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No.1081947
Global Biodiversity Alliance grows to over 140 members 03 PAGE
Three villages, 1,600 residents benefit from solar investments –– as PM concludes Region Nine commissioning exercise 03 PAGE
President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday morning received a courtesy visit from the Parliamentary Group for Central America and the Caribbean of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament of Germany).The delegation was led by Dr Gregor Gysi, President by Right of Age (Alterspräsident) of the German Bundestag, and included representatives from both the German government and the opposition.Their discussions focused on opportunities for co-operation and development in technology, food, climate services and biotechnology.
US-Guyana relationship is a 50-50 02 partnership— Ambassador Theriot PAGE
–– rejects suggestions of US dominance
Dr Singh leads GoG/World Bank Group 05 Country Portfolio Performance Review PAGE
––– as key national development projects countrywide advance
CC&PA takes immediate steps to 04 protect ‘abused’ Region Six children PAGE
Vice-president Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday met with Mr Peter Geraint Richards, Head Forester to His Majesty King Charles III. The two discussed forest management and value-added production
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
US-Guyana relationship is a 50-50 partnership— Ambassador Theriot –– rejects suggestions of US dominance
UNITED States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has described relations between the two countries as a “50-50” partnership, rejecting suggestions that Washington seeks to dominate Guyana amid concerns about the Trump administration’s approach
to the Western Hemisphere. Theriot made the remarks during a recent interview when asked to characterise the relationship between the two countries following President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s appearance on CNN, where he was questioned about US influence, energy co-oper-
ation and the protection of Guyana’s sovereignty. “It’s a partnership. It’s 50-50, absolutely. There is no dominance. It is very, very much a partnership,” Theriot said. She added that Washington also benefits from its relationship with Guyana,
emphasising that co-operation between the two countries should be mutually beneficial. The ambassador said, “We feel like [sic] we benefit from our relationship with Guyana, hopefully as much as they benefit from us. It’s a true partnership in every sense of the word,” Her remarks come amid heightened international at-
President, Dr Irfaan Ali
United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot tention on the United States’ regional policy under President Donald Trump, whose statements about expanding American influence in the hemisphere have prompted questions about the balance of power between Washington and smaller regional states. During his CNN interview with anchor and Chief National Security Analyst Jim Sciutto, Dr Ali was asked whether he was concerned that the United States could seek to control Guyana rather than engage it as an equal partner. Sciutto referenced Trump’s remarks about Greenland, Canada and Venezuela, noting that the US President had sometimes spoken in terms of acquisition and control rather than partnership. Dr. Ali rejected the suggestion that Washington was seeking to impose its will on Guyana, pointing instead to shared interests and co-operation between the two countries. “I don’t see the US as trying to force us or trying to be a dominant force with Guyana,” Dr Ali said. The president said Guyana remained interested in strengthening ties with Washington, particularly in
development and security, but insisted that the relationship must be grounded in mutual respect and shared objectives. He added, “We have made it very clear that we are deeply interested in partnership, working together with the US. We see the US as an important ally of Guyana, and the partnership that we built must be built on shared values, shared benefit, and the joint development and prosperity of our Region.” President Ali said that a relationship based on those principles could remain sustainable over the long term and benefit both countries as well as the wider Region. “I can speak for Guyana. That is how we are pursuing this relationship,” he told CNN, adding that Guyana was working with the United States “as a partner in development, as a partner in security”. “We are a sovereign state, and we are working with the US as a partner,” he said. The US-Guyana relationship was also discussed in the context of the country’s expanding oil and gas sector, including the production-sharing agreement with ExxonMobil, which See page 4
Global Biodiversity Alliance grows to over 140 members
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
JUST over a year after its official launch, the Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) has grown to more than 140 partners worldwide. It now aims to agree on a global framework for valuing and protecting biodiversity. The Alliance’s creator and inaugural Chair, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said the second GBA conference and Financing Forum, on October 30 and 31 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), will seek to align all stakeholders on a single approach. The goal is to then integrate that approach into the United Nations (UN) and Conference of the Parties (COP) systems. “This is really Guyana positioning itself to be a facilitator of a global action, of global thinking, and a global formula,” the president said on the Starting Point podcast on Friday. President Ali first announced the Alliance at the
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mitments to Practical Action”. The Alliance is working on a financial and valuation model, international standards, and a monitoring and evaluation system to track biodiversity loss and identify new hotspots. It also aims to drive reinvestment to restore lost biodiversity, much as reforestation restores forests. The forum will bring forestry, mining, and investment interests to the table alongside scientists, policymakers, Indigenous peoples and envi-
ronmentalists. “If we are to have an open, frank, and genuine discussion to address the needs of all stakeholders… all the stakeholders must be around the table,” he said. He contrasted the Alliance with the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. The LCDS is a national model with global recognition, while the Alliance seeks agreement at a global scale, which he described as a harder task. “That is the most difficult thing to do, is to get all of these stakeholders to agree on one approach,” he said. The president said Guyana is well placed to lead the effort, since it has kept its biodiversity largely intact. “The planet is something that we all have to take care of, but not at the expense of the development aspirations of our people,” President Ali said in his message to the summit delegates. (DPI)
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Friday completed a three-community solar commissioning exercise in Region Nine, expanding access to renewable energy for more than 1,600 residents across the three villages ture and an ICT hub, he for residents in remote vestment forms part of the The Prime Minister also highlighted how access communities. government’s wider com- encouraged residents to to electricity and internet Potarinau, the largest mitment to expanding re- take ownership of the faconnectivity can strengthen of the three communities, newable energy access and cility and ensure its proper healthcare delivery, support is home to approximately ensuring that hinterland maintenance, noting that educational advancement 685 residents across 123 communities benefit from the system could serve the and create opportunities households. national development. community for more than for economic development. The newly commisHe highlighted that 20 years with appropriate He also encouraged res- sioned system comprises eight villages in Region care and periodic replaceidents to take ownership of 41.5 kW of solar capacity Nine are benefiting from ment of components. the facility and ensure its and 187 kWh of battery similar initiatives under the He commended the proper maintenance. storage, providing electric- 2025–2026 programme, Guyana Energy Agency, Prime Minister Phillips ity to key public buildings, noting that improved elec- the Regional Administraalso reaffirmed the gov- including educational fa- tricity access, coupled with tion and residents who ernment’s commitment to cilities, the health centre, internet connectivity, will contributed to the project’s extending reliable, clean village offices and other create greater opportunities implementation. energy across the hinter- community facilities. for education, professional At Katoonarib, the land, improving access to Addressing residents, development, agriculture, Prime Minister commisessential services, and sup- Prime Minister Phillips agro-processing and small sioned a solar energy sysporting better livelihoods emphasised that the in- businesses. tem representing an in-
vestment of approximately G$33 million, comprising 41.5 kW of solar panels and 187 kWh of battery storage. The system will provide electricity to key public buildings, including health and educational facilities, improving healthcare delivery, supporting learning opportunities and creating possibilities for small-scale economic activities. Addressing residents, Prime Minister Phillips emphasised that the investment represents more than the provision of electricity. He noted that it forms part of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches communities across Guyana, regardless of their location. Katoonarib is among 56 villages benefiting from similar solar energy initiatives, in keeping with the objectives of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. The Prime Minister also encouraged residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance to maximise its benefits for future generations.
The Alliance’s creator and inaugural Chair, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali speaks with local journalist, Kiana Wilburg 79th UN General Assembly in September 2024. It was formally launched with the endorsement of the Georgetown Declaration at the inaugural Summit in July 2025. Its membership now includes countries, academic and research institutions, international bodies and thought leaders. The UN
system joined in May as the 97th member, the United Kingdom has signed on, and India is expected to follow. President Ali said the world has lost more than 60 per cent of its biodiversity. Countries under economic pressure have had few alternatives, and no international system places a market value on biodiversity as does other
natural resources. “This is such an important asset for the survival of the planet, for the balance of the planet, but there is no value on this asset,” he said. Since the first summit, research partners have developed frameworks on biodiversity loss and began work on an economic and financial model to support the science. That work will be presented at next week’s forum, held under the theme “Investing in Nature: From Global Com-
Three villages, 1,600 residents benefit from solar investments –– as PM concludes Region Nine commissioning exercise THE commissioning of a G$44 million solar minigrid in Shulinab on Friday brought to a close Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips’ three-community solar commissioning exercise in Region Nine, expanding access to renewable energy for more than 1,600 residents across the three villages. At Shulinab, the newly commissioned facility comprises 46 kW of solar generating capacity and 208 kWh of battery storage, providing electricity to essential public buildings, including educational and healthcare facilities. The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr Mahendar Sharma, emphasised that investments in renewable energy form part of the government’s wider commitment to ensuring that hinterland communities benefit from national development. Reflecting on other initiatives in Shulinab, including a newly constructed secondary school, improved road infrastruc-
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US-Guyana relationship is a 50-50 ... From page 2
was signed by the previous administration. Dr Ali acknowledged that the agreement might not offer Guyana the best possible deal, but said his government was focused on maximising the benefits available to the country, while respecting the existing contract. He said, “Whilst it may not be a contract that offers the best deal to the country, it is a contract that we have entered into as a country.” He explained that the government was seeking to transfer greater benefits to Guyanese citizens and businesses through its management of the petroleum sector. The president also disclosed plans to develop investment vehicles that would allow ordinary Guyanese families to invest in energy-sector projects and earn returns, giving them a more direct stake in the industry. He noted that Guyana’s petroleum investments involve several international companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), describing the sector’s global investment base as diversified. ExxonMobil operates the Stabroek Block and holds a 45 per cent stake, while US-based Chevron holds 30 per cent and CNOOC holds the remaining 25 per cent. The Guyanese leader also addressed Guyana’s long-standing territorial controversy with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, reiterating that the matter is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He said Guyana anticipates a ruling in the case and would abide by the court’s decision, while encouraging Venezuela to do the same. The United States has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. Ambassador Theriot previously declared that the United States would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Guyana in defence of its sovereignty.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
CC&PA takes immediate steps to protect ‘abused’ Region Six children
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Friday assured the public that the children who were found in circumstances of severe abuse and mistreatment in Region Six are now safe under the protection of its Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA). In a press release, the ministry stated that following information received earlier in the day from a public-spirited citizen, the agency intervened immediately. The children will be taken to a hospital for medical assessment and care and are being placed into state care. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, according to the release, expressed outrage at the callous treatment of the children and the conditions in which they were found. “No child should ever have to live under these conditions or endure such cruelty. It is deeply distressing that children have been subjected to this treatment. Our imme-
diate priority is their safety, their health and ensuring that they receive the care and protection they need,” the minister stated. Given the sensitivity of this case and the need to protect the children’s dignity and privacy, the ministry will
not publish photographs of them. Members of the public and the media are strongly urged not to post or circulate photographs, videos or identifying details of the children, the release said. According to the release, Minister Persaud thanked the citizen whose report enabled the agency to act swiftly and called on communities to speak up whenever a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or unsafe living conditions. “We cannot act on what we do not know. Please tell
us when a child is being harmed or is living in circumstances that threaten their safety and well-being. Your report can bring help to a child who may have no way of asking for it. Today, because someone cared enough to speak up, we were able to intervene immediately,” she was quoted as saying. Further, the minister emphasised that protecting children must be a shared responsibility, with families, neighbours and communities looking out for every child. “We must care about what happens to the children around us. Wherever there is a child, the adults in that community should be looking out for that child’s safety and well-being. We need to treat their suffering with the same urgency and concern we would if they were our own family. We must never turn away when a child needs help.” The ministry reiterated that the children are safe under the CC&PA’s protection and urges anyone with information about suspected child abuse or neglect to report it promptly to the agency or to the police. Reporting concerns directly allows intervention while protecting children from further exposure and distress, the release said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Dr Singh leads GoG/World Bank Group Country Portfolio Performance Review –– as key national development projects countrywide advance
AS Guyana’s economy continues to grow with a large number of transformational projects completed across the country and hundreds more in the pipeline, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Friday, led a Government of Guyana/World Bank Group Country Performance Review at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). During the all-day review process, Minister Singh said, “what I would ask is that the focus be on execution,”, adding that, “We have mobilised resources and we have earmarked them for project interventions but the big issue now is delivery and I want us to use this day to make sure that we focus on implementation and execution, moving as quickly as possible to procurement, design, delivery and implementation.” Dr Singh pointed out further that he had made the call to the World Bank to use
the International Development Association (IDA) -the concession lending arm of the World Bank Group to leverage allocations for the innovative projects being reviewed, such as the Caribbean Efficient and Green Energy Buildings, Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, Integrated Transport Corridors and One Health projects and that these are reflective of this call. The high-level portfolio review brings together senior government officials, project implementation units (PIUs), and World Bank representatives to assess progress, address implementation bottlenecks, and agree on actions to accelerate project outcomes across Guyana. During the review process, Dr Singh was joined by senior officials of his Ministry including Director of Projects, Bernard Lord, and Head of Multilateral Financial Institutions, Donald DeClou. The World Bank team
was led by Acting World Bank Group Country Manager for Guyana and Suriname, Juan Carlos Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez, in his remarks at the forum, while thanking both teams for their participation, noted that the review’s main objective is delivery and effective implementation. He emphasised that the projects are not World Bank projects but are Government projects financed by the international financial institution. “It is in both of our interests to ensure that they are implemented effectively, and it is important that we use this opportunity to identify any potential bottlenecks and find solutions so that the persons for which the projects are intended will get the benefit of the development,” Mr. Alvarez said. The full-day review involved evaluating key active and pipeline projects critical to Guyana’s long-term sustainable and economic development, evaluating project outputs, identifying
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Friday, led a Government of Guyana/World Bank Group Country Performance Review at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre During those discusimplementation challenges, Bank Vice President for Latin documenting lessons learned, America and the Caribbean, sions, the minister noted and signing off on a unified Ms. Susana Cordeiro Guerra, that the WBG continues to matrix of agreed actions to during his participation in be a good, reliable partner scale up delivery across all the 2026 Annual Meetings of to Guyana and reaffirmed sectors. the International Monetary this government’s continOnly recently, Dr Singh Fund (IMF) and the World ued commitment to strong, described the excellent en- Bank Group (WBG) held in enduring partnership with the WBG. gagement he had with World Bangkok, Thailand.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Partnerships for Lasting Prosperity
THE boom in Guyana’s economy offers a chance to build stronger international partnerships that benefit far more than just the extraction of natural resources. Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips’ appeal to Canadian investors to look at opportunities in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and other new industries is thus timely and strategically important. At a reception for The Chair’s Circle during the Canada–Guyana Trade Mission 2026, the prime minister stressed the importance of going beyond the traditional emphasis of Canadian investment in the mining sector and of developing commercial relationships that will help create a stronger and more diversified Guyanese economy. His message speaks to a critical national priority, ensuring that Guyana’s economic transformation expands the productive base, creates more jobs and provides sustainable opportunities for citizens and businesses across the country. Guyana has long-standing economic and diplomatic ties with Canada. These ties provide a strong foundation for both nations to build a more ambitious partnership at a time when Guyana is seeing significant economic growth and expanding infrastructure and productive capacity. The challenge now is to translate years of goodwill and growing investor interest into concrete initiatives that support industries, transfer expertise and open new markets and there is a lot of potential for this to happen. Guyana’s oil and gas sector has opportunities in exploration and production, engineering, equipment manufacturing, environmental management, logistics, technical services and specialised training. Canadian companies with experience in these areas can help to build a more capable domestic supply chain, allowing Guyanese companies to play a more meaningful role in the growing energy economy. However, diversification must remain a priority and while oil production has transformed Guyana’s economic prospects, the country’s long-term prosperity will also
depend on the strength of industries that can generate value, jobs and export earnings for generations to come. That is why the prime minister’s focus on agriculture and agro-processing deserves special attention. Guyana has large areas of agricultural land, fresh water bodies and good growing conditions. With appropriate investment in mechanisation, irrigation, storage, packaging, processing and transportation, the country can increase production, reduce post-harvest losses and increase the range of products available for domestic consumption and export. This is not just an opportunity to grow more crops, but it’s also about processing more of what is grown, building competitive food brands, developing stronger supply chains and keeping more of the value created in the country. The government has already been investing in this way. In September 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that agro-processing received GUY$462.5 million investment in the first half of the year supporting facilities and initiatives to upgrade processing capacity, storage and market access. Canadian investors could speed up the process with modern agricultural machinery, cold-chain technology, food-processing systems, research partnerships and commercial arrangements with local farmers and agro-processors. Such partnerships could benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, rural communities, women entrepreneurs and young people who want to start businesses along the agricultural value chain. They could also enhance Guyana’s role in regional food security, a goal that has become ever more important throughout the Caribbean. Another area where co-operation is important is infrastructure. Roads, bridges, ports, transport systems, drainage and irrigation networks are crucial in linking producers to markets, reducing costs and allowing development away from
the main urban centres. “Specifically, Canadian expertise in engineering, construction, logistics and water-management systems could complement Guyana’s infrastructural programme while contributing to the development of local technical capacity. Investments in these areas would yield dividends far beyond individual projects. Better connectivity can help to improve access to services, support commercial activity in hinterland and riverain communities, and allow businesses to operate more efficiently. There are also opportunities in manufacturing, technology, tourism and other service industries. The Guyana Office for Investment has identified agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and value-added production as some of the sectors that could help to diversify the country’s economic base. Its investment framework stresses the importance of industrial infrastructure, export-led production and opportunities for local processing. These are precisely the areas where a stronger Guyana-Canada partnership could be mutually beneficial. Canada offers capital, technical skills, established commercial networks and a large market. Guyana has a growing economy, natural resources, a growing infrastructural base and access to regional markets through its membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its geographical links with South America . This relationship is further enhanced with a sizeable population of Guyanese origin in Canada. Diaspora can act as a bridge between businesses, facilitate knowledge-sharing, connect investors with local opportunities and promote new commercial ventures. So the trade mission should be seen as more than a diplomatic mission or a one-off meeting of business representatives. Ultimately, its value will be measured in terms of partnerships developed, investments undertaken, enterprises invigorated and jobs generated. This is especially important as Guyana seeks to ensure that economic growth is
translated into broad-based development. Foreign investment should not be isolated from the domestic economy. We should encourage Canadian companies to team up with Guyanese companies, to hire and train Guyanese workers, to share technical knowledge and to seek opportunities for local procurement whenever commercially and technically possible. At the same time, the government must continue to strengthen the conditions for responsible investors to operate with confidence. To keep investors coming, you need predictable policies, transparent procedures, reliable infrastructure, a skilled work force and efficient public services. These responsibilities complement each other. The government has created an enabling environment, the private sector has to look for commercially viable opportunities, and local enterprises have to be positioned to participate in the growth that will ensue. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s engagement with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in May, 2026, also pointed to a common interest in boosting investment in energy, technology, agriculture and mining. Both countries have therefore expressed their intention to strengthen trade relations in several sectors. Now the challenge is to maintain that momentum and convert the pledges into tangible results. Ultimately the goal for Guyana must be an economy where the benefits of resource development support agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, technology and other productive industries. This diversification would broaden the base of national income, generate a variety of jobs and help build greater resilience to shifts in the global commodity markets. So Prime Minister Phillips is right to encourage Canadian investors to look beyond traditional mining. There are multiple industries which present development prospects for Guyana and its international partnerships should reflect the full range of opportunities emerging across the country.
Political naivety is no substitute for political understanding Dear Editor, HADIYYAH Mohamed’s letter, “Jagdeo’s political desperation and the PPP’s fear of a changing Guyana,” reveals more about the writer’s grasp of politics than about Jagdeo. Her claim that Jagdeo’s willingness to engage APNU signals desperation and fear of WIN is nonsense. Seeking support is not desperation, it is Politics 101, as parties win by broadening their base. What troubles Ms Mohamed is not that Vice-president Jagdeo is talking to APNU, but that voters who left APNU for WIN might look elsewhere. WIN does not own those voters nor does the PPP or APNU. Support is earned, not inherited. The irony is hard to miss when WIN attracts APNU supporters, it’s a “political awakening”; when the PPP reaches for those same voters, it’s a “threat to democracy.” You cannot have it both ways. Her reading of Jagdeo’s interaction with APNU at Robert Corbin’s wake is equally telling. She sees manoeuvring where others might see dialogue between parties that have
fought for decades, a hostility Guyana has paid dearly for. Someone calling for a new political culture should welcome dialogue between old opponents, not condemn it simply because Jagdeo is involved. Her most naive claim is that alliances become problematic when intended to weaken a rival. What does she think parties do, exchange Christmas cards? Parties compete, build alliances, recruit supporters, and strengthen their electoral positions. That is democracy at work. If WIN cannot withstand ordinary competition, it should spend less time complaining about Jagdeo and more time building an organisation that retains its supporters. She also implies that because Azruddin Mohamed holds the constitutional office of leader of the opposition, others must refrain from weakening his influence. The office deserves respect, but it grants no monopoly on opposition politics. Jagdeo is free to speak with APNU, and APNU with whomever it chooses, neither needs WIN’s blessing. On corruption, Ms Mohamed has much
to say about the PPP, fair enough. But it takes a special blindness to lecture the country on accountability, while ignoring that the United States is seeking WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed’s extradition on serious criminal charges. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but accountability cannot be a one-way street and WIN should explain what it stands for beyond opposing Jagdeo. WIN’s leadership also confuses social-media attention with durable support. Likes, viral videos, and cheering crowds do not translate into votes, much less the ability to govern. Building a party is not the same as building a following. I agree with Ms Mohamed that Guyanese demand a new political culture but it must include civility, respect for opponents, and acceptance that disagreement does not make someone an enemy. Those standards apply to the Mohameds and WIN as much as to Jagdeo and the PPP. Guyanese are tired of mudslinging. They want solutions, politicians who can explain what they will do, how, and at what cost. Attacking Jagdeo is not a programme of government.
Her prediction that Jagdeo’s days are numbered is opinion, not election result. The electorate decides, not Ms Mohamed, not WIN’s social-media supporters, not those who mistake the loudest noise for the greatest support. WIN has every right to seek to replace the PPP. The PPP has an equal right to defend its support, seek new supporters, and explore co-operation. What Ms Mohamed cannot accept is that the same rules apply to everyone. Her letter reveals WIN’s anxiety about losing support far more than any desperation on Jagdeo’s part. If WIN fears its supporters are slipping away, it should give them reasons to stay, not accuse competitors of undermining democracy. Politics is not for the thin skinned, nor is it a Facebook popularity contest. No party has a transport on the votes of the Guyanese people. Those votes must be earned, election after election. That is a lesson Ms. Mohamed and WIN’s leadership would do well to learn. Yours sincerely, Dr Tilokie Depoo
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Ramjattan 2015 -2020, Granger 2015-2020
THIS is part six and the conclusion of intrigues between President Granger and the PNC, class difference inside the AFC, and differences between the PNC and AFC as partners in government from 2015 to 2020. We start first with Ramjattan. He was never an MCC personality although he had a lucrative law practice. From my experience being around the AFC, I knew the Mulatto/Creole class (MCC) personalities did not really embrace him. They thought he should have (to use a term in street lingo) just “deh bout.” But Ramjattan became a formidable figure in the AFC bringing in Indian support and plenty money. The MCC really wanted a quintessential middle class, eugenic party but Ramjattan singlehandedly transformed the AFC into a mass-based party with working class personalities that became influential in the AFC. Ramjattan lived a trapped life in the AFC and together with Moses Nagamootoo became prisoners in the AFC. Because both men hated the PPP, they lived in fear of any crisis within the AFC and within the APNU+AFC government spiraling out of control and the government could fall thus bringing back the PPP. In terms of Nagamootoo, he was finished with politics. He gloated in the psychological elixir that he alone toppled the PPP. For him, that was the end game. In government, he had no desire to do anything useful. For the years in government, Nagamootoo, (once again to use street lingo) just “deh bout.” He was content with just “being about.” Ramjattan, on the other hand, lived in mortal fear of a government collapse, so he was fully prepared to let the PNC have hegemony in the coalition government. There was only one occasion in which he put down his foot and would not budge. Outside of that particular moment, he was contented to live with the PNC in charge of the government. That occasion was the decision of President Granger on the then Police Commis-
sioner, Seelall Persaud. This came out of a Commission of Inquiry into the police force derived from a comical situation in which a drunken man told his friend that he will pay him to harm President Granger. At the time, Ramjattan was the Home Affairs Minister, and Persaud made representation to Ramjattan who forcefully opposed the removal of Persaud One of the great myths about the AFC in government with the PNC was that the PNC bullied its coalition partner. That is not factual but there may have been episodes of bullying. But the MCC personalities in Guyana and those that formed the AFC were happy with the coalition government because at the psychic level they felt that finally the Indian leadership of Guyana was gone. President Granger and Rupert Roopnaraine were the jewels in the crown for Guyana’s MCC. This explains the subtle backing of the Stabroek News (SN) for the APNU+AFC government. Co-founder of the SN, David DeCaires was extremely close to David Granger. The other co-founder, Miles Fitzpatrick was extremely close to Cathy Hughes’ father. Dominic Gaskin and Ian McDonald were the only two MCC personalities that disagreed with the five-month rigging of the 2020 election. Guyana’s MCC backed the rigging because their class was finally in government. This explains why Red Thread, the Guyana Human Rights Association and Transparency International Guyana Inc never condemned the rigging. Finally, the esoteric presence of David Granger in the APNU+AFC government. Guyana’s history is being robbed by the lack of research into David Granger’s role as president. Mr. Granger was a stranger to politics and the PNC when he became president. At the psychic level, Granger was never comfortable being in politics at that very high level. Anyone who lived in Guyana from 2015 to 2020 would know that the major decisions were made by the Minister of State,
Joe Harmon. Contrary to popular belief, Granger did not have a ubiquitous presence in government. The one thing that Guyanese up to now do not know about Granger is that he was prepared to accept the fall of the coalition administration because he was not prepared to be dictated to by the PNC and the AFC. Granger had no qualms about a dissolution of the government because he was at the psychic level not into power intoxication. This will shock many Guyanese but that was the nature of Granger. The power madness more existed in all
the AFC leaders without exception. There were times when in quarrels with the AFC, Granger would say, “well if this will cause the government to fall, then so be it.” People may not believe it but he was like that. On the contrary, PNC and AFC leaders would have done anything to stay in power. One day, the real story of Granger’s attitude during the 2020 election rigging will shock everyone in Guyana. 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.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Reparations and the courage of historical accountability: President Ali and CARICOM are right
Dear Editor,
PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s position and that of CARICOM on reparations deserve firm support. The passage of time does not, in itself, extinguish responsibility for historical wrongs, consequences of which endure. In his interview with ITV News correspondent Robert Moore, published ahead of King Charles III’s forthcoming visit to Guyana, President Ali maintained that expressions of regret should be followed by a formal apology and reparatory justice. His position reflects a reasonable and principled demand, grounded in the Caribbean’s long-standing pursuit of historical accountability. The significance of this intervention extends beyond the formalities of a royal visit. It concerns the basis upon which formerly colonised societies engage states and institutions that benefited from their subjugation and exploitation. A durable relationship between Britain and the Caribbean must accommodate difficult truths. Friendship gains credibility when it is sustained by an honest acknowledgement of the past and a willingness to address its continuing consequences. The distinction between regret and apology is therefore fundamental. Regret can acknowledge suffering without identifying responsibility.
A formal apology recognises wrongdoing and accepts responsibility for it, thereby establishing a foundation for meaningful reconciliation. CARICOM’s reparations framework places such an apology at the centre of its agenda. President Ali’s intervention consequently expresses an established regional principle with clarity and conviction. The historical foundations of that principle are substantial. Slavery was sustained through legislation, commercial arrangements, financial institutions and coercive state power. Human beings were treated inhumanely and as transferable property, while their labour, culture, religion, family relationships and futures were subordinated and exploited to an economic system organised around extraction. CARICOM’s demand addresses the responsibility of the governments and institutions that created, protected and benefited from those arrangements. Britain’s approach to emancipation reveals a profound imbalance in its recognition of loss. The British government allocated millions of pounds/ dollars to compensate slave owners for the loss of what the law had recognised as their property, the audacity to label “fellow human beings” as such. Research published by the Bank of England documents these arrangements and the financial intermediaries who profited from administering them. The state demonstrated
considerable capacity to identify, calculate and compensate the financial claims of enslavers. That history raises an unavoidable moral question: why did the loss of ownership over human beings attract such precise compensation, while the suffering and dispossession of those human beings failed to receive comparable recognition? Is it because they were black people? The historical willingness to compensate enslavers makes the continued resistance to meaningful reparatory engagement especially difficult to justify. The objection that present generations did not personally participate in slavery does not resolve this question. Individual guilt and institutional responsibility are distinct. States and enduring institutions inherit assets, authority and obligations across generations. Their continuity cannot reasonably be recognised for the preservation of wealth and prestige, while being disregarded whenever questions of historical accountability arise. A credible reparations process must examine documented benefit, institutional continuity and the persistence of harm. Such an examination requires evidence, careful analysis and good-faith negotiation. It need not attribute every contemporary Caribbean difficulty to slavery or colonialism. Domestic governance, public policy and subsequent economic developments also influence national outcomes. Recognising these factors strengthens the argument by making it more precise. It does not justify excluding colonial extraction and inherited disadvantage from a serious assessment of the Region’s development. CARICOM’s framework gives this historical and moral argument practical direction. Its heads of government approved a revised 10-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice in July 2026. In September, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett outlined an agenda encompassing public health, education, psychological rehabilitation, cultural development, support for Indigenous communities, gender justice, debt cancellation and monetary compensation. These priorities connect historical accountability with the restoration of opportunity and the strengthening of Caribbean societies. Implementation must be equally rigorous. Any settlement should deliver demonstrable benefits to affected communities through transparent administration, public reporting, meaningful participation and clearly defined objectives. The legitimacy of the claim carries a corresponding responsibility to ensure that the resources secured produce lasting improvements in people’s lives. It is important to note, that Guyana’s development ambitions do not diminish the force of this case. Contemporary economic progress cannot retrospectively legitimise historical exploitation or erase the responsibility arising from it. A society’s determination to overcome inherited disadvantage should never become the justification for dismissing its claim for
justice. An increasingly confident Guyana can pursue reparations with greater independence, insisting that the issue be assessed on historical evidence and moral principle, rather than present financial need. The forthcoming royal visit offers an opportunity to advance this discussion with bold confidence, dignity and resolve. The constitutional distinction between the King’s role and the British government’s authority over policy and public expenditure must be respected. That distinction should help identify the appropriate channels for engagement and decision-making. It should not permit responsibility to be deferred indefinitely. Within those constitutional boundaries, King Charles should use his influence and the moral authority of his office to help make historical wrongs right by simply doing what is right: supporting honest acknowledgement and encouraging meaningful engagement on reparatory justice. He cannot unilaterally determine a financial settlement, but his capacity to give recognition, encourage reflection and lend seriousness to reconciliation remains significant. A formal apology, delivered with the necessary governmental authority and followed by a credible commitment to repair, would give practical meaning to that leadership. President Ali’s position demonstrates that diplomatic courtesy and historical conviction can coexist. Guyana can welcome the King, value its relationship with Britain and insist that the suffering of its ancestors receive an adequate response. Such engagement reflects the confidence of a sovereign nation that understands both the value of co-operation and the obligations of remembrance. CARICOM’s collective leadership reinforces this approach. Regional coordination strengthens the negotiating voice of small states and sustains the pursuit of justice beyond individual interviews, royal visits or changes of government. It provides a framework through which historical research, public advocacy and diplomacy can lead to concrete commitments. President Ali and CARICOM are therefore right to insist that recognition must lead to action. An apology should establish the basis for substantive negotiations; negotiations should produce credible commitments and those commitments should yield measurable repair. A mature relationship between Britain and the Caribbean requires the courage to confront the history that shaped it. The descendants of those whose humanity was denied are entitled to have their experiences acknowledged seriously and their claims considered respectfully. King Charles has an opportunity to contribute to that process through principled moral leadership. Britain, in turn, has an opportunity to demonstrate that its commitment to justice extends to an honest examination of its own enduring responsibilities. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen named among FAO’s 100 women heroes
Yin Yuzhen attends a ceremony for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, in Rome, Italy on October 15, 2026 (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu (L) presents the award to Dong Minfang during a ceremony for FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, in Rome, Italy, October 15, 2026 (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen (2nd L, front) attends a ceremony in Rome, Italy, October 15, 2026. Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen was named on Thursday among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, a global recognition initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (Xinhua/Li Jing) FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu has said women are a driving force in agrifood systems, playing an indispensable role in food security, natural resource management, rural development, and community resilience. Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen was recently named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, a global recognition initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The honorees were celebrated at a ceremony on Thursday at the FAO headquarters in Rome as part of this year’s World Food Forum. Yin has spent more than four decades combatting desertification in the Maowusu Sandy Land in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. After decades of persistent tree planting, she and her family have transformed stretches of the once-barren landscape into a green expanse, overcoming harsh
conditions and shifting sands. Her story also forged an enduring friendship with retired U.S. teacher Ronald Sakolsky, who raised 5,000 U.S. dollars decades ago to support her afforestation work. Yin told Xinhua that the recognition had strengthened her resolve to continue her work. “Like a Mongolian horse, I will keep pressing forward with perseverance and determination, doing my work well and giving back to nature,” she said. Sitting in the audience, Sakolsky’s eyes grew moist as he applauded Yin’s achievement. “Yin deserves everything that she gets. She is the heroine,” he told Xinhua. Addressing the ceremony, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu hailed women farmers’ roles. He said women are a driving force in agrifood systems, playing an indispensable role in food security, natural resource management, rural development, and community resilience. Qu then invited Sakolsky to join Yin on stage. The two
friends embraced once again and held up a trophy together. Qu said that although Sakolsky was not among the women heroes, his “passion” and “solidarity” should be recognised. Sakolsky expressed his gratitude, saying he was deeply moved by Yin’s remarkable achievement. He called on everyone to plant a tree and work together to make a difference to the environment. Launched by the FAO to mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the global initiative recognizes 100 women for their outstanding contributions to agriculture, food systems, and rural development. The FAO said it received 609 nominations from 131 members. The selection process involved an eligibility review, an assessment, and ranking by senior management, and two rounds of deliberations. Besides Yin, Yu Jinxiu and Dong Minfang were also among the FAO 100 Women Heroes. Yu is a moxibustion therapist from Qichun County
in central China’s Hubei Province, and Dong is president of the Fengrui Agricultural Machinery Professional Cooperative in Yueyang County, central China’s Hunan Province. They have spent years sharing their expertise to help thousands of people secure jobs and start businesses, raising incomes for rural residents. The United Nations designated 2026 as the Inter-
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu (L) presents the award to Yu Jinxiu during a ceremony for FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, in Rome, Italy, October 15, 2026. Yu is a moxibustion therapist from Qichun County in central China’s Hubei Province. Yu Jinxiu and Dong Minfang were named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, a global recognition initiative launched by the FAO. They have spent years sharing their expertise to help thousands of people secure jobs and start businesses, raising incomes for rural residents (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan) national Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight women’s contribution to agrifood systems and pro-
mote policies and investments that improve their access to finance, knowledge, and services.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Xiplomacy: Xi’s decades-long commitment to poverty reduction
An aerial drone photo taken on October 1, 2026, shows the Land Fingerprint Concert held in Dafang County of southwest China’s Guizhou Province (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) POVERTY eradication is “a common ideal of humanity,” Chinese President Xi Jinping has once said. Five years after China declared a complete victory in the fight against absolute poverty in 2021, its approach continues to inspire poverty reduction efforts worldwide. Xi’s dedication to poverty alleviation spans decades, from his early work in poor rural communities to the nationwide campaign he led and his efforts to promote international cooperation -- a long-running endeavor that resonates as the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Saturday. A DECADES-LONG PURSUIT “A weak hatchling bird can be the first to fly, and the poorest can be the first to become rich,” Xi wrote in a 1988 essay on the development of Ningde Prefecture in east China’s Fujian Province. The following summer, Xi, then Ningde’s Party secretary, travelled by car and on foot to reach Xiadang, a remote mountain township that had no road access. Xi returned to Xiadang twice, helping tackle problems with roads, electricity, and water supplies. In 2019, residents wrote to tell him that their township had shaken off poverty, and he replied with congratulations. After becoming China’s top leader, Xi continued his hands-on approach to poverty reduction. He conducted more than 50 inspections and research visits related to poverty alleviation, traveling to all 14 of the country’s contiguous areas of extreme poverty. In February 2018, Xi visited impoverished Yi families in Zhaojue County, Sichuan Province, asking about their livelihoods and discussing ways to tackle poverty with villag-
An aerial drone photo taken on September 11, 2026, shows a livestock-photovoltaic integration project in Yuanyi Village, Minning Town, Yongning County of Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
ers and local officials. “Not a single ethnic group or family should be left behind in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects,” he said during the visit. On Feb. 25, 2021, Xi declared a “complete victory” in China’s fight against absolute poverty. Over eight years, nearly 100 million rural residents had been lifted out of absolute poverty, enabling the country to meet the poverty reduction target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a decade ahead of schedule. In a congratulatory letter to Xi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the achievement “a reason for hope and inspiration to the entire community of nations.” LESSONS BEYOND BORDERS China’s poverty reduction experience has attracted attention from leaders around the world, some of whom have sought inspiration from Xi’s writings and visited places where his ideas were put into practice. Xi’s early ideas on poverty reduction and economic development were collected in “Up and Out of Poverty,” a collection of speeches, articles, and interviews from 1988 to 1990 during his tenure in Ningde. Explaining the title, Xi wrote that its significance lay first and foremost in uprooting the “poverty mentality” and “poverty thinking.” In a foreword to the book’s Uzbek edition published in 2023, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the work remained an important source of guidance for state and social governance more than three decades after its initial publication. During his visit to China this month, President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko
Staff work at a winery of Minning Town, Yongning County in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, October 14, 2025 (Xinhua/ Wang Peng)
travelled to Fuzhou and Ningde in Fujian Province, where Xi once worked, and visited an exhibition on poverty reduction. During talks with Xi in Beijing, Boko depicted China’s development as “an economic and political miracle never seen in history.” In June 2018, Bounnhang Vorachith, then President of Laos, visited Shibadong Village in central China’s Hunan Province to learn about China’s approach to poverty reduction. In villager Shi Basan’s home, he paused before a photograph showing Xi chatting with her beside a fire pit. During that November 2013 visit, Xi first proposed “targeted poverty alleviation” in a discussion with villagers, calling for measures tailored to local conditions and each household’s needs. After retracing Xi’s route and speaking with residents, Bounnhang voiced hope of bringing the village’s experience back to Laos. In reply to a letter from the villagers the following year, he praised Shibadong’s success as offering invaluable lessons for his country. In September 2026, Prime Minister of Madagascar Mamitiana Rajaonarison also visited Shibadong, where he witnessed firsthand residents’ changing lives and watched demonstrations of traditional Miao ethnic embroidery. He said the visit shown him Xi’s deep concern for the people and provided inspiration for Madagascar. TURNING EXPERIENCE INTO ACTION Xi’s efforts to share China’s poverty reduction experience abroad date back to his early tenure in Fujian Province. There, he promoted Juncao technology as part of Fujian’s poverty reduction coop-
eration with northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In 2000, he introduced the technology to a visiting governor from Papua New Guinea and later helped establish a China-aided Juncao demonstration base in the Pacific island country. Juncao technology uses grass to cultivate mushrooms and provide livestock feed. The technology has spread to more than 100 countries, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. In Zimbabwe, farmer Mandiudza Masvongo has earned 330 U.S. dollars from selling mushrooms since taking up Juncao cultivation in June 2025. The proceeds have helped her start a small cleaning products business, which she said could mark a turning point in her life. Beyond agriculture, China’s development assistance has also improved basic services and created opportunities for small businesses. In Cambodia’s Tanorn village, a China-aided project brought better roads, clean water, and solar power. Por Sokhim, once dependent on rice farming, now runs a grocery store, while her husband operates a motorcycle repair shop. In 2021, Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative, with poverty reduction and food security among its priorities. In the five years since its launch, cooperation projects under the initiative have taken root and delivered tangible results in more than 120 countries. At the 2024 G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi drew upon China’s experience to express confidence in the prospects for poverty reduction across the developing world. “If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China’s battle against poverty says to the world,” he told world leaders.
China makes significant progress in climate action, charts green path
CHINA has achieved significant results in responding to climate change in recent years, gradually forging a green and low-carbon development path, a senior environment official said Wednesday. Li Gao, vice minister of ecology and environment, made the remarks at a news conference, where an annual report on China’s policies and actions on climate change was released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The report showed that in 2025, China’s
carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell 17.7 per cent compared with 2020 levels. Non-fossil energy accounted for 21.7 per cent of total energy consumption. Combined installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.84 billion kilowatts. Forest stock volume stood at 20.99 billion cubic meters. The progress is backed by the country’s sustained efforts to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation. China has built the world’s largest and most complete clean energy industrial chain,
with green and low-carbon industries becoming an important engine of economic growth, Li said. By the first half of 2026, the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity reached 2.46 billion kilowatts, accounting for 60.7 percent of total national power generation capacity. At the end of July, installed solar power capacity surpassed coal power for the first time in history, making it China’s largest single power source. Moreover, China’s combined installed
capacity of operational and approved nuclear power units has risen to first place in the world. New energy vehicle production and sales have ranked first globally for 11 consecutive years. Li noted that the country has established the world’s largest carbon emissions trading market, covering about 8.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, or more than 65 percent of the country’s total emissions. Cumulative allowance trading volume has recently surpassed 1 billion tonnes.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Tech innovations take spotlight at Canton Fair INSIDE the Pazhou Complex, Leaw Cheeeyrn, a Malaysian businessman with high-level paraplegia, was able to walk with the assistance of a robotic exoskeletal device. “It was wonderful and I hope there will be more such high-tech products to help us walk,” he said. He was accompanied by his wife at the China Import and Export Fair, which opened its 140th session in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Thursday. At the event — also widely known as the Canton Fair — domestically produced high-tech products, especially artificial intelligence-driven electronic products and medical equipment, were highly favored by foreign buyers. The fair aligns with new trends in foreign trade, with 64 percent of the 32,000 participating companies utilizing new technologies such as AI and industrial internet, according to the organisers. The proportion of new and green products exhibited reached 23.2 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, both setting records, the organizers said. China’s manufacturing sector has been continuously transforming and upgrading, leading to an optimized foreign trade structure and a steady increase in the technological content of import and export products. Electronic components, industrial robots, 3D printers, and new energy vehicles have performed exceptionally well, becoming new drivers of foreign trade momentum, the organisers said. “We are very interested in selling these products to
A visitor checks out a motorbike during the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Thursday (WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY) Malaysia, where there will be high demand for intelligent robotic products,” the Malaysian businessman said. The exoskeleton robotic device, developed by RoboCT — a Chinese company dedicated to the development and application of exoskeleton robotics — has been sold to more than 50 countries and regions. “We have developed intelligent products that help people with walking disabilities walk again and better,” said Zhang Jiyu, co-founder and chief operating officer of RoboCT. On the fair’s opening day, the company’s exhibition booth attracted a large number of foreign buyers from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The company displayed its new rehabilitation service of mind-driven exoskeletons powered by brainwave signals and its GoGo-H Pro climbing series — a consumer-grade assistive exoskeleton for daily mobility. “We have brought a comprehensive product lineup covering medical rehabilitation, daily mobility assistance and industry support, aiming to showcase to our global partners the full-spectrum application capabilities of Chinese exoskeleton technology,” Zhang said. The company, based in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, realised a year-on-year increase of 46.22 per cent in overseas sales in 2025. In the first eight months of this year, its overseas sales increased about 149.76 percent year-on-year. At the fair’s 139th session in April, the company — participating for the first time — successfully obtained the contact information of over 40 overseas distributors, with the total value of intended orders exceeding $3.5 million. “The fair is an important window for Chinese manufacturers to reach the world and a key milestone in our globalization strategy,” said Zhang. The fair, seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade, runs in three phases from Oct 15 to Nov 4. Over the past 70 years, the fair has grown into China’s largest and longest-running international trade event, with the most complete product range, the largest number of buyers and the highest transaction volume.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Father remanded for murder; advice being sought to charge Pujari
BHARRAT Jaikarran, the father of 6-year-old Orlando Jaikarran was, on Friday, remanded to prison for murder when he appeared at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court. Jaikarran of Waterloo, Bath Settlement, appeared before Magistrate Shareefah Parks where the charge of murder was read to him.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. Meanwhile, the second accused in the matter is expected to also be charged with murder as police are seeking legal advice. According to a source, the file for the Pujari is to return to the Director of Public Prosecution today.
Bharrat Jaikarran (News Room photo)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Minister Mustapha challenges QC students to move beyond raw production to value-added agri business
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday challenged Queen’s College students to think beyond traditional agricultural production and embrace the opportunities presented through innovation, value addition and entrepreneurship, as he delivered remarks at the opening of the school’s Value-Added Expo MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday challenged students of Queen’s College to think beyond traditional agricultural production and embrace the opportunities presented through innovation, value addition and entrepreneurship, as he delivered remarks at the opening of the school’s Value-Added Expo. Addressing the students, teachers and other attendees, Minister Mustapha underscored the importance of developing a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s economic transformation. He noted that while Guyana has traditionally been recognised for its production and export of raw agricultural commodities, the country must continue moving towards a model that places greater emphasis on processing, packaging, branding and marketing locally produced goods. The minister explained that for too long, developing countries have exported raw
materials while much of the economic value associated with those products has been generated elsewhere. He stressed that changing this approach is essential to ensuring that Guyana maximises the economic benefits of its agricultural resources, creates employment opportunities and generates greater income for producers, entrepreneurs and communities. He further explained that value addition represents much more than transforming raw agricultural commodities into finished products. It creates opportunities for business development, encourages innovation, strengthens local industries and allows producers to capture a greater share of the value generated along the agricultural supply chain. Against this backdrop, Minister Mustapha commended the students for their creativity and initiative, encouraging them to view the products displayed at the exhibition not merely as school projects, but as potential business ventures
capable of contributing to Guyana’s growing economy. Reflecting on the importance of innovation and determination, the Minister reminded the students that many successful businesses around the world began with simple ideas that were subsequently developed into commercially viable products. He encouraged them to remain confident in their abilities, continue refining their ideas and recognise the opportunities available through entrepreneurship. The Queen’s College Value-Added Expo provided an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and demonstrate how innovative thinking and product development can contribute to the creation of new businesses and industries. The initiative also reflects the growing importance of exposing young people to the commercial potential of agriculture and encouraging them to become active participants in Guyana’s ongoing economic transformation. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Child Rights Commission calls for urgent action –– following tragic death of two boys in separate incidents
THE Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has called for an urgent review of Guyana’s child protection systems following the tragic deaths of two boys, warning that more must be done to prevent similar incidents. In a statement on Friday, the Commission expressed concern over the deaths of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, whose body was discovered in a canal at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, and a three-year-old boy who died alongside his mother in a house fire. The RCC called for thorough and timely investigations into both incidents, along with stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable children. It urged closer coordination among the Childcare and Protection
Agency, Guyana Police Force, schools and social services to ensure warning signs of abuse, neglect and other dangers are identified and addressed early. The Commission also called for greater investment in counselling, family support, and parenting education, while encouraging citizens to report suspected threats to children’s safety.
“Guyana must move beyond expressions of sadness and public outrage to sustained, coordinated and evidence-informed action,” the RCC stated. It stressed that protecting children is a shared responsibility of the government, families, and communities, and that every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
American Airlines flight to Guyana returns to Miami after passenger allegedly threatens crew
AN American Airlines flight bound for Guyana diverted back to the Miami International Airport on Thursday evening after a passenger allegedly threatened a flight attendant during the aircraft’s ascent. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8. “While we were climbing out, he rushed the flight attendants in the back of the aircraft,” a crew member told air-traffic control,
according to radio transmissions. The flight turned around minutes after departure and flew a figure-eight pattern before landing safely back at Miami International Airport. Air-traffic control audio indicated that the passenger allegedly made a verbal threat towards a crew member. “I guess the exact words were, ‘I will take care of you when we land in Guyana,’ but in a very threatening manner,” a crew member
reported. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after receiving an initial report that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant. However, investigators later determined that the situation involved a verbal dispute rather than a physical assault. After the aircraft returned to the gate, the passenger exited without incident. Authorities said the traveller was rebooked on a different flight. (CBS News)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Guyana’s free-market economy welcomes foreign investment—Minister Rodrigues –– emphasises businesses must however comply with country’s laws
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues has said that Guyana’s free-market economy welcomes foreign investment, but businesses must comply with local laws, pay taxes and meet their other legal obligations, regardless of ownership. Rodrigues made the remarks during an interview on the Starting Point Podcast, where she was asked about the growing presence of Chinese supermarkets in communities and concerns that their expansion could crowd
out local investment, despite providing consumers with access to affordable products. “Guyana is a free-market economy and the benefits of a free-market economy are well established. We encourage foreign investors and investment and, through my ministry, we have done several engagements, especially in the last year with Chinese businesses,” Rodrigues said. She explained that the government has been engaging members of the Chinese business community to ensure they understand and comply
with the requirements for operating businesses in Guyana. According to her, one such engagement was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre earlier this year as part of a collaboration between the Government of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China. The meeting brought together government officials, the Chinese ambassador and members of the Chinese business community. Rodrigues said Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh also attended the meeting,
given his responsibility for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The discussions focused on business registration, tax compliance and contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Rodrigues said, “We spoke with them about the importance of registering their businesses, of being tax compliant and being compliant with the requirements of the National Insurance Scheme. These are all important aspects of any business, whether it’s a foreign-owned business Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues or a locally-owned business.” the government continues to The minister stressed that promote foreign investment while the government encour- while emphasising compliages foreign investment, busi- ance with Guyana’s laws. nesses must operate within The Chinese Embassy the country’s legal framework in Guyana has also urged and fulfil their obligations to Chinese-owned and operated the state. businesses to comply with “So, while we encourage local laws, properly register foreign investment, whether their operations and meet it’s Chinese supermarkets or their tax and employment any other foreign business, we obligations. work to ensure that they are In a statement previously compliant and they are sub- issued following a meeting jected to the laws of Guyana by the Guyanese government and that they pay their taxes on lawful business operaand are compliant with the tions, the embassy reminded other requirements as well,” Chinese business operators she said. to obtain the necessary busiRodrigues added that the ness licences, residence pergovernment continues to con- mits and identification docduct outreach activities to uments, open bank accounts encourage compliance among and conduct activities within foreign business operators, in- the scope permitted by Guycluding those running Chinese anese law. supermarkets. The embassy also urged The discussion also raised businesses to maintain proper concerns about whether the standards in their daily opergrowing number of Chinese ations, including controlling supermarkets could affect lo- product quality and refraining cal entrepreneurs and compe- from selling expired, countertition within the retail sector. feit or goods of unidentified She pointed to the role origin. of the Competition and ConIt further stressed the imsumer Affairs Commission portance of complying with (CCAC) in addressing com- tax regulations, issuing acplaints about business prac- curate invoices, paying taxes tices and safeguarding con- regularly and making legally sumers. required social insurance conRodrigues said the com- tributions for employees. mission investigates complaints Chinese business operainvolving anti-competitive tors were also encouraged to practices and consumer-related hire Guyanese workers legally issues, including disputes over and contribute positively to receipts and refunds. the country’s economic deShe said, “Through the velopment. CCAC, any complaint that The embassy called on is made to the commission businesses to cooperate fully about anti-competitive laws with law enforcement inspecor issues with receipts or tions, advising operators who refunds, we take every com- encounter unfair treatment to plaint seriously. We investi- remain calm, gather evidence gate those complaints and we and protect their legal rights seek redress on behalf of the through appropriate channels. complainants.” Additionally, it urged Her comments come amid businesses to strengthen broader discussions about security measures, minimise the impact of foreign-owned cash held on their premises businesses on local com- and contact the police and merce, consumer choice and the Chinese Embassy for investment opportunities, as assistance in emergencies.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
15-kilometre road project to improve access for Wakapoa communities
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj and other officials engaging Wakapoa residents on Friday By Indrawattie Natram A MAJOR road project aimed at connecting Mora, Koria, and several other settlements in Wakapoa, Region Two, is advancing, with the government moving closer to implementing the 15-kilometre roadway following the invitation of bids. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj met with residents on Friday to provide an update on the project, which is expected to significantly improve transportation and connectivity for communities that have long faced challenges accessing reliable road networks. The project follows commitments made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during previous outreaches, when residents highlighted the difficulties associated with travelling between settlements, and called for improved infrastructure. During the engagement, Minister Ramraj outlined the scope of the proposed works, and up-
dated residents on the procurement process and the steps required before construction can commence. He said the project represents a significant investment in the development of Wakapoa, and reflects the government’s commitment to delivering on promises made to residents. “This is the kind of transformation that many persons probably never imagined would come to their communities, and we are extremely happy to be bringing this project into fruition. “President Ali and Vice-President Jagdeo have made commitments to the people of Wakapoa, and as we have demonstrated time and time again, those commitments are not just words, they are backed by action,” the minister stated. He added that the initiative is intended to improve residents’ quality of life, strengthen connections between communities, and ensure that people in hinterland and remote areas benefit from national development investments. Once completed, the roadway is expected to make travel safer and
more reliable while improving the movement of agricultural produce, goods and essential services. The improved access could also create greater opportunities for families, farmers, schoolchildren and other residents. Minister Ramraj was accompanied by the Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman, engineers and members of the Ministry of Public Works’ technical team, who joined the discussions with residents. With bids already invited, the project is progressing through the procurement process, with commencement expected following the completion of the necessary procedures. The initiative marks a significant step towards addressing longstanding transportation challenges and improving access for residents across Wakapoa. Regional Chairman Devin Mohan said that connecting the two communities is important and he is happy that Ministry of Public Works has listened to the residents of Wakapoa.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
CH&PA to introduce geo-referencing system for lot identification from November
The Ministry of Housing-Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) will introduce a new geo-referencing system for house-lot identification exercises nationwide THE Ministry of Housing- Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) will introduce a new geo-referencing system for house-lot identification exercises nationwide, effective November 1, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, improve accuracy and protect allottees from mistakenly occupying or constructing on lands not allocated to them. Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, spoke on the new system while in Bartica, where he outlined the new measures being implemented to modernise the agency’s lot-identification process. The initiative forms part of the government’s wider digital-transformation agenda, championed by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery across public institutions. Minister Croal said that the introduction of geo-referencing technology follows concerns about instances in which persons have commenced construction on incorrect lots, resulting in disputes and other complications. He emphasised that the new system is designed to safeguard both allottees and the agency by establishing a reliable digital
record of each lot-identification exercise. Under the new arrangement, CH&PA surveyors will use geo-referencing technology to record the precise coordinates and reference points of each residential lot during the identification process. This information will be logged electronically using tablets, creating a digital record of the location and boundaries of the land shown to each allottee. Additionally, photographic evidence will be captured during the exercise to confirm that the allottee was physically present and shown the designated parcel of land. Allottees will also be required to digitally sign an acknowledgement confirming that they have been shown their respective lots and that the relevant coordinates have been recorded. Importantly, Minister Croal noted that allottees will be able to request copies of their lot coordinates for future reference, allowing them to accurately locate their properties whenever necessary. “This is being introduced to safeguard the allottee as well as the agency,” Minister Croal stated. He related that the system will provide an
additional layer of verification, ensuring that both the agency and beneficiaries have documented evidence of the identification exercise. The minister further stressed that allottees must ensure they are shown all four boundary markers, commonly referred to as paals, before accepting identification of their lots. He cautioned against relying solely on layout plans or assumptions when attempting to locate allocated lands, noting that such practices have contributed to persons mistakenly constructing on properties belonging to others. Minister Croal also reminded beneficiaries that while the CH&PA is responsible for accurately identifying their lots, allottees have a responsibility to monitor and maintain their boundary markers following the exercise, particularly where construction may not commence immediately. The new digital identification system is currently undergoing testing, with the minister expressing satisfaction with the progress made thus far. He confirmed that the technology will be fully introduced from November 1 and subsequently utilised at all CH&PA lot-identification exercises across the country.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Bartica families receive keys to new three-bedroom houses –– as housing development advances
Eight families received keys to their newly constructed three-bedroom bungalow-style houses at the Tract Bar New Housing Development in Bartica, Region Seven, on Friday FOR Latoya Norville, the dream of homeownership has finally become a reality, bringing an end to years of renting and marking the beginning of a new chapter for her family. Ms. Norville was among eight beneficiaries who received keys to their newly constructed three-bedroom bungalow-style houses at the Tract Bar New Housing Development in Bartica, Region Seven, on Friday. With her electrical certificate in hand and plans to secure her water connection, the proud homeowner is already looking forward to settling into her new house. Expressing satisfaction with the process, Ms. Norville commended the ministry, noting that the journey to homeownership was well worth the wait. Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, joined the beneficiaries for the significant occasion, alongside Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Josh Khanai, and Prime Minister’s Repre-
sentative, Mr. Erwin Ward, who shared in the families’ excitement as they received their keys. The presentation formed part of a wider exercise through which the first 21 beneficiaries were granted access to their completed three-bedroom bungalow-style houses in Bartica. Speaking at the development, Minister Croal highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in expanding access to affordable housing in Region Seven, noting that several housing areas are being developed simultaneously to meet the growing demand for house lots and completed houses. “We are here in Bartica. In fact, this is where the housing development is taking place. We have three areas that are under development,” the minister said. He noted that development has already taken place within the original CH&PA housing block, where lands have been allocated and housing units constructed. The minister expressed
satisfaction with the progress, particularly the opportunity for families to transition from renting into their own houses. The ongoing housing programme in Bartica forms part of the government’s broader commitment to improving homeownership opportunities, expanding residential communities and ensuring that more Guyanese families can access affordable and secure housing. Beyond the construction of houses, the ministry continues to advance land allocation and infrastructural development across the township, creating additional opportunities for eligible applicants to access residential lots and eventually construct their own houses. For Ms. Norville and the other beneficiaries, Friday’s presentation represented more than receiving keys. It marked the fulfilment of a long-awaited aspiration and the beginning of a future built on greater stability, security and independence. (CH&PA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
Bids for 34 airstrips under evaluation as Guyana targets nearly 60 projects – Indar
BIDS for approximately 34 airstrip projects across Guyana are currently under evaluation, as the Government advances plans to develop and upgrade nearly 60 airstrips to strengthen domestic aviation and improve connectivity to remote communities. Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, made the disclosure during the Canada– Guyana Business Forum 2026, hosted by the Canada–Guyana Chamber of Commerce at the Atlantic Suites Hotel, Georgetown, on Monday. The minister said the
government was undertaking major investments in aviation infrastructure as part of its broader efforts to modernise the transportation network, expand economic opportunities and improve access to communities across the country. “We are also building our local aviation capacity by building close to 60 new airstrips across the country,” Indar said. He explained that the bidding process for approximately 34 projects had closed, with submissions currently being evaluated, while the remaining projects would be put out
to tender. The Minister said the expansion was intended to strengthen connectivity across Guyana and support the development of tourism and other economic activities, particularly in the hinterland. The latest development follows an announcement by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in July that engineering assessments had been completed on more than 30 airstrips, paving the way for another phase of upgrades under the Government’s hinterland aviation development programme. At the time, the Vice
Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar President explained that the initiative would see several airstrips upgraded from laterite to concrete surfaces to improve safety, reliability and year-round accessibility. He identified Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and other hinterland communities among the priority locations being considered, with Regions Seven and Eight also expected to benefit significantly from improved aviation infrastructure. The Government has allocated $4 billion in Budget 2026 for the continued development and upgrading of hinterland and coastal airstrips. The allocation provides for the completion of ongoing works at Ekereku Bottom, Jawalla, Kaikan and Matthew’s Ridge, alongside the commence-
ment of works at other locations, including Mahdia, Linden and Mabaruma. In 2025, approximately $2.5 billion was expended on hinterland airstrip development, including completed works at Aishalton, Kaieteur, Karisparu, Kwakwani and Paramakatoi. The investments form part of the Government’s efforts to address longstanding transportation challenges faced by hinterland communities, where air travel remains an essential means of accessing healthcare, education, commercial services and emergency assistance. Improved airstrip infrastructure is also expected to support more reliable passenger and cargo transportation, reduce travel disruptions and create opportunities for tourism
operators and businesses operating in remote areas. During Monday’s forum, Indar also highlighted plans to construct two additional airports, including a Code 3C facility in Berbice and a Code 4E airport in Lethem, as Guyana continues to expand its aviation infrastructure. He emphasised that strengthening both domestic and international air connectivity was essential to supporting the country’s rapid economic development and unlocking opportunities across its regions. The minister said the government would continue investing in aviation infrastructure to ensure that transportation capacity keeps pace with Guyana’s expanding economy.
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ENGLISH RACING TIPS CHELTENHAM 08:10 hrs Spectacularsunrise 08:45 hrs Road To Wembley 09:20 hrs Seaniecon 09:55 hrs Katate Dori 10:30 hrs Lord Byron 11:05 hrs Catchintsavo 11:40 hrs Newgrove DONCASTER 07:55 hrs King Of Light 08:30 hrs Noble Exhibit 09:05 hrs Bengal Tiger 09:40 hrs National Honour 10:19 hrs Anyasi 10:55 hrs Shsfdar 11:30 hrs Beale Street 12:05 hrs Strange SOUTHWELL 11:24 hrs Blake’s Monarch 12:00 hrs Bona Gofguna 12:30 hrs Masego 13:00 hrs National Anthem 13:30 hrs Geometry 14:00 hrs Crown The Future 14:30 hrs Anthropologist 15:00 hrs Flick Of An Eye 15:30 hrs Uncle Sam SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS TURFFONTEIN 08:00 hrs Perfect Sky 08:35 hrs Golden Warrior 09:10 hrs Winter In Auckland 09:45 hrs Greenandgold 10:20 hrs Taking A Risk 10:55 hrd Willow Charm AMERICAN RACING TIPS BELMONT Race 1 Bella Knows Race 2 Cash Burn Race 3 Venetta Race 4 Grazie Race 5 Spirit Of St Louis Race 6 Shoot It True Race 7 Scramjet Race 8 Buttah Race 9 Waralo
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 24, 2026
How one rule change is altering the face of one-day cricket ENGLAND had just been beaten by Sri Lanka in the second one-day international at Headingley and coach Brendon McCullum was speaking to his players in the dressing room. “The game is slightly different now,” he said. “The ball is playing a massive part.” The difference McCullum referenced is reverse swing - the way an older ball moves in the air in the opposite direction to convention. The playing conditions in ODIs were changed in July 2025, allowing captains to choose after 34 overs which of the two white balls used at either end they would like to use to complete the rest of the innings. With the chosen ball now able to get older and scruffier, the result has brought a reverse swing renaissance, something which is already having an impact on the format and poses intriguing possibilities for the future less than 12 months out from the next World Cup. What has changed? When Sam Curran bowled England to victory with four wickets at the death
England returned to action in ODI cricket against Pakistan on Tuesday (09:00 BST) . There will be Test Match Special commentary of every match in the tri-series, which also involves Sri Lanka
in the third ODI against India at Lord’s in July, he found more than twice as much swing with the old white ball across his final spell than he did at the start of the innings. A year earlier, Saqib Mahmood found less than half as much swing in an ODI at Cardiff against West Indies at the death compared to the start. Those are two random examples. Different days, different players, different situations. But it is reflected worldwide. The change to using one ball for the last 16 overs was
made to help bowlers, and it is having the desired effect. Half of full deliveries from pace bowlers in the final 10 overs have swung more than one degree since the rule change - a jump from 35% compared to the 18 months prior. As a result, the economy rates of pace bowlers in the final five overs have dropped from 8.40 runs per over in the period before the change to 7.95 - a small but not insignificant decline. Pacers’ bowling averages have dropped from 19.2 runs per wicket to 18.3 too.
The verdict? Hitting out at the death is not as easy as it once was. As has always been the case when reverse swing is in play, pacers are bowling fuller and utilising more inswing now the ball is reversing. Sri Lanka were particularly effective with this against England in the Headingley ODI last month, bowling 69% of deliveries six metres from the stumps or fuller. It helped them close out a 16-run win. Despite that, England have, statistically at least, benefited most from the rule change, though it should be noted they have taken a significant step forward with their ODI cricket this year. Their numbers may have improved with or without the change. Their bowling average (from 36.76 to 20.91) and economy rates (from 9.78 to 7.53) at the death have plummeted since July 2025, while their batting run-rate has actually improved (from 8.07 to 9.16). After defeat in Leeds, McCullum asked his players to “think” about what the changes may mean for their
Parvinder Awana appointed chairperson of Junior Selection Committee
PARVINDER Awana has been appointed chairperson of BCCI’s Junior Selection Committee, the board announced on Friday (October 23) via a media release. Awana’s name was recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape following an interview process. Krishna Das, Rakesh Patel and Arjun Yadav are the others in the committee with a fifth member set to be appointed
shortly. Awana played two T20Is for India and featured in 62 first class matches, taking 191 wickets. The former fast bowler represented Delhi, India A and Rest of India, besides playing in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). After retirement, he moved into coaching, working with Delhi’s U-16, U-19 and U-23 teams, as well as India’s U-19 and various BCCI/COE high-perfor-
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 24, 2026)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kraigg Braithwaite-14 Tests (2) Mushfiquir Rahim & Tamin Iqbal-14 Tests each Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI has scored most Tests runs against BANG to date? (2) Which BANG player has acquired most Tests runs against the WI to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Parvinder Awana played two T20Is for India and featured in 33 IPL games
mance programmes. Das, a former Assam and Goa fast bowler, played 49 First-Class matches and took 166 wickets. He represented India’s U-19 and India A and later worked as India’s U-19 bowling coach and as the bowling coach of the Uttarakhand Ranji Trophy team. Rakesh Patel represented Gujarat and Baroda and played for India A, besides featuring in the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Irani Trophy. He worked as a coach with Baroda and Gujarat
across U-19, U-23 and senior teams, and was Head Coach of the Baroda U-23 team in the 2025-26 season. Arjun Yadav represented India A and played 83 FirstClass matches during his playing career. He was also part of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2000. Following his playing career with Hyderabad, he took up coaching, serving as Head Coach of the Hyderabad senior and U-23 teams, and has served as a BCCI Match Referee since 2022. (Cricbuzz)
own plans, suggesting tactical switches may follow. Three days later at The Oval, England progressed from 104-2 to 214-2 in the 10 overs prior to the Sri Lankans picking their preferred ball. What about the rest of the world? Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan have all scored slower during the death overs since the rule change. West Indies’ death runrate has dropped by 2.39 runs per over in that time. As for individual bowlers around the world, Windies quick Alzarri Joseph and South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi have benefited from massive jumps in the amount of swing they have been able to find at the death. Joseph’s average amount of swing has increased by 84%, leading to his bowling
average dropping from 24.1 to 17.4. Similarly, Ngidi’s bowling average has dropped to 13 and his economy has fallen from 9.34 to six after a 63.3% increase in swing. Others to see their movement jump include New Zealand’s Nathan Smith, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur each with varying results. (BBC Sport). Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s captain in this tri-series, is one of the world’s best at finding swing at the death (an average of 1.3 degrees since the rule change), although he was swinging it plenty before the change too (1.2). Shaheen and Naseem in tandem against England on Tuesday could be a fascinating sight. Jofra Archer is the England bowler finding the most movement late on, with an average degree of 0.97 - an increase of 37%.
Ishan Kishan ruled out of second New Zealand T20I with groin strain
ISHAN Kishan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand, set to be played in Christchurch on Saturday, due to a groin strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the batter had sustained a right adductor strain in the first T20I, which India won by four wickets. “Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin,” India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, said at a press conference on Friday. “I know there was speculation (about the change in the batting order) but it wasn’t a change as such. It was because of the groin strain. I think he is unlikely for one game.” Kotak also confirmed that Kishan’s injury will bring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the only other frontline batter in the squad, into the equation. Sooryvanshi hasn’t featured in the XI since the Asian Games. And with the two incumbent openers being in hot form, his stay on the sidelines was expected to be longer. Apart from him, India also has the option of bringing in Shivam Dube, who offers additional utility as a medium pacer. “If Ishan can’t play – un-
Ishan Kishan sustained a groin strain in the T20I series opener
less he recovers completely, the medical team will tell [us] – then obviously Vaibhav comes into the calculations as a batter,” Kotak said. “[He is] definitely one of the strongest persons who can play.” The second match of the series will also be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch before the two teams head to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton for the next three T20Is. (Cricbuzz)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 24, 2026
Counties interested in Anderson after Lancashire exit
JAMES Anderson will have options to extend his legendary playing career after being told he will not be given a new contract by Lancashire. A number of counties are keen to speak to the 44-yearold if he decides to continue playing next summer. Anderson will leave Old Trafford following Lancashire’s decision to release him from the club for whom he first played professionally 25 years ago. Despite turning 45 in 2027, Anderson, who captained Lancashire last season, was planning on playing for another year before being told he will not be given a new deal. The exit from Lancashire leaves England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with a decision over whether to retire or speak to other counties. It is understood clubs in both divisions of the County Championship would be interested in negotiating with Anderson and some have already reached out. Any move for Anderson would likely depend on the finances of the deal, the role he would be offered and the logistics of spending time away from his home in Cheshire. For a county, the signing of Anderson would represent an acquisition of unmatched quality on and off the field. Last summer, Anderson was Lancashire’s County Championship player of the year, taking 50 wickets in Division Two. Only six other bowlers in the second tier managed more. It could also lead to the prospect of Anderson transitioning into a coaching role
at a new county at the conclusion of his playing career. The opportunity for a club to tap into Anderson’s bank of knowledge would be highly appealing.
James Anderson first played for the Lancashire first team in 2001
On the flipside, there would be an element of risk. Although he remains supremely fit, Anderson’s age might mean he is only one injury away from retirement. He has been troubled by calf problems in the latter stages of his career. Anderson was told of Lancashire’s decision by the county’s new chief executive Richard Kenyon and director of cricket Paul Farbrace on Monday. The bowler was not offered the opportunity to stay at Old Trafford on reduced terms. Lancashire has yet to publicly comment, though will hold a forum for the club’s members on Monday, when the matter seems certain to be addressed. Anderson’s contract does
GIA and Waramuri Primary clash...
are proud of them.’ Waramuri manager, Roland Lewis, said it goes to show that when you invest in hinterland youths, the sky is the limit, as he thanked the organiser and his community for the belief and financial support in preparing the team. ‘We had over a hundred plus parents that came on board and rally behind
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these youngsters. In fact, I had a parent come and donate $100,000 and said “This is to your team”; so it has been overwhelming, and the guys felt it, and they played their best football when they came here, and once we were given the opportunity in the hinterland, we grasped it with bothhands.’
not officially expire until the end of October and it has been suggested Lancashire would like him to remain involved with the club in some capacity. However, given how his playing career with Lancashire has been ended, it is far from certain that Anderson would be open to continuing his association with the club he first represented in 2001. Anderson made his top-level debut playing a List A game for Lancashire Cricket Board against Suffolk in the National Westminster Bank Trophy in 2000. His debut for Lancashire came a year later in a one-day fixture against Derbyshire. Anderson began a 22year international career in 2002. His tally of 704 wickets for England is the thirdmost by any man in Test history and the most by a pace bowler. He retired from internationals in 2024 and committed to continuing his career with Lancashire in 2025. At that time, Anderson said he felt he could play for at least three more seasons. (BBC Sport)
Arsenal fear Saka could be out for two months ARSENAL fears Bukayo Saka could miss a minimum of six weeks with the quadriceps injury he sustained in their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old will undergo an MRI scan on Friday afternoon to better assess the problem, which forced him off in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena. Fluid around the affected muscle has made diagnosing the injury difficult, but club medics are estimating, after early examinations, Saka will miss a minimum of six weeks and it could be even longer. If those early concerns are realised, he will miss a clutch of key games for the Gunners, as well as England’s forthcoming Uefa Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain. “We need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists,” said Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta. “When a player has to walk off the pitch, he is struggling to walk without any pain, and is restricted to movement; it is not a good sign. Let’s be a little bit patient so we can give a definitive assessment. “He’s got another MRI as
Bukayo Saka was substituted early in Wednesday’s Champions League group game against Bayern Munich
there was quite a lot of fluid in the area so it was quite difficult to understand the extent of the injury. We will know more tomorrow.” Saka will miss Saturday’s home Premier League match against Everton, where second-placed Arsenal will hope to close a three-point gap on leaders Manchester City. The Arsenal academy product has had fitness issues in recent months and his game time was managed at the end of last season, as well as with England at the World Cup, because of an Achilles injury he suffered in March. He missed the March international break and seven games for the Gunners, but returned to help them lift the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
Saka started the Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain but was substituted after 54 minutes, and only started three of England’s eight games at the World Cup - scoring a hat-trick in the 6-4 thirdplace win over France. The forward also had surgery on a hamstring injury he picked up in December 2024, which kept him out for 101 days in the 2024-25 campaign. He made 49 appearances as Arsenal won the title last term, despite a stopstart season. As well as the Achilles issue, Saka pulled out of a game in January against Leeds with a hip injury in the warm-up, while a hamstring problem also kept him out for about four weeks. (BBC Sport)
Kompany taken to hospital after collapsing at training
Vincent Kompany was appointed Bayern Munich manager in May 2024
BAYERN Munich manager, Vincent Kompany, was taken to hospital after collapsing as he watched the club’s second team train on Friday. The 40-year-old had been unwell with a virus and missed the pre-match news conference on Tuesday prior to Bayern’s Champions League game against Arsenal. The former Manchester City and Belgium defender was subsequently on the
touchline for the match on Wednesday. Reports in Germany say Kompany is in a stable condition in hospital. “Vincent Kompany required medical attention after collapsing during an FC Bayern reserve team training session on Friday,” said a statement from the Bundesliga club. “The first-team head coach was watching the second string’s session. “Kompany is undergoing thorough examinations in hospital and will remain under medical care. “His coaching staff will oversee training and match activities until further notice.” Bayern’s next game is against Freiburg in the German top flight on Sunday. “Vincent Kompany’s health is our top priority. We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure
his speedy recovery,” said Bayern sporting director, Max Eberl. “Vinnie is receiving all the necessary medical care and support, and all the time he needs. “His coaching team, in whom we have complete confidence, will take over his duties. All of us at FC Bayern wish Vinnie a speedy recovery.” Aaron Danks, one of Kompany’s assistants, took the pre-match news conference for Bayern before the Arsenal game. German football journalist, Taufig Khalil, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Kompany had been “suffering with the virus for about a week”. He added: “The thing started last weekend on Saturday against Leipzig, and that’s the first time we saw Vincent Kompany [when] he didn’t look very well.
“He didn’t do the press conference after, and Max Eberl told us that he’s suffering with a virus. “Everybody was really surprised that Vincent Kompany was standing there with his black jacket in the pouring rain of Munich on Wednesday night against Arsenal. Everybody expected Aaron Danks to be there. “The problem was that maybe you couldn’t bench Vincent Kompany, the game was too important for him. Bayern Munich just told us that he’s in stable condition. There was a helicopter involved in the whole thing, which landed on the training ground at Bayern Munich, but he was not brought into the hospital by helicopter. They brought him with a medical car and he will be now there.”(BBC Sport)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 24, 2026
What next for Australia Nabi, Rashid and quicks lead after chastening defeat Afghanistan to tri-series title by South Africa?
SOME Test defeats feel more consequential than others. Some can be brushed aside as a bad day. Others point to issues that run deep. For Australia, this capitulation on the Cape feels like the latter. In losing to South Africa by an innings and 31 runs, Australia surrendered their lead in the series with one match to play. There was fight on day five: Travis Head scored 121 and nightwatchman Scott Boland survived for 166 balls to take the match into the final session, but Pat Cummins’ side still had to follow-on for only the third time this century and lost in little more than three days’ play around the rain. The momentum built in Durban has been swept away. “It is not just this Test,” said former Australia bowler Jason Gillespie on ABC Grandstand. “We are talking about the batting and a lack of options and performance. Something will change.” ‘McDonald is getting impatient’ It is, of course, little more than a week since South Africa were the ones facing these questions. They made three changes after Australia won the first Test in Durban. Eyes are now on the tourists’ selectors and this series coming before contests against New Zealand, India and England only adds extra intrigue. A stony-faced Australia coach Andrew McDonald refused to be drawn on potential changes on Wednesday, but hardly gave ringing endorsements of his batters. “I can’t defend that,” McDonald said of Australia’s first-innings collapse to 99 all out. Attracting the most attention is number three Marnus Labuschagne, who has gone 47 innings without an international century to equal the Australia record. His inexplicable second-innings dismissal, when he hit spinner Simon Harmer to long-on for 39 as Australia tried to save the Test, was the fourth time he has fallen in the thirties in six innings since the Ashes. “Some of the hardest part of batting at number three is
getting in,” said Cummins, when asked to guarantee whether Labuschagne will keep his place. “He is doing that. We need to turn those 30s into bigger scores. He knows that.” In that run of wasted starts, Labuschagne has been bowled missing a flick to leg, missed another to be pinned lbw, drove a spinner straight to cover and whacked another to long-on. “I got the feeling last night Andrew McDonald was getting very impatient,” former Australia batter Phil Jaques said on ABC. “He wants a response from the batting group and Pat Cummins does as well. ‘Hard to see how Maddinson will survive’ Amid all of the doubts, this Australia set-up has a history of backing its established players. When Labuschagne was dropped for a Test against West Indies last year, he was recalled on the back of good domestic form at the start of the Ashes months later. Former openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner were both backed through difficult times. Still, after scores of eight and nought this week, on the back of another duck in Durban, opener Nic Maddinson is now under immense pressure for his place. “It is hard to see how Maddinson will survive to Cape Town,” said Gillespie. Dropping the 34-year-old would also bring the attention on to Australia’s selectors. Maddinson was recalled to open in this series after a 10-year absence, despite primarily being a middle-order player. “You would have to question the process of what happened in that selection room,” Jaques said. “I feel for Nic. He is a good player and good fella but he hasn’t had a great couple of Test matches.” Who else could come in? In being recalled for this series, Maddinson became the ninth different batter to open for Australia since David Warner retired in 2024. Like England in the days after Andrew Strauss, it is a problem proving tricky to solve. If Australia do drop Mad-
dinson, one solution would be to return to a batter who has filled the role before Matt Renshaw. Renshaw made 190 in the first Test but opened against Bangladesh last month before being moved to number five for this series. Renshaw’s promotion would create a space in the middle order. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are fit again. Either could retake that place. Spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly is another option. The 23-year-old made his Test debut earlier this year but has only played 12 other first-class matches. All-rounder Beau Webster is another incumbent under pressure, having gone seven innings without a fifty with scores of eight and 18 in Gqeberha. He is yet to make a century in his 12 Tests. “Cooper Connolly will come in, possibly at the expense of Webster,” predicted Gillespie. “Labuschagne keeps his spot, Renshaw moves to the top and a batter comes in the middle order - whether Green or Inglis.” What about Nathan Lyon? It all leaves Australia scrambling, having looked certain winners of this series when South Africa were 1106 in their first innings. Their best performer on the final day was Boland, who defended resolutely for more than three hours before being bowled by the impressive South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder after taking five wickets in the first innings. The performance of Boland restarts another debate; how do you get the 37-yearold, pace trio Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, plus spinner Nathan Lyon into the same XI? Lyon was the one to miss out here but Cape Town, where the series decider begins on Tuesday, is expected to turn. “Boland has to play,” said Gillespie. “He was Australia’s best seam bowler. “I don’t think it is a lock Lyon could play. You have [left-arm spinner] Matt Kuhnemann here and South Africa basically have all right-handed batsmen. (BBC Sport)
AFGHANISTAN lifted the ODI tri-series trophy in style, comprehensively beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final in Sharjah. They were clinical with bat and ball throughout the competition, capping off with a performance that also saw great fielding on Friday. Scores: Afghanistan 170 for 3 (Zadran 70*, Rahmat 43, Nyamhuri 2-43) beat Zimbabwe 169 (Raza 68, Rashid 3-41, Nabi 2-25, Sami 2-27, Farooqi 2-41) by seven wickets Afghanistan bowled out Zimbabwe for 169 in 43.3 overs, before knocking off the target in 34.3 overs. Ibrahim Zadran struck his second half-century in the tourna-
out Rashid’s first spell. Raza and Burl struck a few boundaries, until Zadran dropped the latter on 30. Raza soon reached his half-century, as it looked like the pair were about to drag Zimbabwe out of a tough situation. Raza became the second Zimbabwe captain to score a fifty in a tournament final, after Allistair Campbell’s 51 against Kenya in 1997. Next ball, however, Sami took a tumbling catch at deep square leg after Burl miscued Nabi’s half-tracker. Nabi’s second wicket followed soon afterwards when wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz affected a superb stumping. Wessley Madhevere missed the ball while coming down the track, as
Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41 • ( AFP/Getty Images)
ment, as he got them close to the target with an 82-run third wicket stand with captain Rahmat Shah. Zadran was unbeaten on 70 when Hashmatullah Shahidi struck the winning boundary in the 35th over. Afghanistan’s chase was smooth because of how they had bowled and fielded after Zimbabwe decided to bat first. He walked into bat in what was a familiar situation as Zimbabwe lost their first three wickets quickly. Their top order crumbled similarly even in the two round-robin matches of the tri-series. Farooqi cleaned up Tadiwanashe Marumani, before Omarzai had Brian Bennett caught and bowled with fine reflexes in his follow-through. AM Ghazanfar, however, topped Omarzai’s efforts with a superb one-handed catch at short square leg after Tafadzwa Tsiga flicked Farooqi uppishly in the next over. When Sami had Brendan Taylor caught behind in the 13th over, Zimbabwe was in freefall at 55 for 4. But Raza and Ryan Burl briefly rescued Zimbabwe. They focused on picking up the ones and twos, and played
the ball deflected off his pad. Gurbaz collected the ball that was going away from him and broke the stumps in one motion, giving Nabi his 300th wicket across formats in international cricket. Rashid then came back into the attack and picked up three quick wickets. He trapped Brad Evans lbw for 1 before bowling Newman Nyamhuri with a ball that he delivered from at least two yards behind the popping crease. Rashid then got the big one as Raza’s second attempt for a big hit in the over found the long-off fielder. He had earlier struck Rashid for a 98-metre six over midwicket. Rashid looked primed to pick up his fourth wicket, but Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani resisted him. In fact, the tenth-wicket pair lasted for nearly ten overs during which they added 32 runs. It was the second-highest partnership of Zimbabwe’s innings. When Sami trapped Masakadza for 8, it finally ended things for Zimbabwe as they posted a sub-par total in the final. Afghanistan tore into the Zimbabwe attack in their
reply. Zadran kicked things off with a flurry of boundaries off Evans, including a huge six over square leg in the fourth over. Gurbaz took over from that point, cracking the left-arm quick Nyamhuri for consecutive fours in the eighth over. He launched Muzarabani over fine leg, before picking up Evans down the ground for sixes. Nyamhuri cut Gurbaz’s stay short when the batter carved a slower ball into Madhevere’s lap at point. Gurbaz struck six boundaries, including the two sixes, in his 31-ball 36. Nyamhuri also removed Sediqullah Atal shortly afterwards, as the left-hand batter was caught behind for 6. Captain Rahmat Shah then took control of the chase. He picked the singles and doubles quite regularly with Zadran, who was also comfortable at the crease. The pair went through 77 balls without hitting a boundary, but hardly looked out of place. Rahmat’s cover-driven four in the 27th over broke the duck, before Zadran slogged Raza for another four in the over. Rahmat slammed Masakadza’s short ball for his first six, hammered over midwicket, before Burl took an excellent catch at short midwicket with eight runs left in the chase. Rahmat made 43 off 63 balls with a four and a six each. Shahidi and Zadran, who struck four fours and a six in his 96-ball stay, scored the remaining runs easily thereafter Rashid Khan’s 3 for 41 was Afghanistan’s best bowling figures, as he became the second bowler in ODIs to complete six successive innings with at least three wickets each. Afghanistan’s pace trio and Mohammad Nabi had already made Zimbabwe’s life miserable with the first six wickets. Leftarm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi, offspinner Nabi, and seamer Bilal Sami took two wickets each, while Azmatullah Omarzai, the No. 1 ODI allrounder, picked up one wicket. Only Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza resisted for his side with an innings of 68 that included three sixes and as many fours. Raza thus became the first batter aged 40 years or more to score a fifty in an ODI tournament final. (Cricinfo)
Australia beat South Africa as USA complete successful chase against India
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AUSTRALIA overcame an unbeaten century from William Hantam to defeat South Africa by 57 runs, while the USA secured a six-wicket victory over India in Friday’s IMC Masters O40s World Cup action in Guyana. Pakistan, New Zealand and Rest of the World also recorded wins on October 23. At the Police Sports Club Ground, Australia posted 296 for seven from their 45 overs after being sent in to bat. Greg Hunt led with 71 from 85 balls, while Steven Spoljaric contributed 53 from 60 deliveries. The pair added 123 for the fourth wicket, with Matthew Weaver scoring 36 and Steve Baker finishing unbeaten on 33. Brendon Reddy, Reinhardt Strydom and Robert Mutch took two wickets each. Hantam carried South Africa’s chase with an unbeaten 140 from 130 balls, striking eight fours and eight sixes, but his side finished on 239
for eight. Strydom added 26 and Christoff Visser made 23 not out. Brenton Edwards led Australia’s bowling with four for 30, supported by Jamie Panelli’s two for 34. USA beat India At Malteenoes Sports Club, an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 148 between Sudhindra Shetty and Devin Hariichha guided the USA to 245 for four in 43.1 overs. Shetty finished unbeaten on 76 and Hariichha on 64 after their side had slipped to 97 for four. Zeshan Muhammad and Prasanna Ramaswamy earlier contributed 46 and 44 respectively. India’s 244 all out in 44.5 overs was built around Shalabh Shrivastava’s 119 from 92 deliveries, including 12 fours and six sixes. Murtaza Ali added 33, while Aamir Shahzad claimed three for 28 for the USA. Marlon Bharath and Krishna S took two wickets apiece, with Pawan Anand returning two for 22 during India’s defence.
Pakistan thrash Scotland At Enmore, Waseem Ali’s five for 17 helped Pakistan dismiss Scotland for 73 in 25.1 overs. Syed Fariduddin provided strong support with three for seven, while Ayaz Gul’s 20 was Scotland’s highest score. Pakistan reached 76 for five in 14.3 overs to win by five wickets, with Tofeeq Umer unbeaten on 22 and Sheharyar Ghani contributing 19. Mohammad Khan kept Scotland competitive with four for 40. New Zealand beat RoTC New Zealand also won by five wickets, reaching 142 for five in 28.4 overs after dismissing Rest of the Caribbean for 141 at GCC, Bourda. Stuart Farquhar took three for 20, while Paddy Sullivan, Nuwan Weerasooriya and Ben Rapson collected two wickets each. Varindra Maharaj led the Caribbean batting with 28. Lincoln Reed scored 35 and Dewald Strydom struck
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record 20-point streak ends as Thunder beat Nuggets
SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander scored just 17 points to snap an NBA-record streak, but the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked off the Denver Nuggets 96-84 at home Thursday. Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 20 or more points in an NBA-record 141 consecutive games. He hadn’t been held below 20 points in the regular season since Oct. 30, 2024. Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to extend the streak, but with less than two minutes remaining and Oklahoma City up by 17, Nuggets coach David Adelman emptied his bench following a timeout. The reigning twotime NBA Most Valuable Player didn’t wait for direction from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, taking his place on t he bench to official-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic streak ends
ly end the streak. To t h a t p o i n t , Gilgeous-Alexander had been making a strong push toward keeping the streak alive with 10 fourth-quarter points.
Oklahoma City hadn’t led since going up 3-0 in the opening seconds until Ajay Mitchell’s transition layup with just more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. In the closing seconds of the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander raced up the court after a rebound from Jaylin Williams and drained a 3-pointer in transition to put the Thunder up by six. Gilgeous-Alexander had been 0-for-7 from beyond the arc before hitting the shot. Gilgeous-Alexander was initially called for a foul on Nikola ‘s 3-point heave as time expired in the quarter, which would have given Jokic three free throws, but the play was challenged and the foul call was overturned. (Reuters)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 24, 2026
Australia overcame an unbeaten century from William Hantam to defeat South Africa by 57 runs
31 from 18 balls in New Zealand’s reply. Rapson finished unbeaten on 26, while Ryan Nurse took two for 30. Colombia go down
against Rest of the World Rest of the World recorded the day’s largest victory margin, beating Colombia by 154 runs. Daniel Jacobs struck an unbeaten 119 from
120 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, to anchor a total of 284 for four. Harshad Ghodke added 43 and Ali Imran made 40, while Martin Knight took three for 60.
GIA and Waramuri Primary clash in Courts Optical Pee Wee final today GEORGETOWN International Academy (GIA) and Waramuri Primary are ready to contest the finals of the Courts Optical Pee Wee Football competition today at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. Petra Director, Troy Mendonca, says the goal is developmental, but the competitive spirit of the teams has stood out this year as teams have shown even more passion in play. It’s about 2 teams coming together after six weeks of riveting football...youth football and youth sports in general. People always refer to it as developmental, but we at Petra know that there must be a competition aspect in everything we do to really bring out the effort of the coaches and parents involved. Courts Optical Manager, Richard Sampson, says this tournament is one of their ways of giving back to communities through investment in youths. ‘Pee wee football means a lot to Courts Unicomer and Courts Optical; hence, we emphasise how important it is and ensure that on a yearto-year basis, we continue to support as best as possible. I would like to say thank you
Players pose with trophy up for grabs today. (Left to right) Riyad Peters, a Waramuri player, and Yoseph Rivas, a GIA player
to all the schools that are participating, all the coaches, and all the support teams from Petra.’ He charged players to raise their heads and be proud of the way they have performed over the past weeks and play well in the finals, as they have worked hard to reach this stage. Manager of GIA Michael Lomax says sports is a tremendous training ground for
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the youths, and the school is grateful for the hard work of the players, which put them in the finals. ‘I’m proud of Coach Freddie. He took a bunch of kids and blended them into a quality team, and I think nobody gave GIA a chance to win it, but we stuck with it. Dedicated, the kids responded and win or lose we TURN TO PAGE 34
| SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2026
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