…asgrowingnumberofalliesrejectU.S.callsforhelp
U.S. Ambassador says:
Guyana
and cricket
Govt. denies Haslington man was beaten before dying in police custody …residentsrampupprotests
Nicaraguan pilots under probe for alleged $30M equipment theft
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In early January it was Venezuela. In the waning days of March, the plan is for Iran next. If U.S. PresidentDonaldTrumphashisway,Iran'soilcould follow the path of Venezuela's oil. He himself said so in wordsthatleavenoroomfordiscussionoruncertainty
In an interview with the Financial Times, the U.S. presidentsaidthat“hispreferencewouldbetotaketheoil.” Using his own words, it seems that democracy and the welfare of the Iranian people are no longer the first priorities Taking the oil is the vision, the first consideration.
WewonderwherethisleavesGuyana'sPresident,Irfaan Ali,forwhomdemocracyhasbecomehisrationaleforany kindofU.S.action,regardlessofthemeansusedtoachieve it. IfTrump'sstatedgoal,hispreference,wouldbetotake theoil,thendemocracywasadecoyintendedtomisleadthe naïveandunsuspecting,justasisnowthecaseinVenezuela. Who exercises control, has the first and last say, over how those300plusbillionbarrelsofoilaremanaged,exploited, andsold?
Suffice it to say, it is not Venezuela, where the U.S. removed Nicolas Maduro, a resister who had to go, and replacedhimwithwillingaidersandabettors,installedfor justthosepurposes.
Iran has 208B barrels of proven reserves, which accounts for 11.82% of the total global reserves, and produces1.5Mbarrelsofoildaily Itcouldbeanothersweet haul for the U.S., if it decides to wage all-out war against Iran to seize its coveted oil treasures. If Iran caves before the current high-level destructive capacity of the U.S. and Israel,theformercould,ineffect,takecontroloftheworld. Takecontroloftheoil,andtheworldisheldhostage,andat themercyoftheU.S.anditspartnerincrime,Israel. Like Venezuela, a puppet group would be quickly installed to respond to every beck and call of the U.S., and the rest of worldstuckinhelplessness. Therealityisalarmingdueto onefactthatdoesnotbrookanyargument.
When the Venezuelan oil haul made possible by the ousterofMaduroiscombinedwithwhatmaybeaforegone conclusioninIran,thefuturelooksgrim. Howquicklythe worldhasgonefromgodlesscommunismanditsvisionsfor worlddomination,tonakedandruthlesscapitalismandthe relentlessmovesoftheU.S.todotheexactsamething,viz., takecontroloftheworld.
WhenVenezuela's300billionbarrelsofoilareaddedto the208billionbarrelsinIranthetotalinU.S.handsisabout one in every three barrels of proven reserves. We are interestedinknowingifPresidentAliisstillcontinuingwith his marketing of democracy in Cuba,Venezuela, and Iran, asspearheadedbyU.S.PresidentTrump.
WenotethatbehindtheU.S.,thenextleadingglobaloil consumers are China and India, the world's two most populatedcountries. Takentotheextreme,notonlywould theU.S.controlaboutonethirdoftheworld'soilreserves,it could hold one third of the world's population in its grasp. Tocallaspadeaspade,onethirdoftheworld'spopulation could be held to ransom, if Iran should collapse under the weightofexpandingmilitarybombardmentsfromtheU.S. andIsrael. Smaller,weakercountrieswouldhavenochoice buttofoldunderthechargingU.S.juggernaut. Itcouldbe, do as the U.S. (Donald Trump says), or be prepared to be lashedintosubmission.
TheGovernmentofGuyana,withAliatthehelm,istoo slavishly attached, too far gone, to separate itself from Trump'sdestructivevisions. Hisflairforthemelodramatic, and now total disregard for national sovereignty and international law have sucked in both the government and nationalleadership. Itisnownotonlyanominoustime,but adangerousone. Tostandagainstandchallengeistorisk being crushed, like Venezuela and with Iran pending. Where there is great national wealth, sovereignty and law are no barriers. Iran could be the last obstacle in a bitter fightagainstU.S.ambitions,andit'sforoil.
DearEditor, I refer to GECOM's response published in your March 27, 2026 edition While the commission attemptstodismissconcerns raised by employees, it has once again failed to address the lived realities of its staff—realities which were also highlighted in letters publishedbyStabroekNews and your newspaper in the past where permanent staff described an unsafe, demoralising, and stressful working environment Regrettably, many of those conditions remain unchanged.
GECOM's response suggests that no concerns were raised internally This ignores a simple and uncomfortable reality: employees are often reluctant to raise concerns where the very source of those concerns is the leadership itself. In such an environmen
victimisation is real. And where employees believe there is no meaningful avenue for redress particularly where the chairman appears to consistently support the CEO—silencemustneverbe mistaken for satisfaction Currently there is no commission as such this means less voices to hear these concerns. There's no ACEO nor DCEO The powers are in all one man's hand.
The response also points to the CEO's visits to registration offices as evidenceofengagement.But this too must be placed in context. Those visits came only after he had already spent years in office, and only after letters were published publicly exposing staff concerns.That reactive posturedoesnotdisprovethe issues raised; rather, it lends furtherweighttothem.
If GECOM is so certain
that staff welfare is being prioritised, then let some simple questions be answeredpublicly:
How many staff have resigned since the current CEOassumedoffice?
When last was staff welfare truly made a priority?
Compulsory weekend training without clear compensation is not staff welfare A poor working environment is not staff welfare The absence of toiletries in offices is not staff welfare. The failure to meaningfully recognise long-serving employees is notstaffwelfare.Themeagre assistance given in cases where staff have died while serving the institution is not staffwelfare.
Workers observe other organisations valuing employees who have given years of se
ce At GECOM, many staff feel they are treated like
produce,comply,andremain silen
seldom appreciated Not even a genuineexpressionofthanks is routinely extended to m
he institutiondaily
We looked at other organisations honour their employees on Men's Day, Women's Day etc Here nothing! Even national holidays have been reduced to merely dressing the building and wearing clothes There's no substance.
The issue of uniforms andallowancesalsoexposes the hollowness of the claim thatstaffwelfareisapriority Under this current CEO, staff reportedly went the entire last year without uniforms. This year, what existed has been reduced even further, with only limitedprovision.Thatisnot emp
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DearEditor, Village Voice News stands firmly by its March 28, 2026 report titled “Ali Tells GAWU Sugar Is Vital But Data Show Industry in Deep Trouble.”
The subsequent response from Seepaul Narine, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and Member of Parliament for the People's Progressive Party (PPP), warrants correction.
While this publication wouldhavepreferredgreater restraint before Mr Narine affixed his name to a letter'VillageVoiceshouldendits charade, stop distorting the facts says GAWU' (KN 31/3/2026)- replete with inaccuracies,dutycompelsa r e s p o n s e l e s t misrepresentation be allowedtostandasfact. Nothing in the original article regarding the state of thesugarindustryisfalse.
Mr Narine's attempt to redirect attention singularly to the period of governance under A Partnership for National Unity andAlliance forChange(APNU+AFC)is not only misplaced but flawed. Evidence, including findings from a 2021 commissioned International
Labour Organisation (ILO) study, shows that the most significant job losses in the sugar industry occurred under the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), notably during the B h a r r a t J a g d e o administration.
The ILO report provides critical context. When sugar was nationalised in 1976 by the People's National C o n g r e s s ( P N C ) administration, employment stood at 28,406. Under the PNC governments led by Presidents Forbes Burnham (1964–1985) and Desmond Hoyte (1985–1992), employmentdeclinedbyjust 325workers.
However, by May 2015, when the PPP/C left office, the Guyana Sugar Corporation's (GuySuCo) workforce had fallen to 16,927. This represents a loss of 11,154 jobs under PPP governance By comparison,5,160jobswere lost under the APNU+AFC administration.
It is also a matter of record as reported by Village Voice News and carried by the other media houses during the periodthat the coalition government introduced measures to cushion the
severance payments, with at least50percentpaidupfront atonestage.
Forclarity: Village Voice News never denied that estates were closed; this was explicitlystated.
The publication did not claim that 7,000 sugar workers lost their jobs. That figureisinaccurate.TheILO study cites job losses of 5,160underAPNU+AFC.
Issues such as wage freezes,benefits,andalleged discrimination during previous administrations were not addressed because they were not part of the scope of the story, which focused on President Ali's address and GAWU President'sremarks.
Mr Narine may instead wish to address current concernswithintheindustry, includingreportsfromsugar workers regarding compensation packages, wage withdrawals, nonpaymentofwages,promised benefits and allegations of discrimination.
His attempt to malign Mr Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), and by extension
this publication, is a d i v e r s i o n i n t o personalisation—one that is both porous and without merit.Thefactspresentedin the named article remain verifiable and withstand scrutiny Mr Narine is invited to examine the evidence,includingpublicly available budget documents to which he has access as a sitting member of parliament.
ThelinktotheILOStudy is included here for easy r e f e r e n c ehttps://wwwilo org/caribbe a n / i n f o r m a t i o nresources/publications/WC MS 800352/lang–en/index htm
President Irfaan Ali himself acknowledged the industry'schallenges,stating at the referenced ceremony: “Let us combine our efforts, our experience, and our shared commitment to restore the sugar industry to its state of viability ” Restoration, by definition, presupposesdecline.
Similarly, Mr Narine's objection to the use of the word “occasioned” is misplaced. The term simply denotes causation The closureoffourestatesduring theAPNU+AFC
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DearEditor, Guyana's rice farmers areonceagainstagingpublic protest actions, battling despairastheyfaceadismal and unjust price regime imposedbyricemillers,who now pay between $2,500 and $2,700 per bag—these numbersarequestionableas protestingfarmersinRegion 2 are claiming they are now beingpaid$2000.Theseare not isolated figures—they symbolise the grinding reality of thousands of rural families whose livelihoods are being undercut by opaque market control and governmentalneglect. Last crop, government intervention added a small but symbolic $300 to the
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administration was occasioned by economic strain on rural communities
d e p e n d e n t o n t h e industry—an accurate and contextually appropriate usage.
The broader reality remainsunchanged.Overthe pastfiveyears,GuySuCohas received between G$36 billion and G$41 billion in government subventions Annual allocations have ranged from G$6 billion to G$9billion,includingG$8.4 billion in 2026, the bulk of which is directed toward wages and salaries. Despite these injections of taxpayer funds, the industry remains unprofitable and dependent oncontinuedsubsidies.
The evidence points to long-standing structural declineinthesugarindustry, with the most significant contraction of its workforce
occurring under PPP governance. It may be an inconvenienttruth,butitisa truth,nonetheless.
Village Voice News remains committed to credible, fact-checked
journalism aimed at informing and empowering the public. That mission requires fidelity to truth, irrespective of discomfort or politicalsensitivity
In closing, we return Mr Narine's own admonition: “We urge that the charade ends.Theremustbehonesty, notdeception.Theremustbe no misleading or obscuring. Thefactsarethefacts,andno attempt to rewrite the narrativewillsucceed.”
Yourstruly, VillageVoiceNews
paddyprice,recognisingthe hardship farmers faced Today,eventhattokenrelief is absent. The silence from policymakers, the Rice Producers Association (RPA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), and civil society organisationsisdeafening.It reflects a broader moral and institutional failure: the abdication of responsibility toward one of the pillars of Guyana'sfoodeconomy
AttorneyJailallKissoon, who addressed these very issuesinthemedia,deserves commendation for reigniting public debate on this burning issue But beyond lamentation, the nation must now confront the systemic dysfunction that has allowed this imbalancetopersist.Millers' unilateral control over pric
w e witnessingmarketdynamics or deliberate constriction?
Thepatternisunmistakable: by forcing farmers to sell at unsustainableprices,millers shrink production, paving the way for future price escalation and profit maximisationatthefarmers' expense. Government inaction in this environment cannot be viewed as neutral Each cycle of crisis invites subsidisedinterventionsthat toooftenleakfinancinginto the grasp of corrupt intermediaries and regulatory actors. Instead of
correcting inequities, the state's passivity compounds them—creating a revolving door of distress, relief, and betrayal.
It is here that President Ali's constant invocation of “economies of scale” becomes both ironic and instructive. The president routinely extols the virtues of efficiency, productivity, and scale in agriculture and business.Yetnowhereisthat principle more visibly violated than in the government'sownportfolio. Consider the glaring contrast: the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continues to produce less than 80,000 tons of sugar but receives billions in subsidies, bailouts, and logistical support.Meanwhile,therice industry producing over 800,000 tons annually and driven by private enterprise r a t h e r t h
a t e control must scrape for survival, denied even minimal price stabilisation support.
If “economies of scale” trulyguidednationalpolicy, the rice sector should stand as the prime candidate for strategic investment It already possesses the infrastructure,exportmarket integration,andskilledlabor to multiply returns. Yet in practice, state favoritism toward GuySuCo betrays a political calculus that privileges legacy, dependence, and patronage
over sound economics and productive independence This is not simply poor policy—it is an inversion of nationalpriorities.
The time has come for the government to craft a coherent agricultural policy that addresses the rice
sector's structural vulnerability That means greater transparency in pricing, independent oversight of millers' export m a r g i n s , a n d t h e establishment of a price stabilisation fund linked to production costs and international benchmarks Suchaframeworkwouldnot onlyprotectfarmersbutalso reinforce Guyana's credibility as a food-secure nation.Rice farmers are not asking for charity; they are demanding fairness. Their labor sustains communities, fills markets, and contributes to regional food security Toallowthemtobe sacrificed on the altar of political neglect and institutional favoritism is to betraytheveryprinciplesof growth and equity that the government professes to uphold.
Sincerely,
HemduttKumar
DearEditor, A troubling incident has been brought to the public's attention via social media. A young teenaged lad is murderedintheweehoursof themorning.AsIgazedathis faceinthenewspapers,Isaid tomyself: "he'sjustababy". ...then a series of questions ran through my mind...What was he doing on the road at that hour of the morning? Does he attend any school? Shouldn'thebepreparingfor CXC exams? Where are his parentsorguardians?
Recent episodes in the press of young people being (sexually) abused and mutilated, tell me that we parents are failing this generation.Mostofusadults know what it is to go to "Sunday/Sabbathschool"at weekends, where the fear of Godwasinstilledinus.Some of us were fortunate to have ReligiousEducationtaughtin schoolinourtime.Butstrong moralvalueswereinstilledin usATHOME.Ourboyswere taughttorespectfemales,and we females never allowed boysto"touch,touch"us!We learnt and insisted on boundaries!Perhapsweneed a national thrust to educate parentsontheirrole.
We fail our children, or rather, demonstrate that we have failed them, when we give them condoms so that they can experiment at will! This is not the way to go! They must be taught selfrespectandself-control!
I'vesaiditbeforeandIsay itagain.ThefearofGodmust be a national characteristic if wearetosurviveasanation. Forwhatshallitprofitaman if he should gain the whole worldandlosehisownsoul.
I remember our president some time ago reminding us of the fact that we are all moving toward the grave, so it does pay to have a 'good report'.
We are conscious that social media, though profitableforinformationand researchcanaffectouryouths negatively as they waste valuable time scrolling and exploring sites that are detrimental to their wellbeing, thus necessitating greater awareness and vigilance on the part of parentsandguardians.
Let us rise to the challenge, and purpose to make stringent efforts to rescue this generation. Can we,doit?Yes,wecan.
ClaudiaHeywood
Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Jaipaul Sharma is calling on the government of Guyana (GoG)toimmediatelyinject the$9billionsetasideinthis year's Budget to cushion the costoflivingforGuyanese.
During a recent press conference, the former minister described what he believes to be a “cost of living crisis” in Guyana that is affecting all citizens, especially those within the 58% bracket, living below thepovertyline.
He said that food prices “far outstretch” the government's inflation projection.
“If you are a minister of government or a contractor, it would not affect you but weareexperiencingacostof living crisis and the cost of livingcrisisispushingwhatI w o u l d t e r m
cheapflation where the price of the cheap items are now expensive. They are raising the cheap items far faster than the imported items or the expensive items, ” Sharma told reporters.
As such, he highlighted thatthesituationhasresulted inadeclineinthepurchasing power of citizens “where food prices are rising faster thanthewagesandsalaries” beingpaid.
In 2022 and 2023 $5B was set aside in the Budget, followedby$7Bin2024and $9Bin2025and2026.
Sharmasaidhewasoffof the political stage between those years but could not identify how exactly over $20B in cost of living relief wasspent.
To this end, he challenged the government, “Disaggregateitforus.How did you spend it? The government in the budget clearly said we gonna spend it on measures that will benefitthosethatareinneed. I don't know where this moneywent.”
Guyanese households are now forced to not only cut back on quality of food, but quantity, he noted Sharmawaskeentonotethat this situation is not only affecting those in coastal regions but also citizens in the Hinterland, a reality he believes the government is not blind to. The former Minister pointed out that s i n c e 2 0 2 2 t h e administration began allopcating revenue in the National Budget to cushion the cost of living impact on Guyanese.
With $9B set aside this year, he urged full transparencyintheuseofthe sum.
Further, Sharma noted thatthesummustbereleased tohelpfamiliesimmediately Additionally, he urged the various workers unions in Guyana to ensure the government is engaged to at least allow the public sector employees a minimum 25% increase in wages and salaries.
“We are asking the various public service unions, Guyana Teachers Union, to ensure that they have dialogue with the government to ensure that the public servants and the teachers get at least a 25% increase immediately,” he said.
Shifting his attention to the cash grant, Sharma argued that Guyanese are still awaiting their $100,000 whilepunishingandstarving insomeinstances.
In fact, Sharma blamed the GoG's spending pattern for largely contributing to the inflation rate. He said, “What is compounding this inflation, the government is not taking responsibility, it's because of their spending pattern. They have a very large budget and in the capital expenditure alone they have $179.6B to be expended on capital. Now when you start spending all of this money in the economy and there's competition for the limited resources and I'm speaking directlytothefoodresources with the number of visitors arriving in the country and thegovernmentliketopraise how many visitors coming in, the hotels they setting up but they are not offsetting that with ensuring the country have enough food, basicfood.”
Frompage4 management wishes to speak of order, professionalism, and standards, then it must also ensure that employees are properly equipped and supported. Welfare cannot be spoken of in lofty languagewhileevenbasicuniform provisions and related allowances are neglected or reduced. The cost forsewinguniformshastobeborne by staff despite an imposition of design etc. Another unnecessary costforworkers.
Thereisalsoatroublingculture of micromanagement and needless bureaucracy Even time-off can becomeanexhaustingprocess.Yet whilemanagementiseagertoboast about returning funds to the Consolidated Fund, it appears far less interested in pursuing longdiscussed matters such as pension, gratuity,andbroaderstaffbenefits. Thattoosaysmuchaboutpriorities. On the issue of legality,
GECOM's response relies heavily onselectivereferencestothePublic Service Rules. The commission points to those rules to justify reducingsickleavefrom28daysto 14 days. But it refuses to confront the central point: it is not sound employment practice to unilaterally alter established terms andconditionsofemploymentafter contractshavealreadybeensigned and relied upon by employees. If staffwereemployedonthebasisof an established practice of 28 days' sick leave, then abruptly reducing that benefit is not a minor administrativetidying-upexercise. Thisisbreachofcontracttoamend terms and conditions of contract during performance without consultation-thechairmanoughtto haveguidedhimonthisverybasic legal practice. It is a material change affecting the employee. If the organisation wants to now followthispublicservicerule,then
Frompage3
The FPSO is being specially designed to accommodate future gas export capabilities. The EIA explains, “The FPSO will be designedtoseparatetherecovered reservoir fluids into water and gas phases. The condensate will be treated to remove impurities (e.g., sulphate and other salts) and then senttostoragetanksinthehull.” Exxon plans to drill approximately 24 to 60
development wells, with development well drilling scheduled to begin in 2027 and possibly extending as late as 2031 and beyond. The company said
installation of subsea components isslatedtocommencein2028with installation of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), commissioning and startup planned to occur from 2028 to 2031.
Longtail is expected to continue for at least 30 years according to the project schedule. Unlike previous developments focused primarily on oil, Longtail willfocusongasproduction.Itwill produce hydrocarbons from the non-associated gas fields and potential proximal resources accordingtotheEIA.
itoughttofollowothers.
Butthebiggerissueisthis:
IfGECOMwantstorelyonthe Public Service Rules, then it must applythemfully—notselectively
Letuslookatthosesamerules:
H23 – Private Business Leave: Staffdonotbenefitfromthisinany meaningfulway
H32 – Compassionate Leave:
Insteadofbeingtreatedasadistinct entitlement, it is often restricted or absorbed into limited allowances thatis7peryear
H22 – Examination Leave: Exists in the rules, but not consistently supported in practice, lumped in the same category of 7 daysspecialleaveperyear
H25 & H27 – Conference and Cultural Leave: Virtually nonexistentinGECOM'soperations.
Therulestreattheseasseparate entitlements.GECOMdoesnot.
So how can the commission speakaboutcompliance?
Thenwecometotraining.
Public Service Rule E03 says trainingisduty
Thesameselectiveapproachis seen in the matter of compulsory weekend training. Public Service Rule E03 treats training as duty If training is duty, then it should be treated as such—within normal workinghours,orwithappropriate compensation where it occurs outsideofthem.Staffshouldnotbe compelled to spend an entire weekend day in training, outside theusualworkweek,withnoproper clarityastowhethertheyarebeing paid, granted time-off in lieu, or given any flexibility That is not fairness.Thatisimposition.
The rule book can't just something “duty” and then treat it
like voluntary unpaid time by agencywhowantstofollowit.
Thispatternexistselsewhere: Vacancy procedures exist—yet questions remain about how positions are filled. Check the registration officers if any of these rules were followed for filling vacancies.This itself would reveal if the media pursue an interesting story Pension provisions exist—yet many staff have no pension or only those on contract getsgratuity IfGECOMtrulycares or "prioritises" employees, why hasn't this long-standing concern not addressed?Working hours are defined—but staff are required to go beyond them when there are special operations yet heavily penalise for lateness Rules regarding promotion and seniority are cited in the rule book, but staff continue to observe decisions that create perceptions of favoritism. Rules on vacancies exist, yet questions remain as to whether those procedures were followed consistently in registration offices. Pension and gratuity remain unresolved for many employees. Leave provisions such as private business leave, compassionate leave, examination leave, conference leave, and cultural leave are not always treated as distinct entitlements in practice. Working hours are fixed in the rules, but GECOM regularly requires work beyond traditional publicservicepatternswhenitsuits operational needs. The point is simple:eithertherulebookistobe followed in a coherent and fair manner, or it must not be cherrypickedforconvenience. This is why the issue is not
merely one of legality in the abstract. It is one of selective compliance, unequal treatment, and managerial convenience dressedupasadministrativeorder IfGECOMwishestoinvokethe Public Service Rules, then it must be prepared to apply them consistently and not only where they are restrictive. The same rule book speaks to promotion criteria, seniority, filling of vacancies, pension-related issues, leave categories, working hours, uniforms, and other staff benefits. Yet staff know well that these provisionsarenotalwaysfollowed withthesameenthusiasm.
To describe such concerns as “mischief” is unfortunate Employees who speak about fear, frustration, declining morale, lack of benefits, lack of recognition, weekendimpositions,poorwelfare conditions, neglected uniform provisions, and inconsistent application of rules are not undermining GECOM. They are calling attention to what is wrong within it GECOM is a constitutional institution charged with protecting democracy It cannot credibly do so while fostering an environment in which its own staff feel unheard, unsupported, and selectively managed.The question therefore remains: will GECOM apply its rules fairly, fully, and consistently, including where employees benefit,orwillitcontinuetoinvoke legality only when it is convenient tomanagement?Untilthatquestion is answered in practice, these concernswillnotdisappear Yoursfaithfully, ConcernedEmployees
Fifteenyearsago,apastor was so appalled at the attire he witnessed at funerals in Barbadosthatheindicatedto those planning to attend future funerals that it was okay for them to wear whatevertheyhadandnotbe restricted in wearing black andwhiteclothing.
Thesamethingmayhave to happen in Guyana Traditionally, the colours for mourningareblackandwhite or dark maroon Most Guyanese at funerals try to sticktothesecolours.
However, it is not the colour coding that is presenting the problem but the nature of some of the outfits worn by mourners. Therearemenwhoaregoing to funerals dressed in banditos. And whether it is raining or shining, a great many of the mourners at funerals don dark shades thesedays.
Theheadwearandshades are not making a cultural statement. It is all about
fashion. With this display of fashion, sobriety is being thrownoutofthewindow
You sometimes wonder whether some of the female mourners are dressed for a funeral or whether they are dressed for a party If you attend a funeral these days, you will find that many femalemournersarewearing evening clothes and some of these outfits are far from modest.
Infact,manyofthemare downright outrageous with deep plunging necklines and shorthemlines.Thereisalot of cleavage and much leg on display breaking with tradition, which dictated simplicity and modesty in dressatfunerals.
Things are changing rapidlyatfuneralsthesedays andmanyoldtimersfeelthat thereisaneedforustoreturn to basics when it comes to funerals.
Unfortunately, we may have long passed that stage. Wemayinfactbeenteringa
phaseinwhichweareunable to distinguish between a wake house and a party, whether someone is dressed forrequiemserviceoranight out at the discotheque Inhibitions are being let go whenitcomestofunerals.
There used to be a time, for example, when if a criminaldied,personswould be embarrassed to be seen at his funeral. The onlookers used to outnumber the mournersbecauseevenclose friendsusedtobeashamedto be seen at the funeral of a criminal.
Not anymore. In fact, manypersonsnowtakegreat pride in being seen at the funerals of those associated withcriminalwrongdoing.
Andtheyarekeennotjust to be seen at these funerals but they dress in a way to make themselves very noticeable. Some of them relish in the occasion, often making an exhibition of themselvesbytheirdressand behaviour
ThreeNicaraguanpilotsareunderpolice investigation for the alleged theft of more than$30millioninaircraftequipmentfrom AirServicesLimited.
The men, who were employed by the company under work permits, abruptly resigned on Monday—raising immediate suspicion. A swift internal audit by ASL uncovered a significant breach: millions in specialised aviation equipment missing fromitsinventory
Areportwaspromptlyfiled,triggeringa police probe that quickly zeroed in on the threepilotsasprimesuspects.
ASL Chairman Captain, Ahamad Mazahar Ally
Law enforcement officials moved in on Tuesday, arresting the trio They are currently in custody and being intensively questioned as investigators work to recover themissingequipment.
Dem boys get invite to a high school reunion.Demboyssoolddatdemboyscan't even remember who is teacher from who is student, and who is friend from who is stranger
And worse of all, who gan come in wheelchair, crutches, with walking cane or who can't come at all.When old school friends ketch up after a lang time, de conversation does tun to bragging and boasting.Demdoeswantshow-offhowwell dem do, how much dem achieve and how muchwealthdemget.
Dat is why dem boys nah like guh dem highschoolreunion.Goingtodemreunionis like going to de income tax department. Is sheer assessment tekkin' place. And dem boys comfortable with de lil two cents wah demgatandnatinterestedinnuffwealth.But
What we are seeing is a changeinourvalue-systems. Thefuneralsofcriminalsare now occasions for grand processions and partying Loud music and elaborate dress are on display and alcohol is consumed freely both during and after the funeral.
Intheolddays,youcould not see a beer bottle at the burial ground Today, persons stand outside the church consuming alcohol. Beers are distributed at the funeral parlour And when the funeral procession is moving,drinkingtakesplace andloudmusiccanbeheard.
There also used to be a time when a funeral procession was underway that persons would either tip or take their hats or caps off out of respect for the dead.
These days, persons are attending funerals with all manner of things on their heads and there is no tipping of hats when a funeral processionpasses. Infact,noonenowgives way to a funeral procession.
Intheolddayswhenafuneral procession was passing, drivers not in the procession stopped to give the procession the right of way These days, no respect is s h o w n t o f u n e r a l processions.
B u t t h e m o s t disconcerting aspect which no doubt triggered the response of that pastor from Barbados concerns the outfits that are worn at funerals Some mourners needaneducationabouthow todressatfunerals.Giventhe priceofsomeoftheoutfitson
display at funerals including high-heeled shoes, it cannot be a case of those persons who are inappropriately dressed not having any other clothing to wear The cost of the accessories alone can refinanceanentirewardrobe. What we are seeing is a case of a break with tradition and it is always sad because traditions are so important. Onedaysomeoneisgoingto turnupatafuneralinabikini.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
stilldehgatsomepersonsdoeswanttoshowoff and exhibit demselves when dem meet demoldschoolbuddies.
Itmekdemboysrememberdetimewhen fourschoolfriendsmeetoneanotheratahigh school reunion. By de time dem greet one anotherdebraggingandshowing-offstart.
De first friend say, “Yuh see dat bank buildingacrossdestreet?Iganbuyitwithin denextsixmonths.”
Desecondfrienddensay,“Seedathotel buildingnexttodebank?Iganbuyitwithin de next month.”Not wanting to lose out, de thirdfriendsay,“SeedatshoppingMallnext todehotel?Igonnabuydatnextweek!”
All three look over to de fourth friend who, with a smile,tek a lang sip of he drink beforesaying,“I'mnotselling!” Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
The Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) says accesstotheMarudimining district is not restricted, but persons must comply with e s t a b l i s h e d e n t r y requirements.
The association said Monday that, “…access to the Marudi Mines is not restricted. However, there are mandatory requirements thatmustbemet.”
RMA explained that entry into the mining area is
regulated through a checkpoint jointly manned by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF)
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e association,SouthRupununi residents must first secure permission from their VillageCouncils.
“Residents of South Rupununi seeking access to the mines may obtain permission from their respective Village Councils, which must then be presented to the GGMC and GPF staff at the Bushmount checkpoint.”
For other individuals or groups, the association said authorisationmustbesought fromtheMinistryofNatural Resources.
ItsaidMarudiremainsan active mining zone with inherent risks, warning that safety protocols must be observed at all times
Ministerof NaturalResources, Vickram Bharrat
“Marudi is an active mining site where health and occupational safety are paramount. The mine site hosts heavy-duty machinery, scheduled truck routes, transportation of materials, and conditions that may include excessive dust exposure,”RMAsaid. It was also outlined that thedistricthasmaintainedan accident-free record since October2024,andeffortsare ongoing to preserve that standard.
This statement comes days after APNU Members of Parliament complained about being denied entry to the Marudi area during a recent visit to the mining district.
The APNU delegation including Dr Terrence
Solomon, Saiku Andrews
reported that entry into the Marudi Settlement was preventedbyGGMC. They contend that the move hinderedtheirabilitytocarry out their parliamentary d
constituents.
TheMPssaidthebarrier to the settlement was initially open but was later closed and padlocked by authorities, effectively blocking the team from accessingthecommunity APNU had criticised the GGMC's decision to deny entry to elected officials, notingthatitraisesconcerns about transparency and accountability in the mining district.
APNU's visit to the
lead
Marudi area came on the heelsofconcernsraisedover the presence of a convicted Brazilian miner in the Marudi mining district
During a meeting convened on March 14 by the South Rupununi District Council ( S R D C ) a n d k e y stakeholders, the issue of Brazilian miners in the Rupununi, particularly Rodrigo Martins de Mello, also known as Rodrigo Cataratas was spotlighted andassurancewasgiventhat the miner is no longer operatinginthearea.
The concerns were heightened by social media images showing Cataratas, in the company of senior governmentofficialshere.
Followingtheirvisit,the MPs raised alarm over what they describe as the daily
Local Government Minister,
outflow of millions of U.S. dollars in gold from the Marudi mining district, Region Nine, citing reports fromresidents.
Whileatthelocation,Dr Campbell said residents provided troubling accounts of large-scale gold extraction allegedly taking placeinthearea. It was alleged that personswhoownthemining rights in the area have engaged the Brazilians to mineforgold.
“What I want to come back to share is that in speaking with one of the r e s i d e n t s i n t h i s neighbourhood here, who briefed us on the fact that U.S. $5 million dollars in gold per day, is leaving smuggledouttothiscountry Buthedidn'twantustotake
his picture, because he said the Brazilians, they don't makejoke…”hesaid.
Campbell further claimed that fear among residents is preventing them from speaking openly about thesituationandallegedthat foreignminersareoperating withlittlerestraint.
“Thisiswhatisgoingon.
Guyanese are being threatened Guyanese are living in fear of their lives because of what is taking placebehindhere…Iholdno brief for the Mohameds (Azruddin and Nazar), but we hustling to extradite the Mohameds, and we bring in the criminals here, to hurt this country of millions of U.S. dollars a day, U.S. $5 millionadayingold,andwe have our people scared,” he lamented.
as
drives
…Haiti's government says it is implementing new austerity measures as the war in Iran disrupts critical oil supplies and drives up prices worldwide
Haiti -- Haiti's government announced new austerity measuresonTuesdayasthe war in Iran disrupts critical oil supplies and drives up pricesworldwide.
Officials in the troubled Caribbeancountryimposed abanonthepurchaseofany new vehicles, will reduce fuelexpendituresforpublic institutions and said that foreign travel will be limitedtoessentialmissions authorised by the prime minister
In addition, security escorts will be limited to one vehicle in a country where gangs control an estimated 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and swathsofruralareas.
A statement signed by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said that the measures will allow the government “to anticipate seriousrepercussionsonthe a l r e a d y f r a g i l e macroeconomic balance and public finances in p a r t i c u l a r ” “ T h e government has no choice but to further reduce state spending,” the statement said.Poverty across Haiti has deepened as gangs continue to seize control of moreterritorysincetheJuly 2021 assassination of PresidentJovenelMoïse. Countries around the world have taken other measures as the war rages on, including shifting to a four-dayworkweek.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday turned the sod for the construction of a new $40 million office for the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)ontheEastBankofDemerara. Theprojectmarksasignificantstep in strengthening local governance infrastructure and improving service delivery to residents within the Eccles/Ramsburg community, the ministrysaidinapressrelease.Thenew facility is expected to be completed
Sod tuned for $40 million Eccles/Ramsburg NDC office
withinfourmonths.
The construction of the modern NDCofficefollowsthedemolitionofa previously dilapidated structure, which had long posed challenges to the effectivefunctioningofthecouncil.The new building is designed to provide a safe, efficient, and accessible environment for both staff and residents.
Minister Manickchand emphasised
commitment to enhancing local government systems and ensuring that
communities are equipped with the necessary resources to function effectively TheEccles/RamsburgNDC serves a growing population along the EastBankcorridor,andthenewofficeis expected to significantly enhance administrative operations and communityengagement.
The Ministry of Local Government andRegionalDevelopmentcontinuesto rolloutinitiativesaimedatmodernizing infrastructure and strengthening governance at the community level acrossGuyana.
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An 87-year-old woman is counting her blessings after herhomewasbrokenintoand ransacked while she was away, an ordeal that could havetakenafarmoredangerous turn.
Bibi Kulsum, a pensioner of Lot 44, Blairmont Settlement,WestBankBerbice,returned to her two-storey homeonSaturdaymorningto find it in complete disarray Furniture was overturned, rooms were rummaged through, and the house bore clearsignsofforcedintrusion.
“When meh come home, meh see the place tumble up. The side door open and somebody go upstairs and tumble up the whole house,” theelderlywomanrecalled.
Kulsum, who lives alone during the day but spends nights at her son's nearby home, had left her residence on Friday evening as part of her usual routine.
It was only upon her returnaround07:00hrsthatshe discovered the break-in.
Despitetheintrusion,she is most grateful that she was
not at home at the time.
While she is still assessing what may have been taken, Kulsum noted that no moneyorjewelleryappeared to be missing.
The matter was reported at the No. 2 Police Outpost, and she was later directed to the Rosignol Police Station. Up to press time, no arrests had been made.
The incident has shaken theelderlyresident,whosaid she has lived in the community all her life without ever experiencingsuchaviolation.
“The place was a very good place. This area here was very good,” she lamented.
Kulsum's ordeal comes amid growing concern in theBlairmontcommunity, as another pensioner, a 66-year-oldwomanwho also lives alone, was attacked and sexually assaulted during a separate home invasion on the same evening.
Haunted by that incident, Kulsum said she is thankful to have escaped unharmed.
From page 8 attemptedmurder.Hewasconvicted of murder but acquitted of the attempted murder chargein2019. However, his mother maintains that the court got it wrong.
“Yes,heiswrongfullyimprisoned, because the person who did the act, they are free…itishisgrandfather-inlaw who did it,” she alleged.
Relaying her son’s account of the incident, Nadira Saraswaticlaimedthathehad gonetothehomeforadiscussion when he was ambushed, and that the fatal blow was struck during a confrontation involvinganotherrelative.
“When he got there, he was talking… and the grandfather-in-lawcomeupandfire the chop, and she come in between…onechopthewoman get…mysondidn’tdoit,”she
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insisted.
Now,nearlynineyearsafterhisconviction,thefamily’s frustration has deepened as his appeal remains unresolved.
Themothersaysrepeated effortstogetupdatesfromthe appealcourthaveyieldedlittle progress.
“I always keep banging on the appeal court, and they just telling me… the judge make an error and they have to correct it.
Right now, they are not correctingit,andmysonisin prison,” she said.
Adding to her distress is
From page 16 projects,art,andculturalperformances.
Beyond youth engagement, Iwokrama conducted outreach in 10 schools across Guyana, reaching more than 300 students through environmental awareness sessions. Topics included conservation, protected areas, and the impact of littering, the report stated.
Training programmes were also expanded, with over 55 university students and more than 125 community students participating in study tours, internships, and field-basedlearning.Institutions involved included the
her son’s declining health behind bars.
She disclosed that he suffersfrommultiplemedicalissues, including a herniated disc, foot complications, and persistent inflammation, requiring ongoing treatment.
“He does complain… he got a spine problem… I does visit him and I get very scared,” she said. His legal team, attorneys Tania Warren and Arun Gossai, has filed an appeal challenging both the conviction and sentence, but the matter has yet to be heard.
InGuyana,whilethedeath
penaltyremainsonthebooks, it is not currently carried out, meaning those sentenced oftenremainincarceratedforextended periods as their appeals progress.
For Nadira Saraswati, however, time is a luxury she says her son cannot afford.
Withhishealthdeteriorating and his case stalled in the courts, she is now calling for the appeal to be expedited, hopingitwillfinallybringclarity,andwhatshebelieveswill be justice.
“My son is suffering… and I just want him to come home,” she said.
University of Guyana and international partners such as DrexelUniversity Additionally, technical training was delivered in areas such as biodiversity assessment, litter prevention, fire safety, and eco-tourism operations. Several participantsfromhinterlandcommunities were trained in tour guiding,hospitality,andleadership.
The report also highlightedcollaborationwiththe North Rupununi District DevelopmentBoard,whichcontinuestoplayakeyroleincomanaging resources and supporting community-led conservation.
Meanwhile, new educational tools were introduced, including a conservationthemedboardgame,“Wildlife Wonders,” designed to teach studentsaboutbiodiversityin aninteractiveway.Iwokrama said these efforts are part of a broader push to integrate education,communitydevelopment, and conservation, ensuring that local populations remain central to the protection of Guyana’s vast rainforestresources.TheCentre plans to further expand these programmes in 2026, alongside the launch of new digital tools and publications aimed at deepening environmentalawarenessnationwide.
From page 16 up to 75% of monthly production as costs, with the remaining25%splitequallybetween the company and the
government, alongside a 2% royaltypaidtoGuyana.From its share of profit oil, Guyana is then required to pay the Exxonconsortiumtaxes.
Ambassador Theriot also remindedthatwhileExxonis stillrecoveringitsexploration and development costs, Guyana is expected to see a majorincreaseinrevenuesin the near future. “But, you know,Iwillalsosaythatwe’re stillinthephasewhereExxon is recouping the cost of what it spent to discover oil here and next year that will be completed and the governmentwillseealargeinflux.I won’tgiveyouanexactnumber because I could be wrong, but a massive influx in revenues and that will clearly benefit the people of Guyana,” she noted.
Minister of Home Affairs
O n e i d g e Walrond, has rejected allegations from the family of 30-year-old Otis Payne, whoclaimshewasbeatenby members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) prior to hisdeath.
The minister stated that available video footage
RegionalHospitalmortuary
concern and public scrutiny, particularly following the release of an autopsy report whichconcludedthathedied from peritonitis—a serious infection of the abdominal cavitycausedbyaperforated stomachulcer
In the aftermath of the
since been raised about the lengthoftimehewasheldin custody before being broughtbeforethecourt.
Police stated that Payne had complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital for treatment. After being returned to the station, he reportedly complained again, collapsed, and was
Walrond, said authorities have reviewed footage that does not support claims of policebrutality
“We have seen footage that does not bear credence to the claim that he was beaten by the police,” he stated.
She also reaffirmed the
Oneidge Walrond
contradicts those claims Payne, a resident of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, died while in policecustodyonMarch24, 2025, at the Cove and John Police Station.According to reports, his family was only informed of his situation on the day he was expected to appearincourtonadomestic violence charge. However, upon arriving at the station, relatives were told that his body had already been transferred to the Enmore
incident, two police officers whowereondutyatthetime of Payne's detention have been placed under close arrest Investigations are ongoing and are being conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
Reports indicate that Payne was arrested the Friday prior to his death in connection with a domestic violence complaint and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday Questions have
As part of the Government of G u y a n a ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, 16 gold miners were hauled before the courts in March on various charges under the MiningAct.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, nine of the miners were charged with the offence of operating without a permit or licence; two were charged with operating an unregistered dredge; five were charged with having a licensed dredge on a property withoutpermission. They all pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay variousfines.
rushed back to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Despite the official findings, Payne's mother, Amanda Kato, has strongly disputed the conclusion that her son died of natural causes.
Kato, who witnessed the post-mortem examination along with other relatives, described the condition of her son's body as deeply troubling.
“I saw his body—it is verydisturbing.Itlookslike they beat up my son. I can't accept that I am not satisfied, ” she said, suggesting that physical v
contributedtohisdeath.
government's stance on the treatment of individuals in custody, stressing a strict zero-tolerancepolicytoward abuse.
“Thereisnotolerancefor that kind of behaviour or mistreatment of anyone in police custody I have dealt with similar reports before, and they have been dealt with very seriously,” she added The minister also referenced a separate incident that surfaced on Tuesday involving a video circulating online, which allegedly shows police officers beating and using a taser on a civilian The individual was reportedly taken to hospital after complainingofpain.
Walrond confirmed that the matter is under investigation and that a reporthasbeenrequested.
“These things are taken extremely seriously by my office,”shesaid.
Meanwhile, public outrage over Payne's death has led to peaceful protests along the Haslington Public Road on the East Coast Demerara.Family members, including Payne's mother, siblings, relatives, and close friends, gathered with placards demanding justice.
Messages displayed included “Justice for Jah Jah,” “Enough is enough, justice for Otis,” “Police brutality must stop,” and “Whencopskillus,whereis thejustice?”
Kato, visibly emotional, joined the demonstration holdingasignreading,“Not another black life We humans are not robots,” as protesters chanted, “We want justice—no justice, no peace.”
“This is pain. He did not deserve that. I have to get justiceformyson,”shesaid. “They violated his constitutional rights he was in there beyond 72 hours.”
Thecaseiscontinuingto attract attention across the country as investigations go on,withmorepeoplecalling for accountability and transparency in deaths that occurinpolicecustody.
“As robust surveillance continues across all mining districts,theministrywishes to remind stakeholders that those found in breach of Guyana's mining laws and regulations will be dealt withwithoutfearorfavour,” theministrysaid. It further reminded that illegal mining not only drives environmental
threatening public health
undermines sustainable miningpractices.
MNR further appealed toalloperatorstoworkwith the relevant regulatory agencies by ensuring full compliance with the rule of law
The gold miners were brought before the Bartica and Mahdia Magistrate's Courts,correspondingtothe locations where the ministry'sCorpsofWardens uncoveredtheiroperations.
A fire Tuesday evening, destroyed an apartment building located at CummingsandFifthStreetAlberttown.
KaieteurNewsunderstandsthatthe building housed 57 rooms which were occupied mostly by Spanish-speaking residents.Whenthispublicationarrived onthescene,firefighterswereworking
assiduouslytocontaintheblazebefore itcouldspreadtonearbybuildings.
The burnt apartment building was situated two doors away from the headquarters of DHL and a popular shipping company As the fire fighters worked to contain the blaze, DHL employees were seen removing what theydescribedasimportantdocuments and consignment from their office. Residents and other curious onlookers stood helplessly as the fire raged through the building which was gutted inlessthananhour
Firefighterswereabletocontainthe blaze,savingthenearbybuildings.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has reaffirmed the Government of Guyana zero-tolerance stance on illegalmining,followingthe recentarrestanddeportation of several Brazilian nationals who were charged withillegalentryandillegal mining.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry welcomedswiftactiontaken bytheGuyanaPoliceForce, in collaboration with other
regulatoryagencies,toarrest the five Brazilian nationals: Antonio Isal Das Soura, 49; Michael De Souza Martin, 26; Clinton Martins Fernandes, 19; Matheus Sere Martins, 20, all from Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil andTaianeMacedoPeixoto, 33,alsoofBoaVista.
MNR highlighted that
the action forms part of its ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal mining and to ensure that all operators comply with the country's laws and regulations.
“Efforts to stamp out illegal mining remain critical to protecting Guyana's environment, upholding the rule of law
and safeguarding the nation'snaturalresourcesfor future generations The ministry is also reminding all stakeholders that its enforcement campaign continues across all districts andthosefoundinbreachof the law will face the full extent of the legal system,” theministrysaid.
Kaieteur News had reported that the five Brazilian nationals were fined and ordered to depart Guyana following convictions over illegal entryandmining.
The four men appeared at the Mahdia Magistrate's Court on Friday, March 27, 2026, before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse via Zoom. They were charged withillegalentryandillegal mining and all pleaded guilty Each man was fined $30,000 GYD for illegal entry and an additional $30,000 GYD for illegal mining, or six weeks' imprisonment in default They were also ordered to leave Guyana within 24 hours.
Separately,Peixoto,who was charged only with illegal mining, pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000, or six weeks' imprisonmentindefault.
Withthenewtint regulations taking effect today, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has announced that strict enforcement will begin,withofficersexpected to take firm action against motoristswhofailtocomply
Under the updated rules, rear windscreens and side door glass must not exceed 20% Visible Light Transmission (VLT), while front windscreens and front side windows must allow at least 25% VLT, inclusive of theapprovedsix-inchvisor.
Police say that the new measures are aimed at improving visibility for law enforcement officers and enhancing road safety “Motorists found operating vehicles that are noncompliant with the legislation will be placed before the courts,” police said.
Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, stated that officers will be conducting on-thespot checks using properly calibratedtintmeters.
“We will be using functioning tint meters during enforcement exercises to ensure compliance,”hesaid.
The Police Force also assured that the rollout will be carried out professionally andiscallingonthepublicto cooperate fully Officials have maintained that stricter tintcontrolisnecessarytoaid crime detection and improve overallpublicsafety
Under the new system, vehicles that meet the legal tint limits will no longer require prior approval, while those outside the limits will facepenalties.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrondhasclarifiedthatthe previous tint waiver system has been removed and replaced with a uniform standardforalldrivers.
Speaking with reporters onTuesday,theministersaid thenewrulesareintendedto eliminate discretion and create a fair, transparent system.
“For themajority ofthe persons, they recognise that thisnewregimeisthattintis permissible for everyone, and most persons recognise when they get their vehicles checked that the 20 to 25 percent is more than enough tint that they need,” she said.The minister noted that many drivers were already operating within or even above the new limits, suggesting general acceptanceofthechanges.
She stressed that one of the biggest shifts is that exemptions are no longer needed “In the previous regime, it was not allowed. And so you have to get this tint waiver or exemption. AndsoIthink,youknow,we don't want to get that confused that the exemption is no longer required,” she explained.
The new regulations take effect immediately, with the GPF responsible for enforcement as authorities push for safer roads and greatertransparency
‘Release the $9B...
Frompage6
consumers. “For instance theyreducetheexcisetaxon fuel to zero and this was something that they did and its commendable for many years, they reduced it to cushion the fluctuation of fuelpricesandnottopasson the heavy cost of electricity bills and fuel to the general public,” Sharma said
However, the former government official noted that while government wouldgiveitselfapatonthe shoulder for this measure putting $100B in “the pocketsofeveryGuyanese” this narrative is simply untrue. He argued that every Guyanese do not purchase fuel, just one of the
measuresthatdonotamount tosavingsforallcitizens. Assuchhesuggestedan increased cash grant of $200,000bepaidinthebank accounts of each Guyanese tocushionthecostofliving.
d was the cushioning of electricity bills by another $200,000 foreverycustomer
(Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino threw his support behind Iran's World Cup preparations on Tuesday, attending their 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in Turkey even as their tournament participation is in limbo due to Middle East tensions Infantino's surprise appearance came as Iran continues pushing to relocate theteam'sWorldCupmatchesfromtheU.S. to Mexico, citing the American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked the current regional warIran's federationsaidearlierthismonththeywerein discussions with FIFA about the venue switch, while Iran's Sports Ministry has banned national and club sports teams from travellingtocountriesitconsidershostileuntil furthernoticeFIFA,however,hasmaintained itislookingforwardtoallparticipatingteams "competing as per the match schedule" announced in December"I am very pleased thattheIrannationalteamiscurrentlyholding itstrainingcamp Wehaveonlyoneplanfor this team. Iran has qualified for the World Cup and will play in the tournament," Infantino was quoted as saying by Iranian
mediaatthematchinAntalya.”Personally,I will do whatever I can to make sure everything is in order."Iran, who dominated theAsian qualifying rounds totheir place at the tournamentinMarchlastyear,arescheduledtoplay allthreeGroupGmatchesonAmericansoil--two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle -- against Belgium,EgyptandNewZealand.
Speaking directly to the Iranian team, Infantino pledged his support but steered clear of the wider issues surrounding the dispute, saying they were "not pursuing politics".U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that while Iran's national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their "life and safety""FromnowuntiltheWorldCup,Iwill dowhateverIcantosupporttheIrannational team,"Infantinosaid"Ifyouwanttoorganisea trainingcamporifthereisanymatterrelatedto activitiesoutsidethecountry,whateveritis,I willhelp"Wheneveryouwant,pleasestayin contact. I am at your service and will help withanythingyouneed."
The Promotech National Top Flight Golf League is heading for a thrilling and dramatic conclusion, as Patrick Prashad delivered a dominantperformanceinthe penultimate round while Patanjilee Persaud surged to the top of the overall standings, setting up an exciting final showdown on April 12, 2026 at Lusignan GolfClub.
With the league title still wide open and seven players mathematically in contention, the stage is now set for a grand finale that promises high drama, pressure golf, and a fitting conclusiontowhathasbeena highly competitive inaugural season.
The penultimate round belonged to Patrick Prashad, who produced a masterclass performance to sweep the field. Prashad captured the Front Nine, Back Nine, and Overall titles for the day, earning the maximum 12 points available and making one of the biggest moves on the leaderboard in the league sofar Hisdominantshowing propelled him to 15 points overall, putting him right backintocontentionheading intothefinalround.
While Prashad stole the show on the day, Patanjilee Persaudquietlydidwhatwas necessary to move into the overalllead.Persaudfinished third in the round to secure three important points,
bringing his overall total to 18 points and placing him at the top of the standings headingintothefinal.
Hot on his heels, however,arefourplayerstied just one point behind on 17 points,BrianHackett,Joseph Szeplaki, Fazil Haniff, and Videsh Persaud, creating an incredibly tight leaderboard and ensuring that the championship will likely be decided on the final day of competition.
WednesdayApril 01, 2026
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19
You might talk as if you possess many lifetimes of wisdom, Aries. Perhaps you do, but that doesn't mean you shouldbearrogantaboutit.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Once you've made up your mind,Taurus,it'sdoubtfulthat anyone can change it. You're set in your ways and your plansaresetinstone.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youmightbehardandcoldwhenit comestothefacts,Gemini,andyou could come across as tough and ratherharsh Inreality,thisoften justmasksyoursensitiveinterior Perhaps you're insecure about your feelings and how you expressyourself
CANCER(June21–July22)
You'relikelytobefeelingabit lonely, perhaps even isolated, Cancer Maybe you think no one else has your same wild thoughtsrunningthroughtheir heads.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Ifyouhavetheopportunityto teach someone a lesson, Leo, feel free to do so. There's probably someone in your world who could use a bit of instructionnow
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Youcouldhesitatetotakethe initiative, Virgo Instead, you'd rather wait and see how things pan out before you make a major move. Your movements are hindered in some way, although you may notbesurewhy It'sbesttogo with your intuition and not questiontoomuch.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
You could feel increasingly uncomfortable as the day goes on, Libra Perhaps you're tongue-tied in conversations-quiterarefor you.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
You could lapse into pessimism, Scorpio Suddenly the glass appears half empty and everything looks bleak. You feel like you're going around in circles You might ask yourself what you're doing it allforanyway
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
You might be much more aware of yourself than usual and hyper-alert to every move you make today, especially around others, Sagittarius.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Your attitude is calm and matter-of-fact when talking toothers,Capricorn.Youtell itlikeitiswhileomittingthe frillsandfantasies.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You're likely to have tremendous concentration that seemstohavematerializedout of nowhere Use this to your advantage, Aquarius, because itmaynotlastlong.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Be careful about shutting yourselfofffromtherestofthe world, Pisces. You might hesitate to talk to people.You could have the feeling that they'reunworthyofyourtime.
BalaVinjimooralsohada strong outing, finishing second in the round to earn five points, while Mike Mangal added two points to move to 12 overall. Chet Bowling sits on 11 points, Keshan Bacchus on 10 points, while Ian Gouveia andOrsonFergusonareboth onsixpoints.
Players also had to contend with challenging courseconditionsfollowinga week of rain, which left the course softer than usual and placed a premium on a c c u r a c y, c o u r s e management, and mental focus.
With the leaderboard so tightandsomanyplayersstill incontention,thefinalround on April 12 is shaping up to be a dramatic battle for the inaugural Promotech National Top Flight Golf Leaguetitle.Witheverything onthelineandpressureatits highest,theleaguenowheads toward what promises to be anexcitingandunforgettable finish.
Frompage32 therole,havingtravelledwith thejuniorteamastheirmentor on numerous occasions, Drayton will aim to provide training and guidance to the two young athletes as they representGuyanainPanama.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) extends its sincere gratitude to the Guyana OlympicAssociation (GOA) for its vital support in including chess within the nationaldelegation.
TheGCFlooksforwardto a successful campaign in Panamaandwishestheentire Guyanesecontingentthevery bestofluckacrossallsporting disciplines. We are proud to see our players compete alongside Guyana's finest athletes. Pitamber
CPL - The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is proud to officially confirm that the newest franchise will be known as the Jamaica Kingsmen, marking an exciting new chapter for cricketintheregion.
The Jamaica Kingsmen will represent Jamaica in the CPL, bringing a fresh
identity,renewedenergy,and a strong commitment to excellence both on and off thefield.
The addition of the Kingsmen reinforces the CPL's ongoing mission to grow the game across the Caribbean while celebrating the unique culture and passionofeachterritory
The franchise is owned by a USA-based ownership group led by Fawad Sarwar, whichalsoownsthePakistan Super League (PSL) team of the same name. This crossleague ownership marks a significant step in strengthening global cricket connections and expanding the Kingsmen brand across majorT20competitions.
Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank CPL, welcomedthenewfranchise: “We are thrilled to introduce theJamaicaKingsmentothe CPL family Jamaica has alwaysbeenapowerhousein Caribbean cricket, and this new team represents a bold step forward in building on thatlegacy
The involvement of an experienced international ownership group further highlightsthegrowingglobal appealoftheCPL.”
Fawad Sarwar, owner of
the Jamaica Kingsmen, added: “It is an honour to bringtheKingsmenbrandto theCaribbean.
Jamaica has a rich cricketing heritage and passionate fans, and we are committedtobuildingateam that reflects that pride and competesatthehighestlevel. We look forward to contributingtothecontinued growth of the CPL and to creating something truly special for the people of Jamaica in true Tallawah spirit.”
The name “Kingsmen” reflects strength, pride, and leadership - qualities synonymous with Jamaica's richcricketinghistoryandits influenceontheregionaland internationalgame.
The franchise will be based in Kingston and will call Sabina Park its home ground, offering fans an electrifying matchday experience in one of the Caribbean's most iconic cricketvenues.
The Republic Bank CPL continues to expand its footprintasoneoftheworld's premierT20leagues,andthe addition of the Jamaica Kingsmensignalsanexciting future for cricket in Jamaica andacrosstheCaribbean.
Frompage35
high-stakesmatchesinasinglenight.
Withpride,glory,andultimatebraggingrightsontheline, the Hamilton Green Cup is more than just another football tournament—itisacelebrationofcommunityfootball.From theopeningquarterfinaltothegrandfinale,thetournamentis setforathrillingsprinttothefinish.
Only one team will rise above the rest, but before that moment arrives, the stage is set for unforgettable action, heartbreak, and triumph under the lights.Who will win? No oneknows.Towitnesstheaction,thePlaisanceGroundisthe placetobetomorrowevening.
ESPNcricinfo - Gujarat Titans (GT) stopped Punjab Kings(PBKS)intheirtracks butcouldnotstopthemfrom going over the finish line in New Chandigarh Cooper Connolly steered the hosts home in a chase that began authoritatively before taking nervyturns.
Prabhsimran Singh led the initial charge alongside Connolly before Prasidh Krishna initiated a collapse that derailed the chase. But withhelpfromMarcoJansen and Xav
Ba
t, Connolly took PBKS home withfiveballstospare.
GT had a sub-par outing with the bat, with three of their top four getting off to good starts but none of them capitalising Yuzvendra Chahal was back to his best, takingoutShubmanGilland Jos Buttler, who top-scored with39and38respectively PBKS'bowlersconceded 14 extras, 11 of which were wides, four of them coming inthefinaloverbyArshdeep Singh Perhaps the more relevant stat separating the teams was that GT hit three sixes in their innings and PBKS as many as 14. GT eventually made 162 for 6
fromtheirovers. Connollygoesdeep
Duringtheirreply,at121 for6,withPBKSneeding42 off 30, the game was flipping. But Connolly was ice-cool against Rabada. He punished two short balls to bookend the 16th over, the firstcutoverbackwardpoint for four to bring up his fifty and the last one pulled over squarelegforsix.
Thepressurewaseasedat the other end as Jansen and Bartlett pulled Prasidh for sixes in the 17th and 19th overs respectively That was where PBKS effectively
sealedthegame. S c o r e s : P u n j a b Kings165 for 7 (Connolly 72*, Prabhsimran 37, Prasidh 3-29) beat Gujarat Titans 162 for 6 (Gill 39, Vyshak 3-34, Chahal 2-28) bythreewickets.
CandidateMasterSachin Pitamber and Italy TonChungwillrepresentGuyana in Chess at the IV South American Youth Games in Panama as part of the Guyana Delegation courtesy of the Guyana Olympic Association.
The games will be held from April 12 to 25, 2026, with rapid and blitz chess competitions being played fromApril23to25,2026,at the Metropolis Hall in the Decapolis Hotel, Panama City Thetwoplayerswillbe accompanied by Coach AnthonyDrayton.
Fresh off his victory at the 2026 National Open
Chess Championship, fifteen-year-old Sachin Pitamber is preparing to
represent Guyana on the international stage in Panama The Queen's College student—who also holds the National U-16 title—is no stranger to highstakes play, having represented Guyana in numerous international tournaments notably the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, in 2024 where he gained his CandidateMastertitle.
n
Guyana's history, Pitamber's resume is formidable. He was a driving force behind Guyana'sgoldmedalvictory at the Inter-Guiana Games lastDecemberandremainsa dominant fixture on the top boards of local competition.
Pitamber enters the South American Youth Games well-equipped to face the region'selitetalent.
A seasoned competitor on both the local and international stages, Italy Ton-Chungissettorepresent Guyana with distinction at the upcoming tournament in Panama Known for her resilience in standard time controls, the eighteen-yearold University of Guyana studentwilllooktoleverage herextensiveover-the-board experience against her opponents.Akeymemberof thefemaleteamoftheInterGuiana Games last December,Italyremainsone of the top-ranking junior female players in the local chesscommunity
(Continuedonpage29)
MotherNatureagaincontrolledthe ebb and flow of competition as two of yesterday's three games were abandoned due to bad weather in Guyana and Jamaica, with the next roundunderclosewatch.
For yet another game, Guyana and Barbadoshadwhatwasexpectedtobe a competitive battle, squashed due to bad weather Much like game 1, both teams were subjected to abandonment of their proposed encounter at the Lusignan Ground without a ball bowled, courtesy of the recent inclement weather which continues to
Mother Nature again controlled the ebb and flow of again competition as two of yesterday's three games were
Excitementisbuildingin thecapitalastheGeorgetown legoftheGuinness“Greatest of the Streets” tournament prepares to kick off, with 32 teams set to battle for supremacy in a direct elimination format at the National Cultural Centre TarmacfromApril15toMay 1.
The Georgetown segment will bring the curtain down on the 2025 season, serving as the final stopbeforethefocusshiftsto the national playoffs Attention will then turn toward the 2026 campaign.
Among the headline contenders are defending champions Laing Avenue, who return with hopes of successfully navigating the six-day competition and retainingtheirtitle.
Actionwillunfoldacross six match days including; April 15, 17, 23, 24, 29, and May 1 with the opening two nightsdedicatedtoRoundof 32 clashes. Fans can expect an intense start on Wednesday, April 15, when eightmatchesarescheduled.
The Round of 32 continuesonFriday,April17, with another eight fixtures. BentStreetBsquareoffwith Unity Ballers at 19:00hrs, followed by Corinthians versus Team Cruel at 19:30hrs Defending champions Laing Avenue begin their title defence against Gaza Squad at 20:00hrs, while North Ruimveldt face Z-Tekk at 20:30hrs.Albouystownmeet Young Stars at 21:00hrs, North East La Penitence tackle K-Town All-Stars at 21:30hrs, Leopold go headto-head with Kingston at 22:00hrs, and National AllStarsopposeTeamMadridat 22:30hrs.
T h e t o u
n
e n t intensifieswiththeRoundof 16 on April 23, followed by quarterfinal action on April 24, where both the championship and Guinness Plate competitions will be contested. Teams eliminated at the Round of 16 and quarterfinal stages must competeinthePlatesegment o
afflictpartsofthecountry
Over at St. Catherine, home team
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago sufferedsimilarfatetothatofthegame in Guyana, as their match too was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
WindwardsbeatLeewards30runs
Windwards made a modest 167 all outinthe36thoverbattingfirst,aftera contributionsfromDerwinLewis(28), Ahmar Lavia (23), skipper Jershaun Joseph (27), Ahmaud Williams (26) and Dylan John (21*) managed to get going. The Leewards pair of Kamari
France (3-23) andAedan Williams (440) bowled well but their team slid to 137alloutafter39.9overs.
Williams (33), opener Deshawn James scored (29) and Isaiah Harris (23)triedtohuntthetotaldownbuthad theirplansthwartedbysomecollective bowling from; Nian Davis (3-17), Joseph (2-21), John (2-22) and Kaleb Charles(2-27).
NextroundissetforThursday,with actionshiftingtotheEverestGroundin the city, which should likely increase the chance of Guyana actually having sometimeinthemiddle.(CliftonRoss)
Alexander Village take on Island All-Stars at 19:00hrs, followed by Bent StreetAagainst Rising Stars at 19:30hrs. Make It Happen faces East CoastAll-Stars at 20:00hrs, while Team Immaculate meet California Square at 20:30hrs. Festival CitythenopposeSophiaAllStars at 21:00hrs, Broad StreetclashwithTeamSpirit at 21:30hrs, Gold Is Money battle Stevedore at 22:00hrs, and Sparta Boss close the night against East Bank Ballersat22:30hrs.
clashes are slated for April 29, setting the stage for a grandfinaleonMay1,which will feature the Plate final, third-place playoff, and the championshipdecider T
underscores the depth of competition, with sides such as Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Albouystown, Sophia AllStars,andGoldIsMoneyall expected to be in the mix as the race for street football supremacy heats up in Georgetown.
(Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)hassuspendedFakharZamanfortwo Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches after thebatterwasfoundguiltyofball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars' four-wicket by KarachiKingsonSunday
The 35-year-old denied the charge and contested it at a disciplinary hearing, but matchrefereeRoshanMahanamaupheldthe offence and imposed the maximum sanction permitted.
"Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two HBL PSL matches after he was found guiltyofaLevelIIIoffence,"thePCBsaidin astatementonTuesday
Theincidenthappenedinthefinaloverof Karachi's run-chase when Fakhar, Lahore captainShaheenShahAfridiandfastbowler Haris Rauf were involved in a discussion, duringwhichFakharandRaufpassedtheball
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman in action.
(REUTERS/Satish Kumar)
betweenthem.
TheumpireapproachedRaufandaskedto see the before awarding the batting side five penalty runs and ordering the ball to be changed.
The PSL, being played behind closed doors in Lahore and Karachi due to fuel shortageslinkedtotheconflictintheMiddle East, has faced scrutiny amid a series of disciplinaryissues.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah was fined 20 million Pakistani rupees ($72,000) for a social media post that appeared to criticise PunjabChiefMinisterMaryamNawaz.
LahorefinedAfridiaboutPKR 1million afterpoliceaccusedhimofbreachingsecurity protocols at the team hotel, an incident that also involved Zimbabwe T20 captain SikandarRaza.
($1=279.0000Pakistanirupees)
Frompage34
represent Guyana at the upcomingCARIFTAGames over the Easter weekend, expectations are high for another strong showing Hinckson will be looking to build on her junior success and translate her collegiate formontotheregionalstage, where she has already provenherselfachampion. Her Adidas deal also places her in elite company, asshejoinsfellowGuyanese and 400m standout Tianna Springer, who signed her ownNILagreementwiththe brandin2024. Together,
presence within one of the world's most recognizable sportsbrands.
Action in the 12th Annual Massy Distribution Secondary Schools Boys' Under-18 Football Tournament is set to resumeonWednesday,April8,followinga briefsuspensioncausedbyheavyrainfall.
Tournament organisers, Petra Organisation, confirmed the restart in a statement issued yesterday, noting that matches were halted last weekend after torrential downpours disrupted Round Twofixtures.
According to the release, competition is tentatively scheduled to continue on April 8, with additional matches lined up
For Guyana, Hinckson's rapidriserepresentsabright future for the nation's athletics programme, with a new generation of talent making its mark on the globalstage.
forApril9,11,12and25attheQueen'sCollege ground. Fans can expect a series of keenly contestedencountersasteamsreturntothefield.
PetraOrganisationalsoexpressedregretfor any inconvenience caused by the last-minute cancellationsduetotheinclementweather
The tournament, sponsored by Massy Distribution with support from the Demerara Mutual Group and the Ministry of Education, willpickupwhereitleftoff,withschoolseager toregainmomentumintheracefortophonours.
Updated fixtures and further details on the resumptionofmatcheswillbepublishedassoon astheybecomeavailable.
BBC Sport - Viktor Gyo
es scored a dramatic 88th-minute winner as Graham Potter's Sweden overcame Poland in their play-off final to reach this summer's World Cup.
Poland twice came from behind but Gyokeres smashed into an empty net after Besfort Zeneli's shot hadcomebackoffthepost to spark joyous scenes in Stockholm.
Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga had put the hosts in front with a superb finish, clipping the bar on the way in, after being teed up by Yasin Ayari'scleverflick.
The lead lasted just 13 minutes before Nicola Zalewski curled in a shot fromtheedgeoftheboxfor Poland.
Sweden goa
r KristofferNordfeldtmayfeelhe couldhavedonebetterbutmore than made up for it with a numberofsmartsavesinthefirst half.
Potter's men were back in front just before half-time as centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke powerfully headed home from BenjaminNygren'sfree-kick.
But Poland fought back again with Karol Swiderski tappinginfromcloserangeafter Zalewski had stolen in around the back to put the ball back acrossgoal.
Thevisitorsseemedthemore likelytosnatchitformuchofthe secondhalfbeforealateSweden rally that ultimately led to Gyokeres'momentofglory Victory also meant Sweden gained revenge having been beaten by Poland in the World Cup qualifying play-off final fouryearsago.
Athaleyha Hinckson picked up her NIL deal with Adidas.
By Rawle Toney
Athaleyha Hinckson continues to make waves on and off the track, having officially secured a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with global sportswear giantAdidas.
Theagreement,whichthe athlete announced on her various social media platforms recently, marks another significant milestone in what has already been a standout freshman season at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Hinckson, a CARIFTA Games U17 100m champion, hasrapidlyestablishedherself among the region's most promisingyoungathletes.
Her explosive speed was onfulldisplayearlierthisyear when she clocked a personal
best 7.16s in the 60m. That performance not only cemented her status as Guyana's fastest U20 athlete over the distance, but also earned her recognition as the South American record holder
The young sprinter has continued her upward trajectory in the outdoor season On March 28, Hinckson delivered an impressive 11 25s in the 100m, marking a new personal best and signaling herreadinesstocompeteatan evenhigherlevel.
Earlier in February, she also set a lifetime best of 23.46s in the 200m, further underliningherversatilityand growing dominance in the sprintevents.
As she prepares to (Continuedonpage33)
As the Hamilton G r e e n C u p surges toward its most decisive stage—the quarterfinals, anticipation is reaching fever pitch as organisersmovetoconclude
t h e t h r i l l i n g I n t e r Ward/Village nine-a-side tournament with an eightteamfinale.
What began as a wideopen contest featuring 32 vibrant teams has now been narrowed to just eight formidable sides: Mahaica, Mocha, Victoria, Golden Stars, Plaisance, Order and Discipline, Zeelugt, and West Side Alliance. Each carries the hopes of its supporters and the hunger foramassivepayday
Withthequarterfinalsset to kick off on Thursday, April 2, the stakes have never been higher The 30minute format promises drama at every turn. From this point forward, there is no margin for error—one slip, one missed chance, and
a team's journey could come toanabruptend.
The quarterfinal clashes will serve as the gateway to anintensesame-nightfinale, where the semifinals and championship match will unfold in rapid succession. It'satestnotonlyofskill,but also of endurance, squad d e p t h , a n d m e n t a l toughness.
Thursday's lineup pits West Side Alliance against Zeelugt in the opening encounter, with action getting underway at 7:00 p.m. The remaining fixtures willseePlaisancefaceOrder andDiscipline,Victoriatake on Golden Stars, and Mahaica battle Mocha for thefinalsemifinalspot.
A d d i n g t o t h e excitement is the lucrative prize pool A total of $800,000 is up for grabs, withtheeventualchampions set to walk away with a staggering$500,000incash.
As usual, longstanding partners Rick's and Sari
The recent unusual weather pattern which has resulted in heavy and consistent rainfall over the past seven (7) days throughout Guyana has cast a doubt over the ongoing CWI Rising Stars Under-16 50 Overs Bilateral Series which commenced on Sunday,March29,2026.
The Guyana Cricket Board is (GCB) wishes to inform the public of the current status of the CWI Rising Stars Under-16 50Over Bilateral Series between Guyana and Barbados.
Yesterday, the Cricket Operations Department conducted comprehensive inspections of all scheduled match venues which
includes Lusignan Sports Club Ground, Police Sports Club Ground, Everest Cricket Club Ground, LBI Cricket Ground and the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground. These inspections revealed that all venues are presently saturated.
Given the current weather conditions and ground assessments, the GCB will continue to monitorallvenuesincluding alternative venues in BerbiceandEssequibo.
TheGCBappreciatesthe patience and understanding of players, officials, and the general public as efforts continue to ensure the safe and proper conduct of the tournament.
Enterprise will donate hampers to the winning team. Second, third, and fourth-place finishers will receive$200,000,$100,000, and $50,000 respectively, along with corresponding medals and trophies. Such high rewards ensure that every tackle, pass, and goal carriesimmenseweight.
As the moment draws closer, patrons can expect a
spectacle of high-energy nine-a-side football, with teams leaving everything on the field. The condensed schedule means quick turnarounds, forcing squads to balance aggression with smart game management. Coaches will need to rotate wisely, while players must dig deep to sustain peak performanceacrossmultiple (Continued on page 26)
Prashad dominates penultimate round while Persaud takes league lead ahead of dramatic final
