Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-02-2026

Fiscal discipline, diversification and lower taxes are future-proofing economy – President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali arrived in Belize for a three-day State Visit on Sunday and was welcomed by the country’s Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology of Belize, Francis Fonseca and other dignitaries. Accompanying President Ali are Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana, Hugh Todd and a delegation of investors and business leaders. During the visit, the Guyanese leader will be the guest speaker at a Special Sitting of Parliament and will engage in high-level discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries (OP photos)

Govt MPs to defend 2026 fiscal plan as budget debate begins today PM Phillips, Ambassador Yang: Guyana-China partnership remains strong, enduring Budget 2026 measures put people first, paves way for incremental development - Minister McCoy

* Completion and advancement of major highway and road corridors, including the Railway Embankment four-lane highway to Mahaica and onward to D’Edward, Ogle–Eccles to Providence and Diamond, Heroes Highway to Land of Canaan, Soesdyke–Linden Highway, and Linden–Mabura–Kurupukari–Palmyra to Moleson Creek four-lane highway, with $196.1 billion allocated for roads and bridges in 2026.

* Construction of new strategic bridges, including new bridges at Berbice and Kurupukari, completion of the Wismar Bridge and preparatory work towards the Corentyne River Bridge, supported by a $12.2 billion allocation for bridges in 2026.

* Massive expansion and modernisation of the national electricity system through the Gas-to-Energy project (Phase I, 300 MW targeted by end-2026, and preparatory work for Phase II), $66.2 billion for transmission and distribution upgrades, $6 billion for renewable energy (solar farms and mini-grids), and a total $119.4 billion for the energy strategy in 2026.

* Large-scale investments in air transport infrastructure, including a new 150,000 square foot arrivals terminal at CJIA, construction of two new municipal airports at Rose Hall/Canje and Lethem, and $4 billion to complete and commence works on multiple hinterland airstrips in 2026.

* Major upgrading of river transport and port facilities, including new port facilities at Charity, Parika and Port Kaituma, the New Parika Ferry Stelling and waterfront development ($2.2 billion in 2026), and $6.3 billion for capital dredging at the mouth of the Demerara River to accommodate larger vessels and improve shipping efficiency.

* Continued strengthening of sea and river defences, with works to commence in several vulnerable coastal areas such as Belladrum, Cane Garden, Cullen and La Jalousie, supported by an $11.3 billion allocation in 2026 for development and reinforcement of sea defences. A Closer Look at Budget 2026 Strategic Infrastructural Advancement:

Govt MPs to defend 2026 fiscal plan as budget debate begins today

THE highly anticipated debate on Guyana’s 2026 National Budget will begin today in the National Assembly, marking the formal start of parliamentary scrutiny of the country’s largest fiscal package to date.

The debate will open with opposition Members of Parliament Dr Andre Lewis and Vinceroy Jordan, setting the tone for what is expected to be an intense and closely watched exchange between those occupying the government and opposition benches.

Ahead of the opening, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, cautioned the public against what he described as a growing “misinformation machinery” surrounding the budget. He urged

citizens to separate facts from politically driven narratives as the parliamentary process unfolds.

McCoy also warned that organised efforts to distort the budget’s content and intent are already underway, stressing that while robust criticism is a normal feature of democratic debate, deliberate misinformation risks misleading the public and undermining meaningful national discourse.

“We are in the midst of a situation where people are out with their machinery that provides rapid disinformation and misinformation to our people. You have to be able to decipher what is truth, what are facts, and what is intended to be mischief. There will be a lot of noise,” he emphasised.

According to the approved speakers’ list, government Members of Parliament scheduled to speak on day one include Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill; Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud; Education Minister Sonia Parag; Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs; Mischka

White-Griffith; Lennox Shuman; Bhagmattie Veerasammy, Dr Jennifer Westford and Seepaul Narine.

The opposition speakers include Natasha Singh, Dr Gordon Barker, Coretta McDonald, Deon La Cruz and Nima Flue-Bess.

Minister McCoy said while criticism from the opposition is expected, the key question is whether meaningful, solutions-oriented arguments will be brought to the table.

“Perhaps people say that’s what opposition does,” he said. “But can they get down to real, nitty-gritty, sensible arguments that enhance what exists, rather than distract from what the government is trying to do for the people of this

country?”

McCoy said the government is fully prepared to defend Budget 2026 and the programmes and initiatives contained within it.

He used the opportunity to emphasise that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) policies have already improved lives and will continue to do so.

The country’s $1.558 trillion budget has been characterised by the government as “a journey of continuation,” building on policies introduced since the PPP/C returned to office in 2020.

During an examination of the fiscal package, President, Dr Irfaan Ali last week highlighted that the

budget deliberately absorbs billions of dollars in inflationary pressure shocks, sparing households and businesses from the full impact of global price increases that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions and international conflicts.

Among the core planks of the budget is the continuation of zero-rated value added tax (VAT) on key food items and basic household necessities, a policy first introduced in the country’s Budget 2021.

This is coupled with the removal of VAT on electricity, water, and medical supplies, a measure the President said is costing the government around $4 billion annually, but is directly lowering expenses for ordinary families.

The administration is also maintaining subsidies on electricity and water, with targeted support for old-age pensioners and sustaining programmes such as the Because We Care grant, old-age pension increases, and one-off bonuses for specific categories of workers and pensioners.

Fiscal discipline, diversification and lower taxes are future-proofing economy – President Ali

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed Guyana’s low and stable inflation rate as “a success” in a volatile global environment, crediting prudent macro-economic management and targeted fiscal policies which have protected citizens’ purchasing power while sustaining rapid economic growth.

Speaking during a recent examination of the government’s fiscal package for 2026 and the performance of the economy, President Ali said that despite the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and global price surges, Guyana now enjoys one of the lowest inflation rates in the region.

Looking at the global scheme of things, he said this stability is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to “shock-proof” and “future-proof” the economy.

“We have the lowest inflation rate in Latin America and the Caribbean, and among the lowest in the world because of the way we have managed the economy, because of the way we have managed issues surrounding cost of living and price inflation,” the President said.

He recalled that inflation stood at 0.9 per cent in 2020, before global

disruptions took hold, and stressed that the administration has since managed to contain price pressures even as it ramped up public investment and implemented large-scale development projects.

“We have to be, we have to be very fortunate, and that we have a government in place that is shock proofing and future proofing our economy as I speak to you today. If you look at inflation, inflation in 2020 was 0.9 per cent. Of course, COVID came, we know what happened. And today it is one of the lowest inflation rates in the region.”

President Ali linked low inflation to a broader policy framework that has

reduced the tax burden on citizens while preserving fiscal space.

He noted that the effective tax rate, tax as a share of GDP has fallen from 14.5 per cent in 2020 to 6.4 per cent in 2025, meaning Guyanese are now paying about 8.1 per cent less tax on every dollar earned.

“If you look at the effective tax rate again, the

story is one of great success. The effective tax rate in 2020 was 14.5 per cent… tax for GDP today, it is 6.4 per cent. If you look at the total public and publicly guaranteed gap to GDP ratio, it came down from 53 per cent in 2020 to 30 per cent in 2025. All of these things you know, when you look at the effective tax rate, this is the average amount

of tax paid on every dollar on earners’ income,” the President explained.

According to him, the combination of lower taxes and low inflation ensures that households keep more of their income in real terms, while businesses benefit from a predictable environment for planning and investment.

OVERHEATING

He went on to explain that Guyana has managed to avoid the kind of overheating and runaway inflation often associated with resource booms.

While real GDP grew by 19.3 per cent in 2025, almost six times the global average, non-oil GDP also expanded by 14.3 per cent, with strong growth in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, and services.

He said this broadbased, non-oil growth reflects deliberate efforts to diversify the economy and build structural resilience, rather than relying solely

on oil revenues. Sectors such as agriculture up 11.5 per cent, construction up 31 per cent and professional, scientific and technical services up 35.7 per cent have all expanded, supported by access to credit and targeted incentives.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Foreign investment peaked at $11.2 billion in 2025, with credit to the private sector increasing by 18 per cent between 2024 and 2025, figures President Ali said would not be possible without confidence in both the currency and the overall policy environment.

“Credit to the private sector will only grow if there is confidence in the economy, if the economy is performing,” he said, describing the lending patterns as evidence that the financial system is aligning with the country’s diversification and development objectives.

Campbellville residents welcome Guyana’s first all-weather basketball court

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, along with Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Steven Jacobs, commissioned Campbellville’s first all-weather basketball court

THE community of Campbellville, on Sunday, welcomed Guyana’s first PVC plastic all-weather basketball court, a $39 million facility aimed at improving player safety and expanding access to the sport.

The court fulfils a commitment made by the government during the construction of the Conversation Tree fourlane road project, which displaced the previous

community court used by athletes. At the commissioning ceremony, athlete Brandon Bento said the new surface is a big upgrade from what players were used to.

“For many years, we played on concrete or asphalt, and that caused a lot of injuries,” Bento said. “This surface is something we have been asking for a long time. It allows for proper drainage and better protection for players.”

Another athlete, Alafam Joseph, described the facility as unlike anything seen in Guyana before.

“It was done well. We have never seen a court like this in Guyana. Because it is an all-weather court, even when rain falls, we can still come out and play,” he said ecstatically.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghil, stated that community satisfaction was the driving force behind the project’s success.

“Cost was secondary. Community sat -

isfaction was number one. We gave the people of Campbellville what they asked for and what they deserved,” Minister Edghill said.

He highlighted the facility’s additional features, including lighting, a pavilion, fencing, and what he described as one of the most sophisticated playing surfaces currently available.

The public works minister also said the project reflected the government’s approach to community engagement under its “One Guyana” agenda, adding that facilities such as

those will help to transform neglected spaces into assets.

Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, said the government will roll out more courts, mirroring the Campbellville project, to expand sporting infrastructure.

“There will be a number of facilities like this across the country. We are rolling out multipurpose turfs in schools and rehabilitating community grounds to encourage participation and develop talent,” he noted.

He further announced that a major 3×3 basketball tournament will be held at the new court in the coming days.

The Ministry of Public Works will sponsor a yearly game for the next three years to support community building and help athletes develop. Both ministers urged players and residents to take care of the facility to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Rawle Toney represented the Guyana Basketball Federation at Sunday’s commissioning ceremony.

(DPI)

Gov’t to train 8,000 Guyanese in essential digital skills

THE government will train 8,000 Guyanese this year under the Industry and Innovation Unit, which offers essential digital skills that equip individuals with the necessary tools to thrive in a world driven by technology.

The unit is mandated to create an enabling environment that will support an information and communications technology (ICT) driven private sector, eliminate social inequalities, and level the playing field for equal access and economic upliftment for all Guyanese.

During an interview with the National Communications Network

(NCN) on Saturday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, noted that several training sessions from basic to advanced level will be delivered to Guyanese.

Digital training will be available along the coast and in the inland areas, allowing public servants and village leaders to benefit.

PM Phillips stressed the need for citizens to be computer literate due to the rapid utilisation of the internet and technology.

“There’s a whole aim of building out and expanding this whole digital infrastructure to ensure we can deliver more services to

the people”, the prime minister explained, while noting that this will make Guyana a more connected country.

Speaking about the ICT Access and E-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project, the prime minister noted that the government is committed to completing the remaining 22 ICT hubs in 2026.

“The project set out to complete 200 ICT hubs. In 2026, we will successfully complete those hubs,” he disclosed, noting that they have built out 166 ICT hubs in the hinterland communities.

Over 120,000 Guy-

anese are set to benefit from the undertaking.

The government is constructing and equipping the hubs, and residents are also being trained in the communities to ensure maintenance.

“We’re training them to use the internet, so there’s a training component of building capacity at the village and community levels,” he explained. (DPI)

Debate Begins!

AS government MPs prepare to defend Budget 2026 in the National Assembly today, they enter the debate chamber with something their opponents lack: a detailed, fully-costed plan based in economic reality and a solid track record of delivery.

The $1.558 trillion budget, Guyana's largest ever, represents not just fiscal ambition but a continuation of the progress that saw this nation's economy grow by 19.3 percent in 2025, with the nonoil sector expanding by an impressive 14.3 percent.

The opposition's predictable attack on Budget 2026 shows their disconnect from economic under -

standing and the everyday concerns of ordinary Guyanese.

As Minister Kwame McCoy noted, instead of engaging with macroeconomic stability, sectoral investments, and long-term development planning, critics use "noise, slogans, and shallow sound bites."

This is the same opposition that failed to present any costed alternatives during the 2025 elections but now demands fiscal miracles without explaining how to pay for them.

Look at the concrete measures in Budget 2026 that directly improve citizens' lives: a $100,000 national cash grant for every adult, old age pensions raised to $46,000 monthly with an added $20,000

transportation grant, the income tax threshold lifted to $140,000, removing 5,000 people from the tax net, and the 'Because We Care' grant increased to $60,000 per child.

President Ali pointed out that these measures alone make up about $150 billion in direct cash transfers for a nation with under one million people. This is an unprecedented social investment, yet the opposition dismisses it as not enough while providing no credible alternatives.

The budget's sector allocations show strategic thinking that looks beyond immediate spending toward building productive capacity.

The $183.6 billion

for education, which includes 40 new schools, expanded dormitories in the hinterland, free tertiary education, and GOAL scholarships, is an investment in human capital that will benefit future generations. Similarly, the $161.1 billion healthcare budget supports twelve new regional hospitals, a Paediatric and Maternity Hospital, national electronic health records, and training for over 5,600 health professionals. These are not handouts; they are essential infrastructure for a modern, competitive economy. Critics who say Budget 2026 only benefits "friends, families, and favorites" ignore the $159 billion housing budget for 15,000

house lots and 8,000 homes, the $113.2 billion invested in agriculture and food security, and the $119.4 billion for the Gas-to-Energy project, which will reduce electricity costs by half and double production capacity. These investments reach every region, community, and economic group.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips rightly described this budget as confirming "Guyana's irreversible shift into a modern, high-performing economy," delivered without new taxes and fully financed through responsible fiscal management.

The contrast with the APNU/AFC era, when higher taxes and limited access were

common, is striking.

As the Prime Minister stated clearly, "The facts are recorded. The country has moved on."

As the debate starts today, government MPs should confidently defend Budget 2026, knowing it backs growth, protects vulnerable citizens, and wisely manages a fast-growing economy. The opposition may criticise, but unless they present credible, costed alternatives and identify real resource reallocations, their objections are just political theater. Budget 2026 gets the basics right, and the Guyanese people, whose lives are noticeably improving, see this truth, even if the opposition does not.

Civic education and the pursuit of Justice:

Beyond Azruddin’s ‘Nothing for You’ Narrative

Dear Editor,

THE recent column by Nazim Baksh, "Azruddin's ‘nothing for you’ budget lie" (Feb 1, GC), is a master-

class in connecting the dots between political rhetoric and social consequence. Baksh has done brilliantly to bridge a gap that is often ignored in our

national discourse: the inextricable link between a civil conversation and the delivery of justice.

For some time, including in my pieces

last year in this newspaper (SN, 24/8) on "how we speak to each other," I have advocated for a comprehensive Civic Education project. My argument has

been that civility is the bedrock of a functioning society.

However, Baksh’s analysis adds a critical layer of depth. He reminds us that when political actors use their platforms to distort the reality of a national budget, they aren't just being "uncivil," they are also committing an

Guyana’s inexplicabilities: Banks DIH versus Beharry company

LET me say upfront I have no interest in any dispute between super-rich companies in and outside of Guyana. I do not see my role as taking sides in such disputes because my interest is to protect the class I belong to.

Secondly, I do not know any person in the management of Bank DIH or any member of the Board of Directors. Only twice in my life did I say hello to Banks DIH’s head, Mr. Clifford Reis. Once it was on the second level of the New Thriving Restaurant and years after, it was outside Massy Supermarket.

I have never seen in the flesh any member of the Beharry aristocracy. I would not know what they look like. Therefore, it is none of my business to comment on the rights and wrongs in a business dispute between Banks DIH and the Beharry company. My role as an opinion-maker is to ensure that wrongs are righted and thus my pen will have to enter any fray once justice, equality and fairness

I am a UG pensioner. I told Joel Bhagwandin on the Freddie Kissoon Show last Friday evening that after 26 years as a lecturer, my pension was $52, 000 yearly. I think it still is. I have absolutely no job or property in Guyana except my home. My purpose in life in this country then was to safeguard the well-being of the social class I come from. I would put my economic standing in Guyana as upper working class or lower middle class although I fit more into the former than the latter. So, I am not interested in the fight among rich giants in the corporate world.

are tossed aside by any government, any political party, any business company, any organisation, any individual.

The current legal dispute between Banks DIH and the Beharry Group of Companies should catch the eyes of every citizen because some parts in the decision of Justice Sandil Kissoon appear strange. Two aspects of the legal matter have been made public. Both dimensions are associated with Banks DIH, so one has to be careful in just openly accepting what Banks DIH says.

Banks DIH’s CEO, Mr. Clifford Reece told the annual shareholders’ meeting last week that Beharry Stockbroker Limited that filed the writ against Banks DIH in relation to the 15 per cent limit of the amount of shares for a shareholder and the 15 per cent restriction on

voting power by any shareholder is not a Banks DIH shareholder. I am not a lawyer, but I believe a large amount of persons in Guyana knows about the legal term – locus standi.

After 57 years in politics and 37 years in the media, I know what locus standi is. It means that you have to have some connection with a matter that you want the court to pronounce on. I cannot file a writ in court compelling the Bank of Berbice to forward a yearly Christmas calendar to its customers if I am not a customer. I do not have locus standi. I can only ask the courts to intervene with my bank where I am a depositor. I write about this so I can get information on the subject assuming that Banks DIH is telling the truth. If Banks DIH is correct, then

how does the court define locus standi? Secondly, Bank DIH said that Justice Kissoon arrived at his decision in favour of Beharry because he quoted from the Article of Association in the constitution of Banks DIH. But Banks DIH is saying there is no Article of Associations in the company’s constitution. Again, if Banks DIH is telling the truth, then the ordinary person is forced to ask, where did the judge get that part of the company’s constitution from?

The court grants an injunction barring a house owner from preventing his neighbour’s cement ransom from parking on the parapet. But the house owner should be given the right to an explanation. Suppose the ransom on the parapet is jutting onto the entrance of the house owner’s yard so his car will touch the ransom when he drives in? The fair way to go is to give both parties a hearing.

DISCLAIMER:

The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

Finally, in the almost four decades as a public-opinion maker, I have never accepted an injunction from the courts without the other side being given a hearing. This is a pregnant situation with a gargantuan miscarriage of justice. The court then makes decisions hearing one side only. There are literally millions of examples that can be cited to demonstrate how ignorant this process is.

Civic education and the pursuit...

FROM PAGE 6

act of injustice against the citizenry by obscuring the path to progress.

This brings us to the philosophical necessity of what Jürgen Habermas called the "ideal speech situation." For a democracy to truly thrive, the conversation between the state and its people must be systematically undistorted. It must be free from the pressures of social prejudices, racial gatekeeping, and, crucially, from the "strategic

distortion" practised by those who prioritise oppositional power over national truth.

In Guyana, we often hide behind the traditional view of the press as a "neutral watchdog." Yet, we must confront the reality that when the "watchdog" becomes a megaphone for only oppositional voices, the conversation is no longer undistorted. It becomes a barrier.

A prime example is the current dismissal of

the 2026 budget by the Leader of the Opposition. To characterise a $1.5 trillion investment in our collective future as "nothing" is a calculated attempt to manufacture a false reality. When such a narrative is amplified without rigorous challenge, it suppresses the civic spirit of the people. It tells the youth, the workers, and the entrepreneurs that the bridges, hospitals, and educational frameworks being built are not for them.

This is more than a political disagreement; it is a direct assault on the project of national enlightenment.

The evolution of Guyana is currently visible in every new road and every scholarship awarded. But for this physical transformation to reach its peak, we must undergo a mental and communicative transformation. We need a discourse that recognises justice not as a handout, but as

a fair and honest representation of our shared growth.

By moving away from the "nothing for you" rhetoric and toward a model of "communicative action," we can ensure that the blueprint for our nation's future is understood and owned by every citizen.

We owe it to ourselves to speak a language of reality, not one of manufactured despair.

Sincerely,

Unity of the opposition

THE opposition today is at the weakest any opposition has ever been in the history of post-slavery Guyana. Trace our history from African resistance, followed by joint organising with the indentured servants leading into formidable opposition in the early 1900s. The Ruin Belt opposition activities of 1902 to around 1915 were hard-fought struggles against the colonial government. Then came the early days of trade unionism which organised a formidable movement for adult suffrage leading into the 1930s and 1940s.

Guyana later (1940s and 1950s) saw the formation of opposition social movements which

morphed into political parties, the more wellknown being the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), a forerunner of the PPP, which was formed to struggle for self-determination. The PPP experienced a split, its splinter became the PNC. The two have been formidable opponents ever since. There were splinters from both the PPP and the PNC from time to time. The most potent and well-known being Walter Rodney’s WPA and later the AFC when both were in their hey- days. At no time in our history did we have the political aura that the opposition could not unseat those who governed. Even during the days of routinely rigged elec -

tions of the 1970s and 1980s when it was easy to lose hope, the PPP in opposition always felt that it was only a matter of time. Then the PPP eventually overcame and took the seat of government when electoral democracy was restored in the early 1990s.

Since then, the PNC has experienced its share of ebb and flow, but at no time was its electoral viability and vitality in doubt. If for argument’s sake we can find some point in time when the PNC’s electoral viability was doubtful, we certainly could not say that about the combined opposition. The results of the 2011, 2015 and 2020 elections need no advocacy; it is a demonstration of opposition potency.

Coming on the heels of such potent and successful opposition movement, the nation was shellshocked when in 2025 it saw the lack of potency in the PNC and AFC, either jointly or separately. The expectation that the opposition was an alternative to the PPP withered and there was a degree of hopelessness. Opposition supporters like to know that their vote will be counted, and it will add up to something meaningful towards unseating the government. I can remember during the 2011 campaign, some momentum swung in the AFC’s favour and as a way of trying to preserve its support base, the PNC appealed to this very instinct. They employed the campaign buzzwords, “In it to win it.” That was a way of telling those inclined to vote with the opposition, to vote for APNU because the AFC could not win and their vote will be wasted.

This was the exact predicament APNU found itself in, in 2025. It was thought of as being so weak that it was incapable of dislodging the PPP. There was a growing feeling that a vote for APNU or AFC is a wasted vote.

WIN’s leader came in at a most opportune time. Riding on his philanthropic, celebrity and deftly notorious status like a knight in shining armour and sapped up some of the damp expectation. Despite the presence of WIN, as it

would seem, many who preferred the opposition were already turned off and probably committed to not ‘wasting’ their vote. This was essentially a commitment to stay home, as demonstrated in the low turnout in many opposition strongholds.

Many voices mourning the unprecedented level of weakness in the opposition are calling for opposition unity. In their view, if the opposition unite to fight the government, they will be more successful. It is my settled view that that is a fool’s errand. The opposition cannot be made better or stronger by uniting. The big elephant in the room is the criminality that is tagged to Azruddin. Any form of unity makes him the bigger proportion of the opposition for which he will always stand as their joint leader. This is additional baggage the PNC will have to carry way into its political future.

It is Azruddin who is most responsible for the unprecedented unfortunate position the PNC is in. How do you effectively co-operate with your chief destroyer? There is a large segment of opposition-aligned voting population that the PPP have not yet found a way to entice. Either it does not yet possess the innate tools or has not yet figured out the right message, but on the flip side of that, WIN has demonstrated that it has the capacity to capture this demographic. So, as of

right now, the PPP is not nearly a threat to the PNC’s survival and recovery as WIN is. The PNC is therefore facing a conundrum laden with severe dissonance.

My view is that the PNC has less to gain from opposition unity. The PNC has a golden opportunity to demonstrate that despite its painful devastation, it can still be a formidable opposition while taking strong, reasoned and principled positions. It needs to show that it is not opposing for the sake of opposition. Let WIN maraud like drunken madmen. Whenever they can carve out a reasonable position offer support, otherwise, navigate these treacherous pathways by confronting the issues that are more likely to reclaim lost support base.

In this regard, the PNC’s first task is to find a way of (at a minimum) making its 12 MPs feel like 16. It has to prove to the voters that it is at least just as big as WIN and probably more formidable. For its survival, the greatest need is for PNC unity, not opposition unity, there is a big difference. If the PNC is unable to grasp this difference, then active collaboration with WIN is a kiss of death.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

CANU warns against cartoon-themed drug packaging

THE Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) has observed online advertisements offering cartoon-themed “1-gram” zip-lock packaging commonly associated with the packaging, distribution, and sale of illicit narcotics, including cannabis and synthetic drugs.

In a press release, the unit said it wishes to advise the public that these items are not ordinary packaging and are widely recognised by law enforcement as drug paraphernalia used in street-level drug distribution. It added that the sale, possession, or use of such packaging in connection with narcotics is an offence under the laws of Guyana and may attract criminal liability.

Further, it was pointed out that the use of cartoon, candy, or child-appealing designs is particularly concerning, as it increases the risk of exposure and harm to children and young persons.

CANU in its release issued a reminder to vendors and members of the public that online platforms are actively monitored, and intelligence-led operations include digital marketplaces and social media sales activity. It added that persons are strongly advised to cease the sale, purchase, or distribution of these items where they are intended for illicit use, members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious on -

line drug-related sales anonymously to the unit which remains committed to protecting communities, disrupting drug-distribution networks, and preventing narcotics from reaching homes, schools, and vulnerable populations.

The unit used the opportunity to remind the public that in keeping with the law, a person would be penalised for the possession of materials, equipment, or substances used in the preparation, cultivation, or trafficking of narcotics. It added that paraphernalia and equipment include instruments, utensils, or materials used for packing, storing, or processing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

Region Two man electrocuted after contact with high-voltage wires

TULSIERAM Singh, popularly known as “Fish Man,” a resident of New Road, Essequibo Coast, tragically lost his life on Sunday after being electrocuted at Charity, Region Two.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around midday while Singh was loading a truck.

During the process, he reportedly raised an object which came into contact with two high-voltage wires overhead. The contact caused a powerful electric shock, throwing him from the vehicle to the ground.

Residents rushed to his aid and found him unconscious, with visible injuries to his hand.

He was quickly transported to the Charity Hospital for emergency treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.

The sudden tragedy has left the community in deep shock and mourning as residents remember him as a familiar and hardworking figure in the area.

Guyana urged to unlock vast potential of agro-forestry products

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA’S hinter -

land holds a largely untapped wealth of agro-forestry products that could bolster livelihoods, add value for export and help integrate indigenous communities into sustainable supply chains.

Representatives from Wageningen University and Research (WUR) who visited Guyana last week during a business mission, highlighted non‑timber forest prod ucts and agro forestry

commodities as prime opportunities for devel opment.

“We tend to forget about the hinterland and the population there.

But there also is a pho tosynthesis of forest and non timber forest prod ucts, and even agro for estry products, which can produce coffee, co coa which can produce so many products,” Ria Hulsman, an agrono mist and Manager of International Co opera tion with Latin America and the Caribbean at WUR, said.

She highlighted to palm fruits, nuts, cocoa and coffee as examples with ready markets in Europe and the wider region.

While noting that the week‑long visit focused largely agro‑processing in and around urban centres, Hulsman em phasised the significant and often overlooked potential of the hinter land.

She recognised the efforts in Guyana to draw Indigenous peo ple into training pro grammes and suggested a two‑pronged strategy of strengthening market access for forest‑de rived products while building capacity at the community level.

“Opportunities in the hinterland for indig enous groups include non‑timber forest prod ucts and agro forestry products, which you could take out of the forest without damag ing anything of the for est,” she said.

“This mission this week has been too short to visit these areas, but I think the potential there

is very big,” she said.

EU Ambassador, Luca Pierantoni, out lined the wider vision to “foster more part nership between the European Union and Guyana,” with an em phasis on economic co operation and busi ness to business links between European and Guyanese companies.

According to the ambassador, the initial mission has generated “a lot of interest from both sides.” Three new business missions are planned for 2026, with itineraries now being discussed with EU member states.

“We are talking about partnerships that are mutually benefi cial… for Europeans to increase their presence here, and for Guyanese to increase more pres ence in Europe.”

He described Guy ana as a “key partner” in a new phase of co op eration aimed at boost ing agro processing, building youth friendly farming careers and ad vancing climate action through joint diploma cy.

Ambassador Pieran toni said Brussels is working to deepen “mu tually beneficial” ties that go beyond tradi tional sectors to focus on investment, trade, and technology transfer.

He explained that the EU is seeking to link European and Guyanese businesses, particularly in priority sectors for

Guyana such as agri culture and agro pro cessing.

The ambassador re called that a first busi ness mission of Guya nese economic actors including private com panies and civil society organisations recently visited the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain, generating strong interest on both sides.

On the back of that mission, the EU is now working with its 27 member states and Guyanese partners, including the Private Sector Commission and GO Invest, to organise three further business missions in 2026.

These visits are in tended to match Euro pean firms and insti tutions with Guyanese counterparts, build joint ventures, and explore how European tech nology and finance can support Guyana’s ambi tion to become a region al food production and processing hub.

Meanwhile, respond ing to questions on why agro processing was chosen as a focal area, the ambassador ex plained that the sector is central to Guyana’s own development agenda.

He pointed to President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision of Guyana as the “breadbasket” of the region, noting that this will require significant technological upgrades, infrastructure investment and higher standards.

Health Minister urges pharmacy students to lead innovation in advancing healthcare

MINISTER of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, has emphasised the importance of research and innovation as part of the advancement of healthcare in Guyana.

Dr Anthony made this remark while delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony for the Eighth Student Research and Leadership Symposium of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP).

The event was held on January 30 at the University of Guyana (UG), where he was joined by his colleague, Minister of Education, Honourable Ms Sonia Parag.

Hosted through a collaboration between CAP, UG’s College of Medical Sciences, and the Guyana Pharmacists Association, the series of symposia provides a platform for pharmacy students to lead, innovate and share research that will shape the future of healthcare in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

Minister Anthony emphasised the importance of research and innovation.

“We want to create a culture of research here in the country. These symposia provide our students with the opportunity not only to present

their research but to actively contribute to shaping the future of pharmacy and patient care,” he said.

The minister also highlighted key initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare in Guyana.

“We are developing a state-of-the-art Food and Drug Laboratory at the University of Guyana, a Caribbean Life Sciences Park to support pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, and genomics and biobanking initiatives to enhance precision medicine,” said Dr Anthony.

“Students must embrace these opportunities and be at the cutting edge of innovation,” he added, while also encouraging the students to leverage modern technologies.

“From artificial intelligence to drone delivery of medicines, the future of healthcare is here, and we must use these tools to improve access, efficiency, and patient care across the country,” said the minister.

The event helps to reinforce Guyana’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of healthcare leaders who will drive research, innovation and excellence in patient care.

(MoH)

PM Phillips, Ambassador Yang: Guyana-China

PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, highlighted the enduring partnership between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China at a reception hosted by Ambassador Yang Yang and the Chinese Embassy in Guyana on Friday evening.

The event marked the Chinese Spring Festival 2026, which celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Phillips extended warm wishes to President Xi Jinping, the Government, and the people of China on behalf of the Government

and people of Guyana.

In a Facebook post, the Office of the Prime Minister said the PM also reflected on the Chinese community’s 173year legacy in Guyana and its cultural, social, and economic contributions.

He emphasised that Chinese traditions and

values continue to enrich Guyana’s multicultural identity, while pointing to longstanding diplomatic ties in infrastructure, trade, healthcare, agriculture, education, and green development.

“We have built a robust and dynamic partnership over the years, based on mutual respect

and a shared vision for growth and development – both at the individual and national levels," he was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Phillips underscored the importance of upholding international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and stressed the need for nations to stand together in safeguarding democracy and the rule of law.

Further, he reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to continue engagement with China in areas of mutual interest, emphasising the importance of seizing opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity to benefit

Guyana-China partnership remains strong, enduring

future generations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Yang spoke at length about the friendship the two countries share.

“Under the strategic guidance of our two Presidents, China-Guyana relations have entered a fast track’ of development,” she said.

The Chinese diplomat revealed that in 2025, bilateral trade

“Fellow Chinese and dear friends, although China and Guyana are separated by vast oceans, we have become good friends sharing weal and woe, valuable partners in close co-operation, and brothers bound by blood.

reached nearly US$2.9 billion, more than double compared with the previous year.

Among the projects executed by Chinese companies are the construction of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge and six regional hospitals.

She also highlighted

the work of the Chinese medical team which has helped to save countless lives and the training opportunities hundreds of Guyanese have gotten.

Looking ahead, China-Guyana relations will embrace even more promising future, she said later emphasising that China stands

ready to work with Guyana and to turn strong trade growth into more high-quality projects that truly benefit the people of both countries.

Also, in attendance at the event were Mrs Mignon Bowen-Phillips, wife of the Prime Minister; Minister of Home Affairs, Onei -

dge Walrond; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues; Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; along with other government officials, diplomats and members of the Chinese community in Guyana.

Budget 2026 measures put people first, paves way for incremental development - Minister McCoy

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, has said that measures outlined in Budget 2026 are designed first and foremost for the benefit of the people, with development across sectors unfolding incrementally.

The minister was at the time speaking on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast which was aired on Sunday. He said the budget builds on the gains made during the first term of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s administration, describing it as a continuation of a long-term development programme.

“The budget of 2026 first and foremost builds upon the achievements of the previous five years, which constitute the first term of President Ali’s government,” Minister McCoy said, adding that the government now has “the opportunity to lead the people of this country through another transformative five years”.

He noted that the return of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to office reflected public confidence in the administration’s approach to governance and development. “It must have been significant enough for people to trust us as their government for another term, and so we don’t take that lightly,” the minister said.

To this end, he stated that the budget takes a comprehensive view of development, with direct interventions aimed at empowering citizens across all segments of society. He said the measures span support for young people, women, children

and the elderly, while creating broader opportunities for economic growth.

The minister pointed to increases in pensions, expanded cash grants for children and wider access to housing and business support as evidence of the people-centred focus of the spending plan.

“Right across every area of our society, you will see visible attempts to give back to people and to ensure that people have the opportunity to grow and to develop,” he said.

Addressing expectations surrounding rapid development, Minister McCoy cautioned against viewing progress as an instant process. “Development is incremental. It moves from step to step, and sometimes people would like you to believe that it is a oneshot game,” he said.

Against this backdrop, he described Budget 2026 as “another set of instalments in relation to the programme of the government focused on people”, including housing development initiatives that aim to expand access not only to house lots but to completed homes.

Minister McCoy also referenced plans to support small businesses through financing initiatives, noting that opportunities are being created for small business owners through the Small Business Development Bank, which he said will provide collateral-free and interest-free loans.

According to the minister, the common theme across the budget’s measures is its direct impact on citizens.

“If you look at every single measure, every single thing in the budget, it relates back to people,” he said. He further argued that the numerical allocations outlined in the budget translate into real benefits for citizens nationwide. “The numbers that you see in the budget really relates to actual people who will be able to benefit and to grow from our 2026 budget,” the minister added.

Unlimited GOAL scholarships to continue in 2026 with $5.8B allocation

THE Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme will continue in 2026 with an unlimited number of scholarships available to all eligible Guyanese, backed by a $5.8 billion allocation in this year’s National Budget.

Senior Minister within the Office of the

President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, announced the expanded scope of the programme during his recent budget presentation, during which he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to widening access to tertiary education and skills training.

According to Dr

Singh, 10,805 scholarships were awarded through GOAL in 2025, and the programme will now move to provide an unlimited number of scholarships.

“In keeping with our 2025 Manifesto, we will continue the programme, now offering an unlimited number of scholarships to all eligible Guyanese,” the

minister said.

He noted that the initiative has already transformed access to higher education, particularly for those who may not have otherwise been able to pursue post-secondary studies.

“This has made it

awarded more than 39,000 scholarships spanning certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, postgraduate, master’s and PhD programmes.

This figure is almost double the government’s original target of 20,000 scholarships

GOAL currently provides access to more than 100 short, skillsbased programmes, many of which require no formal educational qualifications for entry.

The GROW initiative comprises a few pathways, the Scot -

possible for thousands of persons to access tertiary education who might not otherwise be able to,” Dr Singh added.

This year, he stated that the $5.8 billion allocation will be used to expand scholarships across a wide range of academic and professional disciplines, ensuring sustained participation and growth in the programme.

Since its inception in 2021, GOAL has

by 2025, which underscores the rapid expansion of the initiative and growing public demand.

Additionally, along with traditional academic pathways, GOAL also offers vocational and certificate programmes, alongside the Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) initiative.

Through partnerships with several local and international education institutions,

tish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6, the Bachelor’s Foundation Programme (BFP), and the US High School Diploma, all set up to prepare participants for entry into bachelor’s degree programmes.

The programme has also seen strong matriculation numbers since its inception, with over 6,000 persons graduating in 2025.

Budget 2026: $2.5B set aside for upskilling Guyanese workforce, youth, women, persons with disabilities

HE Guyana Government has allocated $2.5 billion in Budget 2026 to expand skills training and technical and vocational education nationwide, as part of a broader effort to upskill Guyanese and prepare the workforce for longterm economic transformation.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, during a ‘Budget in Focus’ programme, stated that the allocation forms part of a structured framework linking education and training, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and regional access.

“$2.5 billion has been allocated just for skills training and technical and vocational skills,” Minister Griffith noted.

He explained that

the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), under the Ministry of Labour, will play a central role in implementing programmes across the country, with a significant portion of funding targeted at youth, women and persons living with disabilities.

“Out of that $2.5 billion, a significant portion will be dedicated directly to our young people, to women and to youth and, of course, the persons living with disabilities,” the minister said.

He noted that the government has deliberately decentralised training facilities to ensure that opportunities are available in all regions, including hinterland and riverain communities.

“Under the Ministry of Labour, we have ensured that every re-

- Labour Minister says

gion in this country has access to training programmes all over Guyana,” he said while adding that persons in areas like Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Region Seven have access to skills training without having to travel to Georgetown.

Against this backdrop, Minister Griffith added that the objective goes beyond basic skills acquisition and is aimed at building a new generation of entrepreneurs.

“We continue to encourage persons who are a part of these programmes to move to the next level of going beyond just getting the skill, but to become entrepreneurs,” he said.

He said the skills training drive complements major investments in education under Budget 2026,

which has allocated $183 billion to the sector.

“Education and training really go hand in hand,” the minister said adding that by the end of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s term, there would be an amazing upskilling of persons all over Guyana.

Guyana defeat French Guiana in Nations Cup Basketball

GUYANA’S men’s national basketball team opened their Nations Cup campaign in commanding fashion on Saturday evening, defeating French Guiana 65–51 at the Ismay van Wilgen Sports Hall in Paramaribo, Suriname.

In a game that showcased the team’s depth and discipline, Guyana delivered an all-round team performance, setting the tone early and never allowing their opponents to find sustained rhythm.

The victory sets up a

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

SOUTHWELL

09:02 hrs Roger Rarebit

09:37 hrs Benmore

10:12 hrs Wilstar

10:45 hrs Moyganny

11:17 hrs Parish Star

11:52 hrs Pike Road

12:27 hrs La Higuera

KEMPTON

08:52 hrs Onefournine

09:27 hrs Il Va De Soi

10:02 hrs Reckless Spending

10:35 hrs Ice In The Veins

11:07 hrs Issam

11:42 hrs Grand Conqueror

12:17 hrs Luxor De Grugy

WOLVERHAMPTON

13:00 hrs Bluenose Belle

decisive clash against host nation Suriname on Sunday evening, with the winner crowned champion of the tri-nation tournament.

Guyana entered the contest knowing the stakes. Suriname had already beaten French Guiana on Friday, meaning Saturday’s result ensured a winner-take-all showdown.

The matchup also carries added motivation for the Guyanese side, who finished behind Suriname at last year’s tournament, also held in the Dutch-speaking South

13:30 hrs Leonetto 14:00 hrs What What What

14:30 hrs Lessay

15:00 hrs Corundum

15:30 hrs Easter Icon 16:00 hrs Athenian

IRISH RACING TIPS

LEOPARDSTOWN

09:15 hrs Doctor Steinberg

09:50 hrs Mange Tout

10:25 hrs County Final

10:55 hrs Romeo Coolio

11:30 hrs Galopin Des Champs

12:05 hrs Jacob's Ladder

12:40 hrs Charismatic Kid

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

MAHONING VALLEY

Race 1 Think It Thru

Race 2 Bella Flora

Race 3 Kadesh

Race 4 Game Maker

Race 5 Miss Shady

Race 6 Harbour Bridge

Race 7 Sweet Scorecard

Race 8 Creator Of Magic

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday, February 2, 2026)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Australia

(2) Oliver Peake Today’s Quiz:

(1) What has been the result of the PAK/NZ Super Six game in the current Under 19 WC?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

American nation.

Head coach Adrian Hooper will be eager for redemption against a familiar rival.

Offensively, Guyana spread the load efficiently. One player led the way with a team-high 14 points, while Travis Belgrave added 10 in a strong supporting role. Akiel Hughes chipped in with nine, highlighting the balanced scoring effort that kept French Guiana on the back foot throughout the contest.

French Guiana fought hard but struggled to close the gap. Fzedizique Yann produced a game-high 14 points in a losing effort, as his team ended the tournament without a win.

Seecharran leads from the...

(From page 23)

Pitiram got rid of Johnson (35) while Birch trapped Dowlin, LBW for a 22-ball 26 with two fours and six, as West Demerara fought back. Krishan Mahase bowled Bishop (6) at 178-5, and West Demerara were back in the contest.

Shivepersaud had Grovesnor caught and bowled for 12 at 191-6 before the 200 was posted in the 44th over. .

Shivepersaud was blasted for three consecutive boundaries in the 45th over by Jacobus, who dumped him for six in his next over.

Birch removed Jacobus for a 21-ball 35 with three fours and a six at 237-7 in 47.4 overs before Khan and Wasim Ali (5) saw the 250 posted. Ali was run out off the last ball of the 50th over.

After a rest day today, the four-team tournament resumes tomorrow with East Bank playing East Coast at Lusignan and West Demerara opposing the DCB Select X1 at the LBI ground.

In the other game at the LBI ground, East Coast beat the DCB Select X1.

On Wednesday, February 4, GT takes on East Coast at Lusignan and East Bank, doing battle with DCB Select X1 at LBI.

Balanced Rockets attack overcomes Cooper Flagg in win over Mavs

AMEN Thompson scored 21 points, Jabari Smith Jr. added 19, and Alperen Sengun posted a double-double as the Houston Rockets fended off the visiting Dallas Mavericks 111-107 on Saturday.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Rockets, who squared the four-game season series with the Mavericks. That collective effort was key down the stretch after Dallas pulled even on a Naji Marshall pull-up jumper with 47 seconds remaining.

Sengun (14 points, 14 rebounds) scored in the paint with 28.6 seconds left as Houston reclaimed a 109-107 lead. After Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg missed a contested layup, Kevin Durant found Tari Eason (17 points, seven rebounds) for an open dunk to cap the scoring with 14.4 seconds left.

Durant (13 points, eight assists) and Sengun shot a combined 12 for 37. But Thompson, who added eight rebounds and nine assists, and Smith shouldered the load along with Josh Okogie, who added 13 points off the Houston bench.

Flagg (34 points, 12 rebounds) was sensational. He scored on three straight possessions after Houston

ICC launches ‘Feel the Thrill’ as Official Song of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) today released “Feel the Thrill,” the official song of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, setting the tone for the tournament and celebrating the excitement and global passion of T20 cricket.

Composed and sung by acclaimed Indian music composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander, the track has been unveiled worldwide as the sonic heartbeat of the much-anticipated tournament being played in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.

seized a 101-91 lead. Daniel Gafford chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas.

The Rockets led 82-69 midway through the third quarter after Okogie turned a Durant steal into a corner 3. After an Okogie dunk made it 84-73, Flagg sank his lone 3-pointer and then a midrange jumper before he assisted on a Caleb Martin 3 that cut the deficit to six. A Martin free throw trimmed the lead to 8782, where the score stood entering the fourth. Flagg finished with five assists.

Flagg and Brandon Williams buoyed the Mavericks early, particularly after the Rockets claimed their largest lead of the opening quarter at 15-8. Flagg ignited the rally with

a three-point play before Williams added a 3 and three additional field goals before recording a threepoint play.

Flagg and Williams combined for 22 points in the first quarter, but the Mavericks lost Williams (13 points on 5-for-7 shooting) to a lower leg contusion in the second quarter. After Flagg scored in transition to pull Dallas even at 37-37 with 7:59 left in the half, Houston reestablished control.

Sengun was 0-for-7 before his hook shot lifted Houston to a 46-41 lead. Inside the final 34 seconds of the half, Smith converted an alley-oop and Durant hit a 3 to up the lead to 59-51 at the half.

(Reuters)

“When nations collide, action isn’t watched, it’s lived” – the song picks up with the fierce spirit the tournament upholds among the competing teams. The song mirrors the tournament’s high-intensity campaign Feel the Thrill, blending energetic beats with lyrics that reflect the passion, drama and emotion of T20 cricket.

With a global sound and verses that bring the roar of cricket to the fore, ‘Feel the Thrill’ is crafted to resonate with fans from every corner of the cricketing world.

The song sets the vibes for the tournament even before a single ball is bowled. “This is where national pride swings with every shot/ Where passion hits as hard as the ball” brings out what is at stake as 20 teams lock horns across 55 matches for the ultimate T20 crown.

Mr Sanjog Gupta, ICC CEO, said: "ICC's pinnacle events are global cultural extravaganzas bringing together the best of lifestyle, entertainment, community and experiential diversity, with a compelling athletic spectacle at their heart. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is uniquely competitive, thrilling and expressive, where moments turn into life-long memories for players and fans alike.

The official song for the tournament aspires to bring this spirit to life, using its music to connect fans, celebrate diversity and turn the event into a shared worldwide celebration of the best that our sport offers."

Anirudh Ravichander said: “Every cheer, every silence, every heartbeat connects in the same tune when it comes to cricket. It’s a feeling, an emotion. I’m glad

to be associated with the Feel the Thrill campaign and official song. This is our attempt to bring the global fans together in a spirited unity up and above the fierce on-field rivalry that is set to unfold across the subcontinent.”

Fans can enjoy the track available on digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Instagram, Facebook and others.

The 2026 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises a month of fastpaced action with the tournament returning to the subcontinent, co-hosted by two nations with rich cricketing history and past World Cup success.

India start the tournament as defending champions and will chase history as no host nation has ever lifted the trophy at home. With tickets starting from just ₹100 and LKR1000, fans are in for a thrilling experience.

The matches will be played across eight venues in seven cities - the Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo) and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). (ICC Media)

Sammy praises 'game changer' Motie for improving skillset

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies head coach, Daren Sammy, has lauded leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie for his work ethic and perseverance after his match-winning performance in the third and final T20I against South Africa on Saturday.

Last November, the 30-year-old was dropped from the West Indies’ T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand following a dip in form attributed to a technical issue with his action.

As a result, a decision was taken by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to send Motie to South Africa to work with specialists, through collabo-

ration with the Royals Sports Group, to address the issue and rebuild his confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held from February 7 to March 8 in Sri Lanka and India.

While Motie went wicketless in the preceding threematch T20I series against Afghanistan, he starred in his lone appearance in South Africa, claiming 3-17 in his two overs to be named Player-ofthe-Match in West Indies’ six-run victory via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in a match reduced to 10 overs.

Speaking in a post-match press conference on Saturday, Sammy pointed out that Motie had used some of his newly learned bowling skills

during his spell.

He said he was impressed with Motie’s effort since being dropped, describing him as a key part of the West Indies’ past success and future.

“In 2025 Motie really lacked some confidence. So, we had a plan, myself, with Sangakarra the director of Royals, and we came up with a plan after Bangladesh that Motie would come down to South Africa to do some skill work before this series here and I must say that Motie has maximised the time.

“The specific training that he got, that chinaman he’s bowling now, he’s been practising it for a while and to gain the confidence he came to Abu Dhabi to play against

Afghanistan, and we saw he’s slowly getting his confidence back,” Sammy said.

“We had a combination we wanted to play, and just him getting that opportunity, it opens the door for us because now he can challenge both sides of the bat, whether it’s a right or left hander. Motie bowls it in the nets, it’s been a while now, but to have the confidence to do it now…

“I’m so happy for him because we all know when we were successful the wickets he took in the middle were crucial for us. So, kudos to Motie for making use of the opportunity and the time to fine tune his skills and his craft,” the head coach added.

Unbeaten India march into U-19 World Cup semi-finals

INDIA completed the semi-final line-up for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 with a comprehensive win over Pakistan in Bulawayo on Sunday. The 58-run victory in the final Super Six match means the Indian colts head into the knockouts unbeaten and as Group 2 toppers.

After a late surge helped them to 252 in 49.5 overs, India put in a clinical performance in the field to dismiss Pakistan for 194.

India joined Australia, England and Afghanistan into the final four. The Ayush Mhatre-led side will face Afghanistan in the semi-finals in Harare on Wednesday. The first semi-final, between Australia and England, will take place in Bulawayo on

Tuesday

Put into bat, India powered past 250 thanks to the acceleration provided by the lower order in the last 10 overs.

With a spot in the semi-final on line, India were expecting another blockbuster innings from star batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Though the left-hander gave the team a brisk start, striking five fours and a six as he motored to 30, he was living dangerously. After two close calls, Sooryavanshi fell to a shorter delivery from Mohammad Sayyam, with a bottom-edge carrying to wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor. Starting with Sooryavanshi, India lost three and in the space of four balls. While Sayyam also dismissed India

...former champions defeated Pakistan in the last Super Six match to make the final four

captain Ayush Mhatre, Abdul Subhan bowled over opener Aaron George to reduce India to 47/3.

In their previous match in Bulawayo, India had scored a mammoth 352/8 against Zimbabwe. But on Sunday, the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat as well and stayed low. Vedant Trivedi led India’s fightback with a conservative innings of 68. His 62-runs fourth wicket partnership with Vihaan Malhotra (21) helped steer India clear of immediate trouble. Trivedi also put on handy stands with Abhigyan Kundu and RS Ambrish.

After the middle order had kept the scoreboard ticking, the lower order provided the late flourish. Kanishk Chouhan (35 off 29) and Khilan Patel (21 off 15) helped India

Pakistan to forfeit India clash in T20 World Cup

THE Pakistan team will not play against India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The decision was announced by the Pakistan government on Sunday evening, ending speculation that had continued since last week. The government, however, made it clear that the team will participate in the February 7-March 8 tournament.

"The Government of [the] Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026. However, the Pakistan cricket team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February, 2026 against India," a

Government of Pakistan post announced.

The announcement, it is understood, comes hours after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore on Sunday evening.

The PCB had kept Pakistan's participation in the World Cup open-ended, stating that a decision would be made on Friday (January 30) or Monday (February 2). However, the announcement came on Sunday evening. The Pakistan team, it is understood, will fly to Sri Lanka on Monday. The PCB decision comes, understandably, in

Alcaraz beats Djokovic to...

emotional roller-coaster in pre-season, during which he split with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

"There are some tournaments that I really want to win at least once. A few Masters 1000s. I just really want to complete all the Masters 1000s," Alcaraz said.

"Obviously the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup are goals as well. I really want to achieve that for Spain.

I've set up some other goals for the season and I'll try to be ready for, or to try to get those goals."

Alcaraz's immediate focus will be on getting a tattoo to mark his Melbourne Park triumph.

He has commemorated previous major wins with body art -- a strawberry for Wimbledon, the Eiffel Tower for the French Open, the date of his first U.S. Open title and after his second

the goods in the all-important clash against India. He dismissed the dangerous Chouhan and Patel to finish with 3/33 in 9.5 overs.

To qualify for the semi-final at India’s expense, Pakistan needed to chase down the target within 33.4 overs; otherwise, if the innings ended with a six to reach 258, they had until 34.3 overs to get there.

any urgency to make a run for the semi-final spot. Hamza Zahoor (42), Usman Khan (66) and captain Farhan Yousuf (38) hung in there gamely even as runs slowed down to a trickle.

protest against the International Cricket Council's refusal to move Bangladesh's World Cup matches out of India, a demand Pakistan strongly backed. The PCB was the lone votary for Bangladesh's cause at the ICC Board meeting on the matter and Naqvi had said that injustice was done to Bangladesh.

But the point of relevance now is the ICC's next move. How the world body will view the boycott of a game that is arguably the most high-profile and commercially significant match of the World Cup will be watched with curiosity. The ball is now in the ICC's court. (Cricbuzz)

(From back page)

in New York, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge

"I've said it's going to be a kangaroo, for sure," the seven-time Grand Slam champion added.

"It's going to be in the leg, for sure ... I don't know the right, the left one. So I got to choose a good spot, but it's going to be for sure close to the French Open or Wimbledon.

notch 71 runs in the last 10 overs, lifting the score to 252.

For Pakistan, Subhan was the pick of the bowlers. Though he had been more of a support pacer earlier in the tournament, Subhan delivered

Pakistan showed some early intent, scoring 13 runs off the second over. It seemed their chances hinged on Sameer Minhas, but India were able to send the star opener back fairly quickly. He was trapped leg before wicket, to a ball that didn't rise much, by Henil Patel.

Following the early setback, Pakistan never showed

Chouhan further tighetened the screws, conceding only 30 runs off his 10 overs and claimed the wicket of Zahoor and was named the Player of the Match for his allround performance. Though he missed out with the bat, skipper Mhatre inflicted damage with the ball, snapping up three wickets for 21 in his eight overs. Khilan Patel also returned with figures of 3/35. It was just the kind of measured display India were looking for before they enter the pointy end of the tournament. (ICC)

Guyana Under-17 women go down to front-runners Honduras

THE Guyana Under-17 women’s football team’s chances of advancing to the next round of the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers suffered a major hurdle at the Stadion Guillermo Prospero Trinidad in Aruba on Saturday after front-runners and unbeaten Honduras cruised to a 3-1 victory at Stadion Guillermo Prospero Trinidad in Oranjestad, Aruba, in their Group D encounter.

Ilsy Sevilla opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a towering free kick from about 45 yards out, while Jazlyn Sánchez doubled the lead with a header at the back post after three minutes of added time in the first half.

Halftime substitute Valentina Chavarria made an instant impact for Honduras, with a goal just two minutes after entering the game in the 47th minute.

Anaya Joseph scored Guyana’s lone goal in the 87th minute as she hustled to a bouncing ball and put it away.

Meanwhile, Guyana

cruised to a 2-nil win over Aruba at the same venue on Thursday night.

The opening goal landed in the 26th minute as Alexaudria Chasles sent a great ball into the middle of the box and connected with Anaya Joseph for the strike.

It remained a 1-nil game for most of the contest until Chasles came up with another assist in the 88th minute, spinning past defenders and linking up with Adrianna Chin to finish it off.

The Guyanese will play their final game against St

Vincent & The Grenadines at 3:00pm local time today and will be aiming for a big win and hope other results go in their favour for them to advance to the next round.

Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers will determine the eight nations that will move onto the final round and join the four tovp-ranked teams in the region, which received a bye: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

The 2026 Concacaf U-17 Women’s Qualifiers will be the second edition of the event to be played under the current two-round format, following its introduction in 2025.

After the round-robin group stage play in round one, the six group winners and the two best second-place finishers will advance to the final round.

The 12 participating teams in the final round will compete for four slots to represent Concacaf at the global competition, set to take place in Morocco between October and November of this year.

Sammy: Bowlers key to West Indies lifting World Cup title

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (CMC) – If the West Indies are to stand any chance of winning an unprecedented third World Cup title, their bowlers will have to produce a herculean effort, says head coach Daren Sammy.

Sammy made the comments following the just concluded T20I series against South Africa, which the West Indies lost 2-1.

The Windies’ bowlers struggled during the series, taking just 10 wickets across the three matches. In the first two matches, they conceded a whooping 401 runs while claiming only four wickets. Their best performance came in Saturday’s third match – which was reduced to 10 overs – where they

restricted the hosts to 118 for six to win by six runs via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method.

With just six days remaining before the West Indies take on Scotland in their T20 World Cup opener, Sammy said how far the team goes in the tournament will be determined by how well the bowling unit performs.

“…Hopefully we can play a brand of cricket that helps us win. Like I said before I have a really good feeling.

“I know it’s going to take a massive effort with the ball but I’m seeing signs that when we execute, and today we executed our plans to different batters more often than not, and that’s

Jamaica Women crowned Super50 Cup champions in thrilling finish

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – Jamaica Women leapt from fifth position to claim the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup title for the sixth time in dramatic fashion in one of the most keenly contested competitions in recent memory.

Entering the final round in fifth position, Jamaica capitalised on a slip by leaders Windward Islands Women to take the title by just one point following the completion of three rounds of action.

The final standings reflected the competitiveness of the tournament, with the top four positions separated by just two points.

With the Windward Islands falling to Guyana Women, Jamaica’s dominant eight-wicket victory over the winless Leeward

Islands Women earned them crucial bonus points and catapulted them to 21 points, one more than second placed Windwards and third placed Guyana, who both ended on 20 points.

It was Jamaica Women’s first Super50 Cup title since 2024.

Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Women, who were also in the running to lift the title after defeating Barbados Women in their final match, placed fourth on 19 points.

Barbados, who entered the final round in second position, dropped all the way to fifth with the defeat to finish on 13 points, with the Leeward Islands bringing up the rear on seven points after losing all three of their matches.

something Ravi [Rampaul] has been drilling with the bowling, so I’m looking forward to the World Cup,” Sammy said.

“We have all the plans, but we all know we could have all the plans, especially from a bowling standpoint, but a plan is really good when it’s executed, and we as a bowling group have not really executed well.”

However, Sammy said while he was encouraged by the bowlers’ performance in Saturday’s final T20 match, it was needed on a more consistent basis.

The head coach also said the team needed to improve their fielding as a matter of urgency.

“Today I saw more of execution, what we discussed

in team meetings, how we want to bowl to different batters. We have to do that really well.

“We have to take the catches, for sure we have to take the catches. We can’t keep giving the opposition’s best batsmen one and two and three chances. We will be punished by that,” Sammy maintained.

Sammy, who was part of the Windies’ World Cup winning teams in 2012 and 2016, admitted he was pleased with the batting unit heading to the World Cup.

Despite losing the series, the batsmen had totals of 173 for seven, 221 for four and also blasted 114 for three in 10 overs.

“I’m happy with how the batting is going, certain areas

probably against spin I’d like to see them rotate some more. In the series against South Africa, I think they were probably averaging around 11, 12 runs an over against our spinners, while we were averaging around seven against theirs, and that is something teams would try to use against us,” Sammy said.

“When we were really good in the World Cup in the Caribbean, we had that [Nicholas] Pooran factor in the middle and now “Hetty” [Shimron Hetmyer] is doing that at number three, and that gives us a way to counteract what the opposition’s spinners bring at us, especially wrist spin and left-arm spin.

Seecharran leads from the front as GT crush West Demerara

By Sean Devers

IN sweltering heat, Georgetown (GT) made it two in a row when they crushed West Demerara by 201 runs in the second round of the inaugural Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-Association 50-over U-16 tournament yesterday at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.

Fourteen-year-old Lomar Seecharran’s 91-ball 72, which was decorated with seven fours and a six, spearheaded Georgetown to 255-8 from their allotted 50 overs.

Mickel Johnson’s 35, Prosper Jacobus’ 35, Makai Dowlin’s 26 and an unbeaten 21 from Afraz Khan also contributed to GT’s total.

The city side recovered from a middle-order collapse which left them on 178-5 as three wickets fell for 18 runs, including first-round centurion Nathan Bishop and Dowling, who scored an undefeated 53 on Saturday before the tail wagged.

Dhirendra Shivepersaud (3-47), Mahendra Pitiram (227) and Jadon Birch (2-35) were the main wicket-tak -

ers for West Demerara, who were dismissed for 54 in 24.4 overs.

Chasing 256 for victory, Harricharran was run out for a duck at 1-1 and never recovered as West Demerara could not survive half of their allotted overs.

Skipper Shazam Ali (14) was the only batter to reach double figures as six batters failed to score.

Wasim Ali followed his 4-3 on Saturday with 3-6 yesterday, while Narine Balashankar (3-8) and Khan (2-7) were the architects of destruction

Earlier, watched by a fairsized crowd, West Demerara won the toss and invited the city side to take strike in ideal batting conditions.

Seecharran, on the back of a magnificent 130 in the opening round against East Bank on Saturday, dominated a 75-run partnership with Neerav Persaud, who made 13 from 55 balls.

The left-handed Seecharran, who made a century on his Guyana U-13 debut last year against Barbados, looked in imperious form

Skipper Lomar Seecharran top-scored for Georgetown with 72 at Lusignan and collected his Man-of-the-Match Award from Chairman from GCA Competitions Committee

Shawn Massiah

and effortlessly deposited the expensive Ishan Harricharran for six to see his team to 50 in the 15 th over.

The skipper hit Harricharran for a four and lofted him for a six to reach consecutive 50s.

His half-century came from 59 balls with five fours and a six.

Persaud was the silent partner in his second 50-run opening stand before Shazam Ally removed him in the 20th over to bring Johnson to the crease. Johnson looked positive

and stroked Harricharran for a couple of boundaries to post the 100 in 25 overs to the delight of the fans in the stands.

Pitiram captured the prized scalp of Seecharran when the national U-15 and U-17 wicket-Keeper/batter was 28 away from successive tons to leave GT on 116-2 in the 29th over.

Dowlin joined Johnson and the pair brought up the 150 in 33 overs when Makai, the son of former Test batter Travis Dowlin, hit Pitiram for six and hammered Birch for two boundaries.

But GT lost both Johnson and Dowlin in the space of four runs to leave the score on 164-4.

Leg-spinners Wasim Ali (left) and Narine Balashankar took three wickets each for GT (Turn

Seejatan and Hopkinson lead honours at GMR&SC 2025 Awards

SHAN Seejatan and Alain Hopkinson have been crowned the elite of Guyanese motorsport after a record-breaking 2025 season, which culminated in a glitzy gala awards ceremony on Friday evening.

The pair secured the prestigious "Driver of the Year" and "Rider of the Year" accolades, respectively, headlining an evening that celebrated a transformative period for racing in the Caribbean.

For Shan Seejatan, the top prize was the result of a masterclass in multi-disci -

plinary dominance. Seejatan’s campaign was nothing short of relentless; he secured the Group Two circuit championship and paired it with the Vitz Cup endurance title. His technical prowess was highlighted by a new Group Two lap record, stopping the clocks at a blistering 1:23.937s at the South Dakota Circuit. As Guyana prepares for a heavy influx of international GT3 machinery in 2026, Seejatan has firmly established himself as the domestic benchmark. On the bikes, Alain Hop-

kinson was the undisputed protagonist of the year.

Sweeping the Super Stock B category, Hopkinson not only took the overall title but reset the class standard with a 1:18.293s lap record.

His consistency throughout the year saw him fend off seasoned challengers and international entries alike, bridging the gap to the elite A-class riders. Hopkinson's rise mirrors a wider "new blood" trend in the paddock, with GMR&SC President Mahendra Boodhoo noting that 50% of the current grid

Alcaraz beats Djokovic to win Australian Open, completes career Slam

…Alcaraz becomes the youngest man in tennis to complete a career Grand Slam and win seven Slams with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 triumph

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Australian Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said capturing all four Grand Slam titles at 22 had not diminished his desire and while plenty remains on his to-do list, he will not pile pressure on himself to chase a clean sweep of the majors this year.

Alcaraz celebrated becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam by overhauling Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena on Sunday and will look to return to the finals of the other majors this year.

The Spaniard beat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final last year to defend his title, before surrendering his Wimbledon crown to the Italian and capping their trilogy of major meetings by unseating him at the U.S. Open for a sixth Grand Slam trophy.

"It's going to be a big challenge," Alcaraz told reporters when asked about gunning for all four Grand Slam titles in the same year.

"Those are big words, to be honest. I just want it to be one at a time. Right now, the next one is the French Open and I have great memories of that tournament. I feel really special every time that I go there.

"I don't want to put myself in a really pressure position to have to do it, but it's going to be great. Right now I'll try to be ready, to work hard, to just recover and practise well to play a good tournament in

has joined the sport within the last three years.

The gala also served as a platform for Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. to outline a bold infrastructure roadmap. Backed by a G$150M government investment, the South Dakota Circuit has expanded to 1.6 miles, with the ultimate goal of securing FIA Grade 3—and eventually Grade 2—status.

"Many things were just a pipe dream years ago, but now they are reality," Ramson Jr. told the audience. "Motorsport is changing; it’s no

longer seen as an elitist sport."

The Record Breakers (Lap Records):GT3: Will Redford – 1:16.028s; Super Stock A (Bikes): Daniel Linfoot – 1:16.017s; Group Two: Shan Seejatan – 1:23.937s; Sports Tuner: Brandon Singh – 1:27.408s

Selected Champions: Group 4 (Circuit): Andrew King; Starlet Cup & Group 3: Afraz Allie; Female Class Champion: Malicia Lawrence and Superbikes 1000cc (Drag): Jermaine Chattersingh

The focus now shifts to

July 11-12, when Guyana will host the GT Challenge de las Américas. The event is expected to attract over 5,000 international visitors and features a grid boasting iconic manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche.

With the return of competitive karting in 2026 and talks underway to join the Latin American drag racing circuit, the GMR&SC is positioning Guyana not just as a regional participant, but as the "biggest party in sport" in the Caribbean.

Guyanese duo win historic FIA Americas ‘Driver of the Year' awards

GUYANA’S burgeoning reputation on the international motorsport map has reached a new peak after two of the nation’s leading racers were honoured at the prestigious FIA Americas Awards in Panama City on Saturday.

In what is being described as a "watershed moment" for the region, Shan Seejattan and Anand Ramchand became the first Guyanese drivers to receive top-tier recognition from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), according to the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club.

The ceremony, which celebrates the elite performers from the NACAM and CODASUR regions, saw Seejattan crowned the 2025 FIA Americas Driver of the Year, while Ramchand was retrospectively honoured for his dominant 2024 campaign.

The accolades reflect a sharp rise in the technical and competitive standards of Guyana's domestic championships.

"To have two drivers recognised at this level is a testament to the rigorous sporting framework now in place," a regional official noted.

"Coupled with the recent upgrades to the South Dakota Circuit, Guyana is rapidly becoming a hub for international competition."

the FIA’s global "Net Zero" sustainability strategy.

the next Grand Slam."

Alcaraz said he had plenty of motivation for the rest of a year that has begun superbly after an

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The GMR&SC’s success in Panama City wasn't limited to the podium. Under the leadership of President Mahendra Boodhoo, the club has secured FIA 1-Star Environmental Accreditation—a critical step in aligning with

This accreditation is often a prerequisite for hosting high-level international series, and it comes at a pivotal time for the South Dakota facility as it prepares to host the GT Challenge de las Américas on July 11-12.