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Canadian-based Guyanese Fabian Naiken donates GY$3M in gear to Albion Cricket Club, players  Sep 12, 2024 Sports Former Guyana/West Indies Test player Sewnarine Chattergoon (right) and Canadian-based Guyanese Fabian Naiken share a photo following the multi-million dollar donation made to the Albion Cricket Club. Kaieteur Sports – The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club and several of its youth cricketers recently received over G$3 million worth in cricket gear from Canadian-based Guyanese Fabian Naiken. Naiken, who played a key role in the development of Albion’s cricket in the 90s before migrating to Canada, made the presentation during the closing ceremony of the club’s 2024 Cricket Academy, of which he was a member of the coaching staff. In presenting the gear to the youngsters, Naiken emphasised on the importance of the three D’s and encouraged the young cricketers to continue to work hard on their game to be successful. He also disclosed that the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club is always close to his heart and that he will continue to assist the Club in whatever way he can. “I want to urge all of you young cricketers to continue to be disciplined, dedicated and determined; without the three D’s you cannot be successful. This Club has always been and will continue to be close to my heart and I will continue to assist in whatever way I can.” He expressed gratitude to the several former Albion cricketers who have also made financial contributions towards the procurement of the gear. “This gesture could not have been possible without the contributions of several former Albion cricketers and members. I want to say a special thank you to Safraz Samad, Adrian Permaul, Tariq Aziz, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Doonauth Lalbeharry, Zulfikar Rozan, Abid Ishmael, Dheeraj Arjune, Marvin Naiken, Kerwin Naiken, Gavin Nandu and Tony Hashram for their contributions. These are fellas who always have Albion’s cricket at heart. One of the Albion youngsters receiving their cricket bag from Fabian Naiken. Vice-President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, Karamchand Harripersaud thanked Naiken (who personally contributed over G$1.8M) and all others who contributed to making the gear available. He urged the young cricketers to take care and make full use of the equipment received. Harripersaud also assured that the gear received by the Club will undoubtedly enhance its cricket development programmes. Sahid Gajnabi, Daniel Johnson, Rovin Lalbehari and Damion Cecil each received a complete cricket kit, while Jeremy Gobin collected a wicket-keeping pad, a pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a helmet. Namit Manna collected a bat and a pair of gloves; Shiv Harripersaud, Naeem Khan, Liam Budhram, Nicholas Madramotoo and Kunal Bhopaul received one bat each; Afraz Budhoo and Ari-Afrizal Kadir were presented with a cricket bag and a pair of batting pad each; while and Kawal Aeaken was given a pair of batting gloves. Young Sumit Samaroo and Dinesh Samaroo of the Port Mourant Cricket Club and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club respectively, each received a complete cricket kit. Related Similar Articles

U19 Women’s champ Williams eyeing West Indies Women’s team Sep 12, 2024 Sports – Wants to be role model for other young Amerindian Women  Kaieteur Sports – National U19 star and reigning West Indies Regional Blaze T20 Champ Latoya Williams, is eying a spot in the Windies Women’s team in the near future with the aim of  one day inspiring other young Amerindian women to achieve their own goals. National U19/’West Indies Regional Blaze T20 Champ Latoya Williams wants to play cricket at the highest level while being a role-model for other young Amerindian women. Arguably one of the more multi-talented U19 athletes in Guyana, Williams was instrumental in Guyana’s win during this year’s T20 Blaze Cup after excellent showings with the bat and in the field. The all-rounder who is also a national junior football player for the Potaro Strikers, said she’s passing the time currently by maintaining her training while working as a teacher, adding that cricket has helped her to upkeep a healthy lifestyle. “Currently I’m a teacher at the moment. I already graduated from high school but Cricket has helped me become more disciplined in terms of training and health related aspects.” Williams explained while speaking on the positives which she has managed to extract from her time as a professional cricketer. The dynamic athlete who hails from Kartabo Point, a small village located on the Cayuni-Mazaruni River, said she’s currently in a great place as it relates to training, fitness and bettering her trade. “I’m from a small village near the Bartica area and here it doesn’t have a hard-ball cricket pitch, so it’s very difficult so I’ve been training by myself. Cricket has been shaping me to become a better individual. I’ve been working on some batting skills, in all I just train more and work on my skills consistently to ensure that happens. I’m also a national footballer so that helps me in my fitness areas as well,” Williams pointed out. Following her Women’s T20 title win, bigger plans are in works to further boost Women’s cricket in Guyana, especially in rural areas, according to His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali and by extension the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), who was recently challenged by the Head of State; to continue developing players from more untouched regions of Guyana. Speaking on what plans for the future could entail, Williams said she plans to continue putting in the work as a Cricketer with the support of the GCB, who has been on a mission to grow women’s cricket in Guyana, citing the West Indies Women’s team as her ultimate end goal. “My plans and goals are to make the West Indies team, while playing cricket at the highest level and hopefully inspire other young female players especially my fellow Amerindians to do the same,” she ended. (C. Ross) Related Similar Articles

Narcotics raises its head again, politicians mist keep their heads  Sep 12, 2024 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column Kaieteur News – An enormous drug bust in Region One has rippled through the news, and President Ali has rippled with fiery intensity.  His government will do everything that it can to“break the back” and “dismantle” criminal networks.  On paper, it has resounding appeal. Governments around the world that are far cleaner than President Ali’s PPP Government have said less and delivered more. GHK Lall This is the challenge for President Ali, the PPP Government, and all politicians in Guyana.  They have all had much to say in the past, and again today, about the narcotics plague.  The results have not been what I would call inspiring.  As narcotics registers its pervasive and powerful presence in the fabric of Guyanese society some more, its frightening head must be recognized.  At the same time, Guyanese politicians-the entire cohort of them-would do well to manage their minds and keeps their heads in the right place. A decade or more ago, the PPP Government rolled out its Drug Master Plans I and II.  The cobwebs overtook them soon enough on the shelves and cabinets in which those plans were consigned, lost to memory, and succumbed to the effects of atrophy.  As we all know too well, when a muscle or a body does not move for a long time, then stoppage and wreckage take over.  Very few masterminds, if any, were apprehended, almost nobody prosecuted during that period.  The occasional mules, yes, to keep up appearances; but masterminds, not a chance. The coalition came in for close to half a decade, and the alarmed cries of its own were heard.  Too much squeezing, too much policing, too much locking down of lucrative drug action.  Despite the squawks of pain, there were still some cracks through which the wily slipped.  Back came the PPP on a wave of euphoria in 2020 and drugs made a parallel comeback, but on the quiet and distant side.  Far away in Hamburg, Germany and Antwerp, Belgium, tons of cocaine had made their way past an array of scanners and systems and sentinels in Guyana.  These works of art are always breathtaking in scope, in audacity, and in the comprehensive nature of people controlled and the flows that are allowed to happen uninhibited.  Under the radar, for sure; but uninhibited.  Closer to home, there is Matthews Ridge, and over four tons of neatly packaged powered stuff. I just gave the sketchiest of outlines of where Guyana is with its drug trafficking, it being an increasingly notorious transshipment point for product bound for elsewhere.  It should suffice, even when I left out who got held up in the US, whose property was searched, and which officers of the law were questioned.  Through all this, from way back and again today, my advice to governments and leaders has been unchanging.  Be careful with the company kept.  In Guyanese patois, be sensible with whom bundles are tied, i.e., with whom business is done.  More pointedly, and going for the jugular, the ongoing counsel has been constant: be vigilant with whose money is accepted.  The latter is where there is open-ended exposure, where political leadership rhetoric runs into some raw sewage.  For when political parties take money from those with dubious records, or those with known reputations, then they risk compromising themselves.  In a nutshell, political donations and campaign financing are not a one-way street.  It is not free money, because there comes a time when payback is expected, demanded by circumstances. I attempt to put matters gently. In a country with porous campaign financing and political donor laws, anybody can give, and any political figure or group is free to take.  The big dealers give a big hand, probably the biggest.  Not saying no then means that there had better be preparation to look the other way later.  National governments are in a precarious place.  Depending on what they took before and from whom, they limit their freedom of action.  The more tens of millions that are taken, the more political indebtedness there is.  National governments are also usually privy to some high-level intelligence from authoritative foreign sources.  Who is a big-time trafficker, who is on the radar.  Like I said, those who favored with their generosity before, expect favors in their time of need.  Street executions can grow cold.  Extraditions developments stonewalled, as was the case up until recently.  It is the old practice of who has got whose back.  Those who delivered well in that role during elections anticipate reciprocation from the top when their names are called.  Recall that the bigger the contribution, the higher the reach. Politicians find themselves in a bind, none more than governing ones.  Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.  There is the US on the one hand (a helpful friend); and there are local friends (the generous ones) that must be protected.  The regular course of action settled for by ruling politicians is to make big, fat, sweet, speeches.  There are those who are all about respect for the rule of law and order.  Then there are those who are all sound and fury about knocking down, tearing apart, and rolling over drug networks and similar such enterprises.  A barren wilderness is what has followed relative to enforcement actions taken.  In sum, when politicians extend their hands, they already lose part of their heads.  Thus: they are stuck with rhetoric that fools none, delivers nothing.  We shall see what is different this time.  One last thing: the foreign owners of those drugs in Matthews Ridge don’t usually take developments like those sitting down.  No! That cost of doing business is not factored into their formulas.  Prices are extracted. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Norway should be shown the door Sep 12, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – Guyana should do no business ever with Norway. The mere possibility of re-entering a deal with Norway concerning our forests or carbon credits would be an affront to the dignity of Guyana. We ought to recall with precision and clarity the bitter experience of the last such arrangement—an exercise in the infantilization of a sovereign state, dressed up in the polite language of partnership. The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), initially heralded as a groundbreaking model of cooperation between a developing nation and an environmentally-conscious donor, has proven to be a Trojan horse, wheeled into our halls by none other than the former President Bharrat Jagdeo. For those who have forgotten, the arrangement was simple: Guyana, rich in forests but poor in cash, would keep its trees standing and Norway, rich in cash but poor in tropical trees, would pay us for the carbon we didn’t emit. It was a bargain that seemed to combine enlightened environmentalism with the promise of economic development. A match made in heaven, we were told. Except, the actual experience was nothing short of humiliating, a classic case of a colonial subject supplicating before its overlord, hat in hand, asking permission to use its own resources. The indignity reached its nadir in June of 2011 when Jagdeo himself, the architect of this grand scheme, was forced to admit that the flow of funds from Norway, which Guyana had ostensibly “earned,” had become a bureaucratic nightmare. Not only was the money slow to arrive—when it arrived at all—it was subject to a byzantine system of oversight, primarily at the hands of the World Bank. The funds managed by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), effectively stripped Guyana of its rightful control over funds it had supposedly earned. Jagdeo, normally poised and diplomatic, could barely contain his frustration. “This is our money,” he declared emphatically, “It’s not the World Bank’s money, it is not the IDB’s money.” Jagdeo’s outburst, while understandable, was years too late. By then, the defects of the  arrangement had already been exposed. The hypocrisy was staggering. Norway, with its booming oil industry, was paying Guyana to keep its forests standing, all the while contributing to global emissions at home. And the funds that were supposed to boost Guyana’s low-carbon trajectory? Tied up in endless red tape, delayed, and ultimately reduced to a trickle. What was sold as a new model of international cooperation quickly devolved into a humiliating reminder of the global pecking order. The sovereign state of Guyana found itself at the mercy of a handful of technocrats and faceless international institutions, while Norway sat on the sidelines, posturing as a benevolent benefactor. The Coalition government, which succeeded Jagdeo’s administration, fared no better. The funds remained elusive, and Norway’s position was clear: disbursements were not automatic. As if to remind us of our place in the world, Norway indicated that their generosity was contingent upon our compliance with a host of conditions. It was a relationship that had long ceased to be one of equals, if indeed it ever was. By the time the Coalition government took stock of the situation, it became abundantly clear that Norway’s promises were as hollow as the tropical trees they claimed to be protecting. It’s time we called this arrangement what it truly was: a thinly veiled exercise in neocolonialism. For years, Guyana has been treated as a laboratory for the whims of well-meaning environmentalists in the Global North—Norwegian officials who, despite their environmental credentials, have little understanding of the complexities of development in a country like ours. They offer grand promises of money in exchange for conservation, yet withhold the funds, tying them up in labyrinthine conditions that serve only to reinforce their control over our resources. The humiliation must end. Guyana is no longer a nation that needs to beg for scraps in exchange for keeping our forests intact. The global market for carbon credits is evolving, slowly but still evolving. Guyana now has more options than ever before for leveraging our natural resources, and it is high time we acted like it. The days of ceding control of our forests to foreign interests, whether they come dressed as colonial masters or well-meaning environmentalists, must end. Norway should be politely, but firmly, shown the door. They are no longer needed in Guyana. In fact, they never were. We must resist the temptation to see them as our environmental saviours; they are merely another actor in a long history of exploiters. Guyana’s future lies not in bowing to the whims of external powers, but in asserting its sovereignty and making deals that are in the best interests of its people. The Low Carbon Development Strategy, for all its noble intentions, has failed to deliver on its promises precisely because it was premised on the notion that Guyana needed Norway more than Norway needed Guyana. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we are serious about charting a low-carbon development path, let us do so on our own terms, without the paternalistic oversight of foreign donors. Let us manage our forests, our carbon credits, and our future in a way that benefits our people—not in a way that enriches consultants and satisfies the egos of bureaucrats in distant capitals. The time for begging is over. Guyana deserves better, and it’s time we acted like it. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Where are the ethical leaders in Guyana? Sep 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, You would have observed how the Hon Vice President, Jagdeo has focused on the real conflict of interest situation with respect to the leader of the AFC.  He must be commended for highlighting this fact. But he must understand he has stated his case and we have listened. What the reading public does not appreciate from the Hon. VP is this– he stated his case, Nigel Hughes responded but he just continues to drill the same thing over and over into the Guyanese head in a rather jarring manner, like we are dummies.  The very act of “gotee dhall” from the Vice President, every week against Nigel Hughes says a few things about his political intelligence and also about the fact that he does not trust the intelligence of the Guyanese people. Only someone who has a low self esteem and  lacks confidence in himself and his statements will behave in this manner. Chill out Mr. VP, we know what wrongs were done by all the players in connection with this oil business including your very own PPP members.  “Chillax” brother! United we stand, divided we fall. So, working people use your power and understand the key to freedom from this cost of living crisis in Guyana is that we all must refuse to support either of the rich men in this game – Jagdeo and Hughes, since for everything they give us, we must give back ten times more from our sweat to support their style of luxury. For the record, Guyanese know very well what is conflict of interest and do not need anyone to grind in their ears every week this nonsense about who is practicing conflict of interest and who is not.  We know who is on the payroll of the oil bosses, who have sold out Guyana and who got us here. They know the role Raphael Trotman played, David Granger played, Nigel Hughes is playing and yes the role Bharat Jagdeo is playing.  Move on now Mr. Vice President, your behaviour is borderline infantile and comes across as a nagging partner.  Just chill out brother Jagdeo.  We know what was done by the PNC on this oil contract. What Jagdeo must focus on is to tell us about the current corruption in his government and what he has done about it as the bossman.  Has he disciplined any of his political underlings for their abuse of their positions to enrich themselves and their sons?  In many of the cases, some of these “Jagabats” have moved from a situation where some of them could not pay their light bill in 2019 to a situation where today, they are all billionaires with several properties in New York City on a public servant’s salary.  This is what we the public want to hear from Mr. Jagdeo, how he is curbing the runaway corruption in Guyana today. Now if you go across the road and listen to Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandalal, on his “Issues in the News” commentary on conflict of interest, Mr. Nandlall was measured and he made sense. Why can’t Mr. Jagdeo make some sense? Those who did not hear the Attorney General’s programme, this is what the Hon. Mr. Nandlall said when he quoted an Oxford University interpretation of conflict of interest. Mr. Nandlall shared a perspective by a man named Richard Painter from a book labeled “Getting the Government America Deserves”.  In that article according to Mr. Nandlall, “regulating conflicts of interest in government is one of the aims of political ethics”.  Mr. Nandlall further quoted that “public officials are expected to put service to the public and their constituency ahead of their personal interest”. When in power, the PPP, AFC and PNC are extremely guilty of not meeting these simple benchmarks, so who calling “the pot black”?  All of them from Ramjattan, to Nagamootoo, to Jagdeo to Granger to Trotman to Hughes cut from the same cloth.  Behind closed doors, these men knocking glass and doing deals and treating the Guyanese people like fools. Where are the ethical leaders in Guyana? Take a Chill Pill VEEPs. Regards, John London Related Similar Articles

Candlelight vigil at Leonora Sep 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Guyana, at one stage, was chastised for being one of the leading nations globally for high suicide rate. In a 2014 report by the World Health Organization, Guyana was cited as a country with 44.2 suicides per 100,000 deaths, four times the global average. Some of the reasons mentioned associated with a domino effect, were identified with ‘poverty, pervasive stigma about mental illness, access to lethal chemicals, alcohol misuse, interpersonal violence, family dysfunction, domestic abuse and insufficient mental health resources as key factors.’ 70 % of the circumstances were located pervasively in the rural areas as a repercussion, primarily from, frustration leading to alcoholic consumption and the availability of too many rum shops, thus providing a relationship between alcohol and suicide. A 2010 Pan American Health Organization hinted that, “nearly 80 percent of Guyanese adolescents had their first drink before the age of 14, and some children try alcohol for the first time in elementary school.” For the period, January to August 2023, Guyana recorded 100 deaths aligned to suicide across the country. For the same period in 2024, there has been a major decline, showing a significant 60 % reduction. Minister of Health, the Honorable Dr. Frank Anthony, did make a distinction in observing that, “the absolute number to many other countries is relatively low, even so we believe that, that is high.” While this is heartening news, it is still sad to note that 40 loved ones are no longer with members of the bereaved families. Hanging and the use of pesticide are still attributes of this dilemma. During the days of when “Sugar was King,” there was a Welfare Center on each sugar plantation. The center facilitated many sports activities in particular for the young generation to indulge in. Cricket was the major highlight, along with football, table tennis, volleyball, darts and weight-lifting. There was the showing of free films on the weekends also. Sadly, society affording these entertaining and sports activities to attract the residents from the rural communities, disintegrated slowly with the prowess of the might of Burnham as he nationalized the industry to be followed by Granger closing many sugar factories. The call for Welfare Centers to be reestablished in rural societies fitted with sports programs, libraries and other social proliferation to absorb free time and relaxation, is not a call in vanity nor a voice in a vacuum. Too many youths, both male and female, are engaged in visiting bars and night clubs which are easily accessible in the middle of residential areas as a hide-out! At the said time, inadequate sports grounds also contribute to this stigma. Of note also, is the steady decline in attendance at religious institutions. There is an alarming correlation among these elements factored in the declension of society and deterioration in morality! Not to noticeably escape the observing eyes, is the less rigid enforcement of the law,  a deterrent in police proactiveness and lack of initiative from resourceful agencies. Guyana participated in the observation of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. The Region 3 organization, “Youths on the Rise,” was not to be left out as they held a simple but significant ceremony last Sunday at Leonora. A group of over 30 participants, dressed in yellow and black, gathered by the Market Turn and marched towards the popular Kowsilla’s Park, under police escort. They were enthusiastically vociferous as they shouted “Yes to Life, No to Suicide.” The program organized by young volunteers, lasted from 17:30 to 19:30 in the evening and included a display of banners, prayers from all the religious bodies, a minute of silence for the lost ones, relevant songs depicting life and a seminar with powerful speeches by Dr. Ravindra Seepersaud, Dr. Vishal Sarjoo, Dr. Omesh Balmacon and Ms. Budhoo. The message was clear, ‘the country’s wealth is the human capital,’ and, all efforts should be embarked upon by all agencies in order to sustain its preservation to properly utilize this resource. Suggestions emanating from the presenters included: Guyanese should be our Brother’s Keeper, make the difference by extending kindness, show empathy and sympathy, lend support by listening more and talking less and being there for a person when the need arises. As the event ended, candles were lit and placed in the ground in memory of those who gave up in life. Sasha, chairperson for the group, thanked all for showing solidarity by coming out, especially as the organization celebrated its 6th year in existence and service to humanity. Yours respectfully, Jai Lall. Related Similar Articles

An opposition of negatives Sep 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The Opposition and all its operatives are dogmatically naysayers, they are so stuck in time that they have me painstakingly looking for an area or project, in which they have supported the PPP/C Government. I have given up the search and have settled on the conclusion that we have an opposition that will put down everything The Government has put forward as a plan of action; it also tells me that they are prepared to put the country down also. It is wishful thinking that any positives will come from Opposition Quarters, as one opposition member made the bellicose statement,” The Opposition is there to vote down everything,” they are there to ensure that nothing government does succeeds. In his political blindness, he further said “The only time democracy was at work was when Ramotar was president, when everything he put forward, even his budget, was voted down. So, I responded by asking him the question, weren’t those programs voted down by The Opposition beneficial to the nation? He was bereft of an answer when I posited that question, but the blinding rage in that supporter propelled him on, he could not see any way forward only negatives and a firm gridlock. That control freak nature of theirs is present with us today, even if it means that our country be the sacrificial victim. And so, it has been ever since an uncompromising, incorrigible opposition who would rather sacrifice country for their own narrow political gains, is this the way a country should be governed? I think not, because it meant that we would have been stuck in time never to see progress or development, and for this selfsame reason the people of Guyana voted on the side of development and forward thinking in The 2020 Election. What the opposition needs to know is they are part of government, that is why we have a parliament where educated and fruitful discussions are held to bring forth valuable progressive ideas for the future. As such the opposition should take ample opportunity to support the government rather than being obstructionists, mired in backwardness. The Opposition can also be viewed as the government in waiting, therefore every opportunity that presents itself in the national interest should be supported, in normal language opposition should embark on a vigorous path of patriotism. But that support is woefully lacking, hence, the mistrust the people of this country have for them; simply put, we cannot trust them! They can go full speed ahead and destroy themselves, we could care less, but do not bring our country down with your foolishness. Lest I forget, the only area that The Opposition can claim that they supported the government was on the border issue, and that is because they had no choice. For them to have opposed the government’s stand on the border matter, that would be a reprehensible act. But Guyana has moved forward leaving them behind, The Opposition’s negatives will not, I repeat, I will not hinder the futuristic goals for our country, we will move this country forward irrespective of the negatives. Respectfully Submitted, Neil Adams Related Similar Articles