Page 2 - Not a Plane Crash Delmar Johnson

FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 129 | WWW.POINTVILLE.AG WANTED

Page 2 - Not a plane crash Delmar Johnson. See story on Page 3 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 2 Local News ABAA dispells plane crash rumors On Thursday, the country ever, that the supposed crash was alarmed by reports that was actually a simulation they may have been an air- exercise that had been car- plane crash at the V. C. Bird ried out by the Antigua and International Airport. Barbuda Airport Authority Social media was soon (ABAA). The ABBA car- abuzz with rumors of a crash ried out the exercise in order and photographs of a smoke to test the efficacy of the na- filled area near the airport tional response that would began to circulate online. be activated in the event of It was soon revealed, how- an aircraft emergency. According to the ABAA, opened some hours after for “The drill replicated an air- the resumption of regular craft accident of a 737 air- commercial operations.” craft caused by severe wind The ABAA explained that shear and a strong crosswind part of the drill utilized all as the plane approached the of Antigua and Barbuda’s V. C. Bird International emergency services, includ- for landing shortly before ing the EMS, Fire Services, mid-morning on Thursday. the Police, the Antigua and The airport was officially Barbuda Defence Force closed as a result and re- cont’d on pg 3 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 3 Jamaican national wanted A Jamaican national is being pur- custody. Anyone with information of sued by immigration officials after the whereabouts of the wanted man is running afoul of the law. asked to contact the Immigration En- The Immigration Department has forcement Unit at 464-3245 or 464- issued a wanted poster identifying 3141 or contact the nearest Police Delmar Johnson, 34, who escaped Station,” the wanted poster stated. from the department’s detention cen- The department is also advising the tre prior to being deported. public against assisting or harbouring Johnson is described as being dark Johnson. in complexion, approximately 5 feet The Immigration Department is 7 inches in height, of slim build and also warning persons that they should weighing approximately 150 lbs. not approach the wanted man. “The assistance of the general pub- Johnson was released from Her lic is being sought in locating the sub- Majesty’s Prison after being ordered ject. to leave the state when he escaped “Johnson is wanted after escaping from immigration officials.

cont’d from pg 2 and other relevant agencies that fall under the Nation- al Emergency Operations Centre. This call to action was signaled as an “activa- tion” protocol. The authority continued, “The Airport’s Emergency Centre was activated and provided overall management of the activity under the watchful eyes of the National Office of Disaster Services. Key agencies and years, and partial emergen- the critical departments of cy exercises in the interven- the entire airline community ing year, to ensure that any were engaged as a measure deficiencies found during of overall effectiveness in the full scale aerodrome dealing with an incident of emergency exercise have this magnitude.” been corrected.” The emergency drill was Director of Safety and Se- conducted as part of a re- curity Avery Henry said he quirement by the Interna- was satisfied with the - out tional Civil Aviation Orga- come of the drill. nization (ICAO). “I am very pleased we The requirement states were able to hold the exer- mediately to make improve- Services and its team led by that, “ Contracting States cise at this time since we ments in this critical area of Director Philmore Mullin must conduct a full scale are now able to assess our our emergency operations.” for the support and guidance emergency exercise at in- strengths and our weakness- Henry also thanked the they provided in the execu- tervals not exceeding two es so that we can move im- National Office of Disaster tion of the exercise. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 4 Local News

St. Paul primary schools receive supplies Students of Cobbs Cross demic. Primary, Liberta Primary He said that as a national and Bethel Seventh Day and community leader he Adventists have become is compelled to go the extra the latest beneficiaries of mile in order to help those school supplies from Mem- in need. ber of Parliament for St. The gifts to the Liberta Paul, E.P Chet Greene. Primary School were made Books, geometry sets, possible through a donation pencils and school bags from the Falmouth Harbour were among the items do- Marina. General Manager, nated on Wednesday morn- Robert ‘Bobby’ Reis said ing by Minister Greene and that as a corporate citizen his team. the company feels a re- Greene, who made a pre- sponsibility to give back to sentation to schools in the the community. area last week, indicated During the ceremony, that there had been addi- face masks were presented tional requests for assis- to each school by a repre- tance as many parents have sentative of the community been negatively impacted mask making initiative or- by the coronavirus pan- ganized by Greene. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 5 Barbuda’s secession request goes to Parliament A showdown is set to head of government as jus- shy away. national economic mix so take place when a resolu- tification for the Council’s “For Antigua and Barbu- that we can build infra- tion is introduced at the move. da to consider at this stage structure and provide ser- next sitting of Parliament Nedd said these and oth- the giveaway of one third vices throughout the coun- to address the Barbuda’s er incidents created a strain of its resources and to let try. The almost religious Council’s request to se- on the failing relationship it walk away is incompre- fervor by which Barbudans cede from Antigua. between Antigua and Bar- hensible, it’s unthinkable. associate with questions of The government is tak- buda. He further expressed So at this time the gov- the land is something that ing the unprecedented step the view that Barbuda was ernment’s position will be we note, but we are not go- of presenting the matter being used as a bread bas- well laid out in our pre- ing to be afraid of it. It is a to the Parliament after it ket for Antigua, which is sentations. The resolution matter of law that the lands received a letter from the evidenced by the use and would likely be a negative on Barbuda are vested in Barbuda Council request- abuse of the island’s re- resolution but nonethe- the crown; it’s incontest- ing that discussions com- sources without benefit to less everyone will have a able and we are going to mence on the separation of their people. chance to have their say,” go forward on that basis,” Antigua from Barbuda. The contentious issue he remarked. Nicholas declared. In the letter dated 31st will be introduced in the Nicholas told reporters The minister acknowl- August, 2020, Council Lower House, by way of a that Barbuda is important edged that the tone of the Secretary, Paul Nedd, in- resolution next Thursday. to the country as a whole discussions between the formed Cabinet Secretary, Information Minister, and there are no plans to islands could be improved Konata Lee, that the Coun- Melford Nicholas, said change that. and he expressed the hope cil wished to secede from the matter is not one from “The resources that are that this would be one of Antigua in order to deter- which the government will on Barbuda get into the the outcomes of the debate. mine a separate future for Barbuda and its people. The letter continued that this move had become necessary as a result of the Gaston Browne administration’s neglect of the Barbudan people which only intensified after the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Adding that the Coun- cil had no choice but to expose the mistreatment the Barbudan people have been subjected to, Nedd went on to cite the Barbu- da Land Act of 2007, the declaration by the prime minister that Barbudans are ‘squatters’ along with the ‘derogatory name calling’ of Barbudans by the FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 6 Local News PM congratulates Goddard on expansion Prime Minister Gaston Browne has offered his government’s congratulations to the Goddard Catering Group on the opening of its new multi-million dollar facility on the Sir George Walter Highway. In his remarks at the opening, Browne highlighted the company’s long history in Antigua and Barbuda having opened its doors in 1974. During this timeGoddard Catering has provided many opportunities for nationals. “Goddard Catering has offered training for our people Utilities Minister, Sir Robin Yearwood, Station Manager in catering and food prepa- GCG Antigua, Mario Colin- ration services. dres, PM Gaston Browne and “It is an international com- GCG Regional Manager, Pe- pany that is required to sat- dro Corbin isfy the required standards,” this was a hallmark of the Browne noted. company’s competence and The prime minister also competitiveness. congratulated the company Goddard Catering Group for diversifying its prod- opened its new state-of the- uct offerings adding that cont’d on pg 7 PM Browne and Mario Colindres formally cut the ribbon to the multi-million dollar facility FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 7 Home-porting under consideration At least one cruise com- posal as an economic op- fall ill with COVID-19, sengers to Antigua. Upon pany has initiated dia- portunity. facilities onshore will be arrival here, passengers logue with the government “It is an opportunity for made available to them will board the vessel. Simi- to establish layover or some onshore business to with the caveat that this larly crew will arrive to and home-porting arrangement get an economic lift. We are does not affect the coun- depart from the V. C. Bird in St. John’s. in the preliminary stages of try’s COVID-19 statistics. International Airport. In order to reduce costs to the discussion but we have These particulars, he said, The Cabinet revealed that the company, it is propos- to consider all the issues are now being fine tuned. the final decision on which ing that its crew layover in relative to that including This week’s post-Cabi- Caribbean port will receive St. John’s before heading the safety protocols specif- net Notes revealed that the home-port status will likely off on new cruises. ically related to COVID,” General Manager of the be determined by cost. Several ports in the Carib- he explained. Deepwater Harbour was The Cabinet warned bean have been approached Discussion was held on invited to the meeting to against a race to the bot- setting off competition be- crew members who may address the home-porting tom and has cautioned the tween regional ports for fa- test positive for Coronavi- proposal which at least one company’s general manag- vour with the company. rus. cruise line has made in its er to decide on the basis of Information Minister, Nicholas noted while the effort to reduce the cost of a defined policy set by the Melford Nicholas, says the crew is not expected to passengers flying its -pas Cabinet. government views the pro- come ashore, should they

PM Browne assists GCG Station Manager with unveiling the plaque cont’d from pg 6 in airline catering.. art complex in Antigua on The company also pro- Thursday. vides catering services for The $18 million invest- local events. ment is expected to provide Goddard Catering oper- a major fillip to the compa- ates in thirteen Caribbe- ny’s plans for diversifying an territories. Its Regional its operations. Manager is Pedro Corbin, The Goddard Catering who is based at the new fa- Group is primarily engaged cility. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 8 Local News Bench warrant against Asot Michael discharged The civil case against Member of pains for more than a week which Parliament for St. Peter, Asot Michael, eventually resulted in him being trans- was adjourned until September 21, ported by ambulance to the Mount St. 2020, when he appeared in court on John’s Medical Centre. Thursday morning. Subsequent to being treated at the Michael presented himself to the hospital, he also visited ophthalmol- court after a bench warrant was issued ogist, Dr. Ian Walwyn, last Friday to for his arrest by Chief Magistrate Jo- receive treatment for a ruptured blood anne Walsh because he failed to ap- vessel in his left eye. pear before the court on a civil matter. Member of Parliament for St. Peter, Asot Michael said he had been heavily se- Michael His appearance on Thursday result- dated during his illness resulting in his ed in the bench warrant being dis- neys have described the civil suit as inability to appear before the Court. charged. ‘outrageous’, the St. Peter MP ex- In the interest of preventing further Michael offered humble apologies plained that he had ‘absolutely no in- delays to the court, and in the interest to Chief Magistrate Walsh for failing tention of disrespecting the Court’ and of the swift execution of justice,Mi- to present himself to the court on Sep- was absent due to illness. chael instructed his attorneys request tember 9th. He continued that he had been suf- that the Court grant a continuance of Although Michael’s defense attor- fering low blood pressure and chest the matter in his absence. Governor General to spearhead Caribbean Wellness Day Governor General, Sir regular exercise, proper di- Rodney Williams, will etary habits and the aware- spearhead activities to mark ness of the factors that the observance of Caribbe- predispose to non-commu- an Wellness Day 2020 to- nicable diseases. morrow. The staff of the Office of In addition to Education the Governor General are and the preservation of His- active participants in the tory and Heritage, Health ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ and and Wellness are among the Caribbean Wellness Day ac- platforms to which Sir Rod- tivities. ney and Lady Williams have Meanwhile, Governor pledged their support. General Williams has com- Last month, Sir Rodney mended national sports launched the ‘Don’t Quit, icons Sir Richie Richardson Get Fit’ programme with the and Team Island Girls and support of the Halo Founda- the Non-Communicable tion. Disease (NCD) Unit in the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams This initiative is designed Ministry of Health and oth- Caribbean Wellness Day non-communicable diseases to sensitize the nation to er groups who are engaged was introduced by CAR- such as hypertension, dia- the importance of leading in the activities to mark the ICOM in 2007 in response betes mellitus and obesity in healthy lifestyles through annual occasion. to the high prevalence of the Caribbean. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 9 Sandals Antigua GM tours Wallings Nature Reserve Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa General Man- ager, Matthew Cornall, has taken his first official tour of the newly refurbished administrative building at the Wallings Nature Re- serve. The structural upgrades were made possible by a US$27,000 donation from the Sandals Foundation earlier this year. Work on the building of a deck, shed, electrical facility also boasts a wheel- cameras and a solar panel began in February and in- work, painting, tiling and chair-accessible bathroom, system. cluded the construction guttering. The improved four water tanks, security Information signs will also be installed along the surrounding hiking trails in order to highlight the area’s biodiversity. The Wallings Nature Re- serve project was under- taken as part of outreach intended to meet the objec- tives of the Sandals Foun- dation – community, education and the environment. Cornall’s tour was led by the reserve’s Executive Di- rector, Refica Attwood. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 10 Local News DPP won’t seek death penalty in Christian’s murder The Director of Public of the DPP and not the exec- Prosecution will not pursue utive. Greene also disclosed the death penalty against the that when he commented on people responsible for Nigel the issue earlier this week, Christian’s murder. he was unaware that the This assurance has been DPP had already moved to given to the United King- respond to the UK’s terms dom whose help is being for assistance. sought in the Christian ho- A look at DPP Arm- micide investigation. strong’s letter to UK author- This was a condition de- ities revealed that several manded by UK authorities factors were carefully con- if a request by Antigua and sidered before responding Barbuda for assistance from to the conditions outlined Scotland Yard with the in- by the British. vestigation of the murder of “In the event that a person the former Customs officer or persons is or are charged, was to be granted. persecuted and convicted for Nigel Christian Foreign Affairs Minister, the murder of the late cus- Although capital punish- capital punishment as that E.P Chet Greene, has now toms officer, Nigel Chris- ment has not been carried issue falls under the author- revealed that Director of tian, the Director of Public out since the early 1990s in ity of the judiciary. Public Prosecution, Antho- Prosecution will not at the Antigua and Barbuda, it re- He said until the people of ny Armstrong dispatched a start of the trial, during the mains an available penalty Antigua and Barbuda decide communiqué to London in trial or completion of the tri- for homicide under the laws in a referendum that they no which a commitment was al upon conviction seek the of the state. longer wish to have capi- given that his office would death penalty,” Armstrong’s This week, Foreign Affairs tal punishment as a penalty not pursue a death penalty said. Minister Greene confirmed for crimes against the State, case. The letter did not, howev- that the executive arm of he will continue to take the Greene made it clear that er, state that the death penal- government was unwilling position that this is a matter it was proper for the matter ty will be removed from the to meddle with the affairs of best left to under the pur- to be pursued by the Office books entirely. the judiciary with respect to view of the courts. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 11 Janice Sutherland to head local chapter of Caribbean Women in Leadership A national chapter of the regional organisation, Caribbean Women in Lead- ership (CIWiL) organization has been established. Following the recent election of a national executive on 8th September, CI- WiL announced on Thursday that the CIWiL Antigua and Barbuda National Chapter had been formed. Antigua and Barbuda is now home to the organisation’s fourth regional Na- tional Chapter. According to the organisation, “Ca- ribbean Women in Leadership (CI- Janice Sutherland WiL) is a non-partisan and independent while Independent Senator, Bakesha organisation, established to monitor Francis-James, was elected Vice Chair- Calisha Spencer and strengthen the work of increasing person. women’s leadership, decision-making The other elected executive members tional leadership joining women across and political participation in the region of the chapter include Marian Barbara our region. You have our solidarity and through advocacy, networking, research, Hesse, Merchant and Secretary/ Coor- support. Know that there are other wom- and capacity building.” dinator, Calisha Spencer,Treasurer and en just like you with very similar stories The local chapter is composed of An- award-winning entrepreneur, Chaneil all wanting better for our sisters across tiguan and Barbudan female leaders and Imhoff, Public Relations Officer. the region. I welcome you to this move- future leaders across several sectors in- In welcoming the executive to the re- ment of women.” cluding politics, business and non-gov- gional organization, CIWiL President Antigua and Barbuda now joins CI- ernmental organisations. Lady A. Anande Trotman-Joseph of- WiL members in St. Kitts and Nevis, the At the end of the elections, Digicel fered congratulations and encourage- Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Chief Executive Officer, author and life ment to the incoming executive. Trinidad and Tobago. coach, Janice Sutherland was named “Congratulations to all the sisters who The organisation has pledged its con- Chairperson of the National Chapter have stepped up to be part of Team An- tinued commitment to women leaders tigua and Barbuda. We commend and and aspiring women leaders as it works salute you on this journey of transforma- toward women’s equality in leadership throughout the region.

Chaneil Imhoff Bakesha Francis-James Marian Barbara Hesse FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 12 UWI Update Building named to honour UWI’s Sir Hilary Chancellor of The Univer- man pillars that reflect the Eu- sity of the West Indies (UWI), ropean legacy. The Usain Bolt President of Universities Ca- Sport Complex was conceived ribbean, and Chairman of the and designed to celebrate the CARICOM Reparations Com- blended beauty of Barbados’ mission, Professor Sir Hilary land and sea environments. Beckles, has been paid special Cave Hill now has a unique tribute by having the admin- multicultural built environ- istration building at the Cave ment that celebrates human Hill Campus named in his cultural diversity.The iconic honour. 3Ws Oval serves as the cen- The building now bears the justice and minority economic creating new and innovative trepiece of identity cohesion name Hilary McDonald Beck- enfranchisement, adding, “He programmes and facilities that with the Mandela Freedom les Administration Complex. is someone who thinks ahead enabled the campus to thrive. Park as an open invitation. The iconic four storey struc- of the times. His emphasis on These developments meant These structures were creat- ture was conceptualised by Sir reparatory justice is one exam- that the enrolment of the ed in order to radically improve Hilary, during his tenure as ple.” campus could move from the the pedagogical and educa- principal at Cave Hill to reflect Sir Hilary served the Cave 3,000 range to the 9,000 range tional capacity of the campus the architectural motif of the Hill Campus as the Universi- within the context of a scien- with new and innovative aca- Golden Stool of the Ashan- ty’s youngest appointed Per- tific system that monitored the demic programmes, and an ag- ti that serves as a symbol of sonal Professor, Head of the relationship between quanti- gressive postgraduate training cultural identity and the col- History Department, and Dean ty and quality. The academic and research culture. From the lective wisdom of elders and of the Faculty of Humanities quality management system Creative Arts to the Faculty of ancestors. Sir Hilary invited and Education before assum- at Cave Hill became highly Medicine, the School of Busi- the Asantehene, or King of the ing the office of Principal, respected by national and in- ness and Student Services, ac- Ashanti, Otumfuo Osei Tutu which he held for 13 years be- ternational experts. Working ademic disciplines and student II of Ghana to Barbados to lay tween 2002 and 2015. with the Owen Arthur Regime support systems were empow- the foundation plaque. He is a globally distin- he successfully negotiated the ered in this way. The building was opened in guished academic whose wide acquisition of 50 acres of addi- Sir Hilary, commenting on April 2010. ranging scholarship includes tional lands at the Lazaretto for the honour said, “My entire Principal, Professor, the gender research, an interna- expansion, reflecting the com- professional life has been ded- Most Honourable Eudine tional thought leader, transfor- mitment to the quality remit. icated to perfecting a contri- Barriteau, said the Cave Hill mational education administra- Sir Hilary has a deep inter- bution to the art and science campus community, and wider tor, United Nations Committee est in the identity issues of the of decolonization and nation UWI family, fully supported official, private sector director built environment. Never ac- building within the context of the honour given Sir Hilary’s of major corporations, and ex- cepting up front a design brief, institutional and public educa- more than forty years of contri- pert in sport history, science he worked closely with the tion. It has been by necessity a butions to the development of and practice. He holds Barba- best local architects to fulfill highly discursive experience, the university, and his current dos’ highest national honour, his passion by conceptualis- and therefore inevitably con- leadership of The UWI’s man- Commander Knight of St An- ing, sketching, and co-design- tentious. One’s head is always agement of the COVID-19 drew, in acknowledgment of ing the many iconic buildings buried in the work at hand, and pandemic. his distinguished service in the on the campus. These include: this expression of generosi- “It is entirely appropriate field of education, culture and the Errol Barrow Centre for ty from my peers gave cause for him to be saluted through sport. He also holds the second Creative Imagination building to lift it and smile. I feel very the naming of that building in highest national recognition that reflects the indigenous blessed by this recognition which decisions are made that from the Commonwealth of creole culture; the ‘China/ and accept it as a tribute to give the institution its direction Dominica, the Sisserou Award India’ building that hosts the all my very noble colleagues, and governance. He is some- of Honour. Confucius Institute, reflecting staff and students, who I know one renowned for his decisive During his tenure as prin- the regional Asian heritage; worked and are working very role and leadership qualities,” cipal of the Cave Hill Cam- the Administration Building, hard for the campus and uni- she said. Professor Barriteau pus, Sir Hilary transformed celebrating African culture; versity, enabling our collective also hailed Sir Hilary’s advo- the academic, funding and and the CLICO and Sagicor results to be viable, sustainable cacy work in the areas of social infrastructural environment, buildings with majestic Ro- and visible.” FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Local News PAGE 13 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 14 Opinion Internal strife making Guyana a continuing regional problem (The writer is Antigua and Barbu- a public statement, saying: “I am da’s Ambassador to the U.S. and the calling on every single member of the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at People’s National Congress Reform, the Institute of Commonwealth Stud- irrespective of your status, I am ies at the University of London and at saying that we cannot continue. This Massey College in the University of To- carnage must stop.” Similar strong ronto. The views expressed are entirely statements from the Opposition leader his own) in Parliament, Mr Joseph Harmon, and former President David Granger, would Once again, Guyana is causing be the responsible thing for them to do. regional and international worry Guyanese, who lived through following two sets of killings of young Guyana’s destructive and haunting men (two of African origin and two racial violence between 1962 and of Indian origin) that have sparked 1964, worry that a similar disaster the flames of communal violence and is being promoted, which could not threaten to engulf the country. be controlled or stopped without The facts of these killings are yet foreign military intervention. In unknown and unestablished. As this the 1962-64 period, Guyana was a By Sir Ronald Sanders commentary is being written, the Police British Colony and British troops are still in the process of investigating intervened. Nonetheless, the Commissions might be helpful, but as the crimes. What should be a period of considerable loss of life and property in South Africa and Northern Ireland, it national support to find the perpetrators wounded the country and scarred the is in Guyana that solutions to communal and deliver justice, has been misused to society. strife must be found. promote violence and civil disturbance. Addressing the present situation, In this, he should follow the lead Justice for the four persons who have Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, of a remarkable Guyanese – Mr. been killed is necessary, but justice assured the Guyanese people that his Gladstone Henry, the father of one of is not about assuming facts, acting government “will work to bring justice the murdered boys. Mr. Henry has lawlessly and exploiting emotional to every single person who has been publicly declared, “I am not supporting sentiment to further the ambitions of a affected in these circumstances”. He immoral protesting. As a family we few politicians. announced that he would be want justice (but) we as a nation cannot Following the first killings of the approaching the British Government be fighting each other”. African-Guyanese teenagers, Isaiah and the Caribbean Regional Security Therefore, consideration might be and Joel Henry, supporters of the System for help in investigating the given to the creation of a “One Guyana opposition, APNU-AFC, blocked killings. He should include a forensic Commission”, to explore practical main highways and confronted investigator in his request. An external steps that can be taken to cement Police. Hooligans took advantage of qualified investigator would help to Guyana’s one society. The work of the the protests to commit atrocities which give confidence to the thoroughness of Commission should be countrywide, included beatings. The following day, investigations. listening to the free contention of all two Indo-Guyanese were killed – one President Ali also said that he is voices, concerning ways in which of them a 17-year old, Hareshi Singh, “exploring the commissioning of an every Guyanese can honour the and the other Prettipaul Hargobon who International Commission of Inquiry to strands of their ancestral heritage while was beaten to death by a crowd. look at every aspect of this situation”. celebrating their uniquely blended Commendably, Volda Lawrence, However, he should also consider how, Guyanese civilization, with equal the Chairman of the People’s National as a nation, Guyana will, internally, opportunities for all. Congress Reform (PNCR), the main address the racial issue that has been An observation made by Joshua party in the opposition APNU, made exploited for so long. International cont’d on pg 15 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Opinion PAGE 15 cont’d from pg 14 Guyanese – of all races – have themselves of the very high quality Hyles in his book, ‘Guiana and the resided together for almost two of life that their recent oil and gas Shadows of Empire’ is compelling: centuries. In doing so, a Guyanese production offers. “Country studies of Guyana point civilization has been woven from In the past, violence in Guyana has led out that the country’s disparate ethnic strands that originated in other lands – to refugees, migration, and instability in groups have come to resemble one in India, Africa, Europe, China and in the region. Neither the countries of the another culturally and physically more Guyana itself. What has been created is Caribbean Community (CARICOM) than those of their (racial) countries of a unique blend that is Guyanese. nor the nations of the Americas would origin”. In other words, what Hyles Together, the two main groups in sit-by and watch Guyana descend into is saying is that a person of Indian or Guyana – people whose ancestors civil strife and violence now. Such a African origin living in Guyana often came from Africa and India – are development would have consequences exhibits more cultural and physical a formidable force. The British for them, and they will undoubtedly act similarities to a person of Indian or colonizers and plantation owners if circumstances demand it. African origin in Guyana than another knew that very well, which is why For the time being neighbouring Indian or African abroad. they employed the strategy of divide states will keep a watchful eye, hoping This is a truism for any Guyanese and rule; a strategy continued by self- that good sense will prevail among of Indian or African origin who has serving local politicians. In the words all the politicians in Guyana to calm travelled to India or Africa. Those, who of Lord Varys in the television series, emotions and maintain stability. have visited the lands of their ancestors, Game of Thrones: «He would see this Guyana must become part of the recognize that their visceral homeland country burn if he could be King of the solution to the region’s challenges, not is Guyana. The challenges of language ashes.» continually be part of its problems. of tribe, of cast, of culture set aside Guyanese should free themselves Responses and previous Guyanese, except Amerindians, from from the ‘race’ trap if they are to avoid commentaries: www. the distant lands of their ancestors. despoiling their country and robbing sirronaldsanders.com FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020

PAGE 16 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Regional News PAGE 17 Dominica cancels 2020 World Creole Music Festival (SKNnews) A decision has made to Miss Charles also said to the patrons cancel the top signature event of Dom- of the importance of the protocols es- inica, the World Creole Music Festival. tablished for COVID-19, she stated that The event, which was scheduled for they have to adhere to the protocols, October 23, 24 and 25, would have as a government, they cannot encour- been the 22nd edition of the event. age mass gathering activities till things The World Creole Music Festival come under control. saw a footfall of over 20,000 attend- Given the current world pandemic, ees in 2019, and the event has served an assessment was done of the status as a strong economic stimulant for the of the current source markets to include island. Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, The Honorable Denise Charles, the the World Creole Music Festival for St. Maarten, Antigua and by extension Minister for Tourism, International 2020. North America and Europe (France, Transport and Maritime Initiatives, of- The decision of cancelling the World England). ficially announced the cancellation of Creole Music Festival was extremely The analysis included the number of the event stating during an interview on important. COVID-19 active cases, border restric- August 28. The Dominica Festivals Committee tions and the overall ability of individ- She said that the country would have did thorough consultation with approx- uals to travel. loved to have the World Creole Music imately forty diverse stakeholders and It was concluded that there is uncer- Festival, but as these are challenging the members of the Dominica Festivals tainty as it relates to airline capacity and times and the health and safety of the Committee. All of them have played frequency and that new protocols for citizens is a priority and, the govern- a vital role in the implementation and travel and mass gatherings may hinder ment has taken the decision to cancel success of the festival over the years. the experience for patrons significantly. T&T Police advise: Report sour ‘sou sou’ incidents to police (LoopTT) Acting Depu- their payments until the cycle ty Commissioner of Police, is up. Jayson Forde is calling on However, an uprise in a members of all ‘blessings cir- new money sharing method cles’ and ill-advised ‘sou sou’ disguised as a sou sou has circles to report their experi- been noticed. Police, the ences to the police. Ministry of Finance and the A sou sou, traditionally, is Financial Intelligence Unit an agreement made among a have all come out imploring group of people where they citizens to stay away. all contribute equal amounts Speaking at the Trinidad if you enter and are aggrieved have come out, admitting of money either months or and Tobago Police Service’s and made a report it will that they were bamboozled in weekly, in an effort to save Weekly Media Briefing, be investigated and if per- their sou sou circles. money. At the beginning, DCP Forde said that despite sons are found culpable, then Some have even claimed each person is made aware of the uncertainty surround the we will take the necessary ac- that administrators of the cir- when their payment or ‘hand’ practice, the police will still tion within the ambits of the cles have gone missing, tak- will be made and they are try to be of service. law,” he said. ing the members’ money with expected to continue making “Like any other interaction Various social media users them. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 18 Regional News Guyana asks Britain, RSS to help probe killings; inquiry planned (Demerarawaves) President Irfaan Ali Wednesday night announced that Guyana has asked the United King- dom (UK) and the Caribbean Region- al Security System (RSS) to probe the killing of three youths over the past three days and violent unrest in West Coast Berbice that has resulted in severe injuries, robberies and damage to property. “In consultation with the Guyana Po- lice Force, I have engaged the mecha- nism in which I will be reaching out to the British Government and the RSS, which is the Regional Security System to come to Guyana in support of the President Irfaan Ali Guyana Police Force’s investigative means available to hold to account, all would be aimed at getting a compre- capacity,” he said. those who spread race hate and insti- hensive and holistic picture as to all the Autopsies on the mutilated bodies of gate racial strife,” the President said. events surrounding what took place. Isaiah and Joel Henry were conduct- The President said as part of efforts Dr. Ali said he was confident that the ed Wednesday and the bodies handed to bring to justice all those responsible Guyana Police Force and the Guyana over to the families for burial. Seven for the killings and associated events, Defence Force would restore order in people- including the owner of the he was considering holding a Com- keeping with all available resources, coconut estate at Cotton Tree village mission of Inquiry. laws, protocols and guidelines to en- where Henrys’ bodies were found, his “We need to understand who insti- sure the situation does not escalate. son, a handyman and coconut vendors- gated, what was instigated and as a The President promised “to bring jus- remained in custody. Attorney-at-Law result, I am exploring the commission- tice to every single person who has Nigel Hughes reportedly captured ing of an International Commission of been affected in these circumstances.” video and pictures of the autopsies to Inquiry (COI) to look at every aspect Hours after he blamed Leader of the provide to an international forensic in- of this situation, to look beyond what People’s National Congress Reform vestigator. The opposition A Partner- took place on the ground, to look at the (PNCR), David Granger and Opposi- ship for National Unity+Alliance For behaviours that came about as a result tion Leader Joseph Harmon for oppor- Change (APNU+AFC) has also called of statements made. The COI is im- tunistically using the brutal slayings for an impartial and professional probe portant for us to have a comprehensive of the Henrys to confront the illegiti- as it has no confidence in Crime Chief, understanding as to what took place,” mate People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Senior Superintendent Wendell Blan- he said. administration, the President flayed hum. “The events surrounding these hor- those who wanted to score political Dr. Ali also announced that he was rific and barbaric acts of murder and points from such tragic circumstances. mulling an international Commission the criminality that saw the loss of “The time has come for us to deal of Inquiry into the events surrounding property, that saw even the loss of with this issue very frontally. The time the killings and would ask the United lives, people being chopped, robbed has come for us to deal with it very se- Nations (UN) for help to possibly pun- and brutally assaulted, require a more riously and no one must believe that ish perpetrators or racial hostility. “I comprehensive and holistic review they can use situations like these for have asked the Attorney General and and as such, we need to get to the bot- any political gain. There is no gain Minister of Legal Affairs to explore, tom of this,” the President added. whether politically, socially, econom- within the United Nations system, all He said those planned three steps cont’d on pg 19 FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Regional News PAGE 19 Teachers must have ‘office hours’; some schools require students to wear uniforms online (BVI NEWS) In an effort to create a sound educa- tional structure during this online learning school year, teachers will be required to have consultation hours and some schools will require students to wear school uniforms during live online sessions. This is according to Chief Education Officer Connie George who recently said the Ministry of Education has been working to create an atmosphere for online students that will reflect the physical school environment. “A school day will run from 9 am to 2:30 pm, of course, with the lunch and the two children who would would resemble the usual schools the breaks in between as need extra attention or extra pre-COVID school morning To further assist with usual. So we want it to look help with special education pattern. conditioning the minds of exactly like it would have or extra the reading time,” “You need to have a good students, George said that looked if they were actual- the Chief Education Officer structure for the child at some schools have taken the ly getting up in the morning added. home. extra step of requesting their and going off to school,” Parents encouraged to cre- “The child must feel like students to wear uniforms she said. ate structure ‘I am going to school’. So during the online classes. “We are encouraging what To assist with the minis- they must be asked to get up “I know that some schools we are calling office hours try’s intended goal, George at a certain time, have their have encouraged children to for the teacher where at that is asking for parents to bath and their breakfast and put on their school uniforms time, they would be able to create a daily atmosphere get themselves ready.” so that when they open the zero in on the one child or within their household that Uniform wearing by some camera everybody is wearing their school uniforms. cont’d from pg 18 17-year old Haresh Singh was killed and That’s not mandated, but it ically, morally or culturally. There is no motorcycle burnt as he was heading to his does help the child to fall in gain that you can get out of this. The only farm aback Number Three Village, West line and recognise, ‘yes I am persons who lose are the families who are Coast Berbice. Later Wednesday after- really going to school’,” she suffering, the people who received and noon, 34-year old Chatterpaul Harripaul explained. who were inflicted with blows and loss of called Roy of Bath Settlement was beaten The 2020/2021 academic property and the country; the credibility to death after, according to police, he exit- year for local public schools and image of our country suffers greatly,” ed his car and fired his shotgun at a crowd is set to begin on September he said. of protesters about 60 metres away. 21. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 20 International AROUND THE WORLD Dozens of Amazon’s own products have been reported as dangerous (CNN) When firefighters arrived at Austin Parra’s home on January 12, 2017, they could see smoke and the charred remnants of an office chair outside. Parra, then 20, had been transported to the hospital. His mother explained to firefighters that her son’s chair caught on fire while he was sleeping, and he was burned as he carried the flaming chair outside. Anthony Dignoti, the Wethersfield, Connecticut, fire marshal in charge of investigating the incident, could see that the door and door frame were damaged by the fire as well. He noticed bowls strewn about, which he wrote in his official report had been filled with water in an attempt to extinguish the fire. But most interesting to Dignoti was a white USB cord. Part of the cord was hanging off the chair and still intact, but the other side was stuck to the seat and had melted into a bare wire, he said in The fire at Austin Parra’s home originated with an AmazonBasics USB cord, Fire Mar- his report and an interview with CNN. shal Anthony Dignoti determined. Dignoti ultimately concluded that the can create at a similar or higher quality 1,500 reviews, covering more than 70 fire originated with the cord Parra was and lower price point when compared to items, have described products explod- using to charge his cellphone. His report existing name brands -- a strategy also ing, catching on fire, smoking, melting, stated the cord experienced a short cir- employed by companies such as Costco causing electrical malfunctions or other- cuit, and while it was unclear why this and Target. wise posing risks, according to an anal- happened, “the heat produced by the A growing number of AmazonBasics ysis of AmazonBasics electronics and cord ignited the upholstery for the office products, which the company promotes appliances listed on its website. chair.” heavily on its site, have become best- The reviews identified represent a The cord had been branded with the sellers since the line’s inception, and small fraction of the overall purchas- name of the world’s largest online retail- many have ratings above four stars, ac- es of the products, and fires caused by er: Amazon. cording to Marketplace Pulse research. consumer electronics are not unique to It was sold by one of Amazon’s pop- In recent months, the online retailer’s Amazon branded items. User error can ular private label lines, AmazonBasics, sales have been soaring as millions of also be a factor, as can faulty or aging which offers budget-friendly products Americans have been staying at home wiring within a home or a defective de- including consumer electronics, house- -- and in many cases working remotely vice being used in conjunction with the hold appliances, home goods and office -- during the ongoing pandemic. product. accessories. But consumers have raised serious But when well-made and used proper- Launched in 2009, AmazonBasics has safety concerns about AmazonBasics ly by consumers, electronics like those grown to offer more than 5,000 products, items in complaints to government reg- sold under the AmazonBasics name according to the retailer. Its mission: ulators and in reviews posted on Ama- should rarely pose dangers, said electri- identifying everyday items that Amazon zon’s own website. Since 2016, at least cal engineers interviewed by CNN. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 International PAGE 21 AROUND THE WORLD Huge fire at Beirut port sows panic after last month’s blast (AP) A huge fire broke out at Beirut’s port Thursday, raising new panic among residents still struggling with the traumatic effects of the catastrophic explosion at the same site last month. Some sought safety in closed bathrooms or threw open their windows to guard against shattering glass in case of another blast; others piled into cars to flee the capital. Dark smoke and the smell of toxic fumes enveloped Beirut in the evening as army helicopters circled and sprayed water over the orange flames, helping firefighters on the ground. Black smoke rises from a fire at warehouses at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon yesterday. It was unclear what caused the blaze at the port, which non radio that the fire started blamed on decades of mis- shake. Living a flashback.” was decimated by the Aug. in a warehouse containing management and corruption Jennifer Moorehead, Save 4 explosion when nearly barrels of cooking oil and by an entrenched political the Children’s country di- 3,000 tons of ammonium ni- later spread to where tires class. Last month’s blast is rector in Lebanon, said the trate blew up, sending out a were piled. He added it was seen as the culmination of fire will inevitably bring shock wave that killed near- too early to say if it began as leaders unable to to manage back distressing memories ly 200 people and caused “the result of heat or some the country’s affairs or pro- to many Lebanese children widespread damage. other mistake.” tect its people. So far, au- who are still trying to recov- The Lebanese army said In a sign of the ever-wid- thorities have been unable er from last month’s blast. the fire started in the port’s ening gulf of distrust after to provide answers about “Children in Beirut have duty free zone amid con- the explosion, many Leba- the explosion, and there has experienced a terrible shock tainers of tires, oil and other nese accused politicians of been no accountability for and they need time to re- flammable materials. deliberately trying to de- it. cover; today’s fire and pan- Fabrizio Carboni, regional stroy evidence at the port For Dana Awad, a mother ic will only make things director for the International that led to the blast. Thurs- of two girls, the fire brought worse,” she said. Red Cross, tweeted that the day’s fire was the second back memories of the trem- Najat Saliba, a professor warehouse on fire is where mysterious blaze there this or that shook her Beirut specializing in atmospheric his organization stores thou- week, following a small fire neighborhood before the ex- chemistry at the American sands of food parcels and on Tuesday that also caused plosion. University of Beirut, tweet- oil, risking the serious dis- some panic but was quickly “We opened all windows ed warnings for the elder- ruption of humanitarian op- extinguished. and are in the corridor right ly and children to protect erations. Lebanon is gripped by an now,” Awad said as they themselves or even to leave Port director Bassem unprecedented economic sought safety in a hallway. the city if possible until the al-Qaisi told Voice of Leba- crisis and financial collapse, “I am still feeling the earth smoke cleared. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 22 International AROUND THE WORLD EU mulls legal action against UK over plan to break Brexit deal (Aljazeera) The United Kingdom and the European Union held emergency talks on Thursday over Prime Min- ister Boris Johnson’s plan to undercut parts of the Brexit divorce treaty, with Brussels exploring possible legal action against London. As the UK pushes ahead with its plan to act outside international law by breaching the divorce treaty, the EU ne- gotiators are trying to gauge how to deal with London. The EU said the UK must withdraw the planned law dealing with Northern Ireland trade by the end of the month Britons voted to leave the EU in a June 2016 referendum or face a legal fight even be- of the legal obligations con- try to push the bill into law the treaty breach or prepare fore the transition period fol- tained in the text - which the quickly, scheduling it for de- for a messy divorce. The UK lowing Britain’s EU depar- European Union will not be bate in Parliament starting on signed the treaty and formal- ture ends on December 31. shy in using,” Sefcovic said. Monday. ly left the EU in January, and “By putting forward this EU diplomats and officials “I made it perfectly clear to leaves the single market when bill, the UK has seriously had previously said the bloc Vice President Sefcovic that the status quo agreement ex- damaged trust between the could use the Withdrawal we would not be withdraw- pires at the end of this year. EU and the UK. It is now Agreement to take legal ac- ing this legislation,” Gove Sterling, which tends to fall up to the UK government to tion against the UK, though said. when Brexit hits a snag, has reestablish that trust,” Euro- there would be no resolution Sefcovic said the EU “does tumbled in recent days. The pean Commission Vice Pres- before the end-of-year dead- not accept the argument that currency was flat at $1.2999 ident Maros Sefcovic said, line for Britain’s full exit. the aim of the draft Bill is to on Thursday, but overnight using language that, by the The British government protect the Good Friday (Bel- implied volatility, an indi- EU’s diplomatic standards, says its planned law, put for- fast) Agreement. In fact, it is cator of investor jitters, rose was furious. ward on Wednesday, clarifies of the view that it does the 13 percent, its highest since He spoke after meeting ambiguities in the Withdraw- opposite.” March 26. Britain’s chief Brexit minis- al Agreement, and its main A note distributed by the Talks on a trade deal have ter, Michael Gove, at a hastily priority is the 1998 Northern EU executive to the 27 EU been stuck over state aid arranged meeting in London. Irish peace deal that ended member states said the With- rules and fishing. Without an Sefcovic said that if Brit- decades of violence. drawal Agreement gives agreement, nearly $1 trillion ain didn’t change course by Britain says its law is in- the bloc up to four years to in trade between the EU and the end of September, the EU tended to ensure there are launch a legal procedure the UK could be thrown into would take legal action. no barriers to trade between against the UK if it violates confusion at the beginning of “The Withdrawal Agree- Northern Ireland and the rest EU rules during a transition 2021, compounding the eco- ment contains a number of of the UK in the event that period this year. nomic impact of the corona- mechanisms and legal rem- there is no deal with the EU. Europe’s leaders have been virus pandemic. edies to address violations On Thursday, it said it would handed an ultimatum: accept cont’d on pg 23

FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 International PAGE 23 AROUND THE WORLD US revokes visas for 1,000 Chinese students deemed security risk (BBC) The US says it has revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers who are deemed to be a security risk. The move follows a proclamation by President Donald Trump in May aimed at Chinese nationals suspected of having ties to the military. He said some had stolen data and intellectual property. China has accused the US of racial discrimination. Nearly 370,000 students from China enrolled at US universities in 2018-19. A state department spokeswoman described those whose visas were revoked as “high-risk graduate students and re- adding that China reserved the right to still comes as a bombshell for nearly search scholars”. “further respond”. 370,000 Chinese nationals studying in She said they were a “small subset” of The proclamation of 29 May accused the US. the total number of Chinese students. China of engaging in a “wide-ranging Many of them have been anxious “We continue to welcome legitimate and heavily resourced campaign to ac- about US-China tensions, especially students and scholars from China who quire sensitive United States technolo- Washington’s increased scrutiny of Chi- do not further the Chinese Communist gies and intellectual property” and said nese students in America over technolo- Party’s goals of military dominance,” it was using some students “to operate as gy theft and economic espionage. the spokeswoman said. non-traditional collectors of intellectual US Assistant Secretary of State David The Chinese foreign ministry de- property”. Stilwell told me last month that, against nounced the move at a daily media brief- Some Chinese students in the US say Chinese nationals who concealed mili- ing in Beijing. they are facing increased hostility and tary ties and came to the US “masquer- “This is outright political persecution suspicion on university campuses, and ading” as students, “we have to defend and racial discrimination. It seriously vi- their reasons for studying being ques- ourselves”. The US authorities have in- olates the human rights of these Chinese tioned. dicted several Chinese nationals for visa students,” spokesman Zhao Lijian said, Though hardly unexpected, this move fraud and theft of trade secrets. But many Chinese students see Wash- cont’d from pg 22 US House of Representatives Speak- ington’s move as unreasonable, fearing The latest dispute centres on rules for er Nancy Pelosi said any move by the that they are being used as a pawn in the Northern Ireland, which shares a land UK that undermined the 1998 Irish escalating US-China competition. border with EU member Ireland. Un- peace agreement would ensure that a According to an online spreadsheet der the 1998 agreement, there must be potential United States-UK trade deal collecting self-reporting information no hard border in Ireland. would not pass the US Congress. from affected students, Washington’s To ensure that, the British-EU di- Former British leaders Theresa May scope of visa revocation appears to go vorce pact calls for Northern Ireland to and John Major scolded Johnson for beyond Chinese graduate students in continue to apply some EU rules. But considering an explicit, intentional advanced scientific fields, also targeting the UK’s new bill unveiled this week breach of international law. undergraduate students and those study- would assert the power to override “If we lose our reputation for hon- ing economics and finance. many of those EU rules, acknowledg- ouring the promises we make, we will Education used to be low-hanging ing that London would be violating in- have lost something beyond price that fruit for US-China co-operation but now ternational law by doing so. may never be regained,” Major said. it has turned into a new front in the bilat- eral conflict. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 24 LEISURE FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 LEISURE PAGE 25

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr. 19): There may be an important LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22.): Libra is the sign of the scales, project that requires your undivided attention. A passing so you are probably well equipped to weigh your options fancy might tempt you to play hooky when you should be and balance family with career. This isn’t a fortuitous time hard at work. Ignore the pull of transient desires and whims. to plunge headfirst into an enticing investment or an exciting new relationship. TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): It is not just about you, or SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You may dwell on the just about them. Cooperation can’t occur without a good challenges that lie ahead and think about ways to accomplish deal of give and take from both sides. Rather than debating your goals. The things that make you happy may not be the differences of opinion, find places where you share common things that you must embrace to obtain security now. ground. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Apply mind over matter. expectations within with the realm of possibility. If your You may have to enforce your boundaries if faced with dreams are impossibly grand, you could set yourself up for high-pressure sales tactics. Use logic and fact-gathering if a grand disappointment with love, money or possessions. you feel overwhelmed or pressured. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Persistence should pay CANCER (June 21-July 22): You could be so intent on off. It’s easy to lose track of your purpose if many people reaching out to obtain the better things in life that you forget and things clamor for your attention. Keep plugging away to take care of what you already have. Be especially kind despite time-consuming interruptions and you will make and considerate towards loved ones and thoughtful about headway. their needs. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Still waters run deep. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The importance of a project or Someone close may appear to have veiled secrets or hidden assignment may be blown out of proportion. Nevertheless, depths, but this is probably not the most auspicious time to you might still feel that your reputation is at stake. You may dive in and investigate them. Put your financial ambitions be willing to go to extreme lengths to accomplish something. on hold temporarily.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be decisive, cut any losses PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): You may be challenged to and move on. Keep your goals firmly in mind and it will be spend your money wisely. Family needs and home repairs easier to make an expedient decision. A romantic partner or could eat up some of your cash, leaving you unable to close friend may provide some sensible and canny input. pursue your fondest dreams. Focus on saving and wait for better timing. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 26 Sports News CPL All Star team announced Three members of the unbeaten The lead by Pollard also featured Trinbago Knight Riders were selected Glen Phillips Jamaica Tallawahs to be part of the 2020 Hero Caribbean wicket-keeper, Sunil Narine TKR, Premier League All Stars team which Shimron Hetmyer Guyana Amazon was announced on Wednesday. Warriors, Nicholas Pooran Guyana Only one player from the finalist, Amazon Warriors, Darren Bravo St. Lucia Zouks, was selected by the TKR, Mohammad Nabi, Jason Holder, commentary team of Tom Moody, Ian Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir and Mujeeb Bishop, Daren Ganga, Danny Morri- ur Rahman, Jamaica Tallawahs. son and Samuel Badree. St. Kitts Nevis Patriots and the 2019 Selectors also picked one Caribbe- Members of the Guyana Amazon champions, Barbados Tridents, have an and one overseas 12th man, Scoot Warriors, two players from the Jamai- been selected with TKR captain, Ki- Kuggelejin, St. Lucia Zouks and Kemo ca Tallawahs and one each from the eron Pollard, appointed captain. Paul, Guyana Amazon Warriors. Concacaf Qualifiers for 2022 FIFA World Cup early next year Concacaf has held discus- thirty national teams ex- sions with its member as- tremely difficult. sociations, FIFA and other Concacaf will now work stakeholders, as the confed- with FIFA to finalize a new eration continues to plan for schedule, beginning with the resumption of its com- the first round in March petitions across the region. 2021. Following those discussions, Concacaf and FIFA Simmons shines in 2020 CPL have jointly agreed that Trinidad Knight Riders’ opening bats- the Concacaf Qualifiers for man, Lendl Simmons, started slow in his the FIFA World Cup Qatar first three appearances in the 2020 Carib- 2022 will not be played in bean Premier League leading supporters the FIFA match windows of to call for him being dropped from the October or November 2020. team. Instead, they will begin with Since then, the experienced player who the first round in the FIFA has 71 CPL games under his belt, re- match window of March bounded in a major way leading his team 2021. to the 2020 CPL championship accumu- Many parts of the region Lendl Simmons lating the most runs, 356 runs at an aver- continue to have very chal- age of 39.55, scoring the most runs in the lenging public health situa- Scott Kuggelejin tournament. tions which was a key factor The right handed stylish batsman’s big- in the decision. Additional- gest achievement, however, was reach- ly, several countries across ing 2,432 runs to pass the ‘World Boss’, the confederation have trav- Chris Gayle’s 2,354 as the leading runs el restrictions and quaran- scorer in CPL history. tine requirements in place The leading bowler in the tournament which would make inter- was St. Lucia Zouks Scott Kuggelejin national football involving with 17 scalps at an economy rate of 7.78. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Sports News PAGE 27 No Narine? No Problem! Lendl Simmons and Dar- the fence, and at halfway the ren Bravo ensured Trinbago Knight Riders were 59/2 and Knight Riders completed the needed 96 more to win. first perfect season in -fran Sammy brought himself on chise T20 history with an un- and bowled five good deliv- broken partnership of 138 off eries, but Bravo smashed the 88 balls, the highest of Hero sixth for a Hero Maximum, Caribbean Premier League and Simmons pulled Wil- (CPL) 2020 and the highest liams for a six then cut him ever in a final. for four, becoming Hero CPL The St. Lucia Zouks put up 2020’s leading run-scorer what seemed a competitive and bringing up his 50 off total, but ultimately a loss of over, which went for 10, but jibullah failed to clear Raza just 31 balls. Bravo though 7/39 off the last 32 balls of Fletcher’s assault ended as at deep backward square continued to struggle against their innings cost them dear- he aimed Pollard down the off another cutter. Kesrick Chase who closed out a su- ly against this history-mak- ground but found only Dar- Williams was run out, Ali perb spell. ing Knight Riders squad. ren Bravo at long-off. Na- Khan bowled Zahir Khan After 13 overs, Bravo was Rakheem Cornwall swept jibullah Zadran slashed his with a perfect yorker, and the just 23 off 32 balls, and the Akeal Hosein for four but first ball for four, and the Knight Riders had bowled Knight Riders needed almost was lucky to edge over DJ over went for seven to leave the Zouks out for a decent 10 an over, but he eased both Bravo at slip. Knight Riders the Zouks in need of a part- rather than dominant total. of those equations somewhat captain Kieron Pollard gave nership at 79/3 off 12 overs. Simmons pulled Scott with two Hero Maximums the second over to Ali Khan, While Chase slog-swept Kuggeleijn for four first off Glenn. Williams’s third and Ali responded by flatten- the last ball of Pierre’s over ball of the chase, becoming over went for nine thanks to ing Cornwall’s middle stump. for a Hero Maximum, he Hero CPL’s all-time leading two wides and a loose short Andre Fletcher clipped fine and Mohammad Nabi fell run-scorer in doing so. Web- ball, and the Knight Riders for four, the Zouks thus clos- within four balls, the former ster swept Nabi for four but entered the last five overs ing the second over at 16/1. chipping a Pollard cutter to then top-edged off Chase, needing 45 with eight wick- Mark Deyal slog-swept deep-mid on and the latter Williams taking a fine catch. ets still in hand. Hosein for two fours, and clubbing Fawad to long-off. After three overs, the Knight Kuggeleijn managed to go Fletcher was aggressive Zouks captain Daren Sammy Riders were 14/1. for just four off the 16th de- against Sikandar Raza, tak- smashed his second ball for a Tim Seifert got off the spite starting with a wide, but ing him over cover and long- Hero Maximum, and after 15 mark with a four off Kugge- Simmons targeted Zahir, tak- on for Hero Maximums then overs the Zouks were 123/5. leijn, but fell edging behind ing him for four off the first cutting for four. Khary Pierre Despite a Najibullah four, the next ball. and six off the second. Bravo went for just five, but Fletch- Ali’s return over went for Darren Bravo also got added two big Hero Maxi- er twice smoked Ali through just six, and Sammy should off the mark with a bound- mums, the second bringing cover for four and the Zouks have fallen to Hosein but Ali ary, a glorious lofted Hero up his 50 off 45 balls. Sud- motored to 60/1 off the Pow- badly misjudged the catch. Maximum over long-on off denly, the Knight Riders erplay. Najibullah flicked Hosein Chase, and Simmons took needed just 18. Deyal lofted Pierre over for a delightful Hero Maxi- fours straight, fine down the Simmons was not going to cover for four and launched mum over cover, but Hosein leg side and backward of hang around now, walloping Pollard for six, but struggled recovered to dismiss Sammy point off Williams’ first over Kuggeleijn for a Hero Max- to combat Fawad Ahmed’s LBW. After 17 overs, the to close the Powerplay with imum over midwicket then googly and edged to DJ Bra- Zouks were 138/6. the Knight Riders 40/2. clubbing him over cover and vo at slip. Hosein returned DJ Bravo was unable to Chase and Nabi put the slicing him through third with a tight over, and at half- bowl, and so Pollard had to pressure on, going for just man for two fours. The win- way the Knight Riders had step up at the death and did five between them, and Sim- ning runs came off an inside slowed the Zouks to 79/2. so admirably, picking up two mons and Bravo both strug- edge, but there was now no Roston Chase clipped wickets with his off-cutter. gled against Zahir. When denying the Knight Riders’ through midwicket for four First Javelle Glenn looped Simmons did take on the big domination of Hero CPL early in Fawad’s second to backward point, then Na- shot though he nailed it over 2020. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 SKNFA approves payments to clubs The SKNFA Executive sure that the football leagues Committee has approved an are able to resume in a safe immediate cash payment of environment for everyone. EC$574,000.00 to its mem- An application to restart the ber clubs ahead of the re- leagues in September along start of the 2019-2020 foot- with a comprehensive plan ball season. Under the Plan, following strict COVID-19 all Premier Division Clubs safety protocols has been are eligible for a maximum submitted to the COVID-19 amount of EC$40,000.00 Task Force for approval. and Division One Clubs The payment to the clubs a maximum amount of followed disbursement by of sanitation supplies and LIEF GRANT Regulations. EC$35,000.00, provided FIFA of the first tranche of equipment to combat the FIFA has advised that the that they meet key Club Li- US$500,000.00 COVID-19 spread of COVID-19, (D) standard obligations and re- censing Criteria milestones Relief Plan Funds to its the cost of testing, (e) urgent sponsibilities in relation to for 2019-2020 season. The 211 Member Associations. repairs to Warner Park Sta- the use of COVID-19 Relief clubs are eligible for a sec- The amount allocated to the dium and others. funds as outlined in the sup- ond tranche of financial clubs means that 42 % of the While FIFA is cognizant porting Regulations remain assistance in January 2021 FIFA COVID-19 RELIEF of the fact that the global fully applicable and will be following submission of re- PLAN funds will be invest- pandemic would have af- subject to the standard audit port on the use of the funds ed directly in the clubs for fected every member as- and reporting process. in the first tranche in keep- their development. sociation differently, it is In August this year, the ing with the supporting reg- The remaining 58 % will important that those associ- SKNFA distributed to the ulations. be invested in the SKNFA’s ations with the least impact clubs over EC$100,000.00 The SKNFA football efforts to restart football, from COVID-19 invest the worth of COVID-19 safety leagues have been under which will positively im- funds in the development of supplies and equipment to suspension since the end of pact the clubs indirectly and football. support the clubs in their re- March 2020 due to the glob- the overall development of It is in this regard, that turn to training. al pandemic. With the easing football in St. Kitts and Nev- the SKNFA encourages its The COVID-19 Relief of restrictions on sporting is; specifically in the areas clubs utilize the funds in Grant to the clubs is possi- activities, which now allows of (a) assistance to national development of the clubs ble as a result of FIFA and competitions, the SKNFA is team players, (b) stadium and to meet their financial the SKNFA commitment to working assiduously to en- sanitization, (c) purchase and operational obligations. protect the gains made in Specifically, the funds are to football development over be used in accordance with the years from the negative the SKNFA COVID-19 RE- impact of the global pandemic, so that football will Editor : Everton Barnes, Published by Pointville Communications, Lower North Street, St. John’s, Antigua Tel:-1- 268-562 4989, Editor: [email protected] emerge even stronger post Advertisement: [email protected], Reporting: [email protected] COVID-19.