School once stood
Guyana goes on show at massive Labour Day Parade in New York
THE Guyanese Diaspora and persons from all walks of life converged in New York City, USA, for the Labor Day Parade on Monday. Ministers Susan Rodrigues and Oneidge Walrond joined the NOMADS Carnival Band, the first-ever Guyanese band to hit the parkway for the festivities. They also connected with persons in the crowd, sharing in the excitement of this landmark event. (Ministry of Housing and Water)
‘Democracy is not just a political system’
–– President Ali tells Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference –– urges stakeholders to examine value systems, redefinition of democracy
By Naomi Parris
DEMOCRACY in many countries is often heavily politicised; however, the true definition of democracy reflects all aspects of society and economic development, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said.
“Democracy is about society. It is about the country, it is about every walk of life, it’s about civil society, It is about the private sector, [and] it is about government. It is about every aspect of societal life [that] must uphold the value system of democracy,” President Ali said during his address at the 46th Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), held in Georgetown.
The President urged stakeholders to examine the value systems of democracy, noting that it must not only be viewed as “just a political” system, but rather as a system that transcends beyond the politicking.
“We shoot ourselves in the leg when we somehow believe that this democracy that we speak about is only at the parliamentary level and only at the government level.
“Democracy is that engine that drives development, the shield that protects human dignity and the framework that enables society to thrive. When democracy flourishes so too does economic development. When the rights of the people are upheld, when the voices are heard and when representatives act in their best interest, nations are empowered to reach their full potential,” Dr. Ali said.
He further reiterated that it is not just a political commitment and requires parliamentarians to examine their own internal affairs, confronting democracy in modern parliament and ex-
amining its value system.
Pointing to electoral systems, Dr. Ali said that elections are a core pillar of democracy, and while parliamentarians are representatives chosen through that democratic process, they themselves must ensure that their internal elections reflect the tenets of democracy.
“Many times you will see cracks in democracy at the foundation level; so many times we focus on the outcome of what should be democratic principles, what should be democratic arena. So we focus on the outcome, but democracy must transcend every walk of life. It must transcend every action within the society, if we are to build and make it a national architecture,” the President said.
He further challenged stakeholders to establish an action plan that is implementable, and commit to same.
“This conference, which assembles some of the greatest minds and dedicated practitioners of parliamentary democracy in the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic region ….
I am confident that your deliberations will do justice to the timely and relevant theme chosen for this conference—‘Democracy: Challenges facing modern parliaments”,” President Ali said.
The CPA is being held from September 1 – 7, 2024. The regional conference will bring together parliamentarians and clerks from jurisdictions across the CPA CAA Region for discussions on the theme.
Highlighting Guyana’s own challenges with democracy, President Ali pointed out that many of its partners have stood alongside the country to ensure the rule of law was safeguarded in the light of several threats.
“It is our regional part-
ners, it is CARICOM [Caribbean Community] and CARICOM’s principle[d] position that was a part of the process in ensuring that our democracy remained strong and alive.
“The UK [United Kingdom] and the EU [European Union], they also played an important role and of course the Commonwealth Secre-
President, Dr Irfaan Ali
tary General and the Commonwealth itself played a key and critical role in ensuring democracy was secured in Guyana and remains alive,” he said.
Dr. Ali related that Guyana’s political evolution has been marred by the pervasion of democratic rule for almost three decades, followed by the restoration
of democracy, and then an aborted attempt to subvert democratic elections.
President Ali, as such, believes that the hosting of this year’s conference in Guyana is timely and the country can be a case study for further discussions.
He noted that the country’s experience also offers an insight into the relation-
ship of democracy, the rule of law, development and stability.
“When you look at periods of democratic threats or periods when the rule of law is threatened and correlate that with economic expansion, economic impact, social fragments and crime, you will see that there is positive correlation, because threats to the democracy is a threat to the ecosystem of the country,” the Head of State said.
Guyana’s journey, he said, has been marked by highs and lows accompanying the struggle for political and parliamentary democracy.
Throughout the week, a series of Plenary Sessions will be held in the Chamber and in Committee Rooms One and Two at the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown. The sessions will cover critical topics including Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare Access for Women and Girls, Gender Sensitive Parliaments – Toolkit/Guidelines, Peace and Security, and Migration.
Concurrently, the week of activities will see the hosting of the 17th Regional Youth Parliament, where youth parliamentarians from across the Region will debate topical issues
US seizes Venezuela president’s plane in Dominican Republic
(Reuters) THE United States has seized a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flown it from the Dominican Republic to Florida after determining that its purchase violated US sanctions, the US Justice Department said on Monday.
The seizure of the aircraft came amid continuing pressure on Maduro at home and abroad over a contested July 28 election that he claimed to have won, while the opposition said its vote tallies showed its candidate to have soundly defeated him.
Maduro, his associates and the OPEC mem-
ber-state’s vital oil sector are under heavy U.S. sanctions, and his handling of the election has raised the prospects that further measures could be imposed.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US “for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.”
“Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” said
Matthew Axelrod, the US Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement.
US officials said the seizure, which was first reported by CNN, was carried out working closely with the Dominican Republic.
The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
“This is an important step to ensure that Maduro continues to feel the consequences from his misgovernance of Venezuela,” said a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.
A wide range of independent sources has shown that Maduro and his representatives “have
tampered with the results of the July 28 presidential election, falsely claimed victory and carried out widespread repression to maintain power by force,” the spokesperson added.
A Justice Department investigation showed that in late 2022 and early 2023, “persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal
purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft.”
The plane was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean last year and since then has flown to and from a Venezuelan military base and been used “for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including to transport Maduro on visits to other countries,” the Justice Department said.
[ABC News photo]
UG celebrates innovation, youthful excellence at 61st commencement
THE University of Guyana (UG) celebrated its 61st Commencement with a day full of innovation and youthful brilliance on Friday last.
Among the incoming class of 3,700 freshmen, three remarkable young students stood out, having exceeded expectations by excelling at their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams one to two years ahead of their peers.
These exceptional students, including one young girl, have been admitted to the Computer Sciences programme in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
This marks the first time in the University’s history that three students under the statutory admission age of 17 have been admitted in the same year.
Although UG has made special dispensations for younger students before, this year highlights a growing trend: The University is increasingly accommodating younger and more academically-gifted students, particularly in the field of computing sciences. In fact, over the past four years, at least one student under the age of 17 has been admitted each year, with many excelling in their studies.
The admission of younger students presents unique challenges, as academic programmes designed for adult learners must be adapted to meet the needs of these younger, exceptional minds.
The Faculty of Natural Sci-
— Welcomes gifted students, setting new records in early admissions
ences, led by Dean Professor Abdulla Ansari, Head of Computing Dr. Andresa Morris, and Assistant Dean Dave Sarran, has been proactive in supporting these students, focusing on their technical abilities as well as their social and developmental integration into the university environment.
Despite the challenges, the young students admitted in recent years with an average age of 15, have adjusted well and achieved high academic standards. This success aligns with UG’s commitment to addressing the educational needs of all students, including those considered “special needs”, a term the university uses to describe both children with learning challenges and those who are exceptionally gifted.
To support these gifted students, UG has developed innovative programmes like the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence, a ‘lab’ school launched in 2021 in partnership with CDB and UNICEF,
and the RASSR summer programme funded by the Greater Guyana Initiative. The aim of these programmes is to accelerate students from across Guyana, preparing them for higher education well ahead of their peers.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin emphasised the importance of nurturing all students, especially those who are gifted. “What we do to identify and support gifted children is as important as what we do to support children who have challenges with learning. While we must not force children to perform above their capability, if they can and want to, we must find a way to support, nurture, and celebrate this in a safe and healthy way. Geniuses can come from amongst us, too. This prospect delights us at the University of Guyana!” she stated.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted that the decision to admit younger students is based on more than just
academic grades. A team of developmental psychologists, quality assurance staff, and discipline specialists reviews each case to ensure the students are ready for university life. While some disciplines remain challenging for younger students, UG is committed to finding pathways for these exceptional individuals.
The commencement ceremony, held at the Multipurpose Auditorium at the Turkeyen Campus, was the culmination of a week-long series of orientation sessions that allowed students to engage directly with university officials, faculty, service unit representatives, and student clubs. The formal opening
featured addresses from senior university officials, including Registrar Dr. Nigel Gravesande, Deputy Registrar (ag) Dr. Daniella King, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement Prof. Emanuel Cummings, and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin. Cultural performances by the university's talent ambassadors added a festive touch to the event.
Looking ahead, the University of Guyana continues to prepare for the new academic year, which begins on September 2, 2024.
While many programmes are already at capacity, UG has extended the application deadline to September 13,
2024, for those still seeking admission.
The University offers flexible attendance options, including face-to-face, online, and blended learning formats, to accommodate students' diverse needs.
The University remains committed to fostering a supportive environment for all its students, emphasizing the importance of education, innovation, and personal growth. As UG continues to welcome exceptional young talents, it reaffirms its role as a leader in higher education in Guyana, dedicated to shaping the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.
Thousands parade through Brooklyn in one of world’s largest Caribbean culture celebrations
NEW York City’s West Indian American Day Parade kicked off Monday with thousands of revellers dancing and marching through Brooklyn in one of the world’s largest celebrations of Caribbean culture.
The annual Labor Day event, now in its 57th year, turns the borough’s Eastern Parkway into a kaleidoscope of feather-covered
costumes and colourful flags as participants make their way down the thoroughfare, alongside floats stacked high with speakers playing Soca and Reggae music. The parade routinely attracts huge crowds, who line the almost 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) route that runs from Crown Heights to the Brooklyn Museum. It’s also a popular destination for local
politicians, many of whom have West Indian heritage or represent members of the city’s large Caribbean community.
The event has its roots in more traditionally timed, pre-Lent Carnival celebrations started by a Trinidadian
immigrant in Manhattan around a century ago, according to the organizers. The festivities were moved to the warmer time of year in the 1940s.
Brooklyn, where hundreds of thousands of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have settled, began hosting the parade in the 1960s.
The Labor Day parade is now the culmination of days of carnival events in the city, which includes a steel pan band competition
and J’Ouvert, a separate street party commemorating freedom from slavery. (Associated Press)
A large number of students, parents, university staff and other stakeholders participated in the Formal Commencement activities for Academic Year 2024/25 at the university’s new Multipurpose Auditorium, at its Turkeyen Campus on Friday
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin delivering the Keynote address at the event
IN a world grappling with an intricate web of crises, ranging from persistent public health challenges to the incessant march of climate change and geopolitical tensions, Guyana’s economic performance stands out as a remarkable testament to resilience and effective governance.
The latest Mid-Year Report for 2024 reveals that despite these daunting global headwinds, Guyana’s economy is thriving, showcasing an extraordinary growth rate that commands both attention and cautious optimism.
At the heart of this economic dynamism is the unprecedented growth rate reported for the first half of 2024. With an overall real GDP growth of nearly 50 per cent, and a non-oil sector expansion of over 12 per cent, Guyana has cemented its position as one of the most rapidly-growing economies globally.
This robust performance is even more
striking when considered against the backdrop of global economic instability, including disruptions in production, rising freight costs, and persistent inflationary pressures.
The credit for this economic surge largely rests with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which has successfully navigated the country through four turbulent years since its return to office in August 2020.
The government’s strategy of leveraging its burgeoning oil sector to drive broadbased economic growth is evidently paying off. The petroleum subsector, alone, has seen a staggering 67 per cent growth in the first half of 2024, illustrating the sector’s pivotal role in Guyana’s economic ascent.
However, while the impressive figures reflect significant achievements, they also underscore the complexity of Guyana’s economic landscape. The non-oil sectors— spanning agriculture, mining, and manufacturing— are also showing commendable
growth, albeit at a more modest rate. This diversification is crucial to mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on the oil sector, and ensuring sustainable economic development.
The Mid-Year Report also highlights the government’s unwavering focus on improving the quality of life for its citizens.
The ambitious infrastructure projects, such as road networks and community bridges, along with advancements in social services like healthcare and education, are essential to fostering long-term prosperity. The emphasis on ensuring that every Guyanese family has access to basic necessities—from decent housing to quality healthcare— demonstrates a holistic approach to economic development.
Yet, there is an inherent paradox in Guyana’s situation. The country is experiencing a significant economic boom, but this is occurring amid persistent challenges such as global inflation, supply chain dis-
ruptions, and environmental vulnerabilities. For instance, the rising cost of living and food prices, influenced by both domestic and international factors, remains a concern. The government’s efforts to alleviate these pressures—through measures like maintaining zero excise tax on petroleum products and extending freight charge reductions—are steps in the right direction, but their long-term effectiveness will need to be evaluated.
Moreover, the global economic landscape remains precarious. Geopolitical tensions and conflict can have ripple effects on Guyana’s economy, particularly given its heavy dependence on oil exports.
As the country continues to chart its course through these turbulent waters, it will be crucial for policymakers to maintain a balanced approach; one that fosters economic growth while safeguarding against external shocks and internal disparities.
Navigating turbulent conditions Op-Ed On Ramcharran and ‘Autocracy’
By Ruel Johnson
I AM trying to limit my pronouncements on public affairs in Guyana to commentary on Facebook but, like Ralph Ramkarran (‘Shades of Autocracy’ – SN, September 1), I find the article by Dr. Bertrand Ramcharran, “Whither Guyana: Democracy or Autocracy” (SN, August 27), so objectionable as to give it more studied treatment. Where Ramkarran and I depart is that far too much credit is given to Ramcharran with regard to some ostensible good intent of the piece, particularly vis-à-vis power-sharing. There are too many glaring omissions of fact and of analysis, considering Dr. Ramcharran’s vaunted intellectual and experiential qualifications, to label it anything short of gross intellectual dishonesty.
In Ramcharran’s opinion piece, he begins by framing his core thesis against an introduction of Anne Applebaum’s Autocracy Inc., although “introduction” might not be the apt word, considering it lasts for six paragraphs, roughly half the entire article before meandering to the curious national security non sequitur:
“Why mention Maduro’s Venezuela here? Because, in the context of the on-going electoral imbroglio, with the Presidents of Brazil and the USA calling for new elections in
Venezuela, it should come as no surprise to anyone if the “Maduro model” were to resort to active aggression against Guyana’s Essequibo – with support from Autocracy Inc.”
First of all, with regard to Venezuela’s “on-going electoral imbroglio”, what is at play there is not the Maduro model but the Granger model, with Maduro in 2024 using the exact playbook used by the Granger incumbent administration in 2020 to seek to alter the results of an election it had clearly lost with the clear collusion of elements of the State security apparatus, the electoral machinery, and arguably some elements of the judiciary.
Indeed, the Granger model would go on to be used by another one-term President with dictatorial aspirations, Donald Trump, after he lost the US presidential elections in November 2020.
Dr. Ramcharran’s diversionary foray into the history of the Burnham PNC dictatorship – which curiously left out the political assassinations, most notable of which was that of Dr. Walter Rodney – was completely unnecessary to support his thesis, considering that he dedicates a mere handful of words to the far more recent attempted rigging of 2020 with “the evidence is overwhelming that it [the PNC] illegally sought to remain in power even though it had lost the elections in 2020.”
All opinion writing is, in essence, self-portraiture, and often the most critical definition of that self-portraiture lies in what is omitted.
In Dr. Ramcharran’s case, one very carefully curated omission is glaring – the participation and complicity of the Alliance For Change (AFC) in the most recent attempts to establish Autocracy Inc. here in Guyana. Not only was the AFC part and parcel of the APNU+AFC coalition government, it gave uncontested Executive, Parliamentary and critical support of the anti-democratic excesses of the Granger administration both before and after the attempts at rigging.
It is the current AFC leader, Nigel Hughes, who came up with the completely erroneous simple majority calculation and supporting pseudo-jurisprudence upon which the Granger administration mounted its spurious legal challenge to the legitimacy of the No Confidence Vote of 2018, although Hughes himself wisely stepped back from representation of that formula in the subsequent court proceedings; and it is AFC government ministers and party surrogates that often led the post March 2, 2020 charge defending the absurdly transparent attempt to rig the elections post facto, a rigging Ramcharran at least perhaps thankfully acknowledges.
The AFC - without which there would have been no PNC-dominated 2015-2020
executive, and which currently enjoys several parliamentary seats in the opposition - is not even tangentially referred to in his deep meditation on supposed creeping autocracy in contemporary Guyana.
One of the fundamental aspects of Democracy Inc. is respecting the sanctity of the will of the people as expressed by their voting for political leadership.
It might have escaped Dr. Ramcharran that no one in the AFC leadership – with the exception of Hans Gaskin – has given so much as a pro forma concession that they lost the elections to this day.
Indeed, just days after the recent election of Hughes to the party leadership, the AFC two weeks ago issued a notably unsigned press release repeating, again without evidence, the unfounded lies, debunked roundly in 2020, that dead people voted, that people who were not here voted, and that the removal of documents in one polling jurisdiction, something since found to have done at the behest of persons in GECOM who supported the coalition’s attempt at rigging, materially impacted the results of the elections.
For his part, a week ago, former President Granger, as published on an obscure PNC online media platform based on an
Ruel Johnson
On Ramcharran...
interview done by own personal media machinery, doubled down on the false claim that the process was fundamentally flawed, something the CCJ, local courts, as well as independent observer reports brutally rejected time and time again. I quote the August 25 article on that interview:
“Former President David Granger speaking on the programme – The Public Interest – explained that the ‘Holladar effect’ was the result of a sequence of court rulings aimed at deliberately displacing the Elections Commission as the authority for determining the outcome of elections, deterring the presentation of legitimate declarations of results, disrupting the electoral process and, thereby, defeating the expression of the will of the electorate.”
Notably, Granger has yet to produce the SOPs upon which he and his government officially celebrated his ‘reelection’, just as how Maduro is yet to produce the Venezuela’s official electoral documentation supporting his.
Dr. Ramcharran’s treatise on the need for power-sharing might sound less glib, less hypocritical in fact, did he on principle identify all the players involved in most recently seeking to defeat “the expression of the will of the electorate”, since accepting the will of the electorate is the first, fundamental component of sharing power, the cornerstone as it were for establishing and maintaining Democracy Inc.
Finally, there is in Ramcharran’s piece – and this was dealt with extensively by Ramkarran and Dr. Randy Persaud (‘Ramcharran falls into a right-wing trap’ - Demerara Waves, August 28) – a deliberate inflation of the actions of the current Irfaan Ali administration to “shades of autocracy”, and, more conclusively “The spirit of governance smells of autocracy”.
His evidence? Linking actual institutional attacks on NGOs and the judiciary as chronicled in Applebaum’s book to verbal criticisms here made by government of NGOs and judicial decisions.
It must be a shock to the renowned academic that, by his logic, the current United States Biden administration is profoundly anti-democratic, questioning as it has the integrity not only of recent Supreme Court decisions (Presidential immunity, the Roe vs Wade reversal) but also the impartiality of some Supreme Court judges; this in addition to pointing out the politically-defined agenda of some NGOs, like the Heritage Foundation, which has authored a definitive blueprint for a new Trump Presidency, Project 2025, even though Trump continues to deny the clear connections.
It does not help any case on behalf of Ramcharran’s [implied] objectivity that he, uncourageously, tenuously links his unproven thesis for “shades of autocracy” to an unnamed PPP “Oracle”, clearly Bharrat Jagdeo, who he projects – once his [Ramcharran’s] nebulous vision for power-sharing is in place – “will remain an irrelevance in the judgement of history”.
As someone who has actually openly fought shades of autocracy right here in Guyana for about 25 years, under successive administrations including Jagdeo’s, my assessment is that this reference indicates that the motivation for Dr. Ramcharran’s intervention may be more personal aggravation than academic
principle.
Of course, in order to fortify the paucity of the intellectual gruel of Ramcharran’s original piece, which it not only published but based an article upon as well as an article on President Ali’s response, Stabroek News in its editorial ‘Democracy v Autocracy’ (September 2) engaged in the same sort of contorted false equivalency that seems to be en vogue, wherein basic acknowledgement of the excesses of the Coalition need to be ‘balanced’ with the inclusion of some ‘equal’ critique of the PPP. The editorial notes:
“The most recent example of a rigging mentality he [Ramcharran] gave was the attempt of 2020, although he might have noted the fact that APNU+AFC’s anti-democratic disposition as a government was apparent even before this, when it employed a number of stratagems to avoid calling an election following its loss of a vote of no confidence in 2018. Had it gone to the polls when it should have done, it would have expunged some of its unsavory history, and would have shown up the PPP’s democratic shortcomings when in a similar situation it prorogued Parliament in 2014 to avoid a general election.”
My pronouncements at the time on the President Donald Ramotar’s [constitutionally sound] prorogation are on public record, and I stand by them - it was cynical, it was desperate, it was the depth of reactionary political expedience, but nowhere can it be compared to the freight train of undemocratic and unconstitutional intent of the Granger APNU+AFC administration that first found significant traction in October of 2017 with the unilateral, unconstitutional and ultimately overturned appointment of retired 84-year-old Justice James Patterson to the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (almost ten months after the retirement of former GECOM chair Dr. Steve Surujbally); was continued through the constitutionally correct 2018 No Confidence Vote, past the constitutionally designated three months; past the electoral results of March 2, 2020 - including attempting post-electoral rigging in the onset and peak of a global pandemic - until Democracy Inc had finally had enough in August of 2020 and forced Granger and his APNU+AFC out of power with the threat of sanctions after five months of them indecently clinging on to power post-elections.
The establishment and maintenance of democracy is a constant, often tedious, exercise involving a multiplicity of players, some far more naturally informed than others. The role of the public intellectual is an indispensable one, a constant corrective measure against the ignorance of the masses and the often power-hungry excesses of political leadership.
A hundred years ago, the French philosopher, Julien Benda created a label for the betrayal of that role, La Trahison De Clercs (“The Treason of Intellectuals”) – considering the uncontested stellar intellectual qualifications of Dr. Bertrand Ramcharran “Seventh Chancellor of the University of Guyana and Sometime Fellow of Harvard University and Fellow of the LSE”, that opinion he wrote would be considered high treason, however lowly its execution.
Remembering a country’s great contributors
NEXT month, I will achieve 36 years of being a columnist.
In those three and a half decades I have advocated that history must recognise those who have made sterling contributions to this country.
In those 36 years, I have asked that Eddie Grant, Rohan Kanhai, Ron Robinson, Father Andrew Morrison, Desmond Hoyte, former American Ambassador, Sarah -Ann Lynch and dozens of others have something named after them. It can be a street, a building, a scholarship, a boat, a bridge, a square, a village, a market, a mall, a hospital, some structure, but name something after these people.
When I left Guyana to study in Canada, I saw how important Western culture pays to their icons. At Mc Master University and the University of Toronto where I was educated, they had libraries named after big names that made big contributions to those two universities.
History is never ending and when imprints are left five things are born: One- the great ones will be forever remembered; Two - younger people may seek to emulate the great ones when they find out why the street was named after the person; Three - the country fulfils its obligation to history. Four-the families and relatives of the great ones are men-
tally comforted that their icon has been recognised by the country he/she gave so much to. Five- historical knowledge is passed on from generation to generation.
Let me give you an example of number five which I am reproducing from two columns done long ago. Saint Roses School is one of the top educational institutions. It sits right next to where Georgetown originally got its usable water supply. Right next to St. Roses School is the Indian Monument Garden. On the very spot where the garden is was where Water Works (now known as GWI) was situated long, long ago.
I asked Yesu Persaud who at the time was the chair of the board for the garden, to put a billboard to inform St. Roses’ students when they look across to the garden that this was where Georgetown originally got its water. GWI should install that billboard.
Let us explore the imprinted argument in more depth. Alberttown sits right next to Queenstown. Alberttown has six streets that run parallel to each other. Each street is named from one to six. When those six streets cross over to Queenstown, they become historical implants. So Fourth Street in Alberttown becomes Lance Gibbs Street in Queenstown. Now there is a touch of comicality, ab-
surdity and asininity here. The six streets in Alberttown take on a historical role when they cross over into Queenstown. So who is Lance Gibbs, someone will ask 40 years from now. The enquirer will be told that he was the finest spin bowler West Indian cricket has produced and he was Guyanese.
What is the historical importance of Fourth Street in Alberttown? It has none. It was randomly named because it was the Fourth Street in the area after it was landscaped. Surely, if Fifth Street in Alberttown is named after a man named Forshaw when it goes through Queenstown, why can’t we name Fifth Street after some brilliant achiever in some area of life?
Finally, we are getting there. President Ali has announced that many public infrastructural sites will be named after Guyanese icons. I would go so far and say, foreign icons should be included. I can think of Steve Biko who was assassinated in South Africa during the apartheid era.
I still believe former American ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch needs to have her name emblazoned on something in Guyana. I once suggested that Young Street be renamed after her. That woman was relentless in her efforts to confront election rigging here in 2020. I am a deep
admirer of Mikhail Gorbachev, who was one of the saviours of the 20th century, but I guess his name will evoke controversy.
The name Janet Jagan comes to mind. Mrs. Jagan came to this country and became part of the Guyanese existence. She gave up her American citizenship. Her dedication to Guyana was phenomenal. She was a first-rate anti-dictatorship personality and one of the finest prominent Guyanese who remained phenomenally loyal to the working class of Guyana. Something must be named after Janet Jagan. I once recommended that North Road be given the title Desmond Hoyte Street. I did not agree with his style of governance but he opened the door to perestroika.
Do you know this country has a man who gave over 50 years to cycling in Guyana at all levels? His name is Hassan Mohamed. How many among our generation know that? Guyana needs to name something after him.
When we honour our icons, we are respecting the past which we must always do.
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.
Oil & gas industry expanded by 67.1 per cent in first half of 2024
GUYANA’S oil and gas industry is on a strong trajectory, with a 67.1 per cent expansion in the first half of the year, and an estimated 56.4 per cent growth for the full year.
The sector’s continued growth and expansion are a testament to the government’s prudent policies and commitment to effective management.
As of late June, crudeoil production had surged to 113.5 million barrels, a significant increase from
the 68.7 million barrels produced during the same period in 2023.
This growth, driven primarily by the Prosperity FPSO’s exceptional daily output since its November 2023 startup, has led to a revised annual production projection of approximately 228 million barrels.
This is according to the government’s 2024 mid-year report released on Saturday. The report outlined the expanding number of commercial activities.
Daily production in the Stabroek Block averaged 624,000 barrels per day (BPD) in the first half of this year, compared to the approximately 380,000 BPD in the first half of last year.
In April, the government granted a Petroleum Production Licence to ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block for the Whiptail Project, its sixth development project.
Construction of Jaguar, another floating, production and offloading (FPSO)
vessel identified for this newest development is well underway. It joins the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity FPSOs, and when combined, will produce over half a million barrels of oil per day.
Whiptail’s first oil is targeted for end-2027 or early 2028, with development drilling to start in the second half of this year.
Furthermore, progress is being made on the Yellowtail and Uaru developments, with the Yellowtail on track
for a 2025 start-up.
“With respect to Uaru, hull construction and module fabrication were progressed, and are expected to continue along with module integration, into the second half, keeping first oil on track for 2027,” the report stated.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also reviewing an application from ExxonMobil Guyana to develop a seventh oil project at the Hammerhead field in the Stabroek Block.
According to the project
summary on the agency’s website, this project is expected to add 120,000 to 180,000 barrels of oil per day (BPD) following start-up in 2029, while gas production is projected to be 60 to 120 million standard cubic feet per day.
While these activities are poised to elevate Guyana’s economy, the government is committed to using the oil and gas sector’s revenues to fund sustainable projects and initiatives. (DPI)
Region Five farmers receive more agricultural support
FARMERS in Region
Five, on Saturday, received farming implements, chicken and blackbelly sheep, as part of the government’s endless drive to expand agricultural activities countrywide.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, led the distribution exercise along with senior agriculture and regional officials, during a visit to the region.
Member of the Rose Ward Farming Group, June Ann Johnson, said the donation will provide great help to the group members.
“We get the tiller, cutlasses, shovel, spade, and pump…It is supposed to be shared for the farmers in the group…It is very good because right now I’m a widow and I need a lot of
equipment to help me out. I don’t have nobody else to help me with my farming,” Johnson stated.
Member of the Novar Farmers’ Group, Haimwant Brijnandan, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the assistance means a lot for the farming community, since it will accelerate ongoing works.
At Blairmont Village,
Ayube Tajmool explained that the farming implements are a timely gift that will help to address some of the difficulties that farmers are experiencing.
Over at Ithaca, Lennox McDonald shared similar sentiments, noting that the new water pump will boost farming in the village.
Meanwhile, the agriculture minister boasted about the tremendous leaps the food sector has made, citing that agriculture con-
tributed 28 per cent of nonoil gross domestic product (GDP) for the country.
He also noted the growth in the rice, fisheries, and other-crops sectors and attributed this to government’s investments and support to farmers.
“And that explains the budgetary allocatios we have been making. We are making these available so that people can increase production. We want Guyana to be a food hub,” he said.
Minister Mustapha reassured that as long as the PPP/C administration continues to be at the helm of the nation, all sectors will continue to thrive.
“We want to ensure that we have a robust economy.
We want to ensure that all the sectors contribute to the development of our country and that is what a government that has a vision will do,” he emphasised.
(DPI)
Back-to-school gifts empower Sophia children
ON a sunny Sunday morning at the Turkeyen Police Station in Georgetown, smiles and laughter filled the air as businessman and gold miner Paul Chow stepped forward to make a heartfelt contribution to the community.
Chow donated over three dozen haversacks filled with school supplies, ensuring that these children could walk confidently into their classrooms on Monday, prepared and eager to learn.
For many families in Georgetown, back-to-school expenses can be a significant burden. Recognising this, Chow decided to step in and provide more than just material support; he offered a message of hope and community solidarity.
Each haversack contained essential items such as notebooks, pens, pencils, geometry sets and more — all tools that would help these young minds thrive in their educational pursuits.
Chow’s contribution didn’t stop at school supplies. He also sponsored meals for the children, ensuring that they would
have the energy and nourishment needed for a full day of learning.
The children’s faces lit up with joy as they received their new school bags, and parents expressed deep gratitude for the unexpected support.
“Education is the foundation for a better future. I wanted to ensure these children have what they need to start the school year on the right foot. It’s about giving them the tools to dream big and work towards those dreams,” the gold miner of Kitty, Georgetown, noted. “I believe that as a community, we rise together. When we support our children, we’re not just helping them; we’re investing in our future. I hope that this small gesture will inspire others to look out for those in need around them.”
Further, he added that it is not just about the school supplies or the meals. “It’s about showing these kids that someone believes in them, that they matter, and that their education is important to all of us.
That’s the message I hope to send.”
China: Nation helps drive global transition to green energy
CHINA’S green-energy development has become an engine for the global energy transition, which has substantially eased global inflation pressures while addressing climate change, according to a white paper issued on Thursday.
China is responsible for over 40 percent of the annual additions to global renewable energy capacity since 2013. The newly installed capacity in China last year accounted for more than half of the world’s total, according to the white paper titled “China’s Energy Transition”, which was issued by the State Council Information Office.
From 2014 to 2023, the share of nonfossil fuels in global energy consumption rose from 13.6 percent to 18.5 percent, with China accounting for 45.2 percent of the increase. Today, China is collaborating with more than 100 countries and regions on green-energy projects, the white paper noted.
Zhang Jianhua, head of China’s National Energy Administration, said during the release of the white paper in Beijing that “as a strong advocate of global energy transition, China will continue working with other members of the international community to plan energy co-operation together, address global climate change and create a clean world for all.”
The International Energy Agency has recognised China
as a front-runner in the global renewable energy sector and a major driving force behind the world’s rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity.
Analysts said that China has been stepping up efforts to promote the reform of its energy production and consumption methods, while upgrading its energy-supply capacity.
“Buoyed by supportive policies, competitive advancements in the domestic supply chain and a reliable grid system, China is on
track to accelerate energy transition with continuous renewable energy projects in place,” said Deng Simeng, a senior analyst for renewables and power research at global consultancy, Rystad Energy. According to the consultancy, over half of the additions to renewable capacity this year will come from China. By the end of July, China had installed 1,206 gigawatts of wind and solar power capacity, exceeding the 1,200 GW national target set for 2030, meaning that China
has accomplished the target six years ahead of schedule.
A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency said that global wind power projects have seen the average power generation cost per kilowatt-hour decrease more than 60 percent over the past decade, while solar power projects have seen a cost decrease of more than 80 percent. The reductions are largely attributable to China’s green-energy shift, the report said.
Wang
Lining, director of
the oil market department of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corp, said that China’s further opening-up has created new opportunities for deeper international co-operation on clean energy.
Multinationals, including General Electric, BP and Siemens, are steadily expanding their investments in China’s energy sector, with many foreign projects well underway across the country, he said.
According to the white
paper, China has become the world’s largest investor in energy transition, with the country’s investment in the transition reaching $676 billion in 2023.
Wan Jinsong, deputy head of the National Energy Administration, said that China’s exports of photovoltaic and wind-power products helped other countries reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 810 million metric tons in 2023.
“The country’s electricity generated from clean energy has catered to more than half of the increase in total electricity consumption over the past decade, marking a growing share of green energy in its energy mix,” he said. According to the white paper, the country’s installed capacity of clean energy reached 1,700 GW last year, or 58.2 percent of the country’s total installed power-generation capacity. Clean energy accounted for 26.4 percent of the country’s total energy use in 2023, up from 15.5 percent in 2013, while the share of coal in its energy consumption dropped 12.1 percentage points during the past decade.
Zhang, the NEA head, said the government will continuously step up efforts to deepen energy reforms by establishing and improving mechanisms for green and low-carbon development. (China Daily)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 6, 2024, shows the wind-power equipment at a low (zero) carbon-dioxide emission industrial park in Sheyang, Yancheng, East China’s Jiangsu province [Photo/Xinhua]
Guyana was a ‘dead nation’ under APNU+AFC
–– Minister Walrond says, highlights level of stagnation during administration’s tenure, contrasts it with record-breaking growth under the PPP/C
–– country set this year to record highest-ever visitor-count in its history
THE A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) have found themselves on the receiving end of a political broadside from Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, for its lack of vision and failure to initiate any significant developmental projects during its tenure from 2015 to 2020.
The minister made those comments during a recent discussion, in which she highlighted that the coalition’s approach to governance was more focused on obstructing the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) initiatives instead of proposing their own ideas; this led to a period of stagnation in Guyana.
“For five years, nothing happened. Guyana became a dead nation,” Walrond said, pointing to the stagnation that occurred under the previous government.
During the tenure of the APNU+AFC administration, Guyana’s tourism sector was described as being in a nascent stage, heavily reliant on primary factors for de-
velopment rather than strategic planning and marketing efforts.
Key challenges included high air travel costs, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of certified lodging options, all of which contributed to the sector’s sluggish growth.
The tourism industry, despite being recognised as a potential driver of economic growth, saw little to no transformative changes under the APNU+AFC government.
Critics previously pointed out that the administration lacked a clear vision for tourism development, resulting in a period of inactivity.
Minister Walrond said the absence of aggressive marketing and development strategies meant that Guyana could not capitalise on its potential as a prime tourist destination, particularly in nature-based tourism.
The lack of significant government budgetary support and insufficient private sector investment further hampered the sector’s development.
This period of stagnation, as described by Walrond, left Guyana struggling to attract international tourists, with the country failing to establish itself as a competitive destination in the global tourism market.
REVITALIsATION UNDER PPP/C
In stark contrast to the previous administration, the PPP/C government, since taking office in 2020, has been credited with revitalising Guyana’s tourism sector, leading to record increases in visitor arrivals and spending.
Walrond highlighted the significant strides made in the tourism sector, noting that since 2020, visitor arrivals have been consistently increasing, breaking records every year.
“People are coming to Guyana, and they’re staying a longer time, and they’re spending their dollars,” she emphasised.
This growth, she said, is a direct result of the government’s strategic efforts to diversify Guyana’s tourism offerings and promote the country as a prime destination.
The development of tourism products and experiences across various regions is not only attracting more visitors, but is also benefiting local communities economically.
The Mid-Year Report 2024 from the Ministry of Finance highlighted the nation’s continued rise as a global leader in sustainable tourism, buoyed by international recognition and a series of strategic
initiatives.
In March 2024, Guyana’s commitment to ecological and sustainable tourism was internationally acknowledged when the country was named Destination of the Year in the Ecological Tourism Category by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association.
Additionally, Guyana received the Silver Award for Best Initiatives for Indigenous Communities at the World Travel Market Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards.
These accolades are expected to further enhance the country’s profile on the global tourism stage, attracting a wave of eco-conscious travellers.
The first half of 2024 saw a significant uptick in visitor arrivals, with 170,744 tourists visiting the country, an increase of 21,724 compared to the same period in 2023.
This surge is largely attributed to enhanced air connectivity and the hosting of major events and conferences, such as the popular Cricket Carnival.
The addition of new flights from airlines such as Sky High Dominicana, United Airlines, and American Airlines, has made it easier for international tourists to access Guyana, further boosting the sector’s growth.
Projections indicate that Guyana could welcome up to 350,000 visitors by the end of 2024, marking the highest annual visitor count in the nation’s history.
This growth is supported by an expansion in hotel infrastructure, with several new hotels, including Aiden Best Western, AC Marriott, and Marriott Courtyard, currently under construction.
According to the report, these developments are expected to increase the country’s accommodation capacity significantly, catering to the growing influx of tourists.
The report highlighted that to ensure that the tourism sector meets international standards, the PPP/C-led government has prioritised service quality improvements.
This includes comprehensive hospitality and tourism training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of local workers.
Additionally, new tourism circuits are being developed, and agri-tourism is being promoted as a unique attraction, leveraging Guyana’s rich agricultural heritage.
The continued focus on sustainable tourism, combined with strategic investments in infrastructure and service quality, positions Guyana as a rising star in the global tourism industry.
With the sector set to play a crucial role in the country’s economic diversification, the PPP/C government’s initiatives are propelling Guyana towards a future of prosperity, leaving behind what Minister Walrond described as the “dead nation” era under APNU+AFC.
Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond
Lusignan, Coldingen access roads undergo urgent repairs
URGENT repairs are being conducted on the Lusignan and Coldingen, East Coast Demerara main access roads to address severe damage and restore safe passage for commuters.
During a site inspection on Saturday, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, stated that the repairs are necessary owing to significant deterioration caused by heavily laden trucks involved in large-scale housing developments along the East Coast of Demerara corridor.
The minister also acknowledged that despite clear instructions and detailed maps provided by the Ministry of Housing and Water, many drivers deviated from the designated routes.
This resulted in extensive damage to key thoroughfares, including the Lusignan, Enterprise, and Coldingen access roads.
In response to the situation, contractors have been working late into the night to expedite repairs, especially with the reopening of schools in mind.
The minister emphasised that swift action is being taken to fill large craters and smooth out bulges and indentations in the roads.
Effective immediately, all truck drivers are required to use the main road and avoid the Railway Embankment.
The minister noted that the continued use of this corridor by heavy trucks has repeatedly damaged bridges,
causing significant disruption to both infrastructure and the daily lives of residents.
“This situation has now become untenable, as the continued use of these bridges by heavy trucks is not only damaging the infrastructure, but also adversely affecting the lives of residents and other road users”, the minister said.
The directive does not apply to smaller vehicles such as canters, buses, and cars.
The minister also noted that the police are co-operating with the ministry to enforce the new route requirements and ensure that truck drivers adhere to the prescribed lanes agreed upon by the housing ministry. (DPI)
Urgent repairs are being conducted on the Lusignan and Coldingen, East Coast Demerara main access roads to address severe damage and restore safe passage for commuters
Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2025
launched with new initiatives
–– poised to attract 7,000 delegates
By Shamar Meusa
THE Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2025, set to be the most impactful edition yet, was officially launched on Monday.
Scheduled for February 18-21, 2025, the fourth edition of the conference will be held under the theme, “Connecting the Dots: Integrating the Future” and will feature several new initiatives aimed at enhancing its reach and impact.
The launch event took place at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, where Kiana Wilburg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference, emphasised the importance of continuing critical discussions on sustainability and shared responsibility. “For 2025, the conference intends to lead discussions that remind us that the road to sustainability is a shared responsibility,” Wilburg stated.
Key topics on the agenda for the 2025 conference include a just energy transition; financing sustainable development initiatives; developing a workforce for the future; building resilient supply chains and promoting the advancement of women in the oil and gas industry. In addition to these main topics, Wilburg announced the introduction of parallel sessions that will delve into specialised areas relevant to industry professionals, such as renewable-energy integration, supply-chain optimization and the application of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and resilience.
To make the 2025 conference more engaging, the secretariat has planned several new initiatives, including an energy run/walk and an essay competition in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Additionally, a “Taste of Guyana” event is also on the agenda to introduce delegates to authentic Guyanese cuisine, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce.
Further enhancements include an overhaul of the conference’s website and the introduction of a new conference app, designed to streamline the registration process and improve the overall experience for participants. The Energy Conference’s technology partner, V75 Inc., unveiled these new digital tools, known as the “Guyana Energy Suite,” which marks the culmina-
tion of months of hard work by engineers and cybersecurity experts.
Eldon Marks, CEO of V75 Inc., highlighted the significance of these technological advancements, stating, “What it really represents is the Guyana Energy Conference’s embrace of technology and investment in it, especially at this scale. It also represents the conference’s patriotism in choosing a homegrown technology company.”
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, commended the vision and direction of the conference, emphasising its importance for Guyana. “I want to thank the team at the Guyana Energy Conference for their vision and willingness to showcase what Guyana is truly about, not just in oil and gas,” Bharrat remarked. He also acknowledged the support of sponsors such as ExxonMobil Guyana, which has been crucial in establishing the conference as one of the premier energy events globally.
The 2025 conference is expected to attract around 7,000 delegates, feature over 180 booths, and host more than 70 speakers. With 82 companies already confirmed, the event is set to provide a significant platform for advancing discussions on sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, expressed excitement over the continued growth and effectiveness of the conference. He noted that the event serves as a vital forum for bringing together the business and private sectors, both locally and internation-
ally, with policymakers to discuss current issues.
With its comprehensive agenda and new initiatives, the 2025 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is poised to be a landmark event, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration across the energy sector.
From right: CEO of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kiana Wilburg, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, CEO of V75 Inc. Eldon Marks and Chief Investment Officer at Go-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop
CEO of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kiana Wilburg (Delano Williams photos)
Mothers in Uniform: Policewomen achieve academic success against odds
IN a remarkable demonstration of dedication and resilience, Woman Constable Devika Moosai and Woman Special Constable Leslyn Lashley-Bobb, both mothers and officers of the Guyana Police Force, have recently celebrated significant academic achievements.
Despite the rigorous demands of their duties, both women successfully rewrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, commonly known as CXC, earning commendable results in key subjects such as English, Mathematics and Social Studies.
Stationed at Regional Division #4 ‘A’ and the Special Constabulary, respectively,
Deputy Commissioner (ag) ‘Administration’, Ravindradat Budhram (extreme right) and Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert, Director of the Guyana Police Force’s Academy (extreme left) with Woman Constable Devika Moosai and Woman Special Constable Leslyn Lashley-Bobb
Constable Moosai and Lashley-Bobb managed to excel academically while maintaining their professional responsibilities within the force. Their achievements have been praised by senior officers and are seen as a testament to the commitment of the Guyana Police Force to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Reflecting on her journey, Woman Constable Moosai shared that balancing her responsibilities as a police officer and a mother of two made the path to success challenging.
“The journey was both challenging and immensely rewarding,” she noted. “Managing my time between raising children and studying required a great deal of perseverance, but I knew that advancing my education would be worth it.”
Similarly, Woman Special Constable Lashley-Bobb, a mother of one, echoed these sentiments. “Balancing my duties as a police officer with the demands of preparing for these exams was no easy task,” she said. “There were moments of doubt and fatigue, especially after long hours of work, but the determination to achieve my goals kept me going.”
Their achievements have not gone unnoticed. Deputy Commissioner (acting) ‘Administration’, Ravindradat Budhram, personally congratulated the officers for their exceptional accomplishments.
“I commend these two officers for their hard work and dedication,” Mr. Budhram stated. “Their achievements illustrate the importance of life-long learning and the pursuit of excellence, both in their careers and personal lives. They have set a stan-
dard for others in the force, proving that it is never too late to continue one’s education and strive for growth.”
Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert, Director of the Guyana Police Force’s academy, also extended her congratulations, highlighting the broader impact of their success. She emphasised that the officers’ accomplishments not only benefit them personally, but also enhance the capabilities of the Guyana Police Force in delivering better service to the public. “This is just the beginning of their journey,” she remarked, encouraging them to continue their academic pursuits.
The achievements of Constables Moosai and Lashley-Bobb underscore the Guyana Police Force’s support for educational advancement. As outlined in the force’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026, there is a strong emphasis on capacity building, professional development, and academic growth. By improving their educational qualifications, these officers are better positioned to advance in their careers and contribute more meaningfully to the force’s mission of maintaining law and order and serving the community with excellence. Their success stories serve as powerful examples of determination and hard work, inspiring their colleagues to pursue further education and professional development.
The Guyana Police Force remains committed to fostering an environment that encourages growth, as these achievements illustrate the benefits of investing in human resources and the future of the force.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Tuesday September 03, 2024)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Ravi Rampaul-18 wickets (Barbados Tridents) (2) Krishmar Santokie – 4/11 (GAW vs Zouks)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What was the highest partnership for any wicket recorded in CPL 2014?
(2) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in CPL 2014?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
FINGER LAKES
Race 1 The Institute
Race 2 Playin It Big
Race 3 Mischief Joke
Race 4 Anointed Spirit
Race 5 The Regenerator
Race 6 B C Glory Days
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
GOODWOOD
08:45 hrs Mighty Boy
09:20 hrs Alligator Alley
09:53 hrs Retracement
10:30 hrs Where’s Clare
11:05 hrs Durham Castle
11:40 hrs East India Dock
12:15 hrs Meleri
NEWCASTLE
12:10 hrs Captivate
12:45 hrs Bonnie’s Boy
13:15 hrs Willy Campbell
13:45 hrs Zivanita
14:15 hrs Latin Five
14:45 hrs Candy Eye
15:15 hrs Barley Brown
15:45 hrs Flash The Dash
SOUTHWELL
10:05 hrs Saytart
10:40 hrs Forseeable Future
11:15 hrs Shader
11:50 hrs Milliterries
12:25 hrs Olympic Candle
13:00 hrs Yaaser
13:30 hrs King Of Ithaca
14:00 hrs Kynsa
14:30 hrs Balqaa
IRISH RACING TIPS
GOWAN PARK
08:35 hrs Cercene
09:10 hrs Naas
09:45 hrs Castanets
10:20 hrs Four Blondes
10:55 hrs You Owe Me Money
11:30 hrs I Bid You Ajou
12:05 hrs Tachos
12:35 hrs Winter Fog
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
DURBANVILLE
08:10 hrs Daimyo
08:45 hrs Kelp Forest
09:23 hrs Cattaleya
09:55 hrs Riverstone
10:30 hrs Kylami Girl
11:05 hrs Becky Sharp
Atkinson seals England series win over Sri Lanka
GUS Atkinson’s five-wicket haul eventually broke Sri Lanka’s resistance to give England victory in the second Test, and the series with a match to spare.
After making his maiden hundred in the first innings, Atkinson became only the third England player to score a century and take five wickets in a Test, and first since Lord Botham in 1984.
In front of a sparse fourthday crowd at Lord’s, the home side were held up by half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
England had the luxury of a mountain of runs – Sri Lanka were chasing a record 483 to win – but had to overcome some benign conditions, belated application from the tourists and two Joe Root dropped catches.
The tourists battled past tea, when Atkinson grasped the second new ball to hustle through the tail. He ended with 5-62 to leave Sri Lanka 292 all out and beaten by 190 runs.
The victory is England’s fifth in succession and gives them a second series triumph of the summer, following the 3-0 clean sweep against West Indies in July.
For Sri Lanka, this is a
first defeat in six visits to Lord’s, following five draws stretching back to 2002. It is England's seventh straight Test win over Sri Lanka since the drawn 2016 Lord's Test.
The final Test at The Oval begins on Friday, with England looking for their first 100% Test summer since they earned seven wins in 2004. England roll on at subdued Lord’s This was another routine win in a highly successful summer for the revamped England team. Here they absorbed a further injury, this time to Mark Wood, with Olly Stone returning and fitting into a team that is looking strong in most areas.
The down side for the hosts were the lack of runs for makeshift opener Dan Lawrence and stand-in cap-
tain Ollie Pope, who has been unable to show he can combine leadership with contributing at number three.
Sri Lanka may regret their decision to bowl first after winning the toss, yet the good batting conditions late into the game showed the tourists may have been on to something.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka were beaten by their poor display with the bat in the first innings, Atkinson’s allround brilliance and twin centuries from Root, the second of which took him to an England record 34 tons.
The electric atmosphere when Root reached his historic milestone on Saturday was in contrast to swathes of empty seats on Sunday.
Some will point to the cost of tickets. The cheapest
adult entry was £95 and it is true that watching Test cricket can be prohibitively expensive, not only at Lord’s.
Perhaps there is also a reluctance to invest in fourthday tickets when most of England’s Tests this summer have been one-sided.
It raises questions whether the English game, and other global powerhouses Australia and India, are doing enough to protect Test cricket. The big nations cannot simply play each other, so must do all they can to ensure as many teams as possible are competitive in the longer format
England’s push for victory was delayed by bad light on the third evening. As Sri Lanka began Sunday on 532, an improbable 430 runs adrift, the question was not if England would win, but when.
The hosts were initially held up by opener Karunaratne and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya. England failed with two reviews against Karunaratne, while Root dropped the same batter at first slip off Atkinson.
With little assistance for the bowlers, Pope shuffled his attack, adjusted his field to sometimes employ as many as eight catchers, and asked Stone to bowl spells of bouncers.
Chris Woakes drew Jayasuriya into an edge to second slip, only for Chandimal to arrive and add 55 with Karunaratne, then another 59 with Angelo Mathews.
Though Stone’s hostility was rewarded with Karunaratne’s tickle down the leg side, Chandimal was aggressive, especially against off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. Chandimal’s 42-ball half-century was his quickest in Tests.
But after Mathews patted Bashir to mid-off, Atkinson got the big wicket of Chandimal, caught at short leg. When the in-form Kamindu Mendis flashed the same bowler to second slip, the game seemed up.
Sri Lanka dug in once more. Dhananjaya found support from Milan Rathnayake, the number nine bravely coming through a blow to the helmet off Stone to add 73 for the eighth wicket.
England took the second new ball, Root put down a straightforward Rathnayake edge off Atkinson, so the bowler instead hit the stumps off Dhananjaya’s toe end.
Atkinson took the bottom edge of the swiping Rathnayake to join Botham and Tony Greig as the only England men to do the hun-
dred-five-wicket double in the same Test, then Woakes had Lahiru Kumara sky to mid-on to finish it.
England captain Ollie Pope on Test Match Special: "A good win and some special individual performances from Gus and Joe.
"In an ideal world you want to lead from the front with the bat but we're 2-0 up in the series. I haven't contributed in the way I'd have liked but I'd still take that every day of the week."
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva: "We are a much better team than we have shown.
"I would have batted first [if I had my time again at the toss]. I got it wrong. But we did really well in the first innings when we were bowling."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "I hope Gus Atkinson never changes and sticks to that deadpan attitude. I love it! He will have tougher challenges, but he's just being himself and enjoying the game."
Player of the match, England bowler Gus Atkinson, speaking to BBC Sport: “I have had a good few games here, I don't know what it is. I enjoy bowling down the slope but the batting, I'm not sure!” (BBC Sport).
Mahmud and Rana edge Bangladesh closer to series whitewash
HASAN Mahmud and Nahid Rana took nine wickets between them as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 172 in the second innings of the second Test, on Monday.
Given a target of 185 for the victory, the visitors cruised to 42 without loss after seven
overs before bad light and subsequent rain halted proceedings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After starting the day 9-2, Pakistan saw Saim Ayub removed by Taskin Ahmed (1-40) before Rana ripped through the hosts' batting
Dazzling Draper
JACK Draper produced a brilliant display to reach the US Open quarter-finals with a straight-set win over Tomas Machac.
The Briton stormed to a 6-3 6-1 6-2 victory to book his place in the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The 22-year-old becomes the first ‘Brit’ to make the quarter-finals of the men's singles at Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray in 2016.
"Today I played a decent level," Draper said. "He was maybe a little bit off his best, but I had to stay strong in the points. I lost here last year in the same round, so it's nice to come back and do better."
Czech Machac had won the three previous matches between the pair, but, after a strong start, was outclassed by a laser-focused Draper in just one hour and 44 minutes. With a number of big names, most notably No-
order, claiming the wickets of Shan Masood (28), Babar Azam (11) and Saud Shakeel (two) in four overs.
Mohammad Rizwan's 43 from 73 deliveries threatened to bring Pakistan back into the contest, only for Mahmud to claim successive wickets in
the 36th over before removing Mir Hamza (four) to conclude a dominant session for Bangladesh.
Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam wasted no time in setting a swift pace in the chase, with the former striking 31 runs from the 23 balls he
faced, including two sixes and two fours before the weather closed in.
The pair will return to the crease today needing 143 runs for a memorable series victory.
Rana's figures of 4-44 were his best for Bangladesh,
with their bowling display the first time in the tourists' Test history that all ten wickets were picked up by fast bowlers.
Mahmud also impressed, claiming his first five-wicket haul in just his third Test outing for Bangladesh.
reaches US Open quarter-finals
vak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, having gone out early, Draper has yet to drop a set in the tournament, and has every reason to believe he can go all the way.
This was a statement performance in what has been a breakthrough year for the 6ft 4in left-hander; one that has included his maiden ATP title in Stuttgart, and victory over Wimbledon champion Alcaraz at Queen's.
Should Draper win his
quarter-final tie, he could face world Number One Jannik Sinner in the last four.
CALM RUTHLESSNESS
Machac, 23, made the brighter start to the match, imposing himself with a flurry of crunching forehands, and taking Draper to deuce in the Briton's opening service game.
But Draper withstood the early barrage, settled in with three aces in his next service game, and
soon began to take control.
He was gifted the first break when Machac put a routine overhead into the net and then went long, but took full advantage, hammering a scorching backhand down the line to bring up two set points before converting a third.
After showing his power from the baseline in the first, Draper showed his deft touch to start the second with a pair of fine drop shots.
But while there was a
swagger to an increasingly confident Draper, his opponent was growing ever more frustrated, and heated discussions with coach Daniel Vacek between - and during - games became the norm.
Double faults were becoming an issue for the Czech world Number 39 and Two in a game that enabled his opponent to break at the first time of asking in the second set.
‘You never know what you can do until you do it' - Atkinson on five-fer and century
Root is England's greatest batter - Vaughan
FORMER captain Michael Vaughan says Joe Root is England's greatest batter after hitting a record 34th Test century for his country.
Root, 33, surpassed Sir Alastair Cook's tally of 33 Test tons with his second century of the match in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
The right-hander is also just 96 runs from eclipsing Cook's record of 12,472 Test runs for England.
"It's not been through crash, bang, wallop," said Vaughan, of Root's technique. "It's been through pure technique and ability.
"He is the greatest because he's a wonderful role model as well. He's a fantastic person and a great player."
After scoring 143 in England's first innings against Sri Lanka, Root made a sublime 103 in the second innings to spark the hosts' push for victory, with Sri Lanka set a record 483 to win before they closed day three on 53-2.
Only six batters have scored more Test runs than Root, with just one - Australia's Ricky Pontinghaving a better strike-rate.
It is that ability to score so easily that marks Root out, according to Vaughan.
"The opposition pretty much always have to have
four fielders behind square on the off side because he's just so good," Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special.
"You take away four fielders and all of a sudden there are gaps everywhere else.
"He's just playing normally, rotating the strike without taking any risk. How often do you look up and he has scored 25 in no time at all?"
'There's an inevitability about him'
Cook, who was England captain when Root made his debut in 2012, has seen many of the records he set in his own career taken by the Yorkshire batter, who is averaging 60 in 2024.
"I don't think anyone else has got that inevitability about him when he gets in that he's going to score runs and make it look as easy as he does," said Cook.
"There have been some really elegant England batsmen over our time - the likes of Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell.
"But Root just seems to be way above that level."
Root has scored centuries against seven different countries, including 10 against India and four against Australia, but never down under.
"The only thing that's missing in his game is that big hundred in Australia," added Vaughan.
"But I can't imagine he won't get three figures in the Ashes next year in Australia."
Root said there is "still a lot of work to do" in his career.
"It will be nice to have bragging rights when having a beer with Cooky," he told Test Match Special.
"I want to play for longer, I feel like I have a long way to go."(BBC Sport)
Speaking to BBC Sport, Root added: "It was very special to be able to share it with my family.
"I was able to see my dad on the stairs on the way up. It is nice to have times like that."
Former captain Michael Vaughan says Joe Root is England's greatest batter after hitting a record 34th Test century for his country.
Root, 33, surpassed Sir Alastair Cook's tally of 33 Test tons with his second century of the match in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
The right-hander is also just 96 runs from eclipsing Cook's record of 12,472 Test runs for England.
"It's not been through crash, bang, wallop," said Vaughan, of Root's technique. "It's been through pure technique and ability.
"He is the greatest because he's a wonderful role model as well. He's a fantastic person and a great player."
After scoring 143 in
England's first innings against Sri Lanka, Root made a sublime 103 in the second innings to spark the hosts' push for victory, with Sri Lanka set a record 483 to win before they closed day three on 53-2.
Only six batters have scored more Test runs than Root, with just one - Australia's Ricky Pontinghaving a better strike-rate.
It is that ability to score so easily that marks Root out, according to Vaughan.
"The opposition pretty much always have to have four fielders behind square on the off side because he's just so good," Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special.
"You take away four fielders and all of a sudden there are gaps everywhere else.
"He's just playing normally, rotating the strike without taking any risk. How often do you look up and he has scored 25 in no time at all?"
'There's an inevitability about him'
Cook, who was England captain when Root made his debut in 2012, has seen many of the records he set in his own career taken by the Yorkshire batter, who is averaging 60 in 2024.
"I don't think anyone else has got that inevita-
bility about him when he gets in that he's going to score runs and make it look as easy as he does," said Cook.
"There have been some really elegant England batsmen over our time - the likes of Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell.
"But Root just seems to be way above that level."
Root has scored centuries against seven different countries, including 10 against India and four against Australia, but never down under.
"The only thing that's missing in his game is that big hundred in Australia," added Vaughan.
"But I can't imagine he won't get three figures in the Ashes next year in Australia."
Root said there is "still a lot of work to do" in his career.
"It will be nice to have bragging rights when having a beer with Cooky," he told Test Match Special.
"I want to play for longer, I feel like I have a long way to go."
Speaking to BBC Sport, Root added: "It was very special to be able to share it with my family.
"I was able to see my dad on the stairs on the way up. It is nice to have times like that."(BBC Sport)
Boxing’s Olympic future takes major blow following vote in Dubai
THE future of boxing as an Olympic sport has suffered a major setback.
The Asian Boxing Confederation voted 21-14 not to join World Boxing at an extraordinary congress in Dubai on Saturday last.
While 19 delegates subsequently supported a motion from the floor to become ‘independent’ and deal directly with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the legality of this motion is in doubt.
The Asian Boxing Confederation’s Board of Directors had recommended
to members to support cutting ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA) and link up with World Boxing, which is aiming to secure recognition as the international federation for boxing. Boxing has been left off the programme for the Los Angeles Games in 2028 by the IOC who ran the tournament at the Paris and Tokyo Games following the suspension of, and ultimately the derecognition of, the Russian-led IBA.
The IBA is appealing this IOC decision in a court
in Switzerland, having lost its initial appeal to the Court for Arbitration in Sport.
The IOC has stated if it can partner with a new credible organisation, boxing will be restored to the programme for the LA Games, despite all the negative publicity the sport endured because of the gender row and the inconsistent judging and refereeing during the Paris Games.
Forty-two countries have left the IBA and joined World Boxing, in-
cluding eight countries from Asia, among them India, Taiwan and South Korea.
Asian countries dominated boxing at the Paris Games, with Uzbekistan topping the medals’ table with five gold in the men’s competition. China finished second with three gold and two silver in women’s boxing.
Politically both are closer to Russia than the United States and western Europe, which is at the forefront of the movement to establish World Boxing,
as are other national federations in Asia.
The president of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI), Sarah Keane, revealed during the Paris Games that the OFI will be withdrawing recognition of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association if they remain as members of the IBA.
The vote in Dubai is a stunning blow to World Boxing and could lead to the IOC having second thoughts about recognising them, which in turn puts paid to the chances of the sport being restored to the
LA Games.
Predictably, the IBA welcomed the decision. A statement read: “It reflects the years of IBA’s hard work invested in boxing development worldwide and true unity of the IBA Boxing Family.
“Pluralism of opinions means true democracy, and the IBA appreciates the variety of views from National Federations. However, the majority decides, and IBA supports the decision taken.” (Irish Independent)
England Batsman Joe Root
‘Amazon Warriors’ manager confirms Saim Ayub will not play in CPL
By Sean Devers
MANAGER of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, former West Indies Test batter Leon Johnson yesterday confirmed that Pakistani opener Saim Ayub, who is presently playing against Bangladesh in a two-Test series, will not be available for the 2024 CPL.
Last year, the 22-yearold finished the CPL as the
second highest run-scorer with 478 runs in 13 innings at an average of 43.45, and a strike rate of 142.26.
Only his Guyana Amazon Warriors team-mate Shai Hope was ahead of him with 481 runs at 53.44, and a strike rate of 140.23.
Ayub is involved in the Test series against Bangladesh, making 56 and 1 in the first Test which Bangladesh won by 10 wickets. He scored 58 and 20 in the second Test, but at the
end of the fourth day, Bangladesh are 42-0, needing 143 runs to win the two-Test series 2-0.
At the start of 2024, Ayub was given a surprise Test debut against Australia in Sydney.
In 2023, Ayub impressed in T20 leagues around the world, where he has played 85 T20s, most notably in the CPL.
Considered special enough to break the hallowed Babar Azam- Mo -
hammad Rizwan opening partnership, he did not have the desired impact, and was dropped ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 after a litany of low scores.
Johnson, the most successful First-Class captain of West Indies domestic cricket with six titles, explained that the dashing lefthander has not been given an NOC by the Pakistan Board (PCB).
After his outstanding performance with the bat
for the Guyana Franchise, he was named in the original ‘Warriors’ squad, and his anticipated presence at the top of the order will be missed this year. Johnson said that a replacement for the lad from Karachi has not been named as yet.
The ‘Warriors’, who beat Antigua and Barbuda Falcons off the final ball, will play their second in St. Kitts tomorrow from 19:00hrs, when they face off with the SKN Patriots.
Double gold: Jamaica sweeps sprint
SATURDAY’S final day of the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 Championships was a productive one for Jamaica in the 4x100m relay as both the female and male quartets claimed gold medals.
The women combined to run a season’s best 43.39 to win gold ahead of Switzerland (44.06) and Canada (44.60).
200m bronze medallist, Shanoya Douglas, ran the first leg before handing off to Alliah Baker. Baker ran a solid leg before handing off to Briana Campbell who then gave the baton to individual 100m champion Alana Reid who then brought it home.
The men’s race was as exciting as they come with Deandre Daley producing a brilliant anchor leg to secure gold for Jamaica in
— relay finals at World Under-20 Championships
39.18 ahead of Great Britain (39.20) and Thailand (39.39). Jamaica were on the
back foot early after the opening leg from Jace Witter before the second and third legs from Gary Card
and Nyrone Wade, respectively, meant that Daley got the baton in fourth and in striking distance of the top
three.
Similar to what he did at the 2023 Carifta Games in Nassau, Daley then pro-
duced an excellent anchor leg comeback to secure the gold for Jamaica. Elsewhere, Jamaica’s Shaiquan Dunn threw 59.79m for seventh in the final of the men’s discus. The USA’s Bryce Ruland took gold with a personal best 62.59m ahead of The Netherlands’ Jarno Van Daalen (62.22m) and Finland’s Mico Lampinen (62.20).
The USVI’s Michelle Smith narrowly missed out on a medal in the women’s 400m hurdles final, finishing fourth in 57.21. France’s Meta Tumba took gold in a national under-20 record 55.59. Poland’s Wiktoria Gadajska ran a national under-20 record 56.87 in second while South Africa’s Hannah Van Niekerk was third in a personal best 56.98. (Sportsmax).
Ronaldo not planning to retire as yet
CRISTIANO Ronaldo says he has no intention to retire from international football yet, but does not expect it to be a difficult decision when the time comes.
The 39-year-old holds the record for the most caps and goals of any player in men's international football, netting 130 times in 212 games.
However, Ronaldo's future was called into question after an unconvincing Euro 2024 campaign in which he failed to hit the back of the net in five appearances.
The tournament in Germany was the sixth major finals Ronaldo has featured in; a record, and he became the first European player in history to make
50 appearances at major tournaments.
"When the time comes, I'll move on," he said. "It won't be a difficult decision to make.
"If I feel like I'm no longer contributing anything, I'll be the first to leave."
Ronaldo also said he’s "never considered leaving the national team" despite the criticism he received
during the tournament.
"People's expectations of the national team were too high," Ronaldo added. The forward has retained his place in the Portugal squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, when he will be looking to score what will be his 900th career goal. (Sportsmax)
Jamaica’s female and male quartets celebrate their 4x100m relay gold medals
Saim Ayub will miss the 2024 CPL
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most caps and goals of any player in men's international football
Mayers stars for Patriots, but Rajapaksa powers Kings to victory
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – KYLE Mayers
turned in a sensational performance with bat and ball, but it was not enough to prevent the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots from falling to the St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League on Sunday.
Man-of-the-match Mayers blasted a boundary-laden 92 from 62 balls, and, along with Evin Lewis, who scored the tournament’s first century, propelled the Patriots to a challenging total of 201 for three from their 20 overs at Warner Park.
However, Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored an unbeaten 68 and Tim Seifert scored 64, as the Kings raced to 202 for five from 17.2 overs to begin their CPL campaign on a winning note.
It was a brilliant come-frombehind victory by the Kings, who seemed to be down and out at 24-4 in the fourth over after Mayers and fast-bowler Anrich Nortje struck early on.
Johnson Charles scored 12 from 12 balls before Mayers uprooted his leg stump to leave the score 14-1, and six runs later Mayers found Ackeem
scored 92, took two wickets and two catches in a losing cause for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
Auguste’s leading edge and he was caught by Nortje at third man for six. Without another run added,
Mayers took a brilliant catch running back from mid-on to send Kings’ captain Faf du Plessis packing for just two off the
bowling of Nortje, who also clean bowled Roston Chase for four to put the Patriots in full command.
But in a shocking turn of events, Rajapaksa and Seifert completely wrestled the initiative from the Patriots in a 103run partnership in seven overs.
Seifert smashed left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for two consecutive sixes in the seventh over that yielded 18 runs.
In the next over, the pair then tore left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd to shreds, dispatch-
ing him for four sixes and one four.
Seifert brought up his half century off the last ball of Nedd’s over by hitting him over the deep extra cover boundary.
Odean Smith made the breakthrough for the Patriots when he had Seifert caught at mid-off after pummelling six sixes and four boundaries, to leave the match evenly poised at 127-5 after 11 overs.
But the Kings would reap no further success the rest of the way, as Rajapaksa teamed up
with Wiese in an unbroken 75run stand in just over six overs.
Wiese, who finished on 34 not out, joined in on the action too, hitting Shamsi for three sixes in the 14th over.
He eventually ended the contest in fitting style by sending Smith to the deep fine leg boundary, as the Kings romped to victory with 16 balls remaining in their CPL opener.
Earlier, Lewis and Mayers combined in a 199-run stand for the second wicket to help the Patriots post a formidable total.
Lewis scored his sixth T20 hundred, an unbeaten 100 from 54 balls with seven fours and nine sixes, while Mayers clobbered six fours and seven sixes.
The two faced all but four balls of the Patriots’ innings, after captain Andre Fletcher was run out off the third ball of the match.
Lewis eventually brought up his century in the last over of the innings, when he pushed Wiese down to long off for a single.
However, Mayers was dismissed eight runs short of his 100 when he was caught at deep cover with two balls left.
GFF wraps up KFC Elite League with improved talent, increased fan engagement
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wrapped up Season Six of the KFC Elite League over the weekend, closing a chapter marked by steady progress in local football.
This season saw improvements in several areas, including local talent, fan engagement, match-day atmosphere, and overall competition quality.
The season culminated with the Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) securing the championship, as a result of consistent performances that kept fans engaged throughout the league.
Coming in second was Slingerz FC, and in third place, Guyana Police Force FC. Season Six also brought several
noteworthy developments that contributed to the league’s growth.
ment.
The League also saw a boost in attendance, with over 11,000 fans attending the matches, while many others engaged through social media and the FIFA+ platform.
Additionally, fan behaviour throughout the season was exemplary, with no major incidents reported, reflecting positively on the overall atmosphere of the league.
ing and intense performances, showcasing discipline and flair night after night,” Adams stated.
The Vice-President also offered congratulations to all teams that participated in the League, recognising their hard work over the past six months.
said, “We are excited about the prospects for Season Seven, and deeply value the continued partnership with KFC Guyana and all our sponsors, whose support has allowed 250 young men to showcase their talents through football.”
Adams also acknowledged the role of the media and match officials, thanking them for their contributions to the league’s success.
Furthermore, over six months, 378 goals were scored across 90 matches, delivering continuous action and excite-
Matches were held under high-quality floodlights at the GFF National Training Centre (NTC), Guyana’s home of football, thereby providing an improved environment for both players and spectators.
During the presentation ceremony, on behalf of GFF President Wayne Forde and the Council, Vice-President Rawlston Adams commended the champions, GDF FC, for their outstanding performance throughout the season.
“This season, GDF FC captivated us with their thrill-
“Your commitment has been truly commendable. We look forward to seeing what you will bring to Season Seven,” he noted.
As Season Six comes to a close, the GFF is already focused on the next season, with plans to build on the successes of this season.
Noting that the GFF is committed to further enhancing the league’s infrastructure, and expanding its reach, Adams
As preparations for the next season begin, the GFF remains dedicated to advancing football in Guyana, and supporting the development of young athletes across the country.
Fans can expect updates and announcements as the Federation gears up for Season Seven. (GFF)
Tim Seifert (left) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa put on a century partnership to lift St. Lucia Kings from 24-4 and inspire victory
(Photo: CPL/Getty Images)
Man-of-the-Match, Kyle Mayers,
GDF emerged overall champion of the tournament