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The Buxton Community Ground was awash with noise and colour on Saturday as Guyana’s future stars took center stage for the official launch of the Youth Ensemble Programme.

Hosted by the East Demerara Football Association, the opening weekend marked the beginning of a nationwide U13 league that will span the country’s regional associations over the coming months. It is an ambitious blueprint designed to fortify the bedrock of Guyanese football, and on day one, the communities turned out in droves.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde was among the crowd in Georgetown, watching the next generation take their first steps in a tournament that feels vital for the country’s footballing ecosystem.

“It’s a good day for football on the East Coast,” Forde said, praising the local organisers. “It’s always good to see some of the members stepping forward and embracing the initiatives being organised by the GFF.”

For East Demerara Football Association President Rickford Profitt, the stakes of this GFF-collaboration go far beyond just a single weekend of silverware. There is a firm belief that this tournament is the exact crucible needed to forge senior international talent.

“We believe this programme will play a very important role in the lives of these young boys,” Profitt insisted. “We are confident this programme will produce more players like Omari Glasgow. This has been one of the best things to happen to the East Demerara Football Association in a long time.”

The action on the pitch did not disappoint, with local rivalries instantly catching fire.

In the East Demerara fixtures, Plaisance locked horns with Golden Stars, while BV Triumph traded blows with Victoria Kings. Elsewhere, Buxton Stars battled Ann’s Grove United, Melanie squared off against Mahaica Determinators, and Haslington Stars tested their mettle against Mahaicony Western Lions.

 

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With many students continuing to struggle with mathematics across Guyana’s school system, Education Minister Sonia Parag has launched a new National Mathematics Taskforce aimed at transforming how the subject is taught and understood in classrooms nationwide.

The taskforce, made up of mathematics specialists from all administrative regions, recently held its first meeting at the National Centre for Education and Research Development in Georgetown, where discussions focused on long term strategies to improve national mathematics performance.

Speaking candidly to educators, Minister Parag acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges facing the education system is the gap between knowing mathematics and effectively teaching it.

She told members of the taskforce that some teachers possess strong mathematical knowledge but struggle to deliver lessons in a way students understand, while others are skilled at classroom delivery but lack deeper subject mastery.

According to the minister, improving mathematics performance must begin with strengthening teacher training at the Cyril Potter College of Education.

“You have teachers who have the knowledge, but they do not know how to deliver. You have teachers who can deliver, but they do not have the knowledge,” Parag explained, while urging the taskforce to rethink how future educators are trained.

The minister also raised concerns that many students are being taught to memorise formulas simply to pass exams instead of truly understanding mathematical concepts.

She warned that this approach leaves students vulnerable when examination questions are presented differently or require deeper reasoning skills.

“We need to rethink whether we are teaching children to understand mathematics or teaching them to memorise just to pass an exam,” Parag said.

Another major issue highlighted during the discussions was the fear and anxiety many students already associate with mathematics before entering the classroom.

The Education Minister said teachers often face the added challenge of breaking down psychological barriers students develop toward the subject from an early age.

“For many students, from the time you hear mathematics, there is already a block in your head,” she noted.

Parag also linked poor mathematics performance to literacy challenges, explaining that many children struggle to answer questions correctly because they cannot fully read or understand what is being asked.

To address that issue, the ministry is now strengthening literacy assessments at the lower school levels, with national literacy evaluations planned for Grades Two and Four.

According to the minister, children must develop strong reading comprehension skills early if they are expected to reason through mathematics problems later in their education.

During the meeting, educators proposed several ideas aimed at making mathematics more engaging and interactive for students.

Recommendations included launching national mathematics competitions, establishing maths clubs in schools, introducing weekly evaluations, creating classroom “maths walls” displaying formulas and theories, and using games and activities to make learning more enjoyable.

Parag stressed that while Guyana has already made investments in schools, training, and educational resources, stronger leadership and supervision at the school level will also be critical to achieving better outcomes.

She also called for greater parental involvement through Parent Teacher Associations, arguing that improving student performance cannot rest solely on teachers or the Ministry of Education.

“The ministry cannot do it alone, the teachers cannot do it alone and our children cannot do it alone,” the minister stated.

Moving forward, the taskforce will take its draft strategy to all regions across Guyana to gather feedback from teachers and school leaders before any final plan is implemented.

Parag said she wants the initiative to become a turning point for mathematics education in Guyana.

“I want this to be a new beginning for mathematics,” she declared.

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Guyana’s Shavin Greene has taken a major step toward the pinnacle of regional officiating after successfully advancing to the next stage of the elite Concacaf Video Match Official Certification Programme.

The Guyanese referee was in Miami, Florida, earlier this month to participate in Phase 2 of the prestigious initiative, representing the Golden Arrowhead at one of the region’s highest levels of referee development.

Organised by Concacaf, the advanced certification programme is designed to identify and groom the next generation of Video Match Officials (VMOs), including Video Assistant Referees (VARs) and Assistant Video Assistant Referees (AVARs), for elite regional competitions.

Greene was selected to advance to the crucial in-person assessment phase following a rigorous evaluation process. Decision-makers were impressed by his strong understanding of complex VAR protocols, sound analytical capabilities, and clear potential for development within the modern officiating role.

The intensive training block took place at Concacaf’s centralised replay centre at MediaPro Studios. It focused heavily on the practical application, protocols, and operational standards of video technology in the modern game.

Greene and his peers underwent theoretical instruction, advanced video analysis, and simulation-based decision reviews. The curriculum also heavily emphasised communication training to sharpen teamwork and decision-making under intense pressure.

“Participating in this course has further enhanced my understanding of elite-level officiating standards,” Greene said, reflecting on his time in Miami. “It has reinforced my commitment to professionalism, integrity, and the continued development of football officiating within the region.”

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has viewed Greene’s progression as a significant milestone in its broader strategy to elevate local refereeing standards. The governing body remains committed to aligning Guyanese football officiating with international best practices.

Concacaf considers the VMO Certification Programme a flagship investment in regional refereeing, aimed at ensuring officials can operate seamlessly within high-stakes VAR environments during future Concacaf tournaments.

The GFF extended its congratulations to Greene, commending his dedication to excellence and his role in the ongoing growth of football officiating across Guyana.

 

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The 60th Independence Anniversary Badminton Tournament delivered a sensational evening of high-octane action on Friday across seven tightly contested categories, ranging from energetic Under-23 singles to senior men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events.

In the Men’s Singles round of 16, top seed Akili Haynes advanced via a walkover against Avinash Odit; however, second seed Tyrese Jeffrey faced a much sterner test on court, digging deep to overcome a resilient Jonathan Mangra in straight sets, 21-19, 21-18.

The joint third and fourth seeds also showcased their title credentials, with Frank Waddell fending off Grandison Robinson 21-12, 22-20 , and Nkosi Beaton cruising past Chike Nurse with a comfortable 21-8, 21-12 victory.

The most dramatic clash of the men’s singles session came down to a three-set thriller between Nikolas Pollard and Gabriel Felix.

After dropping the opening game 19-21, Pollard rallied spectacularly to claim the next two sets 21-18, 21-12, securing his place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Jaurel Hendricks bested Ronit Gulchand, Chioke Nurse defeated Mikkel Wong, and Sheraz Nabbie delivered the most lopsided win of the round by dismantling Halen Jiang 21-2, 21-5.

The momentum carried directly into the Men’s Doubles, where top-seeded pair Nkosi Beaton and Daniel Tan advanced without hitting a shuttlecock after a walkover from Halen Jiang and Nathan Mohanlall.

Second seeds Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey were made to work for their progression, ultimately outlasting Jaurel Hendricks and Jonathan Mangra 21-11, 22-20.

The pairings of Chike Nurse and Chioke Nurse, Percival Chester and Ronit Gulchand and Sheraz Nabbie and Frank Waddell all recorded comfortable straight-sets victories. Haymant Ramdhani and Jason Stephney alongside Troxley Cutting and Grandison Robinson also booked their spots in the next round with identical 21-11, 21-11 scorelines.

In contrast, Mohamed Farouk and Haresh Persaud had to fight tooth and nail, coming from a game down to defeat Miguelanjel Jose Vasquez Silva and Hasani Robinson 14-21, 21-17, 21-15.

In the standard Women’s Singles quarter-finals, top seed Mishka Beharry put on a masterclass to dispatch Menikshi Jaikissoon 21-16, 21-9.

Second seed Ashley Khalil mirrored that authority with a 21-13, 21-15 win over Leshaunte Berkley.

Asiyah Eastman booked her semi-final spot by comfortably defeating Dana Persaud 21-10, 21-8, while Alimah Eastman progressed via a walkover against Macayle Greene.

The future of Guyanese badminton was also on full display during the Under-23 divisions. In the U23 Men’s Singles, top seed Frank Waddell continued his busy, successful night by beating Chike Nurse 21-9, 21-11, while second seed Christopher Jordan blew past Joel Rambiriche, dropping just thirteen points in a 21-9, 21-4 demolition.

 

Caleb Tan provided the upset of the round by knocking out joint third and fourth seed Nikolas Pollard in straight games. The match of the segment, however, belonged to U23 seed Yonneil Benjamin, who survived an agonisingly close second-set tiebreak to defeat Gabriel Felix 21-11, 21-23, 21-17.

The Under-23 Women’s Singles drew the evening to a close with dominant displays. Prodigy Mishka Beharry look unfazed by pulling double duty, defeating Leshaunte Berkley 21-14, 21-13. Second seed Alimah Eastman was equally impressive in her 21-7, 21-11 triumph over Cathalina Wong.

They will be joined in the semi-finals by Menikshi Jaikissoon, who allowed Lucy Leo only eight points across two sets , and Anya Manickchand, who sealed her qualification with a 21-8, 21-17 win over Anika De Freitas.

 

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After five successive wins in conditions that weaponised their bowlers and masked their limitations with the bat, Gujarat Titans (GT) found their kryptonite at Eden Gardens. In near-perfect batting conditions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ran away to 247 for 2, the highest total anyone has ever scored against GT.

Finn Allen set the tone, hitting 10 sixes in 35 balls on his way to an awe-inspiring 93, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green carried the baton with impressive unbeaten half-centuries. GT had their chances to minimise the punishment they took, but they put down four mostly straightforward catches, including two off Allen.

Everything needed to go right for GT to be able to get to 248; the highest target they had previously chased down was 204. But after a frenetic start in which they rushed to 42 for no loss in three overs, they simply couldn’t keep up with the required rate.

B Sai Sudharsan, who provided much of that early impetus, retired hurt after taking a blow to the elbow, and returned to bat in the 17th over. In between, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler scored half-centuries and put on a 128-run stand for the third wicket. But by the time Sai Sudharsan returned, the match was done and dusted, with GT needing an absurd 71 off 22 balls.

The one man at the ground who could have pulled off that task was relaxing on KKR’s bench: Allen, subbed out at the change of innings. The only sore point of the match for KKR, in the end, concerned the man who came on for Allen. Matheesha Pathirana made his first appearance of the season, but went off the field with a hamstring issue having bowled just 1.2 overs. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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The script could not have been written any better for the finale of the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship.

On one side stands a modern dynasty as the Guyana Harpy Eagles are one victory away from a remarkable fourth consecutive first-class title, a feat that would solidify their absolute stranglehold on the regional red-ball game.

It would also mean a ninth title in the last 11 seasons of the Regional Four-Day Championship. Barbados is next best with two titles during this Professional Cricket League era.

On the other side stands a proud cricketing nation desperate to exorcise a two-decade-old ghost.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, historically a powerhouse but starved of first-class glory since 2006, arrive at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium with a golden opportunity to end their 20-year title drought.

Guyana enter the final on the back of irresistible momentum. They have put together a string of clinical performances, including three consecutive victories over the Windward Islands Volcanoes and an innings-and-21-run demolition of the West Indies Academy.

Their squad depth is so enviable that they can afford to reintroduce human highlight reel Shamar Joseph into the bowling unit, replacing Thaddeus Lovell.

The Red Force, meanwhile, has shown the kind of grit and star power required to disrupt an empire. While they accept the tag of underdogs, Joshua Da Silva’s men possess a balanced, international-grade bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets in any conditions.

In the Spotlight

For Guyana, the spotlight naturally falls on the young opening pair of Matthew Nandu and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Nandu, the former West Indies Under-19 representative, is coming off a magnificent maiden double-century against the Academy, taking his tournament tally to 353 runs.

Chanderpaul, the immovable object at the top, has accumulated 367 runs, including a match-winning century against the Volcanoes.

If this duo blunts the new ball, they effectively bat opposition teams out of the contest, setting a platform for debutant centurion Jonathan Van Lange and the middle order.

Trinidad & Tobago will look squarely at their skipper, Joshua Da Silva. The West Indies Test wicketkeeper has been the premier batsman of the tournament, amassing 402 runs in just five innings at a staggering average of 80.40.

Da Silva’s ability to anchor the innings, bat with the tail, and counter-attack when necessary has been the spine of the Red Force batting line-up.

If he falls cheaply, the pressure on Amir Jangoo and Cephas Cooper multiplies exponentially.

Teams News and Pitch Conditions

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua usually offers a fair contest between bat and ball, with some early assistance for the quicks before settling into a good batting track that brings spinners into play on Days three and four.

Rain has been hovering around St John’s in the build-up, which might spice up the pitch early on and make the toss crucial.

Guyana’s bowling attack is formidable, reinforced by Shamar Joseph’s return to complement the veteran spin twin tandem of Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul, who have combined for 39 wickets this season.

Permaul enters the contest fresh off capturing his 600th first-class wicket.

The Red Force boasts an equally menacing bowling unit. Anderson Phillip is currently the tournament’s leading fast bowler with 21 scalps, while Jayden Seales has been lethal, picking up 16 wickets in a mere three matches. Expect an unchanged, pace-heavy XI from Trinidad & Tobago.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Squad: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach (captain/wicketkeeper), Kemol Savory, Keemo Paul, Richie Looknauth, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Shamar Joseph, Nial Smith, Jonathan Van Lange, Zeynul Ramsammy.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Squad: Cephas Cooper, Evin Lewis, Jyd Goolie, Jason Mohammed, Amir Jangoo, Joshua DaSilva, Terrance Hinds, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Bryan Charles, Jayden Seales, Yannic Cariah, Joshua James

 

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As Guyana continues to transform, a family is betting on a different side of the country’s future, one centered on lifestyle, community living, and modern waterfront experiences.

Monarch Group has officially launched Monarch Bay, a new waterfront community planned for Ogle that will feature Guyana’s first Crystal Lagoon, a massive man-made turquoise lagoon designed to bring a resort-style living experience closer to home.

Behind the project are Guyanese entrepreneurs Clairmont and Iman Cummings, who say the development is rooted in a desire to invest back into Guyana and create spaces that reflect the country’s rapid evolution.

Spread across 30 acres, Monarch Bay is being designed as more than just another housing development. The vision includes homes, shopping, dining, green spaces, recreational areas, and family-centered amenities all built around a modern waterfront setting.

At the heart of the project will be the Crystal Lagoon, powered by internationally used Crystal Lagoons technology, known for creating large scale clear water lagoons in luxury and tourism developments around the world.

For many Guyanese, the concept may feel unlike anything currently available locally, blending residential living with the kind of leisure experiences more commonly seen in international resort communities.

Founder of Monarch Group, Clairmont Cummings, said the idea was always about creating a destination that matches the energy and optimism now shaping Guyana.

He explained that the goal is not simply to build houses, but to create a community where people can live, relax, connect, and enjoy modern amenities within a safe and thoughtfully planned environment.

Co Founder Iman Cummings said Guyana is entering a major period of transformation and developments like Monarch Bay are intended to contribute to that growth in a meaningful way.

According to the developers, the project is targeting a wide cross section of buyers including young professionals, families, returning Guyanese in the diaspora, and regional investors looking for opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

The first phase of the project represents an estimated US$20 million investment and is being financed by Citizens Bank Guyana.

Construction preparation has already started, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2028.

Monarch Group has also partnered with ARC Consultants, led by Toronto based real estate professional Kimberly Jeffrey D’Angelo, to oversee sales and market positioning.

As Guyana’s economic boom continues to reshape skylines, industries, and communities, projects like Monarch Bay signal a growing demand not only for housing, but for a different style of living one that blends comfort, recreation, convenience, and long term investment into a single space.

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A construction worker was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday for the deadly stabbing of his friend.

Andrew Seegobin, 32, from Johns, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice, was charged and taken into custody for the murder of Ramanand Mingo, which took place on November 19, 2023, at the Superbet shop in John’s, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice.

When the charge was presented to Seegobin in front of Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty at Berbice High Court, he pleaded not guilty. Following a jury trial, Seegobin was found guilty of the crime.

Before giving the sentence, Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty mentioned that Seegobin spoke to the court to present his case for a lighter sentence. He apologized to the family of the victim, expressing sorrow for their loss. Seegobin hoped they would understand that he was acting in self-defense.

He also mentioned that he had suffered injuries and regretted the loss the family experienced, wishing them the justice they sought. The judge noted that Seegobin apologized to his own family as well, expressing a desire to one day return to the streets.

The court acknowledged that the victim was unarmed at the time he was stabbed. The judge pointed out that the knife wound would have penetrated Ramanand’s heart. She referenced the testimony of Dr. Bridgemohan, a forensic pathology expert who performed the postmortem examination, indicating that it was very improbable the injuries were caused by accident, suggesting death was likely to follow.

The court took into account that a dangerous weapon was used in this crime.

Justice Kumar-Chetty remarked that Seegobin’s actions were reckless and involved the use of a dangerous instrument. She noted that, according to Dr. Bridgemohan, the injury to the victim was unlikely to have happened accidentally due to the severity of the wound. The judge explained that Dr. Bridgemohan testified that a significant amount of force would have been necessary to cause such an injury.

Justice Kumar-Chetty pointed out that Seegobin and Ramanand were friends who spent time together, making his actions particularly unacceptable. She also highlighted that he ran away immediately after Ramanand fell, showing no intention to help.

The argument between the two prior to the incident did not justify the extreme violence that occurred.

The court considered the deep emotional effect the crime had on the victim’s mother, Lilowtie Ramsammy, who expressed immense sorrow over losing her son.

The court also recognized the impact on Ramanand’s brother, Dianand, who witnessed the event. Dianand shared that the pain he feels from losing his brother is beyond words, and his entire family has been greatly affected by this loss. He explained that their father was consumed by grief over Ramanand’s death and eventually passed away, adding to the family’s heartache.
The court looked at factors that lessen the seriousness of the crime. Justice Kumar-Chetty mentioned that there are circumstances that can lessen the severity of the offense. She noted that because of the situation surrounding the deceased’s death, the court viewed it as a factor that mitigates the crime, especially since the deadly injury occurred during a heated and confrontational moment, which the actions of both the deceased and his brother helped to escalate.

Justice Kumar-Chetty indicated that even though the jury did not accept the defendant’s claims of self-defense, the court recognizes that the crime happened during a tense confrontation, which plays a significant role in understanding the context of the fatal injury. The court assessed that the crime was not premeditated as a mitigating factor. The judge pointed out that the nature of the argument and swearing that preceded the event showed it was not planned. She mentioned that there were no previous issues between Seegobin and the deceased.

The court observed that there was a chance for the deceased and his brother to leave the store after being pushed out the gate.

Justice Kumar-Chetty stated that the video evidence shows Seegobin was filming on his cellphone when Ramanand ran at him, leading to the injury that caused his death.

Justice Kumar-Chetty began the sentence at 22 years in prison.

When discussing the factors that lessen the punishment, the judge said the defendant has no past criminal record, and this fatal stabbing is his first offense. The court viewed Seegobin’s attitude towards the crime as a mitigating factor. She mentioned his expressed sorrow for the life he took and that he apologized to the family of the deceased and to his own family, saying he hopes to see them on the road again.

The court considered the positive points in the probation and prison behavior reports. It was noted that Seegobin is a good candidate for rehabilitation since he completed secondary education and used to work as a plumber, demonstrating skills that can help him reintegrate into society.

The judge indicated that there will be no one-third reduction in the sentence.

Justice Kumar-Chetty told Seegobin that the event is a sad reminder of how quickly an argument can turn into anger and violence, ruining lives and families.

When giving the 18-year sentence, the judge instructed the prison officials to subtract the time Seegobin spent in custody from the moment he was taken to prison until the sentence was given.

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President Irfaan Ali says Guyanese cricketer Gudakesh Motie has become a symbol of national pride and unity, joking that the left-arm spinner “fell to his own success” after being snapped up early during recent CPL franchise league drafts.

Speaking Friday evening at the opening of the Guyana Festival 2026 celebrations at the Providence Stadium, President Ali used Motie’s growing international cricket success as an example of how sports and culture can bring Guyanese together beyond politics and ethnic divisions.

“All day my phone was going off. Social media was buzzing. All of Guyana was united around why Motie was going to a different team,” the President said to loud reactions from the crowd.

Ali said Motie’s early selection in the franchise draft prevented many Guyanese supporters from seeing him remain available longer in the bidding process, joking that the spinner was ultimately “a victim of his own success.”

The comments come as Motie’s profile continues to rise rapidly across global T20 cricket.

The Guyanese spinner was drafted by the Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League after previously representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Internationally, Motie has also secured lucrative franchise opportunities, including a contract with the Paarl Royals in South Africa’s SA20 tournament and selection by the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.

Ali said the nationwide reactions surrounding Motie’s franchise movement demonstrated the emotional power of sports in Guyana and how shared national pride can temporarily erase political and social divisions.

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