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Ten players from Jamaican side Mount Pleasant have been denied a visa to enter the United States for Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup tie against LA Galaxy.

Mount Pleasant, winners of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, are set to make their Champions Cup debut against Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California.

The Jamaican side has been forced to call up a number of academy players for the fixture.

“We don’t want to just show up for the game, we want to be able to compete, but we are not being given the opportunity to be at our best,” Mount Pleasant sporting director Paul Christie told the Jamaica Observer.

Mount Pleasant’s squad includes seven players from the Caribbean island nation of Haiti.

United States President Donald Trump expanded a travel ban that came into force on January 1, which bars Haiti nationals from entering the US.

Exemptions are in place for events such as the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US this summer.

The Champions Cup is organised by Concacaf and involves teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. It is unclear if an exemption is in place for the tournament.

The visa complications highlight a potential issue for Haiti at this summer’s World Cup, which Canada and Mexico are co-hosting alongside the United States.

Haiti have qualified for the World Cup for the second time in their history, and have been drawn in a group with Morocco, Scotland and Brazil.

While the United States says players will be given exemptions to travel bans, the same has not been promised to spectators.

In January, the US State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment, which allows Fifa World Cup 2026 ticket holders to access prioritised visa interview appointments in the United States, does not allow people “who are otherwise not eligible” to be issued a visa.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives”.

However, it added “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”.

The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the World Cup across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. (BBC)

 

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PRESS RELEASE || Cricket excitement is set to return to the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, as the Commissioner of Police T20 Cup 2026 bowls off with an exciting opening clash between Headquarters and Regional Police Division #5.

The highly anticipated tournament, organised under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, will bring together teams from across the Guyana Police Force, showcasing both sporting talent and camaraderie among ranks.

The opening match will see Headquarters taking on Regional Police Division #5, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament. Cricket fans and members of the public are encouraged to attend and support their teams, with free entry available for all spectators.

The COP T20 Cup continues to grow in popularity within the Force, serving as an important initiative to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and positive engagement among ranks.

Matches will feature several well-known and emerging cricketers who have been drafted to represent various teams in this year’s competition.

Among the players drafted for the tournament are:

• Shamar Prince- Presidential Guard

• Kevon Boodie- Regional Police Division #4 ‘C’

• Bernard Bailey- Regional Police Division #5

• Assad Fudadin- Regional Police Division #6

• Christopher Barnwell- GPF Officers’ Team

• Joshua Budhram- GPF Officers’ Team

• Sewnarine Chattergoon- Headquarters

• Kemol Savory- Tactical Services Unit

• Shamar Apple- Regional Police Division #10

• Damion Vantull- Regional Police Division 1, 7, 8 & 9 Combined

• Leon Johnson- GPF Academy

• Anthony Adams- Regional Police Division #3

• Quentin Sampson- Regional Police Division 4 ‘A & ‘B’ Combined

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭

The group stage of the tournament will be played on a knockout basis, with the winning teams advancing to the next round. At the conclusion of this stage, seven teams will qualify for the Super 7 round, where teams will compete for positions in the final stages of the competition.

At the end of the Super 7 round, the top four teams will qualify for the Semi-Finals, with the winners advancing to the grand final to contest the COP T20 Cup 2026 title.

𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

Wednesday March 11, 2026

• Headquarters vs Regional Police Division #5 – 09:30h

• Police Academy vs Presidential Guard – 13:00h

Thursday March 12, 2026

• Regional Police Division #10 vs Regional Police Division #3 – 09:30h

• Divisions 1, 7, 8 & 9 Combined vs Divisions 4A & 4B Combined – 13:30h

Friday March 13, 2026

• Regional Police Division #2 vs Regional Police Division #6 – 09:30h

• Tactical Services Unit vs Regional Police Division #4 ‘C’ – 13:30h

BYE: GPF Officers’ Team

The Commissioner of Police T20 Cup has become a highlight on the Force’s sporting calendar, fostering unity, healthy competition, and camaraderie among divisions and departments of the Guyana Police Force.

Supporters are invited to come out to the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, to witness the action as the COP T20 Cup 2026 officially gets underway with what promises to be an exciting opening encounter between Headquarters and Regional Police Division #5

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday announced that commercial travel has been secured for members of the West Indies squad currently in India, following the end of the T20 World Cup.

The decision to opt for commercial travel was made following the repeated delay of the International Cricket Council (ICC) charter flight, owing to “global tensions and aviation regulations” affecting West Asia.

West Indies have been stuck in India ever since losing to eventual champions India in the Super Eights on March 1 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

See below full statement from Cricket West Indies

Cricket West Indies advises that, following continued delays with charter flight arrangements organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), commercial travel for members of the West Indies squad currently in India has been secured.

As is customary for both men’s and women’s ICC World Cups, all travel and accommodation arrangements for participating teams are coordinated and managed by the ICC. 

The charter flight, intended to transport both the West Indies and South Africa teams, was repeatedly delayed. After completing play, the West Indies squad remained in India for nine (9) days awaiting travel.

However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organised charter, as a result of global tensions and aviation regulations, made the situation increasingly distressing.

In the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff, Cricket West Indies advised the ICC that it was no longer prudent to continue waiting on the charter arrangements, which remain uncertain.

Multiple approaches have since been made through CWI, players, and other partners, in coordination with the ICC, to secure commercial travel to facilitate the squad’s safe return.

It is important to note that some players and staff have already departed, with the remaining members scheduled to depart today, Tuesday, 10th March, and tomorrow, Wednesday, 11th March 2026.

Cricket West Indies appreciates the concern and interest of fans and key stakeholders in the resolution of this matter and wishes to thank all parties for their support and patience.

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Residents of West Ruimveldt have welcomed a significant upgrade to their local community infrastructure following the official handover of the Gill House Square recreational space.

The project, valued at approximately G$13 million, was spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to provide a modern, safe environment for both competitive and casual athletes in the community.

Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, who officially commissioned the facility, stated that the development was a direct result of community consultations aimed at “placing the needs of residents at the forefront” of urban renewal.

The transformation of the square includes several key upgrades designed to facilitate evening sports and community safety.

Key development works at the facility include installing lights, constructing and painting a basketball court with basketball rings, marking and preparing a football playing area, installing a perimeter fence, and creating a designated parking area to better accommodate facility users.

The handover was attended by Minister of Labour and Manpower,  Keoma Griffith, himself a native of neighbouring East Ruimveldt.

Griffith used the platform to highlight that the new space would act as a gateway for broader social empowerment, offering residents access to skills training and employment initiatives through his ministry.

To ensure the investment’s longevity, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, facilitated the donation of waste management facilities, emphasising the community’s role in maintaining the new venue.

The West Ruimveldt project is the latest in a string of community-level investments across Guyana aimed at decentralising high-quality sporting facilities.

Officials noted that additional plans are already “in the pipeline” to enhance similar spaces in surrounding communities, as the government seeks to foster youth engagement through structured recreation.

 

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Eleven-year-old Divya Persaud has further cemented her reputation as one of Guyana’s most exciting junior chess prospects by winning the Women’s Day Rapid Chess Tournament.

Persaud, the reigning National U12 Girls Rapid Champion, finished the seven-round competition unbeaten, dropping just one point across two strategic draws to finish on a score of 6.0.

The New Guyana School student led a field of 24 players at the event, which was hosted by the Gambit Group in collaboration with the Guyana Chess Federation and the School of the Nations to mark International Women’s Day.

In a fast-paced ‘rapid’ format—where players have just ten minutes on the clock—Persaud showed composure beyond her years. After securing four wins, she navigated the final stages of the tournament with two tactical draws to ensure she remained clear of the chasing pack.

Marian Academy’s Tharisha Montes De Oca secured the runner-up spot with 5 points, narrowly edging out schoolmate Angelina Yhap on tiebreaks for third. Both Montes De Oca and Yhap are seasoned competitors on the junior circuit and were among the pre-tournament favourites.

The tournament also highlighted depth across the age groups as New Guyana School’s Lusianna Farlot took fourth place and the Best U16 prize, while Gabrielle Mohabir (St. Rose’s High) and Amaya Sharma (School of the Nations) claimed the U14 and U12 honours respectively.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Sasha Shariff presented the trophies, praising the “talent and strategic moves” on display throughout the day.

The event featured players from nine schools, including Marian Academy, St. Joseph High, and Christ Church Secondary, underscoring the growing popularity of the sport among young women in the region.

 

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The wait is over! Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin are officially coming to Guyana, marking a highly anticipated expansion for Rihanna’s groundbreaking beauty empire. Beginning March 28th, 2026, Guyana will have access to the globally celebrated beauty brand exclusively at Glamour Beauty Movietowne Mall.

“I am so excited to FINALLY bring Fenty Beauty, Skin and Fragrance brands to the Caribbean. I know the community has been waiting a long time and we can’t wait for you to experience the brand and try the products in a place that’s near and dear to my heart.” – Rihanna

A Legacy of Beauty for All

Since launching Fenty Beauty in 2017, Rihanna has revolutionized the beauty industry with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity. “When I created Fenty Beauty, I wanted everyone to feel beautiful and recognized, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or personal style.”

With this mission at its core, Fenty Beauty has become a global sensation, offering an extensive range of shades and high-performance formulas tailored for all skin types. Some of the must-have products that will be available in Glamour Beauty include:

• Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – 50 shades of humidity-proof, long- lasting
• Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer – High-shine lip gloss in a variety of
• Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen – A game- changing SPF that blends seamlessly with all skin tones.
• Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oils – Infused with nourishing fruit oils and vitamin-rich

With its commitment to diversity, innovation, and quality, Fenty Beauty’s expansion into Guyana offers an immersive beauty experience—inviting everyone to discover, play, and celebrate self-expression through its game-changing products.

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[Press Release from the Ministry of Public Works]

March 09, 2026- The Ministry of Public Works is pleased to announce that physical works on the New Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge in Linden, Region Ten, are now 97% complete. This update was provided to the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Friday, 6 March 2026, during a targeted assessment visit to the project site.

The Minister held a multi-stakeholder meeting which included technical staff from the Ministry, contractors China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Company Ltd. and GuyCo Construction Inc., and the consultancy firm, Politecnica.

During the visit, Minister Edghill and representatives from various stakeholders conducted an onsite walkthrough of the 233-metre-long concrete bridge, where concrete placement is currently at 97%. The walkthrough also included an inspection of the secondary connections leading to and from the bridge.

A project debrief revealed that works on the Western End (Wismar side)—specifically the West Watooka Connector and Dacoura Haul Roads—are 33% complete. For these two main arteries, subgrade preparation, subbase, crusher run base, and curbing are 100% finished. The foundation works for the roundabout are also 100% complete, with curbing at 50%. Additionally, work on the Burnham Drive approach is advancing, with subsurface works at 38%, curbing at 39%, and culvert works currently underway.

Meanwhile, the Eastern End of the bridge is 27% complete, accounting for foundation and retaining structures. At the time of the visit, 3,750 prefabricated vertical drains had been installed and geotextiles laid, with the contractor currently placing white sand and crushed stone as part of the subsurface works.

A new culvert at the Washer Pond Road approach at Noitgedacht has been successfully installed, and construction is underway for the retaining wall of the main embankment. Excavation and geotextile installation are complete, with backfilling ongoing to prepare for final surfacing.

The project remains on track to be fully operational by June 2026, pending the completion of the connector roads. When finished, the toll-free crossing will feature two barrier-separated pedestrian walkways, modern lighting, and two new roundabouts on both the eastern and western sides of the bridge.

The Ministry of Public Works remains committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure that meets the growing demands of Region Ten and the wider country. The Ministry thanks the residents of Linden and commuters for their continued cooperation and patience as we execute these transformative works.

-END-

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University of Guyana Senior Lecturer, Dr Mark Ram, has recently completed his PhD in Marine Ecology after undertaking a rigorous four-year academic journey pursuing a landmark research project which focused on understanding and improving mangrove restoration and coastal ecosystem recovery.

Dr Ram, who is attached to the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, began his doctoral studies in 2021 at James Cook University in Australia. Reflecting on the experience, he shared that the road to achieving his doctorate required resilience, discipline and faith in the value of the work he was undertaking.

“The journey toward earning my doctorate was challenging, but it was also rewarding. Conducting long-term ecological research required extensive fieldwork in coastal mangrove ecosystems, careful data collection and rigorous analysis. Balancing research with teaching and other professional responsibilities also required strong commitment and time management,” Dr Ram explained.

As a lecturer at the University of Guyana, Dr Ram was not only pursuing advanced research overseas but also continuing his professional responsibilities. The balancing act tested him, yet it also strengthened his resolve. “Despite the challenges, the process was incredibly fulfilling, especially knowing that the research contributes to improving our understanding of mangrove restoration and coastal ecosystem recovery,” he said.

Dr Ram’s decision to pursue a PhD was driven by his passion for Guyana’s coastal ecosystems and a desire to give back through science. “My inspiration to pursue a PhD came from an interest in coastal ecosystems and a desire to contribute meaningful scientific knowledge to conservation efforts in Guyana,” he shared.

“Mangroves play a critical role in protecting coastlines, supporting fisheries and maintaining biodiversity, yet there has been limited long-term scientific evaluation of restoration efforts in the country. Achieving this milestone is very meaningful to me both personally and professionally,” Dr Ram added.

Dr Ram believes this achievement will also strengthen the University of Guyana’s academic standing and enrich the learning experience of his students. “This accomplishment contributes to strengthening the research capacity of the University and enhancing the quality of teaching by integrating locally relevant scientific research into the classroom. It also helps to position the University as a contributor to global discussions on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience,” the young scholar added.

Dr Ram noted that his research findings can inform national coastal management strategies and serve as a model for evaluating mangrove restoration efforts both regionally and internationally. For his students, this means access to cutting-edge, locally grounded research that connects theory with real-world environmental challenges.

Dr Ram was quick to acknowledge that the milestone was made possible through significant support. His research was funded by the Government of Guyana, the World Wide Fund for Education for Nature Fellowship, and the Marine Conservation Action Fund of the New England Aquarium. He also credited the academic guidance of his supervisors and the institutional support of the University of Guyana, along with logistical assistance from the Mangrove Department of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute. “I received tremendous support throughout my doctoral journey, from funding agencies to academic mentors, friends and colleagues at the University, it was truly a collective effort,” he shared.

Dr Ram’s research focused on evaluating the ecological outcomes of mangrove restoration in Guyana. Since 2010, the country has invested in restoring mangrove forests to protect coastlines, strengthen fisheries and enhance community livelihoods. However, long-term scientific monitoring of these efforts has been limited.

Through extensive fieldwork along Guyana’s coastline, Dr Ram compared restored mangrove sites with natural mangrove ecosystems. He examined vegetative cover, macrobenthic assemblages, fish communities and sediment characteristics to determine whether restored areas were recovering ecological functions similar to natural systems.

The research provides critical scientific evidence to guide future restoration initiatives and strengthen Guyana’s climate resilience and coastal protection strategies.

The University of Guyana congratulates Dr Mark Ram on the successful completion of his PhD and commends his dedication to advancing research, teaching and environmental stewardship for the benefit of Guyana and beyond.

The University of Guyana, through its students, faculty and research institutes, has consistently produced path-breaking research which continues to add to the existing body of knowledge in various areas of academic research. To learn more about UG’s research, please visit: https://researchandinnovation.uog.edu.gy/

[Press Release from the University of Guyana]

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