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The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has postponed the annual event celebrating the work, life, and legacy of its founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, due to inclement weather.

The event was scheduled to be held at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The party said the postponement is a decision taken in the interest of public safety.

“A new date will be announced in due course. We regret any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding,” the party noted.

The Hydrometeorological Service has issued a ‘severe weather’ advisory of Saturday, warning residents of flooding in low lying areas.

The office noted that soils have already become saturated with recent rainfall, and forecast conditions will likely lead to higher risks of flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.

Further, it warns that hilly areas may experience potential mudslides during heavy downpours and strong winds with lightning strikes in areas of thunderstorms.

Residents are advised to take the necessary precautions to safeguard life and property.

Earlier in the week, the Hydromet office issued a statement indicating that heavy rainfall is expected from Saturdav, March 28, to Monday, March 30, 2026.

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PRESS RELEASE || The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and the Restorative Justice Centre (RJC) Guyana, held a two-day seminar titled, ‘Children’s Rights in Football: An Introduction to Restorative Practice and Child Safeguarding.’

The initiative formed part of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing child protection, safeguarding, and rights-based development within football across Guyana.

The seminar, facilitated by the Restorative Justice Centre Guyana, was held on March 26-27 at the Ministry of Education’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

Designed to equip participants with a foundational understanding of restorative practices, the programme focused on their application in fostering safe, inclusive, and respectful environments for young athletes.

Participants were also being introduced to key child safeguarding principles, gaining practical tools to promote and protect the welfare and rights of children involved in football.

Chief Executive Officer of the Rights of the Child Commission, Andre Gonsalves, emphasised the leadership role football is playing in child protection within Guyana’s sporting landscape.

“As football takes the lead on children’s protection and safeguarding in Guyana, you are the trendsetters. You are demonstrating that success is not only about winning matches, but about mentorship, awareness, and responsibility. Coaches must be able to recognise when a child is struggling and determine when intervention is necessary. Achieving this requires training and capacity building, and the Restorative Justice Centre has stepped forward to support that mission.”

Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, Orrin Boston, underscored the importance of integrating restorative practices into football environments, noting their effectiveness in managing conflict and strengthening relationships.

“Football is more than a game; it is a space for meaningful human interaction where friendships are formed and communities are strengthened. However, it can also expose underlying tensions- from player disagreements to coach-related conflicts. If left unresolved, these issues can disrupt team harmony. Restorative justice, grounded in dialogue, accountability, and healing, offers a powerful framework for addressing and resolving such challenges.”

President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to safeguarding.

“Child safeguarding is of paramount importance to the GFF. We are committed to ensuring that parents have full confidence in the football environment we are building. At the same time, we are equipping coaches, match officials, and all stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect our children from abuse, exploitation, and all forms of harm.”

In February 2026, the GFF and the Rights of the Child Commission formalised their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement outlines a shared commitment to strengthening and enforcing the Federation’s Child Safeguarding Policy in alignment with national legislation and international best practices.

The partnership also prioritises capacity building across the football ecosystem; including coaches, referees, administrators, parents, academies, and players, through comprehensive training in child rights, safeguarding standards, ethical conduct, and restorative justice principles.

(SOURCE: Guyana Football Federation)

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Residents of Essequibo in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will soon have access to a field hospital, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced on Friday evening.

The president made the announcement while hosting US Air Force medical professionals at a closing reception at State House on Main Street, marking the successful completion of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission.

LAMAT missions form part of a broader health security cooperation initiative led by Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), integrating U.S. military medical services with host nation providers like Guyana.

At the reception, President Ali revealed that the US SOUTHCOM has donated a field hospital to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), valued at US$1 million dollars.

“The next time you come, we are going to establish that field hospital with all of the services inside in Essequibo,” President Ali told the gathering.

A similar programme will also be rolled out in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to ensure residents there receive the best medical care they can get.

“These are two regions I really want you to go to and to help the people there and work with our enormous local team,” the president said, “and let me say how proud I am of our local team in the healthcare system.”

Over the two-week mission, US military medical professionals worked alongside local hospitals and clinics to deliver specialised care to Guyanese, including primary care, minor surgeries, dental procedures and ophthalmology care. Technical teams also repaired medical equipment to ensure hospital infrastructure remains sustainable long after the mission concludes.

President Ali credited the mission with strengthening Guyana’s healthcare system and expanding access to care for thousands of citizens.

“I say on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you to all of you for this mission to Guyana,” he said. “Over the past few days, your work has moved beyond hospitals, health centres, clinics and consultation rooms and into the lives of our people – and that is important.”

The president also acknowledged the University of Miami’s support during the two-week mission, adding that his government will finance a training programme for the country’s local health workforce.

He further stressed that healthcare and national security are deeply interlinked.

“Your work has demonstrated how strengthening health systems is an investment in human well-being, while at the same time, enhancing national security,” he remarked.

To address gang-related activity in Guyana, President Ali proposed an initiative for LAMAT mission members to work with the Ministry of Education to help teachers identify high-risk students.

He described the overall mission as a partnership built on genuine purpose and mutual respect.

“This mission reflects the enduring relationship between Guyana and the United States,” the president said. “Through this mission, we have built something meaningful, something that strengthens both our countries.”

US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot also delivered remarks at the reception. Among those attending were the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan and Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, among other officials.

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President Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his commitment to the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, meeting with organisers at State House to greenlight the roadmap for the competition’s fourth edition.

In a significant shift following a presidential mandate, this year’s schedule will feature a robust expansion of the female category. More matches have been integrated into the primary schedule, ensuring the women’s game receives equal billing and prime-time exposure.

“The expansion has made this tournament a true breeding ground for talent,” President Ali noted during the briefing. “It’s about giving notoriety to the nation’s best while fostering unity through sport.”

Beyond the domestic trophy, organisers briefed the President on an International Tapeball Tournament, likely to be held later this year.

In 2025, the tournament was a resounding success and received suppot from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin and Sons Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.

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Australia’s relentless white-ball dominance in the Caribbean reached new heights in St Kitts as a collective batting effort powered them to a 103-run victory in the first One-Day International, overshadowing a defiant, nostalgic century from Stafanie Taylor.

On a surface that offered plenty of runs, Australia’s tally of 341 was not just a match-winning score; it was the highest team total ever recorded in a women’s ODI in the Caribbean.

While the visitors missed out on a potential 350-plus total after a mid-innings wobble, the sheer weight of contributions—six batters passed 40—proved far too much for a West Indies side still searching for consistency.

Phoebe Litchfield set the tempo early with a fluent 77, anchoring an aggressive start that saw Australia cruise to 166 for 1 by the 24th over.

However, the West Indies found a way back via Afy Fletcher, who claimed 3 for 83 as the tourists lost 3 for 20 in a shaky six-over period. Litchfield’s dismissal, caught at long-off, threatened to derail the momentum, but the Australian depth chart remains the envy of world cricket.

Nicola Carey and captain Sophie Molineux—the latter again flourishing in a specialist batting role at No. 4—stabilized the innings with a 91-run stand. Carey was particularly unlucky, falling for 49 when a reverse sweep off Fletcher went awry. Molineux also fell one short of a half-century, but the foundation allowed Georgia Wareham to provide the late-innings fireworks.

Wareham, later named Player of the Match, blazed 42 from just 21 balls (five fours, two sixes), a cameo that effectively shut the door on any West Indian hopes of a chase.

The West Indies’ response never truly threatened the target, but it provided a stage for Stafanie Taylor to remind the world of her class. Chasing a record total, the hosts were quickly pegged back by Kim Garth, whose opening spell (3 for 37) removed both openers and stifled the powerplay.

As the required rate climbed into the stratosphere, the focus shifted to Taylor’s milestone. On 91, a frantic single nearly ended in a run-out, but Georgia Wareham’s throw missed the marks.

Taylor eventually reached her eighth ODI century—and her first since 2021—with a crisp boundary off Wareham in the 47th over. Her unbeaten 105 featured 10 fours and a six, a masterclass in placement, even if the scoreboard pressure remained static. (Modified from ESPNcricinfo) 

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially overhauled the 2026 West Indies Championship, confirming a significantly condensed format for the region’s premier first-class competition.

The move comes as the board grapples with financial constraints, prompting a “comprehensive review” to balance high-performance goals with the sustainable management of dwindling resources.

The new structure replaces the traditional round-robin format with a series of bilateral contests and a playoff system.

Under the revised 2026–2027 cycle, the six territorial franchises will no longer play every other team. Instead, the tournament has been streamlined into three distinct phases:

• Bilateral Round: Three concurrent three-match series based on 2025 seedings.
• Playoff Round: The top-ranked team (based on points) faces the West Indies Academy to stay “match ready,” while the 2nd and 3rd seeds battle for the remaining spot in the final.
• Grand Final: A winner-takes-all clash in Antigua to crown the regional champions.

“The bilateral series format will add an interesting dimension, closer to mirroring the Test cricket format,” said Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe.

Despite the reduction in matches, Bascombe insists the tournament will still meet its performance objectives for talent identification.

All roads lead to Antigua for the knockout stages, as CWI looks to centralise costs during the latter half of the window.

CWI has pushed the start date to April, strategically positioning the final just weeks before the home international series against Sri Lanka in June.

FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Bi-Lateral Round: (Match 1 – April 12-25; Match 2 – April 19-22; Match 3 – April 26-29)

• Windward Volcanoes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles @ Antigua
• Jamaica Scorpions vs Barbados Pride @ Jamaica
• Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Trinidad and Tobago Red Force @ Antigua

Playoff Round: (May 10-13)

• 2nd Place vs 3rd Place @ Antigua
• 1st Place vs West Indies Academy @ Antigua

Grand Final: (May 17-20)

• 1st Place vs Playoff Winner @ Antigua

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The region’s most promising junior men’s cricketers will take to the field on Sunday, March 29, as the 2026 CWI Rising Stars Under-16 Men’s Tournament gets underway under a revised bilateral series format.

The start of the tournament marks a key milestone in CWI’s ongoing review of the structure and delivery of regional cricket competitions for the 2026–2027 period, with a focus on strengthening player pathways, enhancing performance assessment, and ensuring the sustainable management of resources during a challenging financial period.

As the foundational stage of the regional development pathway, the Under-16 Tournament is primarily focused on talent identification.

In shaping this year’s format, priority was placed on maintaining playing opportunities, broadening scouting reach, and creating meaningful development experiences for players across the Caribbean.

In keeping with this approach, no overall winner will be declared at the end of the series, with the emphasis placed squarely on assessing and identifying talent rather than team standings or championship outcomes.

The 2026 edition of the 50-Over competition will feature three concurrent, five-match bilateral series played across three host territories (Guyana, Antigua and Jamaica).

This structure maintains a strong volume of competitive matches while enabling greater visibility for players in different conditions and environments.

It also provides a valuable touring experience for visiting teams and offers host territories opportunities to showcase their programmes and talent on home soil.

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe spoke about the factors we considered during the review process and the areas prioritised in identifying alternative formats.

“The start of this tournament represents an important step in how we continue to support youth development across the region, while carefully managing financial resources. At the Under-15 level, our priority is clear – identifying talent and giving young players the best possible platform to showcase their skills.”

“In designing this year’s structure, we focused on expanding opportunities for participation, strengthening the quality of player assessment, and ensuring that our identification processes are as thorough and far-reaching as possible. Importantly, this format keeps the emphasis on player growth, evaluation and long-term potential.

This is about building a strong foundation for West Indies cricket and ensuring that our young players are well prepared for each stage of the pathway, ultimately leading to the international level,”he added.

The developmental focus of the tournament is also being supported by the presence of former international players and experienced coaches within several team management units.

Former international and regional first-class players, including Stuart Williams (Leeward Islands), Robert Samuels and Sheldon Cottrell (Jamaica), along with veteran regional and international coaches Roderick Estwick (Barbados) and Dalton Polius (Windward Islands), will provide invaluable guidance to the young talent throughout the tournament. (CWI Press Release) 

FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

 March 29th

Guyana vs Barbados @Lusignan Cricket Ground, Lusignan, Guyana

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands @Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge, Antigua

Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago @Melbourne Park, Kingston, Jamaica

 March 31st  

Guyana vs Barbados @Lusignan Cricket Ground, Lusignan, Guyana

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands @Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge, Antigua

Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago @JB Cricket Ground, St. Catherine, Jamaica

April 2nd  

Guyana vs Barbados @Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown, Guyana

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands @Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge, Antigua

Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago @JB Cricket Ground, St. Catherine, Jamaica

 April 4th  

Guyana vs Barbados @Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands @Bethesda Sports Gound, Antigua

Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago @Boys Town, Kingston, Jamaica

 April 6th  

Guyana vs Barbados @Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands @Coolidge Cricket Ground, Coolidge, Antigua

Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago @Melbourne Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Squads

Barbados: Javion Batson, Michael Bend, Micaiah Brathwaite, Omari Daniel-Hood, Oshea Francis, Kieran Gittens, Malikai Mason, Jalan McAllister, Shaquan Parris, Shiv Sahadeo, Shawnico Sargeant, Liam Sealy, Ben Shepherd, Charles Wood.

Guyana: Lomar Seecharan (c), Brandon Grimmond, Gautam Dhanraj, Luke Amsterdam, Akash Ramdewar, Nathan Bishop, Asgallary Nabbie, Altaf Ali, Makai Dowlin, Leon Reddy, Johnathan Barry, Devraj Persaud, Ravid Fredricks, Jaydan Ganpat.

Jamaica: Zachary Buchanan, Sean Clarke, Jermari Bryce, Jayden Shaw, Marcus Bryan, Romario West, Marvin Johnson, Ranjay Thomas, Raheim Livingston, Daniel Wolliston, Jeremiah Johnson, Jabari Ralph, Rajae McGeachy, Daniel Davidson, Hugh Turner, Najai Wright, Andino Edwards, Kemar Parker.

Trinidad and Tobago: Arnaldo Premchand, Aydan Ramtahal, Christiano Beharry, Davis Guerra, Eshanan Deopersad, Giovanni McKnight, Kaveed Katwaroo, Keshav Mongru, K’Hill Thomas, Marley Richards, Nityum Mongru, Ronaldo Siewsankar, Samir Boodoo, Sanjiv Bachu.

Leeward Islands: Adoni Ali, Isaiah Harris, Karese Farrell, Nicklos Hero, Aedan Williams, De’morae Prentice, Deshawn James, Kamari France, Ryan Marchan, Elijah Miller, Ian Jeremiah, Dante Odlum, Akez France, Ondre Peters.

Windward Islands: Derwin Lewis, Dylon John, Alex Armstrong, Jershaun Joseph, Nian Davis, Dillon Joseph, Javien Benjamin, Evan Gilbert, Aaron St. Hillaire, Kaleb Charles, Nicken Justin, Ahmaud Williams, Ahmar Lavia, Ron Charles.

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Guyana’s Golden Jaguars maintained their impressive form in the CONCACAF Friendly Series on Friday afternoon, securing a 2-0 victory over Dominica in the Dominican Republic.

The star of the show was forward Osaze De Rosario, whose clinical first-half performance ensured the Golden Jaguars remained unbeaten under the guidance of new head coach Thomas Dooley.

Guyana Starting XI: Akel Clarke, Jalen Jones, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Nathan Ferguson, Osaze De Rosario, Omari Glasgow, Liam Gordon, Kyle Reid, Rushan Ritch, Terence Vancooten, Elliot Bonds.

De Rosario, currently plying his trade in MLS with Seattle Sounders FC, wasted no time making his mark as the forward opened the scoring in the 8th minute, capitalising on early pressure to put Guyana ahead.

He doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, completing a brace that effectively sealed the result before the halftime whistle.

Since Dooley took the helm, the Golden Jaguars have soared to wins over Bonaire (2-1), Antigua and Barbuda (4-1) and now Dominica.

The CONCACAF Friendly Series was designed to provide high-level competitive minutes for Member Associations that are no longer participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

The Golden Jaguars will look to extend their winning streak on March 30, when they face Belize from 15:00h.

Golden Jaguars Squad:

Goalkeepers: Akel Clarke, Grant Wyles, Joshua Narine

Defenders: Terence Vancooten, Raushan Ritch, Walker Shabazz-Edwards, Liam Gordon, Jalen Jones, Nathan Ferguson, Kvist Paul, Brandon Solomon

Midfielders: Curtez Kellman, Shemar Scott, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Elliot Bonds

Forwards: Kelsey Benjamin, Bryan Wharton, Chris Macey, Maliq Cadogan, Kyle Reid, Osaze De Rosario, Enoch George, Omari Glasgow

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Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has reported strong early response to the Government’s $100,000 national cash grant programme, with thousands of Guyanese completing registration within the first 24 hours of the online portal’s launch.

Speaking on Friday evening, Dr. Singh said that 6,834 persons successfully completed self-registration since the portal went live on Thursday evening.

In addition, 12,889 persons have created accounts and are at various stages of completing the process, indicating significant public interest in the initiative.

The Finance Minister described the initial response as “tremendous,” noting that high traffic volumes impacted the system’s speed in some instances.

“In the initial hours, the volume of traffic has been tremendous… and in some instances, it has affected the speed with which the system has been responding,” Dr. Singh said.

He assured that performance is expected to improve as usage stabilises, particularly during off-peak hours.

The online registration system allows eligible Guyanese to sign up from home by creating an account, submitting personal details, uploading identification, completing a facial recognition test, and providing bank account information.

Dr. Singh strongly encouraged citizens to use the digital platform and to remain patient if they encounter delays.

“There is absolutely no need or reason for worry… the system will remain open for you to try again,” he said, adding that a help desk has been established to assist persons experiencing difficulties.

The Government has emphasised that providing bank account details is the most efficient way to receive the payment, as funds can be transferred directly without requiring recipients to leave their homes.

However, Dr. Singh assured that persons without bank accounts will still receive the grant through alternative arrangements, though these may require in-person collection.

The update comes after the Government began distributing payments to public sector employees last week. According to Dr. Singh, 48,858 central government workers, including public servants, teachers, and members of the disciplined services, have already received the $100,000 grant directly into their bank accounts.

The Finance Minister urged all eligible Guyanese to take advantage of the portal, particularly during quieter periods, to complete their registration.

The $100,000 cash grant forms part of the Government’s broader initiative to provide direct financial support to citizens.

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