MONDAY 10th August, 2026
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No. 1081872
Rezoning of trade businesses among plans for Enmore, other communities - President Ali says, urges small bar, club owners to soundproof establishments to ease noise nuisance
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LAND MATTERS ADDRESSED: Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, engaged approximately 150 households in Tuschen North on Sunday on land regularisation, tenure and relocation matters. Residents were updated on the regularisation of Area J, assessments at Wrong Turn and plans to relocate households occupying the sea-defence reserve. A verification exercise is expected to begin in Area J this week as the ministry advances efforts to resolve outstanding land issues. (Ministry of Housing photos)
Gov’t to create safer spaces for businesses in communities — President Ali says livelihoods must be protected without compromising residents’ health, environment
PSC moves to make entrepreneurs ‘bankable’ SEE PAGE
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— supportive programmes being developed to help small businesses access development bank financing
Over 600 acres of Port Mourant to be transformed under Model 9 Village Initiative
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New Amsterdam to get modern 13 market, vendors’ hub
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Model communities must go beyond roads, drains — President Ali — says culture, safety, green spaces and economic opportunities critical to sustainable development
THE government is advancing a broader approach to community development that goes beyond roads, drains and buildings, with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasising that sustainable communities must also incorporate culture, recreation, safety, environmental protection and economic opportunities. The Head of State outlined the vision while engaging residents of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, as part of the government's Model Village Initiative. While roads, drainage and other physical infrastructure remain critical investments, President Ali said these are ultimately assets that must support the people and social systems that make communities thrive. “A community is not a place of roads and drains and buildings; those are assets of the community,” President
President, Dr Irfaan Ali
Ali said. He explained that the government's approach is intended to ensure communities across Guyana benefit
from comparable standards of basic services and infrastructure while retaining the characteristics that make each village unique.
“Every community cannot be the same, but every community must enjoy similar level of service, similar level of infrastructure,” the president said. According to the Head of State, development must incorporate spaces and facilities that encourage residents to interact, participate in community life and enjoy recreational activities. He pointed to recreational facilities, green spaces, tree planting and beautification, places of worship and other community spaces as important components of creating healthier and more liveable neighbourhoods. Environmental protection and biodiversity must also be integrated into that development, President Ali said, noting that trees, waterways, fish, ecosystems and other forms of life contribute to the overall character and well-being of communities.
Equally important, he said, is creating an environment where residents, particularly children, women and senior citizens, can feel safe. “Our elders can walk in the streets safely. They can have green spaces to go and sit down. Our children can be safe, women can be safe,” he said. Economic opportunities must also be incorporated into community planning, with infrastructural investments helping to create the conditions for residents to live, work, establish businesses and build better futures. President Ali said the vibrancy of communities is also reflected in their people and the activities that bring residents together, pointing to football, cricket, tennis and other recreational activities involving young people. He contrasted vibrant communities, where children can
safely play and neighbours interact, with neighbourhoods where streets become inactive and residents increasingly dis connected from each other. The president also underscored the importance of neighbourliness, discipline and respect for laws and community standards, noting that residents themselves have a responsibility to protect and maintain their surroundings. He said the government's Model Village Initiative therefore embraces a “holistic, collaborative system” that brings together the ecology, economy, environment and energy of communities. The wider initiative seeks to establish a framework for developing modern, sustainable and cohesive communities, while preserving the unique identity, culture and heritage of individual villages.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Rezoning of trade businesses among plans for Enmore, other communities
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- President Ali says, urges small bar, club owners to soundproof establishments to ease noise nuisance
By Naomi Parris PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced plans to rezone sections of Enmore and other communities to move noisy and environmentally disruptive businesses away from residential areas, as the government advances its Model Village Initiative and moves to improve living conditions across the country. Speaking during a community consultation at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, last week, President Ali said the government has been working with engineers, planners and urban-development specialists to assess the existing layout of communities and develop options for their transformation. Central to those plans, he said, is better separation of residential,
President, Dr Irfaan Ali engaging with Enmore residents during consultations pertaining to the government’s ‘model-village’ initiative
and shops, so that your community where you live becomes a place of comfort, pleasing to you, pleasing to your family,” President Ali said. The Head of State
nated commercial and industrial zones established to accommodate potentially disruptive activities, while residential areas benefit from improved roads, drainage, lighting,
Residents and community leaders will have an opportunity to contribute to the planning process, with the president stressing that each community has its own identity and
A summary of the Enmore community
commercial and industrial activities, particularly businesses such as spray-painting operations, mechanic shops and other enterprises that can create noise or environmental disturbances for residents. “We want to create spaces in your community where we can put all of these different industries
explained that the work follows a series of site visits and assessments conducted over recent months. Those findings will inform development profiles and planning options that will be presented to residents as the Model Village Initiative advances. The proposed approach would see desig-
green spaces and other community amenities. President Ali also linked the initiative to efforts to attract private investment, create employment and better organise economic activity within communities, including through the development of zones for machining, agro-processing and other commercial activities.
that development plans must respond to local needs. Officials from several government agencies were also present at the Enmore consultation to document residents’ complaints and concerns for follow-up. At Enmore, the Model Village Initiative is expected to cover ap-
proximately 408 acres and benefit some 8,000 households. Plans include improvements to 21,259 metres of roads and 42,518 metres of drains across 176 roads within the designated area. The development profile also takes into consideration existing community facilities, including two schools, two churches, three mandirs, two masjids, a police outpost, post office, hospital and cemetery, as the government seeks to create a safer, cleaner and more resilient community. SOUNDPROOFING SUPPORT FOR BARS Noise pollution has emerged as a recurring concern during the ongoing model-village consultations, with residents raising complaints about bars and other entertainment establishments operating within residential communities. Addressing a similar consultation in Region Six, President Ali said the government also intends to work with established bars and entertainment businesses to help them reduce the impact of noise on surrounding neighbourhoods. He encouraged operators to explore financing through the Guyana Development Bank to invest in soundproofing their establishments. “We want to work with all of the established bar and entertainment areas to see how we can grant
concessions for them to bring in soundproof material,” President Ali said. He added: “So, with [funding from] the development bank, they can enclose their bars with soundproof material, so who wants to hear the noise hard can go inside, but the noise does not come out to affect the neighbourhood.” The initiative would allow entertainment businesses to continue operating while reducing disturbances to nearby households. The government has also been pursuing measures to better monitor noise levels. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), began installing sound-monitoring devices along the seawall, with a wider national rollout planned. The devices are intended to measure noise levels in areas where entertainment establishments operate and provide data to help address noise pollution. Entertainment operators are expected to keep noise within established thresholds, as the government continues to pursue measures aimed at balancing commercial and entertainment activities with residents’ right to peaceful and comfortable communities.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
A young Guyanese engineer’s journey into subsea operations: meet Darren Budhram
DARREN Budhram entered Guyana’s offshore oil industry with more questions than answers. The petroleum engineering graduate joined ExxonMobil Guyana’s Subsea team directly after university. During his first year, he helped to support the control systems used to operate equipment thousands of feet below the Atlantic Ocean. Budhram chose the industry because he believed it could support Guyana’s development and create opportunities for its people. His transition began with unfamiliar terms, complex technology, and a demanding learning process. “Moving directly from the classroom into the workplace came with a steep learning curve, but the transition was much smoother than I initially
expected, and I credit that largely to ExxonMobil Guyana’s culture,” he said. Budhram experienced some uncertainty as he adjusted to the workplace. “At first, I experienced a degree of imposter syndrome as I was exposed to countless new acronyms, technical terms, and concepts unfamiliar to me,” he said. “Thankfully, I was surrounded by a team that fostered a culture where asking questions was encouraged.” That environment allowed him to seek clarification and develop confidence as a new engineer. Guyana’s offshore developments rely on subsea infrastructure to connect wells to manifolds. The infrastructure also routes production to floating production, storage, and offloading vessels. Subsea control systems supply the electrical and hydraulic
power needed to operate equipment on the seabed. They also provide communication and monitoring capabilities. “Think of it as the body’s nervous system,” Budhram said. As a Sub-
He also monitors system performance and helps troubleshoot control-related problems. The role requires close coordination with offshore personnel, equipment vendors, and teams from several tech-
Darren Budhram, Subsea Controls Engineer, ExxonMobil Guyana
sea Controls Engineer, he helps maintain the reliability, integrity, and performance of those systems throughout the life of an offshore field. His daily work includes supporting offshore operations and assisting with the commissioning of new wells.
nical disciplines. “What has really stood out to me is the level of visibility and control we have over these subsea assets located thousands of feet beneath the ocean surface,” Budhram said. Operators can remotely actuate valves and check
the condition of subsea equipment. They can also receive live data from pressure and temperature sensors. “Before entering the industry, it was something I rarely thought about, but it continues to fascinate me that operators can remotely actuate valves, monitor equipment status, and continuously receive real-time data from subsea pressure and temperature sensors,” he said. Budhram’s first offshore assignment took him aboard a multipurpose support vessel. The vessel was supporting the installation of subsea Christmas trees, jumpers, and hydraulic and electrical flying leads. The work helped prepare subsea systems for upcoming projects, while supporting assets already in operation. “What stood out the most to me was the sheer scale of the operations executed in Guyana,” Budhram said. That impression grew through discussions with experienced industry professionals. He said many described Guyana’s level of offshore activity as exceptional, compared with their previous assignments. One of Budhram’s main challenges was absorbing the volume of information associated with subsea operations. At the same time, he wanted to make a useful contribution as a new engineer. Mentorship played an important role in his development. His team lead brought extensive international subsea experience. A Guyanese colleague with 10 years of oil-andgas experience also helped him understand the work. “Their willingness to share knowledge, provide guidance, and connect technical concepts to real-world operations accelerated my learning and helped build both my competence and confi-
dence over the last year,” Budhram said. His work also strengthened his understanding of safety. Subsea operations require precision because decisions can affect personnel, equipment, and production. “Here, safety is a core value that guides every decision and activity,” he said. Budhram regularly collaborates with colleagues and subject-matter experts from other countries. He said those interactions demonstrated the value of drawing on the experience of a wider team. “I’ve learned that while it’s impossible to know everything, I can create value by asking the right questions, engaging the right people, and bringing different perspectives together to solve problems,” he said. His first year also developed his contextual thinking, as he explained “I’ve learned to look beyond the immediate task and better understand how individual decisions can affect the wider operation.” Budhram plans to expand his technical expertise and assume greater responsibilities within the oil and gas industry. He advised students interested in engineering and offshore operations to develop a strong technical foundation. He also encouraged them to pursue internships and other opportunities for practical experience. Industry conferences, forums, and expos can help students meet professionals and learn about available career paths. Organisations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers can also provide networking, mentorship, and industry knowledge. “The more exposure you gain, the better prepared you’ll be when opportunities arise,” Budhram said. (OilNow)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Gov’t to create safer spaces for businesses in communities
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— President Ali says livelihoods must be protected without compromising residents’ health, environment
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that the government will invest in infrastructure that allows businesses to continue providing livelihoods, while reducing the health and environmental hazards that can arise when certain commercial activities operate too closely to residential areas. The president made the point during a public consultation on the Model Village Initiative at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where he outlined his vision for creating sustainable, resilient and prosperous communities that balance economic activities with residents' health, safety and quality of life. Using spray-painting and mechanic businesses as examples, President Ali said some economic activities can no longer comfortably coexist within residential neighbourhoods, because of the potential hazards associated with their operations. “So, here you have the spray painter, the mechanic shop, and all of these people that [sic] cannot coexist with the neighbourhood now be-
President, Dr Irfaan Ali
cause of the health hazards, environmental hazards,” President Ali said. Rather than restricting persons from earning their livelihoods, the president said the solution is to invest in appropriate infrastructures and spaces that allow those businesses to continue operating without adversely affecting surrounding communities.
“We have to invest in infrastructure to allow them to continue their life and livelihood[s] without it being a detriment to the rest of the community,” he said. The president said this approach forms part of a broader shift towards more deliberate community planning, where economic opportunities are preserved
while the health, safety and overall living conditions of residents are protected. “If we take that same concept to the level of the community, then you will see that, as a people in a community, we have a responsibility to create opportunities within the community that will safeguard jobs,” he said. President Ali also pointed to the use of private and communal spaces, explaining that some families utilise their backyards for food production, while others create green spaces. He said similar thinking should be applied at the wider community level, with residents and planners considering how available spaces can be used to support economic activity while creating greener and more attractive neighbourhoods. The Head of State stressed, however, that physical infrastructures alone will not be enough to achieve the government's vision for model communities. “We can have a lot of investment in the infrastructure of the community, but still we will fail in achieving
what a model community should look like,” he said. According to President Ali, successful community development must also involve greater ownership and participation by residents, while fostering community pride, dignity and responsibility. He described the broader objective as creating communities that are “sustainable, resilient and prosperous,” where residents can earn livelihoods without compromising the environment or the
quality of life of their neighbours. The Model Village Initiative is intended to establish a more comprehensive approach to community development, incorporating infrastructure, economic opportunities, environmental considerations, recreational spaces and greater community involvement. President Ali said the pilot communities will help establish a model that can eventually be replicated in villages across Guyana.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Planning Better Communities
ALMOST every Guyanese can relate to it. The mechanic operating next door who starts revving engines early in the morning; the spray-painting shop whose fumes drift into neighbouring homes; the welding shop operating late into the evening; the woodworking business producing dust and noise, or the livestock operation that was once surrounded by open land but is now surrounded by houses. These businesses did not appear overnight and neither should they be treated as nuisances that can simply be removed. Many were established when villages were smaller, houses were farther apart and land was used differently. More importantly, they represent livelihoods. The mechanic may employ three young men from the community; the spray painter may have spent 20 years building his
clientele; the welder may be paying a mortgage and sending children to school from the income generated in his yard. But Guyana is changing and its communities are changing with it. President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s comments during the Model Village consultation at Good Hope speak directly to this everyday reality. The government’s position is that economic activity should be protected, but it cannot be allowed to compromise the health, safety and quality of life of entire neighbourhoods. The practical answer is therefore not simply enforcement or closure, but investment in properly planned spaces where these businesses can continue operating and, potentially, expand. Consider a mechanic currently operating from a cramped residential yard: moving that business into
a properly serviced commercial area with adequate drainage, waste-oil disposal, parking and room for expansion could benefit both the operator and the neighbourhood. The mechanic keeps his livelihood and may even be able to employ more people, while nearby families regain a quieter and safer residential environment. The same reasoning applies to spray painters, welders, joiners and other trades. A designated commercial or light-industrial space could provide proper ventilation, electricity, waste management and fire-safety systems that many small operators simply cannot afford individually. Instead of pushing small businesses out, proper planning can help formalise and strengthen them. This is why this government is saying not to view the Model Village Initiative as another programme for roads, drains and rec-
reational grounds. Those investments are necessary, but building a modern community also means thinking carefully about where people work, where children play, where businesses grow and how residents move safely through their neighbourhoods. There are other familiar examples. A vacant plot that has become an illegal dumpsite could become a community garden or play park. An unused reserve could accommodate a walking track. Better lighting around a playground could allow families to use it safely in the evenings. Proper vending areas could prevent sellers from blocking roadways, while still allowing them to earn. Improved drainage can prevent the household at the lowest point of the street from being flooded every time heavy rain falls. These may appear to be small matters beside Guy-
ana’s billion-dollar highways, bridges and other major projects, but they are precisely the things people encounter when they leave their homes every morning and return every evening. The ongoing consultations led by President Ali and supported by ministers and technical agencies are therefore important because no two communities are identical. What Good Hope requires may not be what Zeelugt, Grove, Tuschen, Enmore or Rose Hall needs. Residents know where the water settles, which road becomes dangerous at night, where traffic backs up, where businesses create conflicts and which spaces could be put to better use. Government can provide the financing, engineering expertise and infrastructure, but residents must also take ownership. There is little point spending millions to improve drainage if garbage
continues to be thrown into canals. A new park will deteriorate if residents treat it as someone else’s responsibility, and beautification cannot succeed if every available parapet becomes a dumping ground. The Ali administration’s Model Village concept therefore presents an opportunity to address something Guyana has neglected for too long -- how our communities actually function. As the country becomes wealthier and more developed, the standard should no longer simply be whether a village has roads and drains. It should be whether people can earn, children can play, businesses can grow and families can live comfortably without one person’s livelihood becoming another person’s daily burden. That is the balance modern Guyana now has an opportunity to get right.
CCJ must address allegations of judicial interference
Dear Editor, I HAVE watched the occasional ‘odd’ decision by the CCJ and heard whispers of corruption but never saw any evidence (other than illogical decisions) of corruption; today, however, an email has surfaced where one judge, Justice Jamadar stated that the President of the CCJ pressured him and others into a position contrary to their own, Jamadar said “Two relate to the core function of judicial decision--making and impact the rule of law and
the due administration of justice—seen through the lenses of judicial independence, impartiality, and integrity… (ii) the Mohamed vs MoHA, AG, and Magistrate extradition matter and what I experienced as an attempt to influence the opinions of colleagues that differed from yours in an authoritative manner.” Given the importance of Mohamed vs MoHA, AG and Magistrate to Guyana, Justice Jamadar must now publicly state where he differs from the judgement de-
livered. Justice Jamadar has introduced the discussion of corruption at the CCJ and should know that lawyers for Mohamed were expressing great confidence of a favourable decision for their client in the high court corridors, along with thinly veiled references to bribery and corruption of panel members of the CCJ; This places every Justice who had an opinion contrary to the final decision under a cloud of suspicion, indeed, the entire court and system has been polluted following its brush with the
Mohameds’ money. In Guyana, the vast wealth of the Mohamed family has been cited in numerous instances of corruption, including by Detective Sergent Bascomb in the murder investigation of Ricardo ‘paper shorts’ Fagundes and the ‘explosion of fuel boat ‘Canada Club,’ which left three dead bodies listed as casualties. Guyanese with knowledge were alarmed at the time asked for by the CCJ to deliver what anyone could see would be a straightforward decision
(and it was stunningly simple as delivered) and many were worried that members of the CCJ panel could be bought outright, Jamadar’s outrage as expressed in his email does not engender faith, rather, quite the opposite. Justice Jamadar must come forward, show clean hands and work with all stakeholders towards a resolution of the allegations made in his email, ‘he who alleges, must prove’ the future of the court rests on its integrity and how it deals with this allegation of
misconduct going forward. Guyanese faith in the judiciary is always on thin ice given the level of incongruity we see daily, our justice is not blind, she is wealthy, the CCJ has historically been the bastion of justice for Guyanese and it would seem the barbarians have infiltrated the walls. A full and transparent process of cleaning must begin as a matter of great urgency. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Robin Singh
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Enter the political kingdom of obnoxiousness
WHEN I heard that Moses Bhagwan was publishing his autobiography, “Enter the Political Kingdom,” I penned a column titled, “There will be missing links in Bhagwan’s autobiography,” published on Monday, March 9, 2026. I opined that Bhagwan will avoid two types of opinions – the performance of his party, the WPA in power, 2015- 2020, and the five-month disaster of the 2020 general and regional election. My column predicting what Bhagwan would do was written in March. Bhagwan’s memoir was released at the beginning of June. My prediction was poignant. The man wrote not one word on the two subjects mentioned above. I published two reviews of his book on this page – Monday, June 22, 2026, “Book Review: Bhagwan’s kingdom disintegrated in March 2020” and Monday, June 29, 2026, “Bhagwan, or Trotz or Westmaas shut out Mr Gimlette.” This column here is my third review of Bhagwan’s published life. I chose this date because last Saturday his book was officially launched in Guyana. I had in my mind to
do two more reviews because the autobiography is heavily punctuated with political dishonesty. We start with page 353. I quote Bhagwan: “There was something illogical and discontinuous in Cheddi Jagan’s conduct. In the 80s, he was willing to engage the PNC leader, Forbes Burnham as a potential coalition partner, but he did not consider inviting Mr. Desmond Hoyte to join a united government after 1992.” Moses Bhagwan is an obnoxious political person and a politically dishonest man. Bhagwan was in Guyana and was in the leadership of the WPA in 1984 when high-level talks opened up between the PNC and PPP for a joint slate for the 1985 election to secure joint government. For the only published account of this rapprochement, see Halim Majeed’s book, “Forbes Burnham: National Reconciliation and National Unity, 1984-1985. Mr. Majeed was one of President Burnham’s representatives in the dialogue. Mr. Burnham died in 1985. Mr. Hoyte became president and scrapped the talks between the two parties. There is no doubt in my mind that Bhagwan
knew about that book when it was published in 2005 and has a copy. It is silly for Bhagwan to say Jagan, on attaining the presidency in 1992, should have called Hoyte to form a unity government. Had Jagan gone on that pathway, he would have looked stupid in the eyes of the world, because it was Hoyte who, on becoming president, turned his back on a unity government with the PPP. You can see on the pages of Bhagwan’s book that his political life contained hatred for Cheddi Jagan. For this reason, his autobiography is misleading with large doses of subjective nonsense. Take his accusation that the president was an unprincipled man. He cites President Jagan’s discontinuation of the offer of 1993 to Dr. Clive Thomas to be in his Cabinet. This is where Bhagwan’s obnoxiousness becomes graphic and readers should be careful about what they accept from this man. The WPA refused an offer at the beginning of 1993 from President Jagan to have Dr. Clive Thomas serve in his Cabinet. At that meeting, Bhagwan himself, Rupert Roopnaraine,
Eusi Kwayana, Bonita Bone and others argued against taking up the offer which they considered an insult from President Jagan. Guyanese have a saying named “eyepass.” That word was used at the WPA meeting. The rejectionists argued that it was “eyepass” for Jagan to select Clive Thomas rather than let the WPA decide which of its leaders it wanted in the Cabinet. Bhagwan complains in his book that after the PPP and WPA began talks in early 1993, headed by Bhagwan, to decide on PPP-WPA co-operation, Dr Jagan, on a return trip from Trinidad, informed the WPA that his Cabinet positions had already
been filled. First, it was wrong and insensitive for the WPA to select Bhagwan to head the WPA delegation because both Jagan and Mrs Jagan knew that Bhagwan was a Jagan-hater and therefore would not be an objective negotiator. Secondly, Jagan must have said to himself that the WPA leaders were barefaced people. They rejected his offer, then came begging. Finally, Cheddi Jagan proved to be a better human than Bhagwan and all the other WPA leaders. In 1991, the WPA rejected Jagan’s offer of a Jagan/ Thomas ticket to head a coalition slate for the general elections. They did not approve of Ja-
gan as the presidential candidate, yet when Jagan became president in 1992, he extended an olive branch to the WPA by offering a Cabinet post to Thomas. In his book, Bhagwan knocks Jagan for selecting Sam Hinds instead of Thomas as his1992 running mate, but it was the WPA that told Jagan it would not let Thomas be his running mate. It is sad at his age what Bhagwan has become. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this c o l u m n a re s o l e l y 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, Monday, August 10, 2026
Proliferation of Chinese Supermarkets Pt 2
I START this piece by clarifying that my commentary is not meant in any way to speak to Guyana-China relations or to in any way disparage or invite odium or ill will towards Chinese Supermarkets (CS) or any other business owned by Chinese. There are indeed some positive effects of these supermarkets which, I am sure, Guyanese appreciate. The adverse effects are also numerous, insidious, severe and stiffening. My essential argument is that, for these reasons, it should attract higher regulatory scrutiny. Since my last column on this very subject, at his invitation, I met with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana (CHG). He said he wanted to clarify certain misconceptions in my last article. The following paraphrases what was said, without comment or
qualification. The CHG does not have the staff or resources to assist Chinese-owned businesses with business research and placement suggestions. The CHG does not have independent or up-to-date factual information on the market conditions in Guyanese communities, nor does it have an accurate database of nationals of China conducting business in Guyana. The CHG official insisted that there is no programme to help private Chinese citizens with capital to invest overseas. Whenever the CHG is given a forum to address Chinese who do business in Guyana, they are adamant that the proprietors should obey all local laws and that the CHG will not take any steps to shield them if they break local laws. The Belt and Road Initiative is not about world dominance but about respectful partner-
ship between friendly governments. The CHG official also said that the Chinese government does not have such close ties or control over private businesses of Chinese citizens to be able to influence their commercial behaviour. As a result, it is impossible to punish businesses in Guyana for views adverse to China or Chinese policies. Consequently, my “far-fetched” doomsday scenario about the possibility of a food bug in Guyana was particularly hurtful and misrepresents the character of the Chinese government and the Chinese people. China is a true friend of the Government and people of Guyana. I am not sure the CHG official specifically wanted me to make the discussion public, but I think I have an obligation to readers to share the gist of that encounter. I have no issues exposing alternative views to anything
I write. I tried to present the sentiments of the CHG official as clearly and accurately as I could. That said, there are two issues to which I wish to add my comments and clarification. First, my comment about LeBron James was inaccurate; the NBA player who issued the apology was James Harden, who at the time was a member of the Houston Rockets (HRs). The HRs manager made comments adverse to the Chinese government and in support of a Hong Kong protest. As a result, the HRs faced potential cancellation of all future tours, cessation of massive sponsorships and other forms of collaboration with Chinese businesses. LeBron James’ role in the matter was to criticise the HRs for being selfish by making insensitive statements knowing it could have far-reaching commercial repercussions. My second comment is to reiterate that using any objective academic matrix, together with all the research at my disposal, I firmly believe the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative is grounded in the concept of world trade and investment dominance. Proliferation of CSs have killed off the corner-shop culture in Guyana; this cannot be simply ignored as an effect of the free-market system. It is essentially big foreign money crowding out the business model of the poor. It is not a case where other shops grew and displaced their competitors. CSs disproportionately affect the
poor and working class who depend on those corner shops to subsidise family income. Big supermarket chains such as Bounty and Massey can compete because these entities have solid capital backing from super-rich outfits. The poor families running those grocery shops have no alternative but to close their doors. Was there any national study on the impact of this? No activity that disproportionately affects poor people should go unstudied, unregulated or unscrutinised. You do not need an economics professor to explain this. Some pertinent comments and questions in the ‘spit press’ include questions about obedience to NIS laws, treatment of employees, participation in Chambers of Commerce, support for community activities such as sponsorship of culture and sports events, etc. I have several suggestions to benefit the small local grocer. The government should either restructure the Guyana Marketing Corporation or create a new organisation to act as a local-government sponsored franchisor, allowing Guyanese to face lower setup, marketing and branding costs. The franchisor provides certain physical, branding and hold-over stocking facilities. This is not a new concept; this country is not without knowledgebase and track record. GUYOIL is a highly successful government-owned franchisor. This may be the only way actual community people can compete
within the CSs swarm. Community grocers can easily convert to fullfledged supermarkets if that kind of franchising opportunities existed. There should be calm persuasion and entreaty of the Chinese Association and their members with existing CSs to transition towards retail of hardware, intermediary and capital goods, especially for small manufacturing, farming and construction. That is what Guyana needs most from Chinese citizens. There are lots of investment opportunities in Guyana that Chinese citizens can take up that are almost frontier businesses that will not cause mass displacement of ordinary people. Guyana needs more investments in agro-processing, food packaging, small manufacturing and other forms of value-added production that complement retail businesses. These types of investments could be exploited to the mutual benefit of China and Guyana. Commercial regulations should be designed to prompt and facilitate this transition. Leave this form of pure grocery “buy and sell” to people from right within their communities; they should be protected from ruthless capitalistic plunder from superpower-aligned investments. 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, Monday, August 10, 2026
609 acres of Port Mourant to be transformed under Model Village Initiative
PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Saturday said Port Mourant, Region Six, will be among the communities transformed under the government’s Model Village Initiative. The programme is designed to improve infrastructure, strengthen community services and create an environment where residents can live, work and raise their families safely. The president, while addressing residents gathered at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus, noted that Port Mourant holds a special place in Guyana’s history as the home of the late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan. He said the community’s repeated selection for national development programmes is “not by accident,” pointing to its previous inclusion in the Secondary Towns Programme, market-improvement initiatives
President Irfaan Ali addressing residents in Port Mourant
and earlier road-transformation projects. Under the proposed plan, approximately 609 acres will be modernised, with 102 roads and 21 kilometres of road upgrades, alongside improvements to
road shoulders and alleyways throughout the community. The development is expected to benefit 6,384 households. It will take into consideration Port Mourant’s existing schools, hos-
pitals, religious institutions, businesses and recreational spaces. “We’re talking about infrastructure beyond roads, infrastructure that support[s] quality
of life,” the president said, emphasising that the initiative must also support the local economy. He also stressed that sustainable commu-
nity development requires the involvement of residents, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations and service providers, including the Guyana Water Incorporated and Guyana Power and Light. The president said churches, mosques and temples should play a greater role in strengthening community values, supporting youth and fostering social cohesion. President Ali said engineers, planners, technicians and ministers have already assessed Port Mourant’s challenges and opportunities, but residents’ input is critical to refining the proposals, particularly given the community’s agricultural character. Port Mourant is one of 23 villages targetted in the pilot phase of the Model Village Initiative.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Specialised healthcare outreach reaches remote Region Nine community
RESIDENTS of the remote community of Masakanari/Gunns in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have benefitted from a specialised medical outreach that brought a wide range of essential healthcare
services directly to the community. The outreach was conducted by the Regional Health Services of Region Nine as part of ongoing efforts to expand access to quality healthcare, particularly for residents in
remote and hinterland communities. During the exercise, healthcare professionals provided outpatient consultations, dental services, ultrasound examinations, pharmacy services, Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
The team players of the Regional Health Service who participated in the specialised medical outreach to a far-flung village in Region Nine
care, environmental health services, vaccinations, physiotherapy and audiology assessments. Residents also benefitted from laboratory services, eye testing and spectacle services, while vouchers were distributed to eligible beneficiaries. The outreach forms part of the Government
of Guyana's wider efforts to ensure equitable access to healthcare services across the country, regardless of geographical location. It also advances President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali's mandate to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure Guyanese living in remote communities have access to criti-
cal services closer to home. The Regional Health Service expressed appreciation to the healthcare professionals who participated in the exercise, commending their dedication and professionalism in delivering services to residents of Masakanari/ Gunns.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
9mm pistol, ammunition found at Kwakwani airstrip
THE police have launched an investigation after a 9mm pistol and ammunition were discovered during an intelligence-led operation at the Kwakwani Park airstrip, Upper Berbice River. According to the police, the operation was conducted
at about 00:30hrs on Saturday, August 8, after ranks acting on information went to an unfinished and unoccupied concrete structure. A search of the building led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing a silver-coloured Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol fitted
with a magazine containing one live 9mm round. The firearm, magazine and ammunition were taken to the Kwakwani Police Station and lodged pending examination. No arrest was made as the investigation continues.
Pedestrian killed in Nigg accident
A 42-year-old man was killed on Saturday night after he was struck by a motor car on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. Dead is Ishwarnauth Bisram of Belvedere Squatting Area, Corentyne. The police said the accident occurred at about 21:55hrs and involved motor car PZZ 1906, driven by a 79-year-old doctor of Whim Village. Preliminary investigations revealed that the car was proceeding east along the northern driving lane when Bisram allegedly walked from south to north across the roadway and into the vehicle’s path. The driver reportedly applied brakes in an attempt to avoid the collision, but the
DEAD : Ishwarnauth Bisram
front of the car struck Bisram. Bisram was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at Ramoo’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police said a breathalyser test conducted on the driver returned
a reading of 11 micrograms, which is below the prescribed legal limit. Investigators have identified CCTV cameras in the area and are expected to review the footage. The driver remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, magazine and live round of ammunition recovered by police during an intelligence-led operation at Kwakwani Park Airstrip, Upper Berbice River.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Rosehall to get recreational, climate-smart upgrades under Model Village Initiative
President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali was accompanied by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha
THE tightly knit, sugar-belt community of Rosehall in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six, is earmarked for major infrastructural upgrades, with 354 acres to be modernised under the government’s Model Village Initiative spanning 23 communities nationwide. Residents were provided with a detailed proposal covering roads, drainage, utilities and public spaces across the township’s 120 streets and roughly 30,4000 metres of roadway. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali led the process. He was accompanied by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister
of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha. Under the proposed works, five new bridges and 17 additional culverts will be constructed to improve water flow and connectivity, addressing what planners identified as overgrown and poorly draining existing drains. Derelict vehicles, construction debris and parking issues will also be addressed in this undertaking, but the president said it can only be successful if residents become responsible citizens. “You can have enforcement, but you also [must] have dignity and responsibility as a people too,” the president underscored. In addition, roads will be widened and repaved, with reinforced concrete drains, edge-line markings, pedestrian crossings, street signage and hard
shoulders installed across several streets. The township’s two existing play parks and green spaces, including the Hoyte Memorial Play Park, will be redeveloped with improved landscaping, lighting and rehabilitated facilities. The plan also includes a utility-pole rehabilitation phase to address leaning, damaged and improperly aligned poles, alongside a directive requiring telecommunications providers to remove hanging wire bundles from poles across the community. A concessions programme is also being explored through the Guyana Development Bank to help bar and entertainment operators soundproof their premises, following reports that noise nuisance remains a leading complaint across communities
A detailed proposal on the infrastructural upgrades was provided to the residents of Rosehall on Saturday
A resident makes his contribution during the consultation process on Saturday
visited under the initiative. “We have to build neighbourhoods in which people are respectful to each other,” the president underscored.
Works will proceed in phases, starting with utility coordination, drainage preparation, drainage and access, pedestrian access, road im-
provements and greening, with a dedicated point of contact remaining available to residents for the duration of construction. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
New Amsterdam to get modern market, vendors’ hub
The proposed municipal market in New Amsterdam
President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali
NEW AMSTERDAM in Region Six is set to be modernised under the Model Village Initiative, with the government unveiling plans for a remodelled municipal market, a dedicated vendors’ hub, upgraded drains, and expanded fire-hydrant coverage. During a consultation with residents on Saturday at the Berbice High School, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the
initiative is designed to build a “system of living” that gives communities pride, dignity, and safety. He noted that the transformation must comprise infrastructure, environment, and people. “In the Caribbean, market represents vibrancy, but vibrancy does not mean a marketplace must be a disorganised, rowdy place where you’re sometimes afraid to take your family. The market can
be very vibrant, orderly, disciplined, pleasing, and somewhere that you enjoy.” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, presented the technical details, saying several teams conducted detailed mapping and condition surveys of the town, covering roads, drains, utility poles, and public buildings. The survey identi-
The proposed Esplanade Recreational Park
fied 235 locations where construction materials or waste is obstructing road shoulders, and 148 locations with accumulated garbage – all targetted for removal. He said at least 200 utility poles require replacement or reinforcement. The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will coordinate relocation of utilities ahead of civil works.
The ageing New Amsterdam Municipal Market will be replaced by a modern, zoned facility featuring separate sections for produce, meat, fish, dry goods, and garments, as well as a food court. A dedicated New Amsterdam vendors hub is also planned to relocate roadside vendors into a regularised, hygienic space with proper vehicle access. The plan includes concrete-drain upgrades, new designs for the community’s interlocking drains, and installation of fire hydrants throughout New Amsterdam. Dr Singh said security-camera coverage will expand significantly under the Safe City programme, following a directive from President Ali to accelerate
rollout in major urban centres. The Esplanade will undergo beautification, including a children’s play area, gazebos, and sporting facilities such as tennis and basketball courts. Roads will also receive standardised signage, sidewalks, street lighting, and landscaping. Minister Singh said works will proceed in phases, beginning with utility relocation, followed by drainage, pedestrian access and road improvements, and green-space development. Residents affected by reserve encroachments will receive advance notice to relocate structures such as fences before works begin (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Skeldon Market to be upgraded under Model Village Initiative – President Ali
President Irfaan Ali addressing residents in Skeldon, Region Six
THE Skeldon Market in Berbice, Region Six, is set to benefit from an upgrade as part of the government’s broader plan to modernise the community and improve the environment for residents, vendors and businesses, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said Saturday. The proposed improvements form part of a wider infrastructural plan for Skeldon, which includes upgrades to a 9,277-metre road network, to benefit approximately 720 households, 12 businesses and four places of worship. President Ali said the government wants to ensure that community markets are not merely places of commerce, but clean, attractive and functional spaces that can contribute to the local economy. He said the development of the market must be considered alongside opportunities for agro-processing, agriculture, honey production and other enterprises, creating an environment where residents can expand their
businesses and generate greater economic activities. “We want to develop communities that have a complete ecosystem,” President Ali said, noting that better markets, recreational facilities, green spaces and other public infrastructures are all part of creating communities where people can live, work and prosper. The wider Skeldon intervention will include more than 2,000 metres of concrete walkways, over 9,000 cross drains, and the rehabilitation or replacement of more than 30 culverts. Plans also include 192 new streetlamps, the replacement of 13 utility poles, tree planting and the creation of two green spaces. President Ali said the infrastructural works are intended to improve safety and accessibility, while also addressing issues that affect the appearance and liveability of the community, including garbage disposal, noise nuisance and the improper storage of materials along road
The Skeldon Market in Berbice, Region Six, is set to benefit from an upgrade as part of the government’s broader plan to modernise the community and improve the environment for residents, vendors and businesses, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said Saturday
shoulders and other public spaces. He said the transformation must ultimately allow residents to enjoy the same quality of life being developed in Georgetown and other urban centres, with safe roads, functioning drainage, recreational spaces, economic opportunities and a clean environ-
ment. “We have to have certain basic level of services that is available to every single citizen, starting with safety and security, opportunities for jobs, markets, entertainment, recreational facility, green spaces, beautification, environmental stewardship, drainage and irrigation,”
the president said. President Ali also announced that government ministers will return to the community in the coming weeks to engage residents on opportunities through the Guyana Development Bank, including the formation of business clusters for poultry, egg production and hatching.
Residents in Skeldon, Region Six
Skeldon is one of 23 villages targetted under the pilot phase of the Model Village Initiative. So far, discussions have been held with 19 villages. The remaining four are Supenaam, Charity, Suddie and Anna Regina in Region Two, which will commence on Monday. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
GO-Invest targets export opportunities, investment growth in Berbice — Ramsaroop urges Region Six businesses to pursue value-added production, tap new markets
BUSINESSES and entrepreneurs across Region Six are being positioned to tap into new investment and export opportunities as the Guyana Office for Investment
ing packaging and branding. These steps, he noted, will be critical to ensuring that more Guyanese businesses become export-ready and are able to
services and strategic partners, while its Investment Charter is intended to help create an enabling environment for business growth, innovation and sustainable employment.
Some of the participants at the event
(GO-Invest) intensifies efforts to strengthen production and expand the reach of Guyanese products into regional and international markets. Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer and Member of Parliament, Peter Ramsaroop, in collaboration with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA), recently engaged businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region on strategies to attract investment, expand exports and accelerate business growth. During the engagement, Ramsaroop said GO-Invest is committed to working directly with businesses across Guyana to unlock investment opportunities, strengthen productive sectors and prepare more local companies to compete internationally. He encouraged Region Six businesses to capitalise on the government’s investment-friendly policies by moving increasingly towards value-added production, improving quality standards and strengthen-
penetrate larger markets. The engagement forms part of efforts to advance President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Vision 2030 for a diversified and globally competitive economy driven by increased production, exports, innovation and private-sector growth. Ramsaroop pointed to Berbice as an important component of that transformation, noting the significant investments being made and planned across infrastructure, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, logistics and industrial development. These investments are expected to strengthen Region Six’s position as a major centre for agro-processing, manufacturing, investment and export-led economic activity. As Guyana’s national investment promotion agency, GO-Invest facilitates local and foreign investment, promotes exports and assists businesses seeking to establish, expand and scale their operations. The agency also connects entrepreneurs and investors with government
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain highlighted the government’s planned development bank as another important mechanism for expanding economic participation. He said greater access to financing would allow entrepreneurs, manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in their operations, increase production and take advantage of emerging opportunities in Guyana’s expanding economy. BCCDA President Samantha Reid also reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening collaboration among businesses in Berbice. She underscored the importance of continued partnership with GO-Invest to help businesses across the region become investment and export-ready. The engagement also highlighted several businesses that have expanded production, attracted investment, entered export markets and generated employment with support
from GO-Invest. The agency said these successes demonstrate the
growing competitiveness of Guyanese enterprises as efforts continue to
build a stronger, diversified and export-driven economy.
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Residents urged to protect roads, public infrastructure
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
— Minister Benn says communities must help safeguard government investments RESIDENTS of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, are being encouraged to take greater responsibility for protecting roads and other public infrastructure, as the government prepares to undertake further upgrades within the community. Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, made the appeal during a recent community engagement in Kaneville, where she outlined findings from an assessment of the area and proposed improvements under the government's Model Village Initiative. Benn said that while the government will continue investing in roads, drainage and other critical infrastructure, residents also have an important role in ensuring those investments are protected and properly maintained. “Government cannot do it alone,” Benn told residents. She pointed to instances where newly constructed roads have been affected by mud, sand, garbage and wood waste being placed along road shoulders.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn
The minister said communities should work collectively to ensure newly constructed infrastructure does not deteriorate prematurely because of improper use or inadequate maintenance. “Government ought not to have to come back to fix a road in less than a year,” she said. Benn also raised concerns about building materials being stored along road shoulders and other public spaces during construction activities. She explained that materials such as sand, stone and lumber can obstruct traffic and drainage systems and contribute to the deterioration of infrastructure intended to benefit the entire community. The issue takes on added importance as the government prepares to undertake further development works in Kaneville, including improvements to roads and drainage, sidewalks, bridges and other
public infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Benn encouraged residents to regard themselves as partners in the development of Kaneville and to work closely with their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to maintain improvements after works are completed. “I really want each and every one of you to see yourselves as part of this process as well,” Benn said. “Government is going to help you to beautify, to improve this community, this village of Kaneville. But after that, it is for you to maintain it in collaboration with your NDC.” The minister's appeal forms part of the broader emphasis of the Model Village Initiative on community ownership, with residents expected to play an active role in maintaining and protecting investments aimed at improving their quality of life.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
PSC moves to make entrepreneurs ‘bankable’ — supportive programmes being developed to help small businesses access development bank financing THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) is working to prepare entrepreneurs and small businesses to access financing through the Guyana Development Bank, with support programmes to help businesses become “bankable.” PSC Chairman Captain Gerald Gouevia Jr made the comments on Sunday during an appearance on the Starting
able,” Gouveia said, noting that the objective is to ensure businesses are properly prepared to approach the development bank, commercial banks and other financial institutions. According to the PSC Chairman, entrepreneurs will be able to work with private sector experts to develop business plans and strengthen their financial management before applying for financing.
Chairman of the PSC Gerald Gouveia Point podcast, during which he outlined the private sector’s efforts to prepare entrepreneurs to access financing. Gouevia said private-sector organisations, including the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the Women’s Chamber, Berbice Chamber, and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), are developing business support desks and entrepreneur support programmes. He explained that these initiatives assist in areas, including business planning, financial planning, supply-chain management, compliance and certification. “We had the mandate to get these entrepreneurs bank-
He said the development bank adds another avenue through which entrepreneurs can access financing, while the private sector continues preparing them to meet the requirements of financial institutions. The Guyana Development Bank will provide loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including financing of up to $3 million without interest or collateral. The bank will also work with other local banks to help small and medium enterprises secure financing of up to $ 10 million. Persons are also advised to form consortiums to secure larger loans and open larger businesses. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Utility companies given six weeks to clear hanging wire bundles from poles
THE Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation will soon move to issue a public notice directing all telecommunications and utility service providers to remove bundles of hanging wire from poles across the country within six weeks. The directive came during the Model Village Initiative consultation held at Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday, where President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali
highlighted leaning, clustered, and improperly aligned poles as a persistent hazard in communities slated for upgrades. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali advanced the Model Village Initiative consultations on Saturday in Rose Hall “It is very unsightly,” he stated to rounds of applause from residents attending the engagement. Utility crews were also cited for compounding the problem by reinforcing old poles against new ones without full
replacement and leaving excavation work incomplete after pipeline repairs. Pole rehabilitation is expected to form a dedicated phase of the broader infrastructural upgrade under the Model Village Initiative targetting 23 pilot communities, including Rose Hall. Part of the undertaking includes replacing, repositioning, and realigning poles to improve safety and the appearance of townships. (DPI)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
GCC head coach satisfied with first week of Summer Camp
By Sean Devers
FORMER National U-19 opener Peter Persaud (1985 and ‘86) is now the Head Coach of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), which was established in 1858 and was located at the Parade Ground opposite the Promenade Gardens. Persaud, who also played for the Demerara Senior team, expressed satisfaction with the first week of the two-week 2026 Summer Camp. When Chronicle Sport visited the world-famous Bourda ground, which hosted the first-ever West Indies Test win in 1930 when the hosts beat England in the third Test of their first home series, the summer camp, divided into four categories, was in full swing. Ninety participants between ages 7 and 17, including a couple of girls, attended the camp, which ran from 9.00hrs to 13.00 hrs pm each weekday while most of their parents were present. The camp concludes this Friday. Persaud informed that he was dealing with the ‘babies’ (7-10) while the other three coaches are former National off-spinner and present assistant Coach of Guyana’s senior team, Garvin Nedd, first-class
ENGLISH RACING TIPS KEMPTON 09:30 hrs Singing Blues 10:00 hrs Thespian Queen 10:30 hrs Lafy Miranda 16:00 hrs Shadowmere 16:30 hrs Mihaab 17:00 Barenboim WINDSOR 12:45 hrs Mythological Star 13:15 hrs Keep Kicking On 13:45 hrs Real Bullet 14:15 hrs Another Abbot 14:45 hrs Moonswept 15:15 hrs My Old Mate AYR 08:45 hrs Next Of Kin 09:15 hrs Spirit Of Nature 09:45 hrs Keep Me Stable 10:15 hrs Star Cast 10:45 hrs Velvet Skies 11:15 hrs Recobella 11:45 hrs Sweet Kiss 12:15 hrs Keep An Eye On It SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
Head Coach Peter Persaud
Coach Gavin Nedd shows a youngster the correct grip for leg-spin
player Akshaya Persaud, and former GDF batter Orin Bailey. GCC held its first cricket summer camp in 1991 under GCC’s coach Harald ‘Doc’ Dhanraj. Now, 35 years later, this generation has more distractions than those in the past. Some of the older boys were ‘pelting’ as they attempted to bowl. “Some of these 14 and 15-year-olds here today have never played cricket before or bowled a ball… the younger ones are full of raw talent and are easier to be developed into good cricketers when at this age. In the past, we played in the backyard with our parents, we played in the streets …but today, youngsters mostly play sports on their tablets.
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I will pick out the best players and invite them to the Saturday morning sessions. If we can get 25 of the 90 (participants) interested in wanting to play cricket seriously, then I
The batters line up for a knock on the pitch
would say this camp has been a success” said Persaud, a former National senior team selector. The first Saturday morning sessions started over 50 years ago by the late Desmond ‘Wat-
to) Watkins, whose name and photograph are above the door of the home team’s dressing room. That programme produced several national and international players, including former West Indies Captain Carl Hooper. Persaud added that while not everyone here would end up playing even first division cricket, the aim was to have them active and have fun during their school vacation. The 54-year-old Nedd, who has played 14 first-class matches for Guyana between 1994 and 2000, worked as the coach with the Guyana youth and senior teams and said he has seen some
talented youngsters he could work with, but stressed that the youths must have fun playing cricket. Meanwhile, there is massive ground development at Bourda one of only two grounds in the world that hosted Test cricket below sea level. The other one is the Providence Stadium, also in Guyana. The club has purchased a state-of-the-art Heavy roller. According to GCC’s President Graham Ali, who assumed the top position when Don Singh passed on June 27, the light polls are already in place, while the floodlights will be installed by December.
England recall Pope and Lawrence for Pakistan Tests
SURREY duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence have been recalled to the England squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan. The pair has been named in a 16-man squad before the series opener at Headingley on Wednesday 19 August but Jacob Bethell will miss the entire series through injury, with Jordan Cox to be promoted to number three. The three-match series marks England's first Test outing since the retirement of captain Ben Stokes and sacking of head coach Brendon McCullum. Joe Root will captain the side for the first time since being reappointed to the role in July, with Marcus Trescothick serving as interim head coach. McCullum's replacement, Stephen Fleming, will begin his tenure against South Africa in December. England's 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ol-
Ollie Pope averages 34.55 in 64 Tests for England lie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue. Lawrence, who earned the last of his 14 Test caps in September 2024, is rewarded for his domestic form. The 29-year-old is the second-highest run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, with 788 runs at 65.66, including five centuries, in 13 innings. He is slated to bat at six, filling a middle-order vacancy created by Stokes' retirement, but is far from a like-for-like replacement for the former captain. Only Gus Atkinson (79 wickets) has taken more Test
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday August 10, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)139 catches (118 Tests) (2) Wasim Bari (228 - 201/27), 81 Tests Today’s Quiz: (1) Which PAK player has scored most Test runs without hitting a century? (2) Which PAK bowler has claimed most Tests wickets without ever taking a five-for? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
wickets for England than Stokes (78) since the start of June 2022. Lawrence, who bowls right-arm off-spin, has taken nine wickets from 178.2 overs in the County Championship this season. There is no place in the squad for Sam Curran or Rehan Ahmed, who had both been tipped to replace Stokes. "We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team," said England's men's national selector, Marcus North. "Sam Curran is a player of real value and interest in terms of that role. He's had a heavy summer workload and he's been playing at the highest level with a number of niggles and we don't feel he's quite right at the moment for this Test squad. "Rehan has done nothing wrong - he's someone we highly regard. At this stage we felt that going in with what we see as our best six batters with Smudge [Jamie Smith] at seven is key. That's why Lawrence has got the nod at six." Former vice-captain Pope was replaced by Bethell at number three for the final two Ashes Tests in Australia following an extended period of poor form and was subsequently dropped from the squad against New Zealand. Like Lawrence, he has performed well in the County Championship, scoring 510 runs at 56.66, including five 50+ knocks, for Surrey, but will not automatically slot back into the side in Bethell's absence. Bethell suffered a knee injury during the ODI series against India in July and is set to be replaced by Cox, who made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval.
Essex's Sam Cook returns to the squad for the first time since last summer. The 29-year-old seamer made his international debut against Zimbabwe in May 2025 and was named in the squad for the five-match series against India but did not feature. Brydon Carse returns after a broken wrist ruled him out of the Indian Premier League and the start of the Test summer while England are sticking with spinner Shoaib Bashir, who featured in the first and third Tests against New Zealand after being overlooked during the Ashes. North also confirmed new head coach Fleming was involved in selecting the squad despite not taking over the role formally until after the Pakistan series. "Stephen Fleming was involved in a lot of discussions," said North. "I think that was really important. "Certainly from my perspective, as soon as he got appointed, I reached out and we had long conversations. It was important that our selection reflects the strategy and thinking long term moving into the winter when Stephen takes over the team." North was also asked about the prospect of former captain Stokes reversing his international retirement. "Ben made the decision to retire and it's great to see him playing well and enjoying his cricket at Durham," he said. "But until he reverses that decision and does become available for selection my job is to look at the players that are, and make sure that we become a strong, competitive England cricket team and work our way up those Test world rankings."
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
GFF President and Council Inspect FIFA Arena Mini-Pitch in Retrieve, Linden
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation ( G F F ) , Wa y n e F o r d e , and members of the GFF Council conducted a site inspection of the FIFA Arena Mini- Pitch currently under development at Retrieve, Linden, Region 10. The inspection focused on the completed sub-base construction undertaken by B&J Civil Work,and forms part of the GFF’s quality assurance process ahead of the formal sign-off of the works. The Retrieve facility is one of two FIFA Mini-Pitches donated to Guyana under the GlobalFIFA Arena initiative, which supports the objectives of FIFA’s Football for Schools (F4S) programme. The second pitch has been allocated to the East
Coast Demerara Football Association (ECDFA) and will be installed in Haslington. The facilities will provide schools, grassroots programmes and communities with greater access to quality football infrastructure, while supporting the GFF’s Youth Ensemble Programme, which was introduced earlier this year to expand structured youth development and increase playing opportunities. To date, more than 4,000 young boys across all nine Regional Associations have participated in the programme. Following the inspection, the GFF will proceed with the necessary project signoff, subject to the satisfactory verification of the completed works. The FIFA Mini-Pitch construction team is expect-
GFF team with B&J Civil & SPM during Linden visit ed to arrive in Guyana next week to install the specialised playing surface, turf and associated facilities. The Retrieve project forms part of a wider infrastructure-development programme being advanced by the GFF in collaboration
with FIFA. Over the next four years, the Federation plans to facilitate the installation of multiple FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches across each of the GFF’s Regional Associations, creating a national network of quality facilities
for schools, grassroots football and communities. GFF President Wayne Forde said the investment reflects the Federation’s strategy of connecting infrastructure development with structured football programmes. “We are deliberately pursuing an approach that connects infrastructure with programmes. Building quality facilities is important but ensuring that young people have structured opportunities to use them is equally important. “Through our partnership with FIFA and the Global FIFA Arena initiative, we are expanding access to quality football infrastructure while strengthening programmes such as Football for Schools and our Youth
Ensemble Programme. The participation of more than 4,000 young boys this year demonstrates the significant demand that exists for these opportunities. Our objective is to ensure that young people across Guyana have access to quality facilities, qualified coaching and regular opportunities to play. This is how we build a stronger foundation for the future of Guyanese football.” The GFF will continue to work with FIFA, the Regional Associations, schools, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that the Mini-Pitches are effectively utilized and integrated into the Federation’s broader football-development framework. (GFF Press Release)
How a schoolteacher’s son became Kashmir’s first India Test cricketer By Mohsin Kamal,Cricket writer "YOU play with so many cricket stars. Why don't you take selfies with them?" Bilal Ahmad Dar once asked his young cousin, Auqib Nabi. Auqib smiled and replied: "One day I will reach a place where they will want to take selfies with me." Years later, that prediction has come true. On Monday, the 29-yearold all-rounder became the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn an India Test call-up after replacing Jasprit Bumrah in the squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, which starts on 15 August. For a region where conflict, harsh winters and limited infrastructure have long restricted sporting opportunities, Auqib's selection is being seen as a landmark moment. Raised in a small village in Baramulla district, Auqib grew up playing on local grounds with little infrastructure and few opportunities. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, a schoolteacher, initially wanted him to concentrate on academics and become a doctor. "There was no scope in cricket. We used to think playing sport was a waste of time, so I insisted that Auqib focused on his studies," Ghulam says. But Auqib's persistence eventually changed his father's mind. "After seeing his passion
Auqib Nabi replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the squad for the series against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August for cricket, I accepted it. I realised that, as a parent and a teacher, I shouldn't force him to do something he didn't want to do. I started supporting him." Auqib's childhood friend, Junaid Dar, remembers growing up in an environment where professional cricket barely seemed possible. "Auqib was obsessed with cricket from childhood. I used to ask him, 'Why are you doing all this? There's no future in it.' We came from a place where there was no concept of playing sport professionally and hardly any infrastructure." To pursue his dream, Auqib regularly travelled around 70km (43 miles) to Srinagar to practise on proper cricket pitches. He did not even own a pair of spike shoes when he attended his first cricket trials. But his work ethic never changed, his cousin Bilal say
His breakthrough came in 2020 when he made his Ranji Trophy (India's top domestic tournament) debut for Jammu and Kashmir, taking a five-wicket haul against Jharkhand. Former India all-rounder Parvez Rasool, Jammu and Kashmir's first international cricketer and Auqib's longtime captain, says one quality always stood out. "I have followed Auqib's progress for a long time, and what stands out about him is his work ethic and discipline." Success, however, did not come overnight. Auqib claimed 44 wickets during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, finishing as the competition's leading fast bowler, but remained largely outside the national conversation. "When you do well but don't get recognition, it hurts,"
his father says. "But we should never lose hope. Hope is what keeps the world intact. I always believed his time would come." It did. The following season, Auqib produced one of the finest bowling campaigns in recent Ranji Trophy history, taking 60 wickets in 10 matches to finish as the tournament's leading wicket-taker and help Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy title after a wait of 67 years. Those performances earned him an 84m rupees (£730,000; $982,000) Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Delhi Capitals. Although opportunities in the IPL were limited, his red-ball exploits had already caught the attention of India's selectors. For Rasool, Auqib's Test call-up carries significance far beyond one player. "Playing Test cricket is the ultimate dream for any cricketer. It was my dream too. Seeing Auqib earn that call-up fills me with immense pride. "In a way, it feels like a dream many of us in Jammu and Kashmir carried has finally been realised through him. It is a historic moment not just for Auqib and his family, but for cricket across the region." He believes Auqib's journey is remarkable not just because he reached the Indian team, but because of where he came from. "Making it to the Indian team is incredibly difficult for any player, but the challenge is
even greater when you come from Jammu and Kashmir. For years, we have had limited infrastructure, fewer opportunities and many obstacles that players from other parts of the country don't necessarily face. "To reach this level, you need exceptional consistency, mental strength and the determination to keep believing in yourself. Auqib has shown all of those qualities, which is why this achievement is so special. "Playing Test cricket is the ultimate dream for any cricketer. It was my dream too. Seeing Auqib earn that call-up fills me with immense pride. "In a way, it feels like a dream many of us in Jammu and Kashmir carried has finally been realised through him. It is a historic moment not just for Auqib and his family, but for cricket across the region." He believes Auqib's journey is remarkable not just because he reached the Indian team, but because of where he came from. "Making it to the Indian team is incredibly difficult for any player, but the challenge is even greater when you come from Jammu and Kashmir. For years, we have had limited infrastructure, fewer opportunities and many obstacles that players from other parts of the country don't necessarily face. "To reach this level, you need exceptional consistency, mental strength and the determination to keep believing in yourself. Auqib has shown all of those qualities, which is why this achievement is so special.
Jammu and Kashmir became affiliated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1957, yet the region still has only two major cricket stadiums, both with limited facilities. Long winters, heavy snowfall and decades of conflict have further slowed cricket's development. "This is a landmark moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir," Rasool says. "For a long time, people questioned whether someone from our region could make it to India's Test team. Auqib has answered that question. His selection shows players from Jammu and Kashmir can compete with the best if they are given the opportunity." He believes Auqib's journey will inspire a new generation. "When I started playing, there weren't many role models from Jammu and Kashmir. Today, things are changing. "Auqib becoming the first player from the region to earn an India Test call-up will give countless youngsters the belief that they can dream big too. His journey proves that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, hard work and perseverance can take you to the highest level." Back in Baramulla, Ghulam Nabi now finds himself recognised everywhere he goes. "People come up to me, hug me and say, 'This is Auqib's father.' "It makes me immensely proud."(BBC Sport)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Fifa criticises campaign to oust President Infantino
FIFA has strongly criticised what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to "undermine" the organisation and its president Gianni Infantino. The statement follows a Daily Telegraph report, external which claimed Infantino's alleged lover was given a severance payment by Uefa after he had an affair while he was its general secretary. A Fifa spokesperson told the Telegraph Infantino "strongly denies" the allegations and that they are "categorically untrue". Fifa has now itself hit out at "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims", adding that "speculation and in-
Gianni Infantino apologised for the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, but now it seems to be business as usual for the Fifa president
sinuation should not be presented as fact". Infantino has come under increasing pressure from Uefa and European football associations over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) pro-
posal. FFE would have meant a new company being created to manage commercial and ticketing rights, with 21% sold off to a private investment company.
Sunrisers thump Fire to close in on qualification
SUNRISERS Leeds moved closer to securing qualification for The Hundred's knockout stages with a comprehensive 71-run win over Welsh Fire. Mitch Marsh, the tournament's leading run-scorer, struck his fourth half-century of the season for second-placed Sunrisers as they made 201-4 at Headingley. The Australian opener hit a 34-ball 50 and added 89 for the first wicket with Ryan Rickelton. ( Scores)Sunrisers Leeds 201-4 (100 balls): Marsh 50 (34); Woakes 2-41 Welsh Fire 130-6 (100 balls): Short 43 (29); Carse 3-24) Chris Woakes, who took 2-41, claimed the breakthrough when he had Rickelton caught for 40, while Harry Brook (23 from 11 balls) and Marsh fell within the space of five deliveries, caught off Jordan Clark and Lockie Ferguson respectively. Captain Zak Crawley struck four sixes in a 12-ball 34 as Sunrisers pressed on, while Dan Lawrence (29) and Matthew Revis (15) ended the innings with an unbroken partnership of 27.
Fifth-placed Fire were unable to keep up with the required run-rate in their reply as only Matt Short (43) and Joe Root (31), who put on 49 for the second wicket, made more than 13. Short was one of three victims for Brydon Carse,
target having chosen to chase at the toss. Sunrisers now only need to avoid defeat against Manchester Super Giants on Tuesday to progress, while victory would put them in contention for top spot should leaders Trent Rockets
Mitch Marsh’s lowest score in this season’s Hundred is 34 who also removed opener Phil Salt (13) and Marco Jansen (1). Root was caught behind off Nathan Ellis, who also bowled Rachin Ravindra for two, while Jordan Cox also fell cheaply, caught for 12 off Matthew Potts. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Woakes both finished unbeaten on 13 as Fire closed on 130-6, well short of their
lose against Southern Brave on Monday. Fire, who would have moved second with a win on Sunday, are the lowest placed of three teams on 16 points and will likely need success against London Spirit on Wednesday and then rely on net run-rate to secure the final knockout spot. (BBC Sport)
Uefa has said it has lost confidence in Infantino, while Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president Lise Klaveness on Friday called on the Swiss-Italian to resign. European football's governing body says its threat to boycott Fifa events remains on the table, adding that assurances the FFE plan could not be revived have not been received. "The Fifa president was democratically elected by Fifa's Member Associations and contin-
ues to serve with their mandate," Fifa said in its statement on Saturday. "It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president. "Those who do not have the support of Fifa's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through Fifa's established democratic processes." Opposition to Infantino is largely from within Europe.
The Mexican Football Federation broke ranks with its regional governing body Concacaf to come out in support of Infantino. It echoed a statement from Conmebol - South A merica' s governing body - in saying it would reject any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 Fifa member countries. Infantino is also unanimously backed by the 54 nations of the Confederation of African Football (Caf). (BBC Sport)
Mourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
AFTER years of speculation, Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, before changing his mind and re-joining Chelsea instead. "When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex," the 63-year-old coach - now back at Real for a second spell - said in a new Netflix documentary series about his career. "He was offered the job, yes," confirmed Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles over 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013. "I sat him down and explained the situation," he added: "As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed." What changed was that Mourinho felt he could not turn down a return to Chelsea, where he had won consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. "One night, he phoned me and he was crying and he says, 'Alex, I can't take it. I've given my word to Chelsea and I'm not going to break my word'," said the former United boss. "The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed." Mourinho said he was
Jose Mourinho has spoken about why he decided not to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United "very flattered" to be offered the job of replacing Ferguson "because Manchester United has an incredible appeal". "But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club," he explained. "I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved. "For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret (it) because it was a decision that I made with my heart." After returning to Stamford Bridge in 2013, Mourinho went on to win his third Premier League title as well as the League Cup. In May 2016, he got a second chance to take over
at United, succeeding Louis van Gaal. Over a two-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford, Mourinho won League Cup and Europa League titles before being sacked in December 2018 following a slump in results. He returned to another of his old clubs, Real Madrid, in May this year. Mourinho's last spell there ended in acrimony as he fell out with club captain Iker Casillas and other players. On the eve of his Real reunion, the combative manager and former Spain goalkeeper Casillas spoke candidly about the reasons behind those differences. Mourinho also spoke about difficulties he has faced with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who hired him twice and sacked him both times. (BBC Sport)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Beharry Group National U-19 Schools T20 cricket….
Four teams advance to knockout stage
By Sean Devers
THE Beharry Group National U-19 schools T20 cricket tournament, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, continued yesterday with the National play-offs at the Queen’s College ground. A ceremony preceded the first of four games played on a hot Sunday in the City. In the opening game, A b r a m ’s Z u i l S e c o n d a r y crushed Covent Garden Secondary by 10 wickets. Covent Garden, the first Guyanese School to attend the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools tournament in 2002, batted first in sweltering heat and were restricted to 64-8 from 20 overs, as five batters made ducks. A decent crowd watched as Extras made the biggest contribution to the East Bank Demerara Zone winner’s paltry total, with 18 of them being wides. Nazeem Leham (15) and Joshua Hoasyx (12) were the only batters who reached double figures as Covent Gardens collapsed to 20-5.
Leham and Aden Lamoo (7) staged a mini-recovery with a 24- run partnership. But with the score on 44, Lamoo retired hurt to trigger another collapse as the last five wickets tumbled for just 20 runs. Shivesh Bridgemohan (3-7) and Eshwar Tilak (2-3) bowled well for Abram’s Zuil Secondary who galloped to 65 without loss in 7.3 overs. The Fredericks’ cousins, Ravid and Naveed, saw the Essequibo Coast school to an emphatic win with 12.3 overs to spare. Ravid was in scintillating form, hitting six glorious fours and an effortless six in his unbeaten 41 from 24 balls. Naveed played the supporting role with an undefeated seven. In the day’s second match, host QC lost to Essequibo Secondary by eight wickets. QC, which once played in the second division tournament and produced several first-class players like Roger Harper, Garfield Charles, Colwin Cort and Neil Barry, were limited to 70-9 when their 20 overs expired. Only Nathandan Sukhnan-
Teams at the opening ceremony
dan, who reached the boundary once and cleared it twice in his 22, offered token resistance. Sixteen-year-old National U-19 player, Justin Dowlin (310), Aaron Sukham (2-10) and Ezekiel Morgow (2-6) were the main wicket-takers for the School that produced West Indies player Kemo Paul. When the Essequibo Secondary School, located on the Island of Wakenaam, began
T&T girls make it two in a row with gritty win over Guyana
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago continued their impressive start to the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship on Sunday, securing backto-back victories with a tense three-wicket triumph over Guyana at the Liberta Sports Club. After being asked to bowl first, the T&T attack seized control early, restricting Guyana to a modest 79-7 from their 20 overs. O ff - s p i n n e r S a m a r a Ramnath was the chief destroyer, claiming brilliant figures of 3-20, while the fielding unit kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Allia Henry top-scored for Guyana with a fighting 22, but the lack of support meant the total always looked under-par. In response, the Trinidadian chase was far from straightforward. Guyana’s Kaiana Leitch produced a decent spell to rattle the top order, finishing with 3-16,
There were also wins for Barbados and Jamaica Women leaving T&T wobbling at 46-5 in the 11th over. H o w e v e r, v a l u a b l e knocks from Jessica Davis, 19 and Brianna Harricharan, 17, steadied the ship, guiding the chase to its conclusion. T&T eventually scrambled past the finish line with 16.1 overs bowled, reaching 80-7 to secure the points. The victory places Trinidad & Tobago in a strong early position in the standings. The result was in sharp
contrast to the day’s other fixtures, which featured more dominant displays. At the Bethesda Sports Ground, Barbados Women produced a ruthless performance, skittling Windward Islands Women for just 67 in 14.3 overs. Zaniyah Bruce was unplayable, finishing with stunning figures of 3-2, as Zoe McCallister also chipped in with 2-15. Barbados chased down the target with ease, reaching 68-1 in 11.4 overs, with Jadaeya Holder remaining unbeaten on 26. At the other end of the ground in Liberta, Jamaica Women also made light work of their target against Leeward Islands Women. The Leewards posted 90-4, anchored by an unbeaten 31 from Aaliyah Weekes, but Jamaica breezed to 92-4 with two balls to spare. Teandra Morgan led the way with a composed 28, while Sashane Ricketts had earlier restricted the home side with 2-8.
their reply, they lost Jimaul Whyte (1), bowled by Afraz Ali at 19-1. The classy Dowlin stroked two fours and five sixes in a well- compiled unbeaten 41 from 21 balls and added 26 with Bhomesh Lall, who hit two fours and a six in 17. Sukhnandan bowled Lall at 44-3 before Man-of-the-Match Dowlin and Sukham (5) saw their team home. In game three, West Side High School beat City School, St. Stanislaus College by 54 runs. West Side High reached an imposing 162-6 from 20 overs with Shaquan Ceres (33), Romel Sukhnandan (20), Nathan Karamchand (20), Devendra Samaroo (32) and Ricardo Danesar (38) all contributing good scores. Sukhnandan and Danesar
Justin Dowlin collects his MOM Award
added 45 for the first wicket Aden Coonjah bowled Danesar to break the opening stand. Sukhnandan and Samaroo shared in a 51 runs partnership for the second wicket before Noel Nihal bowled Sukhnandan at 96-2 in the 11 th over before Coonjah bowled Samaroo at 99-3. Ceres and Karamchand added a further 46 for fifth wicket before Nihal trapped Ceres LBW at 152-5 Nihal took 3-19 and was supported by Coonjah 2-46 for Saints who were bowled for 108 in 19.4 overs despite a 66- run opening stand between Antonio Forde and Brendon Arjune. When Samaroo bowled Forde for 29 with three fours and a six at 66-1, no batter apart from Arjune who made 24 with a four and two sixes, reached double figures as Saints lost nine
Ravid Fredericks hit an unbeaten 41
wickets for 20 runs. S a m a r o o ( 3 - 11 ) w h i l e Karamchand and Danesar had two wickets each. In the final game of the day Berbice Educational Institute defeated Annandale Secondary by 35 runs. BEI reached 150-7 with Lemuel De Jonge making 50 and Luke Amsterdam (brother of Isiah Thorne) getting 38 in second wicket stand of 76. Kevin Singh and Sanjay Dindyal had two wickets each for Annandale Secondary who reached 115-7 with Joshua Bollers (42) and Ruel Dindyal (35) batting well. Jayhaden Rohlehr had 3-16, and Nicquan Fraser took 2-12 for BEI. The knockout stage continues tomorrow with matches at QC, Albion, Affiance, and Wakenaam.
Scotland scrape past UAE with one wicket & ball left
SCOTLAND beat United Arab Emirates by one wicket as Jasper Davidson struck the winning boundary with just one ball to spare in a dramatic finish to their Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 Tri-Series match in Dundee. It came two days after a nine-run win over Canada at the same Forthill venue sealed their place at next year's World Cup Qualifier. This time the hosts were set a target of 231, with wicketkeeper and opener Adeeb Usmani scoring an impressive 116, including three sixes and 11 fours, after the visitors were put into bat and made their total for the loss of eight wickets. With experienced batsmen George Munsey and Brandon McMullen - the pick of the bowlers earlier with 3-30 - fall-
Jasper Davidson struck the winning runs ing for ducks, the Scots looked in trouble at 2-2. But Finlay McCreath (28) and Richie Berrington (39) steadied the ship and while Michael Jones (44) and Matthew Cross (66) put on 72 for the fifth wicket, it could not prevent a grandstand finish.
It was down to Davidson to hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball after running two to level the scores off the previous delivery, with his match-winning shot leaving Scotland on 2359. (BBC Sport)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, August 10, 2026
Narine, Hinds bowl TKR to victory over Patriots in rain-affected CPL contest
ARNOS VALE, St Vincent, (CMC) – Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds befuddled the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots batsmen on their way to bowling the Trinbago Knight Riders to a 19-run victory via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method here on Saturday night. Player-of-the-Match Narine delivered a spectacular spell of spin bowling to end with 3-7 from his four overs, while Hinds grabbed 3-33 with his pace, to limit the Patriots to a below par 109 for nine in their 20 overs at the Arnos Vale Ground after they were sent in to bat. The Knight Riders were then coasting to victory at 94 for two after 15 overs when heavy showers forced the match to be called off with them well ahead on the DLS. But the win was set by TKR’s bowlers, who com-
pletely dominated the Patriots’ batters. Andre Fletcher got the Patriots off to an impressive start by blasting Akeal Hosein for a massive six in the opening over, but was then dismissed by an unplayable delivery from Narine in the next over that he could only edge to slip. Narine then struck two balls later, trapping Kyle Mayers lbw for a duck to leave the Patriots eight for two. It became 16 for three when Narine picked up the wicket of Athanaze, also for a duck, the left-hander edging a turning delivery straight into the hands of slip. Johnson Charles tried his best in his pedestrian knock of 21 off 25 balls before Jyd Goolie had him caught behind to make the score 40 for four.
the 11th over, as the Patriots crumbled to 47 for six. It took the efforts of Kevin Wickham, who top-
scored with 38 off 44 balls, along with Ashmead Nedd, who made 18 and Obed McCoy, who scored an un-
beaten 13, to get the Patriots into three figures. Pacer Dominic Drakes claimed the wickets of Wickham and Saurabh Netravalkar for a duck, on his way to finishing with 2-20 from his four overs. Despite losing the wickets of openers Alex Hales for nine and Colin Munro for 17 to slip to 34 for two in the sixth over, the Knight Riders never looked in danger. Joshua Da Silva and Matthew Breetzke repaired the damage during a partnership of 54 for the third wicket that all but secured victory for their team. Da Silva eventually retired hurt after scoring 18 off 22 balls, but Breetzke, who finished unbeaten on a run-a-ball 35, along with Goolie ensured there would be no further losses before the rains came.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., alongside Minister within the Ministry Steven Jacobs and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, recently met with the 20-year-old standout and his mother, Ushaka Noel, to map out the requirements for his continued athletic development The intervention follows Dominican Republic, where camps, structured elite development programmes, Noel’s historic performance he delivered Guyana’s most entry into key international at the 2026 Central Amer- successful swimming camcompetitions, and dedicated ican and Caribbean (CAC) paign in the history of the nutritional support. Games in Santo Domingo, Games by capturing three
Gold medals and establishing three new Games records. Noel opened his campaign in dominant fashion, winning the men’s 200-metre individual medley in 1:59.35. The performance established new national and CAC Games records, making him the first swimmer in CAC Games history to break the two-minute barrier in the event. He secured his second Gold in the men’s 200-metre butterfly, clocking 1:56.82 to surpass the previous Games record of 1:57.03. The effort was just outside his Guyanese national record of 1:56.62 set earlier in 2026. Following a fifth-place finish in the men’s 100-metre butterfly final (53.58 seconds) after winning his heat in 53.28 seconds, Noel
made the tactical decision to withdraw from the 100-metre backstroke to conserve energy following consecutive late nights associated with post-race anti-doping procedures. That decision paid off in the men’s 200-metre freestyle, where he surged to Gold in a national and CAC Games record time of 1:47.08, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:47.19 established by Mexico’s Jorge Iga in 2018. Having concluded the Santo Domingo Games with Gold medals in the 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly, and 200m freestyle, the Government of Guyana and the Ministry reaffirmed their full commitment to supporting Noel and his technical team on the journey to Los Angeles 2028.
Sunil Narine turned up as he often does in T20s - especially in the CPL and produced a bowling performance for the ages with incredible figures of 4-1-7-3 to demolish St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Kingstown (PHOTO: CPL T20) Hinds came to the party by dismissing captain Jason Holder and Navin Bidaisee in successive deliveries in
Government strengthens support for Raekwon Noel on road to LA 2028
THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has intensified its support for record-breaking swimmer Raekwon Noel as he begins his long-term preparation toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., alongside Minister within the Ministry Steven Jacobs and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, recently met with the 20-year-old standout and his mother, Ushaka Noel, to map out the requirements for his continued athletic development. During the engagement, financial assistance was presented to Noel to address his immediate training needs. Comprehensive discussions centered on establishing high-performance training
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| MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026