Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-06-2026

‘The

Development Bank is coming to bring opportunities for you’ – President Ali

— Guyanese welcome initiative as gov’t moves to expand access to financing, entrepreneurship

THOUSANDS of ordinary Guyanese will soon have access to collateral-free financing, mentorship and business support through the Guyana Development Bank, an initiative the government says will expand business ownership and create new opportunities for wealth creation across the country.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, in a Facebook video on Saturday, said the institution is designed to place Guyanese families at the centre of the country's economic growth by giving them the tools and resources

initial investment of more than US$200 million, equivalent to approximately G$40 billion.

According to President Ali, the institution will focus on more than simply issuing loans.

“This is more than lending. This is about nurturing, this is about developing, it's about coaching, helping you with financial management, helping you develop your ideas, helping you to build that business,” the President said.

He noted that thousands of Guyanese are expected to benefit from the initiative, with

needed to transform ideas into successful businesses.

"It is coming to give every single ordinary Guyanese family, without collateral, the opportunity to own their own business, to harness their own ideas," the President said.

The Head of State explained that the bank fulfils a commitment made by the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its 2025 election manifesto and will be backed by an

of entrepreneurs to combine resources and undertake larger ventures.

As an example, he said a group of persons interested in egg production could come together to establish a modern medium-scale facility that would otherwise be financially out of reach.

"If you have 10 persons in a cluster who want to go into medium-sized egg production, right away they can scale up and create a modern facility for egg production that they could have never afforded to do before," he explained.

financing available to individuals who have strong business concepts but limited access to traditional banking services.

“This will be thousands of loans given to ordinary Guyanese families. You don't have to own anything, you just have to have an idea that we will help to develop, that we will help to nurture," he said.

President Ali also highlighted the bank's cluster-based approach, which will allow groups

people will benefit," he said.

President Ali encouraged young people, in-

The President revealed that while the Guyana Development Bank Bill is currently before the National Assembly, preparatory work is already underway to ensure the institution becomes operational quickly once the legislation is approved.

“As the bill is in Parliament now, we are already setting up the administrative mechanism, we're already training people, we are already operationalising this, so our Guyanese

cluding graduates of the University of Guyana, to use the opportunities that will be available through the bank to invest in emerging sectors such as tourism, agriculture, agro-processing, arts, crafts and the orange economy.

His remarks come as many Guyanese continue to welcome the initiative.

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Shakira Rahaman said the bank could help young

entrepreneurs who often struggle to access financing through conventional channels.

"I think that a lot of the young people these days do not have access to these finances because it is hard for them to get documentation, to get a solid business plan ready, and with this bank, it is a great initiative," Rahaman said.

She added that many young people have business ideas but are uncertain about where to begin.

Meanwhile, Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr Van West-Charles, said the bank would allow more citizens to participate meaningfully in the country's growing economy.

"It opens the door even more to allow people to participate in the economy the real way, while also creating wealth," he stated.

The Guyana Development Bank Bill was tabled in the National Assembly on Friday and proposes microcredit loans of up to G$3 million for young entrepreneurs, women, small and medium-sized enterprises and persons living with disabilities.

In addition to financing, beneficiaries will receive mentorship, training and technical assistance aimed at improving the sustainability and success of their businesses.

GPHC calls for greater awareness, early screening for uterine cancer

AS June marks Uterine Cancer Awareness Month, a specialist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is encouraging women to pay close attention to abnormal symptoms and seek medical attention early, stressing that prompt diagnosis can save lives.

Dr Latoya Young highlighted several warning signs associated with uterine cancer, particularly abnormal bleeding, which she described as one of the most important symptoms women should never ignore.

“Bleeding after menopause is never normal. That's a big red flag," Dr Young said, urging women who experience post-menopausal bleeding to seek medical care immediately.

According to the doctor, post-menopausal bleeding could be an indication of uterine cancer and requires prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional. She also cautioned

against dismissing vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, noting that it is another symptom that warrants medical attention.

Dr Young explained, "Bleeding between peri-

gist."

The specialist noted that unusually heavy menstrual bleeding should likewise be investigated, as it may signal an underlying medical condition.

ods is never normal.”

"If you find that you're bleeding between periods or your periods are heavier than normal, then you should seek care from a gynaecolo-

Dr Latoya Young

tified unusual vaginal discharge after menopause as another symptom that should not be overlooked.

“You shouldn't be having any discharge or bleeding after menopause. That's not normal.”

Persistent pelvic pain or pressure was also highlighted as a warning sign.

“Heavier than normal bleeding is not normal and you should seek medical attention," she stressed.

Beyond abnormal bleeding, Dr Young iden-

“If you have those symptoms, seek medical attention. It's not normal,” Dr Young advised.

While emphasising the signs that should prompt concern, the physician also noted that some symptoms are generally considered normal, including occasional mild cramps during menstruation, mild bloating during periods, and the occasional missed menstrual cycle due to stress.

However, she urged women not to ignore

symptoms that fall outside of what is considered normal.

“If you're experiencing any of those signs that warranted a red flag, then you should seek help from a gynaecologist,” she said.

Dr Young concluded with a message underscoring the importance of awareness and early intervention.

“Know the symptoms, know the signs. Seek help early. Early detection saves lives.”

Uterine cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting the female reproductive system.

Health professionals continue to emphasise that recognising symptoms early and obtaining timely medical care can significantly improve outcomes for women diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Suspect in killing of Zeelugt

child arrested

ONE DAY after the brutal murder of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed and the attempted murder of his 72-year-old great-grandmother, police have arrested the man believed to be responsible for the attack.

The arrest was confirmed on Saturday by Deputy Commissioner of Police and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who said the suspect was apprehended at his residence in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The breakthrough comes as investigators continue probing the horrific attack that occurred at about 04:45 hrs on Friday at Phase Three, Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

On Saturday, Adriel's uncle, Naseeb Mohamed, disclosed that his mother, Halima Itwari, who survived the attack and remains hospitalised, positively identified the suspect from photographs shown to her by investigators.

“My mother told me that is the man. She said ‘100 per cent that is the man’, and I know that the police already know and we're going to work with that,” Mohamed said.

Police in Regional Division Three have been investigating the murder of

Seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed who was brutally killed during an attack at his family’s home in Phase Three, Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, early Friday morning

the child and the attempted murder of Itwari, who was stabbed during the attack.

According to investigators, a relative went to the home at approximately 05:05 hrs and discovered the elderly woman injured and the child motionless inside the house.

Itwari was rushed to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where she was admitted as a patient. Her condition has since been listed as stable.

Police ranks who processed the scene recovered a knife suspected to have been used in the attack.

The weapon was lodged as evidence.

The child's body was subsequently taken to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced

dead on arrival by a doctor. It was later transferred to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Investigators also reviewed CCTV footage from cameras in the area, which reportedly showed a lone male suspect in the vicinity around the time of the attack.

The murder shocked the nation and sparked an outpouring of grief, with relatives, community members and government officials rallying around the family in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, police have indicated that investigations remain ongoing as detectives continue to gather evidence and prepare their case against the suspect.

Family in Zeelugt tragedy shuts down WIN’s leader’s political claims during visit to home

— ‘We want peace,’ uncle says as social media users criticise attempts to score political points

THE uncle of seven-yearold Adriel Aftab Mohamed, on Saturday, appealed for calm and respect for the grieving family as a heated exchange unfolded during a visit by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed to the Zeelugt home where the child was murdered.

Naseeb Mohamed, whose mother, 72-year-old Halima Itwari, was injured during the attack, repeatedly urged those gathered to avoid politicising the tragedy and allow investigators to continue their work.

“We don't want no problem. We don't want no problem about PPP, WIN party or any party," Naseeb Mohamed said during the exchange. "I want peace. This thing gets far from over."

The discussion arose after concerns were raised about access to the property and the handling of the crime scene by investigators.

Responding to criticisms about restrictions placed on family members, Naseeb Mohamed defended the actions of the police, saying citizens must respect law enforcement officers carrying out their duties.

“If the police say don't go in there, don't go in there," he said. "This is the problem with our society. Follow instruction."

He maintained that the police had been working throughout the day at the scene and cautioned against spreading misinformation while the in-

A snippet from that live as the uncle of sevenyear-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed speaks with Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed

vestigation remains active.

One point of contention centred on claims that a female relative had spent several nights outside the home following the murder.

Naseeb Mohamed dismissed the allegation.

"That's my niece that lives in that house," he said. "She didn't sleep outside."

Throughout the conversation, he stressed that the family's focus remains on securing justice for the slain child and supporting his injured mother, who remains hospitalised.

"My mother just went into shock at the hospital. They remove her from one ward and they took her back to the other ward," he said.

"We have a situation here.

We don't want this thing to escalate."

The grieving uncle also revealed that his mother has identified a man seen in

CCTV footage as the person who attacked the family.

"We got the guy photograph," he said. "My mother said that is the man. She said 100 per cent that is the man."

However, he urged patience and called on the public to allow investigators to complete their work.

"Let us calm down and let us give the police time to work," he said.

Naseeb Mohamed also spoke emotionally about forgiveness and faith, saying he had prayed not only for justice but also for the person responsible for the crime.

“I even pray for the person that murdered my nephew and ask God for mercy," he said.

The exchange occurred as relatives continued preparations for Adriel's funeral and as residents gathered near the family home.

Revora Energy launches specialised pricing advisory in Guyana

A NEW Guyanese-owned firm has launched what is being described as the Caribbean’s first specialised energy pricing, benchmark and valuation advisory, positioning itself to support governments, producers, traders and industrial consumers operating within the oil and gas sector.

Revora Energy, launched by Georgetown Capital Management Inc., will focus on energy pricing analysis, benchmark advisory, physical crude oil marketing support and market intelligence services across crude oil, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets.

According to the company, the advisory was established to address a critical but often overlooked aspect of the energy industry: the systems, bench -

marks and pricing methodologies that determine the value of commodities and influence billions of dollars in commercial transactions globally.

Chief Market Strategist, Alex Armogan, said the firm has invested in leading price reporting agencies, benchmark data and specialised research resources to strengthen its advisory capabilities.

“We have selected leading providers with access to real-time satellite imagery, vessel tracking systems and infrastructure monitoring capabilities. This investment is complemented by the development of Revora’s proprietary energy market intelligence framework designed to transform market information into actionable commercial insight for Guyana and the wider

region,” Armogan said.

He noted that access to information alone is not enough to provide a competitive advantage in modern energy markets.

“The competitive advantage does not come from access to data alone. It comes from the

ability to connect developments across physical markets and financial markets to identify risks, opportunities and potential commercial outcomes,” he added.

The company said a key component of its operations will be physical crude oil marketing and bidding advisory services.

These services are intended to support clients throughout the crude oil sales process through market intelligence, bidder analysis, contract negotiations, benchmark assessments and commercial decision-making support.

The launch comes at a time when Guyana’s oil production continues to expand and neighbouring Suriname advances preparations for first oil production, while interest in exploration opportunities across the region continues to grow.

Revora Energy said it intends to position itself to help clients navigate evolving market conditions and capitalise on opportunities emerging within the regional energy sector.

The firm currently has three of its five planned positions

filled and is recruiting internationally for the remaining roles, citing the need for specialised experience and familiarity with industry-specific analytical tools and products.

However, the company encouraged individuals interested in energy pricing and market intelligence to monitor its website for future employment opportunities.

According to Revora Energy, the region is entering a transformative phase in its oil and gas development, with natural gas expected to play an increasingly important role in the future energy landscape. The firm said it is strategically positioned to provide commercial and market intelligence support as the industry continues to evolve.

Ownership creates prosperity

One of the most important questions facing Guyana's development is not how much wealth the country will create, but who will own that wealth.

As the economy continues to expand at one of the fastest rates in the world, ensuring that ordinary Guyanese have a meaningful stake in that growth must remain a national priority. This is what makes the proposed Guyana Development Bank such a significant initiative.

For years, access to capital has been one of the greatest barriers facing small entrepreneurs. A market vendor wanting to expand into agro-processing, a young graduate with a technology idea, a farmer seeking to establish a poultry operation, or a craft producer hoping to enter the export market often encountered the same obstacle: Collateral. This is

one of the reasons the governments have been urging all Guyanese to OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT!

Many Guyanese have ideas, talent and determination. What they often lack is the security required by traditional lending institutions, and now, the Guyana Development Bank seeks to address that reality. Through micro-credit financing of up to G$3 million without collateral, combined with mentorship, training and technical support, the initiative has the potential to unlock opportunities for thousands of Guyanese who have historically been excluded from formal financing.

Importantly, the concept goes beyond lending money.

Many small businesses fail, not because the idea is poor, but because entrepreneurs lack guidance in financial management,

marketing, record keeping, inventory control or business planning. By combining financing with coaching and mentorship, the bank recognises that sustainable entrepreneurship requires more than access to cash.

The timing of the initiative is also important.

Guyana is experiencing rapid economic growth, but the long-term success of the country cannot depend solely on large corporations, multinational companies, or the oil-and-gas sector. Strong economies are built on broad-based ownership, where citizens themselves become producers, employers, and investors.

The opportunities are numerous.

In agriculture alone, groups of farmers could establish poultry farms, egg production facilities, shade houses, agro-processing plants, cassava processing

operations, aquaculture ventures, or fruit packaging enterprises. Instead of selling raw produce, entrepreneurs could add value and generate greater income.

In tourism, financing could help create eco-lodges, tour operations, transportation services, heritage experiences, river excursions and hospitality businesses, particularly in hinterland communities where tourism potential remains largely untapped.

The creative sector also stands to benefit. Artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, craft producers and digital content creators often struggle to access financing, despite the growing demand for cultural and creative products. The development bank could provide the support needed to transform creative talent into sustainable businesses.

Similarly, young gradu-

ates from the University of Guyana and technical institutions could utilise financing to launch technology companies, digital service firms, software development businesses, marketing agencies and innovation-driven enterprises that contribute to economic diversification.

The bank's cluster approach may prove especially transformative. By encouraging groups of entrepreneurs to work together, projects that would be impossible individually can become achievable collectively. Shared investment reduces risk, increases scale, and improves competitiveness.

This approach is particularly relevant at a time when Guyana is positioning itself as a regional leader in agriculture, tourism, services and innovation.

Since returning to office in 2020, the PPP/C admin-

istration has consistently argued that development must be inclusive. Infrastructure projects, housing programmes, education investments and social initiatives have all been presented as part of a broader strategy to expand opportunity.

The Guyana Development Bank fits squarely within that vision. The initiative is about ownership. It is about giving ordinary Guyanese the ability to move from employee to employer, from consumer to producer and from participant to stakeholder in the country's economic future.

As Guyana continues its extraordinary transformation, that objective may prove just as important as any road, bridge or building constructed. After all, lasting prosperity is strongest when it is owned by the people themselves.

SME bank to bridge financing gap for businesses

Dear Editor, CURRENTLY, there are more than 520 development banks and development finance institutions worldwide. These institutions collectively account for approximately 10% of total global investment. These institutions are created to address a persistent market failure: The exclusion of strategically important but higher-risk sectors from traditional financing channels.

Firms operating in these sectors—often critical to national development— face prohibitive borrowing costs, stringent collateral requirements, or outright

credit denial from commercial banks. Development banks are, therefore, established to bridge this gap, enabling investment where private finance is either unwilling or unable to act.

In Guyana, a development bank was created in 1970 to extend credit to businesses, especially cooperatives. However, by the late 1990s, the bank collapsed as a result of poor management and the deterioration of the economy, which saw the demise of all the key sectors. Under the Economic Recovery Programme, the government had no option but to close the bank as part of its effort to divest underperforming

State entities and liberalise the financial sector.

The situation today is fundamentally different. Guyana is experiencing rapid economic expansion in every sector. This growth is accompanied by significant bankable investment opportunities in both the oil and non-oil sectors. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, are poised to play a pivotal role in broad-based growth, job creation, and economic diversification. Recognising this fact since 2020, the government is in the process of establishing an SME Development Bank to not only provide financing to these businesses but to

actively support their longterm viability.

This new institution, as conceptualised by the President, will catalyse SMEs in all the critical sectors by offering zero-interest loans without collateral for amounts below G$3 million, directly addressing the most binding constraints faced by small businesses. Beyond financing, the bank will provide technical assistance, training, and other support services to improve business capacity, enhance survival rates, and foster sustainable growth.

Importantly, the SME Development Bank is not intended to compete with commercial financial in -

stitutions. Instead, it is designed to complement them. For SMEs requiring larger financing, the bank will play a catalytic role— de-risking enterprises and preparing them to access private capital. In doing so, it will help crowd in investment, strengthen financial intermediation, and expand access to credit across the economy.

By targeting underserved sectors, supporting entrepreneurship, and facilitating private sector participation, the SME Development Bank will serve as a critical instrument for advancing Guyana’s development agenda—driving diversification, creating

jobs, and ensuring that economic growth translates into broad-based prosperity. Importantly, it will be part of the financial system that supports sustainable development.

With the tabling of the Bill in the National Assembly on Friday to establish the SME Development Bank, the government will deliver yet another manifesto promise, fulfilling the dream of SMEs to access finance on terms and conditions available only in Guyana. Regards, Professor Tarron Khemraj and Sukrishnalall Pasha

This huge hole in current Guyanese history must be filled

WHEN I read a 2,700-word tribute of Clive Thomas on achieving 90 years by Nigel Westmaas, I knew something was going on. Westmaas traced Thomas's political and academic life over a 60-year period and there was not one word, I mean not one word, about the man Clive Thomas, who held formidable state power for five years in the APNU+AFC government of 2015-2020.

For my comments on this academic and political nastiness of Westmaas, see my article of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, titled “Clive Thomas and Nigel Westmaas are political low-lives.” How could someone be so shameless? But Westmaas’ grand omission is a grand scheme of conspiracy to blank out this period in current Guyanese history.

Clive Thomas himself did a weekly column in the Stabroek News for five years (2020-2025) and there was no mention of his time in

government in any of those columns. I read all up to the time he stopped because of illness and there wasn’t even a paragraph about his time in government. There wasn’t even a passing sentence. How could someone be so shameless?

David Granger had a programme named “Public Interest” in which he roamed over unlimited issues in Guyana, but there was never a word about his presidency, how he felt about it, the negatives and positives and pitfalls, if any, of his government, the goals set that were achieved and those that weren’t. If you walk the streets of Georgetown from 2020 and keep walking today, every man and woman would like to hear what Granger had/has to say about roads not taken during his presidency. Yet Granger had the temerity to title his podcast, “The Public Interest.” Did Granger ever know what the public was interested in? How could anyone be so shameless?

Divisive?

WHY is it that when people of colour choose to celebrate a successful journey, whether it be in sport, business or simply in life, it is seen as divisive?

This was the criticism levelled two weeks ago, when black tennis stars, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend, held an evening get-together for black players in this traditionally white, elitist sport. It was a private event whose purpose was not to exclude anyone, but to provide a safe space for black players to gather and celebrate their successful participation in a sport which often made them feel invisible.

As an Indian news anchor and sports journalist, Rupha Armani, said “... the fact that this celebration made so many people squirm is an indication that the sport still has

Alissa Trotz, who believes that Rupert Roopnaraine was the best thing in Guyana after chicken curry or curry chicken, edited a column titled “In the Diaspora” in the Stabroek News for ten years, spanning the period 2020 to March 2026, when the Stabroek News rightfully folded. When she started it, she wrote that the topics would be of interest to the Guyanese diaspora.

There wasn’t one column from August 2020 when the APNU+AFC regime was voted out to March 2026 when Stabroek News ceased to exist on any aspect of the APNU-AFC administration.

‘In The Diaspora’ completely avoided any discussion, however passing or brief, of the five years of APNU+AFC. How could this lady be so shameless?

I have been told that Trotz and Westmaas will be doing a biography of Rupert Roopnaraine. Remember this column when that book is out. There will be absolutely

no mention of Roopnaraine’s disgraceful and ignominious time in power. Remember this is the same Westmaas that looked at 60 years of Clive Thomas’ politics but conveniently forgot to mention that from 2015 to 2020 Thomas was the adviser to President Granger and the man in charge of the sugar industry, where 7000 sugar workers were retrenched and had taken Thomas and Granger to court to get their severance pay. The workers won in court.

The same Trotz and Westmaas just finished editing the autobiography of WPA stalwart, Moses Bhagwan. There are no reflections by Bhagwan of the WPA in power between 2015 and 2020 in his autobiography. Of course, expect Bhagwan to say that he wasn’t part of the APNU+AFC government, so why should that be part of

his memoir?

From the time APNU+AFC lost power in August 2020, David Hinds has been doing a daily Facebook rampage. But Hinds avoids, like COVID-19, any reference to the five years his party, APNU and his other party, the WPA, have been in power. Hinds not even passing makes any reference to anything whatsoever about APNU in power. Recently, my brother’s friend, Howard Eastman, perhaps the most consistent successful professional boxer Guyana produced, was jailed for 4 years for possession of ganja.

Granger, Joe Harmon and the senior politicians in the PNC would have known about Eastman’s decorated career. But Hinds never explained and will never explain why his government in 2016 refused to pass the marijuana amendment ta -

bled in parliament, which, if it had been passed, Eastman would not have been in jail. David Patterson, senior Cabinet Minister in the APNU+AFC administration, does a Facebook post almost weekly. Last week, he took time to cuss down the PPP government for not giving state positions to those who crossed over to the PPP. Patterson does not touch the subject of the AFC’s time in power. One man who promised to examine the AFC in power is Nigel Hughes. He hasn’t done it as yet. This gap in Guyanese history has to be filled. The current generation needs to know about it.

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.

some growing up to do.”

And so do the internet trolls, who turned it into a global debate about race, inclusion and divisiveness, politicising what was meant as a simple evening of meet and greet among black tennis players.

I doubt there would have been such an outcry had the Chinese players, for instance, held such a social.

There seems to be just something that rankles whenever black people seek to celebrate their presence in any given field or simply to announce to the world, 'we are here'.

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement met with opposition from those who claimed that it unfairly promoted black lives, arguing that all lives matter.

They completely missed the point that this statement could only be

true if black lives matter and, given the killing of black people in ways clearly indicative of racism, the BLM sought to highlight the value of black lives.

The Movement was criticised as divisive and, ironically, accused of supporting 'reverse racism' by what many saw as pushing a black agenda.

When they took to the streets, BLM supporters were blamed for violence largely perpetrated by fringe elements, wellknown for joining protests to loot and pillage.

When Muhammad Ali called for segregation of the races, he openly poked fun at a society which has for so long embodied division, while claiming to be inclusive.

Ali advocated against inter-racial marriages and was subsequently jailed for refusing to be drafted for the war in Vietnam, accurately pointing out that the soldiers being sent there were disproportionately black.

Yet 'the world's greatest' boxer delivered his controversial views with such wit and wisdom that he became a popular guest on talk shows, with predominantly white audiences.

He was famously asked to return, by popular demand, to the leading talk show in the UK at the time – ‘Frost over England’ - hosted by David Frost.

Liked for his acerbic wit, Frost, at the end of the evening, told Ali it was a pleasure being on HIS show. He was giving credit to the boxer for effectively redirecting the slant of the show, at one point actually telling the host to put aside his list of questions and just talk.

This took place decades ago and is a testament to the fickle nature of the viewing audience and the wider public, who can take offence at innocent acts, yet be prepared to listen when openly goaded.

What is more telling

is the fact that in this age of 'wokism', people seem to be even more judgemental than 'back in the day' and politics appears to be able to control narratives where it has no business.

But the move by these two black athletes and the subsequent backlash shows the 'thin skin' of those who also have a lot of growing up to do.

The Indian sports journalist put it in perspective when she said, “Athletes today are allowed to express them-

selves until their expression makes others uncomfortable, then suddenly it becomes political... true inclusion is not just about allowing people into the room. It's about allowing them to celebrate when they get there, without judgment.”

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.

THE Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance convened a remarkable gathering at the World Trade Centre in Kingston last Tuesday. The launch of Guyana's ‘National Consultation on Social Media and its Consequential Effects on Children’ marks the first step in answering a distress signal that should have every citizen with a beating heart rushing to the emergency room.

Gathered were several government ministers, parents, educators, pastors, imams, pandits, child protection advocates, and policymakers. The urgency of their presence underscored the framing of Minister Gail Teixeira: “child protection comes first. No compromise.”

What brought them together is hardly an isolated issue. The evidence is so staggering that the U.S. Surgeon General, the country’s top public health official, is calling for tobacco-style warning labels on social media platforms. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is advocating no screen time for children under one year and no more than one hour per day for children between two and four. The American Psychological Association, the National Academies of Science, and the UK's National Health Service, institutions that don't alarm easily, have all issued formal warnings.

And why is that? Because the data can no longer be ignored. Teenagers who spend more than three hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Among the heaviest users, one in ten expressed suicidal intent or self-harm thoughts in the past year, compared to one in twenty among the lowest users. Facebook's own internal research, revealed by whistleblower Frances Haugen, admitted that the platform "makes body image issues worse for one in three teen girls." Haugen was a data scientist and former Facebook product manager who leaked thousands of internal company documents in 2021. Her disclosures revealed that Meta (formerly Facebook)

consistently prioritised profits over user safety and ignored its own research on the societal harms caused by its platforms.

A 2025 analysis of 83 studies, covering 55,440 participants, confirmed Haugen’s leaks: the more time young people, especially girls, spend on social media making appearance comparisons, the more likely they are to develop body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. The bottom line - social media algorithms are rigged in favour of your daughter’s engagement, not her self-esteem.

Social media is rewiring our kids' brains, and neuroscientists have been sounding the alarm for over a decade. The platforms, whether TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, are engineered to exploit the brain's dopamine reward system. It targets the same neurochemical pathway implicated in addiction. Each notification, each like, each new piece of content spikes dopamine levels. Over time, the brain adjusts its baseline downward, requiring ever more stimulation to feel nor-

Our children are drowning, stop scrolling Results over political rhetoric

THERE is a striking contrast unfolding in Guyana’s National Assembly.

On one side stands a PPP/C government focused on building infrastructure, expanding opportunities, modernising institutions, and delivering on promises made to the electorate.

On the other side stands a WIN/APNU Opposition that appears increasingly determined to oppose for the sake of opposition, even when the measures before Parliament are de-

signed to improve the lives of ordinary Guyanese.

The latest sitting of the National Assembly provided another clear example of this divide.

The PPP/C Government tabled six new bills, several international financing agreements, important commission reports, and a supplementary financial paper seeking approval for $54.9 billion in additional spending to advance ongoing national development projects. Yet, predictably, opposition

mal.

The natural rewards of childhood, such as accomplishment, friendship, play, and curiosity, gradually feel less satisfying by comparison. Stanford psychiatrist, Dr Anna Lembke, compares social media addiction to using cocaine. The prefrontal cortex of adolescents, which controls their impulses, longterm reasoning, and regulates their emotions, doesn’t mature until they’re about 25 years old. In essence, what tech-savvy engineers have done is insert a dopamine slot machine into the brain of every child with a smartphone.

The first casualty is sleep. Drawing on data from over 122,000 participants, the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that electronic screen use before bed significantly reduces sleep duration, delays sleep onset and worsens sleep quality. Just two hours of exposure to a screen's blue light can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin by 55 per cent.

The downstream effects compound relentlessly. Sleep deprivation worsens anxiety

and depression. Anxiety and depression drive more social media use. More social media use deepens sleep disruption. We have handed our children a machine that, when used the way they are actually using it, creates a self-reinforcing cycle of cognitive and emotional harm.

An Oregon State University study of over 1,500 adults found that those in the highest quarter of social media usage were more than twice as likely to be lonely, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or income. Social media replaces the face-to-face, non-verbal interaction that human beings evolved over millennia to depend on. Instead, a like has replaced an actual hug; a comment thread is now accepted as a conversation, and a follower is considered a friend.

Jonathan Haidt, the social psychologist whose book The Anxious Generation triggered global debate on this issue, argues that between 2010 and 2015, precisely the years when smartphones began saturating adolescent life, rates of depression, anxiety, lone-

liness, and self-harm spiked sharply across the Western world, in patterns that transcend race, class, and culture.

And just as our civil society is beginning to grapple collectively with social media, artificial intelligence has arrived with a new and deeper set of implications. That’s a topic for another column.

The government is inviting us to participate in this conversation; the least we can do is attend. Speak plainly to your children. Know what they are watching and recognise that your child’s mind is not a marketplace. Our children did not choose to be born into a digital world. We, on the other hand, chose to be their parents, their teachers and leaders. That choice comes with a responsibility that no consultation can fulfil on our behalf.

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.

voices have already begun to frame the supplementary allocation as evidence that the government simply wants to spend more money or waste public resources.

That argument does not withstand even the most basic scrutiny.

The reality is that governments do not seek supplementary financing because they enjoy spending money. They do so because projects are progressing, development is accelerating, and addition-

al resources are needed to meet commitments that are already underway.

Guyana is not standing still. Roads are being built, housing schemes are expanding, agricultural production is being strengthened, drainage systems are being upgraded, and transformative projects such as Gas-to-Energy are moving closer to completion.

The proposed supplementary allocations tell a story of investment, not waste.

More than $19 billion is earmarked for the Office of the Prime Minister, including support for the Gas-to-Energy Project. This project is expected to dramatically reduce electricity costs, improve reliability, and make Guy-

ana more competitive for businesses and manufacturers. It is arguably one of the most important economic projects in modern Guyanese history.

Another $17.5 billion is directed toward housing development. Thousands of Guyanese families who once believed home ownership was beyond their

Beyond contracts: How Local Content is transforming Guyanese enterprise

FOR years, Guyanese have been told that one of the country’s greatest resources lies beneath the ocean floor.

But as discussions continue around this year’s Local Content Summit, another point deserves just as much attention: Guyana’s future will not be determined by oil alone. It will depend heavily on people.

The story of local content is often told through numbers: Procurement figures, contract values, investment announcements, employment statistics. These are important because they help show whether more Guyanese businesses and workers are finding space in the oil and gas economy. But numbers do not tell the whole story. One of the deeper shifts is confidence.

Confidence is what causes a small business owner to bid for work that once seemed out of reach. It is what encourages a young Guyanese to pursue engineering, logistics, finance, project management, or a technical trade because they can now see a future for those skills at home.

It is also what helps move

local businesses from watching Guyana’s growth to helping shape it.

That is one of the important stories behind this year’s Local Content Summit, held under the theme “From Policy to Prosperity: Unlocking Opportunities Through Collaboration.”

The summit has brought the expected policy discussions, business presentations, and sector updates. But beyond those formal sessions, it has also pointed to something important: more Guyanese companies appear to be moving beyond the question of whether they can participate and are beginning to ask how far they can go. That is a different kind of conversation.

Companies such as Suregig Group, which has expanded beyond Guyana into Suriname and Panama, show what can happen when local businesses treat oil and gas not as a one-off opportunity, but as a platform for growth. Gurchuran Investments reflects a similar mindset. By diversifying its operations across hospitality, logistics, catering and support services for the energy sector, the company has positioned itself

to meet the higher standards, greater scale and increased competition that come with a rapidly evolving economy.

These examples matter because they challenge an old assumption.

Not long ago, many people saw oil and gas as an industry reserved mainly for foreign companies, foreign workers, and foreign expertise. Guyanese businesses were often expected to support from the margins, but not necessarily to lead, expand, or compete beyond the local market That view is changing.

Today, local companies are providing transportation, logistics, accommodation, engineering support, professional services, and other specialised services linked to the sector. Some are pursuing certifications. Some are buying equipment. Some are training staff. Some are entering new markets. That is not only participation. It is also capacity being built. And one encouraging sign of progress is that these stories are becoming less unusual.

Guyanese businesses are expanding regionally. Local

professionals are moving into more senior roles. Companies that once operated only in a small domestic market are now learning to meet international expectations.

These developments may not always attract major headlines, but they say something important about where the country may be heading. They suggest that local content is doing more than opening doors. It is also changing what some Guyanese businesses and workers believe is possible.

The workforce story points in the same direction. At the summit, Baker Hughes reported that more than 55 per cent of its Guyana workforce is Guyanese, with local employees being trained internationally and returning to take on greater responsibilities. Local companies such as Sustainable Environmental Solutions have also shown what can be achieved when business growth is matched with investment in Guyanese workers, building a workforce that is entirely Guyanese.

These are more than employment statistics. They show that Guyanese workers

are not simply being hired to fill positions. They are being trained and prepared to take on more serious responsibilities in a demanding industry. That matters beyond the oil and gas sector.

When a local business invests in new equipment, hires more people, pursues certification, or expands into another market, it is not only responding to oil and gas. It is building strength that can support other sectors as well. This is why local content must be seen as more than a compliance issue.

It is not only about meeting targets. It is not only about awarding contracts. It is not only about ensuring that a portion of oil revenues stays in the economy.

At its best, local content is a development tool. It gives Guyanese businesses and workers a reason to prepare, invest, improve, and compete. The challenge now is to protect that momentum.

Policy must continue to create room for local participation, but businesses must also do their part. They must strengthen their systems, improve service quality, train their people, and build part-

nerships that allow them to grow beyond short-term opportunities.

Local content cannot simply be something Guyana demands from the oil and gas industry. It must also become something Guyanese businesses use to raise their own standards. That may be one of the most important lessons from the summit.

As Guyana continues to grow, the legacy of local content will not only be measured by how many contracts were awarded or how many dollars were retained in the economy. It will also be measured by the confidence gained by Guyanese businesses and professionals who now see more clearly that they have a place in the country’s biggest economic story. The oil matters. But people will help determine how far it takes us.

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.

Verification for rice farmers grant ongoing – Mustapha

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has confirmed that verification is ongoing to ensure rice farmers receive the correct amount of financial assistance under the government’s upcoming grant programme.

“We are putting a number of checks and balances in place because when you do these cash grants, you have to be careful, as people can make all kinds of requests,” Minister Mustapha said.

He explained that farmers are currently being registered and verified through committees established across the regions.

“We are registering them and carrying out verification. We have committees across the regions that will verify the acreage,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of accountability, the minister

added: “We want this to be very transparent and very accountable so that we do not end up with any serious concerns.”

For many rice farmers, the direct cash transfer announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali represents more than financial relief; it is a demonstration of the

rice, had said the support will enable him to re-invest in his next crop immediately.

“This money is a real help. Right now, it will help me a lot because I can go back into crop early,” Mattadin said.

Commending the administration’s support for the rice indus-

government’s continued commitment to supporting the agriculture sector.

Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder rice farmer Randy Mattadin, who cultivates 66 acres of

try, he added, “This government does not only make promises. They promised us the $300 per bag subsidy and they delivered. The fertiliser assistance they gave us also helped.

They are doing a wonderful job throughout Black Bush.”

Mattadin noted that every dollar received will be re-invested into production to maximise returns during the next crop cycle.

Under the initiative, farmers cultivating fewer than 50 acres of rice will receive $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres will receive $10,000 per acre

Another farmer, Hemnarine, who has been involved in rice cultivation for more than two decades, also welcomed the initiative, noting that farming continues to face challenges and requires constant adaptation.

“I like planting rice, but as time goes on, things happen, so we are thankful for any help we receive. This money will benefit us tremendously and allow us to return to crop, so we really thank the minister and the government,” he had said.

According to Hemnarine, the funds will be used to purchase fertiliser and other agricultural inputs for the next

cultivation cycle. He explained that he has often had to purchase fertiliser on credit, but the grant will allow him to pay for those supplies outright.

The assistance package was announced by President Ali in May during a meeting with rice farmers from across the country at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

During the engagement, the President said the support measures were developed through direct consultations with farmers to ensure the assistance reflected their diverse needs.

Several options were presented, including direct cash support, fertiliser assistance, subsidies and acreage-based payments. However, the majority of farmers voted in favour of direct cash transfers.

Under the initiative, farmers cultivating fewer than 50 acres of rice will receive $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres will receive $10,000 per acre.

President Ali also highlighted several interventions implemented since 2020 to strengthen the rice industry and improve farmers’ earnings.

Results over political...

FROM PAGE 8

reach are now benefitting from one of the largest housing expansion programmes ever undertaken in the country.

Across regions, new housing areas are emerging, roads are being constructed, and families are receiving houselots at unprecedented rates.

Then there is the allocation for roads, drainage, and agriculture. These are not vanity projects. These are investments that directly affect productivity, food security, transportation efficiency, and quality of life. Every farmer who depends on drainage infrastructure, every commuter who uses improved road networks, and every family that benefits from stronger agricultural output understands the importance of these investments.

Yet the opposition continues to repeat the tired narrative that spending equals waste. Azruddin Mohamed, Tabitha Sarboo-Halley, Odessa Primus, Sherod Duncan, Ganesh Mahipaul, Dexter Todd and Terrence Campbell should be ashamed of themselves.

The irony is difficult to ignore. For years, critics complained that Guyana lacked sufficient investment in infrastructure and economic development. Now that the government is actively investing at a historic scale, those same critics complain about the level of investment itself.

One cannot simultaneously demand development and oppose the financing required to achieve it.

Perhaps one of the most significant measures introduced in Parliament was the Guyana Development Bank Bill.

This piece of legislation deserves serious national attention because it represents a major step toward broadening access to capital and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, farmers, small businesses, and emerging industries.

For decades, access to affordable financing has been one of the biggest challenges facing local businesses. Traditional commercial lending often fails to meet the needs of sectors that require patient capital and long-term investment. A development bank can help fill that gap.

Countries that have successfully transformed their economies often rely on strong development finance institutions to stimulate growth, encourage innovation, and support productive sectors. The proposed Guyana Development Bank has the potential to become an important pillar of the country's economic architecture, helping to ensure that economic growth reaches more citizens and communities.

The PPP/C Government deserves credit for advancing this initiative.

Importantly, the establishment of a development bank is not emerging in isolation. It forms part of a broader strategy aimed at diversifying the economy, supporting private enterprise, and creating sustainable long-term growth. It is precisely the type of institution that many developing countries seek to establish when they are serious about transforming economic opportunities for their citizens.

The parliamentary agenda also included legislation aimed at strengthening commercial transactions, protecting consumers, improving the administration of justice, and enhancing public safety.

The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, which includes provisions for Guyana's first Sex Offenders Registry, represents a significant step forward in protecting vulnerable citizens and strengthening accountability. Likewise, legislation dealing with depreciating seized assets and movable property security interests reflects a government attempting to mod -

ernise legal and commercial frameworks to meet contemporary realities.

Beyond the legislative agenda, the financing agreements presented to Parliament reveal another important truth about Guyana's development trajectory.

International institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank are continuing to invest substantial resources in Guyana's future. These institutions conduct extensive due diligence before approving financing arrangements. They do not lend hundreds of millions of US dollars on the basis of political rhetoric or wishful thinking.

Their continued engagement signals confidence in Guyana's development agenda and confidence in the government's capacity to execute major projects.

The US$156 million financing agreement for the Integrated Transport Corridors Project, together with financing for water and sanitation improvements and climate-resilient infrastructure, demonstrates that Guyana's development ambitions are attracting global support.

Most importantly, the events in Parliament serve as another reminder that the PPP/C Government is doing exactly what it promised Guyanese voters in 2020.

The party campaigned on a platform of development, economic expansion, infrastructure modernisation, housing growth, agricultural support, improved public services, and transformational investments. Those promises are not merely being discussed today but are being implemented.

No government is perfect. The PPP/C Government is not perfect. Every major project deserves scrutiny. Public spending should always be subject to accountability and transparency. Healthy democratic

oversight is necessary and welcome.

However, there is a difference between responsible oversight and reflexive opposition.

When Parliament is debating new roads, housing expansion, agricultural support, improved water systems, stronger public safety measures, expanded access to financing, and transformational energy projects, the national conversation should focus on how to make these initiatives succeed, not on reducing every

development effort to a simplistic accusation of waste.

Guyanese citizens are increasingly capable of distinguishing between genuine criticism and political obstruction.

The government came to Parliament not because it wants to waste money, but because development costs money. Progress requires investment. Transformation requires resources. Growth requires vision backed by action.

The parliamentary agen-

da presented this week reflects a government that is actively shaping Guyana's future. The opposition can continue complaining about spending, but the country is moving forward and the people can see it.

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.

Women central to Guyana’s economic transformation – Minister Ally

— Says gov’t removing barriers, expanding opportunities, investing in care economy to support women entrepreneurs

By Shaniya Harding

WOMEN remain at the heart of Guyana's economic transformation, with their contributions spanning every major sector of the economy, according to Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally.

The minister, however, noted the need to remove barriers that continue to hinder women's full participation in business and emerging industries.

Speaking at the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Business Brunch and Finance Seminar on Saturday at the World Trade Centre, Ally said women are not only creating jobs and building successful enterprises but

are also helping to shape the country's development through innovation, leadership and community engagement.

Addressing women entrepreneurs and industry leaders, Ally emphasised that Guyana's economic growth must be as equitable as it is rapid.

"As His Excellency President Ali has consistently emphasised, the objective of this transformation is not merely economic growth. This transformation aims to create a modern, diversified, resilient and inclusive economy that delivers opportunities for all Guyanese," he said.

“For this vision to be realised, it requires all of our participation, both in the private sector and government. It requires that every Guyanese play their part to meaningfully contribute to the econom-

ic development of our country.”

The government, he noted, is working to build an economy in which businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned businesses and emerging entrepreneurs, have the capacity to grow, compete, innovate and access capital.

Ally highlighted the growing role of women in Guyana's economy, noting that they continue to emerge as leaders across virtually every sector.

“Today, women are leading businesses across every sector that you can think about. Whether it's in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics, tourism, professional services, women are in those businesses, in those fields, and they're leading them,” he said.

Despite these achievements and the significant growth of women in business over the last decade, the minister acknowledged that barriers remain.

He pointed to the continued underrepresentation of women in sectors such as oil and gas and other rapidly growing industries. He also highlighted the disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities that women continue to shoulder within house-

been viewed solely as a social responsibility, the reality is that families, communities and economies function because that work exists.

As part of the government's efforts to support families and create economic opportunities, particularly for women, a new co-investment model is being developed to support the establishment of home-based and community care centres.

Under the initiative, individuals and groups will receive assistance to establish childcare and elderly care facilities that provide affordable services while creating jobs and empowering communities.

holds and communities.

While women continue to play a critical role in community development, Ally stressed that Guyana's progress would not be possible without their contribution and hard work.

This, he said, is why the government continues to prioritise women's inclusion in business and economic development.

“In every policy that we implement, it is a policy that is geared towards the inclusivity of women. When you look at it, when you check any policy that we've done within the last five or six years, it has always been to the benefit of not only all Guyanese, but men and women," he said.

The minister noted that the government has long recognised that social development and economic development are inseparable.

He explained that care work, traditionally carried out by women, must also be recognised as an important component of economic development.

“One of the defining features of our development agenda has been a recognition of the care economy as a critical pillar of national development,” Ally said.

He noted that while care work has historically

Participants in the programme will benefit from co-investment financing from the government, free training in childcare and elderly care, business mentorship and technical support to help operate safe and sustainable facilities.

Ally said the programme is expected to see childcare and elderly care centres established in communities across the country.

“We will help you fix up your facilities to internationally accepted standards as a daycare facility or an elderly care facility. The Government of Guyana will also pay a part of the fees that have to be paid so you know that you will have that income at the end of the day,” he said.

"And what this will do is ensure that you can go to work and your kids and your elderly parents will be well taken care of."

While the initiative is expected to benefit many women, the minister emphasised that it is open to both women and men.

He said the programme reflects the government's broader commitment to creating opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring that all Guyanese can participate meaningfully in the country's ongoing economic transformation.

Contractor rejects KN claims of structural defects at new Housing Ministry headquarters

- says cracks are cosmetic, building remains structurally sound

CONTRACTOR Mac Junior International has rejected claims that the new $741.5 million Ministry of Housing headquarters is structurally unsafe, describing reports published by Kaieteur News as misleading and unsupported by technical evidence.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company said the building remains under active construction and has not yet reached practical completion or final handover. It stressed that ongoing inspections, testing and quality assurance reviews are part of the normal construction process.

“At the outset, we categorically reject any suggestion that the building is structurally unsafe or that its structural integrity has been compromised,” the contractor stated.

The company explained that the conditions highlighted in the report are “primarily cosmetic and non-structural in nature,” including minor plaster shrinkage cracks, surface finishing imperfections and other defects commonly encountered during construction. According to the contractor, these issues do not affect the building’s stability, durability, load-bearing capacity or safety.

Mac Junior International further noted that the facility was constructed in accordance with approved engineering designs, specifications and established construction standards, with quality control procedures, material testing and consultant inspections carried out throughout the project.

“It is important to note that the presence of minor surface cracks in finishes does not constitute evidence of structural failure,” the company said, adding that such conditions can occur due to curing, drying, settlement of finishes and temperature variations during construction.

The contractor also expressed concern over the article that conclusions regard-

ing the building’s structural integrity were made without any independent engineering assessment or expert technical investigation. It warned that such assertions could create unnecessary public concern.

According to the company, the project is approximately 91 per cent complete and remains subject to ongoing inspections by the contractor, supervising consultants and the client. Any defects identified during construction are being addressed in keeping with contractual obligations and industry best practices.

Mac Junior International assured the Government, stakeholders and the public that no structural defects compromising the integrity of the building have been identified and that all outstanding snagging and finishing works will be rectified before practical completion and final handover.

“As the Contractor entrusted with delivering this important national facility, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of workmanship, quality, and safety,” the company said. “We remain confident that upon completion, the New Ministry of Housing Headquarters building will serve as a modern, safe, and durable facility that meets the expectations of the Government and the people of Guyana.”

The modern facility is designed to accommodate over 400 staff members, offering an environment that supports productivity, collaboration, and efficiency. Citizens can expect improved comfort and streamlined access to services once operations commence.

The Ministry plans to officially begin operations at the new headquarters by the end of the first half of 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening public service infrastructure and enhancing the delivery of housing-related services across Guyana.

Technology and sustainable farming key to Guyana’s future, students told

MORE than 80 students from six of Georgetown’s secondary schools had a firsthand view of emerging technologies, sustainable agriculture and future career possibilities, during an educational visit to STARR Computer Inc recently.

President of the company, Mike Mohan, challenged young people to prepare for the rapidly changing world being shaped by artificial intelligence and innovation.

Students from Grade 10 classes at Cummings Lodge Secondary, Brickdam Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary (Science and Business streams), South Ruimveldt Secondary, The Bishops’ High School and New Campbellville Secondary took part in an interactive programme at the company’s headquarters on Wednesday.

During the session, Mohan took the history of STARR Computer and its contribution to the de-

velopment of technology in Guyana over the last three decades.

He said the company was founded with the mission to help Guyanese gain the skills and tools to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world.

STARR brought computers to Guyana in 1991, moved to its current location in 1998, and expanded its educational focus in 2016 with robotics and technology

training initiatives, Mohan said.

He said the world is now entering what many experts call the next industrial revolution, powered by artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, big data and advanced analytics.

Mohan told the students about some of the global challenges facing the future, such as population growth, climate change, food insecurity,

introduced students to aquaponics, a sustainable farming system that combines aquaculture, the raising of fish, with hydroponics, the growing of plants without soil.

The closed-loop system, he said, allows fish waste to be converted by good bacteria into nutrients for plants, and the plants filter and clean the water before it returns to the fish tanks. Water consumption is greatly reduced and production efficiency is increased.

health issues, crime and conflict and the possible disruption of jobs by artificial intelligence.

He said technology should not only be seen as a challenge, but also a solution. Topics included surveillance technologies for public safety, renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power, water conservation technologies, and the growing use of artificial intelligence and robotics in health care.

The presentation centred on the issue of food security, which is becoming an increasingly important issue in Guyana and the world. Mohan

According to the presentation, aquaponics uses about 90 per cent less water than traditional farming in soil, allows crops to grow up to twice as fast, eliminates the need for weeding and chemical fertilisers, and can produce higher yields in smaller spaces.

The technology is increasingly seen as a potential answer to global food security concerns with the world’s population projected to be around 10 billion by 2050. Advocates say aquaponics can help communities grow fresh food locally, while easing pressure on land and water resources.

Mohan also encouraged students to look into scholarships and training available through the agricultural sector, saying farming and food production innovation is an emerging career path for the next generation.

In addition to its educational outreach efforts, STARR Computer recently announced two new customer appreciation programmes to support key groups in the community. Now, the company offers a Senior Citizens Discount Day every Tuesday and an Educators Discount Day every Thursday, giving retirees and members of the teaching profession special savings opportunities.

The students’ visit was part of ongoing efforts by STARR Computer to expose young Guyanese to emerging technologies and practical solutions that can help address future economic, environmental and social challenges, while preparing them for careers in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Xen Aviation acquires Guyana’s first BN2T-4S

Islander aircraft

XEN Aviation & Services

Limited has expanded its fleet with the arrival of Guyana’s first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander aircraft, a move the company says will significantly enhance its domestic aviation capabilities and support growing demand for air transport services across the country.

The aircraft landed at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle and is expected to be deployed into service as part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans.

Headed by Guyanese businessman Ronaldo Alphonso, Xen Aviation said the acquisition marks a major milestone for the company as it seeks to strengthen air connectivity between coastal and hinterland communities while broadening its range of aviation services.

Speaking on the significance of the acquisition, Alphonso said the aircraft will provide the company with greater operational flexibility and capacity.

“This new aircraft significantly expands the services and capabilities of Xen Avi-

— New aircraft to boost domestic connectivity and hinterland aviation services

The aircraft landed at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle and is expected to be deployed into service as part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans

ation. As a company, we are currently expanding, and we remain committed to continuing to offer more services to the Guyanese community. The arrival of this aircraft gives us greater capacity, flexibility and reach as we prepare to serve more communities and customers across Guyana,” he said.

The BN2T-4S Islander is

the largest and most powerful variant in Britten-Norman’s Islander range and is the first of its type to operate in Guyana.

Compared with the traditional piston-engine Islander, the aircraft offers approximately 30 per cent more interior space and a significantly higher maximum take-off weight of 8,925 pounds.

Powered by twin Rolls-

Royce 250 B17F engines, the aircraft can travel up to 1,006 nautical miles and remain airborne for up to eight hours. Its ability to operate on short and unprepared airstrips makes it particularly suitable for Guyana’s interior regions, where aviation remains a critical mode of transportation.

The aircraft is configured to accommodate up to 12 seats

and features a modern Garmin glass cockpit system, providing advanced flight and engine monitoring capabilities aimed at improving operational efficiency and safety.

According to Xen Aviation, the aircraft recently received Type Acceptance from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), allowing it to enter service locally. The model is already certified in several major aviation markets, including the United Kingdom, European Union and United States.

Alphonso noted that the aircraft aligns closely with the company’s vision of delivering improved aviation services across Guyana.

“We believe this variant of the Islander is a perfect fit for our mission to introduce superior safety, comfort and choice to the Guyana aviation market. It will allow us to better serve everyday commuters, government agencies, international business operators and other customers who require reliable air services at a competitive price,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer

of Britten-Norman, William Hynett, welcomed the aircraft’s deployment in Guyana, describing it as an important milestone for both companies.

“We are delighted to confirm this order with Xen Aviation & Services Inc., marking a significant milestone as the first BN2T-4S Islander to be used for commuter services in Guyana,” Hynett said.

He added that the aircraft combines strong load-carrying capability with the Islander’s renowned short take-off and landing performance, making it well suited to Guyana’s operating environment.

The BN2T-4S also forms part of Britten-Norman’s ongoing "Green Futures" programme and is expected to have the capability to operate using Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the future.

With the aircraft now in Guyana, Xen Aviation is expected to begin deploying it on domestic routes as part of its wider strategy to improve aviation access, connectivity and service options across the country.

Minister Ally urges businesses to embrace partnerships for growth

— Says consortiums, stronger financing options and Development Bank will help businesses access larger opportunities

AS Guyana's economy continues to expand and diversify, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, is urging entrepreneurs to move beyond traditional business models and embrace partnerships, consortiums and strategic collaboration as a pathway to growth.

Speaking at the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Business Brunch and Finance Seminar on Saturday, Ally highlighted the challenges small businesses continue to face in accessing affordable financing and technical support. He also outlined the transformative role of the soonto-be-established Development Bank of Guyana in addressing those barriers and pointed to increasing competition within the banking sector as a major opportunity for businesses seeking

greater access to capital, foreign exchange and larger investment opportunities.

The event was held under the theme, “From Collaboration to Capital: Diversification Through Consortiums.”

Giving insight into the theme, WCCI Vice-President, Shamela John, noted that as Guyana continues to develop at an unprecedented pace, business owners must assess whether they have the capacity and capital required to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

John said that as the economy expands, so too must entrepreneurs and businesses, with collaboration serving as a key driver of collective growth.

“Collaboration is key. Mutual support is not a sentiment, it is a strategy. It is how we take what we have and join together to make sure we have what we need. The Chamber exists

because women acknowledge something humbly. None of us can do this alone. Not the most connected among us. Not the most experienced. Not the most funded," she said.

“We are all here because people realise that solo efforts have limits. So let us not compete for territory. Let us connect our tables.”

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Ally echoed those sentiments, emphasising that sectors across Guyana are expanding and becoming increasingly accessible to new entrepreneurs.

“Across every region, we are witnessing the transformative investments that are being made in almost every sector that we can think of. Guyana is seeing the emergence of new industries, the expansion of existing industries, and increased accessibility in markets that were once out of our reach," he said.

The minister acknowledged, however, that small businesses continue to face significant hurdles, including limited access to financing, technical capacity, market access and the ability to compete for larger contracts.

He noted that these challenges are not unique to Guyana and reinforced the importance of collaboration and consortiums as tools for overcoming them.

“Too many promising enterprises we have seen struggle to scale because traditional financing mechanisms did not adequately meet the needs that you have,” Ally said.

“One of the most effective responses to these challenges has been the development of collaborative business models, consortiums that allow businesses to combine their expertise, pool their resources, share risk, increase capacity and pursue opportunities that may otherwise be unattainable if done individually.”

The minister said this approach allows businesses to move beyond competing for small market shares and instead focus on collective growth and expansion.

Speaking on the future of Guyana's private sector, Ally

sive, diversified and opportunity-driven economy.

said success will depend not only on individual enterprises but also on the strength of the networks, partnerships and ecosystems supporting them.

“The future will belong to companies that understand that the business environment

“The bank is intended to address the financing gaps that traditional commercial lending models are not always designed to serve, particularly in sectors that require long-term investment and patient capital,” Ally said.

“Its role is not to replace commercial banks, but rather

requirements, while working alongside commercial banks to provide additional financing opportunities.

“If you require $8 million to start an investment or a particular project or business idea, you can use the $3 million from the Development Bank to leverage an additional $4 million from a commercial bank at a reduced interest rate, which we

has changed rapidly within the last few years. What we knew before from our parents doing business, or the models our families used, no longer works in today's environment,” he said.

He urged business owners to invest in quality, innovation and technology while recognising the importance of scale and strategic partnerships.

“As firms, we have to move beyond competing for individual contracts. We have to embrace collaboration. Collaboration is a means of building our capacity, sharing our expertise and creating stronger and more competitive enterprises,” he added.

While collaboration remains essential, Ally noted that the Development Bank of Guyana, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday, is designed to address several additional barriers faced by entrepreneurs and the wider business community.

He explained that the institution forms part of President Dr Irfaan Ali's broader vision of building a modern, inclu-

to complement and strengthen the broader financial ecosystem by providing targeted support to sectors that are critical for national development.”

These sectors include agriculture, agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, innovation, services and other emerging industries.

The minister noted that the bank will create opportunities for youth, women-led enterprises, innovators, small businesses and growth-oriented firms seeking to expand their operations and competitiveness.

He pointed out that development financing institutions around the world have played a transformative role in supporting industrialisation, innovation and economic diversification and expressed confidence that Guyana's Development Bank will serve as a catalyst for investment, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth.

The bank will offer loans of up to $3 million at zero interest and without collateral

are currently discussing with the banks,” he explained.

Ally said the initiative reflects the broader growth and maturity of Guyana's financial sector.

He pointed to the recent licensing of three new international financial institutions, Citibank, Crown Agents Bank and One American, by the Bank of Guyana as evidence of the country's expanding financial landscape.

“Increased competition within the banking sector broadens the range of financial products available. It strengthens access to foreign exchange, which is an issue many businesses face, and enhances trade financing services while facilitating larger syndicated lending arrangements,” he said.

According to the minister, these developments will provide businesses with greater choices, improved access to capital and expanded opportunities to partner with international investors and participate in larger and more complex projects.

Consortium model driving growth for small businesses - says GBTI official

— Bank highlights consortium financing, low-interest loans, gov’t partnerships as tools for business expansion

COLLABORATION

between financial institutions, government and entrepreneurs is emerging as a key driver of small business growth in Guyana, according to Senior Manager of Branch Network and Sales at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Jewsuan Edmondson.

Speaking at the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Business Brunch and Finance Seminar on Saturday at the World Trade Centre, Edmondson pointed to consortium financing and targeted lending in areas such as agriculture as practical examples of how shared investment models are helping businesses access finance, grow and reduce risk.

He also underscored GBTI's partnerships with government programmes, including low-interest agricultural financing initiatives and guarantee-backed loans through institutions such as the Small Business Bureau (SBB), as well as the bank's GBTI Grow platform, which is designed to support entrepreneurs from start-up through expansion.

Speaking on the importance of partnerships from the banking perspective, Edmondson told the gathering of entrepreneurs and industry leaders that consortium arrangements remain among the most effective mechanisms for business expansion, particularly in an environment where entrepreneurs bring different strengths and limitations to the table.

He emphasised that collaboration remains essential for sustainability and scale, especially as Guyana's business land -

scape continues to see more small businesses entering the market.

According to Edmondson, consortiums provide an effective way to leverage collective ideas, talent and capital.

“Everyone in this room might not have the same expertise. You will have different strengths and different weaknesses. But together, you become stronger,” he said.

Edmondson noted that consortiums also reflect a broader shift in how financial institutions view business development, not as an isolated effort but as a process of shared growth.

Highlighting the impact consortiums can have on small ventures seeking to expand, Edmondson said collaboration can also help address one of the most common challenges faced by entrepreneurs: unrealistic financing expectations.

He explained that many small business owners become frustrated when they do not receive the full loan amount they request. However, he stressed that banks operate within structured

lending frameworks designed to ensure both the entrepreneur and the institution succeed.

"Ultimately, we want to make you get that loan, we want to make you grow your business. Getting a loan is just a first step. In banking, we have many customers who start small," he said.

“When they grow, we also grow as well. So, it serves us no purpose if we are to keep you down. That's a misconception. I want to get that out of the minds of people. We try our best, we share the information, but somehow there is an expectation versus what the reality is.”

Speaking on GBTI's Grow initiative, Edmondson described it as a platform designed to bridge the financing gap for small and emerging businesses.

The programme provides entrepreneurs with access to unsecured loans of up to $2 million, alongside practical support for business owners who may not yet have formal financial records.

According to Edmondson, collaboration with the Government of

government on as well is one of the lowest interest rate facilities out there that we have right now. It is used to do anything with poultry, be it purchasing inputs, machinery, capital expansion and so forth,” he said.

“From $100,000 to $500,000, the interest rate is about 3.5 per cent. Over that, it is five per cent, and you have a maximum term of 10 years to repay.”

He added that loans under the programme can remain unsecured up to $300,000, making financing more accessible for smallscale agricultural producers and entrepreneurs.

Guyana has also opened up additional financing opportunities, particularly within the agriculture sector.

“Something that we have collaborated with

Edmondson said the initiative forms part of a wider effort to stimulate productive sectors while ensuring credit remains within reach of those seeking to invest and expand.

He also encouraged

entrepreneurs to make greater use of other available financing mechanisms, particularly those offered through the Small Business Bureau.

“We have the Small Business Bureau out there, which I think a lot of people do not take advantage of. This is a very beneficial loan where the interest rate is six per cent. They guarantee a portion of that loan, as much as 70 per cent, depending on the case you put forward to them,” he said.

With access-to-finance tools continuing to expand and government-backed initiatives gaining momentum, Edmondson said collaboration among banks, government agencies and entrepreneurs will remain critical to fostering business growth and supporting Guyana's economic development.

110 youths graduate from ENGAGE 2.0 initiative

—

20 graduates receive funding as Recover Guyana, Scotiabank expand youth entrepreneurship and sustainability initiative

RECOVER GUYANA, in partnership with Scotiabank Guyana, hosted the graduation ceremony for the ENGAGE 2.0 Youth Entrepreneurship Programme on Saturday at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara.

The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 110 young entrepreneurs from Regions Two and Four, marking another milestone in the national ENGAGE youth development initiative.

According to Recover Guyana, the programme has now empowered some 273 young people across the country, equipping them with training in green entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, environmental stewardship and workplace readiness.

As part of its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and enterprise development, a total of $2 million in seed funding was awarded to 20 outstanding graduates whose business ideas demonstrated innovation, sustainability and long-term viability.

The successful completion of ENGAGE 2.0 high-

lights the value of strong partnerships in advancing youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

Through continued collaboration between Recover Guyana and Scotiabank Guyana, the programme is helping to build a new

generation of entrepreneurs whose businesses and innovations are expected to contribute to Guyana's long-term social, environmental and economic development.

Participants described ENGAGE 2.0 as a programme where meaningful growth and transformation

took place, noting that the lessons and discussions were not taken lightly but were applied to both personal and professional development.

ENGAGE was conceptualised as part of Recover Guyana's commitment to youth empowerment, education and environmental advocacy. The organisation created a space where participants were encouraged to think critically about both environmental sustainability and business development.

Recover Guyana built the programme around the belief that people are not waiting for solutions to be handed to them but are themselves capable of becoming the solution. ENGAGE 2.0 was designed to provide that belief with structure, guidance and community support.

Recover Guyana President and ENGAGE Project Lead, Dr Dave Lalltoo, described the milestone as a celebration of courage, resilience, innovation and possibility.

He commended the graduates for investing in themselves, challenging their thinking and embracing the opportunity to help shape a greener and more sustainable future for Guyana.

At Recover Guyana, he said, there is a firm belief that sustainability, economic development and opportunity must go hand in hand.

“Too often young peo-

ple have ideas but lack access to mentorship, resources, confidence and opportunity. This is why ENGAGE was created, to bridge the gap and transform ambition into action.

ENGAGE is a movement, shaping Guyana's future by equipping young people with the tools, mindset, confidence and practical skills needed to lead in environmental sustainability and green entrepreneurship,” Dr. Lalltoo said.

He challenged participants not only to dream but to build.

“Dream boldly, build responsibly and remain disciplined. Continue leading with purpose. Guyana needs your ideas, Guyana needs your innovation, and Guyana needs your leadership,” he urged.

Scotiabank's support for ENGAGE, Dr Lalltoo noted, represents a vote of confidence in both Recover Guyana's vision and the potential of every participant who completed the programme.

Senior Manager for Finance at Scotiabank Guyana, Shellon Garner, reminded graduates that over the past month they had invested in themselves, expanded their skills and taken meaningful steps toward shaping their futures.

She described their accomplishment as a significant achievement.

Garner said that at Scotiabank, the institution believes long-term social and economic prosperity depends on empowering

the next generation.

She explained that Scotiabank's support for initiatives such as ENGAGE is guided by ScotiaRISE, the bank's global social impact strategy focused on removing barriers to economic inclusion and creating more resilient communities.

Through ScotiaRISE, the bank invests in programmes that expand access to education, improve employability and strengthen financial inclusion because it believes opportunity should be accessible to all.

“When young people succeed, families are strengthened. Communities grow stronger and countries become more resilient. That belief continues to drive our partnership with Recover Guyana. Through Project ENGAGE, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of youth entrepreneurship and skills development,” Garner said.

She noted that since the programme's inception, participants have gained practical, real-world skills, launched small businesses, improved their employability and strengthened their financial management capabilities.

Garner said the programme continues to demonstrate how targeted investment in youth can create lasting benefits for individuals, communities and the wider economy.

Youths turning free training into employment opportunities

— Georgetown Training Centre equipping young people with practical skills for jobs and entrepreneurship

YOUNG people in Guyana today have access to a range of free training programmes offered by the government, aimed at ensuring the country's labour force is skilled, employment-ready and financially independent.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport says that through its Youth Department, it continues to expand opportunities for young people by offering practical training programmes at the Georgetown Training Centre (GTC), including masonry, electrical installation, plumbing and several other skill-based courses.

Remaining committed to empowering youth and improving their quality of life, the ministry said these initiatives are designed to equip participants with the tools needed for employment and entrepreneurship.

Recently, the ministry highlighted two young men who are making the most of the opportunities available through the programme. They are Taj Chisholm and Joshua Douglas.

According to the ministry, Chisholm, who is driven by a goal of self-employment, is turning hands-on training into real opportunity after completing his masonry course at the GTC.

The young man said he

was among the first batch of students to graduate and receive certification in the programme.

Commending the GTC, Chisholm said, “The plan was to start a little business, really making blocks and this and that. I could get a self-employed job and people could call me to do certain stuff because I know stuff now. I didn't know it before.”

Chisholm noted that through programmes like these, young people can access jobs and build a secure future. He added that as Guyana continues to develop, there will be a growing demand for skilled workers, and the ministry is helping to prepare young people to fill those roles.

er young people to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a skill, noting that the ministry provides everything necessary to support successful learning outcomes.

"They don't have to stress about anything and when they get the skill they can get work much easier and they can go further in life if they want," he said.

Douglas also expressed appreciation to the ministry for providing the opportunity to acquire a valuable skill that can help him secure meaningful employment in the future.

Douglas, an early graduate of the Electrical Installation Programme offered at the GTC, described the course as a “good” one.

He said he had a great experience at the centre and learned a great deal about electrical installation, even at Level One.

“I decided to do the electrical installation course because I was working with someone and he was showing me some things, and I decided this looked like something I would like to do,” Douglas shared.

“I would like to take the certificate and do something good, get a good job in the electrical workforce and further my studies at some point.”

Douglas encouraged oth-

Barber arrested after rifle found during CANU operation

A 29-year-old barber of Sea Dam, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, is in police custody after a suspected firearm was discovered during an operation conducted on Friday.

Police said ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), acting on intelligence received, went to the man's residence where a search was carried out in his presence.

During the exercise, officers searched a barber shop located in front of the residence and found a salt bag concealed beneath a counter. The bag was opened and a suspected .22 calibre rifle was discovered inside.

The suspect was immediately arrested and escorted to the Springlands Police Station along with the firearm, which has since been lodged pending further investigation.

He remains in police custody as investigations continue.

GBTI staff enrolled for e-ID cards during mobile registration drive

A MOBILE e-ID enrollment exercise was conducted at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) last week, allowing staff members to register for the country's Electronic Identification (e-ID) cards.

Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, visited the bank, where he engaged employees

and observed the enrollment process, which was designed to provide convenient access to digital identification services in the workplace.

Also participating in the exercise was GBTI Chief Executive Officer, Shawn Gurchurran, who completed his e-ID registration, demonstrating the bank's support for the government's digital transformation agenda.

Speaking about his

experience, Gurchurran said the registration process was simple and straightforward, while commending the professionalism of the staff conducting the exercise.

“But in the larger picture, I think the e-ID is a wonderful initiative and the banks, not just GBTI, have embraced it as part of our onboarding process. It will reduce the time we need to onboard our customers and

help make the process more seamless. We can deliver a better service, we're more comfortable, and I'd encourage everyone to get registered and obtain their own e-ID," Gurchurran said.

As of May, more than 21,000 Guyanese had enrolled for the e-ID programme, with approximately 75 per cent of the cards already issued.

The digital identification system is designed to improve access to government and private-sector services by allowing citizens and

eligible residents to use a single, secure identification document to access information and complete transactions more efficiently.

At this stage, the e-ID card is not intended to replace existing forms of identification such as passports, driver's licences or the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) identification card.

Since the Digital Identity Card Act came into effect on March 31, 2026, the government has expanded enrollment

operations across several regions through the establishment of permanent registration offices and mobile outreach teams.

Citizens applying for the digital ID card are required to provide proof of citizenship, a photo identification document and proof of address. Supporting documents may include a birth certificate, passport, national identification card, driver's licence, utility bill or Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate.

Linden porter killed in Long Creek truck crash

A 23-year-old porter lost his life on Thursday night after a truck crashed into a bridge rail along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Dead is Isiah Malachi Williams of Wismar, Linden.

Police said the accident occurred around 21:30 hrs in the vicinity of Long Creek and involved motor lorry GRR 7067, driven by a 31-year-old truck driver of One Mile, Wismar.

According to preliminary investigations, the truck was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane of the highway at an alleged fast rate of speed when the driver lost control and collided with the left-side

Dead is Isiah Malachi Williams of Wismar, Linden

rail of a concrete bridge.

The impact reportedly flung the driver and Williams from the vehicle onto the roadway, while another occupant, a 27-year-old

porter of Wismar, became pinned inside the truck.

All three men were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where Williams was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

The driver and the other occupant were treated for lacerations and later discharged.

Williams' body has since been taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Police said a breathalyser test conducted on the driver found no trace of alcohol.

The driver remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

44 motorcycles detained in Region Six road safety crackdown

POLICE in Regional Division Six detained 44 motorcycles during a traffic enforcement exercise aimed at improving road safety and ensuring compliance with traffic laws.

The operation was conducted on Friday, June 5, 2026, under the supervision of a senior officer as part of the division’s ongoing traffic enforcement programme.

According to police, the motorcycles were detained for various traffic offences and subsequently lodged at the Whim and Rose Hall

Police Stations. Authorities also served notices for the revocation and suspension of Certificates of Fitness pending inspections by a Licensing and Certifying Officer.

Police said several motor vehicles were also stopped and checked as ranks continued to enforce traffic regulations across the division.

The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce traffic violations and improve safety on the nation’s roadways.

The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce traffic violations and improve safety on the nation’s roadways

Cattle owner charged over stray animals on East Bank roads

A 54-year-old cattle owner has been charged with four counts of allowing animals to stray on public roads in East Bank Demerara communities.

Denesh Rohit of Garden of Eden appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on Friday, June 5, 2026, where the charges were read to him.

The charges alleged that Rohit suffered animals to stray, contrary to Section 28(1)(a) of the Road Act, Chapter 51:01.

According to a police release, the offences were allegedly committed within the Prospect Young Professional Housing Scheme and Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Rohit pleaded not guilty to all four charges. He was granted bail in the sum of $40,000 and the matter was adjourned until June 26, 2026. The charges come amid

continued concerns over stray livestock on public roadways, which authorities have repeatedly warned can pose serious risks to motorists and pedestrians.

KFC Guyana renews...

at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two, bringing elite tapeball action directly to the passionate and cricket-starved fans of the Essequibo coast.

The stakes for the 2026 season have reached an alltime high, courtesy of a revamped financial structure that introduces guaranteed cash prizes for every single team that reaches the quarterfinal stage of their respective zone.

Rewards begin at $25,000 for losing zonal quarterfinalists and scale up significantly, culminating in a hefty $500,000 purse pocketed by the zonal winners before they even advance to the National Finals.

At the national level, the rewards become life-changing for grassroots cricketers. Teams will compete for a massive $2,000,000 grand

prize, while the national runner-up will take home $1,000,000.

Beyond the financial windfall, the four national finalists will also earn the prestigious right to represent Guyana at the upcoming International T10 Tapeball Tournament later this October.

Individual brilliance will be celebrated just as handsomely alongside team success. The tournament’s eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) will walk away with $150,000 and a brand-new motorbike.

Furthermore, specialised awards for the leading run-scorer and the top wicket-taker will see both players receive $100,000 and a new television each, ensuring that historic personal milestones are met with premier rewards.

Alfred stuns World...

sixth-fastest clocking ever. The race marked Alfred’s first Diamond League appearance of the season.

For Jefferson-Wooden, the meet signalled a return to competition after a ninemonth hiatus.

The American used her time away from the track for a honeymoon, spent in Alfred’s home nation of Saint Lucia.

The budding rivalry is far from over. Both sprinters are scheduled to clash again in

FROM BACK PAGE FROM PAGE 27

the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic on July 4.

In other action on the Rome track, Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds produced a brilliant performance to storm to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles, crossing the line in a season’s best 12.50 seconds.

Fellow Jamaican Danielle Williams also impressed, finishing fifth in a highly competitive field with her own season’s best of 12.69 seconds.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

GOODWOOD

08:50 hrs Seven Diamonds

09:25 hrs My A’ Ali Baba

10:00 hrs Leucother

10:35 hrs Light Of Paris

11:10 hrs Alfred Boucher

11:45 hrs Arabian Crown

12:20 hrs Diamondonthehill

PERTH

09:07 hrs Trigg

09:42 hrs Allibaba

10:17 hrs Cosmic Soul

10:52 hrs Newtown Rambler

11:27 hrs Sometjing Special

12:02 hrs Ira Hayes

12:37 hrs Stiletto

SOUTH AFRICA

RACING TIPS TURFFONTEIN

Slingerz FC drawn...

Prisons Service FC awaits. According to the competition regulations and club rankings, the 12 lowest-ranked clubs were entered into the First Round and drawn against one another.

Meanwhile, the five clubs representing the Caribbean’s professional leagues, along with the three highest-ranked amateur clubs, received automatic byes to the Round of 16.

The CFU Club Shield remains a significant pathway to higher levels of regional competition. The tournament serves as the qualifying competition for the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, with both finalists advancing to the Confederation’s 10-team championship.

Success there could ultimately pave the way to qualification for the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup.

Slingerz FC President Javed Ali welcomed the draw and expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete at the regional level.

Ali revealed that the club intends to intensify preparations ahead of the tournament, including a pre-season training camp outside of Guyana, to ensure the players are adequately prepared

for the demands of Caribbean competition.

“We are pleased with the draw and excited about the opportunity ahead of us. Our objective is to give the team every possible chance of success, and that means ensuring they are exposed to the highest level of preparation before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago,” Ali said.

Noting that the club’s ambition extends beyond merely participating in the tournament, he said:

“We want to compete, advance and ultimately challenge for a place in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Guyanese clubs have shown before that they can make an impact regionally, and we want to emulate the achievements of clubs such as Alpha United, which proudly represented Guyana on the Caribbean stage.”

Established in 2018, the CFU Club Shield was created to advance professional football throughout the Caribbean.

The competition is open to champion amateur and semi-professional clubs from across the region, with the ultimate finalists earning promotion to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

Andreeva wins French...

“I’ve been watching Roland Garros since I was very young and it has always been a dream to win this trophy,” Andreeva said.

08:25 hrs King Harald

09:00 hrs Atticus Finch

09:35 hrs Grand Empire

10:10 hrs Tintin

10:45 hrs Col

IRISH RACING TIPS NAVAN

08:07 hrs Spirit Of Man

08:42 hrs Bodhi Bear

09:17 hrs Sommelier

09:52 hrs Collective Power

10:27 hrs Hotazhell

11:02 hrs La Fogata

11:37 hrs Mapa

12:12 hrs Eastern Wind

PUNCHESTOWN

08:22 hrs Supersundae

08:57 hrs Yoradreamer

09:32 hrs He’s Gorgeous

10:07 hrs Mary’s Pride

10:42 hrs Some Pretender

11:17 hrs Le Questionaire

11:52 hrs Jackmoon 12:27 hrs Al Arrivee

Andreeva overcame a tense start, where nerves and a swirling wind led to the final starting with four successive breaks of serve.

It was world number 114 Chwalinska who held first - much to the delight of the

15,000-strong crowd who gave her vociferous support throughout. Despite thousands of Polish fans cheering Chwalinska on, Andreeva showed her increased maturity to maintain composure and reel off the next nine games to take a 6-3 5-0 lead.

There was more tension when Andreeva was unable to serve out victory at the first attempt, but she recovered to take her first championship point on Chwalinska’s serve with a backhand winner.

Wembanyama mistake hands Knicks control of NBA Finals

THE New York Knicks survived a late rally by the San Antonio Spurs to win 105-104 and take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals as they seek a first championship in 53 years.

With nine and a half seconds remaining on the clock, Jalen Brunson stole possession after Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama passed the ball into team-mate Stephon Castle’s back.

Wembanyama then fouled Brunson, who converted the free-throw to give the Knicks the decisive point.

There was still time for Wembanyama to attempt to tie the game for the Spurs, but he missed from 20 feet on the buzzer to hand the Knicks their 13th successive play-off victory.

Wembanyama has been at the centre of much of the drama in the NBA Finals so far - in game one, he was approached by a spectator who ran on to the court, filming himself on his phone.

Appearing in the Finals for the first time since 1999, the Knicks are the third team to win the first two games of a Finals away from home.

The Chicago Bulls did it in 1993, and the Houston Rockets in 1995. Each side went on to win the championship.

After a quiet first-half performance, Wembanyama led a San Antonio comeback, scoring 22 second-half points as they caught up with 14-ina-row in the final quarter.

In the final seconds, the scores were level as the Frenchman passed the ball into Castle’s back, which gave Brunson a chance to

Jalen Brunson scored the winning basket - and only five of 37 teams who have taken a 2-0 Finals lead have then failed to win the championship

grab the winning basket.

In a post-match news conference, Wembanyama conceded that he was not at his best, having starred on the Spurs’ route to the Finals.

“We need to never get too high and never get too low,” said the 22-year-old, appearing in the Finals for the first time. “Personally, I think I could have been better in recovering from the high of the conference finals.

“I threw that [misplaced pass] away. I messed up.

“Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely.”

Meanwhile, match-winner Brunson credited the team environment for his sparkling form after his fi-

nal-quarter scoring also won game one for the Knicks.

“I think most importantly, knowing we’re on the road, and knowing my team-mates have my back, I think that’s the biggest thing in an environment like this,” Brunson said.

“The trust they have in me and the trust I have in them, it’s got us to this point.”

The best-of-seven series continues on Monday, when the Knicks host the Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

US president Donald Trump, who was born in New York City, plans to attend as the Knicks hunt their first championship since 1973. (BBC Sport)

Concacaf kicks off eConcacaf platform --sets stage for FIFAe finals 2026

MIAMI, FL, (CMC) –Concacaf has officially entered the esports arena. The confederation today announced the launch of eConcacaf, a dedicated football esports platform aimed at uniting players, fans, and Member Associations across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The move signals a major step in Concacaf’s growing digital strategy and comes with a flagship event, the first-ever FIFAe Continental Championship North, Central America, and Caribbean by Concacaf, set to take place in Mexico City from August 28–30, 2026. The continental championship is part of the official Road to the FIFAe Finals 2026, following FIFA’s recent reveal of five

in-person regional tournaments spanning Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, and now the Concacaf region.

The event will bring together the region’s best-qualified national teams, all advancing through the FIFAe Nations League 2026.

Through eConcacaf, the confederation will oversee official regional competition across three titles, Rocket League, eFootball Mobile, and eFootball Console.

Beyond competition, the platform aims to boost fan engagement, brand growth, and commercial opportunities in one of sport’s fastest-expanding sectors.

“eConcacaf represents an exciting new chapter for our Confederation and a meaningful opportunity to further connect with fans and players

differently,” said Philippe Moggio, Concacaf General Secretary. “This platform will allow our Member Associations and their teams to participate in a structured competitive pathway that connects directly to the global FIFAe ecosystem.”

The inaugural continental championship will be held at Gamergy Mexico, one of Latin America’s premier gaming and esports festivals, which draws over 80,000 attendees across the weekend.

FIFA confirmed that more than 120 nations have entered the 2026 FIFAe ecosystem, marking significant year-over-year growth.

Within Concacaf, 15 Member Associations have already taken part in the 2026 cycle, underscoring rising regional interest.

Guyana Horse Racing awards set for next month

NBA chief warns fans after ‘stupid’ court invasion

United States, Canada and Mexico.

Pitch invaders have been increasingly common in football, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having been targeted for selfies on multiple occasions.

Several fans invaded the pitch during an Inter Miami friendly in Puerto Rico in February, with one hauling Argentina captain Messi to the ground. There have been at least three further incidents during Miami games in the US and Canada this season.

Messi and Portugal rival Ronaldo are set to play in their sixth World Cup, with their

FROM PAGE 26

group games being played in the US.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said it was “a concern” that five people made it on to the pitch during their win over Turkey at Euro 2024 in Dortmund.

“Today the intentions of the fans were good,” said Martinez. “But you [must] understand there’s a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong.”

A pitch invader also made contact with Ronaldo as he was warming up for a Nations League game against Germany last June. (BBC Sport)

AN historic day is on the cards for Guyana’s horse racing on Sunday July 5 at the Port Mourant Turf Club. For the First Time ever in the Republic of Guyana, one exciting monumental day, the 2025 Guyana Horse Racing Awards will take place at the track during LIVE Racing.

It will be a great spectacle, as a packed Port Mourant turf club will witness the crowning achievements of the 2025 season. Master Z gem of a horse, Dataman, is expected to sweep the top awards, after his unbeaten

run in Guyana. Dataman defied all odds, after winning the 2025 Guyana Cup, to secure the President Cup and Banks Classic race wins.

Dataman remains special, as he dominated in different racing conditions at different phases of the day, and even conquered the former champion on various occasions. The 2025 Guyana Horse Racing Awards honouing our Equine Athletes as well as our divisional champions of 2025. Awards to be Distributed on July 5 are: HORSE OF THE YEAR

CHAMPION IMPORTED

A Journey of consistency, class and leadership

Kingston, Jamaica- WHEN Shai Hope crosses the boundary rope at Sabina Park on Saturday, he will reach a significant milestone in his career, making his 150th One-Day International appearance for the West Indies. The Barbadian will become only the 15th player to achieve the feat for the regional side.

Hope, who also captains the team, continues to cherish the opportunity to wear the maroon and represent the Caribbean. As he approaches a decade in international cricket after making his ODI debut in 2016, the 32-yearold is closing in on several more notable achievements in the format

His consistency and class at the highest level are reflected in his tally of 19 ODI centuries, leaving him just one short of surpassing Brian Lara’s 20 and moving into sole possession of second place on the West Indies’ alltime list. The record is held by Chris Gayle, who amassed 25 ODI hundreds during his illustrious career.

Ten of those are away from home which makes

Hope the fastest to do so by any player in the history of the game.

Interestingly, Hope has developed a habit of producing memorable performances in milestone matches. In his 50th ODI, he registered his highest score in the format to date, a magnificent 170 against Ireland. Fifty matches later, in his 100th ODI at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, he marked the occasion with a composed 115 from 135 deliveries.

That innings made him only the fourth West Indian to score a century in his 100th ODI, joining an exclusive group featuring Gordon Greenidge, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Throughout his career, Hope has emerged as a beacon of consistency in the West Indies batting lineup.

The Barbadian is one of only three West Indian batters to record six consecutive ODI scores of fifty or more, underlining his reliability at the top level.

His place among the region’s batting greats is further highlighted by his

run-scoring milestones. Hope reached 6,000 ODI runs in 142 innings, making him the second-fastest West Indian to the landmark behind only Sir Vivian Richards, who achieved the feat in 141 innings.

The pair share the record as the fastest West Indian men to reach 5,000 ODI runs, each requiring just 114 innings to get there. Ahead of the clash, two of Hope’s teammates Jayden Seales and Amir Jangoo praised the work rate and professionalism of their skipper.

“One thing I would always say that he brings to the team is that calm presence or that quiet confidence that he has about himself and the way that he plays and try to put the team in best possible situation.” Seales said.

Jangoo shared his thoughts on Hope’s accomplishment.

“I admire Shai’s professionalism, the discipline he has shown which translates

into his performances across his career and I wish him all the best going forward for himself and the team.”

Head Coach Daren Sammy said the skipper has been exemplary in leading the batting lineup for the last three to four years.

“You know, I see him as one of our greatest ODI batsmen with his record and his consistency, but for me just having been here working with him and seeing him work, there’s no surprise to me the numbers he puts out there.” Sammy explained, “He pays a lot of attention to details with his preparation, and he works hard to be consistent and averages 50 plus in ODI cricket. So, congrats to you Shai on this milestone and hopefully you and the rest of the team could make it a victorious one.”

From his debut dreams, to 150 appearances later, Hope’s journey has been defined by perseverance and pride. (CWI Media).

Rahul, Gill tons put India in driving seat against Afghanistan

(Reuters) - India’s KL Rahul and Shubman Gill scored centuries against Afghanistan on Saturday as the home side batted into a dominant position and ended the day of the one-off test on 368-3.

India, playing their first Test versus Afghanistan since hosting the visitors in their first-ever Test in 2018, won the toss and opted to bat at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

The match came after a quick turnaround for many of India’s players from their Indian Premier League campaigns, with several members of the national team having played in last week’s final, and some signs of rust were evident in the early stages.

The openers struggled for fluency in the ⁠opening session and Rahul was handed a major reprieve in the 11th over when a clear edge went unreviewed by the visitors, despite vociferous appeals from fielder Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Replays later confirmed Rahul would have been dismissed, and the 34-year-old made the most of his lifeline, combining for a 139-run partnership with Sai Sudharsan after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed by Mohammad Saleem for 24.

That partnership ended when Saleem took his second wicket, getting Sudharsan out for 81 with a delivery that carried through to wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai, who took a superb diving catch.

Rahul then featured in a 67-run third-wicket partnership with captain Gill, who contributed 39 runs and helped see his teammate to a 12th test century - brought up in 165 balls. However, Rahul was dismissed off the very next ball by Ziaur Rahman ⁠being caught at extra cover, finishing on exactly 100 runs for his third Test century in a row. “I’m really happy that I could get some time in the middle. To make that switch from T20 to test cricket in a matter of a couple of days was the most pleasing thing,” Rahul said.

“It was extremely hot, I was exhausted ... I had to make that switch of letting the ball go and getting used ⁠to the conditions. Training did help a lot. I did feel the urge to play a shots and I don’t think it is a bad thing.

“It’s something I have been telling myself as well. Sometimes you sit and over analyse. I try to not restrict my shots. I played a ⁠few more shots in the morning than I would usually do but it didn’t frustrate me.”

England move closer to win on wet day at Lord’s

ENGLAND made use of the limited time available to take strides towards a much-needed victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s.

Fewer than 10 overs were possible because of persistent rain on day three, but Ollie Robinson was still able to claim the important wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.

In moving to seven wickets in the match on his comeback to Test cricket, Robinson left New Zealand 55-5, 199 runs adrift of an increasingly fanciful target of 254.

(Scores: England 140 (Brook 56; Jamieson 5-62) & 226 (Gay 57; N Smith 6-70)

New Zealand 113 (Jamieson 38*; Robinson 5-39,) & 55-5 (Atkinson 2-16, Robinson 2-18)

New Zealand require 199 runs to win, England need five wickets)

Dry weather is forecast for today, when England will surely complete a win to begin their post-Ashes

rebuild on a positive note. Given the grim nature of the weather forecast, even the small amount of play that was possible on Saturday could be viewed as a bonus.

Perhaps more could have taken place. Lord’s appeared dry and ready during an early lunch taken

at 12:20 BST before play eventually began at 13:00. The players yo-yoed on and off the field over the course of the next 70 minutes, with two delays before the weather had the final say at 14:10.

Just as in his 5-39 in the first innings, Robinson revelled in the conditions in his first Test for more

two years. The damp conditions under the floodlights exacerbated the difficulty of batting on a surface that has been uneven for most of this match.

After New Zealand resumed on 37-3, Ravindra and Mitchell were the most likely of their remaining batters to dig in and made England’s task harder. Robinson dealt with them both.

Left-hander Ravindra was undone by a beauty. Robinson, from round the wicket, angled the ball in, then nipped it away off the surface and up the Lord’s slope. It defeated Ravindra’s defensive stroke and kissed the off stump. Almost unplayable.

Ravindra, the heir to Kane Williamson as New Zealand’s leading batter, has had an awful Test. Batting returns of nought and eight are added to two bad drops, which have been important in the context of a low-scoring match.

Knowing conditions were in

their favour and time on the field was short, England crowded the bat with as many as seven close catchers.

And the Mitchell wicket went against a theory held by this England regime that a certain style of cricket cannot be successful in the Test arena.

“This 75mph, keeper up, dobbing it on a length - we know that doesn’t work in Test cricket, wherever you are,” was once the view of England director of cricket Rob Key.

One ball after England keeper Jamie Smith came up to the stumps, Robinson struck Mitchell on the pad. The review could not save Mitchell, who was frustrated to see the ball was shaving leg stump - another umpire’s call that has gone against the Black Caps in this match.

Two overs later, the weather made a terminal intervention, with the day abandoned at 17:30.

Deputy Commissioner Budhram inducted as Patron Tucber Park Cricket Club

DEPUTY Commissioner

‘Administration’ Ravindradat Budhram was on Friday officially inducted as Patron of the Tucber Park Cricket Club, during a simple ceremony held in recognition of his continued support for cricket development.

As Patron, Deputy Commissioner Budhram is expected to provide guidance, encouragement and support to the club, particularly in the area of youth and cricket development.

The presentation was made by members of the Tucber Park Cricket Club, including Vice President Anthony D’Andrade, Vice President Julian Moore and Secretary Gary Millington. Also present were Guyana and West Indies and all-rounder Romario Shepherd, along with Tucber Park players Zeynul Ramsammy and Damion Vantull.

During the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Budhram was presented with a Tucber Park Cricket Club jersey, as well as a portrait of himself signed by Romario Shepherd. The portrait depicted Deputy Commissioner Budhram during a recent cricket match in which he made an unbeaten 55.

In brief remarks, D’Andrade said the club was pleased to formally recognize Deputy Commissioner Budhram as Patron, noting that he has supported the club over the years in several ways.

He said the induction was a way of acknowledging Deputy Commissioner Budhram’s friendship, commitment and assistance to the club, particularly in the area of youth and cricket development.

Shepherd, in his remarks, also expressed appreciation for Deputy Commissioner Budhram’s support to cricket, especially young players. He noted that Budhram has been a friend of the club and expressed confidence that he will continue to assist wherever possible.

Shepherd further highlighted the importance of guidance and leadership in the development of young cricketers, noting that support from persons in leadership positions can help create opportunities for young athletes to grow and succeed. In response, Deputy Commissioner Budhram said the occasion was a special one for him, noting that he was honoured to be recognized by Tucber Park Cricket Club

as its Patron.

He said sports and cricket in particular, play an important role in the development of young people by promoting discipline, mentorship, teamwork and personal growth.

Deputy Commissioner Budhram also noted that he has known several members of the Tucber Park cricket fraternity for many years, having grown up in Berbice, and said he was happy to be in a position to contribute to the development of the sport.

He added that through the Guyana Police Force and the Police Officers’ Cricket Team, support has been given to young cricketers from various parts of the country, including players who have gone on to represent at the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 levels.

Deputy Commissioner Budhram thanked the club for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting cricket development, mentorship and opportunities for young players.

The club expressed appreciation for his continued contribution and said it looks forward to his guidance and support as Patron. (GPF release)

Former Chronicle Sports Journalist and basketball administrator Al McDonald dies in Florida

FORMER Guyanese sports journalist and basketball pioneer in Linden, Al McDonald, who later changed his name to Alred Naisan Chapman, died on May 25, aged 72, in Florida, USA.

According to relatives, with whom he’d been living since 1984, Al died at a medical facility in Florida, where he’d been hospitalised after suffering severe burns during a fire at the apartment in which they were living.

A May 10 social media post quoted his son, Junior Sean, as saying “My father Alred Chapman Sr. sustained 30% bodily burns that included his face, arms, chest and back”, and that he would later succumb to complications caused by his injuries. His remains are, reportedly, to be cremated tomorrow, June 8, in Florida, and his ashes brought back by family members to Guyana. Al, as he was popularly known to sports fans at home and in the Diaspora, began his journalistic career in the 1970s with the Guyana

Chronicle, and at one time was based in Linden at its Sports Correspondent. His close association with basketball included his covering the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo in1975 with the Guyana National Men’s team.

After covering the CAC Games, he was posted to Linden, where he worked as

CFU unveils bracket for 2026 Club Shield

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – The road to Caribbean glory now has a map as the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) dropped the official draw for the 2026 CFU Club Shield on Friday, unleashing a 22team, straight-knockout for regional supremacy.

With Trinidad and Tobago set to host the eighth edition from July 23 to August 2, the stakes have never been higher with the champions and runners-up punching their tickets to the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, putting them within striking distance of the continent’s premier Champions Cup.

The first round kicks off July 23-24, with the Round of 16 following on July 2526.

The quarterfinals land on July 28, the semifinals on July 31, and the final on August 2.

Twelve lower-ranked clubs were thrown into the first-round blender. The draw

split them into two pots:

Pot 1 will see the likes of St Paul’s United FC (St. Kitts & Nevis), Elite Sports Club (Cayman Islands), SWA Sharks FC (Turks & Caicos), Dublanc FC (Dominica), La Cleary (Saint Lucia) and North Leeward Predators FC (St. Vincent & the Grenadines)

Pot 2 features St. John’s Sports Club (Grenada), Slingerz Football Club (Guyana), SCSA Eagles (Sint Maarten), Roaring Lions FC (Anguilla), Helenites SC (U.S. Virgin Islands) and Virgin Gorda United Club (British Virgin Islands)

The opening matchups will see Dublanc FC (DMA) vs. St. John’s Sports Club (GRN), followed by SWA Sharks FC (TCA) vs. Slingerz Football Club (GUY), La Cleary (LCA) vs. Roaring Lions FC (AIA), North Leeward Predators FC (VIN) vs. SCSA Eagles (SMA), St Paul’s United FC (SKN) vs. Helenites SC (VIR), Elite

Sports Club (CAY) vs. Virgin Gorda United Club (VGB).

While the first-round survivors scrap for survival, eight heavyweights have already booked their seats at the Round of 16 table. The CFU granted byes to the Caribbean’s five professional league representatives and the three highest-ranked amateur clubs.

They are Mount Pleasant FC (Jamaica), Baltimore SC (Haiti), Delfines del Este FC (Dominican Republic), SV Robinhood (Suriname) and Prisons Service FC (Trinidad & Tobago)

Top amateur byes have also been granted to Inter Willemstad (Curaçao), Metropolitan FA (Puerto Rico), SV Britannia (Aruba) They will be joined in Pot 3 for the Round of 16 draw by two additional clubs: Weymouth Wales FC (Barbados) and All Saints’ United (Antigua and Barbuda), plus the six firstround winners.

NBA chief warns fans after ‘stupid’ court invasion

MAJOR sports events present an “enormous platform to do stupid things”, says NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

the sports reporter, and got involved in the administration of basketball there. That posting afforded his the opportunity to link up with the top Linden players the likes of national players Harold ‘Czar’ Caesar, Gavin ‘Poppy’ Kendall, Clifton Brusche, and Hubern ‘Zunty’ Clarke, as they examined the development of the sport over the years. His influence and love for the game created an avenue for the founding of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) in 1976, becoming its first President, with Frank Fraser as Secretary, and Neville Rigby as Treasurer.

As he once told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview, he at one time worked as a sports journalist with the popular sports publication, Robert Sam’s ‘Sports Special’, and that before migrating to the US served as Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Olympic Association between 1982-1984.

A spectator ran on to the court during game one of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on Wednesday, with a young man filming himself on his phone as he approached Victor Wembanyama.

He stopped in front of the San Antonio Spurs star, without appearing to make contact with the 22-year-old Frenchman, before two security guards swiftly bundled him away.

He was arrested on charges of intentionally interfering with a lawful gathering, and criminal trespass for entering the court area despite having notice that such entry was prohibited.

An NBA spokesperson confirmed that the court invader and a second individual will receive a lifetime ban from all NBA arenas. The league did not disclose what role the second individual played.

“I’ve never been in that situation, I didn’t know how to act,” said Wembanyama,

the NBA’s defensive player of the year.

“It really surprised me, almost as much as that time where a bat crossed the court,” added the France international, referring to an incident during a Spurs game in January 2024. Commissioner Silver said: “I even hesitate to describe that person as a fan. They seemed to have an ulterior motive for doing so.

“It’s unfortunately part of all sports,” he added.

“I think the other side of the coin of global attention is that somebody realises that there’s this enormous plat-

form to do stupid things. The consequences are dramatic if you do this.”

Silver also said extra security will be required at New York’s Madison Square Garden if US President Donald Trump attends a game later in the NBA Finals.

Trump said he will take up an invite from New York Knicks owner James Dolan and “maybe do both” game three on Monday and game four on Wednesday.

The NBA incident comes a week before the start of football’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the TURN TO PAGE 24

KFC Guyana renews support for evolving One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

FAST- food giant KFC Guyana has officially renewed its partnership as the official Fast Food Partner for the upcoming One Guyana T10 Blast.

The corporate heavyweight has secured its return to a tournament that has rapidly evolved into the pinnacle of community tapeball cricket nationwide.

The partnership reinforces the tournament’s skyrocketing commercial value and its deep-rooted cultural impact, setting the stage for an explosive 2026 season scheduled to

bowl off on August 8. Jonathan Milford, Business Analyst for KFC Guyana, highlighted the tournament’s phenomenal trajectory over recent years as the driving force behind the company’s continued backing.

“Over the past four years, from my time being here, I have seen this tournament grow into something great,” Milford stated. “The community is heavily involved, and our commitment to support is an absolute no-brainer.

We are deeply committed to supporting our communi-

ties, and competitions like this are exactly where we want to place our backing. We are devoted to investing in our people and our local sports.”

Tournament organiser

John Ramsingh welcomed the return of the global franchise, emphasising that corporate synergy is pivotal to elevating the overall tournament experience this year.

“Having a powerhouse brand like KFC back on board validates the immense strides the One Guyana T10 Blast has made,” Ramsingh said.

“Their return injects tre-

Enet 2926 National Squash Championship…

Top players Samuel Ince-Carvalhal and Mary Fung-A-Fat advance to today’s final

By Sean Devers

THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA)’s Enet 2926 National Squash Championship continued yesterday with action on the penultimate day at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) on Woolford Avenue.

Number 1 Ranked, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (Warrington) demonstrated his pedigree by beating Alex Arjoon 13-11, 11-3, 11-4, while number 1 Ranked Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Larissa Wiltshire 11-4, 11-2, 11-8 to advance to today’s Men’s and Women’s finals, respectively.

Both players showed why they are presently ranked the best locally with brilliant Squash; defeating their opponents without dropping a game.

Samuel overcame a tough first game in which both players pushed each other with several long rallies as Alex, who beat Nicholas Verwey on Friday night to advance to yesterday’s semi-final, lost 11-13.

Samuel would dominate the next two games, beating the left-handed Alex 11-3, 11-4.

Meanwhile, the petite Mary was clinical in her destruction of Larissa, winning 11-4, 11-2, 11-8.

Today’s action commences at the NRC at 10 AM

RESULTS:

Men’s Open Draw

Egan Bulkan def. Zion Hick-

erson 11-6, 11-7, 11-1

Men’s Open Draw

Ingram Edwards def. Maxwell Viapree 11-4, 11-2, 11-2

Men’s Open Draw

[3] Jason van Dijk def. Reagan Rodrigues 13-11, 11-3, 11-5

Men’s Open Draw

Sherwyn Caesar def. Kristian Viapree 11-5, 11-6, 14-12

Men’s Open Draw

Kalani Howard def. Reuel Austin 11-8, 6-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9

Men’s Open Draw

Jacob McDonald def. Ryan Brathwaite 11-4, 14-12, 11-5

Women’s Open Draw

Maria Munroe def. Tianna Da Costa 11-4, 11-4, 11-5

Women’s Open Draw

Anna Perreira def. Kristina Cheeks 14-12, 11-4, 11-0

Men’s Veterans Over 40

Robert Fernandes def. Sherwyn Caesar 11-2, 11-6, 11-5

Men’s Veterans Over 40

Regan Pollard def. Ryan Rahaman 11-6, 11-7, 13-11

Men’s Open Draw

[1] Deje Dias (Demerara-Mahaica) def. Joshua Verwey 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5

Men’s Veterans Over 50

Brian Edwards def. Robin Low 11-3, 11-5, 11-7

Men’s Open Draw

[2] Javid Rahaman def. [6] Avinash Oditt 11-5, 11-4, 11-6

Men’s Open Draw

[8] Ethan Bulkan def. [5] Miguel Wong 6-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8

Women’s Veterans Over 40 Maria Munroe def. Marisha

mendous energy into the tournament, and our key interest this season will be heavily focused on improving the fan experience, making it more interactive, thrilling, and family-oriented.

KFC understands community spirit, and together, we are going to deliver a spectacle that resonates far beyond the boundary ropes.”

With the tournament rapidly approaching, organisers are issuing an urgent call to teams across the nation to lock in their spots immediately rather than delaying their entry while attempting to perfect their rosters.

West Demerara, and Essequibo zones are rigidly capped at 16 teams each. Meanwhile, the densely populated East Coast Demerara/Georgetown zone will accommodate up to 32 teams.

Fernandes 11-8, 11-6, 11-5

Women’s Open New Ladies Mechaela Hohenkirk def. Licia Ferreira-Bell 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5

Women’s National DrawElite

[2] Ashley Khalil (Demerara-Mahaica) def. [3] Kirsten Gomes 11-5, 11-2, 11-4

Women’s National DrawElite

Zoey McDonald def. Lydia Fraser 11-8, 11-5, 11-2

Women’s National DrawElite

[1] Mary Fung-A-Fat def. [4] Larissa Wiltshire 11-4, 11-2, 11-8

Women’s National DrawElite

[8] Emily Fung A Fat def. [6] Abosaide Cadogan 7-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2

Women’s National DrawElite

[5] Akeila Wiltshire def. [7] Kaylee Lowe 11-4, 11-4, 11-8

Men’s National Draw - Elite [1] Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (Warrington) def. [4] Alex Arjoon (Demerara-Mahaica) 13-11, 11-3, 11-4

Men’s Open Draw

Egan Bulkan def. Ingram Edwards 12-10, 11-4, 11-7

Men’s Open Draw

Giovanni Grant def. Rafael Brathwaite 11-8, 11-5, 11-7

Men’s National DrawElite

[3] Sunny Seth (Barima-Waini) ret. [2] Daniel Ince 11-9, 11-8, 0-0 (Ret.) Daniel wins by retirement

Ramsingh emphasised that registration operates on a strict first-come, first-served basis, acknowledging that the fierce, high-stakes nature of the competition often leads captains to overthink and deliberate over their lineups for too long.

To guarantee entry, teams must pay the G$35,000 entry fee now. This allows captains the necessary flexibility to finalize their ultimate 15-man talent pools closer to their respective zonal start dates.

Entry caps are being strictly enforced to effectively manage the intensive schedule. The Berbice, East Bank/

Registration forms are currently available on the tournament’s official social media channels, or interested teams can register via direct WhatsApp at +592 635-2235.

The high-octane action begins with the Berbice Zone on August 8–9. Sixteen teams will battle across four premier venues, including the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, No. 69 Ground, and the Welfare Ground in Canje.

The regional action will culminate with the zonal finals on Sunday, August 9, at the Albion Sports Complex.

From there, the tournament caravan moves swiftly to the East Bank/West De -

merara leg on August 15–16, followed quickly by the Essequibo zone on August 22–23.

In a strategic move designed to maximise fan engagement and support local cricket festivities, the competition will pause during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) window. This thoughtful scheduling allows fans to fully immerse themselves in the professional franchise season without distraction. Action resumes post-CPL with the highly anticipated Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg, spanning September 26–27 and October 3–4. This gruelling regional phase leads directly to the historic national grand finale on October 11, 2026. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the ultimate prize will be contested TURN TO PAGE 23

Slingerz FC drawn against SWA

GUYANA’S Slingerz Football Club will begin its quest for Caribbean glory against Turks and Caicos Islands champions SWA Sharks FC after the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) conducted the official draw for the 2026 CFU Club Shield on Friday.

The eighth edition of the tournament will be staged in Trinidad and Tobago from

July 23 to August 2, and will feature 22 clubs from across the Caribbean battling for regional supremacy and two coveted places in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Slingerz FC earned the opportunity to represent Guyana after completing the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)’s Elite League season unbeaten, a campaign that underlined the club’s dominance

on the domestic stage and secured its return to regional competition. Under the guidance of veteran coach Jamaal Shabazz, the Guyanese outfit will face SWA Sharks FC in the opening round of the knockout-format competition. Victory would propel Slingerz into the Round of 16, where a challenging encounter against Trinidad and Tobago’s TURN TO PAGE 23

Anna Regina National Stadium next in line for official opening on July 3

GUYANA’S aggressive nationwide sports infrastructure drive is about to realise its next major milestone.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali is expected to officially commission the new Anna Regina National Stadium on Friday, July 3, marking a massive upgrade for cricket and multi-sport infrastructure in Region Two.

The announcement was confirmed on Saturday by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., who indicated that the state-of-the-art facility is entirely ready, barring some final, very minor adjustments.

The crown jewel of the new stadium is its playing surface. Minister Ramson

noted that the facility will be a genuine “game changer” for the region, specifically highlighting that the outfield’s advanced construction is comparable to the superior, fast-drying drainage systems utilised at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.

Designed primarily as a top-tier cricket venue, the stadium features an expansive modern players’ pavilion and upgraded team changing rooms.

It also includes expanded spectator seating and modernised sanitary facilities to accommodate large crowds.

The commissioning of Anna Regina marks the second major stadium opening for Guyana this year, follow-

ing the launch of the Bayroc National Stadium in Linden.

It is part of a broader five-stadium pipeline funded by the government to decentralise high-level sports infrastructure beyond the capital city.

According to the Ministry, the sports construction boom will continue at a rapid pace through the rest of the year.

Next on the docket to be opened are the Mackenzie Stadium, the New Amsterdam Track and Field Facility, and the highly anticipated Palmyra Stadium—all of which are scheduled for completion and official commissioning before the end of 2026.

Alfred stuns World Champion Jefferson-Wooden in Rome Diamond League thriller

Saint

ROME, Italy, (CMC) – SAINT Lucia’s sprint sensation, Julien Alfred, delivered a statement victory at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea Wanda Diamond League on Thursday night, storming past reigning World Champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

Just one week shy of her 25th birthday, Alfred clocked a blistering 21.93 seconds with a legal 1.3 m/s tailwind. Despite a shaky start, the two-time defending Diamond League 100m champion showed remarkable composure to hold off her American rival.

Jefferson-Wooden, who swept both the 100m and 200m titles at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, finished second in 22.17 seconds.

While the victory was impressive, it was far from Alfred’s absolute best. She currently owns the world’s fastest time for 2026, a scorching 21.86 seconds set back in April.

Thursday’s winning effort ranks as her TURN TO PAGE 23

Need for Speed Karting Championship shifted to Thomas Lands

ORGANIZERS of the Need for Speed Karting Championship have announced a change of venue for the opening round of the competition, which was originally scheduled to be held at West Bank Demerara.

The event will now take place at the GMR&SC Thomas Lands facility, Albert Street, following unforeseen venue preparation challenges at the original location. According to organizers, routine renovation works at the West Bank Demerara venue have affected the completion of track preparations within the required timeframe for safety testing and

event readiness. “The venue will be undergoing routine renovations, and we will not be able to complete the necessary track preparation within the stipulated time for safety testing,” organizers explained.

Despite the change, organizers expressed confidence in the new location, noting that the GMR&SC Thomas Lands facility is well-suited to host the championship.

“As such, our management team decided that we needed to look for an alternative venue and we thought of no better place than the home of motorsport, the GMR&SC Thomas Lands facility,” a spokesperson stated. Orga -

nizers added that while work remains to be completed at the original venue, the revised location will ensure the championship proceeds as planned and provides a safe and competitive environment for racers and spectators alike.

Meanwhile, the planned Meet and Greet event scheduled for West Central Mall has been postponed. A new date for the activity will be announced in due course.

The Need for Speed Karting Championship is expected to attract some of the country’s top karting talent as competitors battle for championship honors throughout the season.

Andreeva wins French Open as Chwalinska fairytale ends

TEENAGER Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title as Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska was denied a fairytale French Open victory.

Andreeva, 19, fulfilled the potential she has long shown with a 6-3 6-2 victory over an opponent who was a 500-1 outsider before the tournament.

Russian eighth seed Andreeva is the youngest woman to win the Roland Garros title since Monica Seles in 1992. After securing victory in one hour and 22 minutes, Andreeva fell to the court in elation before quickly running up to the stands for a warm embrace with her TURN TO PAGE 23