admin

2024 Caribbean Schoolboys Championship expected to be biggest – says DoS Steve Ninvalle Aug 14, 2024 Sports Guyana Boxing Association President, Steve Ninvalle. Kaieteur Sports – With just two days remaining before the start of the 7th Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Boxing Tournament, excitement is building for the event set to take place at the National Gymnasium from August 16-18. This highly anticipated fight card aims to foster unity among CARICOM states, with Guyana, known for organising several youth competitions, once again providing a platform for young boxers to showcase their talents at a high level. As the host nation, Guyana is ready to defend its title, aiming to extend its unbeaten streak to eight consecutive championships. Meanwhile, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) remains confident in its ability to achieve this goal, emphasizing the tournament’s role in promoting regional unity for years to come. This year’s tournament will feature the participation of Suriname for the first time since its inception, joining other Caribbean nations like Trinidad and Tobago, who bring a strong team to challenge the reigning champions. St. Lucia, an emerging powerhouse in the sport, is also prepared to compete fiercely for the title. Additionally, teams from Antigua, Barbados, and Grenada will add to the competitive mix. GBA rolls off the 7th Edition of the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean School Boys’ and Girls’ fight card. GBA President, Steve Ninvalle, confirmed that Grenada’s ten-member team has already arrived in Guyana, while the host nation will field an impressive 28-member squad. The Barbadian contingent is expected to arrive today, with the remaining teams scheduled to land on Thursday and Friday. In a brief interview, Ninvalle highlighted the extensive work the association has done to support its mission of nurturing young talent, stating, “This tournament, more than any other, underscores the importance of investing in our future champions.” Guyana is expected to face tougher competition this year, with Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia bringing a diverse lineup of skilled fighters eager to impress local fans. “This tournament is set to be the biggest yet in terms of participating countries and athletes,” Ninvalle added. The championship is held in honour of Winfield Braithwaite, a distinguished retired Guyanese light-welterweight boxer who won gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. Braithwaite’s remarkable achievements include victories over top fighters from Australia, Ghana, Kenya, and Scotland, with a first-round knockout in the final. The action kicks off at 19:00hrs on opening night, following the march-past and opening ceremony. Related Similar Articles

Guyana Cricket Board lauds President Irfaan Ali on distribution of cricket kits Aug 14, 2024 Sports President of Guyana Irfaan Ali Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was loud in its praise for President Irfaan Ali’s initiative in procuring and distributing over 400 playing kits to young cricketers (male and female) from all across Guyana. The distribution was done at an impressive and well-attended ceremony on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC). That the event was graced with the presence of His Excellency, the Hon. Prime Minister, 6 Ministers of Government and a number of senior state functionaries clearly illustrated the importance the Government of Guyana (GoG) placed on this historic presentation. The ACCC was filled with an appreciative audience including parents and cricket coaches who gave thunderous applauses as President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Minister Charles Ramson and Minister Ashni Singh delivered speeches all of which were well received. The delight on the faces of the youngsters as they received their kits was evident and was matched only by the pride and joy displayed by their parents. In his feature address, President Irfaan Ali emphasized the importance which the GoG places on sports as a unifying medium in his One-Guyana vision. The President urged the youngsters to spend time on honing their skills at cricket, to give more of themselves in their quest for stardom and to adopt a disciplined approach at mastering the game at an early stage in their quest for cricket glory. As a passionate cricket fan and supporter, President Ali has once again led by example and in a tangible manner made an invaluable contribution to cricket driven by a desire to ensure that the game progresses on its upward trajectory consistent with the prodigious development taking place throughout Guyana. The President’s initiative has guaranteed that budding cricketers from across the country can continue to improve and develop their cricket skills. The GCB is particularly pleased with President Ali’s insistence and commitment to have cricket development taken to even the far reaches within Guyana’s 10 Regions. Already the GCB has seen a high level of cricket talent emerging from areas such as Moruca, Warapoka, Baracara and Great Troolie Island. The GCB would like to place on record its profound gratitude to President Irfaan Ali and the GoG on their continuing contribution to the progress and development of cricket particularly at the youth level. Related Similar Articles

Pakistan rewards javelin champion Nadeem with $359,000 for record-breaking throw at Paris Olympics Aug 14, 2024 Sports Pakistan’s javelin gold medalist, Arshad Nadeem, center, is greeted by Pakistani people and his villagers with flower garlands upon his arrival at Mian Channu, Khanewal district, of Pakistan, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer) ISLAMABAD (AP) — Olympic javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem received $359,000 from the Pakistani government on Tuesday as the country continued to celebrate his record-breaking throw at the Paris Games. Punjab’s chief minister Mariam Nawaz visited Nadeem’s house in a village in the Mian Channu district and presented him with a cheque for 100 million rupees ($359,000). Nawaz also handed him the keys to a new car which has a special registration number of “PAK 92.97” to commemorate Nadeem’s throw of 92.97 meters at Paris, which was an Olympic record. Nadeem’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt was also given 5 million rupees ($18,000). Last Thursday, Nadeem set off celebrations across Pakistan when his throw easily surpassed the previous Olympic mark of 90.57 set by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway in 2008. It was also well clear of India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo champion, who reached a season-best 89.45 for silver. “Arshad Nadeem has brought unprecedented happiness to the nation,” Nawaz said in a statement. Nadeem won Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 40 years, when the men’s field hockey team won at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Pakistan’s last medal of any color was a field hockey bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games. “The heights that parents’ prayers take a person to,” Nawaz said in her post on X, formerly known as Twitter, while sharing a picture with Nadeem and his mother Razia Parveen. Later Tuesday, Nadeem and his family were flown to Islamabad on a special flight from Multan to attend a reception being hosted by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif. Last Saturday, the Pakistani government issued a special postage stamp with an image of Nadeem with his javelin in his hand in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day, which will be celebrated on Wednesday. Related Similar Articles

Local boxers rearing to go as fight night looms Aug 14, 2024 Sports The action on Friday promises to be intense among the young fighters. Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Girls Boxing championships Kaieteur Sports – Seconds out…Coming up, round number one…BANG!! Several weeks of diligent training will culminate with raging fistic action when Guyana joins several other Caricom countries for championship honours in the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/girls boxing championships at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, commencing this Friday, August 16, and concluding Sunday 18. Boxing was introduced into the Junior Carifta Games in 1985 and four Guyanese boxers contested for honours; Earl Green (lightweight), the son of the late Dick ‘Tiger’ Green, and Michael Benjamin (featherweight) procured Gold medals at those games with middleweight pugilist, Terrence Munroe (silver), and bantamweight, Garfield Sam (bronze), completing the medal tally for Guyana. Ever since then, local pugilists have dominated the scene, retaining Guyana’s dominance at the Caribbean level. Despite dominating their Caribbean counterparts and officially attaining the tab as Caribbean Champions over the years, local coaches have left nothing to chance and have been taking their charges through their daily paces. The popular saying “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,” aptly describes the anxiety emanating from the Guyanese camp as the squad prepares for highly anticipated encounters when the first bell rings. The Guyanese boxers have been going through their paces under the watchful eyes of veteran coaches, Terrence Poole and Lennox Daniels. Both coaches have been exceptionally tough on their charges over the past several weeks, from as early as 05:00hrs, Monday to Friday, whipping their bodies into an acceptable shape. The applications of amateur boxing are vastly different in comparison with professional boxing. The term ‘Gong to Gong,’ or as the uninitiated would say, “start to finish,” is usually associated with amateur boxing, and the ‘third man’ usually ensures that the boxers ‘get it on.’ The coaches, both former boxers, understand this and will conduct or should that be, “have been conducting?” sessions with this in mind. This writer visited the training sessions at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Gym (ALBG) and was impressed at the application, and concentration to their training sessions. Mr. Poole has singled out a few of the boxers for special mention. Among them are Dreshawn Willery, in the U15 category, Aaron Sealey, a youngster who has twice clinched Best Boxer honours in previous high-profile tournaments and Ezekiel Bancroft, whose father Eon Bancroft (jnr) and grandfather, Eon Bancroft (snr), have both enjoyed productive tenures in the ring. Then there is Junior Madray, a former Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) silver medalist. Mr. Poole said that those are but a few of the boxers in the Guyanese lineup that are expected to keep the Golden Arrowhead flying high. This writer had engaged the coaches of several of the participating countries and they are all exuding similar confidence in the charges. The other participating countries, Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda are unable to match the numbers of their Guyanese counterpart. St Lucia with the largest contingent (13) is the most realistic threat to dethrone defending Champions, Guyana. Manager and President of the St Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA), David ‘Shakes’ Christopher is confident that the championship trophy will exchange hands this time around. Meanwhile, the overseas contingent will start trooping into Guyana from today, Wednesday and will be staying at the Britanny Hotel, William Street, Campbellville, while local boxers have already opened camp at the ALBG, Callendar Street, Albouystown. The opening ceremony and March past would be held at the National Gymnasium on Friday afternoon, two hours before the first bell at 19:00hrs. Guyana is the defending champion. Related Similar Articles

Inaugural Big Man Cricket-GY O50s Tournament commences this weekend Aug 14, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – Sponsored by Permaul Trading and Distribution along with Peter Lewis Asphalt & Construction Services, our O50s masters will take to the field this weekend to compete in 2 matches to kick start the 2024 Masters Cricket season. Jai Hind Jaguars will host the East Coast Aash Décor at the Jai Hind ground. Jai Hind has been bolstered with the addition of West Indies Masters’ players, Daniel Sadeo and Vejai Seonarine. They will also have the big hitter Ian Abel at their disposal. These matches will all commence at 12 noon sharp and will be 30 overs affairs. Everest O50s Masters will host the other Berbice team in the tournament, Ex Berbice Police Masters Former Guyana fast bowler Kevin Darlington will feature for the lawmen whilst Everest will also have 2 West Indies Masters’ players – Chanderpaul Singh and Basil Persaud. Other notable players in the Everest lineup are: Rohan Sarjoo, pacers Jermaine Neblett & Roderick Lovell, Anil Beharry and attorney-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin, MP. Essequibo Invaders will get going the following weekend playing host to North Soesdyke Masters. West Indies Masters player, Bhesham Seepersaud will feature for the Essequibians. All these teams are very competitive and should produce some very entertaining cricket. These masters’ tournaments are motivating our retired players to return to the game whilst getting fit at the same time and serving as role models for our youths. Related Similar Articles

One particular subsidy a total failure Aug 14, 2024 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column Kaieteur News – President Ali becomes unduly exercised when his government is called to book for failing to help Guyanese as they grapple with a horrendous cost of living crisis.  To put it melodically, there is nothing related to excellence that is heard or discerned about Excellency Ali when he bops and hops around for the right response.  He points to how much has been done, the consistency of the PPP Government’s kindness and care, and how poorly the PNC compares.  I could give a damn about what the PNC did or didn’t do.  The comrade leader should know that that is ancient history, a total irrelevancy, whether from he or the VP.  In American: the president should tell Guyanese what he has done for them lately.  President Ali may rave and rage, but his aid measures haven’t made that much of a difference.  For the edification of the leader who has lost his bearings and became overbearing in that operation, Guyanese are now less impressed with his sales and marketing skills, and much more focused on their highest priority. Putting it nicely, feeding themselves and family daily.  Respectfully, I am compelled to share with the president that one of his own hunger relief priorities has been an abject failure, part of the shams performed here. GHK Lall Fairness requires that I commend both President Ali and the PPP Government for the hands of financial assistance extended to suffering Guyanese.  But there is one subsidy that is not working, what is now a proven dud.  It is what makes the president looks like a, er, loser: akin to one backing the wrong horse.  It has to do with millions donated to farmers.  Fertilizers, cash, whatever other concessions doled out to farmers that eluded my attention, but for which there is nothing to show.  Nothing returned by farmers.  No reciprocity from farmers.  Not so much as some scant cent and jill relief from farmers.  To repeat, the facts of cost-of-living life speak their own bitter truths.  There is enough for all Guyana to parse through and conclude accordingly. The PPP Government helped lots of farmers in tangible terms, significant ways that reduced the pressures on their production processes and pockets.  It follows, therefore, that the prices for food items-greens, ground provisions, and all the stuff of the good earth-should reflect a steep decline due to all those subsidies grabbed and absorbed.  At the very least, food prices for the fruits of the soil should have stayed still.  They haven’t.  Somebody took President Ali (and his subsidies) for a ride; perhaps, they even tried to make a monkey’s uncle out of him.  Don’t look at me.  I am not a farmer, and I certainly have not been a beneficiary of any government subsidy.  Nor would I make my president into such a simian creature.  Cost of living reality is that week after week basic agricultural food items to be consumed by regular human beings have blown through the roof and keep soaring into the stratosphere.  It is the equivalent of taking someone’s money and then buying a whip to beat him over the head with it.  I feel sorry for President Ali, for it is his own people giving him a licking, making him look bad.  If I were a farmer, and most of them are of a particular persuasion, my priority would be to make my president look good.  See! Check at all the positives that came from his subsidies.  Housewives are cheerful, mothers and shoppers are giving the president a big, hearty cheer.  Just helping the PPP.  It’s who I am, proud of being a different kind of Guyanese. Finally, I struggle to suppress the thought that those farm subsidies (also a dirty phrase in America) were really a disguised advance to facilitate later political donations.  The world of Guyana operates that way, doesn’t it.  There is no free lunch, and the PPP is the king of that restaurant counter and cash register.  I will accept everything as being on the up and up with those subsidies, which prompts this humble recommendation to President Ali.  Since those farm subsidies have turned out to be such a poor cost of living (food availability, affordability, and security) investment, stop subsidizing the cheating suppliers and start buttressing the shorthanded demanders. How high will the farming man, the middleman, the party man, and the conman all pretending at sowing and reaping, raise wholesale prices?  The buyers will be better armed, thanks to the PPP Government’s version of dollars for the distressed.  Take away all those billions from sugar and give it to the people who produce ballots to work (really) and live proudly (honestly, too).  The sellers can go on senselessly charging at Guyanese like the Light Brigade.  Like the British one, they will have to grasp their saddlebags of perishables, reverse their journey, and find use for their food frauds.  It is the hallmark of wisdom to know when to discontinue what does Guyanese little good.  Yank subsidies, spank farmers, crank food shoppers. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Corruption is spreading like an uncontrollable cancer in Guyana Aug 14, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Some ministries run corruption-free operations while others are deeply embedded in corruption. Ministries under the stewardship of Dr. Vindyha Persaud (Social Security) and Anil Nandlall (Attorney General and Legal Affairs), among others, display intolerance for corruption. Dr. Vindyha is known to move hard against staff engaged in or attempted acts of dishonesty. It is said she prevails over her bosses that they (the corrupt) must go or else she would go. She is praised everywhere for her resilient and uncompromising stance on corruption and as a role model of good governance. That is the kind of incorruptible, honest leadership and determination a leader must exemplify to clean up on corruption. Mr. Nandlall is also praised everywhere in Guyana and the diaspora for his legal brilliance and running a corrupt-free ministry although many people feel he should go after the corrupt as then Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj did in Trinidad during the Panday administration. As AG, that is his job – evaporate corruption! That Dr. Vindyha and Mr. Nandlall, and a few others can run corrupt-free, clean ministries, the public asks why can’t other ministers or other government functionaries? In commenting on corruption, which is spreading like an uncontrollable cancer that is eating away at the fabric of the nation, there were many commendations, pats, and praises with remarks like, “long overdue”, “silent too long”, “timely”, and there were also several warnings: “Dem boys don’t like it and will come after you”; “Safety not assured”; “Just be careful”, among others. To their credit, no politician (government or opposition) called or wrote a response (negative or critical) although confidential sources reveal that they didn’t take too kindly to the recent articles attacking corruption of this government and the preceding coalition; a few politicians offered praises — “well done”, “thanks for your intervention”! Almost every government globally is saddled with corruption. There are few, if indeed any, truly corrupt free government, not even Singapore or the Nordic states (that display ideal form of governance). Some governments seriously address corruption and have been able to curtail it. The corrupt at times were charged or indicted and prosecuted, serving as a limited deterrent; China is known to execute corrupt officials. It is not known if any corruption accused was successfully brought to trial in Guyana. At any rate, to deny that there isn’t corruption is to bury heads in the sand. The VP admitted in multiple press conferences that the government has been cracking down on corruption. He issued multiple warnings against the corrupt. He stated that is the President’s role to address corruption. And as he admitted, evidence to convict the corrupt is hard to obtain and people are not willing to testify against accused; it is so in most countries. Many people in Guyana and the diaspora feel Dr. Vindyha and other corrupt-free Ministers and government functionaries should go on an anti-corruption crusade like Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj did in Trinidad (1996-2001). But they are fore-warned that Maharaj was fired from his job for speaking out against corruption and his boss Prime Minister Panday lost his job in the resulting action never to return to that exalted position. Maharaj also never returned as AG although he has become a champion of good governance and democracy and a thorn on bad government. He is among ‘the most revered’ and perhaps the most feared lawyer in the country; lawyers preferred not to go up against him and judges prefer not to have him appear in their court room for he rattled them and rarely lost a case on appeal at the Privy Council. Corruption is known to bring down government. It happened in Trinidad multiple times and in other Caribbean states. It also played a role in the downfall of both the PNC (APNU) and PPP. It is the Achilles Heel of the present government in the coming election as it was in 2011 and 2015. To be forewarned is to be fore-armed! Act against corruption; make examples of the corrupt! Yours Truly, Vishnu Bisram Related Similar Articles