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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, July 29 from 10:00h to 11:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, July 29 from 09:10h to 10:40h.

WEATHER TODAY

Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected to prevail over coastal regions and near inland locations for the next 24 hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North easterly between zero to 1.38 metres per second.

High Tides: 09:10h and 21:32hreaching maximum heights of 2.34 metres and 2.33 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 15:03h reaching a minimum height of 0.91 metres.

GPH doctors suspended over maternal deaths

Two doctors have been suspended by the Georgetown Public Hospital for their involvement in two of the eight maternal deaths recorded in the country so far this year, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said.

He said the doctors are currently undergoing further training during their suspension to better prepare them to deal with the challenges on resumption of duty.

Meanwhile, less than two years ahead of the Millennium Development Goal deadline, Guyana is battling to reduce maternal deaths to less than 10 per year. Half-way through the year, the Health Ministry has recorded eight maternal deaths with two additional women dying during pregnancy.

Editorial

Improving the quality of our homes

Arecent workshop for local contractors sought to educate the group on better building practices. This is an extremely important issue among local builders in Guyana, and reflects the growing need for quality building practices – vital as the country continues in its construction boom. And while the workshop is a step in the right direction, it is apparent that it was not as well-attended as it should have been, or should encompass more attendants – considering how many contractors are believed to exist in the country.

In Guyana, two of the many issues facing home builders and owners have been quality building materials and skilled building contractors. Over the years there has been much anecdotal evidence of shoddy building materials and workmanship carried out by unscrupulous manufacturers and/or equally unscrupulous and/or untrained contractors.

Stories of windows not working properly within a year of being put in, yards sinking in places to leave waterlogged areas, floorboards shrinking or squeaking after a few months, tiles coming out within months, or watered-down paint on walls are just some of the many lamentations of duped homeowners. Anecdotal simply because there is little official documentation since legal recourse for a homeowner, when his or her front bridge collapses or walls become mouldy due to contractor error, is inadequate.

Legislation to protect homeowners and force compensation from such contractors and manufacturers is woefully lacking, and the whole affair can become a protracted and expensive legal enterprise for the homeowner.

In the absence of a strong functioning legislation and organisations tasked with registering or training competent contractors, or a strong standards enforcement office, many inefficient concrete block and timber producing manufacturers and fly-by-night contractors abound throughout the country.

Keen on “cutting corners” and doing the minimum of work while charging the maximum amount of money, these “bottom house” manufacturers and shady contractors prey especially on the poor who rely on house lot grants and small home loans as the only means of acquiring their own home. Otherwise, many wealthier homeowners are fleeced for millions more by many in the two construction groups.

This is not to say the country does not have qualified and skilled contractors and manufacturers. On the contrary, it is to say that what is especially needed is a properly functioning system to register and ensure that out of the many persons calling themselves contractors and manufacturers, a database of qualified and reputable individuals and companies is essential as the construction boom continues.

This database should be available to the public, and regular spot-checks made by a reputable governing body to ensure the contractors and manufacturers maintain a superior service or quality. Only then can homeowners be assured that they will have the peace of mind of knowing their life savings will not create a money pit or white elephant.

(One just has to look at City Hall to recognise all that can go wrong with shoddy workmanship today, after decades of exemplary construction and workmanship when it was constructed.)

Manufacturers and contractors are extremely important to the construction boom. Increasingly important too, are the types of materials used in construction. As modern manufacturers look toward environmentally friendly materials with the health and safety of their clients their concern, it is not very certain how much of that is enforced here in Guyana.

Certain chemical finishes have been known to be hazardous to human health, yet little is known of their use in housing or office constructions in Guyana. Many older buildings have been sealed to accommodate modern air conditioning systems, but little thought is given to the older building materials that may remain to produce harmful chemical fumes in a now sealed environment.

Today’s manufacturers and contractors should be educated about modern building materials and techniques so that the mistakes now corrected by developed countries don’t become our own because it is cheaper, quicker and easier.

A man’s home, the often quoted phrase goes, is his castle. Ideally, Guyanese manufacturers and contractors should consider this adage every time they begin their part in the home building process.

The mangrove project is one to be proud of

Dear Editor,

I cannot help but fully appreciate the remarks of the European Union (EU) ambassador, who has lavishly lauded the partnership that has been developed between Guyana and the EU as it relates to Guyana’s largest mangrove project –that is, the EU-funded man-

grove project. Guyana has really done well and does deserve the given plaudits. This project started in 2010, catering for mangrove restoration under shore zone management. It is being allocated funding through several ministries, inclusive of agriculture, public works and local government.

Guyana’s shores are being battered every day by the sea. There is riverbed erosion and the challenge of climate change, as well as the threat of rising sea levels. Even as we all celebrate this kind of commendation, we need to keep up the good work.

Recently, there was a

senseless dumping of waste oil into the sea. This must not be repeated, as it killed a number of mangrove seedlings and even chased away the bees. The mangrove project is one to be proud of –let’s keep it that way.

Sincerely, Keshwar Kumar

Irrelevancies should not take precedence in serious court matters

Dear Editor,

A man, returning from his place of worship, was brutally attacked by two ferocious pit bull dogs. This man is 64, and the attack resulted in the incapacitation of his left hand, among other serious injuries.

It appears that this matter is now becoming obscure, as the fight has now shifted focus to the donning of religious garb. I am incensed. Is this a red herring thing? This senior is maimed for life. I would have expected

discussions on things like compensation for him, and a serious censuring for the owner of the pit bull. Why are we waiting to deal with this evolving dangerous practice of owning dangerous animals?

The lawyer for the defendant is trying to make a case that he needs to see the countenance of the women he is cross examining. From a scientific stand-point, the research is abundantly clear that looks and statuses of innocence and guilty are not

congruent. They have done this kind of experiment over and over again.

Also, what does the constitution say about being questioned in court, dressed in religious garb? I note here that the lawyer first wanted to establish the authentic identity of the woman. Yet when this was done, he switched to another petty fabrication about countenance. Who is representing this woman?

In December 2012, A Canadian chief justice

said that trial judges can permit a witness to wear the “niqab” when her evidence is uncontroversial or her credibility is not in dispute.

It would be grossly unfair to this victim and his relatives if this issue gets side-tracked. The bottom line is that the man suffered a grave injustice all because a dog owner was irresponsible.

Respectfully,

Pamela Compton

The petty thieves must be taken off the streets

Dear Editor,

I always wonder where these coconut vendors get their fruit. I know of many unemployed youths who always go to the backdam and come back with bags of coconuts that they sell off to these vendors. It will not hurt to do some back-

ground checks on this kind of operation. These young men do not have coconut farms.

If I leave my clothes outside hanging overnight, they are gone. The same goes for things like door mats, chairs and buckets. There are many junkies walking

around at nights, entering people’s premises by jumping their fences. It irks me to know that many buyers then take these items off them for next to nothing. The community policing groups can only do so much.

I think that both the police and the community po-

licing groups should target these petty thieves. Citizens should call and inform the police when they are lurking around or walking late at nights. They should be off the streets.

Yours truly, Ethel Cummings

The ninth annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair came to an end on Sunday. In this photo, President Donald Ramotar poses with exhibitors during the opening of the expo at the Albion Sports Complex ground on Friday evening

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

Greater cooperation needed and the GDF must see the bigger picture

Dear Editor,

The recent handing over of four pirates to Surinamese officials embarrassed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The details, now common knowledge, show that the Berbice fishermen took this course of action as they were fed up at the inaction of the authorities as regards reports of piracy and the continuing attacks they have been forced to endure.

The GDF was concerned about reports alleging the inaction by the coast guard. We are dillydallying too much. If telephone calls were made, then let us trace these. We will quickly establish

who the lying ones are. If deployment of relevant personnel, by the GDF, took a long time, then that is another issue all together. There can be extenuating circumstances in such cases, even though we want to eliminate this altogether. The other thing is that these fishermen acted with a high level of maturity, and we must not forget this.

I know one thing for sure –this is a wake-up call for everyone. In fact, the pirates were in the process of robbing a fishing boat, when they were overpowered and arrested.

It goes to show that we all need to look out for one another.

When citizens cooperate among themselves and work in tandem with law enforcement, a lot of good things can happen.

The government has been repeatedly urging for stronger measures to halt piracy. Thus far the measures implemented have not worked very well. So fishermen have to make their inputs.

There is definitely the need for more intensified and frequent patrols by the local coast guard. Also, swift trial must come to those who are caught in the act of piracy.

Yours sincerely,

Raymond Ally

Traffic signs must be very noticeable

Dear Editor,

I was very surprised when I came suddenly to the Beterverwagting area, as I was heading to Georgetown. I did as was expected, and it was to use the detour to the Railway Embankment. The reason is that road repairs are ongoing on that stretch of road.

Regent Street currently has repair works going on as well, and again the notice is that of advising drivers of the alternative route. In this kind of situation, I think that we can do a bit better.

We need to realise that road construction is a necessary and normal part of keeping roads safe. Unfortunately, construction zones can make roads more dangerous. Work zones that have no

signs, hidden signs, or incorrect signs that are supposed to alert drivers, are dangerous and can cause serious accidents.

Here in Guyana, road repairs may very well be a year round activity in various parts. This means that the Public Works Ministry knows of the locations where workers will be and also long before hand. I think that advisories are in order here. These can be aired as well as printed. Also, it would be good if the road signs can be placed a good two corners before the actual alternative routes. Some drivers may very well ease any kind of possible bottleneck situation, by making their own diversions, even before they get to any particular road repair section. This will really help.

So far, nothing untoward has happened in terms of accidents and I surmised that this is because, even at nights, the road signs are very noticeable. People should realise that road construction actually puts at risk the lives of both drivers and workers on a daily basis.

I feel good then that our roads are being maintained and this has been going on quite safely so far. It goes to show that there is no reason for all of the accidents we have been recording of recent. If we can safely negotiate our way through constriction zones, then it stands to reason that we should do even better on all of our roadways.

Yours truly, Peter Alphonso

Hilarious!

Dear Editor, I have read a most hilarious article in the July 21 edition of the Kaieteur News. The Alliance For Change (AFC) is demanding an apology from President Donald Ramotar for describing their rejection of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) in Parliament as “an act of terrorism”. This is indeed hilarious.

It seems that the AFC now wants to dictate how the president describes their disgraceful act of voting down Guyana’s single most important development project. Well, the freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana also applies to the president.

What is wrong with describing the opposition’s action as “an act of terrorism”? Isn’t every one now terrified that their electricity bill would skyrocket? Isn’t every manufacturer terrified that they could become uncompetitive and may even go bankrupt if the cost of electricity is increased? Isn’t every small business terrified of a possible increase in electricity rates that could see them go under?

Isn’t it true that many employees, whose continued employment hinges on their employer’s expansion are terrified of losing their jobs if planned expansion cannot take place or if business slowed down? Isn’t it true that all those University of Guyana (UG) graduates who see AFHEP as an opportunity of obtaining highly paid jobs terrified of the prospects of losing such opportunities? The list can go on.

The point is that the president could not have better described the opposition’s act in Parliament. Their act is indeed an act of terrorism against the nation, including against the people of Linden who took a parasitic stand against 95 per cent of Guyanese on the issue of energy consumption.

It is time that the opposition, especially the AFC, stop insulting the intelligence of Guyanese. Let’s con-

sider some of the statements of the AFC as reported in the media.

“The AFC hopes that in the future greater emphasis can be placed on developing greater levels of negotiation and compromise in the interest of Guyanese.” This is indeed an interesting statement. Can the AFC, without delay, explain to the Guyanese public, without trying to insult our intelligence, how rejecting AFHEP is in the interest of “all Guyanese” and what aspects of the project the government failed to negotiate with them? We are waiting.

And since they are using the local government bills as the scapegoat, they are duty bound to prove to the Guyanese public, again, without trying to insult their intelligence, how is it that the local government bills suddenly became more urgent than AFHEP, which has a window of opportunity of just one month.

“Parliamentarians are elected to enable and give life to the constitution and thus are protected by the rule of law in doing their work on the people’s behalf.” It seems as though the AFC makes it their duty to reflect their hypocrisy in everything it says and does and it is becoming more and more bizarre by the day. Here they are telling us that it is their duty to enable and give life to the Constitution in defence of an act that is in direct contradiction with that very Constitution.

In case the leadership of the AFC, who are mostly lawyers, forgot, let me remind them of Article 40 (1), of the Constitution of Guyana, which in part, states, “Every person in Guyana is entitled to the basic right to a happy, creative and productive life, free from hunger, ignorance and want.”

What will give effect to Article 40 (1) of the constitution of Guyana? Is it the rejection or the realisation of AFHEP?

Yours respectfully, Sundar Nauth

Page Foundation

Parenting for success

– Our vision is a Guyanese society where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence and exploitation

The increasing need to raise children who are emotionally intelligent

You may have heard of the concept of emotional intelligence, and have an idea of what it is but not know for sure how to help your child devel op it. Essentially, emotion al intelligence is the abil ity to accurately recognise and understand your emo tions, to motivate yourself, to manage emotions, and to use emotions to guide think ing and enhance relation ships and performance. All of us as parents would like to think our children are ac ademically intelligent, and perhaps yours show an ear ly attraction for numbers or may be reading at a second grade level while still in kin dergarten, but is he/she also emotionally intelligent? Will he/she take it calmly when the shop is out of corn curls, or will he/she stage a nucle ar meltdown right there in the public?

Being able to control im pulses, delay gratification, and identify and manage feelings are all skills that fall under the category of being “emotionally intelligent”. Try sticking around for a while after taking your child to the playground to examine his/her behaviour.

How well does she/he interact with others? Is she/ he contented to wait for his/her turn with the ball or just as apt to elbow her/ his way past someone else? Becoming skillful at aca

who wanted to die because she was unable to cope with the pressures of her family. It is my opinion, if this child was emotionally intelligent she would be able to recognise her negative emo

it was clear that her family’s priority was only academic intelligence and not emotional intelligence. This was a child who performed at average for her national exam and all her family did

was beat her down emotionally. Something is absolutely wrong if your child prefer to die instead of living. It is time we start to prepare our children for the world ahead of them, both intellectually and emotionally.

pect of the school experience. Other very important areas that I don’t think really gets enough attention are the attainment of selfawareness and social skills. Take for example the case we cited last week with the primary school child

herself. This would lead to building resilience in her situation instead of her thinking of herself as useless and wanting to escape through a painful death. In this case,

Simple ways to help children become emotionally intelligent

1) Help children to recognise their emotions, accept your children’s emotions and emotional responses by asking questions like, “What were you thinking when you heard that?” or “What are you feeling now?”

And making statements like, “That must have been really frustrating”; “Wow, you are showing me how angry you feel”; “That’s great, I can

tell how excited you are”; “It can be tough when friends let you down like that”; “You look pretty upset. Something must have happened”.

2) Label feelings for your child. If he is not able to say how he feels, provide some options, such as, “Do you feel sad or mad or frustrated?” or “I think I would feel mad if that happened”.

“You sound upset”; “You look really down”, “I’m guessing you’re feeling really sad about that”; “You’re looking a bit worried”; “I imagine you must be feeling...” “That must have hurt”.

3) Model recognising emotions by pointing them out in yourself, “When you said that you didn’t want me to play with you I felt sad because I really enjoy playing with you.”

4) Encourage confident presence by requesting your child look at people when he/she speaks to them and speak loudly enough for people to hear.

This quality entails the ability to have insight into your emotions, understanding your emotions and triggers and the implications of your emotions, be aware of strengths and limitations, solicit and be open to feedback, have a sense of humour about yourself, and be confident in yourself.

It is a person’s ability to manage and identify their emotions in a positive manner, allowing them to relieve stress, deal appropriately with conflict and understanding others. Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in the successes children have later in life, which makes it a vital part of child rearing. You are the first example your children have of emotional intelligence, which means raising an emotionally intelligent child starts with you.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or email us programmes.childlink@networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and other challenges you are experiencing with your children.

Mahdia

power company

made $2.8M profit in 2011

Mahdia Power and Light Company Incorporated has recorded a profit of $2.84 million in 2011, according to an audited report submitted to the National Assembly Thursday last.

The financial statement said the power company in 2011 raked in $25.11 million in revenues. However, generation and distribution cost amounted to a whopping $21.5 million, leaving a net operating revenue at $3.6 million. An additional $759,559 was used for administrative purposes. As a result, the profit stood at $2.841 million at the end of 2011.

The Mahdia Power and Light Company had received a subvention from government to the tune of $15 million in 2011 while $10.11 million in revenues were garnered from consumers for the supply of electricity, taking the total revenues obtained to $25.114 million. It was pointed out that $14.52 million was utilised for the purchase of fuel for the power station while transmission and distribution expenses amounted to $2.3 million. Some $4.68 million was expended on transportation.

The Region Eight entity was incorporated as a company under the Companies Act, Chapter 89:01 on November 29, 2010, with the main focus to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within Mahdia and its surrounding communities.

The audited statement comes months after Region Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsawack told the press that the company was experiencing financial difficulties; hence, it was unable to supply 24 hours of electricity in April. According to Harsawack, the Mahdia

Power and Light Company was operating at a loss since the revenues garnered cannot sustain its operations.

According to another official, the companying was losing millions of dollars since the implementation of the metering system within the sub-district. It was explained that prior to 2013, the company raked in millions in revenues from approximately 75 government buildings within the community, ranging from educational and health facilities and regional offices. The fixed revenues garnered at the time were complemented by revenues paid by the more than 300 consumers in the area.

However, the situation for the power company took a turn when meters were installed at 75 buildings. The new system came into full effect in 2013, resulting in the company only managing to secure approximately $300,000 in revenues per month from government buildings.

Foreign minister says Caribbean remains top priority for Canada

Canada’s Conservative government is defending its commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean after eyebrows were raised during last week’s cabinet shuffle, prompting talks that the government’s vaunted “Americas Strategy” has run its course.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said he met Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors immediately after the shuffle to reassure them the region remains a top priority for the current administration, according to the Vancouver Sun.

A year after launching the “Americas Strategy” in 2008, aimed at reviving and expanding Canada’s presence in the region, Prime Minister Stephen Harper created a dedicated minister of state to the Americas.

The position was first held by Peter Kent and then by Diane Ablonczy. But, in a cabinet shuffle, the minister of state for the Americas position was quietly retired when Ablonczy was replaced by Lynne Yelich, who was named minister of state for foreign affairs, meaning that she covers the whole world.

Baird said having a minister of state for the Americas limited his own ability to focus on the region, adding “this is going to allow me to spend a lot more time on these files”.

The Canadian foreign minister said he will undertake a

seven-country trip to the region next week.

“So I think we’ll be speaking loudly with our actions that the Americas not only will remain a priority, but even be stepping up our priority list,” he said.

But the Sun questioned whether Baird will be able to dedicate as much time and attention to the region as he optimistically predicts, given that he has the rest of the world to worry about as well.

“I think the Conservative government considers its agenda in the Americas is basically complete,” said Carleton University Professor Jean Daudelin.

“The core of their agenda was the trade file, and we’ve signed agreements with basically all the countries that are basically interested.”

University of Ottawa senior fellow Carlo Dade told the SUN that the government did “alright” with its Americas Strategy by cementing ties with a number of key partners in the region, but a lack of resources and strategic thinking limited what could actually be accomplished.

Dade said the door to do more for the Caribbean has “essentially closed”, adding that the Canadian government is now turning to other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia.

“We shouldn’t have just done well, we should have done fantastic. So where do we go from here. There’s not much more that can be done,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird (left), listens to Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena during a joint news conference in Ottawa, Canada on Thursday, July 25

Ronald Harsawack

Rice shipment to Venezuela on track

Shipment of rice to neighbouring Venezuela under the new rice agreement is currently on track and should be completed by year-end, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said.

The minister told Guyana Times on Sunday that rice shipments will be continuous throughout the year. He explained that

Guyana’s harbour facility restricts larger shipment of more than 5000 to 6000 tonnes of rice or paddy; hence, the reason for the extended period.

Dr Ramsammy said at present, 36,000 tonnes of paddy has been shipped to Venezuela.

As soon as the second crop commences here, some 40,000 tonnes of paddy will be shipped between the peri-

ods of August to September. This will continue into October and December, by which time all shipments will be fully completed.

According to him, the Venezuelan government has also been informed that should they require additional paddy, Guyana will be in a position to deliver.

The first shipment of rice under the new agreement left Guyana for Venezuela

on May 23, with approximately 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy.

Guyana and Venezuela on May 3 this year signed a US$130 million rice agreement, paving the way for more than 200,000 metric tonnes of the staple to be shipped to Caracas.

The rice pact was initiated in 2010 between former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. The agreement aims to strengthen food security in both countries. The deal came at a time when prices paid by local millers for paddy start at a mere $500 per bag despite a bumper crop, owing to paddy bug infestation.

In late 2011, government signed a US$54 million agreement with its western neighbour to supply 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy at US$520 per metric tonne, and 20,000 metric tonnes of white rice at US$800 per metric tonne.

Initially, farmers were reluctant to enter into the arrangement, but the prospects of a stable market proved an enticing one. The partnership has been a fruitful one.

Soft drink vendor shot during confrontation

Anormal Saturday evening of teaching a friend to ride a motor cycle turned tragic when a soft drink vendor was confronted and shot by a man presumably over an old grievance at James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Shaquille Wilson, 20, also called “Buck” of 57 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown was shot to his right side chest while the bullet exited through his back. He is presently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital in stable condition. According to information, Wilson and his friend were riding along James Street and in the vicinity of Sussex Street when he was intercepted by the shooter who immediately pulled out a gun and aimed it at him. In an attempt to get the

gun out of his face, Wilson reportedly slapped the gun out of the man’s hand, resulting in a round being discharged. This spurred an argument between the two men. The shooter then picked up the gun from the road and pulled the trigger, this time hitting Wilson to his chest. The suspect is reportedly not from the village, but was apparently waiting on Wilson at that particular corner. He immediately fled the scene and has not been seen since.

Kester Wilson, the eldest brother of the injured man explained that he got the news about 21:30h and rushed to the scene only to find out that his brother was rushed to the Georgetown Public

Hospital by two friends.

He explained that it is a norm for his brother to teach a youngster in the area to ride the motor cycle and it was during that time, the act was committed. The eldest Wilson further stated that after the gun went off the first time, the lad fled the scene.

Shortly after, he added the lad saw his brother falling to the ground and he immediately ran to their home and related the story. The child who was still shaken by the incident was at the Wilsons’ house when Guyana Times visited.

The lad said he never saw the man who shot his friend. Police in a release said they are investigating the incident.

Local rights groups condemn homophobic violence in Caribbean

Red Thread, Help and Shelter, Artistes In Direct Support and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination have joined the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and other civil society groups in the region in condemning increasing homophobic and transphobic violence in the Caribbean.

In a joint release, the groups said CVC and its partners are deeply concerned by a stream of reports coming from Caribbean civil society organisations about incidents of violence towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The groups are disturbed by the anti-gay march held by evangelical churches last week in Haiti, and the alleged violence towards LGBT people afterwards.

“We are truly saddened by reports from Jamaica last week that a gender nonconforming 17-year-old was mob, attacked and stabbed to death in Montego Bay. CVC extends it condolences to the families and friends of those affected by this hatefuelled violence.

“According to the groups, these tragic events are not isolated acts, but instead a reflection of systematic discrimination and violence experienced by Caribbean LGBT people, particularly the most visible and vulnerable. Organisations such as United and Strong in St Lucia, United Belize Advocacy Movement in Belize, and Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) in Jamaica, Trans Always Friends (TRANSSA) and the Community of TransTransvestite Dominican Sex Workers (CONTRAVETD) in The Dominican Republic often have to deal with similar horrific threats, harassment and violence towards their communities because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. This violence is a con-

sequence of fundamentalist and hateful discourses towards LGBT communities and is likely to be replicated if urgent action is not taken.

“We call on our allies involved in Caribbean struggles for social justice – progressive faith leaders, trade unions, feminist organisations and civil liberties groups – to join us in denouncing and challenging fundamentalist views which fuel violence towards LGBT people in our region. Hate speech and extremism have no place in our Caribbean democracies, where resistance against discrimination, unity and strength in diversity are hallmarks of our shared history. These hateful views do not reflect the teachings of the region’s religions that variously emphasise respect for diversity, non-violence, justice and unconditional love as their cornerstone values.”

The local groups are also demanding that Caribbean governments provide greater protection for all LGBT people, legal frameworks that guarantee human rights protection, and investment in mechanisms that effectively respond to violence.

“And we call on Caribbean states to ensure that in no circumstance is the right to freedom of expression allowed to endanger the right to life, liberty and security of person, and to the right to privacy. Without challenging fundamentalist discourses which undermine dignity and rights, and continuing to foster a culture of human rights, Caribbean states cannot expect to develop, and we as Caribbean citizens cannot expect a better future for our families or children.”

The groups said they stand in solidarity with all Caribbean civil society organisations and movements working towards more just and equal societies, where everyone’s rights and dignity are respected.

A rice shipment leaving for Venezuela

Injured: Shaquille “Buck” Wilson

Woman kissed, lashed during robbery

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Ateacher is nursing several injuries about her body after she was kissed, beaten and robbed by three bandits in Auchlyne Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday.

The incident occurred about 22:00h. Henlawattie Parmal also called “Hammo”, 28, of Lot 42 Auchlyne Village, Corentyne was relieved of two diamond finger rings value $320,000, one BlackBerry Torch cellphone worth $100,000 and other articles, including an undisclosed sum of cash.

According to reports, Parmal was walking along the first cross street in Auchlyne Village, Corentyne on her way home after attending the Berbice expo. As she approached her home,

the teacher was confronted by three men, one of whom she reportedly recognised.

During the confrontation, the men demanded that she hand over her jewellery, and out of fear, she complied. After handing over the rings she was wearing, they reportedly took away her handbag containing her mobile phone and other articles before escaping.

Parmal also told investigators that she was kissed on her face while the other two bandits dealt her several lashes with a stick. She was sent to a nearby medical institution to seek treatment.

Meanwhile, a woman and her two children were terrorised by three masked men who were armed with a handgun and a crow bar at Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne on Friday even-

ing. Investigators believed that the same three men who robbed the school teacher carried out the robbery.

Henlawattie Ramjattan, along with her 18-year-old daughter and her 10-yearold son of Lot 234 Letter Kenny Village were beaten and relieved of cash and jewellery.

The armed men carted off $50,000 cash, three gold ring valued $60,000 each, a pair of earring valued $32,000, a silver band valued $8000, a gold finger ring valued $5000, a pair of gold earrings valued $10,000 and a pair of silver bangle valued $10,000 before making good their escape.

Reports reaching Guyana Times revealed that about 18:10h, Ramjattan secured her home by means provided and retire to bed along with her children. About 01:30,

the woman was awoken by a noise coming from the lower flat of her house.

This prompted her to get out of bed to investigate where the noise came from, but as she stepped out of her bedroom, she was confronted by the men who demanded cash and jewellery.

The men then proceeded to beat the victim and her children, relieving them of the jewellery they were wearing at the time. After doing so, they went into the bedroom of the woman and picked up the cash mentioned from inside a wardrobe drawer and made good their escape. As they were leaving, they reportedly broke a light bulb under the house and discharged a round in the air. Police are continuing their investigations.

WHO urges regional countries to act against hepatitis virus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging the Caribbean and other countries to act against the five hepatitis viruses that can cause severe liver infections that account for 1.4 million deaths annually.

In a message marking World Hepatitis Day, on Sunday, the WHO said some of these hepatitis viruses, most notably types B and C, can also lead to chronic and debilitating illnesses, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

It said the viruses can result in the loss of income and high medical expenses for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

The WHO said viral hepatitis is referred to as a “silent epidemic”, because most persons do not realise that they are infected and, over decades, slowly progress to liver disease. It said many countries are only now real-

ising the magnitude of the disease burden and devising ways to address it.

“The fact that many hepatitis B and C infections are silent, causing no symptoms until there is severe damage to the liver, points to the urgent need for universal access to immunisation, screening, diagnosis and antiviral therapy,” said Dr Keiji Fukuda, WHO assistant director general for health security and the environment.

“Many of the measures needed to prevent the spread of viral hepatitis disease can be put in place right now, and doing so will offset the heavy economic costs of treating and hospitalising patients in future,” he added.

This year, in the run-up to World Hepatitis Day, the WHO released its first-ever country hepatitis survey, covering 126 countries.

The WHO’s Global Policy Report on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis identifies successes, as well as gaps, at country level in the implementation of four priority areas. The priority areas are raising awareness, evidence-based data for action, prevention of transmission, and screening, care and treatment.

The findings show that 37 per cent of the countries have national strategies for viral hepatitis, and more work is needed in treating hepatitis.

It also highlights that while most of the countries (82 per cent) have established hepatitis surveillance programmes, only half of them include the monitoring of chronic hepatitis B and C, which are responsible for most severe illnesses and deaths.

“Many of the measures needed to prevent the

spread of viral hepatitis disease can be put in place right now, and doing so will offset the heavy economic costs of treating and hospitalising patients in future,” said Dr Sylvie Briand, director of pandemic and epidemic diseases at WHO.

“The findings underline the important work that is being done by governments to halt hepatitis through the implementation of WHO recommended policies and actions,” she added.

The WHO said the challenges posed by hepatitis were formally acknowledged by the World Health Assembly in 2010, when it adopted its first resolution on viral hepatitis, and called for a comprehensive approach to prevention and control.

“This has promoted a new era of awareness with more governments proactively working to address the disease,” the WHO said (CMC)

De mayor-fuh-life surface again

After a long silence, de mayor-fuh-life Green Ham start openin he big mouth again. And just like dem politicians, when de mayor open he mouth, is de usual plenty talk and de usual no action. De mayor-fuhlife was in hidin fuh a long time after he couldn’t fire de actin town clerk Carol Sober. He get quiet like cat after he couldn’t pay de taxes whah he wife owe.

Plus de whole country know he still ain’t pay back de Japanese guvament de money fuh whah he can’t account yet. Green Ham must be tink that de people woulda fuhget all de wrong tings he been doin, so he try a ting fuh hide away. He tail was between he foot like when puppy friken.

But people does fuhget de good tings whah yuh do in life, but dem don’t fughet de bad tings. And de mayor never do any ting good, but he do a lotta dutty tings in dis country from a very long time ago. So is very easy fuh remember de mayor-fuh-life.

Then Green Ham suddenly appear and seh that de guvament should ban plastic and styrofoam. But this is a man who does lie and thief so much that even when he seh sum ting good people does have to tek it wid a big pinch of salt. De problem wid de mayor is that he tryin fuh mek less wuk fuh he do in de **ity and every body ketch he out. De mayor-fuh-life open he big mouth again and seh women should restore de world. Green Ham can’t even restore GT, de Garbage Town and now he tellin women fuh restore de world.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! At least finally Green Ham admit that he can’t do de mayor wuk and that a woman should tek over. That mean Carol Sober fuh mayor…!

Man stabbed to neck in brawl with women

Acane harvester is in serious condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital after he sustained several stab wounds to his neck and face on Saturday evening during a brawl with two women in front of the Rainbow Bar, Republic Road, New Amsterdam.

The injured man was identified as Rodwell Anthony David, 26, of Heath Burn Village, East Bank Berbice while his alleged attackers who were identified as Amisha Petornella Crawford, 26, of Patrick Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Uliniz Lyken called “Blackout”, 32, of Levi Dam Angoy’s Avenue. Both women were arrested.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that Crawford and Lyken are sisters while Rodwell is the father of Crawford’s children, but they separated. According to reports reaching this publication, the two women were at Rainbow Bar imbibing while Rodwell was also there with a female companion taking a few drinks.

At about 15:15h on the day in question, after spending sometime at the bar, Rodwell left in the company of a female and they subsequently boarded a taxi. On seeing that, Crawford and her sister allegedly ran to-

wards the taxi, pulled the woman out before Crawford allegedly started to punch Rodwell to his face. He was in the back seat of the taxi. Reports also indicates that during the commotion, Lyken picked up a beer bottle, broke it and dealt Rodwell several stabs to the right side of his neck and face. Crawford also received injuries in the process. The police were summoned and Rodwell and Crawford were escorted to the New Amsterdam Hospital where they were examined by a doctor.

Rodwell was subsequently admitted a patient at the medical institution while Lyken was treated and sent away. Crawford and Lyken were subsequently told of the assault and stabbing allegations which they denied committing, but were arrested and placed in custody at the Reliance Police Station.

Police during their investigations carried out a search at the scene, but the broken bottle that was reportedly used to commit the act was not found. Several persons who were at the night spot were questioned and the information received supported the injured man’s story. Crawford and Lyken are expected to be charged today with malicious wounding committed on Rodwell.

Renowned Muslim scholar for Eid-ul-Fitr programme CANU close to unravelling drug network at CJIA

The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, one of Guyana’s leading Islamic centres, will be the venue for the 10th annual International Eid Fest being held to observe the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday (the festival marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan).

This year’s programme will continue to carry an international theme with attendance by rep-

resentatives from Muslim organisations in Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Holland, United States of America and Canada.

The event, which was first observed in 2003, is hosted by The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman. The leaders of all Muslim organisations as well as the jamaats from across Guyana have been invited to be a part of this unique programme which will be held on Sunday, August 11 at 13:00h at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara.

Also invited are members of government and the opposition parties, members of the diplomatic corps, other religious and social groups and a wide cross-section of persons from civil society.

Special guest for this programme is world renowned Muslim scholar Maulana Dr Waffie Mohammed from Trinidad and Tobago. Dr Mohammed was born in Trinidad and Tobago where he obtained his primary and secondary education.

On successfully completing his General Certificate Examination (GCE) Ordinary Levels, he travelled to Karachi, Pakistan where he obtained his GCE A Level passes and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Karachi, Pakistan.

Thereafter, he attended the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies, Darajah Al Kamil Institute, Pakistan.

In 1972, he obtained his master’s in Islamic studies at the University of Karachi. He then attended the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies, Darajah Al Aliyah Institute in Karachi and in 1975 he obtained his doctorate in comparative religion at the University of Karachi, the first Trinidad and Tobago national to do so.

Before leaving for Pakistan in 1968, he taught at ASJA School, San Fernando, Trinidad for six years and on his return to the twin island in 1975 and until 1990, he was the assigned Muslim missionary of that country for the reputable Muslim World League (MWL), based in Saudi Arabia.

As investigations continue into the discovery of 11.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Saturday morning, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) said it is on the brink of unravelling a drug trafficking network at the country’s main port of entry.

CANU officials believe the drug network at the CJIA comprises airlines security, airline office staff and other government agencies that operate at the main port of entry on a daily basis.

Guyana Times understands that the name tag that was found on the baggage which contained the cocaine was generated a while ago, but was used only on Saturday. This meant that the tag was created by an airline official at the check-in point.

The one person who remains in custody was identified as an airline security officer attached to the Secure Aviation and Caption Security Firm, while another member of the Timehri Handling Service is also being questioned.

This publication was also told

that officials of a government agency are expected to be questioned today in connection with the discovery.

The 10 parcels of cocaine were found around 02:00h in a suitcase which totalled 11.5 kilograms when weighed. The street value for a kilogram of cocaine in the U.S. is estimated at US$40,000.

The bag was detected by CANU ranks at the baggage area with an old label or name tag which indicated that it was placed there and did not go through the normal security checks. The suitcase was intended to go onboard Caribbean Airlines Flight, BW 526 destined for the John F Kennedy Airport, USA.

Upon the discovery, all staff members who worked on the shift were questioned with at least seven being taken for further questioning at CANU headquarters.

In May, a 19-year-old employee of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPO) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was charged following the discovery of 15 kilograms of cocaine in a mail bag destined for the United States.

Rose Hall store burglarised

Bandits continue to burglarise businesses and homes in Berbice when on Saturday evening they carted off hundreds of thousands of dollars in items from a store in Rose Hall Town.

The shop belonged to Mohabir Singh called “Trevor” is situated at Lot 9, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, and according to reports, the robbery occurred between 00:15h and 06:50h.

Some $225,000 in cash, a quantity of radios, a quantity of gents clothing and a quantity of sneakers were stolen.

Investigations revealed that on the date and time mentioned, Singh secured his business and retired to bed in a self-contained room at the back of the store.

At about 06:00h, he woke to find the western glass window open and the grill lock removed, and upon checking, he observed the articles mentioned missing. He immediately contacted the police who dusted the scene for fingerprints but none were found. They are continuing their investigations.

In another incident, the police are investigating an alleged break and enter and larceny committed on the dwelling house of Mohamed Ishmad of Lot 78 Britannia Village, West Coast, Berbice, which occurred on Friday between 17:55h and 20:35h.

The perpetrators took away $48,000 and Cdn$50. According to information, on the date and time mentioned, the victim secured his home and went to a mosque and upon on his return, he discovered the northern door to his house wrenched open.

He made further checks and discovered the money missing. Several persons were questioned but no one was arrested. Investigations are ongoing.

World renowned Muslim scholar Maulana Dr Waffie Mohammed

Times Notebook

Tuberculosis – an old scourge emerging as one of the biggest health challenges of the next decade

Times Notebook reflects on the many times government, through the Health Ministry and former subject minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, cautioned that in Guyana and globally, tuberculosis (TB) is not only a big problem today with almost one million deaths per year, but it is likely to be the infectious disease that causes the most deaths in the coming decade, unless we do something dramatically to stem the tide.

Note too that there are many others that die of coinfection with TB and HIV. We recall vividly speeches about those health issues that are likely to dominate in the decade to 2025.

The minister was optimistic that we could deal with new emerging influenza viruses. He was confident we will win the war against HIV. He was worried about the chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, and he was extremely worried about TB.

TB is an old disease. We read about it in the Bible and other ancient writings. Yet it continues to plague humanity in both developing and developed world. Almost one million people die each year from this ancient scourge. But it is also emerging as a new scourge in the form of drug-resistant TB. The bacterium that causes TB is now increasingly resistant to all the powerful medicines available to fight the disease. Just as government warned, TB is becoming untreatable.

While government commended the global authorities for aggressive action against HIV, its position was that not enough was being done to stop TB and that TB is presently winning the war, overcoming our best efforts to stop it. This year, a new problem has emerged giving weight to the assertion made by government.

Short-sightedness

The problem is shocking, but demonstrates the shortsightedness by the global authorities. Can we imagine there is a shortage of TB medicine right now, medicine that could save people’s lives, prevent more infections, and stop TB from emerging in other forms more powerful than the old TB bacterium?

Yes, you are reading it right. There is a massive shortage of TB medi -

cines right now around the world. Times Notebook is giving prominence to this problem today, because we would like to alert the Health Ministry of Guyana to secure enough medicine in order to protect our people, those with TB and those without TB. America, India and other nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean are facing severe shortages of TB drugs.

In particular, there is a global shortage of paediatric TB medicines. In many countries, doctors have resorted to the use of adult medicine to treat children with TB or to use less effective alternatives to treat both adults and children. Authorities in India have described the situation as “disastrous” and the U.S. authorities have described the situation as “exasperating”.

India is short of paediatric TB medicines, but also of such medicines as rifampicin, the most powerful TB medicine for adults, and kanamycin and streptomycin, other medicines used in treating TB. In January this year, the U.S. National Tuberculosis Controllers Association found that 79 per cent of the participating health departments had shortages of a TB medicine called isoniazid and 15 per cent had no supply of this important medicine. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis is aware of the problem, and has stated that its Sandoz branch has ramped up production to meet the U.S. demand.

Multi-drug resistant TB

The exponential increase in multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) worldwide is directly related to TB medicine shortages. The STOP

TB Partnership, which presently supplies TB medicine to 123 countries, has confirmed that a major reason we have MDR-TB is the shortage of TB medicines, which forces people who are being treated for TB to interrupt their treatment. When this happens, the TB bug gathers strength and buy time to learn how to resist the medicines.

Why do we have a TB medicine shortage? It is not just money. The global community has not gauged the demand and consequently demand exceeds supply. In addition, there are supplychain problems, including poor procurement systems. Unfortunately, the problem is also business economics. Poor profitability has left the supply side unable to meet the demand. More TB deaths, more TB illnesses, and the emergence of a deadlier form of TB are consequences of the business approach. It simply does not make sense for Big Pharma to invest in making enough TB medicine.

TB medicines in use today are old medicines in place for almost 50 years.

No new TB medicine has been developed, although scientists have been working on new ones. The TB vaccine – the BCG vaccineis not the most effective vaccine either. Scientists are working to develop a better vaccine too. But these efforts are slow and not as well-funded as they should be. In the meantime, TB is getting deadlier and more untreatable!

Times Notebook also dis-

covered that there is a major shortage of the TB tests. In Guyana, we use a test called the Mantoux test. In some countries, they use a test called tubersol. S anofi Pasteur Inc, the maker of tubersol TB test, admitted to the shortage earlier in the year, but also stated that due to pent-up demand, shortages of TB tests would be commonplace during this coming summer months. The truth is that, as some executives in Big Pharma have admitted, TB medicine is not an interesting market, a euphemism for it not being a profitable market.

Dr Ramsammy had this to say in one of his speeches: “Not giving TB medicines to those afflicted with TB will bring death and destruction to many people, mostly poor people and their families. But all of us are at threat, for the new emerging TB, the MDR-TB and XDR-TB threaten all of us. The failure to diagnose and treat people with TB early and effectively now means that an old scourge is coming back in a new form, deadlier and more difficult to fight. In the decade to 2025, this old nemesis will test our mettle and as it is now, the bet seems awfully too much on the side of TB.”

Times Notebook believes we should all listen to this call. Government’s crusade then seems far more to the point now that the TB medicine shortage has raised its head. Readers are invited to comment on this article via email (times.notebook@gmail.com) and on Facebook.

Pope Francis holds final Brazil’s Mass Murder claim roils Chile’s campaign

Pope Francis has closed the biggest-ever Roman Catholic youth festival with a Mass on Brazil’s Copacabana beach. More than three million people are estimated to have gathered for the service in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Many of the pilgrims had slept on the beach after attending an all-night vigil, which Pope Francis also led.

Sunday’s ceremony marks the end of the Pope’s five-day visit to Brazil – his first foreign trip since becoming pontiff in March.

He is set to fly back to Rome later on Sunday.

The vigil and Sunday

mass have attracted the biggest crowd ever to Copacabana beach, which has hosted rock concerts, sports events, and the traditional New Year celebrations. He encouraged young Catholics to get out of their parochial boundaries in order to help others. “Go and don’t be afraid of serving,” he said.

“Jesus did not gather the Apostles so they lived in isolation. He called them so they formed a group, a community,” said Pope Francis.

He announced the next Catholic youth festival would be held in the Polish city of Krakow in 2016.

Female activists held a demonstration nearby in support of abortion and women’s rights. But the correspondent said the pope and the church hierarchy will be delighted at the huge turnout and the way Francis has been received by pilgrims from across the globe.

In the past three decades, the Catholic Church has lost millions of followers to smaller Christian denominations.

In his vigil address on Saturday, the pontiff had urged the pilgrims not to be “part-time Christians”, but to lead full, meaningful lives. (Excerpt from BBC News)

AChilean lawyer wants charges brought against the father of the conservative presidential candidate for the murder of the father of her rival.

General Alberto Bachelet, father of centre-left candidate Michelle Bachelet, was tortured to death in 1974.

He died in a military facility directed by the father of centre-right candidate Evelyn Matthei, General Alberto Matthei.

Human rights law -

yer Eduardo Contreras says new evidence shows that General Matthei knew about his death.

General Alberto Bachelet had been accused of state treason after refusing to join the military coup, led by General Augusto Pinochet, in 1973.

However, Bachelet has said she did not ask Contreras to represent her.

The lawyer said the testimonies given last month by two former officers compared with statements from General Matthei “make it more than clear” that he knew what was going on in the Air War Academy.

“He even took his time to classify the prisoners that should be questioned,” Contreras said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

He died in a prison months later as a consequence of torture injuries. This is the second time Contreras, who represents families of political victims, has tried to prosecute General Matthei for the murder of General Bachelet.

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Egypt’s Brotherhood stands ground after killings

Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters stood their ground near a Cairo mosque on Sunday, a day after at least 72 were shot dead by Egyptian security forces, braced for a move against them by the army chief who ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made his first appearance since Saturday’s bloodshed, smiling before television cameras at a graduation ceremony for police recruits in starched white uniforms.

He received a standing

ovation and was hailed by Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim as “Egypt’s devoted son”. Fawning coverage in state and private media reflected Sisi’s rising political star, in a country ruled by former military officers for six decades before Morsi’s election in 2012.

Saturday’s dawn killings, following a day of rival mass rallies, fuelled global anxiety that the most populous and influential Arab nation risked broader conflagration.

The European Union said it was sending foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton

to meet today with Sisi and the interim president he installed, as well as officials of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood’s political wing.

Ashton said she would press for a “fully inclusive transition process, taking in all political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood”.

The Brotherhood accuses the military of reversing the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, and demands that Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, be reinstated.

Morsi has been in army detention since his July 3 overthrow and the militarybacked interim government has placed him under investigation on charges including murder. Authorities also say they will move soon to clear the Brotherhood’s tent vigil.

“It’s a source of terrorism that’s threatening the whole society, and that’s being confirmed by the day,” Mostafa Hegazy, adviser to interim President Adli Mansour, told reporters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Malians flock to vote in bid to rebuild broken nation

Ballot counting began in Mali after voters turned out in large numbers on Sunday for a presidential election they hope will provide a fresh start for the West African nation after more than a year of turmoil, war, and an army coup.

Observers said they had not yet received reports of major incidents, a positive sign that Mali is moving toward recovery after a March 2012 coup followed by the occupation of the desert north by separatist Tuareg rebels and al Qaeda-linked fighters.

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Polling ended at 12:00h ET and, as night fell, officials started tallying results. Election officials at a school in Bamako used electric lamps to check ballot papers for thumbprints and witnesses sat at wooden students’ desks jotting down results using mobile phones for light.

Months ago the Islamists were marching south, until French troops arrived in January and defeated them, scattering them into the deserts and mountains. Postcoup politics had paralysed a nation once touted as a model democracy.

“People are motivated this time as we have been in

“They were told that whoever their candidate was, they had to get out and vote. People are starting to understand that elections are about more than t-shirts and free sugar,” he said.

After some initial delays, Malians crammed into courtyards of schools turned into polling stations for the day. Across the country, polling stations were protected by Malian, French, and United Nations troops.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mid-East peace talks to resume in Washington

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will resume peace talks in Washington today, the U.S. State Department has announced.

The talks, stalled since 2010, follow months of shuttle diplomacy by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The statement came hours after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.

The release – which split the Israeli Cabinet – is to take place in stages over several months.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the initial talks would begin this evening and continue on Tuesday.

She said Kerry had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President

Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday and they had agreed that the talks would “serve as an opportunity to develop a procedural work plan for how the parties can proceed with the negotiations in the coming months”.

Psaki suggested the initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides.

Major sticking points include the future of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees. The issue of settlementbuilding halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Kerry said in a statement:

“Both leaders have demonstrated a willingness to make difficult decisions that have been instrumental in getting to this point. We are grateful for their leadership.”

In the five months that Kerry has been secretary of state he has visited the region six times in an effort to restart talks, so Sunday’s statement is seen as a big step forward.

However, these are talks about talks and although a welcome development it is still very early days, she adds. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet approved the release of Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven.

Some 104 long-term prisoners will be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans during a protest at the Rabaa Adawiya square

monday, july 29, 2013

WI suffer second straight T20I defeat

Kingstown, ST. VINCENT – West Indies lost a Twenty20 International series for the first time since they became World champions of the format, after Pakistan batted and bowled steadily to clinch a 11-run victory on Sunday.

Dwayne Bravo led the way with 35, Sunil Narine scored 28 and Kieron Pollard made 23, but the Windies unsuccessfully chased an average target of 136 in the second T20I at the Arnos Vale Multiplex.

The batting of the Caribbean side again failed to ignite, as the Pakistani bowlers – led by Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal and Zulfiqar Babar with two wickets apiece – keep them in shackles.

The victory meant Pakistan swept the twomatch series 2-0, following their two-wicket victory on Saturday here which ended West Indies’ ninematch unbeaten run since they won the World T20 last September against hosts Sri Lanka.

Sunil Narine had taken 3-26 from four overs and fellow spinner Samuel Badree

captured 2-16 from the same number of overs, as Pakistan, choosing to bat, posted 135 for seven off 20 overs on a slow pitch.

The Windies’ grip on the match was loosened by 46 not out from wicketkeeper/ batsman Umar Akmal, the Man-of-the-Match, and opener Ahmed Shehzad with 44.

The home team went into an early wobble, when openers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle fell cheaply, and were soon followed by in-form batsmen Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons, leaving West Indies rocking on 17 for four in the eighth over.

Compatriots Bravo, Narine, promoted to bat at six, and Pollard played their strokes and combined to give West Indies a chance of a strong finish.

Narine was caught at long-on off Ajmal in the 14th over, but the dismissals of Pollard and Bravo from successive deliveries in the 17th over, bowled by left-arm spinner Zulfiqar, left the remainder of the Windies batting to get 42 from the last 18 balls and they failed.

Earlier, West Indies gradually got back into the game,

after Shehzad hit the second ball for a boundary before he lost his captain and fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez for 10, caught at short third man from a topedged cut off Badree in the

PAKISTAN

fourth over.

The Windies further applied the brakes, when their captain Darren Sammy held a sharp return catch to remove Umar Amin for seven and Badree took a running, return catch to dismiss Haris Sohail for one, leaving Pakistan 42 for three after eight overs.

The hosts met resistance, when Akmal came to the crease and put on a valuable 36 for the fourth wicket stand with Shehzad, who was caught at deep mid-wicket off Pollard in the 13th over.

West Indies continued to take wickets, as there was little stability from the rest of the Pakistan batting and the visitors lost four wickets for 31 in the space of 31 balls in the second half of their innings, despite Akmal’s resilience. (WICB)

SCOREBOARD

Ahmed Shehzad c Simmons b Pollard 44

*Mohammad Hafeez c Simmons b Badree 10

Umar Amin c and b *Sammy 7

Haris Sohail c and b Badree 1

+Umar Akmal not out 46

Shahid Afridi c Samuels b Narine 6

Hamad Azam st Charles b Narine 1

Sohail Tanvir c D.J. Bravo b Narine 0

Zulfiqar Babar not out 11

Extras (b2, lb4, w3) 9

TOTAL (7wkts) 135

Fall of wickets: 1-24; 2-39; 3-42; 4-78; 5-96; 6-109; 7-109

Bowling: Sammy 4-0-20-1; Badree 4-0-16-2; Narine 4-0-263 (w1); Best 2-0-16-0 (w1); D.J. Bravo 4-0-35-0; Pollard 2-0-16-1

WEST INDIES

+J. Charles c wkpr Umar Akmal b Sohail Tanvir 0 C. Gayle c Shahid Afridi b

Mohammad Hafeez 1

M. Samuels c wkpr Umar Akmal b Sohail Tanvir 1

L. Simmons b Shahid Afridi 3

D.J. Bravo c Hamad Azam b Zulfiqar Babar 35

S. Narine c Umar Amin b Saeed Ajmal 28

K. Pollard c Haris Sohail b Zulfiqar Babar 23

*D. Sammy c Shahid Afridi b Saeed Ajmal 1

C. Barnwell run out (Hamad Azam) 10

T. Best not out 17 S. Badree not out 1 Extras (lb1, w2, nb1) 4 TOTAL (9 wkts) 124

Fall of wickets: 1-2; 2-2; 3-4; 4-17; 5-64; 6-94; 7-94; 8-105; 9-105

Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 4-0-9-1 (w2); Sohail Tanvir 4-020-2 (nb1); Zulfiqar Babar 4-0-372; Shahid Afridi 3-0-29-1; Saeed Ajmal 4-0-21-2; Asad Ali 1-0-7-0

Umpires: G. Brathwaite, J. Wilson

german sprint cyclist doping for ‘many years’

Erik Zabel

Former sprint cyclist

Erik Zabel has admitted to “many years” of doping, according to a German newspaper.

German Zabel, now 43, won 12 stages of the Tour de France and eight stages of the Vuelta a Espana during his career.

But he has now said he used banned drugs and illegal methods between 1996 and 2003 before he retired in 2008.

“It was doping for many years. I never had a structured doping plan, nev-

er had any experts around me,” he is quoted as saying in Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

“I never saw myself as a super doper.”

But Zabel, who was recently named in a French Senate inquiry as a drugs offender, says he has had the blood booster EPO as well as taking cortisone, a steroid hormone.

“When you take everything together - EPO, cortisone and even blood doping, then it’s quite a lot,” added Zabel.

“As a young rider I did not really think about how big a step this was. But it is clear that I knew very well, this is not allowed and no one forced me to take EPO. It was my decision.

“I wanted to keep my life, my dream life as a pro-

India saunter to series victory

India’s current tour of Zimbabwe has parallels with the visit to the southern African country for a tri-series in 2010 - a squad filled with newcomers led by a stand-in captain.

Three years ago, that young India team had found the tri-series to be a taxing trek, losing three of four matches to crash out before the finals. This time around, though, it has been a casual stroll to a series victory, confirmed by an utterly one-sided third ODI which Zimbabwe lost by seven wickets.

Teams winning the toss have enjoyed a huge advantage in this series, and today was no different as Virat Kohli called correctly and watched his bowlers wipe out Zimbabwe for 183. Even reaching that meagre score reflected a recovery for Zimbabwe, who had been at 89 for 6 in the 23rd over, and had three tail-enders, who had shown little aptitude for batting, to come.

Amit Mishra’s variations fetched him four wickets, and the chase was orchestrated by Kohli, who continues to find ODI cricket ex-

ceedingly easy. The winter pitch at the Harare Sports Club has followed the same pattern in every match this series: assisting the seamers appreciably in the first hour before gradually easing up. Vusi Sibanda clearly hadn’t learnt that, though, charging out and attempting a wild heave in the first over itself, predictably edging a catch towards extra cover. After that Vinay Kumar strike, it was Mohammed Shami’s turn to break through, on his first ball, when he got Sikandar Raza to nick to the wicketkeeper.

With the ball hooping around, Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza survived a bunch of lbw calls and were routinely beaten but hung on. Taylor could have been run-out a couple of times but he didn’t attempt any risky shots, the first sign of enterprise being a controlled pull for four off Vinay in the ninth over. Masakadza was content driving through the off side, didn’t play across the line much, and the pair shepherded Zimbabwe to the relative security of 67 for 2 in the 16th over. (Cricinfo)

fessional. I loved that, this sport, the trips. This selfishness was just stronger.”

Zabel’s apparent admission comes only a week after the end of the 2013 Tour de France and less than a year after Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour De France titles.

Armstrong, who came first in the Tour every year from 1999 to 2005, received a life ban from the United States Anti Doping Authority for what they called “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”.

After years of denials, Armstrong admitted his guilt in a television interview with chat-show host Oprah Winfrey in January.

(BBC Sport)

Zimbabwe innings

V Sibanda c Dhawan b Vinay Kumar 0 Sikandar Raza c †Karthik b Mohammed Shami 1

H Masakadza c †Karthik b Mishra 38

B Taylor*† c Mohammed Shami b Unadkat 23

S Williams run out (Jadeja/†Karthik) 45

M Waller lbw b Mishra 0 E Chigumbura lbw b Jadeja 3

P Utseya c †Karthik b Mohammed Shami 10

T Chatara b Mishra 23

B Vitori c †Karthik b Mishra 17

M Chinouya not out 6

Extras: (lb 5, w 10, nb 2) 17

Total: (all out, 46 overs) 183

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-2, 3-67, 4-80, 5-80, 6-89, 7-125, 8-133, 9-167, 10-183

Bowling: R Vinay Kumar 7-0-321, Mohammed Shami 9-0-25-2, J Unadkat 7-0-24-1, V Kohli 1-07-0, R Jadeja 10-2-39-1, S Raina 2-0-4-0, A Mishra 10-0-47-4

India innings R

T20I series winners Pakistan pose with the series trophy

Virat Kohli was among the runs again as India won a one-sided encounter

'Kings' of schools football!

Wismar/Christianburg retain Digicel title with sudden death victory

By Avenash Ramzan

Wismar/ Christianburg eked out a sudden death penalty victory over perennial rivals Waramandong Secondary on Sunday evening and with it the title of undisputed ‘kings’ of schools football when the third annual Digicel Schools football championship concluded at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Playing in front of a large and vociferous crowd, the two schools, who also contested last year’s final at the same venue, played to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the end of regulation time.

Rather than playing extra time, the organisers opted for penalties, much to the delight of the spectators, and the relief of the players who had fought relentlessly during a highly competitive showdown. Such was the competitiveness of the two schools that even the five mandatory penalties could not separate them, as they each missed a chance, leaving the game to be decided by sudden death.

Waramadong, clearly the crowd favourite, missed the first opportunity as goalkeeper Daniel English made a brilliant save, but Wismar/ Christianburg made no mistake beating the opposition’s goalkeeper to spark wild celebrations among their supporters.

It was a massive moment for the Linden lads, who only minutes prior to the final whistle were facing the prospects of relinquishing their title to the determined Waramadong ball weavers.

Trailing 2-3 with one minute of injury time remaining, Wismar/Christianburg got lucky when Shane Luckie, stationed in the box, latched on to a pass from the left flank and blasted it past Waramadong’s goalkeeper in the 91st minute to level the scores.

That goal, which ultimately forced the game into penalties, continued what was a see-saw battle throughout the game.

Last year’s final ended 5-2 in favour of Wismar/ Christianburg, and it seemed

like another convincing win was on the card when 2012’s Most Valuable Player Marmalaque Davidson blasted the Region Ten champions into the lead with a double in the space of seven minutes.

He breached the defence of the goalkeeper in the 12th and 19th minutes, before Wazir Bascombe produced the first of his brace in the 23rd minute to give Waramadong some hopes of a revival.

With a 2-1 scoreline, Wismar/Christianburg was the happier team at halftime, but moods changed in the second half, as Waramadong slammed home two unanswered goals with 18 minutes to game time.

Jesse Morris equalised in the 53rd minute, before Bascombe scored his second and 19th goal of the competition, to push Waramadong ahead in the 72nd minute.

With a 3-2 lead and the clock ticking, the Waramadong supporters were starting to dance in the stands, but it proved a premature celebration as Luckie found a lapse in defence and made good on his opportunity to level the scores and effectively end Waramadong chance at redemption.

Prior to the championship game, Covent Garden got the better of St George’s Secondary School 7-4 in a high-scoring third place playoff.

Esan Haynes was the star for Covent Garden, accounting for five goals in the 18th, 32nd, 36th, 60th and 64th minutes, while Kevin Agard and Matthew Clarke scored in the 21st and 68th minutes

Virgin “all aboard”...

The carnival atmosphere in the stadium has to be seen to be believed and we are planning a few special Virgin touches to ensure the party goes on long into the night, long after the game is over.”

CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League

Damien O’Donohoe added: “We are thrilled that Sir Richard and the team at Virgin are going to be involved with the League and Antigua Hawksbills this year. We have always said LCPL would be the party everyone wants to be at as we look to create a unique Caribbean experience both on and off the pitch. Virgin will add significantly to that experience and we are excited about the impact our partnership will have for LCPL across the world.”

Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and founder of the LCPL agreed.

“This is further good news for the League as it prepares for the first match on 30th July. It is fantastic to have Virgin involved. It is a great endorsement in terms of what we have created with LCPL and no one understands marketing better than Virgin, so we are delighted to be working with all the group companies in delivering some novel and creative ideas that will benefit the local fans and players.”

LCPL organisers say Virgin has much in store for fans, the details of which will be announced soon.

The inaugural Limacol CPL T20 tournaments bowls off on Tuesday in Barbados.

respectively.

Azuma Small led St George’s with a double in the 35th and 47th minutes, while Ozeal Small opened the scoring in the 14th minute and Adolph George added another in the 75th minute.

At the presentation ceremony which followed after the game, Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer Gregory Dean and the company’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James presented

the Wismar/Christianburg players and officials with the lien and championship trophies, as well as medals.

According to James, the champion school will also be given one million dollars to offset expenses for a project of its choice at the institution. In addition to the trophies and medals, the other three schools will also be pre-

sented with cash incentives for the same purpose.

Waramadong will receive $500,000; Covent Garden

$300,000 and St George’s $200,000. In order to access the funding, the schools will have to present a proposal to Digicel.

For his tournament-high 19 goals, Bascombe was fittingly named Most Valuable

Player.

The championship game brought the curtains down on the 2013 edition of the tournament, which attracted 147 schools from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. According to CEO Dean, Digicel will once again sponsor the competition next year, when the target would be 160 schools.

MVP Wazir Bascombe of Waramadong Secondary receives his prize from Digicel’s Marketing Executive, Jeana Butts

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam presents the runner-up trophy to the Waramadong Secondary lads

guyanatimesgy.com

Asaturday, july 27, 2013

By Avenash Ramzan

s the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) bowls off on Tuesday, Guyana Times will help to get you familiarised with the players on the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad. Over the last few days we featured members of the squad, sharing with you their profiles and achievements. Today we conclude our tidbits, with the focus shifting to off-spinning all-rounder Steven Jacobs and batsmen Lendl Simmons and Trevon Griffith.

Steven Anthony Jacobs

(Right-handed batsman; right-

Lendl Mark Platter Simmons

(Right-handed batsman; Right-arm medium; occassional

(Left-handed batsman)

Aformer West Indies Under-19 captain, Steven Anthony Jacobs is ideally suited for the T20 format, as he has shown with his tight off-spin for Guyana over the last three years.

With the new ball, the 24-year-old has proven to be extremely miserly in the Powerplay overs, sending down a record six maidens in regional T20 cricket.

An intelligent young cricketer, Jacobs can also provide impetus to the innings in the ‘death overs’ since he is a capable middle and lower-order batsman.

In fact, the right-hander started in youth cricket as a batting all-rounder, but found more success with the ball since graduating to the senior ranks.

Whatever the needs are, the dreadlocked Malteenoes Sports Club cricketer can serve the Guyana Amazon Warriors in more departments than one because he is also an athletic fielder.

Simmons is what you would call a utility player. An attacking right-handed batsman, the 28-year-old Trinidadian also offers gentle medium pace bowling, and can also be called upon to keep wicket, if required.

Having made his regional First Class debut in 2001-02, weeks before his 17th birthday, Simmons is highly experienced with 88 First-Class games, 110 List A and 66 domestic T20 matches under his belt.

Add eight Tests, 48 ODIs and 17 T20 Internationals and you will realise the value Simmons brings to the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise. In domestic T20s, he has stroked 11 half-centuries with the highest score being 83, while his highest score in T20 Internationals is 77. His best T20 bowling figures are 4-19.

Among Simmons’ 10 First-Class hundreds is a masterful 282 for West Indies A against England A in St Kitts in 2008, an indication of his adaptability to the various formats.

With meagre returns in the two T20s against Pakistan last weekend, Simmons would be determined to make amends in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, and once he does, supporters of the Guyana Amazon Warriors are surely in for a grand time.

One of two the Under-23 players in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ line-up, the 22-year-old Trevon Abashai Griffith is an aggressive left-handed opener and a former West Indies Under-19 player.

Griffith announced himself in 2009, emerging as the leading runscorer in the TCL Group Regional Under-19 tournament, scoring 406 runs with the highlight being a hundred against the Leeward Islands.

His potential caught the eyes of the West Indies Cricket Board, which drafted him in the Sagicor High Performance Centre to hone his skills.

Griffith made his regional debut in a List A game for Guyana in 2009, but has had limited success to date with just one halfcentury from three First-Class, 10 List A and 10 T20 games.

It’s a record Griffith would want to rectify when the Limacol Caribbean Premier League bowls off on Tuesday. There is no doubting his ability to destroy any bowling attack, and the Demerara Cricket Club player would surely want to use the LCPL to prove that fact.

Dilshan, Sangakkara secure series

An unbeaten century from Tillakaratne Dilshan and 91 from Kumar Sangakkara carried Sri Lanka to a series win over South Africa on Sunday with one match to play. The pair ensured the hosts achieved the highest successful run chase at Pallekele with six overs to spare to underline some of

South Africa’s most pressing issues as they attempt to rebuild their one-day side.

At first glance, it would seem the bowlers are to blame but South Africa’s middle-order are the real culprits in their defeat. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy shared a secondwicket stand of 101 to set a strong base for the team but

the batsmen who followed squandered the advantage.

From 118 for 1, South Africa were 238 all out, losing nine wickets for 120 runs. By contrast, Dilshan and Sangakkara shared a partnership of 184 - Sri Lanka’s highest against South Africa - to maintain their strong record at home against South Africa.

South Africa have only won two ODIs in Sri Lanka and their inability to adapt to conditions was exposed again. The absence of quality spinners and senior players to take responsibility in the batting line-up cost them dearly and they will now return to Colombo with only pride to play for.

South Africa began to make some amends for their failings with the bat and Hashim Amla’s return was central to that. Amla, who missed the first and third match with injury and could not bat in the second, recovered in time to form one half of South Africa’s fourth opening pair in as many matches.

While Quinton de Kock’s inexperience was exposed against Lasith Malinga, when he was yorked for 8, Amla had the Sri Lankan attack erring. The seamers continually offered him too much width and he pulled and cut at will.

Amla and JP Duminy, who has looked good with-

out producing results in the series so far, settled in and took the batting powerplay after 15 overs. That proved a tactical mistake. Sri Lanka’s slew of spinners limited run-scoring opportunities and only 22 were scored in the five-over period.

The pair succeeded in planting a platform but Amla did not stick around to help the launch from it. He was lbw to Dilshan, who went around the wicket to trap him on the back foot, and even a review could not save him.

AB de Villiers’ lean run continued as he was caught behind trying to paddlesweep. Faf du Plessis also did not contribute, offering a chance to Angelo Mathews in his follow-through and eventually being stumped.

Ajantha Mendis foxed the less-experienced players, who have not learnt to pick him. David Miller was bowled by the legbreak and Farhaan Behardien clipped him straight to short leg.

The fall of wickets forced Duminy to continue a quiet vigil and his strike rate remained in the 60s, until the last four overs, when he finally decided to launch against Malinga. Duminy managed to improvise, turning would-be yorkers into low full-tosses, but Malinga’s change of pace accounted for the tail.

Still, South Africa would have thought they had enough with 198 the previous-best successful chase in Pallekele. Their bowlers started well against a changed Sri Lankan top order - with Mahela Jayawardene replacing Upula Tharanga - as Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe extracted extra bounce and got movement, but ill-discipline infected them again. South Africa sent down 17 wides, taking

their series total to 58, and indicating an obvious problem with line.

Jayawardene was frustrated by the early squeeze and when he tried to steer Tsotsobe to third man, he was caught by a diving Amla at gully. That was the last success South Africa saw until it was too late. Dilshan showed a willingness to ride out the pressure and looked for singles with Sangakkara instead of going for big shots to thwart the bowlers. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa innings H Amla lbw b Dilshan 77

Q de Kock† b Malinga 8

JP Duminy b Mendis 97 AB de Villiers* c †Sangakkara b Dilshan 4

F du Plessis st †Sangakkara b Herath 23

D Miller b Mendis 1

F Behardien c Thirimanne b Mendis 0 R Peterson c †Sangakkara b Malinga 13

R Kleinveldt c Dilshan b Malinga 8

M Morkel lbw b Mendis 0 L Tsotsobe not out 3

Extras: (b4) 4

Total: (all out, 48.4 overs) 238

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-118, 3-126, 4-172, 5-173, 6-173, 7-191, 8-203, 9-205, 10-238

Bowling: L Malinga 9-0-523, A Mathews 7-1-31-0, A Mendis 9.4-0-51-4, N Perera

3-0-22-0, H Herath 10-038-1, T Dilshan 10-0-40-2

Sri Lanka innings T Dilshan not out 115 D Jayawardene c Amla b Tsotsobe 12 K Sangakkara† c Kleinveldt b Morkel 91 H Thirimanne not out 1

Extras: (lb2, w17, nb1) 20

Total: (2 wkts, 44 overs) 239 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-229 Bowling: M Morkel 10-162-1, L Tsotsobe 7-0-48-1, R Kleinveldt 8-0-33-0, R Peterson 8-0-46-0,

Trevon Abashai Griffith

Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 115 set up Sri Lanka’s eightwicket win in the fourth ODI against South Africa in Pallekele

monday, july 29, 2013

Guyana makes clean sweep of Caribbean squash titles

– GSA president Fernandes extremely proud

Guyana made a clean sweep of the team titles when the 31st Junior Caribbean Squash Championships concluded at the Cascadia Courts in Trinidad on Sunday.

Guyana Girls’ team won its eighth consecutive team title and the country won its ninth consecutive overall team title.

In the Girls’ team final, Rebecca Low went up against Alyssa Mullings, the Caribbean Under-15 champion. Low was no match for Mullings and went down in straight sets. In match two, Makeda Harding came up against Mira Handa. Harding had lost to Handa in the individual tournament three games to love, but on this occasion she was all fired up.

Harding won the first game before Handa took the second, with Guyanese taking the third. However, Handa dug deep and won the fourth and fifth games. With Harding leading nine points to eight, the victory was still within her grasp, but Handa won the next three points and the match 3-2.

Guyana Girls’ captain, Victoria Arjoon defeated Jessica Perkins 3-0. Gabby Fraser also defeated Michelle-Ann Denton 3-0.

It eventually came down to the Under-17 Girls’ to decide who would win the title and Guyanese Akeila Wiltshire blew out Ashley Lynch 3-0.

In the Boys’ team final, Ben Mekdeci, the best U-15 player at the tournament, comfortably disposed of Tahjia Lumley

Percival welcomes training camp for women’s squad for regional tournament

By Rajiv Bisnauth

in straight sets. Guyana’s Shomari Wiltshire then beat Adam Ardito 3-1. Further, Jean Claude Jeffrey won a hard-fought game against Caribbean Under-19 champion Ashante Smith, beating him 3-2 to secure the title for Guyana.

Guyanese Steven Xavier beat Julian Morrison 3-0 while his compatriot Nyron Joseph defeated Jake Mahfood 2-0.

Elation

In an invited comment after the victory, president of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA), David Fernandes, said he was extremely proud of the players’ performance.

“I’m extremely proud of the young players. Before every match we spoke of them giving 110 percent and they did just that. They never gave up, they did very well. It’s really an amazing and proud feeling,” Fernandes stated.

Fernandes said the success of the team did not come as a surprise since the players had put in a lot of training prior to the championship. He lauded the youngsters for their discipline and work ethic, noting that the Guyanese are “unmatched in the Caribbean” when it comes to those areas of their game.

While he heaped praises on all the players, Fernandes was particularly impressed with the performance of nine year-old Shomari Wiltshire, who placed third in the individual competition and won all his team matches.

The successful Guyanese are expected back home today.

Guyana Women’s coach Andre Percival said he hopes to use the five-week training camp to refine the technical and tactical skills of his players.

A squad of 14 and six reserve players were selected on Friday by the senior national selection panel of the Guyana Cricket Board, started the training camp on Saturday at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence at LBI.

The squad was selected

to participate in this year’s Senior Regional Women’s Cricket Tournament, slated for Grenada from August 5.

West Indies players June Ogle and Tremayne Smartt were named captain of the One-Day and T20 teams respectively.

“The purpose of this camp is to get the players together; we wanted to get the players together, so we could do remedial work on their game.”

“We will be looking at all the basics, batting, bowling

and fielding,” he said. “We need to examine each player’s game and work on the areas in which they need to improve,” added Percival.

“This camp is very important because the InterCounty tournament was affected by the weather, so the players did not get the amount of turf preparation. We hope to have at least some practice games, but it will depend on the weather” he said.

The team departs for Grenada on August 3.

Guyana: Tremayne Smartt (captain T20), Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Shamaine Campbelle, June Ogle (captain 50-overs), Katana Mentore, Haseena Mohamed, Joann Vansertima, Trishanie Cort, Leana Harris, Latoya Smith, Kavita Yadram, Akaze Thompson and Phaffiana Millington.

Standby: Mandy Mangru, Jacquelyn Singh, Tessa Park, Latoia Toney, Natasha Gangoo and Lashun Toussaint.

Andre Percival

David Fernandes

Ben Mekdeci

Victoria Arjoon

Shomari Wiltshire

Territorial Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Monte Lynch going through the paces with the female squad

Virgin “all aboard”

Bridgetown, Barbados - Organisers of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL)

T20 Tournament announced Virgin as a tournament partner for the inaugural event as well as a founding team sponsor for the Antigua Hawksbills franchise team.

Virgin, together with Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays and Virgin Media will support the competition which starts on Tuesday.

The partnership covers the league’s six competing franchises as well

as making Virgin Atlantic the official airline of the LCPL. Virgin’s efforts will also be very focused on the Antigua Hawksbills, coached by West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards, and offering a host of competitions and prizes to help raise the excitement level even further.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group said: “With cricket fever in full swing, I am delighted to announce Virgin as an official partner of the Antigua Hawksbills in this year’s new Limacol Caribbean

Premier League. Twenty20 cricket is always an exciting competition – but in the Caribbean it will surely be the greatest party in sport.? I’m looking forward to heading over to Antigua to watch the game against the Barbados Tridents on 13th August. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with Sir Viv and it will be one of the last chances to see the great Ricky Ponting bat, alongside some top West Indies talents like Marlon Samuels and Kieron Powell.

BUSTA, FRUTA named CPL beverages

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD - SM Jaleel & Company, headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago and distributed globally, have been confirmed as the official beverages provider for the event and the Official Partner for the Umpires and Referees.

Busta soft drinks and Fruta juices, as well as a variety of other SM Jaleel products, will be available at all matches throughout the tournament, providing refreshment and hydration for players, umpires and thirsty, excited cricket fans.

“As we embark on one of the most exciting and consummate forms of entertainment in the Caribbean, SM Jaleel & Company with our brands Busta and Fruta are proud to be the official soft drink beverages of the Limacol CPL T20 League,” said Anna Mohammed, Vice President Marketing of S.M. Jaleel & Co Ltd. “Busta has traditionally invested in cricket throughout the region and shares the

League will help develop the game of T20 as well as its players by providing an opportunity for identifying new talent and creating new West Indian Cricket stars on an international level.”

Mohammed expressed SM Jaleel’s vision of what the LCPL will accomplish both regionally and globally.

“We believe in the positive influence of the League and what it can bring to our region; that it will further augment our status as the world T20 Champions with many of the best players, while bringing the Caribbean people together in unity. Promoting this positive and exciting global identity for the Caribbean is something BUSTA and

FRUTA are proud to be a part of, and in that light we are thrilled to be on board as the official soft drinks of the Limacol CPL T20 League. We wish all teams and players the best of luck!”

Commenting on the partnership, Jamie Stewart Commercial Director and Consultant to the Limacol CPL said, “Players and spectators have to keep refreshed on and off the field as do the Umpires. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to welcome SM Jaleel and the Busta and Fruta brands to the Limacol CPL as the Umpires and Referees Partner and Official Beverage of the LCPL. Busta of course has a great heritage with cricket in the region and we are excited to have them on board, refreshing players and fans alike.”

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 Tournament begins on Tuesday in Barbados and concludes on August 24 in Trinidad & Tobago. (CPL)

Guyana Times Daily

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

GPH doctors suspended over maternal deaths

Categories

Editorial

Improving the quality of our homes

The mangrove project is one to be proud of

Irrelevancies should not take precedence in serious court matters

The petty thieves must be taken off the streets

Greater cooperation needed and the GDF must see the bigger picture

Traffic signs must be very noticeable

Hilarious!

Page Foundation

Parenting for success

power company

Foreign minister says Caribbean remains top priority for Canada

Rice shipment to Venezuela on track

Soft drink vendor shot during confrontation

Local rights groups condemn homophobic violence in Caribbean

Woman kissed, lashed during robbery

WHO urges regional countries to act against hepatitis virus

De mayor-fuh-life surface again

Man stabbed to neck in brawl with women

Renowned Muslim scholar for Eid-ul-Fitr programme CANU close to unravelling drug network at CJIA

Rose Hall store burglarised

Times Notebook

Tuberculosis – an old scourge emerging as one of the biggest health challenges of the next decade

Short-sightedness

Multi-drug resistant TB

Pope Francis holds final Brazil’s Mass Murder claim roils Chile’s campaign

DENTISTRY

FLOWERS

FOR SALE

YELLOW PAGES

PROPERTY FOR SALE

SERVICES

SPIRITUALITY

WANTED

Egypt’s Brotherhood stands ground after killings

Malians flock to vote in bid to rebuild broken nation

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Mid-East peace talks to resume in Washington

WI suffer second straight T20I defeat

SCOREBOARD

german sprint cyclist doping for ‘many years’

India saunter to series victory

'Kings' of schools football!

Wismar/Christianburg retain Digicel title with sudden death victory

Virgin “all aboard”...

Dilshan, Sangakkara secure series

SCOREBOARD

Guyana makes clean sweep of Caribbean squash titles

Percival welcomes training camp for women’s squad for regional tournament

Virgin “all aboard”

BUSTA, FRUTA named CPL beverages