 14 subjects but at a late moment decided to take up three more which are related to other subjects which he had already signed up for. Simon will be attending to the University of Guyana.

Holding of Local Govt Elections awaiting GECOM’s decision

Minister of Communities

Ronald Bulkan is maintaining that the long overdue Local Government Elections can be held in December this year.

Bulkan told the National Assembly on July 30 that he had been advised that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would be ready to hold the long awaited Local Government Elections by early December.

Asked on Thursday if these elections will be held in December, Minister Bulkan told the media that the Ministry would know for sure after GECOM’s next statutory meeting.

Addressing a press briefing at his Ministry in Kingston, Minister Bulkan explained that, “The last official word that we have received is that the Commission would be having its next statutory meeting on August 18, at which time they are expected to

make a formal decision to go ahead with all of the activities relating to the holding of these elections.”

He added that, the GECOM secretariat is confident that they have the capacity. “Subject to the formal decision of the Commission to go head, these elections can be held within the timeframe that has been identified and announced,” Bulkan said.

Local Government Elections were last held in Guyana in 1994. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, as part of its campaign promises in the lead up to the General and Regional Elections in May, had pledged to stage these elections at an early date.

Agriculture Ministry staff to attend training in India

Two employees in the Agriculture Ministry are to undergo training in India as part of the Government’s efforts to develop the sector.

Cabinet, at its meeting on August 11, approved a Memorandum submitted by the Agriculture Ministry for Reynard Ward, Extension Officer of the National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI) and Christine Kissoon, Administrative Officer, Agriculture Ministry, to attend a training programme in India, on “Planning and Management of Rural

Development”. The training is expected to commence on August 17 and conclude on September 13.

The training will provide guidance for the improvement of planning and management of programmes and build capacity to identify the elements for different planning techniques. It will be both conceptual and practical, including knowledge, skills, techniques, tools and practices to build the capacity of staff in rural development.

It is believed that Guyana’s attendance in this training session will allow for the strengthening of the

capacity of the Agriculture Ministry and other local institutions in agricultural planning and management. It will allow participants to exchange experiences, discuss advances and raise conceptual and methodological challenges to improve the rural development.

The Agriculture Ministry is aiming to strengthen the capacity of staff for the reestablishment of a planning unit. This training will provide practical guidance for integrating international best practices into the established modus operandi of Agriculture Ministry. (GINA)

Thieves burglarise Pomona house

Thieves on Wednesday broke into the Misir family’s home at Pomona Housing Scheme in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and carted off a stereo system valued $150,000 and two gas bottles.

According to owner of the home, Davin Misir, he secured his premises and travelled to Georgetown. When he returned, he noticed his front door was tampered with and the lock was broken. He then went inside and discovered that two of the gas bottles were missing. The back door was also reportedly opened.

Misir said he immediately realised he his home had been burglarized and journeyed to the Aurora Police Station and lodged a com-

plaint. Up to press time, no Police had visited the scene. Misir is calling on prompt action to be taken into the matter and for a thorough investigation to be launched.

Guyana records...

Manickchand said she expected upcoming young Guyanese students will do even better within the next three to five years if the programmes already started and for which funding was already secured since earlier this year [by the previous PPP/C Administration] were implemented and sustained. She added too that even with a new administration and Education Minister, she hoped that the children’s interests were given priority.

“I urge that sense, patriotism and a deep consideration of what would be in the best interest of Guyana’s children prevail when programmes are being quashed or even started, when people are being fired or demoted or sidelined, when resources are being “shifted”. And for goodness sake, don’t hesitate to make it known and jump for joy and cele-

brate when our children do so well that our Caribbean counterparts are looking up to us with awe and wonder and asking us again and again to tell them how we do it,” the former Education Minister stated.

She further outlined the performances of these students have evidenced her belief that with the right resources invested in any school, the students are capable of performing.

At this year’s exam, a total of 12,606 students wrote some 35 subjects. Of this, 4506 students were male and 8100 female. Additionally, of the total number, some 8430 students were from public schools, while 4176 were from private institutions.

Meanwhile, the CEO disclosed that the analysis of the 2015 CSEC results revealed that the overall pass rate at the General and Technical

proficiencies for Grades One to Three was 62.72 per cent as opposed to 60.21 per cent in 2014, while the overall 2015 Grades One to Four pass rate was 84.4 per cent. Of the 35 subject areas written, 15 recorded excellent performances with the Grades One to Three passes exceeding 75 per cent. In addition, satisfactory performances were recorded in 13 subjects, where the Grades One to Three passes surpassed 50 per cent and Grades One to Four passes were in excess of 75 per cent.

A total of 35 schools from various regions across the country managed to secure 60 per cent or more passes with Grades One to Three this year. Moreover, there were 172 candidates who secured eight Grade Ones and more from schools in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Nine along with Georgetown.

National Toshaos Conference meeting...

Executives not pleased with planning

– share mixed feelings on conference expectations

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference will begin on Monday next week with a series of activities aimed at improving the lives of the country’s indigenous peoples; however, executive members and other members of the Amerindian community expressed their discontentment with the way the conference was planned out.

The NTC, which is made up of Toshaos from several Amerindian villages, meets annually to form discussions with Government officials about issues and policies which affect this nation’s first people.

NTC Chairman Derrick John told this newspaper that

he was deeply concerned about what would happen at next week’s conference. He shared that he was only informed of the confirmation date from his deputy on Tuesday, and only received the confirmation letter on Wednesday when he showed up to the office of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry.

Another executive member of the NTC, Joel Fredericks told this newspaper that he was “not pleased” with the way this conference was planned, especially as it relates to the short notice that Toshaos were given about the event. Also sharing his dissatisfaction was Eyon Boyal, another executive member of the NTC, who said he did not

know what to expect as the Conference was “taken over” by the new Administration without much input from the actual Council which identifies what the indigenous people may need and then presents it to Government officials. He shared that the Ministry itself drew up the programmes and most persons are just at a loss.

Further, outgoing NTC

Secretary Basil Cornelius told this newspaper that he was hoping for full support from the Government of Guyana for a more effectively functioning NTC, and hoped that it ensured Amerindian villages benefit fully from any initiative it may wish to put forth. Cornelius stated that he hoped that the issues that Amerindians may bring forth as it related to Amerindian land rights and mining in the communities be taken in good faith.

Luke Simon, another executive, shared that he has high hopes for this NTC meeting and would like the indigenous population to try to work along with the new Government for the betterment of Amerindian people. Toshao Douglas Cassimero shared that one of the main issues that he was sure would be raised was the request for land extension.

Amerindian representative

violation of the Amerindian Act as normally the NTC would publish a date about a month in advance in the national newspapers. He added that the NTC was supposed to prepare the agenda for the meeting and it seemed as though the Ministry has taken over the entire event. Charlie added that he had spoken to several Toshaos about preparations for the event, for which they only received verbal confirmation which Charlie added, should not be so. He added that it seemed as though the Ministry which was supposed to assist these individuals in helping to develop themselves, “just want to snatch this away from these people”.

Bosai employees to be retrenched

More than 30 employees of the Chineseowned Linden bauxite company Bosai are expected to be retrenched today, sources at the company have confirmed.

Bosai, which has been operating in the mining community for some time now, has been at loggerheads with its over 500 staff members over a number of issues, including poor and insanitary conditions, meagre salaries and lengthy hours on the grind.

These had been demonstrated by numerous protest actions.

The situation had escalated last week, when workers were informed that management wanted to send 47 employees home. Management’s excuse was that it was having some big losses.

The employees were subjected to a 12-hour work shift, but were recently offered a four-hour reduction, which came after the intervention of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). Workers were to either choose that or be part of a 37-member crew to be sent home. Some have decided to accept the reduced work hours and salary, but those who have not have decided to leave the job. They will be paid under a special arrangement, the company source told Guyana Times The source said that the company has been seeing significant losses in its produce, particularly in the area of market.

UN SG organising meeting between two countries

United Nations (UN)

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is seeking to arrange a meeting between Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to discuss the pressing issue on the border controversy between the neighbouring countries.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had last month sought the assistance of the UN Secretary General, asking him to use his Good Offices and the 1966 Geneva Agreement to settle the issue, in which Caracas claims more than half of Guyana, stretching from Venezuela’s eastern border to the Essequibo River. The area is mostly jungle terrain but is believed to have sought-after minerals and possibly petroleum.

Maduro said the more recent Geneva Agreement was very important as it is signed under the auspices of the United Nations. He insisted on pursuing “diplomacy

of peace” to overcome these “provocations” that he said are currently happening and the aggressions by the current President of Guyana, David Granger.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge recently confirmed that the UN Secretary General is trying to arrange a meeting between President David Granger and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro on the margins of next month’s General Assembly to discuss the two countries’ border controversy over the Essequibo.

“The Secretary General has indicated that he is looking into the matter and has asked whether both Presidents will be attending the UN General Assembly in September. That forum may offer the opportunity of a meeting,” Carl Greenidge said in a radio interview streamed online.

Greenidge said the Secretary General is also preparing to send a fact-finding mission to Caracas and Georgetown.

Greenidge said that even if Venezuela makes a legally acceptable challenge to the 1899 arbitral award and claims its sovereignty over the region and the waters offshore Essequibo, that territory would not automatically fall under the rule of Caracas. Instead, he said, Guyana would file a counter-claim for lands that Great Britain gave up and are now part of Venezuela.

Venezuela recently began a tour of the Caribbean

nations to seek out their solidarity on the issue.

Barbados Prime Minister and Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman Freundel Stuart, however, recently told the country’s Vice President Jorge Arreaza and Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodríguez that the Caricom stands behind its decision it made at the 36th Caribbean Heads of Government meeting in early July.

President Granger pleaded for solidarity with Guyana, over the decadesold controversy, condemning Venezuela’s provocation and warned Caricom that if it did not take a stand, it would risk becoming a spent force.

Caracas remains fixed in its claims that Essequibo belongs to it, even after an international arbitration panel some 116 years ago unanimously determined the current border. Venezuela re-

cently intensified its pressure on Guyana, particularly after the reported discovery of oil by US-based oil giant ExxonMobil.

President Granger had said years of “superiority” should not be allowed to suppress the law, noting that the actions, as demonstrated by Venezuela must be condemned. He called for mutual respect for each other’s territorial sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual nonappearance in each other’s

Food and

internal affairs and mutual cooperation for peaceful co-existence between neighbours. He further stated that the decree issued by Venezuela has dire implications for the entire region but most particularly, the Eastern States including Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

He said these countries consider the decree by Venezuela an act of aggression against Guyana’s sovereignty, and an assault on

its right to assess and develop its maritime resources. He told the representatives of the Caricom Member States, that they have assembled, conscious of the reality that they were all part of the international community which was characterised by “unequal nations and foreign exchange”. He said while they may all be “powerless” as individual states, when put together, they are “powerful” as a community of sovereign states.

Drug Department seizes unregistered, expired drugs

The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department has recently seized a number of expired as well as unregistered pharmaceutical drugs off the shelves of several public and private health care facilities.

The discovery of these drugs was made after the Department conducted enforcement exercises in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) to ensure that all drugs and pharmaceuticals distributed and used in both private and public health care systems were registered, safe and efficacious, of the requisite quality and were distributed in accordance with the Food and Drug Regulations. The exercises were conducted as a result of sever-

al complaints made by both consumers and proprietors in the industry relating to the supply and sale of unregistered, improperly labelled, improperly packaged and expired drugs and pharmaceuticals. The raids were carried out in accordance with the Food and Drugs Act 1971 and Regulation 1977; Regulation 78 states that every new drug/ pharmaceutical must be registered, and Regulation 48 stipulates that all drugs/ pharmaceuticals must be properly packaged and labelled.

During the exercises, 16 community pharmacies, five importers’ bonds and six private hospitals were visited as well as the Georgetown Public Hospital and facilities associated with the distribution of drugs and phar-

maceuticals in the health care system. During these visits, 16 brands of unregistered drugs, 10 brands of drugs which were labelled in foreign languages, and 59 brands of expired over-thecounter drugs were seized. Several more brands of drugs were seized and left on premises pending investigations into their registration. This activity will be extended to other regions and would be continuous and ongoing as to ensure that safe and efficacious drugs, of the requisite quality are distributed to our local market. Persons who wish to know more about these exercises or wish additional information can contact the Food and Drug Department on telephone numbers 2228859 or 222-8857.

Regional Pharmacists meet to discuss upping health care standards

Pharmacists from across the Region were on Wednesday evening urged to safeguard their profession and do their best to offer quality health care to their clients.

Under the theme, “The Pharmacist – A vital link in providing quality health care, the health professionals converged at the Marriot Hotel, in Georgetown, for the 35th annual convention of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP), a collaborative effort with the Guyana Pharmacists Association (GPA).

This is the third time Guyana was selected to host the event, which seemed to have been a thrill for Guyana. The first was held some 20 years ago.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton said it was fully recognised that Caribbean nations cannot operate in isolation.

According to him, what affects one country will affect all other countries and as such, the importance of sharing information and synchronising efforts to maintain the highest ethical standard in the practice of pharmacy could not be

the recently

over emphasised.

“The theme for the conference amply describes the pivotal role Pharmacists play in the multidisciplinary fields in providing health care to all people and emphasises the holistic nature of the providing of health care which requires that pharmacists, physicians and all of the other professions work together as a team”.

He said forums such as the one held on Wednesday, are of vital importance particularly, when seeking to keep abreast with evolv-

ing practices in the respective fields as professionals. According to him, it was a pleasure for Guyana to host the conference at a time when many regional organisations are struggling to keep themselves together.

President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists Yvonne Reid said Pharmacists play a vital role in delivering health care; however, this must be conveyed to all stakeholders, other health care providers, policymakers and patients. This she said must be done through pa-

tient interventions, interactions with other health professionals and the documentation of health interventions.

“It is through our interventions, that patient morbidity and mortality are reduced and as a result, we have a reduction in health care costs”, she told the auditorium of Caribbean nationals.

President of the Pharmacist Association here in Guyana Megan Barker urged the Caribbean health professionals to improve their knowledge so

that they could provide quality health care and satisfy the needs of clients and patients across the Region.

“As Pharmacists, we must be cognisant of the fact that they are always changes in the provision of health care and must remain vigilant for counterfeit that can affect the health of the population”.

She spoke directly to the local delegates, urging them to use the conference to strengthen their commitment to the local association and the Caribbean association as well, which

will benefit all in the long run.

Before the actual presentations, two awards were presented to local Pharmacists Yvonne Bullen and Azad Khan. Bullen, who has had some 47 years in the health care system, received GPA life award. The former educator said that if she could have lived her life all over again, she would do just what she did.

Pharmacist Azad Khan received the Jaiwantie Bacchus Student of Excellence Award.

In less than 48 hours, eight beauty ambassadors from the Caribbean and the USA will take to the stage at the Hits and Jams Water World, Providence, East Bank Demerara with the aim of walking away with the coveted title of Miss Jamzone International, 2015 and US$10,000 (G$2,000,000).

The Miss Emancipation 2015 delegates have all completed their community project leading up to this year’s Miss Emancipation pageant. Delegates were given the task to design and execute a communitybased project that will directly impact the lives of residents, especially women and children.

Many would want to see Miss Guyana Cardella Hamilton follow in the footsteps of Reigning Miss Jamzone International 2014, Soyini Fraser since she has the charm, beauty and courage to do so. This will only be revealed at the conclusion of the three-hour long pageant slated for Saturday evening.

But the regional and international delegates have been creating some buzz since their arrival in Guyana over the past few days. Their charm, good looks, personality and humour can be used to their advantage leading up to pageant night.

The delegates competing for the title are Miss Trinidad and Tobago Afeya Jeffrey, Miss USA Jaleesa Peterkin, Miss St Lucia Niecer Suffren, Miss Barbados Tanika Walton, Miss Jamaica Soyini Phillips, Miss Suriname Priscilla Sordam and Miss St Kitts Jackiema Flemming.

The delegates will be competing in country/cultural presentation, national costume/dress, fantasy swimsuit, general swimsuit, evening gown and the final question segments. Tickets for the Miss Jamzone International Pageant cost $3000.

The seven delegates have been working diligently over the past months to accomplish this noble effort.

Akeila Day, a high school Teacher, helped to mould young leaders at the Sophia Centre by building selfesteem and communication skills through her girls’ empowerment programme.

Jade Primo, an Optometry student, provided free eye testing for residents in her community of Plaisance, on the East Coast of Demerara. Jillicia Thompson, a Biology student, over the past two months was actively promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in the community of Linden, in Region 10.

Zienoby Ward through promoting the “grow more campaign” in her village of Golden Grove, on the East Coast of Demerara worked with students of the Golden Grove Secondary School and also the Golden Grove Police Station to successfully execute her project. Vonette Peters, a medical student, designed and constructed a safe swing for wheelchair bound residents at the Cheshire Home in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. Deon Allen, a tourism student, formed a Plaisance Community resuscitation group which started a clean-up campaign in the Plaisance community. Keisha Jackson, an engineering student, constructed a bridge connecting A Field and B Field, Sophia, in Greater Georgetown.

These projects would be presented at the Miss Emancipation Pageant this evening at the National Cultural Centre. The project holds the largest single score in the competition, with a whopping 30 per cent and the winner will automatically become a finalist.

The pageant will be a redcarpet one, featuring the seven delegates drawn from as far as Linden competing in five segments – education, cultural awareness, community projects, question and answer and a rich afro-influenced fashion display. Tickets for the pageant are available at the National Cultural Centre and will cost $1000 and $2000.

The grand coronation of the Miss India Guyana Worldwide which was scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, will now be held on Thursday, August 20 at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. The event will be an elegant one with a cocktail reception commencing at 18:30h.

This will be followed by a rich cultural presentation by the sizzling dances by Apsara and special performance by Miss India Switzerland, 2014, Cynferth Turrian.

However, the queen selected will be crowned by Reigning Miss India Guyana Divya Sieudarsan who represented Guyana on the international stage but did not place. Nevertheless, the organiser of the pageant remained tightlipped about the new queen.

Guyana Times Entertainment understands that the beauty that was selected is a fresh face in the pageant fraternity and will do Guyana proud. Those who want to be a part of the prestigious event can purchase their tickets at King’s Jewellery World, Qamina Street, Georgetown; Feed-Shop, Sandy Babb St, Kitty, Georgetown or call telephone number 640-2085. Tickets cost $7000.

The event is sponsored by Limacol, Guytrac, Fusion Restaurant, Pulse Entertainment and Apsara School of Dance.

After months of planning and preparathe 15th an nual Lake Mainstay Regatta is all set for this Sunday and it is expected to be scorch ing hot, since more than $3 million will be up for grabs. The after party is expected to be off the hook, with some of the best artistes in the music industry.

males and females in the following categories: 15 HP, 40 HP, 90 HP, 200 HP, and Open HP. There will also be

and

The event is set for the magnificent fresh water lake that has been the home of the regatta for the past 14 years, with consistent participation from the big horses from the Pomeroon and Bartica.

The day will see at least 12 categories of powerboat racing for both

party grooves on with some of the most versatile ar tistes who are ex pected to perform live. These in clude reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Jumo

race. Apart from the powerboat races, there will be many other attractions that will definitely add some zest to the day’s proceedings.

However, after the exciting boat races, it’s time to get your

In keeping with its perspective that suicide prevention is everybody’s business, The Caribbean Voice is launching ‘The El Dorado Awards’, aimed at honouring advocates, activists and affirmation agents with keen attention placed on the issues of suicide, abuse, sex crimes, alcoholism and drug abuse.

The reality is that there is a plethora of individuals and organizations; locally and in the Diaspora, engaged in making a difference and qualitatively impacts the lives of Guyanese, especially the powerless and disadvantaged, while tackling the social issues that negatively affect lives.

The El Dorado Awards provides a space to recognise the efforts of those involved in the fight against these social ills, so that they can connect with each other and begin a conversation that would enhance the collaborative approach within a national framework.

The awards event will take the shape of a cocktail reception, a cultural interlude and the presentation of awards.

This year’s honourees are made up of individuals and organisations drawn from throughout Guyana and the Diaspora in several categories named after Guyanese symbols, landmarks and icons.

The Pakaraima Award will be given to Ashton Simon; The Kyk-Over-Al Award will be presented to Dr Suresh Narine and Red Thread; The Canje Pheasant Award will be bestowed onto Mrs Ameena Gafoor, while the Victoria Regia Award will be presented to Sayeda Manbodh and the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), and Terry Gajraj will receive the Maticore/Queh Queh Award.

In addition, the Umana Yana Award will be presented to the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mission and Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc. The Greenheart Award will see Metro Office and Computer Supplies taking the honours and the Arapaima Award will be shared by television personality WR Reaz and Pandit Deodat Persaud

heating things up during the day. Guys can also feast their eyes on the exotic dancers who will also be performing.

Waist” Primo; Chutney King Prince JP; Shakti Strings Orchestra’s versatile singer, Yoland Nedd and to add some flavour

be many games and ac tivities in cluding the trampoline, merry-go-around

The children will not be left out since there will

at 09:00h and the action drives off at 11:00h. The stage show will follow immediately after the presentation of cash prizes and trophies.

Advance tickets for the event cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children while at the gate, adults will pay $1200 and children $700.

The annual event has grown over the years and gained the reputation of being a well organised and disciplined event, representing the biggest in Guyana over the past two years. The resort continues to promote family events which have attracted patrons; both locally and from overseas. This is one event that you do not want to miss.

The first annual El Dorado Awards will be held at the Woodbine Room, Cara Hotel, Georgetown on Saturday August 22, commencing at 15:00h. Tickets for the event cost $7000 each. Those interested in tickets can contact 621-6111 or 223-2637.

sexuality, leaves his male partner and bumps into a lonely, very pretty but slightly older divorcee. She gets caught up in renewed hope of finding a lasting love and marriage, even with a gay man.

Scared and confused by his feelings for the woman he returns to his partner, who is unwilling to forgive him. The cheating young man, who now thinks he is a victim, spins a web of lies which provokes the ‘ultimate cockfight’.

The riotous journey in search of a resolution, is filled with such side splitting laughter, that’s it is downright outrageous. Tasked with keeping straight faces through all this are Guyana’s best Chris Gopaul, Michael Ignatius, Sonia Yarde and Godfrey Naughton who is also the Director.

Chris is the Protagonist in his most challenging role to date. It is far more difficult than “The Prince” in Cinderella and the ubiquitous “George” in old storytime.

He brilliantly plays the part of a victim while being oblivious to the mayhem he is causing. His first encounter with a woman is a scene (with Sonia Yarde) that with certainty will go down in Guyanese Theatre folklore.

Sonia Yarde plays a slightly off centred divorcee, desperate for a good man, any man, even a gay one, though she will not admit it. Michael Ignatius is the wealthy young stockbroker, gay and spitefully critical, but is played delightfully, and will be a huge hit with the crowd.

The “ULTIMATE Cockfight” has uncensored language and adult content. The producers advise that you leave your dentures and children at home.

This never before seen type of play is on at the National Cultural Centre on August 15 and 16 from 20:00h. Tickets cost $2000,

Chris Froome: Athletics should follow cycling anti-doping lead

Britain’s double Tour de France champion Chris Froome has urged athletics to follow cycling’s lead and invest a lot more money in anti-doping.

Cycling’s problems with drugs are well documented but the sport’s blackest days appear to be behind it.

But the ongoing doping allegations in athletics threaten to overshadow this month’s World Championships in Beijing.

“From what I understand, the testing hasn’t been at the level that it is in cycling,” Froome told BBC Sport.

He said the International Cycling Union (UCI) spends about four times what the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) does on testing.

“It is going to have to invest a lot more heavily in anti-doping,” he added. “That would be a step in the right direction.”

Track and field’s governing body spends about £1.3m a year on anti-doping, whereas its cycling equivalent spends closer to £6m, although much of that comes from the professional teams as a condition of their licences to race in UCI com-

petitions, and race organisers.

“I believe some things have changed quite substantially [for cycling] since the dark ages of 10 to 15 years ago when the sport was really dirty,” said Froome, in an exclusive interview with the BBC’s sports editor Dan Roan.

“The testing has really evolved and the UCI has now implemented 24-hour testing. I have every confidence that the system now really works.”

Women’s Ashes Test…

The 30-year-old Briton, who confirmed this week he will be lining up at the Vuelta later this month, revealed that he had been tested at his Monaco apartment on Sunday night and had no problem with being woken up at 3am by testers, if that is what it takes to assure fans he is clean.

How has athletics reached this point?

Earlier this year, a BBC investigation revealed allegations of doping by leading US track coach Alberto

England face a fight to win the Ashes Test after Australia built a large lead on a rain-hit third day at Canterbury.

The tourists added 90 to the 106-run advantage they had after bowling out the hosts for 168 on Wednesday.

England’s Katherine Brunt dismissed Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning for ducks before a four-hour rain delay.

Australia then fell to 51-4 but Jess Jonassen’s 29 not out steered them to 904, 196 runs ahead, when another downpour ended play early.

Debutant Jonassen, who made 99 in the first innings, hit the first six of the match and three fours as she looked to take the game away from the hosts with only one day remaining.

Jess Jonassen provided some much-needed impetus to the third day’s play

England are trailing 4-2 in the multi-format Ashes series, with the winners of the Test earning four points.

If Charlotte Edwards’s hosts do lose, they will need to win all three Twenty20 matches to retain the Ashes.

In the 30 minutes of play possible before rain curtailed the morning session,

Brunt reduced Australia to 2-2 in a spell Test Match

Special commentator Jim Maxwell described as “Botham-esque”.

Having performed brilliantly in the first innings for little reward, Brunt gave

James to lead a 3-member Grenada team in China

Salazar and one of his star pupils, American distance runner Galen Rupp. Both men deny the claims.

This hit the sport hard, especially coming after revelations about the apparent return of state-sponsored doping in Russia, as well as lingering distrust of the quality of testing in athletics powerhouses Kenya and Jamaica.

But worse was to come earlier this month when a joint investigation by German broadcaster ARD and British newspaper The Sunday Times uncovered a decade’s worth of suspect blood values that cast a shadow over six World Championships and three Olympics.

The sense of crisis has not been helped by the fact the IAAF is also in the midst of an election battle to replace long-standing president Lamine Diack, with the two contenders, Ukrainian pole vault legend Sergey Bubka and British running great Lord Coe, trading promises to get tougher with cheats while simultaneously suggesting the sport is being unfairly treated. (BBC Sport)

Olympic 400 metres champions Kirani James will lead a three-member Grenada team, announced by the Grenada Athletics Association, for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China later this month.

The World Championships take place from August 22-30 at the famous “bird’s Nest” stadium which was also the venue for track and field at the 2008 Olympic games.

James, who won the event in Daegu, South Korea in 2011, is among the leading favorites for the highly

anticipated 400m title. He will be joined by another quarter-miler Bralon Taplin and Commonwealth and Pan American Game’s medalist Kurt Felix, who will compete in the Decathlon. James, who also holds the Commonwealth Games record, has clocked the second fastest 400m time this year of 43.95, bettered only by Isaac Makwala of Botswana, who clocked 43.72.

The Grenadian has lost only once since May 2014 when he was beaten by South African Wayde van Niekerk at the IAAF Diamond League in Parish on July 4.

Taplin, who has been plagued by a score back, clocked a sub-45 this year when he finished second to James in 44.89 at the Sun Angel Classic in Arizona in April.

Felix, the national record holder in the multievents, won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and added a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto last month with a personal best of 8269 points. (CMC)

Australia build large lead at Canterbury

England the perfect start on day three with Villani bowled on the fifth ball of the day. She then trapped captain Lanning lbw in the third over with a ball that swung back.

A fiery, aggressive fast bowler, Brunt was deployed to open from the Nackington End for the first time in the match.

“She is very strong, bowls as fast as anyone in the game and brings an energy to the game that is refreshing and enlivening for the team,” added Maxwell.

“What I like is not just her bowling but also her belligerence that gave England’s innings a little bit of a sting in the tail.”

Brunt was in a hostile mood and all of the England players had plenty to say to their opponents - so much so that vice-captain Heather Knight lost her voice.

Just as England began to assert their authority,

the skies blackened and moments after the players had gone off for the first time, lightning and stomach-

SCOREBOARD

Australia 1st innings

274-9 declared England Women 1st innings

HC Knight c Lanning b Coyte 14

L Winfield c †Healy b Perry 1

SJ Taylor† lbw b Perry 0

CM Edwards* b Schutt 30

LS Greenway lbw b Perry 22

NR Sciver lbw b Schutt 35

GA Elwiss b Jonassen 17

LA Marsh c †Healy b Schutt 0

KH Brunt b Coyte 39

A Shrubsole lbw b Schutt 0

KL Cross not out 2

Extras (lb-3, nb-5) 8

Total (all out; 84.4 overs) 168

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Winfield, 2.1 ov), 2-7 (Taylor, 2.2 ov), 3-34 (Knight, 13.6 ov), 4-61 (Edwards, 23.4 ov), 5-93 (Greenway, 44.4 ov), 6-125 (Sciver, 62.4 ov), 7-125 (Elwiss, 63.1 ov), 8-129 (Marsh, 66.1 ov), 9-166 (Brunt, 83.3 ov), 10-168 (Shrubsole, 84.4 ov)

Bowling: EA Perry 17-5-38-3 (5nb), ML Schutt 18.4-11-26-4, SJ Coyte 18-8-30-2, HL Ferling 14-3-33-0, JL Jonassen 16-736-1, MM Lanning 1-0-2-0 Australia Women 2nd innings

EJ

(4

Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 2nd day…

Spinners cap India’s day of batting domination

For the first time since the Wellington Test of February 2014, India got to bat with little pressure and could look forward to sessions of piling on runs. Back then they had bowled New Zealand out for 192, and took a lead of 246. Ten tough Tests later, having dismissed Sri Lanka for 183, India didn’t quite bat Sri Lanka out of the game, but managed a healthy 192-run lead. It left Sri Lanka a narrow window, but in the four overs they had in the field, the Indian spinners bowled out the openers to now threaten a three-day finish.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli both completed fluent hundreds, and for a change, India were now against an attack missing the quality and the spirit of the ones that have tested them recently. Dhawan responded with his second century in two Tests, Kohli with his fourth century in his fourth Test as captain, and Wriddhiman Saha hit a maiden fifty. Kohli is now on the brink of his first win as captain, and Saha on his first as a Test player.

None of these batsmen had ever played a Test in Sri Lanka, but they are good students of the game and will appreciate how much more difficult it used to be for teams travelling to Sri Lanka before this. Rangana Herath soldiered on accurately, but he missed the zip of the old, Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep produced moments of inspiration, and figures of 5 for 134 flattered Tharindu Kaushal. Twice India found themselves in tricky situations, but on both occasions

they were let off by loose bowling and slack fielding. Kaushal was the biggest culprit, bowling a spate of full tosses, releasing any pressure built from the other end. His first 16 overs went for 84, his first maiden was his 31st over, and his wickets were either dubious lbws or those of tailenders. India won’t be complaining, though. Apart from the rained-out Test in Bangladesh, their last few assignments have been in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia, where they often had to fight their way out of trouble. Here, they got loose deliveries readily, as they did on the first evening when they were down at 28 for 2. Even in the first session on the second day, Sri Lanka never looked in the game. In all Dhawan and Kohli added 227, India’s best third-wicket stand against Sri Lanka, but two questionable lbws against Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane - within nine balls of each other - still gave Sri Lanka a chance. At this point India led by just 74 and were about to have their ploy of playing

only five specialist batsmen tested. Saha, in his first full series as a long-term wicketkeeper, was understandably edgy. Batsmen of the past in Sri Lanka expected Murali or Herath to give them a proper examination. Saha, though, got three juicy full tosses in the first 10 balls he faced from Kaushal, and was away. Although wickets kept falling on a pitch that was offering turn and bounce, Saha held the rest of the innings together to take the lead close to 200. That was at least better than the first session for Sri Lanka. India were up against a deflated side, which began the day with a deep point in place. All they managed to do was make India wait, not work hard, for their runs. It took 50 minutes for the visitors to hit the first of only seven boundaries in the morning session, Dhawan’s hundred off 178 balls was his slowest in Tests, and Kohli scored only 17 off the first 56 balls he faced. Scoring picked up in the second hour with 99 coming off the first session, but the wickets later in the day meant India were back

waiting for their runs. It took Sri Lanka nine overs to draw a semblance of a chance from India, but when Kohli drove loosely, the dying edge went through the vacant gully position. The veteran Herath then began to string together a set of decent overs. In the 12th over of the day, the 46th of the innings, he drew a batpad offering from Dhawan but it fell wide of short leg. In the next over, though, Pradeep released the pressure by offering a half-volley, which Dhawan drove for the first boundary of the day. Kaushal’s introduction brought about a rise in the scoring rate. When he went for 12 in the 53rd over of the innings, India were in the lead.

With captain Angelo Mathews off the field with fever, Sri Lanka were looking at long sessions in the field. As it happens with teams in such situations, the fielding began to drop: minutes before lunch, Kohli stole a single when Dhawan hit a ball straight to Pradeep at short third man, and could be heard on the stump mic, saying, “So raha hai woh [He is sleeping].” Mathews was back after lunch, and Sri Lanka were more alert in the second session, although the same couldn’t be said of the umpire Nigel Llong. Kaushal managed to finally get in a set of decent deliveries, first beating Dhawan’s outside edge twice, and then beating Kohli on the sweep. Llong’s risen finger made this the fifth of Kohli’s 11 hundreds to end under 110, but the ball seemed headed down leg. In Kaushal’s next over,

an off-break beat Rahane’s inside edge, but it hit him in front of middle after having pitched well outside off. Another dubious lbw given, and Sri Lanka were now looking at India’s weakness: Saha in with India having gone from 255 for 2 to 257 for 4. Then arrived Kaushal’s full tosses although even one of them would have ended up with a wicket had Lahiru Thirimanne caught Dhawan at short cover. Dhawan had reached 122 by then, and even when he didn’t get loose balls he batted superbly. The use of his feet to advance down the wicket against spin, even if only for singles or defensive shots, also provided him quite a few flat deliveries, which he nonchalantly dabbed behind square for runs.

Dhawan always looked at ease, and when he fell to the new ball, which was tak-

en in the 87th over playing Pradeep on, it was against the run of play. Wickets then fell regularly, three of them to Kaushal, who to his credit bowled better now, but runs kept coming too. The umpires intervened again, with Saha given out caught off the helmet, which only meant four testing overs for the Sri Lanka openers. How they would have loved to face their own bowlers. Instead they got R Ashwin and Amit Mishra bowling accurately, turning the ball massively, and enjoying the natural variation from the pitch. In the first over, Ashwin made Dimuth Karunaratne his fifth lefthand victim of the match with a seam-up arm ball just after a big off-break. Mishra removed Kaushal Silva with a wrong’un. You would expect better from Test openers. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings 183

India 1st innings

KL Rahul lbw b Prasad 7

S Dhawan b Pradeep 134

RG Sharma lbw b Mathews 9

V Kohli* lbw b Kausha 103

AM Rahane lbw b Kaushal 0

WP Saha† c †Chandimal

b Pradeep 60

R Ashwin b Pradeep 7 Harbhajan Singh b Kaushal 14

A Mishra b Kaushal 10

I Sharma not out 3

VR Aaron c Mathews b Kaushal 4

Extras (lb 10, w 3, nb 11) 24

Total (all out; 117.4 overs) 375

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Rahul, 2.6 ov), 2-28 (RG Sharma, 9.3 ov), 3-255 (Kohli, 73.6 ov), 4-257 (Rahane, 75.2 ov), 5-294 (Dhawan, 87.6 ov), 6-302 (Ashwin, 89.5 ov), 7-330 (Harbhajan Singh, 99.2 ov), 8-344 (Mishra, 103.4 ov), 9-366 (Saha, 114.5 ov), 10-375 (Aaron, 117.4 ov)

Bowling: KTGD Prasad 22-4-54-1 (1-nb, 1-w), N Pradeep 26-2-983 (1-nb, 2-w), AD Mathews 4-112-1, PHT Kaushal 32.4-2-134-5 (9-nb), HMRKB Herath 33-4-67-0 Sri Lanka 2nd innings FDM Karunaratne b Ashwin 0 JK Silva b Mishra 0 KTGD Prasad not out 3 KC Sangakkara not out 1 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (2 wickets; 4 overs) 5 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Karunaratne, 0.5 ov), 2-1 (Silva, 1.5 ov) Bowling: R Ashwin 2-2-01, A Mishra 1-0-1-1 (1-nb), Harbhajan Singh 1-0-4-0

Unrepentant Gatlin in hot form for Bolt showdown Fraser-Pryce will attempt World Champs double

Justin Gatlin will run for the United States in Beijing but to much of the athletics world he might as well appear in a vest bearing a giant syringe such is his position as the tangible manifestation of the sport’s wretched doping past.

There will be dozens of convicted former dopers in the world championships -- with the top end of the 100 metres riddled with them -- but Gatlin has a special place in the Hall of Shame by dint of being the man who has been banned twice.

In normal circumstances that second positive test -- in 2006 -- would have earned him a lifetime ban but after he agreed to co-operate with the anti-doping authorities that was cut to eight, and then four years.

People were certainly unimpressed when he returned to the track with sluggish performances but as his times fell, the opprobrium grew.

Now he will arrive in Beijing on the back of an astonishingly dominant run, all the more astonishing for the fact that he is 33 and running faster times than when he won the Olympic and world titles in 2004 and 2005.

Gatlin last tasted defeat over 100m

in September 2013 and over 200 in May of the same year. Since then he is unbeaten in 27 races over both distances. He has run the four fastest times of the year for the 100m, with a best of 9.74, and the two fastest 200s, peaking with 19.57 -- both personal bests and his 100m time the best in the world for nearly three years. That all means he has a real chance of beating defending champion Usain Bolt, who is racing against time to regain his best form after a hip injury. Their meetings will be the most anticipated races of the championships

and Gatlin, who has won only one of their seven 100m head-to-heads, is as excited about them as the fans.

“Hopefully the Beijing 100m or 200m finals will be the right time for us to be able to put on a spectacular show,” he said recently. “It’s a great lead up to a really good story.”

Gatlin still refuses to consider himself a doper, arguing that his first positive test for a stimulant was a result of medication he had been using for years and maintaining that his second came through a rogue masseur rubbing testosterone cream into his legs.

He does say though that it was the bans and his subsequent time away from the track that have given him longevity as he now feels “26 or 27 years old”.

Cheat or victim, Gatlin will nevertheless be widely perceived as the cowboy in black when he faces down Bolt, held by many to be the shining beacon of hope in a drug-ravaged sport.

“At the end of the day I have to get on the line, I have to get out there and cross the finish line first and that’s my job,” says Gatlin.

“What the critics say about me doesn’t really bother me.” (Reuters)

Fraser-Pryce

Jamaica sprint star

Shelly-Ann FraserPryce will attempt the 100-200m double at this month’s Beijing World Championships.

Earlier in the season, the World Champion over both events had stated that her main focus would be on the 100m event, with a view to doubling at next year’s Olympic Games instead.

Fraser-Pryce contested only the 100m event at the Jamaica National trials, but by virtue of being the defending champion had an automatic spot in the field. The Jamaican is expected to face stiff competition from compatriot Elaine Thompson, the reigning national champion and Dutch rising star Dafne Schippers.

Fraser-Pryce heads the contingent along with sprint king Usain Bolt, who will also be defending both the titles he won in Moscow two years ago. The Jamaica team also includes former World 100m and 200m champion Veronica CampbellBrown, along with former World 100m record holder Asafa Powell; 2013 World 200m silver medallist Warren Weir; and Hansle Parchment, the Olympic Games 110m hurdles bronze medallist. (Digicel Sportsmax)

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Rio can deliver ‘outstanding’ Olympics, says IOC

Rio can deliver an “outstanding” Olympics according to the International Olympic Committee, following four test events the city can be “proud” of.

But IOC officials have played down concerns over the water quality where the sailing, swimming, rowing and triathlon events will be held in 2016.

The World Health Organisation has suggested the IOC monitor pollution levels in the water.

IOC vice-president Nawal el Moutawakel said athletes’ safety is a “priority”.

El Moutawakel insisted the issue of water quality is being addressed, so the athletes can “compete in a secure and safe environment”.

The international governing bodies of sailing and rowing have called for tests on the water quality.

An independent investigation by the Associated Press found high levels of viruses and, in some cases, bacteria from human sewage in all of Rio’s Olympic and Paralympic water venues.

AP says the World Health Organisation (WHO) had advised the IOC to test for viruses, but have now

changed their stance and would not issue an official recommendation.

The IOC said it had ruled out viral testing and would stick to WHO guidelines, which recommend only bacterial testing.

Rio has hosted test events for volleyball, triathlon, rowing and equestrian with road cycling on Sunday.

Moutawakel said: “This demonstrates the organisers’ capabilities and their capacity to deliver outstanding Olympic Games next year.”

But she warned “a tremendous amount of planning work remains to be completed”. (BBC Sport)

Fans prepare for ‘Rory and Jordan’ show at PGA

Csuit in 2000.

Having claimed the Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June, Spieth fell agonisingly short in his bid to land the first three majors of the season as he tied for fourth in last month’s British Open at St. Andrews one shot short of joining a playoff. Four-times major champion McIlroy will also draw intense scrutiny at Whistling Straits as he returns to competitive golf after an absence of more than seven weeks.

lear skies and barely a breath of wind greeted the early starters at the PGA Championship on Thursday as golf fans prepared for the ‘Rory and Jordan’ show later in the day at Whistling Straits.

The return from injury by world number one McIlroy to defend his PGA Championship crown this week and Spieth’s bid to win a third grand slam title this year have marked out the season’s final major as extra special.

McIlroy and Spieth have between them won four of the last five majors played and, aged just 26 and 22 respectively, they are likely to dominate the game at the highest level for some time to come.

Traditionally, the winners of the season’s first three majors have always been drawn together and McIlroy, Spieth

and British Open champion

Zach Johnson are set to start the opening round on the first tee at 2:20 p.m. ET (1820 GMT).

“I’m excited to just share a couple days with Rory and Zach,” said Masters and U.S. Open champion Spieth. “I played with Zach (at Firestone) last week, he’s a good friend of mine.

“We’re going to have a good time, and hopefully we can all feed off each other these two days. Hopefully we can all get into contention.”

Much of the focus this week will be on the remarkable Spieth as he seeks to join fellow Americans Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods as the only players in the modern era to have won three majors in a single year.

Hogan was the first to complete the hat-trick, in 1953, and Woods followed

The Northern Irishman, who tied for ninth in the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in his most recent start, has been out of action since he ruptured a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer with friends on July 4.

However, McIlroy has been diligent with his recovery and said earlier this week he fully expected to play well.

“I don’t see any reason why I can’t bring the sort of form that I’ve shown in practice rounds and on the range to the tee on Thursday afternoon,” the Northern Irishman said.

Spieth, McIlroy and Johnson could end up with the tougher half of the draw on Thursday as wind gusts of up to 28 mph (45.06 kph) have been forecast for later in the day.

“If the wind is up, that will be the teeth of the course,” said Spieth. “(This) may be a tougher day to get started.”

(Reuters)

GT Beer, Petra launch futsal tourney

By TreisTon Joseph

The Petra Organisation, in collaboration with the GT Beer brand, launched its futsal tournament, which is slated to kick off on August 18 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The event will feature 13 of Georgetown’s top teams along with one team each from the East Coast, East Bank and West Demerara.

The tournament will be played on a round-robin basis before the final on

September 13. At a press conference on Thursday, Banks Beer Executive Brian Choo Hen noted the company’s motivation to support the event.

”it is yet another demonstration of our commitment to sport; we look forward to an exciting tournament and we hope the fans come out and support their team,” Choo Hen noted.

Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca stressed his pleasure at Banks DIH’s involvement in the ven-

LABA U-23 Championship…

ture.

“Our relationship stems over nine years ago and the wards have shown great camaraderie. We are just happy to be able to put on another small goal futsal and we hope that the sport continues to grow,” Mendonca stressed.

The tournament will have a top prize of $500,000, while second place will receive $250,000. Third place will receive $125,000 and fourth $75,000. An entrance fee of $500 will be charged each night of the event.

Bulls rout Falcons behind Welch’s 30 points

National prospect

Welch was hitting shots from all parts of the court, putting his versatile offensive arsenal on display.

Meanwhile, the Jets

Terron Welch scored a tournament-high 30 points to lead the Half Mile Bulls past Bankers Trust Falcons 6633, while Amelia’s Ward Jets top the Kashif and Shanghai Kings 66-50 as both teams remained unbeaten in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s Under-23 Basketball Championship on Tuesday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. The Bulls were always in control of the game leading through each quarter at 21-8, 35-17, and 52-23 before the final score.

GTTA to host summer tournament

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) will host a Summer Table Tennis Tournament from August 21 to 23 at the National Gymnasium.

Eight categories will be contested at the championships, namely Men’s Singles, “B” Class Open, “C” Class Open, 13 Years and Under Boys, 13 Years and Under Girls, 11 Years and Under Boys, 11 Years and Under Girls and Novices Open.

The Tournament, which will be conducted according to the rules established by the International Table

Tennis Federation (ITTF), will also have trophies and medals for the first, second and third place winners in all events.

All entries must be submitted to the Technical Director of the event, Linden Johnson by August 21 which is the closing date for all entries.

The tournament while in Georgetown is extended to all affiliates of the GTTA and is expected to attract some of Guyana’s top players.

found themselves down after the first two quarters as they trailed their opponents Kings 16-20 and 2526 before the pivotal third quarter that saw them rally to take control 42-34.

The Jets would put on

Local

Ta brilliant run down the homestretch of the game, outscoring the Kings 24-16 to pull away for the win.

Scoring for the Jets came from Parish Cadogan with 16 points, Adrian Webster and Keith Butters with 11 apiece and Vibert Benjamin adding 10. For the Kings, Quincy Easton was their best player getting a game-high 19 points with teammate Ron Profit getting 13 and Ulric Benjamin 12.

golf season to resume Saturday

he local golf season will resume on Saturday with a club tournament following a prolonged break due to the recent inclement weather, according to a release from the Lusignan Golf Club (LCG).

The Medal-play format tournament is basically aimed at getting the golfers in shape for several major tournaments planned for the remainder of the year.

According to the Grounds Superintendent, the course is in excellent shape and the players will

be pleased at the recovery of the ground after the heavy rains and waterlogged conditions that persisted causing the club’s closure for over a month.

Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo confirmed that the Fairways, Greens and Tee-boxes are all in good shape.

He expects that there will be keen competition even though some members may feel a little out of shape after the long lay-off.

Tee-off time is 12:00h.

Tim Kee backs Nakhid’s bid for FIFA president

David Nakhid has received a glowing endorsement in his bid to become the next president of FIFA from Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee.

On Tuesday, Nakhid declared his intention to run for president of FIFA during a live interview on the Rogers Radio Caribbean in

Antigua. Tim Kee, in a telephone interview yesterday, spoke in glowing terms of the former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder and team captain.

“David Nakhid is somebody for who I have utmost respect, and this goes way back,” said Tim Kee.

“I was one of the very few people (in local football administration) who made

him comfortable.

“I respected him, his independence of thought and he is a stickler for what he believes is right,” he continued.

“He does not compromise anything in his mind which is not right.” Tim Kee pointed out, “David Nakhid is a man who is well-qualified.

He has two different degrees (International Relations and Economics from American University in Washington DC), he speaks several different languages.

“I know he has been in what you call the big leagues. I was kind of surprised when that indication came to me but if David gets the opportunity, he has the credentials to do great things as a leader in football.” Tim Kee is confident that Nakhid can be a worthwhile replacement for Sepp Blatter, who announced his

resignation as FIFA president in June, in the midst of the FIFA corruption scandal.

“When somebody has to do a job, the main thing you look at is the credentials,” said the TT FA boss.

“David is (51) so he acquired the right age and the level of experience which will serve him in good stead.

“He’s an International

Relations man, he knows how to treat with the world,” Tim Kee added.

“He’s bright, he has potential and that is what you need to recruit, somebody who does not have baggage, who is coming into a new environment and could change things around.

David is a good man and I wish that he gets the support that is required to be among the candidates.” He went on to state, “I think David is a good candidate, as long as he pursues it further.

David and I have chatted, he’ll throw things out and we’ll chat.

If he’s really geared for this, it’s something I think will be a good thing.

“I don’t know who we have in the Caribbean who can rival David in terms of qualifications (and) I dare say, in CONCACAF even, when I look around at all those guys that are involved

at the highest level,” Tim Kee emphasised.

“David is a smart guy and a honest, sincere person. You wouldn’t be getting any six-fora- nine with David.

Over the years, he has mellowed a lot.

He’s a lot more suave and a lot more smooth, as compared to how he was when he was playing for Trinidad (and Tobago).”

Asked about the likelihood that Nakhid may receive criticism over his lack of experience in football administration, Tim Kee replied, “people had said that about (Franz) Beckenbauer, when he was coach of Germany, he was a (great) player.

“(Michel) Platini was a great player before he went in to UEFA, and he turned to be a good and excellent president of Europe. But he had no experience before that, in administration.”

(Trinidad Newsday)

“Play to Conquer” tennis tournament set for month-end

– Titans Table Tennis Club looking to develop young talents

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Young table tennis players will showcase their skills on August 29-30 when Titans Table Tennis Club stages the firstever “Play to Conquer” tournament at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The competition was launched on Wednesday afternoon at the club’s loca-

two-day activity will focus on youth players, from the Novices Open to the B Class Open.

Players will compete in the Boys and Girls Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-18, Under-21 Open, B Class Open and Under-9 Open.

“This tournament basically is a tournament that has specifically catered to the youths. As you may re-

tion in the top flat of the Red Cross building, Eve Leary. President of the club, Dwain Dick, in giving an overview of the age-group tournament, pointed out that

alise, there is no Men’s or Women’s category, unfortunately. Hopefully in our next tournament scheduled for October we will have those categories,” Dick pointed

out.

The club has been in existence for four years now, and according to Dick, the aim of the putting together the tournament is to give prominence to the game at the national level. Going forward, Dick outlined that the club will look to create links with all sectors of society to aid the growth and development of not just the players, but the sport in general.

“This is just one of our initiatives as we continue to build bridges with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and various other entities. We’re seeking to basically build partnerships with all sectors of societythe education sector, the health sector etc.,” Dick asserted.

President of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, who attended the launch, said the local governing body readily agreed to sanction the initiative by Titans, noting that it is a step in the right direction.

Munroe said the move by the club falls into the association’s mandate to promote table tennis at the youth level, thereby affording the young racquet-wielder an opportunity to hone their skills.

Daly-Ramdyhan delivers...

The experienced coach pointed out that close to 50 young boys and girls attended the camp, much more than she expected. Nevertheless, Daly-Ramdyhan was happy to dispense her knowledge to the eager group.

Apart from support from the National Sports Commission, the camp received sponsorship from Homesafe Security Service, whose Finance Manager, Maurisia Johnson, assisted in the presentation of prizes and certificates to the participants.

Johnson related how enthusiastic her company was to invest in the young players, thereby affording them the opportunity to engage in a meaningful activ-

ity. She lauded coach DalyRamdyhan for once again hosting the camp, which she said is a perfect way of keeping the youngsters away from the social ills of society.

The camp concluded with competition in several coloured ball events, with players being placed in different categories depending on the skills level. Nevia Calderia won the Red Ball competition; Nandanee Ramdyhan copped the Orange Ball title; Viraj Sharma took top honours in the Yellow Ball B category, and Mark McDonald was the top player in the Yellow Ball A division.

“We feel that strong clubs make a stronger association. We’re very enthused by the categories that will be played. I think initiatives such as this- and we’re hopeful that we can have much more with other clubs coming onboard- are quite commendable. I hope the other clubs can follow suit,” Munroe intimated. He added, “We [the GTTA] are gearing for some youth programmes in the near future in terms of targeting young athletes. You’ll

know that the opportunities for athletes have been dwindling to some measure because of financing, among other things, and things in this director truly help to propel the sport in a positive direction.”

Seon Erskine, filling in for Director of Sport Christopher Jones, echoed similar sentiments, adding that the club has received the full blessing of the NSC.

“[Investing in] youngsters is the way to go; that’s the only way we can guarantee the future of the sport, and seeing Guyana being represented at all levels internationally and regionally. I would like to applaud the Organising Committee, it’s

great to see that clubs and the association are working hand in hand in the development of our youths and we look forward to working harmoniously with all sporting federations, without any exceptions,” Erskine outlined.

Meanwhile, Dick said the club will work to make the competition an annual feature, providing it can secure the requisite support from the business community and other stakeholders.

Several of the Titans top players are expected to compete in the tournament, among them Colin Wong, Miguel Wong, Isiah Layne, Stephan Corlette, Selenas Jackman and Priscilla Greaves.

Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic…

Regional athletes arrive for championship

The Guyanese athletes will have their biggest test ahead of them after the arrival of some top regional athletes for the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic set for Linden this weekend.

Three athletes from Jamaica – Seidatha Palmer, Nicholas Maithland, Keno Burell; two from Trinidad –Ashton Gill, Dwanell Collymore; and one from the Bahamas in Petra McDonald were introduced earlier Thursday at a press conference by the Boyce/Jefford Committee.

All of the athletes highlighted that they are ready to go and will give of their best when they lace up to rival their Guyanese counterparts.

Digicel Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope greeted the athletes upon arrival in Guyana.

“This is a day we have been waiting for where regional and international athletes can come in

and compete against the best we have and we hope it continues to grow… we know that the Boyce/jefford Committee has delivered on all of their promises and we want the event to grow and we thank you for coming to our shores,” Hope noted.

ANSA McAL Smalta Brand Manager Anjeta Hinds also highlighted that it was a special occasion.

“Jamaica’s presence here is big for us and it will prove where our athletes are at, we are happy to be here and we know that we will grow with the event, I am excited personally to see what will happen on the day of competition,” Hinds stated.

Coach of the Trinidad team, Kelvin Nancoo said Trinidad would be back

Govt waives bridge toll for horses attending Sunday’s Guyana Cup

By Rajiv Bisnauth

After giving its full support towards the ninth annual Guyana Cup horse race meet, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government on Wednesday waived the Berbice Bridge toll for horses attending the lucrative race meet.

Guyana Times Sport confirmed on Thursday from the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones that the request from the organisers were approved by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

“Yes, the Government has waived the Berbice Bridge toll for horses attending the race meet. This is in keeping with our support towards horse racing and sport in general,” Jones said.

Meanwhile, chief coordinator Nasrudeen Mohammed Junior in an invited comment on Thursday thanked the Guyana Government for its support, adding that a number of horse owners will benefit from the initiative.

Joseph Harmon Christopher Jones

The meet is set for Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club from 12:30h.

Eleven races are carded for the day, where over $25 million will be at stake in cash and prizes. The feature race is for animals classified A1 and Lower. A total of $7.5 million will be up for grabs in that race.

The race will be contested over a distance of 1800 metres. Other races listed on the programme are the Threeyear-old race for West Indies

bred horses; Two-year-old race for West Indies horses, E1 and Lower, Four-yearold for West Indies bred animals, F3 and Lower, G3 and Lower, Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses, I1 and Lower, J1 and Lower, as well as a race for unclassified horses.

Close to 100 horses are expected to grace the occasion, with turfites having the opportunity to see a number of foreign jockeys and newlyarrived horses in action.

next year stronger in numbers, while Jamaica’s Coach, Patrick Dawson highlighted that his team was happy to represent Jamaica.

Co-director of the Boyce/ Jefford meet, Colin Boyce thanked the athletes for

coming to Guyana, while hinting that the possibility existed for a synthetic track in Linden next year.

The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic for the first time will bring four Jamaican athletes to the shores of Guyana.

The first-place prize will be $600,000, as some clubs have indicated that they will be merging, while the second-place prize will be $400,000; third, $250,000 and fourth, $100,000.

The international events for men will be the 200m, 800m and the long jump, while for the females it will be the 200m, 1500m and the triple jump.

The champion athletes for males and females will receive $50,000, while two outstanding performances will be rewarded with a gold chain each.

Gate prizes are worth up to $30,000 in cash and gold chains will also be up for grabs when the event gets underway on the final day.

Daly-Ramdyhan delivers another batch of tennis players –

Park Rangers camp concludes

at Racquet Centre

By avenash Ramzan

Undoubtedly one of the most hardworking national coaches, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan continues to make headway in the sport of tennis, churn-

National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.

The camp has been in existence for quite a few years now, and Daly-Ramdyhan has been consistently using the two-week event to

This year was no different, as the young players were tutored on the fundamentals of the sport in a fun environment. Many parents attended the sessions to gauge the progress of their

ing out another large batch of players at the annual Park Rangers camp at the

bring forth new talents, who would ultimately feed into the national system.

offspring, something the coach was more than willing to accommodate.