Eleven -year-old Zion Hickerson has proven his versatility again, capturing major titles in both lawn tennis and table tennis within a single seven-day window.
The St. Gabriels Primary student, who is currently balancing a high-performance training schedule with preparations for his National Grade Six Exams, showcased his versatility across both the court and the table.
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the Casely International Tennis tournament in Florida, Hickerson returned to local soil to sweep the U12 category at the Rebel Tennis Club Anniversary Tournament.
His path to the trophy was clinical, dropping only three games across his opening matches against Olufemi Cuffy (4-0, 4-0) and Michael Fordyce (4-0, 5-3).
After overcoming Yoshua Mangru in the semi-finals, Hickerson secured the title with a composed 4-1, 4-2 victory over Hayden Chan in the final.
The tennis success was only half the story, as in the same week Hickerson traded the baseline for the ping-pong table, defeating Joshua Peter to clinch the U11 Boys title at the Annual Mashramani Table Tennis competition.
Such was the demand of his dual-sport schedule that he was forced to withdraw from the U13 and U15 table tennis divisions due to a direct scheduling clash with his tennis commitments.
His rapid rise has attracted significant corporate backing, with a massive roster of sponsors including ENet, BK, Acado Guyana, and Guyoil supporting the youngster’s journey.
After leading India to their third T20 World Cup title, Suryakumar Yadav has set his sights on winning the Olympic Games gold medal in 2028.
“Obviously it has been a wonderful journey in the last one month. Though it didn’t start the way we wanted it to start but then it’s part of the sport,” Suryakumar said at his post-final press conference in Ahmedabad.
“Throughout the journey till today it has been very special and collectively as a team what we have achieved I think is right in front of you [trophy]. So, [I’m] very happy with that and the next goal is the Olympic gold and also the team that we work with.”
Six teams each in the men’s and women’s categories will contest for Olympic medals between July 14 and 29 in 2028 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) added cricket to the roster for the first time since the Paris 1900 Olympics.
Based on the current ICC T20 rankings, in both men’s and women’s competitions, India are set to qualify from Asia. All the matches will be held at the Fairgrounds Stadium, a temporary, purpose-built venue in the city of Pomona, about 50km from Los Angeles.
India men are the current holders of the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup titles. Suryakumar identified the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, under Rohit Sharma, in Barbados as a turning point.
“Everything changed post-2024. We played a different kind of cricket in 2024 and from there we understood how this team needs to work forward, play forward and it’s been a wonderful journey since then,” Suryakumar said.
“We won an ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, played a completely different kind of cricket, and now in 2026, we wanted to do something special in front of the home crowd. So we want to continue doing that in 2027, 2028, 2029 and never stop.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Caslene Toney, the young mother of six who was stabbed to death by her reputed husband on Sunday, endured abuse for years, her sister has told the News Room.
Toney was brutally murdered, allegedly by the father of her children, Morris Hugh, at their Long Creek, Linden/Soesdyke house. Hugh then stabbed himself and is currently hospitalised under Police guard at the Linden Hospital.
Caslene and Hugh lived together and shared six children.
In an interview with the News Room on Monday, Toney’s sister, Lyndra Toney, said Caslene was someone who “don’t really talk she keep everything to she self.”
But beneath that reticence was someone grappling with domestic violence.
“Every single day they (Caslene and Huge) does buse one another, I know that.
“When he call she, when she get a missed call, all the busing go start again… All the days in she life she pass through that,” Lyndra said.
According to Lyndra, Hugh called out for her three times during the early hours of Sunday, and she answered twice.
“When I came out from my house, I saw him (Hugh) walking on the road and was already heading to the house,” Lyndra said.
She added that she locked her door and went back to bed, unsure of what was happening.
Around 06:00 hrs, Lyndra told the News Room she heard Hugh talking loudly again while she was at her neighbour’s place. Eventually, she said she decided to walk over to Caslene’s house and enquire what was happening.
“When I reach there I reach up with them children and I ask them where is mommy and they start crying and telling me how mommy dead and me and all start crying,” Lyndra recounted.
She said immediately contacted a community representative, Catherine Alfred, and a report was made before Police arrived at the scene.
Alfred told the News Room on January 12, when the family found out about the abuse, Toney was taken to the Police base on the Highway to file a report. However, Caslene chose not to continue the matter.
“On January 12, her sister came to tell me what is happening. I even took her to the highway base where she would have admitted that this man beat me up with a cutlass and there were marks on her body but she said she don’t want the matter to proceed,” Alfred told the News Room.
Lyndra is calling for justice for her sister and support for the six innocent children.
“She is my sister and have a lot of children. I want justice because of her children.
Oil prices climbed sharply above US$100 a barrel on Sunday after major Middle Eastern producers cut output amid the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict with Iran.
The two main oil price benchmarks rose sharply. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) – the price used for oil traded in the United States -jumped 17%, or $15.32, to $106.22 a barrel. The global benchmark Brent crude, widely used to price oil around the world, rose 15%, or $14.28, to $106.92 a barrel.
US crude had already surged about 35% last week, marking its largest weekly gain since futures trading began in 1983. The last time oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel was in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Shortly after prices crossed the $100 mark when trading opened on Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the rise in “short-term oil prices” was a “very small price to pay” for eliminating what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat.
“Only fools would think differently,” he added.
Kuwait, the fifth-largest producer in the OPEC group, announced precautionary cuts to oil production and refinery output on Saturday, citing “Iranian threats against safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz”. State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation did not specify the scale of the reductions.
Production in Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, has also fallen sharply. Output from its three main southern oilfields has dropped by about 70% to 1.3 million barrels per day, according to three industry officials who spoke to Reuters. Those fields had previously produced about 4.3 million barrels per day before the conflict.
The United Arab Emirates, OPEC’s third-largest producer, said it was “carefully managing offshore production levels to address storage requirements”. However, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said its onshore operations were continuing normally.
Several Gulf producers are cutting output as storage facilities fill up, with oil shipments unable to move through the Strait of Hormuz. Tanker operators have become reluctant to pass through the narrow waterway amid fears of possible attacks by Iran.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply normally passes through the Strait, making it one of the most critical energy routes globally.
Mahaicony Technical Institute created history on Sunday, becoming the inaugural champions of the Petra Organisation/MODEC Tertiary Education football tournament.
Playing at the Queen’s College ground in the city, the Region Five institution won 6-3 against Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre.
Winton Hartman led the victory charge with a double (71st and 82nd minutes), while Youance Francis (17th), Omar Williams (43rd), Tyrel Delph (45th) and Niron Thom (62nd) added a goal each.
Five players scored for Mahaicony Technical Institute
For Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, Joshaun Marshall (30th), Rarvon Simon (80th) and Aakiah Jacobs (83rd) found the back of the net.
The third place playoff produced an identical 6-3 scoreline, with Essequibo Technical Institute emerging victorious over New Amsterdam Technical Institute.
Jim Carter (26th and 59th), Deangelo Davidson (50th), Jamaal Smith (62nd), Austin Hernandes (75th) and Morries Henry (80th) netted for Essequibo Technical Institute, while Amara Caesar (8th, 14th and 23rd) was the lone player on target for New Amsterdam Technical Institute.
Essequibo Technical Institute scorers
About the tournament
A total of 14 teams participated in the tournament, namely University of Guyana Turkeyen, University of Guyana Tain, Cyril Potter College of Education, Government Technical Institute, Linden Technical Institute, Port Mourant Technical Institute, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Mahaicony Technical Institute, Essequibo Technical Institute, Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, Texila American University, Guyana School of Agriculture, Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre and Guyana Industrial Training Centre.
The champion team collected G$300,000, runner-up G$200,000, third G$100,000 and fourth G$50,000.
The tournament, approved by the Ministry of Education and coordinated by the Petra Organisation, was backed by MODEC, MVP Sports, Powerade, MACORP, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Demerara Mutual.
Sanju Samson felt his “dreams had shattered” after a poor T20I series against New Zealand just prior to the 2026 T20 World Cup, but conversations over the past two months with Sachin Tendulkar reassured him that a turnaround wasn’t far away.
“To be honest, there has been a lot of guidance and suggestions from senior players,” Samson said after winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award in India’s successful T20 World Cup defence at home.
“A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out. From the last couple of months…I hope I can share it here. I’ve been in constant touch with Sachin [Tendulkar] sir. When I was sitting outside in Australia [during the T20Is in October]…I wasn’t playing a game, I thought about what mindset is required.
“I reached out to sir and had huge [long] conversations with him. Even yesterday [Saturday] night, he called me up to check how I am feeling. Getting guidance from someone like him- that clarity, game preparation, awareness and game sense- I’m grateful for everyone who supported me.”
Samson revealed he was “broke” and “completely out of my mind” after the New Zealand series at home, having managed just 46 runs in five innings. He soon lost his place in the XI to Ishan Kishan, and didn’t get his opportunities until the Super Eight.
Samson responded with scores of 97*, 89 and 89 in three must-win games to end the tournament with 321 runs, the third most in the competition despite playing only five games. He scored those runs at a strike rate of 199.37.
“Right after the New Zealand series, I was broke. I was completely out of my mind. I felt like my dreams had shattered. I thought, ‘okay what else can I do?’ But God had different plans. I suddenly came back into the crucial games [starting with the virtual quarter-final against West Indies], and did what I could for the country. I’m very proud and happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it and things have turned up nicely for me, so I’m really grateful.”
Samson was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad under Rohit Sharma too, but didn’t play in a single game in the USA and Caribbean. He revealed his turnaround began then, and the “dream” to deliver what he did in Ahmedabad was born there.
“To be very honest, this entire process started one-two years before, when I was with the 2024 World Cup winning team in West Indies,” he said. “I couldn’t get a game, but I kept on dreaming, kept on visualising, kept on working. This is exactly what I wanted to do then. I thought I needed to put in so much work that this is exactly what I wanted to achieve. By God’s grace today things have turned around.”
“I’m just going through it. It feels a bit surreal. This itself is very big for me, I need to enjoy it right now.” (ESPNcricinfo)
The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) successfully served off its 2026 season with an AirBadminton Tournament sponsored by the National Sports Commission and El Dorado Trading last Friday (March 6) at the Mainstay Motocross Park, Essequibo.
Six schools participated in the tournament, and a random draw of 15 teams was conducted, with teams selecting their own creative and fun names.
After an exciting day of competition, Abram Zuil Secondary School (Lil Threats) emerged as the champions.
Participating Teams and Players
Aurora Secondary School (Aurora Avengers)– Teion John, Josiah Garraway and Oriana Gibson
Aurora Secondary School (Shuttle Warriors)– Arvin Phoolwattie, Kevin Benjamin and Akazia Dusrajh
Aurora Secondary School (Aurora All Stars)– Matthew Wilson, Arif Singh and Shameela Fraser
Abram Zuil Secondary School (Lil Threats)– Joash Inniss, Eon Jairam and Deeroya Morris
Abram Zuil Secondary School (Original Stush)– Marc Anthony Obermuller, Rohan Dass and Ashanna Mohamed
Abram Zuil Secondary School (Abram Zuil Warriors)– Shivesh Bridgemohan, Mahesh Tacoordeen and Akeela Williams
Cotton Field Secondary School (The Shottas)– Jadiel Williams, Jason Smith and Jinell Samuels
Cotton Field Secondary School (The Jaguars)– Sudesh Jacobs, Daron Romeo and Calais Boodram
Charity Secondary School (Charity Shuttle Masters)– Fabian Stoll, Aaron John and Jaraya Rodrigues
Charity Secondary School (Charity Shuttle Stars)– Shawn Holmes, Darrin Thomas and Shimeca Prince
Charity Secondary School (Charity Defenders)– Mickon Duke, Kester Stoll and Donelle Smith
Charity Secondary School (Net Ninjas)– Cody Chase, Lorenzo Jack and Rhyia Wilson
8th of May Secondary School (Bad Blue)– Rockliff Grant, Carlos Griffith, Sheliza Raghubar
Anna Regina Secondary School (Bomb Squad)– Mark Daniels, Tyrese Stephney and Ashley Williams
Anna Regina Secondary School (Block List)– Samarious Forde, Brian Bissasar and Omika Williams
Participants of the one-day tournament
Tournament Results
First- Abram Zuil Secondary School (Lil Threats)
Second– Anna Regina Secondary School (Bomb Squad)
Third (Semi-finalists)– Anna Regina Secondary School (Block List) and Aurora Secondary School (Aurora All Stars)
The matches were played in a triples format, consisting of two males and one female per team, with games played best of three to 11 points.
The GBA expressed its appreciation to the teachers and athletes for their enthusiastic participation.
The tournament was made possible following the introduction of badminton on the Essequibo Coast through the Shuttle Time Programme, where 20 teachers were trained during a workshop held last year through the collaborative efforts of the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Education (Guyana) under the Five Priority Programme.
The GBA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the promotion and development of badminton across the Region Two and the Essequibo Coast.
The association also expressed profound gratitude to its sponsors- the National Sports Commission and El Dorado Trading- for their support.
Special thanks were extended to Wazeeda Bacchus, Sports Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, for her instrumental assistance in ensuring the success of the tournament.
Majority of the families occupying the Zeelugt Sea Defence and Zeelugt Drainage Reserve in Region Three have been resettled in a new housing area according to Minister of Housing Collin Croal.
The Minister visited the residents on Friday with Community Development Director, Mr. Gladwin Charles, along with several technical officers from the Ministry to address residents’ concerns.
During the visit, the Minister said he is satisfied with the progress made thus far, noting that while a few occupants have shown some reluctance to relocate, the overall exercise has been moving forward as planned.
Minister Croal meeting with residents of Zeelugt
At the start of the inventory exercise, a total of forty-eight (48) structures were documented along the Zeelugt Sea Defence and Drainage Reserve. As part of the relocation initiative, thirty-four (34) of these structures have since been demolished. Additionally, forty (40) households have been allocated house lots in a new housing area, with many families already resettled.
Residents expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Government throughout the relocation process.
“While acknowledging that relocating can present challenges for families, I assured residents that the Government remains committed to making the transition as smooth as possible and noted that discussions will continue with other agencies to further streamline the relocation process and provide additional support where necessary,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
The relocation initiative forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to address informal settlements in vulnerable areas.
In July 2024, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving squatting at Zeelugt North, commonly referred to as Sideline Dam, in Region Three.
During an impromptu visit to the area, the President emphasized that the existing conditions were not conducive to a good quality of life and did not provide a safe environment for children. He pledged the Government’s continued support in relocating affected residents to safer and more developed housing schemes, ensuring improved living conditions for families.
India banished the ghosts of 2023 by emphatically beating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to defend their T20 World Cup title.
On the same ground they wilted under pressure and expectancy two and a half years ago against Australia in the 50-over showpiece, the co-hosts romped to 255-5 – two more than they managed in Thursday’s semi-final against England – in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 jubilant supporters.
Openers Sanju Samson (left) and Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start (Photo: ICC/Getty Images)
The top three all made the most of supreme batting conditions, with Sanju Samson crashing 89 from 46 deliveries, Abhishek Sharma a 21-ball 52 and Ishan Kishan 54 from 25.
Their total could have been even greater but for Jimmy Neesham taking three wickets in the 16th over. Shivam Dube hit 24 from the last to ensure New Zealand’s respite was only brief.
Tim Seifert whacked 52 from 26 balls but around him New Zealand lost regular wickets in pursuit of a lost cause, including Finn Allen, the Black Caps’ semi-final centurion, for nine in the third over.
Ishan Kishan clobbered a quick fifty (Photo: ICC/Getty Images)
The majestic Jasprit Bumrah bamboozled the lower order to finish with 4-15 as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
The win means India- the first side to defend the men’s T20 World Cup- have now won the past three men’s white-ball tournaments- this, the 2024 title and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
For New Zealand, also beaten by India in Dubai last year, this defeat goes alongside their near misses in the World Cup finals of 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets for India (Photo: ICC/Getty Images)
Night of glory for India’s latest generation
For two overs, it appeared things could have been just like 2023 when India were far too tentative on, quite literally, cricket’s biggest stage.
There were five dot balls in the first over, bowled by seamer Matt Henry, and only five runs in the second, off Glenn Phillips’ part-time spin.
But Samson and Abhishek took 15 from Jacob Duffy’s first over and 24 from the next bowled by Lockie Ferguson as the innings, and the crowd, roared into life.
Even with that slow start, Abhishek and Samson took 92 runs from the best powerplay ever seen at a World Cup. In comparison, the Black Caps were 52-3 after their first six overs – a crucial difference.
Tim Seifert played a lone hand for New Zealand (Photo: ICC/Getty Images)
Abhishek had only made one score over 15 in this tournament but flogged the ball to all parts. Samson was again supreme, backing up his 97 not out against West Indies and 89 against England with another innings that mixed flair with a classical technique.
Together he and Abhishek hit 12 of the innings’ 18 sixes, which took India’s tournament total to 106 – 30 more than any other team here and a record for a T20 World Cup.
When left-hander Kishan followed in raising his bat it was the first time the top three had reached fifty in a men’s T20 World Cup. They had 203 runs after 15.1 overs and Dube’s late burst – after a run of 28 runs in 24 balls – ensured India charged beyond a par score.
They took all the momentum, a batting paradise capitalised upon. Afterwards the chase was a slow coronation.
India were beaten by South Africa in the Super 8s stage but have responded brilliantly with three scores in excess of 250. This was a night of glory for a new generation, after the T20 retirement of superstars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. (BBC)
Police Football Club emerged victorious in an exciting final, defeating Slingerz Football Club 2-1 to claim the inaugural Elite League Cup 2026 championship on Saturday evening at the National Training Centre, Providence.
In front of an anxious crowd, both teams delivered an intense and competitive encounter, demonstrating skill, determination, and tactical discipline throughout the match.
Police FC broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Beveney McGarrell found the back of the net following a well-constructed attacking move.
The lead was extended in the 76th minute when Slingerz FC defender Romaine Brackenridge inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Police FC a 2-0 advantage.
Slingerz FC continued to press forward and pulled one back in the 90th minute through captain Quincy Adams, setting up a tense finish. However, the Police FC defense remained resolute, holding firm until the final whistle to secure the championship victory.
Following the match, Head Coach Wayne Dover of Police FC praised his team’s determination and resilience, noting the significance of finally securing the title after previous near misses.
“This victory is special for us. We have reached the final stages before but fell short. The players prepared well, remained focused, and executed what we worked on in training. We knew that if we followed our game plan, we could come out victorious,” Dover said.
The triumph marks a significant achievement for Police FC, highlighting their strong performance throughout the tournament and their determination to finish the competition on top.
In the third-place playoff, Western Tigers FC secured a 2-1 victory over Guyana Defence Force FC.
The Elite League Cup is part of the Guyana Football Federation’s initiative to provide Elite League clubs with additional high-level competitive matches each season, designed to enhance player development, strengthen club performance, create meaningful opportunities for elite players, and support national team selection, thereby contributing to the overall growth of football in Guyana.
