Guyana Times Daily

Youths to tackle Climate Change in Caribbean

wednesday, may 21, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Police fortify Court lock-ups after breakout

– one escapee still on the run

Police have strengthened the grillwork at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts lock-up following Monday’s breakout of four prisoners – one of whom was shot dead and two others recaptured. The fourth escapee, Keron Cummings, up to press time was still on the run.

Prisoners have routinely escaped from the holding facility at courts countrywide and also stake frequent breakouts at local prison facilities. Divisional Commander responsible for Georgetown, Clifton Hicken, told Guyana Times that the ventilation grille that the prisoners had ripped open to escape has been replaced with “materials that would make it harder for another break-out.”

He said too that there has been an increase in the security presence and that an in-

vestigation into the incident is ongoing, while several officers have been questioned. The A Division Commander explained that if any officers are to be found culpable, then they would be dealt with in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Keron Cummings, 26, of Sophia, Georgetown has been charged with several armed robbery offences. The four high-profile prisoners had escaped from the court’s lock-up around 12:45h after removing the ventilation grillwork in the holding area of the facility. Steven Bacchus, who was charged with the murder of Constable Quincy Wright in January, was recaptured on Hadfield Street shortly after the break-out. Another escapee, Vickram “Lil John” Persaud, who was charged with the murder of Constable

Cumberbatch in September

2013, was shot and killed in a confrontation with the Police at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice. According to a Police press release, at about 19:20h on Monday, Persaud, 28, of Doctor Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, was shot twice, once to his face. He was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival around 21:00h. Persaud was reportedly in possession of an unlicensed .38 revolver. His body is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.

Meanwhile the third escapee, 20-year-old Randolph Marks, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was found around 01:20h on Tuesday morning. Crime Chief Lesile James disclosed that

the Police, acting on information received went to a house in Freeman Street, East La Penitence, where he was found hiding under a bed. Marks was charged with armed robbery and the murder of Patsan’s Trading

Sales representative Bharrat Ramcharan last month.

The Crime Chief had disclosed that Police ranks were alerted to the holding area after they heard a strange sound emanating from the area, and as they arrived, they saw Bacchus making his way through the hole. Quick action by the Police resulted in the re-arrest of Bacchus, however, there was no sign of the others. Following the break-out, several officers were questioned since the Police outpost is located near the holding area. According to information received, the men were brought from the Camp Street Penitentiary to appear in various courts for their offences. The men had already

made their appearances and were supposed to be taken back to the correctional facility, but there was a delay. A Police source explained that on a normal day, after the prisoners would have made their appearance before the Magistrate, they are kept in the holding area as they wait on others, so that the vehicle can make one trip to the facility.

He could not say what went wrong on Monday, noting that no one heard a sound until the last person was making his way through the vent. On any day that court is in session, there are at least one dozen Police ranks providing protection at the facility and he was not sure how the men were not spotted.

Youths to tackle Climate Change in Caribbean

Amajor youth forum as part of the upcoming Annual Board of Governors Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank will open this morning at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

Under the theme “Youth Voices for Change”, the youth outreach programme will involve young people between the ages of 16-29 from the host country on May 21-23. Named VYBZING, the programme is in keeping with its purpose in creating an environment for dialogue. The objective of the forum is to give young people an opportunity to voice their understanding of the key development issues, which confront the region, and to support them in taking active participation in the development process.

According to a release by the CDB, approximately 55 youths will be selected by the bank’s partners and collaborators with this event. An effort will be made to ensure

that representation from every region is present along with a balance of the genders. CBD notes that funding will be provided for transportation, meals, materials and accommodation. CBD will also assist in the transportation of participants from the hinterland regions, as necessary.

This three-day event will be crafted to sensitise Guyanese youth about the threats posed by climate change and climate variability, and enable them to structure responses that are in tandem with priority actions endorsed by Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, as well as priority areas endorsed by the Office of the President, Office of Climate Change and outlined in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Resource persons from Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) (Belize), Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (Trinidad) and the Office of the President, Office of

Climate Change will facilitate the forum through the use of a blend of visioning exercises, ranking techniques, interactive knowledge-building exercises and British parliamentary-style debating to engage the participants and move them towards meaningful and sustained action.

A community toolkit for climate change along with other forum materials and gifts will be presented to participants. The range of activities and presentations will culminate in the preparation of a youth statement on climate change, which will serve as the basis for a Caribbean Youth Declaration on Climate Change, with emphasis on the post-2015 climate change agenda. A VYBZING Exhibit called “Recycle, Reuse” will be mounted at the Convention Centre during the week of the CDB annual meeting. This exhibit will feature the work of young people that have creatively used waste materials to produce useful products.

WEATHER: Thundery showers can be expected during the day with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Wind: North easterly between 5.36 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:49h and 22:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.32 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:19h and 15:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metres and 0.83 metre respectively.

Teen mom slain by 48-year-old lover

By Shiran ramnauth

Ateenage girl of Caracas Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, died early Tuesday morning after being viciously stabbed by her 48-year-old former reputed husband Monday night.

The death of 18-yearold Onicia Greaves adds to the staggering statistics of women who have been killed by their male partners here. The man – Robert Sandy – later attempted suicide by drinking a poisonous substance. He was listed as critical up to press time at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Greaves was the mother of a four-month-old daughter. The incident occurred

at approximately 19:30h on Monday at the home of the deceased‘s mother in Angoy’s Avenue. When Guyana Times visited the home of the dead teen, her relatives were wailing.

The elder sister of the teen, Nicola, told this publication that on the night in question Onicia had gone out into the yard to wash her daughter’s nursing bottle when suddenly a piercing scream erupted into the stillness. “We heard she screamed and like me heart stop beat… then we hear ‘Abi! Abi’ and when we go out, we see she lying on the ground with blood all over her… and she said Sandy, who is her child father, bore she up,” Nicola recalled.

She said they immediately rushed her bleeding sister to the New

Amsterdam Hospital where she was given the necessary medical attention. She was then taken to the main Operating Theatre at the institution where doctors and nurses worked assiduously to save her life. However, because of the injuries, which included a punctured lung and kidney, the teen succumbed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Refused to accept breakup

According to Nicola, the tragic incident stemmed from a dispute between her late sister and her child fa-

ther. She explained that her sister, who had been living with the man for three years, had left him and went to reside with her mother a couple months ago. The young woman told this newspaper that her sister went to Georgetown about a week ago; however, it was only Monday that she returned after being told by the attacker via telephone that their child was sick and needed her. “She come home and the two of them been talking, because he come over to see baby and he telling she whenever she decide to come back to he, he go wait… she tell he she ain’t want him no more, let he move on.” Nicola Graves said after the breakup, Sandy threatened to kill her sister and commit suicide – a threat Onicia ignored, Nicola said.

to page 8

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

New languages

Language, of course, is a medium of communication –unique to us humans. But language is more than just a collection of words – it is also a repository of the idea, premises and world view of the originating people that produced the particular language.

Others who wanted to learn that language had to map their world view onto that of the new language, if they expected to be understood. Language, then, can also be a signifier of power, since the superior power would rarely condescend to learn the language of the group dubbed “inferior”.

In the Caribbean, snatched from Africa, India, China and even Europe, we all had to learn English, French, Spanish or even Dutch and in so doing, little by little losing pieces of our selves. To be “black hearted” or to be “pure as the driven snow” had to have created cognitive dissonances in the minds of us dark-skinned natives. The new languages further created barriers between peoples that might have come from the same village in the “old country”.

But with the passage of time, the value of those new languages fluctuated. There was a time when French was taught in every country that wanted to be considered “civilised”.

Today, that mood has been eclipsed along with the pretensions of France to “big power” status. In Guyana, we might consider ourselves fortunate that even though vast swathes of our culture were wrenched out of us along with our languages, we imbibed a language that fortuitously became a “world language.”

That of course, was not the cause, but the consequence of, the rise of the original English speaking country, Britain, to the top of the world order. That period lasted a couple of centuries during which other countries such as France, challenged Britain’s rise.

France, for instance, had a “language police” that ensured that “Englishisms” didn’t creep into their tongue. That the US which succeeded Britain's hegemonic position was English-speaking ensured that English was given an extended lease in life, which persists into the present.

But we are living in a time of change and we all know that China is poised to replace the US as the largest economy in the world within a few decades. So the question has to be asked: will history not follow its course and the world will witness the rise of the Chinese language? Which, by and large, are variants of Mandarin. It would be very strange if it did not.

The Chinese now have as many billionaires as any European country and are fast catching up with the US, but more importantly, their middle class has long surpassed the entire population of the US.

And like other middle class persons in the modern world, they like to travel. We now have Chinese tourists flooding Europe and the US. The people of those countries will have to overcome their innate arrogance and learn Mandarin. With China becoming the factory of the world, specialist businessmen had to learn Mandarin to communicafe with precision.

But with China having to gradually open up her markets to the outside in the coming decades, a wider spectrum of citizens from any country that hopes to take advantage of those vast markets will have to become proficient in Mandarin.

And it is against this background we have to view the programme at the University of Guyana to teach Mandarin to Guyanese. Even though we have had a Chinese presence here since 1853, no one thought it necessary to teach Mandarin. As we emphasis, language will follow power.

The Education Ministry has already introduced Portuguese into a few schools as a pilot programme, in recognition of the economic behemoth on our southern border – Brazil.

China, of course, and Brazil are both members of BRICS – which includes another emerging economic giant, India. Are we soon going to see Hindi given an official imprimatur?

The ‘Get Modi’ brigade

Dear Editor,

For over a decade, Congress and the western media have conducted a well-orchestrated “Get Modi” campaign, that evokes the all the lessons of the Goebbelsian propaganda principles: create the big lie and tell it so often and so widely, it gradually bludgeons the minds of the unwary into accepting it as “truth”.

Saraswati Ali’s, “The Modi disaster for ordinary Indians” (In the Diaspora - Stabroek News, May 19) is almost a caricature of the tactic and regurgitates most of the old fabrications with some new ones following the general elections.

Ms Ali starts off by raising the bogeyman of Modi’s “putative role in the 2002 state-sanctioned massacre of close to 2000 Muslims in the state of Gujarat where he was Chief Minister”.

But why does Ms Ali cite this “2000 figure” when as the BBC reported on May 11, 2005, “India has for the first time published detailed figures on the number of people killed in the religious riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. The government told parliament that 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed, 223 more people reported missing and another 2,500 injured”.

As Modi said, “The death of a single innocent person, whether Hindu or Muslim or belonging to any other religion, is highly unfortunate and cannot be justified. That more than 1,000 people

were killed is highly unfortunate and reprehensible. But that cannot a justification to exaggerate and inflate the number of people killed to 2,000 or any higher figure”.

But Ms Ali not only repeats the sin of commission through inflation, but that of omission by not mentioning, as all her cohorts do, that the carnage in Gujarat was sparked by claims that a trainload of Hindu pilgrims that had been burnt alive (59 died) was the work of Muslims. One of the accused leaders is now a wanted fugitive in Pakistan.

Ms Ali then says, “In 2012, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the courts cleared him (Modi). It wasn’t any “court” but the universally respected Supreme Court of India that later reviewed the evidence and concurred with the clean chit given to Modi.

Not satisfied on the prompting of the Public Prosecutor Office, on December 26, 2013, an Ahmedabad court which was asked by the Supreme Court to handle the case, cleared Modi of any responsibility for the riots. But to his avowed enemies like Ms Ali, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” shouldn’t apply to Modi.

Ms Ali then maligns the Indian Judiciary by implying that they are “unable to handle massacres in India”, and mentions the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 following the assassination of Congress Prime Minister (PM)

Indira Gandhi.

But Ms Ali agains hides more than she reveals. The courts do not initiate charges in India - it is initiated by the State via the Public Prosecutor's Office - and this institution faces very heavy political pressures - from the State controlled by the Congress Party.

So while all sorts of charges and Inquiries were filed against Modi and his aides (one of whom was convicted and imprisoned) none have been made in the 1984 Delhi killings that were in retaliation for the Killing of the Congress PM.

What was most disturbing was Ms Ali blaming Modi from the Indian Stock Market rising at the news that he would be the next PM, and Mukesh Ambani’s fortune consequently rising!!! Any other commentator would have been encouraged by the vote of confidence in the new PM but not to the enemies of Modi.

Modi’s election spending was also criticised because India still has a high percentage of poverty. One would have hoped Ms Ali would have criticised Congress, which was in office for the past ten years, for not introducing legislation to cap campaign spending.

For good measure Ms Ali introduced the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as “ousting the BJP” in the Delhi City elections last year. Since a Congress party member was the incumbent, we don’t understand how AAP could have “ousted” BJP.

A better test of AAP’s present acceptability, after they abdicated their responsibilities, was the result at the general elections: AAP lost all seven seats to the BJP - including even Muslim dominated constituencies like Chandni Chowk.

Like the Englishspeaking elite that Ms Ali echoes, she presumes to speak for the “ordinary Indian” and portentously predicts that Modi will be a “disaster” for them. We guess in their book, the fact that the subalterns spoke at the ballot box and installed Modi by the largest majority in 30 years, doesn’t mean anything.

The BSP of Mayati, who proudly proclaimed herself as “Daughter of the Chamars” - the archetypical “low caste” - lost all her seats in her home state of Uttar Pradesh, where the Chamars and Muslims practically form the majority.

While Ms Ali’s favoured AAP candidates had banked heavily on a secure Muslim vote bank in Delhi, this reversal in trend across all constituencies in Delhi and elsewhere is emblematic of the fact that the community have moved beyond the past references to Modi’s alleged involvement in the Gujarat riots. It also shows that the minority community is ready to give the BJP a chance at governance too. But not Ms Ali and her ilk.

Sincerely, Ravi Dev

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Gandhi, Diaspora and NRIs, and Indian Arrival Day (Part one)

Dear Editor,

Diaspora Indians or Indians in the Caribbean and the Western world, who were not afraid to explore new frontiers such as America often, faced ‘good hell,’ when they arrived on this continent. These pioneers produced some of the best lawyers, doctors, engineers, and heads of states in many countries in the ‘new world’ such as in Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

It was from the socio-political experiences of working with diaspora Indians of South Africa that Mahatma (Mohandas) Gandhi developed his ideology and commitment to work for Indian independence. Gandhi’s politics was a product of living and working among Diaspora South African Indians. He left India in a three-piece suit and went to England. After South Africa, he returned to India wearing a dhoti as the Mahatma.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who immigrated to the West in the 1960s, were often shocked to see, in the Caribbean, that Diaspora Indians had maintained their Indian culture. There was a fair amount of NRI jealousy.

NRIs, instead of embracing the achievements of these early pioneer Indians for maintaining their identity, began a debate about who is a real Indian, and who is not a real Indian. It seems that NRIs were saying that if you were not born in India, you were not a real Indian.

While these NRIs were debating country of birth as a sign of authenticity, their children were being born in the Americas. If being born in the Americas was somehow not authentic, these NRIs were giving birth to

non-authentic American born children.

This is an old debate. Among Latin American countries, Spain tried to maintain a distinction between people who were born in Spain, and those who were born on the American continent. Those born in Spain were called “Peninsularis”. Those who were born on the American continent were called “Criollos”.

As way to maintain their Imperial and Colonial hold on Latin America, Spain gave Spanish born Peninsularis extra privileges, because it was felt they would be more loyal to the King of Spain, and disloyal to Latin America. Spain tried its best to breed disloyalty among the Peninsularis to keep their support for Spanish colonialism.

In the long run, Spain did not succeed in cultivating the loyalty of the majority of the American born Criollos. This failure was the result of Spain’s desire to rob the wealth of its American colonies. When the desire of foreigners is to steal the wealth of others, it is not possible for them to give recognition to their victims – the colonial born Criollos.

At the height of British colonialism, British residents in India, and British leaders did not ever recognise publicly that Indians made any valuable contributions to civilisation. When you want to enjoy the wealth of others, you have to deny their authentic contributions to anything worthwhile.

British residents in India were at the forefront of denouncing India as a useless country, while enjoying the wealth that hard working Indians produced. Britain made the same

mistake with its American colonies. Britain refused to recognise the contributions of its American colonials as being of equal importance to that of people living in England.

Britain mistreated its American colonies, while enjoying a lucrative trade with them. Britain wanted to enrich itself by controlling American trade. In the 1660s, the British Parliament passed the Navigation Acts, which were to regulate trade to ensure that America was a supplier of agricultural goods and an importer of British manufactured goods.

This was an attempt to institutionalise a mercantilist relationship between Britain and America. To complement the Navigation Acts in domestic politics, there was an attempt to reduce the right of Americans to govern themselves.

King James II sent Governor Andros to centralise the administration of New England colonies under a super administrative agency that was called the Dominion of New England. It stretched from the Delaware River to Maine.

Formerly, the people of each colony had much influence in governing themselves. These rights were to be gradually abolished. When Americans claimed they were English, and therefore they have the same rights as Englishmen anywhere to govern themselves, Governor Andros took a hard-line position to the effect that the colonists had left behind all their rights as Englishmen when they left England.

(to be continued Thursday)

Submitted by, Vassan Ramracha

Rennie Ramracha

Some people have reasons to fear the Police

Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force should be able to carry out their duties in a free environment. I make this statement in light of the results of a number of matters involving the Force. The central theme in all these acquittals tells the same story – that lawmen should be allowed to carry out their work unimpeded, free from political interference.

When external forces infiltrate the lawman’s job, lawful activity is inhibited, law and order is undermined, chaos and confusion reign. There is no orderliness to civil society as criminals and would-be criminals hold sway – a total erosion of things civil or civilisation –certainly no soundness or anything that has to do with justice.

Sadly, this is the Guyana those persons who are opposed to decency, law and order would like to see. But I have news for them: this is not going to happen.

So the next question that would automatically flow from the Opposition is, are we simply going to accept all forms of brutality unquestioningly? And my answer, absolutely not! There is no way a society should put up with any form of brutal behaviour from a fellow citizen much more from those who were put there to uphold the law.

However, you would agree with me when blatant lies and ludicrous lawsuits are constantly made out against the Police, it tells you that a sinister motive is behind such moves. It tells me a campaign is really on with a clear-cut agenda –paralyse the force and make them impotent to deal with crime.

Then, in the same token the

Opposition turns and blames the Government, accusing them of being insensitive to its cry for help, callous to its call for protection. You hear this kind of double talking all around Georgetown. So what are we to do?

Government must protect and serve its citizens – whichever the sequential order of the foregoing – and one such department mandated to carry out that task is the Police Force. Some methods used to deter crime would turn out to be distasteful (as if any method to curb crime would be accepted by criminals) by lawbreakers. Nevertheless, the law must be respected and by extension, lawmen too.

Before I go, let me ask a few questions. Do you ever stop to think why most of us go about our business without any fear of the Police? Or why most of us see the Police as our friend rather than a public enemy? Why some individuals always have a “Police harassment/brutality” story to tell and others do not? Why some people are “Police prone” or why some individuals are constantly at odds with the Police? Why some individuals are always on a collision course with lawmen? Why! The questions are endless, but don’t be fooled, you and I know the answer.

So, to the majority of us lawabiding citizens out there, please check out the people as well as the meaning behind the use of the word “police brutality” the next time you hear it.

Sincerely,

Neil Adams

Page Foundation

BY DR LAURA MARKHAM

“Contemporary

American chil-

dren may represent the most indulged young people in the history of the world... they’ve been given unprecedented amounts of stuff.” –Elizabeth Kolbert, in her New Yorker article

Spoiled Rotten: Why do children rule the roost?

Kolbert’s right that all of us – not just young people –have a lot more stuff today. This doesn’t answer the other questions raised in her article about why children don’t help out, or are disrespectful or disobedient. But maybe it does address the question that’s implied by the term “spoiled” in the headline of her article – Why do so many young people today seem to feel so entitled?

Of course, this isn’t true of all young people, even in North America. Twenty-one per cent of children in the United States live in poverty and another 23 per cent are considered to live in low income families. That means that almost half of the children in the US probably grow up in a state of needy longing, and if they feel “entitled” it’s because they watch TV and assume other children have something they don’t. Living in poverty is one of the prime risk factors for children’ well-being, so these are the children our society is failing most obviously.

And I know plenty of children who aren’t “entitled” at all – teens who express gratitude for what they have. But younger children, age appro-

priately, don’t have a context for life. They don’t actually know the value of a dollar, or even whether they’re lucky or unlucky – only that their friend Jaden has cooler sneakers.

And of course, there are many families where even teens, who could know better, do seem to feel “entitled” to lots of material possessions. How can parents avoid this?

Teach values: What matters most to you? The people you love? Doing good in the world? Following your passions? I’m betting you didn’t say “Stuff.” Children need to hear explicitly what matters most. Then, they need to see you act on those values.

Role model: Children won’t always do what you say, but they’ll always, eventually, do what you do. If you shop for relaxation or fun, so will your child. If you “must have” the latest tech toy, your child will follow in your footsteps.

Counteract the message that happiness can be bought. As parents, we need to remember that we aren’t the only ones teaching our children about life. TV is a very effective teacher, and if it has your child’s ear, it has a direct line to her

brain. Studies show that most adults say they’re not affected by TV ads, but in fact those ads influence them deeply. Imagine how much more true that is for children, who get the constant media message that the goal of life is more money and more things. Ultimately, what we model and what we tell our children will matter more, but we need to confront those destructive messages directly, and when possible keep them from reaching our children.

Recognise that buying is an addiction, since our brains give us a hit of dopamine every time we chase, conquer, acquire. It isn’t wanting that gets us into trouble, it’s what we want. Material things don’t satisfy our hunting urge for more than a day or so before we crave more. Instead, help children discover the emotional rewards of other kinds of chases besides shopping, such as practising and getting good at playing basketball, cooking, writing, music, or some other passion. (Reminder: This needs to be the child’s passion for it to be rewarding.) This is the kind of reward that lasts.

Don’t feed your child’s emotional hunger with possessions. Often when

we feel guilty that we aren’t spending enough time with our children, we buy them things. That’s a red flag to stop, drop your busy-ness, and get clear about your priorities. What can you do with your child today to simply enjoy her? How can you set up rituals in your week to spend more time together? As the old saying goes, children come out best when you give them half as many presents and twice as much of your presence.

Don’t buy your child off. If you’re bribing, it’s time to find another way to help your child want to cooperate. Occasional rewards are fine. Bribes teach all the wrong lessons.

Re-evaluate your own buying decisions. If you notice your child seems to feel “entitled” to material possessions, consider what you’ve been teaching him. Do you buy everything he asks for, just because you can? I’m not suggesting you teach your child that he doesn’t deserve (of course he’s deserving), that he’s greedy for wanting things (all of us want things, all the time) or even that you can’t afford it (which can lead to a sense of deprivation). (Aha Parenting)

TO BE CONTINUED

Reasons children don’t help around the house and what you can do about it

BY DR LAURA MARKHAM

So why don’t children help more, and what can you do about it in your own home?

They don’t have time Our culture’s way of training young people to partisipate in society is school. They spend hours in class, and then more hours doing homework. If they participate in sport, music, or other activities, they’re required to spend a tremendous amount of time practicing. By the time they’re in middle school, they have no time to play. By the time they’re in high school, they have no time to sleep!

Solution: During the school year, give your child responsibilities that can be handled in an hour on the weekend. Then, in the summer, have a discussion about responsibility and work out a schedule that asks more

of your child. Take the opportunity while school’s not in session to teach life skills and have your child make a real contribution to the household.

It’s easier to do it ourselves, so when children are young enough to be interested in helping with housework, we shoo them away. By the time they could be helpful, it takes so much time to teach them that it’s still easier to do it ourselves.

Solution: The younger children are when they begin doing household tasks, the better. Toddlers usually love helping. Consciously involve your child in what you’re doing from an early age, even though it takes much more time. You can expect to have to spend a lot of time teaching and training. But if you set the expectation that “Everyone works together at our house” he sees himself as doing something of value, and he’ll begin to take pride in being a capable cook or gardener. (If your children are older, can you still start this? Yes, but you’ll need to work as a team rather than assigning chores, at least to start.)

Children hate chores. It’s a reasonable attitude, given that most adults find housework boring and menial. After all, children have so many other, more interesting, demands on their time. And they really can’t see why it matters if the floor gets swept.

Solution: Recognise that your child doesn’t see much intrinsic value in household work, unless she’s doing it with you. Instead of sending her off to work by herself, see the work as an opportunity to bond with her. Over time, she’ll come to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. But begin with the motivation of having fun with mom or dad. Play her favourite music and sing along. Find the joy in working together, and inspire your child with it. And it doesn’t hurt to have a little motivation waiting after the family clean-up on Saturday mornings, like a trip to the park. (Aha Parenting) TO

Foreign Ministers confab to focus on Caricom free trade

Foreign Affairs Ministers from across the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Tuesday congregated at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, for the opening ceremony of the 17th Annual Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).

Present also at the opening ceremony were the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Ecuador and New Zealand, among other international dignitaries. The ceremony also saw Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, officially accepting the reins of power as the new Chair of COFCOR, succeeding Trinidad’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran.

Agenda

The meeting, which comes to an end today, will see the Foreign Affairs Ministers discussing several issues, including the Caricom-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the UK Caribbean Forum, and the fifth Caricom summit. Matters relating to regional positions on several issues impacting multilateral relations, including the United Nations’ Post-2015 Development Agenda and the third international conference, are also on the cards for discussion.

In her address, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said she hoped that the leaders would be able to arrive at clear and practical actions

that would demonstrate the kind of world that will seek to find an approach, which will lead to greater harmony. She said the meeting had come at a point when Caricom was tasked with the responsibility of securing an “introspection of how we can strengthen the sys-

“At the level of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations, we have had to be aware and ready to respond to changes on the international scene that would consequently require a repositioning of our policies. This has, therefore, been a central theme in several of our meetings. Today, Guyana is the venue where our focus will be on the conduct of the Region’s foreign policy in a changing global environment,” Rodrigues-Birkett told the meeting.

Addressing the issues involving international trade, the new COFCOR leader said Caricom is experiencing some challenges with the arrangements made with trading partners “relating to reciprocity, stringent conditionalities of reduced development support, and growing non-tariff bar-

our Member States and with non-State actors as well, who, no doubt, have a stake in the Region’s development,” Rodriguez told the regional representatives.

Practical cooperation

She said encouragement must be given for practical cooperation. RodriguesBirkett reported that Guyana and Barbados had recently refreshed a Joint Commission Mechanism with substantial discussions on cooperation in several areas, including tourism and industry, areas where Barbados is dominant. She said Guyana is also collaborating with neighbouring Suriname in several areas and with Trinidad and Tobago. According to the Minister, “We must take advantage of each other’s strengths in this collective for the

of Foreign Affairs to look back and take stock of the multiple activities undertaken by the Community in the promotion and protection of its interests.

LaRocque said as small states, multilateral diplomacy should be of prime importance to Caricom, as it pursues the protection and promotion of members’ respective interests. “In view of the rapidly evolving international geopolitical situation, Caricom has sought to re-orient its external relations to take account of the dynamics on the global and hemispheric stage. The Community has taken into account the narrowing of the interests of its traditional partners in their relations with us. We are, therefore, actively seeking to widen our own geopolitical space by establishing links with an array

of non-traditional partners and forming strategic alliances where there is a convergence of interests.”

The Caricom Secretary General also addressed issues of international trade and developmental concerns. He said with the characteristics of the current international environment, there are profound systemic changes taking place, resulting in transformations in the balance of power. LaRocque pointed to the fast pace of change and the increasing complexity arising from what has become a “multipolar” world.

“These new layers of complexity, and, at times, the resulting divergent interests, render the Community’s efforts at coordination of foreign policy challenging, but even more necessary,” LaRocque said.

tems and processes of our integration movement”.

She noted that a proper strategic plan is applicable for such a development. According to her, it will address the areas to which Caricom should give priority as it seeks to maximise both its human and financial resources.

riers”.

And while much focus was given to international relations and policies, Rodrigues-Birkett hinted that special emphasis should be placed on relations within Caricom. “I am convinced that this Community can grow stronger if we are able to deepen the relations between and among

mutual benefit of our peoples. This can only lead to a more integrated Region with a renewed confidence of our people in its relevance and worth.”

Meanwhile, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, in the opening address, noted that the annual gathering is an opportunity for the Ministers

Teen charged for robbery

Eighteen-yearold Junior McClennon appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday, May 20 to answer to two charges of robbery of which he was given $80,000 and $40,000 bail on each count. The charge alleged that on April 20 at the sea walls, being armed with a knife and in the company of four other individuals, the defendant approached Jomo Marks and robbed him of his cellphone and bag, which amounted to a total of $26,300 and Ashanti

Best, who was in the company of Jomo Marks, was also robbed of her handbag which contained $3000 in cash and her cellphone valued at $10,000.

On May 16, the accused was seen by the victims and a report was made to Police ranks who arrested the teen. The young man told

the court that he is a welder by profession and he has no previous convictions.

However, Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the charge. The defendant is scheduled to make his next court appearance on June 2.

Alleged gold chain snatcher remanded

A24-year-old vendor informed Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry that the Police arrested him for no reason and denied snatching a gold chain valued $80,000 when he was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday. The defendant, Victor Roberts, was refused bail on the charge of simple larceny.

the western side of the Avenue, when the defendant snatched from her one gold chain and pendant valued $80,000.

The charge stated that on May 16, around 13:00h at the Avenue of the Republic, Virtual Complainant Zola Campbell was walking on

The court was told that on the same day at 14:00h, the defendant was seen by Campbell at a gas station, and was subsequently iden-

tified and arrested. Roberts, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty. The defendant, who recently had a similar matter dismissed by the court, is scheduled to reappear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 6.

Former Shell Service Station cashier charged with theft

Tanya Bovell of 40 Middle Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was granted bail in the sum of $25,000 after she appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday, May 20 to answer to a charge of theft.

The charge alleged that

between May 4 and 11, the defendant stole twenty bottles of water (20 oz), property of Shell Service Station.

The defendant, who was previously employed as a

cashier at Shell Service Station, pleaded not guilty to the charge. She is to return to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 2 for statements.

Teen mom slain by...

from page 3

Reports are that the teenager suffered nine stab wounds, six to her back, one to the right side of her abdomen and two near her chest. According to information received, after committing the act, Sandy made good his escape and then allegedly consumed pesticide. The teen leaves to mourn her daughter, Rihanna; her mother; three sisters; and four brothers.

White Rum Guyana Times managed to speak to Sandy from his hospital bed and he gave conflicting statements regarding the tragic stabbing to death of his reputed wife. Sandy, a carpenter who resides at Angoy’s Avenue, said he had no recollection of what transpired and it was only when he became conscious in the hospital that he was informed by an aunt of the late Onicia that he committed the act. He said the last memory he could recall is that of him drinking White Rum.

However, he later contradicted his statement and told media operatives another version of what occurred. “When dem shout out, look wha happen to Onicia me nah know what happen, like me blank out… one of me friends collect me and carry me to the station and then dem bring me to hospital.” He said he also consumed about a quarter litre of gramoxone. Hospital sources have confirmed that the man is in critical condition.

It was alleged by several outraged and shocked residents in the community that Sandy had murdered his first wife who bore him five sons.

Eyew tness

Even death...

...cannot “do us part”

Of the four or so remaining WPA “stalwarts” – well, they used to be “stalwarts” – Rupert Roopnaraine and Desmond Trotman represent the party in the coalition with APNU. It seems Roopnaraine wants to live out the true meaning of his initials “RR” – otherwise known as “Rest and Relaxation”. Which is what he does in the coalition.

As Shadow Agriculture Minister, whose shadow has never been seen in a cultivated patch, much less the back dams, its R&R all the way. All he does is show up in Parliament every now and then, sits on the left hand of Granger and tries to keep awake. Just so he doesn’t injure himself hitting his forehead on the desk.

Not bad for participating in the food fest that follows every sitting – which is more of a “feeding” when you consider that $1.7 million is spent to feed 65 MPs. The staff get the leftovers.

But what makes the R&R more lucrative is the duty-free allowance on two cars. With the kind of vehicles these fellas import, you’re talking about raking in a cool $40 million when they resell. And for that kind of money –plus the R&R – some people are willing to sell their souls. Which RR appears to have done – when he declared whatever testimony comes out of the Rodney Inquiry, the WPA and PNCR will remained joined at the hip!

That’s right. RR and the rest of the WPA have maintained ever since the heinous deed in 1980, that the PNC killed Rodney. No ifs, ands or buts about that. The fella who actually did the killing was a sergeant in the army. No ifs, ands or buts about that. A sergeant wouldn’t be doing such a deed on his own initiative – that’s not how the army operates. The SOPs says you have to be given an order. No ifs, ands and buts about that.

The order to kill a man like Rodney, a world renowned figure with international connections in the progressive world, would’ve had to come from very high up.

The WPA, including RR, has always said that Burnham gave the order – after he declared Rodney better “prepare his will”. But Burnham didn’t talk to sergeants...not the Kabaka. He would talk to someone in the army’s hierarchy whom he trusted –implicitly and explicitly.

And who was that man??? Well, mere months before the murder most foul, Burnham summarily removed the professional, British-selected head of the army and replaced him with a fairly junior officer. Name? David Granger!

But even if Granger is fingered, RR will remain at his side. Even (Rodney’s) death shall not make them part.

...can be justified

In law, every crime can be justified. Extenuating circumstances, and all that. Murder can become “manslaughter”. But for that, you’ll still have to do some time. And time ain’t easy in the Camp Street jail. Unnatural things are done to one. But there are other defences that can make some murderers get off scot-free.

For persons, there’s “self defence”. Hey!! The other fella was armed with a gun and I had to shoot him dead. Using all 20 bullets to make sure. We hear this often from the Police, all over the world, don’t we?

For the state or servants of the state, there’s the defence of killing someone if they were waging war against the state. It’s called treason. And this is the defence all those in the PNC chain of command that had Rodney murdered, will raise.

After all, just before joining the APNU coalition! R&R declared that Rodney was stockpiling arms. ...should not find us cowards

No other WPA leader has ever – even after R&R’s astounding declaration - made such a claim. Surely such an eventuality couldn’t have been hidden from everyone. We hope they will demolish the excuse proffered.

Local miners told not to fear foreign investors

Local investors within the Mining Sector should not feel “threatened” by the presence of foreign investors in Guyana, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said.

Persaud was speaking at the Omai Wharf, Linden, Region 10, on Monday, even as a US$5 million Ball Mill was being offloaded for the Karouni Project being executed by an Australia-based company, Troy Resources Guyana Inc. The exploration and mining company is investing US$86.8 million to develop a gold mine in Region Seven, CuyuniMazaruni.

While small- and medium-scale gold miners are doing an exceptional job, the Natural Resources Minister said there is certainly room for foreign investment. “There is a role for foreign companies in the mining sector, whether they are Australians, Americans, Chinese, Indians, and or Brazilians, there is a place,” he posited, noting that Guyana is open to foreign investments.

He explained that in some cases, alluvial resources cannot be accessed by small- and medium-scale

miners; hence, the need for large-scale mining projects such as the Karouni Project. But small- and mediumscale miners should not see this as a disadvantage but as an opportunity to develop linkages.

“For us it is creating what we call a win-win situation… we should not feel threatened as a nation, as a people, but we should look at the opportunities,” the Natural Resources Minister said. Persaud expressed the hope that the multibilliondollar Karouni Project would

attract other Australian investors to Guyana.

Well poised

Troy Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Director Ken Nilsson said: “Guyana is well poised because of its mineral wealth.”

According to Nilsson, when Troy Resources began operations in neighbouring Brazil in 2002, there was some level of negativity with regard to the company’s ability to survive in the country, but after repeated consid-

erable success, other companies started flocking to Brazil. “I am sure that history will repeat itself here.”

Troy Resources Limited has been in existence since 1987; however, since 2002, its focus has been on South America, starting with Brazil in 2002, then Argentina and now Guyana.

The Australian mining company will be developing an area west of Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year period. Production, however, in the first 12 months commencing between December 2014 and February 2015, is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold.

In addition to the Karouni Project, there are the Guyana Goldfields Project and the Aurora Gold Mines, also located in Region Seven. “The activities have moved from prospecting 10 years ago, and now they are moving into the construction of a plant, and if all goes as planned, about 14 months from now, they should have their first bar of gold,” Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said

Do fuh do

Satiricus was a sentimental fella. He often wished he weren’t so. But he was a sucker for stories of love and redemption and forgiveness and all that jazz. So here he was, wiping a tear or two discreetly from his cheeks as he read the newspaper. It was about Pressie spending millions and millions to fix up a park named after that long, gone President BurntHam.

Satiricus had grown up smack in the middle of the feud between Pressie’s party the PeepSee and BurntHam’s party PenSee. They both had the same surname because they both came out of the same womb.

“And I know the bitterest fights are between family,” sniffed Satiricus. He recalled that his brother Hyder hadn’t spoken to him since that time 10 years ago when Satiricus had eaten the last piece of chicken curry from their mother’s pot. “Bitter man,” sighed Satiricus.

So imagine after 50 years of fighting, clawing and scratching – including some hair pulling – it looked like peace was on the air!!! And Satiricus wanted peace. He’d often signalled that he was willing to give his brother a piece of chicken curry, but the fella never responded positively.

“Bitter man,” sighed Satiricus again. “But back to the matter at hand,” he thought sternly. For Pressie to spend all that dough on BurntHam Park, this had to be an olive branch.

So Satiricus wondered how BurntHam's successors would react. Well, he didn’t have to think too long. Even as Pressie was cutting the ribbon (not at the sweetie factory) but at BurntHam Park in Berbice, he was sure that GrainJa and GreenBridge were racking their brains to reciprocate. He imagined the scene.

“Do fuh do, nah obeah,” said GrainJa sagely to GreenBridge, who nodded even more sagely. The two of them did tend to get competitive with everything.

“Let we buy a bouquet fuh Pressie,” said GreenBridge. “Pressie gun like duh!”

“Yuh just too cheap, GreenBridge,” retorted GrainJa. “This is not the bruk-up Guyana you left in 1992, you know. We gat money, you know – and we controlling de money!”

“OK! Mr Last-of-the-big-time-spenders!! Tell me wha we should do so we don’t leff shame. The Founder Leader had said, “Tek first gift, but give back last gift!”

“What a leader!!!” exclaimed GrainJa. “Such wit! Such wisdom! I think we should vote to give them the money to fix up Cheddi Jagan Airport. That is “do fuh do”’ right?” GreenBridge looked up at GrainJa who towered over him. “Is what de arse, wrang wid yuh? Like goat bite yuh or wha. We is PenSee Party. We does tek, we don’t gee.”

Troy’s current and past-producing assets

just last month during a visit to the site.

The gold project is designed to produce 3.29 million ounces of gold, averaging 194,000 ounces

annually. Aurora Gold Mines has a projected life of 17 years.

Without the presence of a large-scale mining operation, Guyana recorded its highest-ever gold dec-

laration of 458,105 ounces on December 16, 2013, surpassing the previous highest of 455,918 ounces in 2001, which included the declarations of both Omai and small-scale operators.

Badal has misled GSI shareholders – NICIL

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has accused the Chairman and Managing Director of Guyana Stockfeeds Inc (GSI), Robert Badal, of misleading the company’s shareholders by misrepresented the foundation for the Court’s ruling restraining the payout of dividends.

In a release, NICIL said at the conclusion of the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday, Badal introduced a handwritten “statement” to the meeting attacking the Securities Council, which was read out to the shareholders by Company Secretary Priya Nauth-Badal. GSI had been castigated by the Securities Council in a Public Advisory for misleading its shareholders by claiming, in its Interim Financial Report published for January-June 2013, that it had paid shareholders dividends amounting to $80,285,557, when, in fact, the company had not paid the dividends.

The GSI Chairman, who was openly critical of the Court, then asked the shareholders at the AGM to endorse the “statement” by a show of hands. The “statement” was not, however, made available to the shareholders and its presentation to the meeting for endorsement was contrary to the provisions set out in Articles 112 of the Companies Act governing the conduct of the meeting.

The “statement” was released to the media and published in the Kaieteur News on Sunday. It demanded the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Ibbott, and Legal Officer Shawn Allicock of the Guyana Securities Council.

Bad blood

The bad blood between Badal and NICIL stemmed from the Court ruling in favour of an action brought by NICIL against the GSI Managing Director’s attempt to “unlawfully reduce the Government of Guyana’s shares in Stockfeeds from 38 per cent to seven per cent by means of an illegal Rights Issue giving Badal almost 80 per cent ownership, under the guise of raising capital for the construction of a wharf illegally on and through NICIL’s land”.

The release added that rather than restore the Government’s shareholding as ordered by the Court, the businessman appealed the

decision which is still to be determined.

The Court also ruled that the business affairs of Guyana Stockfeeds were being carried out oppressively, that the company had not complied with the Companies Act and that the Rights Issue was illegal, null and void and issued an order restraining any further issuance of shares or increase in the defendant’s shareholding or any changes to the share register of the company.

NICIL noted that “Badal’s reaction to its challenge of the report was to threaten to have its representative forcibly removed from the 2013 meeting and to become abusive, informing the 2013 AGM that he intended to pay the dividends immediately and that no Court could stop him”. The payout would have, of course, resulted in Badal receiving 80 per cent of the $80 million payout.

The investment arm of the Government further alleged that there are other questionable arrangements with regard to the management of Stockfeeds which its Chairman and Managing Director may wish to explain “especially which, to quote him, “in other jurisdictions”, may have led to his resignation/removal as Chairman and Managing Director”.

“Sleight of hand”

It cited the fact that the GSI, every year, purchases billions of dollars in goods and services from a company called Guyana Stockfeeds Inc created in Trinidad and Tobago by Badal. This company is not, however, as one would expect, a subsidiary of Guyana Stockfeeds in Guyana, NICIL pointed at

“It is solely owned by Badal who directly profits from the sale of these goods and services”.

Payments made from GSI (Guyana) to GSI (Trinidad & Tobago) for goods and services (that can be done by GSI/ Guyana directly) amounted to $909.9 million in 2010, $852 million in 2011, $771 million in 2012 and $1.3 billion in 2013, NICIL revealed.

“To add insult to injury, GSI (Guyana) paid Badal’s GSI (Trinidad & Tobago) “management fees” of $30 million per annum for the last five years and in 2013, paid for all operating costs of maintaining GSI (Trinidad & Tobago) amounting to $52.3 million. The proceeds from these transactions are pocketed by Badal,” NICIL said.

The entity also not-

Managing Director of Guyana Stockfeeds Limited, Robert Badal

ed that Badal, as the sole shareholder of El Dorado Restaurants Inc, sold the Popeye’s franchise to GSI in 2007 for $123 million. Some three years later, in 2010, NICIL said, the businessman was offered a higher price for the Popeye’s franchise than the price he sold it for in 2007. He promptly rescinded the 2007 sale and pocketed the profit from the sale as the sole shareholder of El Dorado Restaurants Inc, NICIL said.

When this extraordinary financial “sleight of hand” by Badal was challenged by NICIL’s representatives at the Stockfeeds 2011 AGM, he offered the specious explanation that GSI had not paid El Dorado Restaurants even though its “Cash at bank” was in excess of $304 million at the time he reversed the sale.

Another transaction that invites explanation is the purchase by El Dorado Trading Company Ltd and National Edible Oils and Fats Inc (NEOFI), also owned by Badal, of 4.2 acres of land at Farm from GPC and Government in 1997 for US$540,000. On NEOFI’s failure to complete payments, on April 10, 2002, NEOFI assigned its rights, interests and obligations in the agreement of sale for the land to GSI. In 2003, GSI issued a letter of Guarantee paying for the land and in 2003, the property was transferred to GSI. Further, in the 2013 Annual Report, land disposal totalling $178 million and equipment valued at $35 million and sold for $139 million were recorded without any notes or explanations. Verbal indications revealed that the GSI Chairman recorded and exited the property from GSI to himself.

Cheap counterfeit body products invade local market

The Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) is alerting consumers that counterfeit body products (Head and Shoulders, Pantene Pro V, and Olay Total Effect 7 in 1) are being sold locally.

The authorised distributor of this line of Procter and Gamble products, ANSA McAL Trading, lodged a complaint with the Department and an investigation was subsequently launched. In a release, the GA- FDD said it has made direct contact with the manufacturer through its local distributor and has been furnished with specific security and quality specifications that differentiate the original products from the counterfeit.

Food and Drug Director Marlan Cole told Guyana Times that the Department has been investigating the influx of these counterfeit products since March, and has since sent some samples directly to overseas labs to ascertain the products’ authenticity.

As the Department started a mission to remove the counterfeit products from the local market, it was met with some resistance from some persons who were not willing to part with the products without gain. This state of affairs left the Department with no other alternative but to make the issue of the counterfeit goods public and take legal action to get them off of the market.

As it relates to the products out on the local market, there is a vast difference between the counterfeit and the original versions. The most noticeable is the price difference. The counterfeit products are 70 per cent less than the price of the original.

The approximate cost of the counterfeit Head and Shoulders is $320 while that of the original is $1400. The batch number/production number and expiry date of the counterfeit are on the bottom of the bottle whereas the original carries this information on the back of the bottle. The appearance of the counterfeit Head and Shoulders is diluted, light green in colour and has a faint odour, while the original is a thick creamy mixture and with a “strong characteristic colour”.

The characteristics of the counterfeit Pantene Pro V as compared to the original: cost difference – $350 for counterfeit and $1180 for the original; the cap of the counterfeit does not bear the engraved Pantene logo; the counterfeit gives details of how to use the product without any pictorial representation, while the original states product use with accompanying pictorial representation.

The counterfeit Olay Total Effects moisturiser is $700 while the original is $4292; for the dual kit also on the market, the counterfeit price is approximately $1000 and the original, $5104; on the counterfeit product, the phrase “Anti-Aging fragrance free moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15” is absent; but is pres-

ent on the original label; the counterfeit product has no drug facts, but this is present on the original label.

The GA-FDD is asking all consumers to pay close attention to the details of these products in order to differentiate the products before purchasing. Also make sure that the words on the labels are in English and be very sceptical when there is vast price difference for the same product. The Department advises that the public be more vigilant about the products they buy. There are other counterfeit products on the market that they may not be aware of.

The Department is currently in the process of initiating legal proceedings against defaulters (importers who deliberately release counterfeit products on the local market). Steps are also being taken to strengthen the licensing process to ensure that only importers that are in complete compliance with the guidelines and requirements are issued with Importing Licences.

GA-FDD will continue to seize and remove counterfeit items and work with importers to ensure that only legitimate and original products are released for sale in Guyana.

wednesday, May 21, 2014| guyanatiMesgy.coM

20 fall sick at Qualfon

...after worksite incident

By Jomo Paul

Some 20 employees attached to the Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara branch of the popular call centre Qualfon Guyana fell ill Tuesday afternoon when the power went out at the facility and along with it the consciousness of the staff in question.

Guyana Times was told that around 16:30h on Tuesday, approximately 20 employees attached to the call centre were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital with what Supervisors and Managers at the company claimed to be “asthma symptoms”.

When this publication arrived at the hospital, several of the employees declined to comment on the incident.

Screams

One employee related that the last thing she remembered before waking up in the hospital was being on a call with a customer. She said when she woke up, she heard the screams of her fellow employees, but she did not know what had transpired when she was unconscious.

Asthma attack?

Blackout woes continue in West Demerara

Gis asthma, asthma got she screaming suh... no, man, them lie.”

uyana’s power woes continued on Tuesday, with residents from Edinburgh to Lookout on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) experiencing approximately seven and a half hours of power outage.

with repairs to the fibre-optic cable, the power company took the opportunity to continue construction of the new fuel wharf that is being built together with the 26-megawatt (MW) Vreeden-Hoop Power Station.

of Eden and the other at Kingston, experienced mechanical difficulties, resulting in unscheduled blackouts in several areas in Demerara.

Approximately 30 minutes after the pandemonium at the Georgetown Public Hospital, another vehicle arrived, this time with a screaming young lady. She too had fallen victim to whatever transpired at the worksite.

It took the combined efforts of just about seven men to remove the young woman, who was screaming at the top of her lungs, from the vehicle, restrain her in a wheelchair, and subsequently take her into the hospital for medical treatment.

At the hospital, senior staff members of Qualfon refused to comment on the incident, only stating that “it was an asthma attack”.

During this period, several relatives of employees who were admitted to the hospital became enraged, saying that something was amiss. One woman who had her daughter hospitalised said: “You telling me that

“I don’t know, I don’t know, I just remember being on a call and then I woke up in the hospital,” said the visibly shaken customer service representative. When further questioned on how she was feeling, the young lady who appeared to be in her late teens responded that she feels a bit lightheaded, but her bodily functions were normal.

The woman contended that her daughter did indeed suffer from asthma, but it has been a while since she had an attack. One man arrived at the scene in tears looking for his sister only to be told that she was still at the Goedverwagting location, working.

Employees

Up to press time, the names of most of the employees had not been released by the company nor did it send out any official statement on the incident. The employees whose names were made known are: Marcia Blenman, Latoya Lane, Tanya Tait, and Cheyenne Adams.

Qualfon is a global provider of contact centre, backoffice, and business process outsourcing (BPO) services. It offers also a full suite of customer lifecycle services including sales, customer care, technical support, and retention programmes, and is experienced in operating large client programmes across multiple geographies. Qualfon also supports a variety of communication channels including voice, chat, email, social media, and blogs.

According to Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), the blackout was to facilitate repairs to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) fibre-optic cable.

GPL explained that the fibre-optic cable is coupled with the supply cable and as a result of the repairs being undertaken, the stations at Versailles and Garden of Eden were not be able to adequately supply the abovementioned areas with electricity.

It was noted that along

Maintenance work in the villages stretching from Edinburgh to Lookout was also undertaken during the blackout period.

Meanwhile, on Sunday night, villages stretching from Versailles to La Retraite were without power from 18:29h to 20:20h; from Windsor Forest to Edinburgh from 19:06h to 21:10h; and in the Sophia area from 18:35h to 21:05h.

On that occasion, GPL said two of its Wärtsilä engines – one at Garden

In a release, GPL said the loss of this 11 MW capacity occurred while a planned overhaul of the Number Two Unit (6.9 MW) at the new Kingston Plant was being done as scheduled, and resulted in a shortage of capacity to meet demand in the Demerara System.

“Therefore, emergency load shedding has been instituted throughout the Demerara System from Sunday night, and was expected to continue until 13:00h when repairs to one of the units would have been completed,” GPL said.

Somerset farmer unknowingly fetches Labaria in bunch of plantains

Afarmer from Somerset and Berks on the Essequibo Coast had a harrowing encounter with a Labaria snake reputed to be one of the most venomous in Guyana, after he unknowingly transported it in a bunch of plantain from Cozier Backdam.

Junior Colin Steven walked approximately 45 minutes from his farm with the snake which he did not notice draped over the bunch of plantain and was almost

home when he realised the danger.

Speaking to Guyana Times, the farmer said on Saturday he went to cut a bunch of plantain from his farm at Cozier to take to his family. He said after he journeyed about two miles, he became tired and stopped to rest near the Somerset and Berks Sluice. He said when he put down the bunch of plantain, it was then that he noticed the huge Labaria wrapped around the plan-

tains.

Steven said he was terrified upon the discovery and began to give praise to God for saving his life. He said the snake appeared to be sleeping among the plantains and a bite from it could have been fatal.

The father of three said the Labaria was subsequently killed.

Only recently, the bite of a Labaria snake caused the death of an elderly woman in Wakenaam Island.

Investigation ongoing into Tacama shooting – injured soldiers remain hospitalised

The Guyana Defence Force is still conducting its investigation into the shooting of two soldiers at the Tacama training facility on Sunday.

According to the army’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Major Lorraine Foster, the investigation is expected to be completed shortly and the media will be updated as to what transpired. She noted that while there has been much specu-

lation about what happened, she would not speculate but a weapon did go off, injuring both men.

Lieutenant Othneil Hope, 23, of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara, and Recruit Vernon Harding, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, were injured at the Colonel John Clarke Military School located at Tacama. Hope sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg, while Harding

was shot in his abdomen. Guyana Times was informed that Hope was cleaning his firearm when the weapon mistakenly went off, injuring him in his leg. Seeing this, Harding went to assist the Lieutenant, who again mistakenly fired the gun, hitting him.

Both men were initially treated at the base; however, due to the severity of the injuries, they were air-dashed to the Georgetown Public

Hospital, where Harding underwent surgery.

Speaking to this newspaper, Harding’s mother, Vanetta, disclosed that one of her son’s kidneys had to be removed. She noted that Harding also has a punctured lung. She added that the bullet has not been removed since doctors have not done the x-tray as yet to locate it.

“They had to hurry and do the surgery to take

out his kidney and he was bleeding a lot inside, so they couldn’t do the x-tray, they had to hurry and operate on him to stop the bleeding,” the woman said. The mother noted that while they are eager to find out what transpired, they are not pressuring Harding to say anything. “I just need him to heal now and when the right time comes, he will talk,” she stated.

According to the wom-

an, her son has been stabilised and is recuperating in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). Harding was on a four-month training course.

Meanwhile, Hope is also still hospitalised but is said to be in stable condition. A relative of the injured Lieutenant, who disclosed that he is recovering well from his injuries, said she is unaware of what transpired.

wednesday, may 21, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

ILO team talks up Guyana’s anti-child labour programme

Ateam from the International Labour Organisation has hailed the Guyana Government’s anti-child labour programme TACKLE, which it said has had tremendous success in the fight against the scourge.

This was revealed when the high-level team from the ILO and the local Tripartite Committee talks at the Labour Department’s Brickdam Office met last week. The meeting was hosted by Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul, Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster and members of the Tripartite body which comprises representatives of the trade unions, employers, and other social partners.

Leading the ILO team was Dr Giovanni di Cola, Director, Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean. He was accompanied by Rainer Pritzer, Senior Specialist, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration; Reynold Simons, Senior Specialist, Employment and Labour Market Policies; Paula Robinson, Senior Specialist, Workers Activities; and Anne Knowles, Senior Specialist, Employers Activities.

According to a release by the Labour Ministry, Dr di Cola commended Guyana for the successful implementation of the School Retention ILO/ TACKLE Project which targeted school children for increased attendance and performance

at school, thereby eliminating child labour. “Thanks to Guyana, the project was particularly successful in the Caribbean… the collaboration was even good during the challenges.”

While the ILO funding for the project has come to an end, the project is now being integrated into the national system, through the Education Ministry. Minister Gopaul advised that vehicles have been purchased to continue the transportation component of the project, and the provision of hot meals to students will also continue.

Training programmes

The Minister also told the team of the successful training programmes being executed through the Board of Industrial Training to provide additional opportunities to young people who dropped out of school and, address unemployment, as well as financial support for students in public schools, and the provision of meals, transportation and school uniform for them.

The more than three-hour long meeting saw discussions on social dialogue, workers’ migration and social and health benefits, as well as the work of the Tripartite Committee.

Through the National Tripartite Committee, and the support of the ILO, the Ministry was able to implement and go beyond the pa-

rameters of the Decent Work Country Programme; table HIV/AIDS regulations in the National Assembly, and craft regulations to address mining, manufacturing, chemicals, and noise, all of which are being finalised.

Noris Whitter of the Trades Union Congress, commended the Tripartite body for its work, adding that the support of the ILO has been instrumental to its success. Appreciation was also expressed to the ILO by Kenneth Joseph of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana and Dale Beresford of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (TUC). Beresford and Jerry Goolsarran of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries also noted the strong leadership provided by Minister Gopaul that has seen successes, such as the implementation of the National Minimum Wage and the 40-hour work week.

Guyana was also praised for being one of 13 countries to sign the ILO Convention Number 189, which offers specific protection to domestic workers. This makes Guyana the only country in the Caribbean to do so and one of few in Latin America according to the ILO. Following the discussions, the grouping agreed that the ILO would support Guyana with technical expertise in various areas discussed to boost local capacity.

Domestic workers are the most exploited in Caribbean – ILO

Around 650,000 domestic workers are being forced into labour – the most exploited category of workers in the Caribbean, a new report by the International Labour Oganisation (ILO) has said.

The report, which was launched on Tuesday, also highlighted that globally, forced labour in the private economy generates US$150 billion in illegal profits per year, about three times more than previously estimated, according to the new report.

The ILO report, ‘Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour’, said two thirds of the estimated total of US$150 billion, or US$99 billion, came from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$51 billion resulted from forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.

“This new report takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery to a new level,” said ILO Director General Guy Ryder. “Forced labour is bad for business and development and especially for its victims. Our new report adds new urgency to our efforts to eradicate this fundamentally evil, but hugely profitable, practice as soon as possible.”

The new figure is based on ILO data published in 2012 that estimated the number of people in forced labour, trafficking and modern slavery at 21 million. Significantly, the new estimate indicates that more than half of the people in forced labour are women and girls, primarily in commercial sexual exploitation and domestic work, while men and boys were primarily in forced

economic exploitation in agriculture, construction, and mining.

The breakdown of profits generated by forced economic exploitation is as follows: US$34 billion in construction, manufacturing, mining and utilities; US$9 billion in agriculture, including forestry and fishing; and US$8 billion saved by private households by not paying or underpaying domestic workers held in forced labour.

Economic factors

The report highlights income shocks and poverty as the main economic factors that push individuals into forced labour. Other factors contributing to risk and vulnerability include lack of education, illiteracy, gender and migration. “While progress is being made in reducing state-imposed forced labour, we must now focus on the socio-economic factors that make people vulnerable to forced labour in the private sector,” said Beate Andrees, head of the ILO’s Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour.

Andrees called for a series of measures aimed at reducing vulnerability to forced labour including: bolstering social protection floors to prevent poor households from abusive lending or indenture in the event of sudden income shocks; investing in education and skills training to fortify job opportunities for vulnerable workers; promoting a rights-based approach to migration to prevent irregular employment and abuse of migrant workers; and supporting the organisation of workers, including in sectors and industries vulnerable to forced labour.

“If we want to make a significant change in the lives of the 21 million men, women and children in forced labour, we need to take concrete and immediate action,” the ILO Director General said. “That means working with governments to strengthen laws, policy and enforcement, with employers to strengthen their due diligence against forced labour, including their supply chains, and with trade unions to represent and empower those at risk.”

LEAD Project Chief not being forced to leave country – Rohee

While talks continue between the US and the Government over the implementation of the LEAD (Leadership and Democracy) Project, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee says that the revocation of Glen Bradbury’s work permit does not imply that Bradbury is being forced to leave the country.

According to the General Secretary, both the LEAD Project and Bradbury are “on pause” until talks between Guyana and the United States of America, via its Ambassador to Guyana, are concluded and the parties arrive at some sort of consensus.

“He doesn’t have a work permit, his extension of stay has not been granted, he’s on hold too, just like the Project, so I don’t know what he’s doing, probably twiddling his thumbs wait-

ing for the Ambassador and Dr Luncheon to settle the issue to finality,” Rohee said. Rohee, who is also Home Affairs Minister, explained that despite having his work permit and extension of stay revoked, Bradbury, who is a Canadian citizen, cannot be forced to leave the country. He related that Canadians do not require a visa to enter Guyana and this is one of the contributory factors to Bradbury remaining in Guyana.

“The visa is not the issue, even though you require a visa or you don’t require a visa to enter the country, it doesn’t follow ipso-facto that your stay is ad infinitum,” Rohee lamented, adding that “he is on hold too... just like the Project, he is on pause, he is on hold”.

This pronouncement by Rohee comes after a recent statement by the US Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt to the effect

that current talks between the Government and the US Embassy were fruitful thus far.

Addressing a group of media representatives on Friday, Hardt pointed out that so far there have been three meetings in the first week of the engagement.

“I think we are getting to understand the different perspectives that had been

separating us on this and I think we are making excellent progress,” he said, while adding that much effort is being made to understand each other.

“At the end of the day, I think we both see the potential benefits of such a programme and we now have a path forward to achieve it… we are starting to understand how those benefits

can be delivered in a way that the Government would be satisfied and other stakeholders would be satisfied,” he said.

The controversy surrounding the US Agency for International Development (USAID) LEAD Project began in late 2013 when the Government rejected the project, declaring that it was not consulted when the programme was being drafted and further when the Washington, DC-based International Republican Institute (IRI) began implementing the Project here.

The Government had also explained that certain aspects of the Project would directly affect Guyana’s right to sovereignty.

Government had subsequently made several calls for the Project to be halted; however, that was not done until steps were made to revoke the work permit of Bradbury.

More recently, at a press conference held by the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and Ambassador Hardt, it was announced that the project will be put on hold while re-engagements are ongoing.

The US Ambassador explained that both governments had drafted a framework during their 2009 meeting for assistance in governance and democracy, and as such, USAID was under the impression that the programmes being developed were in accordance with the drafted 2009 framework that was agreed upon.

The USAID LEAD Project seeks to provide opportunities for dialogue and consensus building, facilitating seminars on public events of global and regional interests, and supporting local and national elections.

Uitvlugt workers on strike after estate trio sacked

Workers at the Uitvlugt Estate on Tuesday went on strike to demand the reinstatement of three workers who were summarily dismissed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) earlier this month for allegedly failing to adhere to specific instructions.

However, GuySuCo maintained that it will not review or change the decision to send the men packing even after negotiations with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). The company said in light of the nature of the offences, it will not budge, and called on the workers to end the strike.

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, the Sugar Corporation said the workers were also found guilty of “serious misconduct” as they collected more monies than they should have for the work done. The two field foremen and field supervisor were dismissed on May 13 after they failed to respond in writing to the charges against them by the stipulated frame.

The company pointed out that it would have dispatched the letters to the workers on February 8 and February 27 respectively, with the expectation of receiving a reply. However, no reply was given and the men were dismissed.

“The Corporation deems the infraction as allegedly committed by the foremen as serious misconduct, which, in accordance with the disciplinary code, is treated with summary dismissal,” GuySuCo said in the statement, further defending its decision to dismiss the workers. It also acknowledged re-

ceiving formal notification of the strike action from the representative of the field foremen.

Union disgusted

Speaking to Guyana Times on Tuesday afternoon, Head of NAACIE, Kenneth Joseph registered his disgust with the way the workers were dismissed, noting that procedure was not followed when the workers were relieved of their positions.

He said, “GuySuCo has no interest in due process”, as he explained that strike action by the workers will continue possibly until their colleagues were reinstated. Joseph contended that “there were instruction for the workers to be dismissed” from the “higher-ups” in the company.

He said that it would appear as though GuySuCo has taken the position of trying to “show who’s stronger” . “They just stick behind it whether they are right or wrong,” said Joseph.

According to Joseph, the workers are contending that the men are not guilty of the offences that were levelled against them. He said that if deliberations do not work out between the unions and GuySuCo, then the unions will be taking steps to claim justice for its workers by going to Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul.

In this regard, however, he expressed some scepticism, noting that in the past GuySuCo deliberately refused to accede to the recommendations made by the Labour Minister. Earlier this month, workers had downed tools in protest over the non-payment of monies awarded to them in a tribunal. There was much discussion between the unions and GuySuCo, with each alleging that the other had misinterpreted the rulings of the tribunal.

Dr Gopaul, however, subsequently pronounced on the issue and declared that the unions were right in their interpretation.

New Bermuda Premier sworn in following Cannonier resignation

Michael Dunkley was sworn in as Premier of Bermuda during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after 51-year-old Craig Cannonier announced his resignation as a result of the so-called “Jetgate” controversy.

Dunkley, the National Security Minister, swore the oath of office before Governor George Fergusson with fellow One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) Parliamentarians and family members on hand to lend their support.: “I am humbled by the responsibility I have now been given. Let me first, however, thank former Premier Craig Cannonier.

We worked together first in opposition and as his deputy I was grateful for the opportunity he gave to me to

serve in cabinet.

“I always enjoyed his support as a Minister and it cannot be forgotten that he led our party to a significant election victory,” Dunkley said.

Cannonier’s 17 months as Premier were the shortest in Bermuda’s history, coming after the OBA ended 14 years of Progressive Labour Party (PLP) rule in the December 2012 general election.

The OBA inherited a ballooning national debt of US$1.4 billion in the midst of a recession which has now stretched to five years. Dunkley said the foundation for Bermuda’s economic recovery had been set since the election by a “hardworking team of men and women”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Man arrested for unlicensed pistol

Aman has been arrested after Police found in his car an unlicensed pistol Monday night in Georgetown.

In a release, Police said that about 23:10h on Monday, ranks of a mobile patrol conducted a search on a motor vehicle at Norton Street, Georgetown, during which an unlicensed .38 revolver was found. A man has been arrested and is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

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Roach targets NZ series for comeback

Kemar Roach, the West Indies fast bowler, hopes to be picked for the home series against New Zealand starting next month, after seven months out of the game. On Saturday, Roach played a Twenty20 match for his club CGI Maple. It was his first taste of cricket since a shoulder injury had ruled him out of West Indies’ tour of India last November.

“I am glad to be back on the field playing for Maple and I am looking forward to representing the West Indies again as soon as possible with my focus on the Test series against New Zealand in a few weeks,” Roach told the Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) website.

Roach is part of West Indies’ 20-man preparatory camp ahead of the New Zealand series.

“I have really missed playing,” he said. “Seven months out of cricket is a long time and now I am

at the point where I can play again. I am very confident that once I get some more sessions in and some strength work, I will be raring to go for the first Test against New Zealand, if selected.”

Soon after leaving the India tour midway, Roach underwent surgery on his shoulder. Since April, Roach has been working with BCA coach Vasbert Drakes, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson and his Maple teammate Corey Collymore - all three are former West Indies fast bowlers - in order to get his shoulder back in shape for bowling.

“I was working with Vasbert and also had some sessions with Ottis,” Roach said. “I was in the gym earlier in the year and then the bowling aspect of it started in April. It was basic stuff as in the rotation of the arm and the fundamentals of fast bowling.

“I practised with Maple the entire week before the game on Saturday. I was

working with Corey and he helped me to get my technique back and some basic stuff about bowling. Corey watched me bowl on Saturday. He gave me some pointers on what he thought about my bowling and he told me about a few flaws that can be worked on in the next couple of weeks. It was a happy atmosphere and a very relaxed environment.” Roach said he was looking forward to facing New Zealand, particularly since they had beaten West Indies at home the last time the two sides met.

“After our Test series against New Zealand in New Zealand in December when we were beaten 2-0, I think this one is going to be very intense because the last time they came to the Caribbean two years ago we won both Tests,” he said. “With a new captain in Denesh Ramdin, I think the guys can put in some good performances and win this series.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Hundreds participate in Rotary PWD day of sport

By Avenash Ramzan

Hundreds of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) on Sunday transformed the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, competing in several events as part of the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s bienniel Day of Sports.

The event attracted over 1000 persons drawn from 21 disability groups from the 10 regions of Guyana.

They participated in friendly rivalry at walks, athletic events,a wheelchair race, tyre race, musical chair, bag race, egg and spoon race, wheel barrow race, bun-eating competition, and late for school.

President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Harry Parmesar, said the top three finishers of each of the 26 events were recognised for their efforts, but insisted that all the participants left the venue with a prize.

The event was well attended with 21 organisations participating

He also highlighted that the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been working along with the relevant organisations, including the Guyana Olympic Association, to identify talent that could possibly represent Guyana at the Paralympics.

Parmesar pointed out that there is a high level of talent in the various organisations, judging from the competitive nature of the participants on Sunday.

The head of the Rotary Club of Georgetown also recognised the contributions of two local companies, Banks DIH Limited and Rent-ATent, for their involvement in Sunday’s event. According to Parmesar, Banks DIH

Limited agreed to the use of the Thirst Park ground and also provided beverages all day, while Rent-A-Tent ensured the gathering was well accomodated with the provision of tents and chairs.

Past president of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Affeeze Khan, highlighted that the event has grown tremendously since its inception, noting the activity during the first couple of years had attracted be-

low 100 persons from just a handful of organisations.

Khan, a former president of the Guyana Boxing Association, said the Rotary Club of Georgetown is committed to ensuring PWDs are catered for in their programme of activities, adding that they are forver grateful to donors- both individuals and businesses- for their support in helping to host the activity.

Meanwhile, Digicel

joined the list of sponsors for the first time this year, and according to Sponsorship and Events Manager, Gavin Hope, the company has already offered a commitment to be on board for the next activity.

Hope, who was on hand to witness the day’s activities, said he was surprised at the level of competitiveness among the participants and the enthusiasm they displayed during the vari-

ous races.

He pointed out that Digicel was happy to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, promising a bigger involvement by the company the next time.

“When we were approached to be part of this activity, it was a decision that was easily made because we know and most of Guyana know that whenever we get involved in an activity it’s for the betterment and the development of people,” Hope remarked.

The participating organisations were Lion’s School for Children with Special Needs, East Bank Special Needs School, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Guyana Society for the Blind, Linden Centre for the Handicapped, the Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired, Open Door Centre, Differently Abled Athletics Club, Region Two CBR, East Bank CBR, East Coast CBR, West Coast Berbice CBR, East Berbice CBR, Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, Kuru Kuru CBR, New Amsterdam Special School, Cheshire Home, Linden Unit for the Blind and St Barnabas Special School.

Basketball needs a united front

By Treiston Joseph

n ancient Greek his-

Itory, the battle of Thermopylae, simultaneous with the naval battle of Artemisium where a united front of Greek city states combated the invasion of Greece by the Persian Empire led by king Xerxes, demonstrated that even the most disjointed peoples can work together for a common goal.

However, it seems as though various organizations cannot do the same to lead basketball out of the doldrums .

The election of Nigel Hinds as president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) in January of 2014, was set to be the genesis of a new day for basketball in Guyana and for a brief moment all seemed perfect.

The “Road to Mecca” was a huge success for Hinds and his administration; a tournament that filled the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) to its capacity, the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) organization seemed willing to be affiliated after “informal” discussions with the GABF; Hinds seemed to be in the good books of the Ministry of Sport/National Sports Commission (NSC).

However, before mov-

ing forward, four things must be made clear: one, the YBG for the past eight years has been in charge of selecting national teams for the Inter- Guiana Games (IGG) through their school programmes and National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF).

Two, the YBG and the NSC have worked together from the inception of the NSBF tournament; three, the GABF is the sole authority for basketball in Guyana, as constituted by the Federation International of Basketball Associations (FIBA); and the YBG up to this point since its existence was never affiliated to the GABF.

With that being said, the

GABF’s position that they are the sole authority of basketball which would mean control over selecting the IGG basketball team and all other aspects associated with the team, has caused a major breakdown in the relationship between GABF and the partnership of the NSC/YBG.

As such, the situation has caused both Hinds and Director of Sports Neil Kumar to go public about their opinions of the situation, with both men laying down the gauntlet as to who should run the show.

The breakdown was so contentious that it caused national basketball players to be locked out of the CASH for 45 minutes, an act that can be seen as utterly repugnant by whoever gave the orders to lock the gates of the CASH, especially since the date of use -May 15- was already booked by an affiliate of the GABF.

Hence, the situation has caused the YBG to seemingly pull away from being affiliated to the GABF, in view of Hinds indicating that the GABF will not approve future YBG events, due to the issue with the IGG.

What this means is that officials, players and members participating in YBG tournaments or programmes will put themselves in line

to be sanctioned as well, especially since Hinds has already indicated that players involved in training sessions not approveded by the GABF will not be eligible to play for clubs affiliated to the GABF.

However, the irony of the situation is that both the NSC and the GABF have indicated their willingness to work together; yet here is a situation that can cause basketball to plummet further into the doldrums, due to the rift that has been caused, instead of resusci-

tating the sport.

One would have thought that men of the caliber of Hinds, Kumar and Director of YBG Chris Bowman, could put their differences aside and work together for the betterment of a sport that is viewed by many as one of the more entertaining sports today.

Nevertheless, truth is fact; the GABF is the authority for basketball in Guyana and that’s the bottom line; but to threaten the future of potential talent through an issue that lends itself to such easy resolution, speaks volumes about the level of maturity of those involved.

The YBG being unable to be affiliated to the GABF despite doing a great job in schools, while the previous administration of the GABF was not functioning as it should,speaks volumes as well ; and the NSC’s willingness to lock out an association and its players just because they have the power to… well that’s just despicable.

It leaves one to question the sincerity of those who

claim to be putting the sport first; their actual willingness to work together and their ability to stand together for a common purpose, which is the forward thrust of the sport. However, they organizations involved have contributed in one way or the other to a situation that really did not call for such hostile acts and/or remarks; but if it’s one thing history through the ages have always taught, it’s that a united front is far superior to standing alone.

Knight Riders v Super Kings, IPL 2014

Uthappa, Shakib flatten Super Kings

Robin Uthappa made his fourth half-century of the season to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to an eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings with two overs to spare. The win took Knight Riders level on Rajasthan Royals with 14 points from 12 games, helping them break further away from the crowded middle of the table. Uthappa, who was put down twice, and Gautam Gambhir put on 64 for the opening partnership in seven overs, and Knight Riders were in control of the chase of 155 after such a beginning. Shakib Al Hasan belted an unbeaten 46 off 21 to hasten the end.

Uthappa made 67 off 39 and middled the ball consistently on a pitch where most batsmen had to rely on muscling it. Both sides had wanted to chase on the untested surface in Eden Gardens’ first match of the tournament, and Super Kings were to find out that despite the green tinge, the ball wasn’t quite coming on. There was some help for the spinners as well.

Super Kings went below run a ball for almost two-thirds of their innings. In contrast, Uthappa began with a flurry of boundaries. He eased the first ball of the innings from Ben Hilfenhaus between extra cover and mid-off for four

and also clipped the fifth through square leg for four more. The two shots were to bring him plenty of runs through his innings. He also deftly guided deliveries past slip, and resorted to the slogsweep as his innings progressed.

In his eagerness to drive, Uthappa offered two chances to slip early on, and Super Kings reprieved him each time. First, R Ashwin dropped him on 6 off Hilfenhaus in the first over. MS Dhoni immediately replaced Ashwin with Suresh Raina in that position. In the third over, Raina let a harder, diving chance

off Mohit Sharma go down, with Uthappa on 24. By the time Uthappa timed a lofted drive off Ravindra Jadeja to wide long-off in the 12th over, Knight Riders had almost reached 100. In his previous seven innings now, Uthappa’s lowest score has been 40.

Knight Riders needed 57 off 50 when Uthappa fell. Manish Pandey struggled to get going but Shakib more than made up with some powerful hitting. Slogging, paddling and lofting his way to eight boundaries in 21 balls, Shakib shut the door firmly on Super Kings.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Chennai T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

DR Smith b Cummins 5

BB McCullum c SA Yadav

b Narine 28

SK Raina c ten Doeschate

b Chawla 65

F du Plessis run out (Chawla) 23

MS Dhoni*† not out 21

RA Jadeja not out 9

Extras: (w 2, nb 1) 3

Total: (4 wickets; 20 overs) 154

Did not bat: M Manhas, R Ashwin, IC Pandey, MM Sharma, BW Hilfenhaus

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Smith, 1.2 ov), 2-60 (McCullum, 10.3 ov), 3-122 (du Plessis, 16.3 ov), 4-129 (Raina, 17.3 ov)

Bowling: Shakib Al Hasan 4-030-0, PJ Cummins 4-1-29-1,

UT Yadav 4-0-29-0, SP Narine 4-0-24-1, PP Chawla 4-0-42-1

Kolkata T20 innings (target: 155 runs from 20 overs)

RV Uthappa† c du Plessis b Jadeja 67 G Gambhir* b Pandey 21

MK Pandey not out 18 Shakib Al Hasan not out 46

Extras: (lb 3, w 1) 4

Total: (2 wickets; 18 overs) 156

Did not bat: YK Pathan, RN ten Doeschate, SA Yadav, PP Chawla, PJ Cummins, UT Yadav, SP Narine Fall of wickets: 1-64 (Gambhir, 6.6 ov), 2-98 (Uthappa, 11.4 ov) Bowling: BW Hilfenhaus 3-0-38-0, IC Pandey 4-0-311, MM Sharma 3-0-28-0, R Ashwin 4-0-24-0, RA Jadeja

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Court orders 30 days of mental tests for Pistorius

South African Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius was ordered on Tuesday to undergo a month of psychiatric tests to find out whether he was criminally responsible when he shot dead his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year.

Judge Thokozile Masipa told Pistorius he must report to Pretoria’s Weskoppies hospital, one of South Africa’s top mental institutions, as an outpatient for up to 30 days, starting on May 26.

face a life sentence if he is found guilty of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he shot and killed at his high security home in Pretoria on Feb. 14 last year.

Pistorius denies killing Steenkamp in cold blood after an argument, as suggested by prosecutors, and insists he shot four times at the toilet door she was behind, in self defense against what he thought was an intruder.

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The evaluation would determine “whether the accused by reason of mental illness or mental defect was at the time of the commission of the offence criminally responsible for the offence he is charged and whether he was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act”.

Pistorius, dressed in a black suit and tie, stood somberly in the dock as Masipa read out the order before postponing the case to June 30.

The Olympic star could

Pistorius competed against able-bodied sprinters on carbon-fiber prosthetics, becoming one of the most recognized names in athletics. He won a clutch of Paralympic medals and reached the semi-finals of the 400m at the London 2012 Olympics. (Reuters)

Dr DaSilva wins practical pistol Shoot

Dr Johan DaSilva came out victorious in last weekend’s Practical Pistol Shoot at the Timehri ranges in another display of excellent marksmanship. The event was organised by the smallbore section of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA).

The programme consisted of three stages of different scenarios for the best overall points. All the course details included movement in the shortest time with the best hits on targets.

Dr DaSilva won the second stage and placed second in the second stage to be declared winner.

Second position went to David Dharry, who won the first stage and was second in stage two, while Ray Beharry finished third following his second place at stages two and three.

Ryan McKinnon placed third at stages one and three, while rising female shooter Vidushi Persaud finished third at stage one.

The next competition will be the Precision Pistol match on Saturday at the TSU range. Dr Johan DaSilva

Sunrisers v Royal Challengers, IPL 2014

Sunrisers Hyderabad appeared to be coasting towards their target of 161 after a strong opening stand, but managed to drag the chase into the last over to win by seven wickets and upset Royal Challengers Bangalore’s plans of making the playoffs. Sunrisers needed 20 off the last two overs but Darren Sammy’s salvo took them through with two balls to spare. Despite the victory, Sunrisers still need other results to go their way, as do Royal Challengers - both have ten points with two remaining games.

A predominantly onesided chase turned competitive at the start of the 17th over, when Sunrisers needed 35 off 24 with nine wickets in hand. David Warner, set on 59, carved a high full toss from Varun Aaron straight to cover and his exit increased the required rate as Yuvraj Singh bowled a tight 18th over, giving away just seven runs. It came down to 17 off ten and a boundary was needed. Naman Ojha then sent the ball soaring over the

second tier at deep cover and Aaron had his revenge when Ojha tamely scooped the next ball to cover.

Darren Sammy didn’t need any sighters as he bashed his first ball flat over the straight boundary, bringing the equation down to less than a run a ball. He sealed the win by chipping a slower ball from Mitchell Starc over cover, giving Sunrisers a foot in the door as the scramble for fourth place got tighter. (ESPNcricinfo)

Bangalore T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

CH Gayle c Parvez Rasool b Sharma 14

PA Patel† lbw b Kumar 4

V Kohli* c Steyn b Pathan 67

Yuvraj Singh c Steyn b Parvez Rasool 21

AB de Villiers b Kumar 29

S Rana not out 12

MA Starc run out (†Ojha) 6

Extras: (b 2, lb 1, w 4) 7

Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 160

Did not bat: M Muralitharan, YS Chahal, AN Ahmed, VR Aaron

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Patel, 0.5 ov), 2-23 (Gayle, 5.1 ov), 3-80 (Yuvraj Singh, 12.2 ov), 4-141 (Kohli, 17.3 ov), 5-146 (de Villiers, 18.1 ov), 6-160 (Starc, 19.6 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-27-2, DW Steyn 4-0-23-0, Parvez Rasool 4-0-26-1, KV Sharma 3-0-27-1, Y Venugopal Rao

1-0-7-0, IK Pathan 3-0-281, DJG Sammy 1-0-19-0

Hyderabad T20 innings (target: 161 runs from 20 overs) S Dhawan run out (Yuvraj Singh/ †Patel) 50 DA Warner c Yuvraj Singh b Aaron 59 NV Ojha† c Yuvraj Singh b Aaron 24 AJ Finch not out 11 DJG Sammy* not out 10

Extras:

Sport Editor Letter to the

No instruction was

given to me to stop basketball training on May 14

Dear Editor,

Please allow me space to respond to the article, “Kumar stops basketball team from training at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall” published in the Stabroek News, May 15.

Firstly, no instruction was given to me to stop basketball training on May 14.

As is the practice, whenever the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) or the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) requires the use of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for training or competitions, the GABA or GABF will request separately.

The GABA requested and received approval for training on May 12, 13, 14 and 15. After training on May 12 and 13, Mr Michael Singh, President of GABA on May 14 advised, via telephone, that because GABF will, with immediate effect, request the use of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for training and competitions, for both bodies, training sessions requested by GABF for the 14th and 15th are cancelled.

I immediately informed my immediate supervisor, the Administrative Officer. Since there was no other activity scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the day, I secured the facility and left for home.

At 18:00h I received a telephone call from Mr Nigel Hinds, President of the GABF saying that the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall was closed and enquiring why. I advised him that from the conversation between Mr Singh and myself, there was no reason why the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall should not be closed.

Mr Hinds then indicated to me that the GABA President cannot make such a decision as the responsibility for making requests is that of the GABF. Subsequently, the Director of Sport, Mr Neil Kumar, called and advised that the basketball players be allowed to train.

I immediately instructed the security guard to allow the basketball players to have access for training. I arrived at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at approximately 19:05h where training was in progress and the media inside.

Since then, training and competitions are going on without any hindrance. I was later informed by the Director of Sport that he had had no meeting with either Mr Singh or Mr Hinds on May 13, as he was attending a Caricom Meeting at the International Conference Centre during the entire day.

Once again, I must set the record straight that no instruction was issued to me by either of my supervising officers to close the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to training sessions organized by GABA and subsequently taken over by GABF.

I honestly hope that after reading this article, there will be a true understanding of what actually took place at the Cliff Anderson Sport sHall on the evening of May 14.

Bashur A Khan Superintendent Cliff Anderson Sport Hall

Guinness Street Football, East Coast leg…

Quarter and semi-finals on tonight at Haslington

By Avenash Ramzan

Another massive turnout is anticipated tonight when eight teams take to the court, vying for two places in the final of the East Coast leg of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets knockout football competition at the Haslington Market Square tarmac.

A boisterous crowd on Saturday witnessed the opening eight games, which, from all indications, have set the tone for what is sizing up to be six heated contests tonight.

Action will kick off at 18:00h with the first of the four quarter-final games, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals, set to commence at approximately 22:00h.

The winners will move forward to the final, billed for Saturday evening at the same venue.

The winner of the East Coast leg will then join four teams from Georgetown and three from Linden in the national playoff at month-end, to decide Guyana’s representative at the Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge in Trinidad next month.

When the first whistle is blown, Paradise will confront Victoria Church Yard United, followed by Melania ‘A’ against Beterverwagting ‘A’ from 18:30h.

Defending champions Plaisance, unbeaten in the East Coast leg since its inception last year, will tackle Beterverwagting ‘B’ from 19:00h, while Melanie ‘B’ will face Victoria Eagles at 19:30h.

The winners of the first two games will meet in the first semi-final, while the winners of the last two quarter-finals will meet in semifinal two.

Meanwhile, the national playoff is slated for May 31 to June 1 at a venue to be announced. The format is also yet to be decided.

The qualifiers for the national playoff from the Georgetown zone are reign-

ing champions Queen Street- Tiger Bay; runner-up Stevedore Housing Scheme; third-place finisher Hope Street- Tiger Bay; and fourth place Albouystown ‘B’.

The Linden teams are champions Eagles, runnerup Retrieve Unknowns and winner of the third- place playoff, Scheme.

Plant Maintenance retains Bosai basketball title

Plant Maintenance cruised to a 41-31 win over General Services to retain their title in the Bosai Inter-Departmental Basketball tournament that concluded on Friday at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

Plant Maintenance led all the way and never seemed in danger of losing the game, as they raced to a 27-13 halftime lead with their star players Neil Marks and Anson Durant leading the way.

The third quarter saw Plant Maintenance continuing their good play while they pressured the defence of General Services to come up with steals that resulted in some fast- break opportunities.

With the lead in hand in the fourth quarter, Plant Maintenance kept up their level of play to come out with the victory.

Both Durant and Marks scored a team- high 12 points ,while guard Alwyn Rodney had a game high 13

points for General Services. Meanwhile, in the third place game, Mines routed Plant Operation 66-33 to be crowned the third best team in the tournament.

Guard Marvin Russel led the way for Mines with a game -high 29 points ,while Marvin Russel had 12 points in the lopsided win. In the female free throw shooting competition, General Services’ Ariel Melville gave the department something to celebrate by winning the contest. Buxton to host

Boxing will hit the community of Buxton for the first time ever when the Guyana Boxing Association holds its ‘Nuff Cuff Injection’ tournament on May 31 at the Buxton Community Centre ground.

Boxers from Berbice, Georgetown, Essequibo and the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) are set to hit the ring in Buxton under floodlights. The event is set to start from 19:00h and the admission price of $500.

An international dimen-

sion will be added to the night of action with a team of St. Lucian boxers set to join the fray .

The first edition of the event was held at “California Square” East Ruimveldt, on May 2, and from reports, it was entertainment galore for that community.

The GBA is confident that the boxers will produce the same type of entertaining action, and that there will be great support from the Buxton community on the night of action.

DCB congratulates Demerara youth teams

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) extends heartiest congratulations to the Demerara U-19 boys for their emphatic victories in the GCB U-19 Inter-County Three-Day and 50-Over Competitions.

The team’s performance transcends the game of cricket in Demerara and amply demonstrates the talent and ability that abound in our county, since these victories were achieved under very challenging circumstances.

After having an upand-down experience in the round-robin stage of the three-day format, the

Demerara Under 19 youths completely dominated the final game, taking it by an innings and 49 runs against the President’s XI. Then in the 50-over format, they managed to rise from the dust with a victory against the GCB’s President’s Xi in the third round, which saw them making it to the final where they outplayed the same team to take the 2014 double title for the first time in several years.

The DCB would like to laud Tagenarine Chanderpaul for his outstanding performances in both competitions. As expected, Tage came of age in

this tournament and this augurs well for his confidence going forward. He won both the Best Batsman and Most Valuable Player awards in the 50-Over contest, accumulating 203 runs, which included two half centuries, and captured five wickets. In the three-day contest, he scored a century in the game against the GCB President’s XI in the third round.

The DCB further acknowledges and congratulates the Demerara U-15 team for winning the GCB Inter-County U-15 Competition earlier last month and trusts that our Under -17 boys will make it

a clean sweep this year for Demerara. The DCB has been a much maligned county board in recent times by a few persons, but the hardworking executive committee of the DCB ensures that the teams are well prepared for these competitions, and they have repaid the investment in them and made us proud with victories on the field of play for the second consecutive year. We have refrained from blowing our own trumpet in the past, but no one seems to be recognizing these positive outcomes and making the appropriate comments.

Kumar heaps praises on windball organiser

Director of Sport Neil Kumar recently declared the East Bank zone of the Sport Ministry/National Sports Commission/AL Sport and Tour Promotions 17th annual end-ofschool-year Primary schools overhand windball champions trophy open at the National Park Tarmac.

Addressing the participating schools, teachers and parents present, he praised the organiser, Allister Munroe, for his continued good work in organising such a “wonderful programme”, involving so many schools.

He also renewed his commitment to supporting windball cricket by involving school across Guyana. Kumar also mentioned that the students will be given an opportunity to play windball cricket on May 28 at the Guyana National Stadium when the Sport Ministry in collaboration with the National Sports Commission stages World Challenge Day activities.

Munroe, in his remarks, also lauded Kumar to responding to a request at short notice to be at the opening ceremony and interact with the students.

Kumar also emphasised to the students the important of being discipline on and off the field and the need to be have a solid education. The Director of Sport also urged the organiser that the different zones should be playing in their respective areas, which will boost the community involvement and parental support toward their children’s development.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

Covent Garden defeated New Diamond School by seven wickets. New Diamond School 25-1 (Mikhaila Aggrippa 12) Covent Garden 27-3 (Inderia Laurindo 2-6).

Grove defeated Peters Hall by 10 wickets. Peters Hall 24-5; Grove 25-0 (Rebecca Isaacs 14)

Inga Henry appointed GBL’s VP with responsibility for softball

The Guyana Baseball League (GBL) has followed up its commitment made by Robin Singh at the World Baseball Softball Congress in Africa, held in Hammamet, Tunisia, to create a softball division. To this end, the GBL has appointed Ms. Inga Henry Vice-President with responsibility for softball.

In accepting the position and attendant responsibilities, Henry stated, “I speak on behalf of the Ministry of Education/Unit of Allied Arts Physical Education Department and myself in saying that we are in full support of the initiative taken by you [Singh] personally as well as the rest of the league members in bringing this sport to Guyana. I would be very pleased to continue supporting this initiative and do everything in my power to ensure that schoolchildren of all ages across Guyana not only hear of but experience the thrills, excitement and success that both baseball and softball are known to bring.”

Henry further praised Singh and the GBL for their work in spreading the game here.

“While this sport is still in its budding phase here in Guyana, it is evident the amount of work that has already been put in by you

[Singh] and your team and I am honoured to be of service to the organisation and the children of Guyana,” she said.

Henry added, “I personally have always been very active and though growing up in a very rural area limited my access to other sports besides cricket, it was the sport that I first fell in with and incidentally the sport that led me to baseball/softball, which I chose as my specialty during my five years in Cuba pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Sport.”

Henry further stated that the introduction of baseball/ softball in Guyana must be seen as something positive for the nation’s youths, as she urged all to work together to make the dreams of youths a reality.

“It is extremely important that we send the message to our children that sport is not an alternative to academics, when merged strategically, they contribute to the holistic development of the individual, multi-faceted, healthy, happy and wealthy. As a teacher in my earlier years at the Corentyne Comprehensive High school, I had the most amazing experiences with my students because even for my History and English

lessons, I took my pupils outside. Physical Education was not on the time-table then, but recognising the need to be active allowed me to find innovative ways of teaching concepts.”

Henry is as a physical education officer responsible for monitoring the implementation the Physical Education Curriculum in schools among other PE and sport-related functions in the PE Department Unit of Allied Arts, Ministry of Education. A teacher by profession, she had also represented Guyana at the Regional Women’s 50-over tournament in 2002.

The following year, she was nominated for a Physical Education and Sports scholarship at the International School for Physical Education and Sport in Havana, Cuba.

President of the GBL, Robin Singh, thanked Henry for her services to date and noted, “It is great to see the growth of people within our organisation. Inga is 32 years old and has an opportunity to make a massive impact on the development of our nation’s youth, her life story is in itself inspiring and now she has the platform and the backing of the GBL and International Softball Federation to inspire others.”

Eccles defeated Craig by 10 wickets. Craig 36-1 (Amisha Bangatt 17, Navita Sukhu 15) Eccles 40-0 (Crystal Grant 17, Branna Innis 15).

Covent Garden and Craig played to a tie. Craig 57-3 (Leonard Thomas 14) Covent Garden 57-1 (Stephan Bascom 23, Jeremiah Singh 19).

Grove defeated New Diamond

by

11).

Roach targets NZ series for comeback

Roach has had a seven-month layoff since leaving the West Indies tour of India with a shoulder injury

Kemar Roach, the West Indies fast bowler, hopes to be picked for the home series against New Zealand starting next month, after seven months out of the game. On Saturday, Roach played a Twenty20 match for his club CGI Maple. It was his first taste of cricket since a shoulder injury had ruled him out of West Indies’ tour of India last November.

19

Hundreds participate in Rotary PWD day of sport

Eastman takes on Hylton tonight

Guyanese Howard “The Battersea Bomber” Eastman stepts into the ring tonight to take on Kevin Hylton in the quarter-final stage of the Wray and Nephew Contender Boxing series. Eastman who is ranked number 2, only needs a win to put his hand on the big money as the last four boxers standing will share the $3 million prize.

The winner taking home $2 million and the runner-up $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.

Eastman and Hylton will square off in a welterweight fight on Wednesday at the night at the Chinese Benevolent

Association in Jamaica in a six rounder.

Hylton booked his quarter final place with a surprise technical knockout victory over Trinidadian PrinceLee Isidore while Eastman demanded that his name be put on the semifinal card after knocking out Jamaican Derrick “Guts” Spencer in round two of their scheduled six-round bout.

Meanwhile tonight’s encounter, will the last six rounder for which ever boxer goes through.

When the competition reaches the semi final stage there will be a change to eight rounds and the final which is scheduled for July 9th will be over 10 rounds. (Andrew Carmichael)