PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday met with the country’s major sanitation service providers to explore ways of improving garbage disposal in Guyana. During the meeting, the President emphasised that the government will make the necessary investments to support the growth and development of the companies, while strengthening the overall system of garbage collection. He also urged the providers to form themselves into a consortium, enabling them to poolresources andundertake larger investments, includingrecycling initiatives that can modernise waste management and contribute to a cleaner environment. Several Cabinet ministers were also at the meeting (OP photo)
On Tuesday, President, Dr Irfaan Ali accepted the Letters of Credence from Non-ResidentAmbassador of Ireland to the Co-operativeRepublic of Guyana,
President Ali and Ambassador Gallagher explored collaborative and investmentopportunitiesbetweenGuyanaandIreland,inhealth,technology,energy, climateresilience,foodsecurity andproduction,education,anddigitalisation. PresidentAli also encouraged Ireland to join the Global BiodiversityAlliance,
Co-operation, Hugh Todd and Ambassador Ivan Evelyn were among those at the accreditation (OPphoto)
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali recently announced a national digital payment platformthataimstoeliminatelongATM linesandcreatea futureofsmooth, cashlesstransactions.
Guyana is not just making changes. The nation is moving forward, giving citizens convenience, security, and new opportunitiesina truly cashlessfuture.
–– GCCI President says, highlights surge in membership
PRESIDENT of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, has reported a strong year of growth and financial recoveryfortheorganisation, highlighting its expanding role in Guyana’s rapidly transformingeconomy.
Addressing members at the Chamber’s annual generalmeetinglastweek,Smith said it has been her “distinct honour”toserveaspresident for the 2025–2026 fiscal its advocacy and support for the private sector amid sweepingeconomicmodernisation. She has since been re-electedforasecond term.
ShenotedthattheChamber’s relevance was “more pertinent now than ever” as Guyana is experiences a trajectory of modernisation inallaspectsofitseconomy.
79 new members joined the
GCCI, reflecting growingnesses in the Chamber’s workandintheopportunities emergingacrossthecountry.
we have 79 new members joined the Chamber,” she the widerangeof localbusinesses.
Smith emphasised that the GCCIcontinued to pride itselfonprovidingaplatform of nurturing and support for businesses, particularly micro,smallandmedium-sized enterprises(MSMEs),which form the backbone of the localprivatesector. In a marked financial turnaround, Smith reported that the GCCI recorded a surplus of $5.5 million for of$1.4million in2024. She explained that the previous year’s deficit had been driven largely by a bad debt write-off of $7.3
MohamedsCCJappeal nothingmorethan adelayattempt
DearEditor,
THE Mohameds moving to the CCJ is pivotal; this is where the theatre slowly approachesitsnaturalend.
notanexonerationattempt butanotherdelay attempt.
Attorneys Forde and Dhurjon have only ever defended to the media their confidence in their clients “not going anywhere”. The entire goal of this is to halt the proceedings in the Magistrate’sCourt.Nothingelse.
EveniftheCCJsomehow grants a stay, which I doubt, the matterwillultimatelyreturn to Judy Latchman.And thisishowitwillgo:
1) Committal leading to remand.
2) More references to Mandela, Jagan, Christ and
JoanofArc.
3)Thecoordinatedincitementofunrest;itwasAzruddin’s own sister who called for violent uprising last year while “Doggy” previously called for a Prison Break, similarto2002.
If it happens, it won’t be forlong.AftertheOpposition Leader is wheeled away by the ‘Feds’, there will be a power vacuum created on the other side…,clamouring, tearingandrippingeachotherapart.
million. In response, the Chamberimplementedstrongeraccountsreceivablemanagement practices in 2025, which led to a substantial by approximately 102 per cent,or$3.7million.
thetheChamber’scontinued focus on strengthening its financial management and said.
Meanwhile she noted that overall gross revenue rosefrom$105.86millionin 2024 to $123.71 million in 2025, an increase of $17.85 million,or16.84percent.
Smith attributed this growth to strong performances across several key GCCI initiatives, which continued to serve as important platforms for engagement with the private sector.
Although the new technologiesrepresentacritical stepforward,theUNagency said ending TB will requiresustainedinvestment in research and innovation atatimewhenglobalfunding for research remains far below the estimated $5 billionneeded annually.
U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot recently concluded a memorable visit to Shell Beach, where she engaged youth camp participants and rangers and experienced the natural beauty and rich coastal biodiversity in Region One (U.S. Embassy Guyana photos)
- as part of efforts to strengthen Guyana’s mass-casualty capacity
GUYANA’S emergency responsesystemsarebeing strengthened through a newmass-casualtymanagement training programme in collaboration with international agencies to enhancepreparedness.
This is being done through a collaborative initiativewiththeUnitedStates Air Force’s Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT),whichiscurrently conducting its third mission in Guyana. This year’s programme has been expanded to include the University of Miami, bringing additional expertiseindisasterresponse andtraining.
At the opening ceremony of the workshop, which was held at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) headquarters, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony underscored the importance
“So anytime you’re responding to an emergency, these are the agencies that wouldbeinvolved,”hesaid.
According to the health minister, the collaboration allows for a rapid transfer of knowledge by combining international expertise with localexperience.
“University of Miami… they’re bringing a lot of expertise,becausethey’vebeen doing this, not just in the U.S., butglobally,”he said.
DrAnthonyfurthernoted that the LAMAT team also contributes significant operational experience. “When we can combine all of that, this is helping to transfer knowledgeinaveryacceleratedway.”
Meanwhile, LAMAT Mission Commander, Colonel Theodore Liszeski, said the programme is designed tostrengthentheentirechain
Participants in the collaborative training include doctors, nurses, representatives from the Guyana Police Force, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and the Guyana Defence Force
ofbuildingnationalcapacity, noting that mass casualties and large-scale emergencies canoccurwithoutwarning.
“This is very important, because you don’t know when these things can happen, but when they happen, we need to be prepared,” Dr Anthonysaid.
He explained that the partnership is designed to strengthen coordination amongkeyagencies, including healthcare workers and frontlineresponders.
“Once we can have that interagency collaboration, ourresponsewouldbemuch quicker, stronger and better forthepeoplewhoareaffected,”hestated.
Participants in the training include doctors, nurses and representatives from the Guyana Police Force, CDC, and the Guyana Defence Force,reflectingwhathehas described as a comprehensive approach to emergency management.
training programme, which includes certification in Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS).
“This will allow the learnersintheprogrammeto get an overarching view of disasters, natural and manmade,”Torresexplained.
Henotedthatparticipants will also receive training in mental health support,
stress management, triage, andemergencyinterventions such as controlling severe bleeding.
“This is going to allow the responders and the medical professionals… to be better prepared to deal with high-stress situations and improve their response,”Torressaid.
of emergency response from first responders on the ground to hospital-based care.
“We want from ground level first responder all the way through the healthcare system,” he explained adding, “So what happens with the next echelon of care… howdowetakeittothenext level to eventually stabilise the people and get them home totheirfamilies?”
Againstthisbackdrop,he added that the mission also emphasises collaboration and knowledge exchange between international and localteams.
“It’s working together, makingsurethatthesystems are collaborative,” Liszeski said.
Additionally, Associate Director for Disaster Managementat the Universityof Miami’s Global Institute for Community Health and Development, Vincent Torres, outlined the structure of the
Guyana’s emergency response systems are being strengthened through a mass-casualty training being done in collaboration with the University of Miami and the LesserAntilles MedicalAssistance Team (LAMAT) mission (MoH photos)
(BBC)-FormerFranceforward Antoine Griezmann will join Major League Soccer side Orlando City from Atletico Madrid this summer.
Griezmann, 35, is in his second permanent spell with Atleticoandistheclub’salltimeleadinggoalscorer.
He is closing in on 300 careerclubgoalshavingalso playedforRealSociedadand Barcelona.
Hesaid:“Iamveryexcited to begin this next chapter ofmycareer.
“From my first conversationswiththeclub,Icould feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, andthatreallyspoketome.
“I look forward to makingOrlando mynewhome.” Griezmann retired from internationalfootballin2024 with44goalsin137capsand waspartofthesidethat won theWorldCupin 2018. He will move to Florida in July andhassigned adeal that could see him play until 2029.‘Youaremyfamily’ Griezmann first joined Atletico from Sociedad in 2014 and has become a club legend.
He won the Europa Leaguein2018butwaswith Barcelona when Atleti won their most recent league title in 2021, before returning initiallyonloanthefollowing season.
He said on Instagram: “It’s not easy to put into words what I feel, because thisclubismyhomeandyou aremyfamily.
“Ithasbeenanincredible journey,fullofunforgettable matches, goals, joy, and a passion that only those of us who feel Atleti can truly understand.
“Butfornow,let’sleave the future in the future: because I’m not leaving yet. I still have months left wearing this shirt, months to give everything in our stadium and away from it, to lift that Copa del Rey and to dream of going as faraspossibleintheChampionsLeague.”
Agricolastormbackinto...
the pointlessTimehri. It’salltoplayforastheonly two villages that have qualified for the quarterfinals are Group C’s Grove and Upper Soesdyke. The final group
match between the two will decidewhowillendasgroup winner. The tournament will take a break for the Easter holidays and restart with the finalfourgroupmatches.
FROM PAGE 47
Swan is down to play Lower Soesdyke, Mocha takes on Kuru Kururu, FriendshipopposeTimehri while Grove and Upper Soesdykewilllockhorns.
(BBC) - Holders Arsenal put themselves in a strong position to advance with victory in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie with London rivals Chelsea.
Renee Slegers’ side scored two goals in the first halftodealablowtovisitors Chelsea and confirmed victory through Alessia Russo lateon.
An outrageous lob from Lauren James in the second half threatened a comeback from Chelsea but it did not materialise.
James had earlier hit the post–asdidteam-mateAlyssa Thompson – before audaciously chipping goalkeeper Anneke Borbe from outside the box.
However, that was not enoughtooverturntheresult after Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly’s goals in the first half had helped set the tone.
Victoryputs theGunners in the driving seat before next Wednesday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge as they attempt to defend their Europeancrown.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was without severalplayersbecauseofinjury and the Asian Cup and the lack of squad depth was apparent.
And they will be frustrated at having a goal disallowed in the first half as Veerle Buurman was ruled to have pushed Laia Codina – a decision replays showed wassoft.
The Blues are left with plenty to do at home against an Arsenal side continuing the fine form they have shownsincethestartof2026.
European championsArsenal were brimming with confidence before kick-off havingnotlosta game atthe Emirates since a 2-1 loss to Lyonapproachingayearago on19April2025.
They are on a 10-game winning streakin all competitions following this result andhavekeptcleansheetsin theirlastfiveWSLmatches.
And they played like a team peaking at the right time.
After weathering a 15-minute storm in the first half, they took over proceedings in front of an
18,000-strong crowd.
GoalkeeperBorbe’sright post came to their savour on a few occasions early on but Chelsea were penned deeper anddeeperasthegamewore on.
Blackstenius’ deft touch to head in Katie McCabe’s crossgavethemtheleadthey neededandKellycapitalised on a period of control with a stunning long-range effort, though England team-mate Hannah Hampton will be frustratedshecouldnotgeta handtoit.
Kelly’s habit of delivering in the big moments for clubandcountryisverywelcometoArsenalandshewas oozing confidence after her
hat-trick against West Ham ontheweekend.
And in the second half, justasJameshadgivenChelseaalifeline,Russodealtthe finalblow–takingonetouch to control the ball before firing it expertly past Hampton tomakeit3-1.
Overall, the match was the perfect way to start this mouthwatering battle between two London rivals, though Arsenal will know there remains a job to do in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday (20:00GMT).
But on current form, Slegers’ side will fancy themselves to reach the lastfour.
(Wednesday March 25, 2026)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) NZ vsAUST,Auckland, 2005 (2) Stephen Fleming-NZ & Ricky Ponting-AUST
Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored the first Test match hundred? (2) Who bagged the first Test five-for? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Antoine Griezmann has scored more than 200 goals forAtletico Madrid
CMC – West Indies batters Qiana Joseph and StafanieTaylorhavemadesignificantgainsinthelatest ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, which saw a host of movement following the first two matches of the homeseriesagainstAustralia.
WhilethespotlightwasclaimedbyAustraliaopener Georgia Voll, who entered the top 10 for the first time afterabriskknockof39inthesecondmatch,itwasthe home side’s batting unit that provided several standout stories in the rankings update. Opening batter Qiana Josephwasamajorclimber,soaring14placesto33rdin thebattingchartsafteraproductiverunof56runsacross threeinnings, includingatopscoreof 45.
Veteran all-rounder Stafanie Taylor also made welcome progress, moving up two places to 48th after contributing50runsintwoinnings,withabestof 28.
Theirriseswere partofa broadershufflein thebattingrankings.Elsewhere,NewZealand’sSophieDevine climbedtwospotsto18thfollowingsuccessivehalf-centuries against South Africa, while Australia’s Ellyse Perry(uptwoplacesto20th)andNewZealand’sMaddy Green(uptwoplacesto44th)alsoregisteredgains.
In a remarkable feat, 15-year-old Fanny UtagushimanindeofRwandaenteredtherankingsin66thposition after becoming the first woman to score a century on T20I debut. On the bowling front, the West Indies saw nochangesinsidethetop10,butSouthAfrica’sleft-arm spinnerNonkululekoMlababrokeintothatelitegroup, climbingfrom 11thto ninth aftertaking fivewicketsin threematches.Australia’sGeorgiaWarehamalsomoved upfrom16thto 12th.
New Zealand’s Jess Kerr achieved a career-best 15thpositionafteranimpressivehaulofeightwickets in the first four matches against SouthAfrica.AyabongaKhaka(upfiveplacesto36th)andAustralia’s Kim Garth (up 35 places to 44th) were among the othernotablemovers.
(ESPNCRICINFIO) - A consortiumcomprisingIndianandoverseasbusiness entities has successfully bought full ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise for an eye-wateringsumofabout USD 1.78 billion (INR 16,660crore approx.).The “all-cash” deal was announced by the United Spirits Limited (USL), the existing ownerof the RCB teamsintheIPLandWPL.
As per a media release issued by USL, its board has approved the sale of the franchise to a consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group, the Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE. After this deal, USL said, bothRCBteams,whichwere being run by its subsidiary
Complaintfiledover WorldCupticketprices
(BBC) - Football Supporters Europe has filed a formal complaint against Fifa over “excessive ticket prices” at thissummer’sWorldCup.
FSE, along with Euroconsumers, saidfootball’sworldgoverningbodyhas “abuseditsmonopolyposition”insetting prices for the tournament, which begins on11June.
InDecemberFifaintroducedasmall number of “more affordable” $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches following widespreadcriticismofitspricingstructure. FSE has called on Fifa to abandon dynamic pricing - variability based on demand - and freeze prices for theApril releaseoftickets.
Italsodemandedgreatertransparency for fans when purchasing tickets, with at least 48-hour notice of availability in eachcategoryandwherethoseseatswill be.ThecomplaintbyFSEandEuroconsumerstotheEuropeanCommissionsays Fifa has taken advantage of its position “to impose excessive ticket prices and opaqueandunfairpurchasingconditions andprocessesonEuropeanfans”.
It said in a statement: “Fifa holds a monopoly over ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup and has used that power to impose conditions on fans that would never be acceptable in a competitive market.”
FSEandEuroconsumersalleged“six specific abuses”ofFifa’sposition. They include accusing Fifa of bait advertising- illegalunderEU consumer law - with its later release of cheaper tickets “so scarce” that it advertised a
price“notgenuinelyavailable”.
Inresponse,aFifaspokespersonsaid: “Fifahasbeenmadeawareofstatements concerninganapparentcomplaint,which Fifa has not formally received. Fifa is therefore not in a position to comment furtheratthisstage.
“Fifa is focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing and prospective fans. As a not-for-profit organisation, the revenue Fifa generates fromtheWorldCupisreinvestedtofuel the growth of the game - men, women, youth - throughout Fifa’s 211 member associationsglobally.”
About 400 £45 tickets have been made available for England and Scotland’sgroupmatches.
FSE director Ronan Evain said the group had no option but to approach
the European Commission because of Fifa’s “failure to engage in meaningful consultation”.
“Fifapointtotheirunconfirmedsales figuresasvalidationoftheirunfairticket practices, while the reality is they leave loyal fans with no other choice - pay up orloseout,”Evainsaid.
Foronepersontoattendeightmatches-oneineachround-attheWorldCup, it will cost about £5,225 in the lowest pricerange,£8,580inthemiddletierand £12,350forthemostexpensive tickets.
In 2022 it would have cost £1,466, £2,645or£3,914respectively,although thatwasforsevengames.
Royal Challengers Sports PrivateLimited,willnowbe “ownedandoperated”bythe consortium.
That it is a phenomenal sum of money can be understoodfromthefactthatit exceeds the combined value oftheLucknowandAhmedabad IPL franchises - INR 12,715 crore (about $1.69 billion)-thatthe BCCI sold forin2021.
Incidentally, the consortium was not yet formed in February when at least eight investors had made theshortlistforRCB,whose men’s and women’s teams arethecurrentchampionsin theIPLandtheWPL.
Last November, global alcohol and beverage giant Diageo, which owns USL in India, said in its filings to India’s market regulator theSecuritiesandExchange
BoardofIndia(SEBI)thatit was conducting a “strategic review” of its investment in RCB. Diageo said cricket was a non-core area for the company and it was aiming toclosethesalebyMarch31 thisyear.
The next step will involve the dealbeing ratified by the BCCI as well as the CompetitionCommissionof India before the consortium formally takes charge of the franchise.
Amongtheeightoriginal franchises when IPL started in2008,theBengaluruteam was the second-most expensive at the time, bought for USD 111. 6 million by Vijay Mallya-owned United BreweriesGroup.
In2023,RCBownersbid 901crore (USD 110 million approx.) to buy the Bengaluru franchise in the WPL,
making it the third-most expensive among the five women’steams.
In a media statement, the acquiring consortium said that Aryaman Birla, who played as a batter for Madhya Pradesh and was also part of Rajasthan Royals squad in IPL, would be its chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group would be the vice-chairman.
The consortium said it was “proud to become custodians”ofRCB.
“RCB’s championship-winning culture, its deep connection to Bengaluru, and one of the most passionatefanbasesinworld sport make this an extraordinary opportunity,” the consortium said. “We are committedtotakingRCBto newheights,onthepitchand
beyond.”
Praveen Someshwar, managing director and CEO at USL, said RCB “has grown into the most prominentandcommerciallysuccessfulfranchise”intheIPL andtheWPL.
“Guided by its ‘Play Bold’ philosophy and a strong competitive spirit, it has built a globally recognisedbrandandapassionatefanbase,”hesaid.
“We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardshipofthenewowner. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally,webelievethisisin the best interest of the franchiseandourstakeholders.”
The consortium itself is anallianceofadiversesetof investorswhoarewell-established in their fields.Aditya Birla Group is a renowned
global conglomerate with diverseinterestsfrommetals to cement to fashion to retail. Bolt Ventures is owned by prominent sports investor David Blitzer, who has ownership stakes in Crystal Palace(PremierLeague),the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), New Jersey Devils (NHL), Washington Commanders (NFL),ClevelandGuardians (MLB) and Real Salt Lake (MLS)inhisvastportfolio. Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager, dealing in real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. The Times of India Group is a media giant in India and also has ownership stakes in both MLC and London Spirit teams intheHundred.
CMC – The West Indies Women’sT20International seriesagainstAustraliaconcludedonSundaynightata rain-affected Arnos Vale Ground, with the visitors claiming a 40-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Sternmethodtocomplete a3-0seriessweep.
While the result was a disappointment forthehome side, the post-match reflectionsfromtwoofthesquad’s younger members, Zaida JamesandJannilleaGlasgow, offeredaglimpseintotheresilience and hunger brewing withinateamlookingtoward the future.
For Glasgow, the final match carried a significance far beyond the scoreboard. Playinginfrontoffamilyand friends in her homeland, the young cricketer was visibly movedbytheoccasion.
“I would say I give God thanks and praise first of all. It feels special to be home playing in front of such a big crowd. My parents came downfromalloverthecountry tosee theirlastbornplaying this game, so I am really proud. I’m feeling good as well.”
Onthefield,however,the reality of facing the world’s top-ranked side was clear.
After rain interrupted play, Australia maintained a firm gripon the contest. Glasgow pointedtothevisitors’ability to seize momentum early as the defining factor.
“I think Australia had a start and they will capitalise on a lot of things,” she explained. “It’s just that we should have tried to bounce back earlier.I thinkthey had the headofthisgame.”
Withthethree-matchT20 series now behind them, the focus shifts to the upcoming ODI series. Glasgow identified the power play as a criticalareaforimprovement, especiallyasthesquadlooks
tobuild consistency.
“We just need to capitalise on this power play, especially with two players out. It’s just to find those boundary options and keep that momentumgoingforward.”
Zaida James, who impressedwiththeballonSunday by picking up a wicket and conceding 23 runs in her three overs, echoed her teammate’ssentiments.
Despite the clean sweep, she insisted the spirit within the groupremainshigh.
“It was a good series, I must say. Looking at the girls, everyone is hungry to fight,towin.It’sjustaboutus
Guyana’sstudentscelebrate successatfirstkarate
PromotionalExaminationfor2026
assessing better and backing ourskills.”
Speaking about her own performance on a pitch she deemedfavourabletobatters, James noted the importance ofdiscipline.
“It was really good to be back out there. In terms of thepitch,Ithinkitwasreally goodforbatting,soIjusthad to back myself to not really give them anything to play with.”
With the T20 World Cup onthehorizon,theconversation inevitably turned to the batting unit. While the West Indiesshowedflashesofbrilliance, notably from Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Qiana Joseph earlier in the series, James believes the group is on the cusp of a breakthrough.
A PROUD moment unfolded for karate students in Guyana as 25 participants successfully advanced during their first Promotional Examination for 2026. The examination, held on Saturday, March 14, marked an important milestone in the students’ martialartsjourney.
The promotions were conductedbyPresidentHanshi Anthony Sydney, who commended the students for their dedication and performance. Also in attendance were instructors Shihan
Marisa Sydney-Darville and SenseiDaelandSydney,both ofwhomhadtheopportunity to engage with the students and observe their progress firsthand during the examination. The achievement reflects months of hard work and commitment from the young martialartistes. Their success was met with pride and celebration from instructors and supportersalike,highlightingthe discipline and perseverance requiredinkaratetraining. Special recognition was
given to the instructors Shihan-Dai Jermaine Chapman, SenseiChrisRai,andSempai Kenesia Best, whose guidanceplayedasignificantrole in preparing the students. Gratitude was also extended toparentsfortheircontinued encouragement and support throughout the students’ karate journey.
Karate classesin Guyana areheld twiceweekly across multiple locations, with the main headquarters based at Good Hope Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara.
The programme continues to welcome individuals of all ages, emphasising that itisnevertooearlyortoolate to begin learning karate and self-defence.
Personsinterestedinjoining or learning more about the programme are encouragedtomake contactat6996037forfurtherinformation.
As interest in martial arts grows in the region, thissuccessfulexamination serves as both an inspiration and an invitation for otherstojointhediscipline andexperienceitsbenefits.
One area James was particularly passionate about was fielding. Known as a vocal presence in the team huddle, she revealed shehad challenged her teammates to raise their standards in the field.
“I think because I said it,itwasalotbetter,”James admittedwithasmile.“We werejustalittleslackedoff in the second game. Lookingforward,fieldingteams do win matches, so it’s just about keeping them under pressure.”
“We still need a bit of improvement. I think once everyone starts clicking, we are going to be unbeatable,” James stated confidently. “CoachDietzhasbeenworking a lot with us on our batting and everything else. We have a World Cup coming up, so we just have to make a few tweaks. I’m looking forward to coming out and really enjoyingthecricketas awhole.”
THE Guyana Golf Association, in collaboration withNexgenGolfAcademy andWestside Golf Course, continues its nationwide initiativetomakegolfmore accessible to secondary school students, with a recent focus on Regions 1 and2.
As part of this ongoing effort, golf equipment and balls were donated to support the development of school programmes in these regions. Recent Cyril Potter College of Education graduates,SirWhemFrance and Ms. Veron John, who recently completed specialisedtrainingatNexgenGolf Academy were equipped with the necessary tools to introduce and sustain golf programmes within their respective schools, ensuring readiness for both the CSEC Physical Education curriculum and the upcoming National Junior Golf Championship. Meanwhile, Nexgen
GolfAcademyandWestside GolfCoursehaveintensified their preparation efforts for the 2026 CSEC examinations. Students from several schools such as Berbice Educational Institute, Bush LotSecondarySchool,Hope Secondary School, Queen’s College, Westminster Secondary School, and Tucville SecondarySchoolhavebeen participating in intensive finalpreptrainingsessionsled by Aleem Hussain (Master Coach) and Philip Haynes (LPGA Girls Site Director) atNexgenGolfAcademy. With growing interest and participation, it is anticipated that more than 250 students will select golf as theirCSECPhysicalEducationelectivein2026. Guyana continues to lead the Caribbean in youth golf development, drivenbythesustainedand collaborative efforts of the Guyana Golf Association, NexgenGolfAcademy,and WestsideGolfCourse.
Some of the students following their Promotional Examination
MCYS/East Bank Inter Village Football…
Mocha,FriendshipjerksKaneville’srun
STILLnotoutofthewoods, Agricolamadeahugestatement that they are not giving up when they stormed back from their opening gamedefeattoKuruKururuwithabigwinoverastar studded Mocha, 3-1, when the battle for quarterfinal berths continued in the inaugural MCYS/East Bank InterVillageFootballTournamentonSundaynightat the EcclesEEGround.
Sunday’sopeninggame,a group D contest saw Friendship contesting their first match, halting the winning streakofKanevillewhichhad downedTimehriintheirfirst matchaweekbefore,beating them3-2.
Agricola came into the contest with Mocha knowing that defeat would have sent them packing from the tournamentandfromthefirst whistle looked a determined unit against a side that came intothecontestasafavourite towinthetournament.
Despitethisbilling,Agricolawasnotintimidatedand, 10 minutes into the match,
found the back of the nets through a Shamar Sampson strikewhichgavetheAgricolaladstheconfidenceneeded tobelieveinthemselves.
One could have felt a heavypressureeasingoffthe team but there was still lots of work to be done. Their
THE President of the Guyana HockeyBoardandmemberofthe Over-50 Masters squad, Phillip Fernandes, says the country’s mastersteamsaresettlinginnicelyafterhavingtheirfirstpractice sessiononMonday.
Guyana is fielding one female Over-40 team along with male Over-40, Over-50 and Over-55 in England. “We had a two-hour light trainingsession,justto getfamiliar with the condition, type of surface and weather temperature, and even while it was indoors, the condition wasquitecool.
Wehadareallygoodexercise.It wasgoodtohavetheteamstogether because some of the players are overseas-based,”Fernandessaid.
Theeventbeginstomorrow.
Theteamshavebegunfine-tuning their strategies as they prepare tomaketheirmarkon thecompetition,accordingto Fernandes.
“We were able to go through some tactical decisions and discussionstogetherforthefirsttime,soI think it has been good preparation,
play saw a fluidity that was missingagainstKuruKururu.
Thehalf endedwith the slim 1-0 advantage for Agricola which doubled in the 40th minute with a goal off the bootofDemanieCort.
The goal added even more flair toAgricola’s play
andwehadoursecondtrainingsession this morning, the 24th, where we were able to go through things more comprehensively and also have a lot more physical exercises involved.
Theteamisin good spirits;itis agoodstart,andwelookforwardto onemorepracticesessiontomorrow (Wednesday),”Fernandesadded.
The hockey board official shared that the competition is part
even as Mocha still could not find a consistent rhythm. Three minutes after Cort’s goal, Agricola increased the tally to three when Jamal Fiffe added his name to the scoresheet, effectively stifling any inkling of a comebackbyMocha.
Even Kelvin Gordon’s 60thminutestrikeforMocha was not enough to jolt the progression of Agricola as there was no denying them, fullpoints.
They now sit just behind Kuru Kururu on three points but have exhausted their full
quota oftwo matches.
Mocha will has to defeat Kuru Kururu heavily when they tangle to displaceAgricola; Kuru Kururu will aim toendwithawintostayatop groupA.
Friendship took the early lead against Kaneville when Jomlin Scott netted the first of his double in the 8th minute. But that advantage was cancelled out in the 17th minute when Kaneville’s Tyequan Robinson levelled the score.
Just before the half time whistle, Friendship restored the advantage with Scott’s second goal in the 34th minute.
Three minutes into the second half, the advantage wasdoubled,complimentsof MichaelCorreia’sgoal.
Kaneville tucked in another in the 65th minute off the boot of Hermon Gill but couldn’t find an equaliser as time ran out. The win for Friendship has catapulted them to the top of Group D with agame inhandagainst TURNTOPAGE44
of a global initiative for masters hockey as well as other sports, as the world recognises the need to keep older players around to fill different roles within sports and mentorthenextgeneration. The tournament runs from
Thursday, March 26th, to Tuesday, March 31st, at the David Ross Sports Facility. Guyana competed at the competition for the first time last year with an over-40 men’s team,finishinginsecondplaceafter losingto Englandin thefinal.
The teams are powered by CEVONS, Guinness, A&D Elevators (USA), Lyft Gym, CaribbeanSeaWaves,CSS–Integrated Maritime Solutions, and Rock Hard Cement, which outfitted them.
Some of the Guyana Masters team members
President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Phillip Fernandes
Michael Correia (left) and Jomlin Scott - Friendship
Agricola’s goal scorers from right: Domine Cort, Shemar Samson and Jamal Fiffe
The West Indies women were leftlicking their wounds
